Page 4 of Barn Burner (Love The Game #2)

Jesse

I’m gonna kick Cooper’s ass. The fucking little shit knew what he was doing when he offered the lodge to Brayden. He’s always pulling these kinds of stunts whenever there’s someone who is remotely my type around. He’s eleven years younger than me, and I swear he gets off on winding me up.

I left Brayden ten minutes ago in one of the three lodges on the edge of the property. They’re only available from May through to September, and we use them for guests who usually do more than a one-day trail ride.

They’re not big by any means. One bed, one bath, with a small kitchenette and open-plan living space. We built them a few years back when we started getting more interest in multi-day trail rides, but it’s not something we openly advertise.

But as soon as my mom arrived to make up the bed and provide clean towels, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

The way Brayden looks at me is dangerous.

It’s not something new when it comes to out-of-towners. And that’s not me being an arrogant son of a bitch. It’s more like they see the hat and the horses, and suddenly, I’m the main star fulfilling all their wildest dreams.

I’m almost certain that the heated expression on Brayden’s handsome face isn’t anything more than misplaced gratitude, and I haven’t got time to be foolish and think otherwise.

Shaking my head, I make my way toward the barn, where I’m hoping my brother will be.

“Cooper,” I snarl. “Where the fuck are you?”

His snicker travels down from above, and I climb the ladder up into the hayloft.

“What’s up with you? Anyone woulda thought those rodents pissed in your food this morning, not the donkeys.” Cooper grins from beneath his hat as he stacks the hay bales that are being passed through the hatch.

I roll my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest as I lean my shoulder against an exposed post. “Why’d you invite him to stay, Coop?”

“I don’t see the problem. The guy needs a place to stay, and we’ve got a free room.

” He removes his hat and wipes his forehead with his sleeve before placing the leather back on his head.

“And it just so happens he’s just your type.

And , based on the way he was eating you up with his eyes, I’m guessin’ he wants to try a bit of…

bull riding… this summer.” He wiggles his brows suggestively. Fucking doofus.

“I ain’t got time to be having summer flings, Cooper.” I groan, shoving him hard enough he stumbles backward. “And I’m thirty-six. I’m too old for that shit.”

Truth be told, I haven’t got time for anything. Sex tends to come in the form of a quick hookup in a bathroom stall at a bar on the rare occasion I go out. But even that’s starting to wear thin.

I work eighteen-hour days, pretty much seven days a week. Finding someone who is willing to fit into this lifestyle is like trying to find a needle in this hayloft.

Cooper gives me an exasperated look. “Quit it with the ‘old’ bullshit, Jesse. You are not old. You’re one of the healthiest and fittest guys here, so don’t give me that horse crap.”

I grunt.

“That’s it, Coop! Last one!” one of the ranch workers shouts up from outside. Cooper heaves the last of the bales, then leans back against the stack. There’s something in his expression that I don’t like. It flashes on all of my family’s faces occasionally.

Worry.

My eyes roll. I wish they would stop looking at me like that. “What is it?”

He chews on the inside of his cheek, like he’s deciding whether or not to speak what’s on his mind.

“Spit it out,” I bite.

“It’s just… I’m a li’l worried about you, is all. All you do is this place. Workin’. You never do anything for you.”

“I do plenty,” I argue.

He raises a brow in challenge and mirrors my stance, crossing his arms over his chest. “Such as?” he asks with a jut of his chin.

“I’ll go on a pack trip with Prince sometimes.”

“That doesn’t count, Jesse. I know you love that damn horse, but he isn’t a substitute for human connection.”

I glare at my youngest brother, hating that he’s right.

He sighs, raising his hands in submission.

“I dunno what it is about the Brit, but he seems like a good dude. Maybe a little lost, if anything, and I don’t mean geographically.

” He shrugs. “Maybe you can have a li’l summer fun of your own for once.

It’s gonna take me at least a week or so to fix his car once I have the parts.

” His lips tip in a smirk. “A lot can go down in a week.”

I don’t doubt it, but there’s no way I’m going to do anything about it.

I manage to avoid Brayden for the rest of the day. Rhett comes back from the trail ride, and I busy myself with cleaning and brushing down the horses and getting them settled for the night.

I also avoid my mom, who comes to find me to let me know when dinner’s ready and how the “handsome young British guy” is joining at the main house.

“I’ll grab something later,” I told her without sparing a glance her way.

