Page 38 of Sin With Me

“Oh.” I hesitate bringing up the article, but it’s obvious he read it. And probably heard plenty of gossip about it, too. “Well, I appreciate your apology.”

“Maybe we could start over, and I could buy you a drink? One that you won’t have to wear?” he asks sheepishly. “Or even dinner. Maria’s Kitchen has the best nachos. And I noticed you were drinkin’ margaritas at the Twisted Bull. They make good ones there, too.”

I stifle a laugh, finding his ramblings charming and genuine.

“You were watchin’ me, huh?”

“It was impossible not to notice the most beautiful woman there. If I’m being honest, I came up with a game plan to go talk to you and my dumb ass tripped and that’s when my beer went flyin’. I kinda got too drunk, so my plan went out the window.”

“Yeah…that’s a good way to put it.” I grin. “While I appreciate the gesture, it’s really not necessary. Things are a bit complicated in my life right now and?—”

“We can go just as friends. No expectations, I swear. I just moved here to be closer to my sister, so I don’t know many people.”

Dammit. It can be tough coming into a tight-knit community of people who have lived here all our lives and not know anyone.

“Okay, sure. As friends,” I reiterate.

Chapter Seven

Wilder

Ihaven’t seen Gramma Grace this heated since I was a teenager and it not being directed at me for once is a nice change.

“I’m gonna figure out who Molly’s mother and grandmother are and have myself a little chat with ’em about respect andloyaltyin this town…” She paces the kitchen in her usual apron, aggressively stirring something in a big bowl. “And comin’ onto the ranch…she must have balls of steel.”

“I don’t think she has balls, Gramma Grace,” Noah muses from across the table from me.

“How did she even sign up for a tour?” Waylon asks. “That’s only for registered guests.”

“She made a reservation, got early check-in, and then signed up for a tour right away,” Tripp explains. “It’s not like she told us she was a journalist. We had no reason to be suspicious.”

After I drove to the main house and told Mom what happened, she called an emergency family meeting. Dad’s been on the phone with John, but there isn’t much he can do since it’s considered free speech and the court records are public.

But that doesn’t mean the Hollises will go down without a fight.

“Alright…” Dad enters the kitchen, pocketing his phone. “The best we can do is damage control. Get ahead of it before it threatens the family or the business. Wilder, you’re gonna stay away from the guests and retreat until this blows over. You’ll switch jobs with Landen.”

“What?” Landen and I exclaim simultaneously.

“He watches horses fuck and fondles their balls all day,” I complain.

“Language,” Mom scolds.

Landen manages the breeding operation. He takes care of our studs and the pregnant mares until they go home to their owners. He watches them mate all summer and then in the off-season, he collects their semen and sells it online.

“Doesn’t sound much different than what you fondle in your room all night,” Noah blurts.

I shoot her an unamused glare. “And how would you know?”

“I’ve heard stories.”

“Kinda weird to be talkin’ about your brother’s balls…”

“Enough,” Dad snaps. “Besides stayin’ on the ranch side only, you will not leave the property unless you have an appointment, you’re doing community service hours, or I say you can.”

I roll my eyes, leaning my elbows on the table. “So I can go to therapy, but the grocery store is off-limits?”

“Correct. No talkin’ to anyone who ain’t family.”