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But I barely heard them.

Because—holy fucking shit.

Zeke just read me his version of the riot act, and I swear to fuck my pussy is dripping in response.

He knows it too. I can tell by the way his eyelids drop to half mast.

Next thing, he’s leaning down, kissing me like we’re all alone.

Like the whole world has gone quiet just for us.

Slow and deep and filthy with promise.

By the time he pulls back, I’m breathless and boneless and half-melted into his chest.

“Okay,” I breathe the word.

“Good.”

Then he glares over his shoulder at the rest of the kitchen. “Y’all can stop staring now.”

Avery cleared her throat. “Too late. That imprint’s burned into my soul.”

Penny fanned herself. “I think I need a mimosa.”

“Goddamn cowboys,” Jez muttered, grinning. “Y’all come with a warning label?”

Zeke just grins and tucks me closer to his side, growling low in my ear, “You’re not going anywhere, Petals. Not ever again.”

And maybe I should be embarrassed.

But mostly?

I just want him to take me right back to that bed.

Then I remember—the cow.

“Hey, I think a cow was wandering around outside when I, um, left your cabin,” I whisper, trying to sound casual as I address the group.

Some of the guys walk in right on cue, boots thudding, shirts slightly rumpled like they also didn’t get much sleep—but definitely not for the same reason.

Kian, I think, is the one who nearly chokes on the sip of coffee he swiped from Arliss.

“A cow?” he coughs, eyes wide.

Arliss bursts out laughing. “Oh my God.”

The rest of them follow, chuckling into their mugs, trading glances that I can’t quite decipher but know—know—are absolutely about me.

“What?” I ask, frowning as I turn to Kian, hoping for some kind of clue.

“Was that not a thing? Do cows not roam here or?—?”

But I don’t get a straight answer.

Because Zeke is suddenly there, at my side.

Close enough that I feel the tension radiating off him like heat.