Page 89 of No Strings

“And?”

“Just an observation.” He shrugs. “I like seeing you in my shirts.”

I walk over to him, buttoning the flanno, “Wouldn’t you prefer to see me out of your clothes?”

“Most definitely.”

Leaning down I say, “If you play your cards right, you can see all of me tonight.” I lean even closer, our lips ghost past each other, and I pull back, throw him a wink, and spin on my heels leaving his room.

I can hear him groan, which has a triumphant smile break over my face. I quickly dart into my room and put on some underwear and something that isn’t Rhys’s before I face dumb and dumber.

“Oh, how different you look with clothes on.” Beau says as a greeting. Davis just nods.

I decide to re-boil the kettle. I turn and rest my hip on the bench. “Why were you pervs watching us sleep?”

“You were both covered. Some of us wanted to get on with the day, and you didn’t hear us knock on the front door.”

“You watched us sleep?” Adding emphasis, so maybe they can realise how weird it is. But they don’t.

Beau waves his hand. “Barely.”

I ignore him and focus on making myself a coffee. I can feel Rhys before I hear or see him. So, when he brackets me against the bench, I don’t flinch. I just add the milk when he rests his head on my shoulder and asks, “Make me one?”

“Ask nicely?”

“Morgan, can you please make me a coffee?”

I smile and offer him my mug; he takes it and gives me a kiss to the top of my head. I remake one for myself. Freezing, I turn to face Rhys. I open my mouth then close it. Trying one more time. “I just gave you my coffee.”

“Ah, okay?”

“No, I mean—” What do I mean? “I don’t know.”

He looks at me equally as puzzled, but I’m sure it’s more from the fact I couldn’t articulate what I was trying to say than what I said. Things feel natural, like giving him my coffee is the most normal part about my day.

They talk about needing to push cattle here and there, and building a new yard for the cattle they are waiting on to be delivered by truck. I’m half listening, half processing my thoughts, until I hear my name being called over and over.

“Morgan?”

“Hmm?” I turn around to find three sets of eyes watching me.

“Rodeo?”

“Yeah, I have never been to one.”

Beau looks offended, Davis has his typical expressionless face, and Rhys is half shocked but half amused.

“What?”

“I can’t believe?—”

“I’m happy we get to take you to your first rodeo.” Rhys says, cutting off Beau, who just rolls his eyes. “Right well, rodeo is happening, but we have to work today.”

We walk outside, as Rhys, who reminds the guys of their jobs, is carrying a bag. I look at him in question.

“I never took you to the dam.”

“Oh.”