Page 35 of Rope Me In

Once I’ve pulled on the pair of old cowboy boots Blake gave me, I’m ready to go.

I turn off the light to the modest room with green walls and two twin beds then close the door. Nobody’s staying in this place but me, but I feel weird leaving it open, especially with my violin in there. Not that I think anyone would steal it, but I’m still not ready to let people know I play.

Once the door clicks shut, I walk into the small living area that has the TV and kitchen. I wonder if there is any food stocked in the pantry. I doubt it, since the gas isn’t even turned on for the stove, but I may as well look. There’s no way I’m going up to the house like Blake said to get breakfast. Normally, I wouldn’t want to eat this early, but I forgot to eat dinner last night because of all my overthinking. By then, it was too late to try to figure something out, so now, my stomach is growling.

I take a few steps toward the kitchen when a soft snore stops me in my tracks. The hair on the back of my neck rises, and I turn my gaze to the couch. My eyes are just adjusting to the dark, but a large lump is definitely there, one the size of a man. Blake didn’t mention anyone else sleeping in here, and she doesn’t strike me as the type not to tell me.

I stand as still as I can, trying to determine what to do next. I could scream, but the main house is a good distance away, and I don’t think anyone would hear. I look around the space, but I doubt they have a baseball bat.

Just as I spot a fire poker near the old fireplace, a sleep-filled voice fills my ears and makes me jump. “You didn’t strike me as someone with somnophilia, Lemon.”

Somno-what? What the heck?“Kade?” I question, my normally low voice high-pitched with lingering fear.

He groans and sits up. “The one and only, City Girl.”

I see we’re starting early with the nicknames. How is his brain even functioning enough to be snarky? “What are you doing here?”

He moves and puts his booted feet on the ground. How did he fall asleep with those clunky things on? Then he reaches over and flips on a table lamp, making both of us squint at the light. Once my eyes have adjusted, I see he still has his clothes on from yesterday, a pair of dirty Wranglers and a white T-shirt that’s smeared with dirt.

“Well?” I ask him again. “Don’t you have a house to sleep in?”

He looks up at me through sleepy eyes and long lashes, eyelashes that any woman would kill for. How have I not noticed them before? Oh yeah, because he’s generally been an asshole to me despite how handsome he is. In this light, he resembles Brad Pitt inLegends of the Fall. My mom used to love that movie.

Kade narrows his eyes at me, and I’m reminded that ogling him isn’t what I should be doing right now. Or ever.

“I’ll be staying here from now on,” he says.

My mouth drops open. “What? Why?”

He stands. At his full height, he’s got several inches on me, but I try not to cower. I don’t feel unsafe around him, just small, which is a rarity for me growing up in a larger body. I can’t help but notice he smells like alcohol.

“Lemon, I don’t think I have to tell you what I do on my own property.”

“But Blake said I’d have the place to myself.”

“She was wrong. I’m staying here.”

“On the couch?”

He smirks at me. “What, you want me to stay in your bed? We could see if it squeaks.”

I scoff. “You’re gross.”

He chuckles. “I’ve been called many things, but that’s not one of them.”

“Seriously, Kade,” I huff. It’s too early to be having this conversation, and I just want a straight answer from him. Which is apparently hard to get.

He crosses his arms over his chest, and I attempt to keep my eyes off the way I know his veins are bulging on his forearms. I’ve watched them while he makes drinks at the bar, and I know their power—and I refuse to fall prey to them.

“As much as I know you’re wishing I was sleeping in your bed, Lemon, there aren’t any mattresses in those other rooms. I’ll get one today.”

“My name is Presley.”

Kade’s eyes smile. “So you’ve told me.”

“Then why don’t you use it?”

He shrugs and turns to walk away.