Page 62 of Burning Skies
“Do you mean out on a date?”
He gives me a rueful smile. “Yeah. I’m sorely out of practice with this whole courtin’ thing, but I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to do nice things for you.”
Courting? I can’t bring myself to correct him. Because I’d desperately love to date Beau.
Grinning, I lean up to kiss him again. “Only if you want to.”
He pats my ass. “That’s not even a question.”
24
HONEY
“Can I refill your coffee, Honey?”my waitress asks.
“Thanks, Peggy. I need all the caffeine I can get.” I hold up my cup.
I’m sitting in the corner of the Blackbird Coffee House a few hours after I left Beau’s cabin. I’ve been staring at this essay for at least twenty minutes, but all I can think about is my night with Beau. I’ve been on a sex high all morning. Even my ankle feels better.
Peggy squints at me and points to my neck. “You have a little rash right here.”
I slap my hand over my throat. Is that from Beau’s beard? “Th-thanks. I wore some costume jewelry last night, and I think I’m allergic.”
“Do you need some Benadryl? I have some in my purse.”
“That’s okay. Thank you, though.”
When she walks away, I pull out the compact in my purse. Sure enough, there’s a bright red rash on my neck. For some sick reason, it makes me smile. Because it feels like Beau marked me.
“Whatcha smilin’ about?” My brother Trig drops down into the seat across from me.
I love Trig, but he’s not who I want to see this morning. I turn away slightly so he can’t see the mark on my neck. “This essay was funny. How are you?” I stack my papers, eager to make an escape.
I don’t know why I ask. His bloodshot eyes tell me everything I need to know. He’s been drinking again.
He rakes his fingers through his hair. “Not great. Dad’s been extra pissy lately, and he’s always out of town. Then he jumps down my throat when he doesn’t like how I did something.”
“That’s probably my fault. He was trying to set me up with this guy Ian, but I think he’s a jerk.”
His brows lift. “Ian Fairchild? Diamondback Ranch?”
“Yeah, but I don’t like him. He’s rude.”
“Most women seem to love him.”
“I’m not most women. Besides, there’s a difference between partying with someone and marrying them.”
“Whoa. He proposed?”
“No. But Dad wants me to marry him for some business deal.”
Shaking his head, Trig steals my coffee. “Unbelievable.” After he takes a sip, he leans forward and lowers his voice. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want. Cash and I have your back. We’ll never hang you out to dry. You’re our baby sister, and we look out for what’s ours.”
The vehemence in his voice makes my eyes sting. “Thanks, Trig. That means a lot to me.”
“Someday, the ranch will be ours. We just have to be patient. Dad won’t run our lives forever. If you don’t wanna marry that douchebag, don’t. I can float you some money if old Vernon cuts you off.”
I pat his rough hand. How could my beautiful brother hate Beau so much? “I already pay all of my bills, but thank you. If I ever get in a tight spot, I’ll let you know.”