But now, I’m sitting on my deck, sipping on a glass of whiskey to enjoy my favourite part of the day.

The sun is starting to set behind the mountains, turning the sky into a blend of deep oranges and red hues.

It has, in my opinion, one of the best views of the Rockies.

There’s only a wooden fence separating me and the cattle grazing on the acres of open green land.

I started building my house when I was seventeen alongside my dad.

It was our excuse to get away from the chaos that comes with having two brothers and a sister a lot younger than me.

I’m not far from the main house, but far enough that it’s easier to take my truck than it is to walk.

It gives me the separation I need to be able to switch off for the short respite I get every day.

“Hello?”

The skin on the back of my neck prickles with awareness at the sound of the voice that’s been stuck in my brain all day. What the hell is he doing here?

“Jesse? You there?” he calls out.

“Out here,” I reply gruffly.

Moments later, Brayden appears from around the side of the house.

He’s dressed in a black, silky-looking athletic T-shirt and running shorts, and I can’t help but let my eyes travel the length of his strong legs, over the curves of his firm muscles, and smooth skin dusted with hair.

I click my tongue at the sight of his white Converse that go up to his ankles and matching ribbed white socks that go slightly higher, only emphasizing the curve of his calves.

Those shoes aren’t going to last two minutes around here.

When my gaze snaps back to his face, he’s grinning.

I internally scold myself for checking him out and getting caught red-handed.

I need to remember that Brayden is dangerous.

Not in a threat to my life or my family kinda dangerous.

But dangerous in the sense that if I allow myself to give in to a taste of temptation, like Cooper is edging me to do, I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop.

As he takes a step closer, I notice the foil-covered bowl in his hands.

“You didn’t come to the house for dinner, so I thought I’d bring it to you.” He hands over the bowl and takes a seat in the chair next to mine. “Your mum said to ‘ let you starve if you can’t get your hiney inside when she tells you ,’ but I figured it was the least I could do.”

I furrow my brows. “For what?”

He shifts in his seat, glancing out into the distance.

His mouth twists as he seems to think over his words.

“Being at the right place at the right time. At least for me, anyway. I heard it really fucked up your day, and I’m really sorry about that.

” When he faces me again, there’s something in his expression that has my throat tightening slightly.

Like I’ve swallowed a ball of cotton. “What you’ve done for me, bringing me out here, letting me stay…

” His eyes dip, and the flash of vulnerability on his face makes him look younger.

“I really appreciate it. I don’t want to be a hindrance, so I’ll be sure to keep out of your way, but I just wanted to let you know that you gave me something that I’ll never be able to return. ”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him he didn’t fuck up my day, but I swallow it down because I don’t want to admit that he’s been the most exciting thing to happen to me in months.

Because isn’t that fucking sad? My very existence revolves around this ranch, and I don’t know any different.

The quickies I have in bars only serve as a quick release, and then it’s back to the grind.

Back to ignoring the fact that while I’m surrounded by my family who love me, I’m still very much alone.

When I don’t reply after a few minutes, he stands up, and suddenly, I’m at war with myself.

I want him to stay. I want him to tell me what it is he’s running from. What have I given him that’s unreturnable? Is there something I can do to make that troubled glimmer in his eyes disappear?

“Brayden,” I manage to croak out as he reaches the edge of the porch. I clear my throat, then ask, “You said you wanted to hike? Be outside?”

He nods, and I fucking hate how my heart surges at the hopeful expression on his face.

“I can show you ’round some that’s nearby. There’s some trails that are better on horseback, if you don’t mind getting in the saddle.”

A soft smile lights his face as he nods. “Yeah, I’d like that.”

“Mhm,” I hum, not wanting to risk saying any more.

He doesn’t say anything for what feels like the longest time, just looks at me with thoughtful eyes before he taps his knuckles on the wall to my house.

“Night, Jesse.”

I tip my hat, wordlessly returning his sentiment, then watch as he disappears back the way he came.

I stare at the empty space for a long few minutes before taking the bowl and heading inside to reheat it. I go to remove the foil but pause to read the words written on a Post-it note in black marker pen.

What makes Canadian cowboys sweeter than the rest? They use maple stirrups.

I snort a laugh, shaking my head as I place the dish in the microwave. I don’t know what’s brought him out here, but maybe it won’t be so bad having him around here for a while after all.