Page 18 of Ridin' Free

“We’ll walk out with you,” insisted Rodeo.

He was being nice and going out of his way to do so. I didn’t need it, but neither did I argue with him as we all took our leave through the front. They waited until I locked up then waved goodbye before heading for the clubhouse. With a tired sigh, I turned toward my Bronco.

The night before, I hadn’t seen him until I was halfway across the lot.

Right then, I noticed him straight away.

I shook my head then started to make my way toward him.

As soon as he was in ear shot, I said, “Don’t ask me if I want to fuck because I don’t.”

He chuckled. For reasons I didn’t bother to explore, this only sparked my ire.

“Wasn’t gonna,” he told me.

Regardless of what he said, upon my approach, he didn’t bother to move from where he was leaning against my driver’s side door.

Before I could ask him to get out of my way, he continued, “Next time we do, it’ll be after a date.”

I coughed out an involuntary and entirely humorless laugh. “Think again, Twister. I’m not goin’ on a date with you.”

“Why not?” he asked through a grin.

“That’s not what this is.”

“Could be.”

My eyebrows shot up in a show of sarcastic surprise. “Oh, yeah? And how would Lyla feel about that?”

When his smile fell, I regretted what I said immediately. It was clear he’d mistaken my snark for jealousy.

Iwasn’tjealous.

Not even a little.

My refusal had nothing to do with Lyla.

“Forget I said that. I’m going home. Would you move?” I asked with a wave of my hand.

He didn’t budge.

“If I wanted Lyla, I wouldn’t be here. Figured that much would be obvious.”

The only thing that wasobviouswas how I wasn’t making myself clear.

“Look, I don’t give a shit about that kutte chaser. Fuck who you want. It’s not gonna be me. Now, move out of my way.”

“Go out with me, Phoenix,” he drawled, as if I said nothing at all.

“Why?” I asked, hoping those three letters smashed together sounded as annoyed as I felt.

When he was smirking again, I knew I did, indeed, sound as annoyed as I felt.

Unfortunately, this only entertained the Stallion.

“I think I like you, and I aim to find out for sure.”

I flinched, narrowing my eyes at him before I attempted to set him straight.