Page 44 of Untamed Heart
I snorted. ‘The town I grew up in is over a thousand years old,’ I said. He let out a low whistle. ‘But a hundred years is still a long time to live alongside the same people. I wonder what my grandma would’ve made of all this, of dude ranching and the Sinclairs trying to take over Diamond Back.’
Jesse nodded, contemplative for a moment.
‘I reckon she’d have more to say about you cosying up to a cowboy.’
Side-eyeing him, I laughed, shaking my head. His own laugh was irrepressible. ‘Listen, what’s the deal with you and Cole?’ said Jesse when I didn’t respond, his voice suddenly gentle. ‘Maybe it’s not my place to ask but . . . I like you, Lottie. We could have fun, but Cole’s my brother, you know? I can’t fuck that up. But if you and he were just messing around . . .’
I sighed, wanting to keep it light but feeling the heaviness creep back across my shoulders.
‘I don’t know,’ I said, trying to be honest but not sure how to voice the situation. I also didn’t want to out Lil’s possible feelings, unsure if Jesse had any idea. ‘It’s more that I don’t know how long I’m here for, and things at home are . . . complicated.’
He pursed his lips, considering me.
‘Boyfriend complicated?’
I raised my eyebrows.
‘Ex-boyfriend. He’s an asshole. I found out he cheated on me, so I left.’
Jesse shook his head, taking a drink.
‘What a bastard. Some guys just don’t know what they’ve got.’ I nodded, watching as some ranch cowboys walked nearby, Eli amongst them. ‘We’re not all like that, you know.’
I turned to him then and was met by a full stare, as intense as it was warm.
‘I know,’ I murmured. ‘I’m sure you’d be the total opposite.’
He kept his eyes on mine, his hand reaching forward to brush my cheek.
‘You just say the word, Princess, and maybe we can see.’
My heart picked up a beat, knowing, feeling how easy it would be. But he wasn’t . . . Cole.
‘You’re sweet,’ I replied, giving him a soft smile. ‘But I need to figure this whole thing out with Cole first before it becomes any messier.’
He nodded, hands back on his beer, staring out at the people milling around in front.
‘I get it,’ he said, then, bumping against my shoulder, ‘but if y’all change your mind, you know where to find me.’
‘I know. But in the meantime, there is something you can do,’ I said, giving a slow smile at his surprise and holding up my phone. ‘Let me film you walking down there, maybe even take your shirt off. We need our introduction to social media to really make an impact.’
He raised his eyebrows, pure mischief in his expression.
‘I will if you will?’ he replied, smirking at my mock frown. ‘Although I’m not sure the good folk of Elk Creek are going to be impressed. It might even get us kicked out.’
‘Sounds like fun to me,’ I said, setting up the video. ‘Maybe Dotty will get involved . . . now that would make for a good watch.’
He laughed, setting his beer down on a nearby table. I gave him directions: to walk down along the fence, look moody and hot, then towards the end, take his shirt off. The sun was casting long shafts of golden light right across the pasture in front and would catch him perfectly.
‘Sure you want me to wait until the end to take this off?’ he asked. ‘If we’re going to get kicked out, may as well do it right.’
Smiling and more than a bit awed by his confidence, I shrugged, watching as he unbuttoned his shirt, the deep blue fabric giving way to . . . quite a sight. I tried not to openly gawp at his toned abs and broad shoulders.
‘Changed your mind?’ he asked, watching my reaction with amusement as I took the shirt from him.
‘Focus on the task, cowboy,’ I replied, lining up the shot, already filming him standing near the fence, adjusting his hat. ‘Okay, take it steady . . . More of a stroll. Keep going to the flagpole at the end of the fence.’
He tipped his hat to me, cocky smile on his face as he set off, sun highlighting the definition on his abs, the hint of his smile visible. I quickly panned out to the people around us, hoping to capture reactions, and I wasn’t disappointed. A group of older women openly gawped, one almost spilling her drink across their boots, while another pair of younger girls next to them were clutching each other in shock.
