Page 17 of The Gruff Loner’s Bargain

“I knew you’d done it. With the jets, I mean. Don’t suppose you’d care to demonstrate?”

“I most certainly would not.”

“It’s worth a shot to ask. My favorite way to get off for the record is inside of a warm, willing…”

She yanks me forward and pushes my head under water.

I come back up laughing. Then I stalk the short distance to her, my body is dripping water. I lean over her until she looks up into my face.

“This weekend can be anything you want it to be, Manhattan. We can keep pretending and take all the pictures and notes you and Natalie need for your business. Part ways as friends and I’ll count myself a lucky fucker.”

“Or?” she asks, the word breathless.

“Or, you can let me peel this suit off your gorgeous body and show you how a real man appreciates your curves.”

I get close to her face, enough that our breath mingles. My eyes lock on hers. “Lady’s choice.” I stand and step out of the hot tub. “I’m going to go take a shower.”

chapter

ten

Brook

He leaves me with those parting words, and I watch the water slide off of his tatted back. He dries off, then wraps the towel around his waist and slips back inside the cabin.

I let out a breath.

“What the hell just happened?” I ask myself out loud like a lunatic. But then I answer. “He just propositioned us.”

And now I’m plural. Fuck. That man scrambled my brains.

I’m so turned on right now, it is tempting to slide myself in front of one of those powerful water jets and get myself off. Or I could go inside and join that delicious man in the shower.

I mean sex with him would be off the charts hot, I can just tell. I flex my hand remembering what the weight of his erection felt like against my palm. He’s definitely proportionate in the size department. Tall man, big hands, big feet, super-sized dick.

I stare out at the mountains, watching the sun set behind them, streaking the sky with pinks and oranges.

Hooking up with Landry would be hot and, no doubt, satisfying. But also super complicated. He’s best friends with my sister’s husband. What happens if, when we get back to Saddle Creek, we can’t get along anymore? And then he and Greyson are going to be working with us to get all of our buildings constructed.

Getting involved would be too messy.

Once I’m back inside and have showered and gotten ready for bed, I grab my phone to send some of my observations to Natalie. I describe the place and send pictures.

ME: I think it’s too big though. I don’t know… I am hoping ours is more personal.

ME: I’m probably being overly picky, but I don’t want ours to feel like a wedding factory.

NATALIE: I think I know what you mean.

NATALIE: And it makes sense.

NATALIE: How’s everything else?

I chew on my thumbnail a bit before I send the question I’ve been wanting to ask her for days.

ME: Is Landry always such a big flirt?

NATALIE: Oh no, is he flirting with one of the other brides? Oh, or the staff?