Page 86 of Braving the Storm

“Briar, are you sure you’re alright… you look a little on edge?” Layla says.

Bury me right here.

“Mmmhm.” I take another giant gulp of soda.

Sage is still mid-way through verbally sparring with Kayce, something about his lack of organization and threats that if she does move here, the first task she’ll be tackling is to force him to learn how to use an electronic calendar. With a chuckle, Sage shrugs, looking around. “There’s just something about these mountains, though. Even though I’m a total slut for my weekly planner, being here brings out the go-with-the-flow in me.”

“Don’t believe a word she says.” Layla points at me and I can’t help but smile at their playful way with one another. She then turns her attention to the man with the golden smile. “As much as I hate to admit it…”

Kayce puffs up immediately, beaming. “Told you.”

“Yeah, yeah, you might just be onto something. Happy?”

“Extremely,” he says.

“Do I not even get a say in this, or are you lot of mountain heathens just determined to convert me to rolling around in hillbilly overalls?” Sage steals a fry off Kayce’s plate with a wink, considering hers has already been polished off. He shoves the remainder in her direction, and she blows him a kiss.

Meanwhile, I’m having to do my best not to squeak out loud each time Storm’s fingers continue to explore higher up my thigh.

Can they tell? Oh god. Why that torments me with an ever more insistent ache blooming in my core is a very good question to unpack at a future moment.

“Well, that’s my not-so-secret plan. Admit it, you’d love living here, Sarge.” Layla nods, and her green eyes glitter.

“Look, I know right now I’m on the lookout for clients, but one cowboy bar in Crimson Ridge is not going to be enough to have me moving here permanently.”

“You’ll have the ranch website and social media to work on, too, right?” Layla nudges Colt, who most definitely hashishand on her thigh beneath the table.

If it’s so obvious how they’re touching, surely the entire table can see what the man beside me is doing? My heart feels like it’sstuck somewhere in the back of my throat as I feel another text arrive, and I can’t bring myself to open it. Right now, my every ounce of concentration is firmly on my facial expression, along with the need to breathe through my nose.

Colt speaks up. “Of course, we need all the help you’ll be happy to give us, Sage.”

“I honestly appreciate it, but I could do it all working remotely for the most part.”

“What if I had a contact for a job, a new business starting up that might be the kind of thing you’re looking for, Sage?” The man beside me speaks up, and all eyes fall his way.

As they do so, it’s as if my stomach drops through the floor. I’m a stone statue of terror and horniness, utterly convinced thatsomeoneis going to ask where my uncle’s hand is, and why it’s halfway to fondling my pussy.

“Who?” Kayce asks the question hanging in the silence.

Can they really not see what’s going on?

“A friend.” Storm shrugs, and I have no idea how he’s able to play this so cool when I’m about two seconds from imploding. “It would require a lot of discretion, but I’d be able to put you in touch with their business manager to set up a meeting and see if it’s a good fit.”

“That sounds incredible. I’ll definitely take you up on that.” Sage pulls out her phone and starts tapping away to pull up her digital planner.

Storm’s firm hold on me doesn’t relent the entire time they discuss a contact email and how best to get in touch.

“There’s gonna be a whole ground-up marketing, PR, launch sort of bullshit needing to be done. Figured it might be up your street, and having someone they can trust is going to be the most important thing.” He adds.

I brave opening the most recent text, while the table is absorbed with more chatter. The allure of this cowboy is too great, and I’m too much of a fool for him.

Uncle Storm:

Remember, darlin’.

My cuff. My hat. My pussy to play with whenever I damn well want.

Chapter 28