Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 362(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
So far, I’ve watched her handle some of the most embarrassing moments with grace and composure. I’ve seen her perfect tits. God, I stroked my cock to that vision at least twice since she left my room. I ached to paint my name on her chest with my load, letting every asshole know that she belonged to me. This is a first. I’ve never been territorial.
As a teen, it was because I knew I had priorities. In college, I had dreams, and no girl was going to get in the way of them. I had a couple of lovers during my first year on the team, but that had been it. Women saw dollar signs and the opportunity to get pregnant. The last straw was when I overheard a girl I wanted to take out for drinks tell her friend that she planned to break the condom and she was ovulating. I skipped out, running as if a cornerback and safety were on my ass inches from the end zone.
I walk into the barn where the guys are congregating. They’ve started their daily routine, but at this time, we have a staff meeting to make sure there’s nothing else we need to tackle and how to get it all done by five. This isn’t the largest farm in town or in the state, but I do make a nice profit every year to keep it functioning.
I reach the guys at the back of the sixth horse stall when Dillon says, “Hey, Tobias. How was last night?”
“What do you mean?” I doubt John would spill what he witnessed and what I said about Ava, so he’s got to be talking about something else.
“Your new cook. Did you fire her already?” Dillon’s brows go up expectantly.
“No. I didn’t.” I do my best to act casual about it. They’re used to my temper when things don’t go according to my request.
“So John’s warning is serious? Are we not allowed into the main house anymore?” Jessie asks, coming out dressed to saddle up today.
The thought of any of these young men around her sets my teeth on edge. “Not unless invited by me. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. Do you all hear the boss man? We’re not allowed in the main house unless invited strictly by him.” They smirk and laugh.
“Well, I saw her. Her car isn’t the only pretty thing. She’s gorgeous.”
“Keep your eyes on your job, Mike.” I’ve had enough of ranch hands bedding my cooks. Anyone puts their hands on my Ava, and I’ll fucking bury them alive. Every single one of them is younger than me except Big John, and like he reminded me yesterday, he belongs to Louisa and only her. “I do have a request, though. No mentioning anything about her to anyone for the time being. Understood? Someone knocked her around before she got here and she’s afraid of them. She’s jumpy, and I don’t want you fucks freaking her out.”
“Of course.” He nods, tossing his hands up in surrender and laughs.
“Okay. Enough talk about my new cook. What kind of car?” I ask, hoping they’ll drop my remarks as nothing more than I don’t want a repeat of what happened during the summer.
“It’s a sweet Lexus.” They all agree with Jessie.
“Well, keep it in the barn. If she needs a ride to the store or something, I’ll take her. I don’t want whoever’s looking for her to spot it. She could be in serious danger.” We have two barns with livestock in them and one for our farm vehicles.
“We’re all packing, Tobias. We got your back.”
I nod and get back to the standard morning check-in before we break off to get the projects done.
It’s almost noon when we head in for lunch. They’re all surprised to see me coming to the bunkhouse. “You’re eating with us? I thought you got a cook?”
“I’m letting her settle in. I’m having dinner with her.”
“Oh. So when’s the wedding?”
“Fuck off. Just because I don’t want you guys trying to get in her pants doesn’t mean I want her. She needs protection from the bastard and doesn’t need to be avoiding your advances.” Really, they know I’m mostly full of shit, but I’m already way over my head when it comes to this woman. Seriously, my heart’s pounding just thinking about her.
She looked so stunned when I kissed her cheek. It was dumb, but I’m not sure what she thought of it. Her eyes widened and her lips parted like they had yesterday when I scared her. I hope I haven’t just ruined my chances with her.
“Tobias, Tobias,” John shouts. I turn to see him shuffling toward me, huffing. “I’ve been trying to get your attention. I’m going to ride out and check that fence. I’ve already got the truck ready to take the supplies over there. Are you up for it?” He had to run out and get them this morning because we were out of a couple winches and the proper bolts to remove the tree and replace the boards. We’ll cut down the tree as much as possible and use it for firewood so the tree doesn’t go to waste.