And the heavy pull of boneless exhaustion behind my eyes.
I need to get back to work, and this place feels like somewhere I can plant some roots. That is, if I don’t fuck it up per usual.
Cat’s shoulder blades flex under the cotton of her tank.
Just my unfortunate luck that we spark.
It’s nothing I can’t ignore, but I’d prefer it wasn’t there.
I might have won my first battle with the woman who’s now my boss, but I hold no illusions I’ll win them all. I threw her off balance, had her at a distinct disadvantage, but once she regains her footing, she’ll be a force to be reckoned with.
It’s best to stay on guard, and that starts with keeping my dick in my pants and my mind off what Cat’s lips might look like wrapped around it.
We walk out into the bright, beating sun. The humidity hits me like a wet blanket, and it smells like home.
After all these years, I’m back in central Louisiana. I didn’t grow up in Toulon like most people around here, but I wasn’t far away. Not sure how I feel about coming full circle, but it’s where the path led me, and here I am.
We walk down a dirt road, and a hand on the edge of the cane fields waves to her.
She waves back.
My eyes narrow on the green of the leaf—not quite as bright as it should be. I don’t need to touch it to know it’s not supple the way it’s supposed to be, and that underneath the surface there’s a brittleness I won’t like feeling there.
To Cat’s back I say, “Your irrigation system is off.”
She stops on a dime and pivots. “What do you mean?”
I gesture toward the crop. “Your hydration schedule is wrong.”
“I beg to differ.” She puts her hands on full hips. “I set it myself.”
I shrug my shoulder. “You set it wrong.”
Her brow furrows, and she glances back at the fields. “There’s not one thing wrong with the crops.”
I look out at the vast expanse of land that’s only going to get bigger as the McKay’s establish their place in the world. If I play my cards right, I can find a place here. All I need to do is lay low, do my job, and not cause any waves.
That’s not my nature. I’ve always been a hell raiser, and it’s landed me in nothing but trouble time and again. I’m determined this time will be different.
I glance down at the woman. At six-three, I tower over her. I could pick her up and take her against a wall without even breaking a sweat.
I never fucking learn, do I?
I shake off the mental image. It’s habit is all.
With enough time and pussy at the local bar, I’ll get used to being around her.
I get back to the subject at hand. “You’re right. There’s nothing wrong with the crops.”
A smug righteousness flashes across her features.
“But they’re not as good as they could be.” Her face falls, and I experience a surge of sympathy, but not enough to stop. She’s paying me for a job, and I’m going to do it. She’ll have to get over her ego. “If you want award winners, these aren’t going to cut it.”
She huffs. “Well, I think you’re wrong.”
I want to argue with her, but choose not to. One, because heated arguments will only ratchet up the lurking sexual tension between us, and two, because it will infuriate her.
“Time will tell who’s right,” I drawl.
Her white teeth sink into flesh, and I ignore the surge of lust I feel. I can’t quite tell yet if she’s aware of the chemistry or if she’s too distracted by her dislike of me.
I flash a smile and lean in. “I expect a ‘You were right, Caden’ when I prove you wrong.”
Her shoulders snap back. “Like that’s ever going to happen.”
“Like I said, time will tell.”
“Exactly.” She leans forward and taps the tip of one blunt nail to her mouth. “Regardless, I can promise those words will never cross my lips.”
Before I can respond, a male voice says, “What’s going on here?”
I glance up and see a guy that bears enough similarity to Cat—despite the difference in stature—that he has to be one of the McKay brothers standing across from us, a stunning, flame-haired redhead at his side.
Everything about the woman is mischievous, from her twinkling, electric blue eyes to her long hair that spells trouble.