I may be only twenty-two, but I’m plenty old enough to know what I want—and what I don’t want—especially when it comes to men.
* * *
DEAN
Decorating crew is secured. Madelyn said she’d take the lead.I hit Send and kick back in bed, waiting for Tessa’s reply. We haven’t talked since Friday night when I ordered the cake, and I’ve caught myself checking my phone, hoping for a random text, all week. To my ego’s dismay, there’s been nothing.
Then again, I’m not sure why she would after we ended that last conversation on a clear note—what happened in Vegas will stay in Vegas. End of story.
But I didn’t think she’d give up on the idea so easily. She’s always been such a spitfire. I’d expected her to dig her heels in and remind me of how damn good we’d been together. Spur-of-the-moment marriage aside, anyway.
I’ve always given her a hard time, mostly because it’s so much fun. I like the fire in her eyes when she gets riled up. It gets my blood pumping just like I know it does hers.
But she pulled back way too easily, and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why. We fucked up and got married. The fun and games are over.
But do they have to be? We can correct our mistake and still move forward with the fun part of things, right?
Except you told her shit was complicated enough, asshole. Maybe if you’d quit playing mind games and tell her how you really feel, you wouldn’t be sitting here sulking like a damn toddler.
Friggin’ hell.
Maybe call me instead of texting. There’s something I want to talk to you about. I send the message and fling the sheet off my legs as the heat of desperation engulfs me. It’s been a long ass time since I liked a woman enough to backtrack on my words, let alone tell her how I really feel.
I don’t do feelings. I don’t do relationships. It’s not that I’m against either, but I’m committed to a job that takes a lot out of me, and I can’t give a woman the kind of time she deserves.
But Tessa lives in Colorado. So what’s the harm in messing around for a little while if it’s what we both want?
My phone lights up with a text.Sorry, I’m already in bed.
Yep, I definitely pissed her off when I shut her down.Okay. Sorry. Sleep tight.
Giving up, I set the phone on the side table and let out a long breath. I’m not accustomed to feeling this out of sorts about a woman, and I can’t blame it on the marriage hanging over our heads. She was under my skin long before that. It’s not that she’s my boss’s little sister either, because I don’t get off on getting away with shit I shouldn’t be doing. That’s not me.
It’s her. It’s Tessa friggin’ McMurray, and that captivating confidence she exudes. She’s like a magnet and I’m a horseshoe, drawn to her by an invisible force.
My phone chirps once again, and I smile at the message.Didn’t mean to be rude. Just going into work early since I’m off on Friday. Road trip to see some fools in Montana.
Ha!Not a problem, sweetness. Get some rest, and we can chat when you get to the ranch.
Looking forward to it. Night, boss man.
Night.
I imagine her sinking down into the warmth of her blankets and closing those pretty eyes. In no time at all, her lips will part as she drifts off to dreamland. But not me. Nope, I’m hard as a damn fence post remembering how damn good she’d felt in my arms in that bed in Vegas.
Montana is full of fools, that’s for damn sure. And I’m probably the biggest one.
chapter 9
TESSA
By the time I get to Mason Creek on Friday night, Pony Up is packed. Holden’s and Kaden’s trucks are parked near the entrance, and Dean’s is in the back… next to the only open spot in the lot.
Butterflies whirl in my stomach as I park beside him, wishing we’d taken a few moments to formulate some kind of plan for how we’re going to behave around each other. I’m usually flirty, because hello, he’s hot, and I can’t get enough of the man. But playing that game now seems strange. After all, he’s technically my husband.
Whom I’m divorcing.
And yet still want.
