Page 159 of Broken Trust
It probably won’t happen again now that we’ve gotten it out of our system.
And it doesn’t have to affect my and Cabe’s relationship or theirs. Cabe and I aren’t a couple anymore. We’re friends. And we’ve never discussed our sex lives, so why would we start now?
It’s weak reasoning, but I’ll cling to anything at this point.
Axle
Iescape to the front porch before dessert is served.
Nobody stops me.
That’s the beauty of being me.
The family expects Royce to be social. They expect Cabe to be responsible and charming.
Me?
I can slip away without anyone questioning my mood.
I settle into one of the old wooden rocking chairs and stretch my legs out in front of me. The late evening sun casts shadows over the ranch. The distant mountains look like they’ve been painted by the sun. Wind moves through the cottonwoods lining the drive.
I can still hear the chaos inside the house.
Voices talking over each other at the table. Dishes clattering in the kitchen.
Sunday supper at Wildhaven Storm is an event.
Usually, I enjoy it.
Today, I can’t seem to sit still or think straight. Can’t seem to stop replaying last night in my mind.
I drag a hand down my face.
Geezus.
I never meant for any of it to happen.
I’d made my decision. The smart choice was to shut it all down. Everything. The flirting. The friendship. The stolen moments in the middle of the night. The way my entire damn day got better every time I walked across our decks.
I knew exactly where that road was going if I didn’t take the exit ramp.
I close my eyes.
I shouldn’t have waited up.
I should have stayed in my damn cabin when I heard the truck drop her off.
It would have been so easy, but then I rushed out and scooped her into my arms. Felt her warmth melt into me. Before she got bold and stripped down in front of me. That was when everything went sideways.
I got out of there as fast as I could. That should have been the end of it.
But I wasn’t expecting her reaction. She stomped across the deck, angry and defiant, wanting answers.
Demanding them.
Calling me on my bullshit.
It was sexy as hell, and I stood there, watching her. Seeing those blue eyes flash. Seeing her refuse to let me push her away. Something inside me finally snapped.
