Page 53 of Ridin' Free

He disappeared into the back hallway without a single complaint, and my smile lingered. As I continued my task, I realized Rodeo’s willingness to do what needed to be done wasn’t the only reason behind my good mood.

I hadn’t heard from Twister since he left me on his couch, but he’d been on my mind more than I was willing to admit all day. Strange as it was, whatever we were doing—whatever we were becoming—it was satisfying. I meant that physically, of course. I hadn’t had sex on a regular basis in years. It had been even longer since I had a partner who took ownership of my pleasure. In part because I didn’t allow it. But with Twister it was like something new.

With Benson I wassafe.

‘I’m your daddy now, baby.’

I felt heat crawl up my neck and into my cheeks as the memory surfaced, and I shook it away as I shifted my thoughts. Fact of the matter was, I was more thansated. I felt something close tohappy.

It was different than the contentment I was so grateful to have found with my life in Gillette. It was bigger. Riskier. A part of me felt stupid for even entertaining the thought—but it was too bright, too warm a feeling to shove into a dark, hidden corner of my mind.

Twister was too big to stow anywhere.

If I thought about it too hard, it seemed ridiculous. Maybe even dangerous.

There wascomfortand then there wascomplacence. I couldn’t afford to fall into the latter. I couldn’t afford to fallat all. But what I could do was enjoy the moment. For now, I could pretend my life was normal and I had every right to happiness—even if it was far from the truth.

It had been a good couple of days, and I was going to let myself have that.

Eventually, it would all come to an end. I would get what I deserved; but this felt like a miscalculation by the universe I didn’t have it in me to discard.

Mustang arrived as the bar opened. As per usual, he left Rodeo and I out front for a while so he could get some work done in the back office. We had a slow flow of patrons until around seven, when the band that night took to the stage.

It was when things began to pick up that I heard Rodeo mutter, “Oh, shit.”

I glanced over at him in confusion and noticed Mustang gave him the same look of curiosity. Rodeo paid neither of us any mind, his focus aimed toward the front entrance. I followed the direction of his gaze and saw Lyla headed toward the bar. I still didn’t understand Rodeo’s reaction until I registered the look on the brunette’s face.

The look aimed unwaveringly at me.

“Me and you, we need to talk,” she all but demanded as she approached.

It didn’t take a genius to surmise what this was about—but there was no way inhellwe were doing this.

“Unless you’re here for a drink, I’ve got nothin’ to say to you,” I replied.

“I know you’re fuckin’ him. I saw him carry you through the clubhouse the other day. And you think you’re hot shit, playing with his head, gettin’ him to be exclusive—but he’smine. Everyone knows it.”

I felt my face get warm, but it wasn’t a result of my embarrassment.

Fuck embarrassment.

I waspissedoff.

I had zero tolerance for this catty shit.

Especially while I was at work.

Pointing toward the door, I muttered, “If you don’t get the fuck out of my face?—”

“Hey—hey,” interjected Rodeo, gently pressing down my arm. “I got this.”

I freed a shaky breath, willing myself to remain calm as he put himself between us. When he began to address Lyla, I glanced at Mustang and noticed him already staring at me. He jerked his head, signaling me to the back, and I got the hint. Stomping toward the swinging door, I barreled through it and began to pace up and down the length of the hallway.

Safe to say, my good mood was gone as if it never existed.

Happinesswas always so impossibly fragile.

I wasn’t a complete idiot. I knew about Twister and Lyla. Hell, I knew she wasn’t the only one. He was no angel—but neither was I. Where he put his dick was none of my business. I never asked him for exclusivity. I never asked him foranyof this.