Bossing the Cowboy (Circle B Ranch #4) - Kennedy Fox Page 0,13

around in only a bra and booty shorts. I’d never seen Elle in anything besides scrubs, so to say I was shocked the moment I saw her is putting it mildly. Jealousy overcame me and was followed by rage when I noticed men staring and pawing at her.

After I return to my table, I finish my drink and realize the guys hardly noticed my absence. They’re too busy gawking at the girls on stage, but I can’t take my eyes off Elle as she walks around. The way she smiles at guys who don’t deserve a second of her attention has my blood boiling. I’m not sure where this instinct to protect her comes from, but it’s all I can think about. I want to wrap a jacket around her and demand that she quits. Then I want to take her back to my room and—

I shake my head before the inappropriate thoughts take over.

I’m her goddamn boss.

Fuck. I need to get out of here.

But I don’t want to leave until she gets out safely. So it’s decided then, I’m staying till closing.

For the rest of the night, she avoids me, and I can’t blame her. All of our conversations are job-related, but I overhear a lot of what she, Beverly, and Trina talk about. She just doesn’t know I listen to them.

It’s one in the morning by the time her shift ends. I watch as she cashes out her tips and tells the bartender goodbye. The last thing I want to do is to come off as a stalker, but the moment she goes out of view, I follow her outside. Instead of saying anything, I just watch as one of the bouncers walks her to her truck. Elle thanks him, and I finally release a breath once she’s safely inside.

After she buckles in, Elle looks up, and we make eye contact. I keep mine locked on her, and when she starts to drive off, she quickly waves. I sigh, realizing I fucked up big time.

I shouldn’t have touched her. Should’ve kept my hands to myself and kept my mouth shut.

But if I’m being honest, having her close enough to kiss sparked something in me that I thought was dead.

The part of me that Vivian broke.

It doesn’t mean I can do anything about it, and I won’t. Elle’s too young, and I’m too jaded. She needs a mentor, not a messy relationship with someone who has more emotional baggage than even I can comprehend.

By the time Friday morning rolls around, I’m anxious as hell but refuse to let it show. When I got back to my hotel the other night, I passed out, then drove home in the morning. I feel like a goddamn idiot for the way I acted, but I don’t regret it. Nothing needs to change between us, and I’ll make sure she’s aware of that.

“Good mornin’,'' Beverly greets, handing me a coffee. “Looked like you needed an extra cup today.” She smirks with a wink.

“Thanks,” I grumble. “Is Elizabeth here yet?”

“Yes, she just punched in.”

“Send her in, please.”

“Sure thing.” She exchanges a look with Trina, but I ignore it.

I take a long sip of the hot liquid and stare at my computer until the door opens.

“Come sit,” I order.

Elle glares at me because of my tone but shuts the door and takes a seat.

“I’m not gonna beat around the bush. Seeing you at that strip club took me by surprise. I apologize for following you into the hallway, especially since I’d been drinking. With that being said, you need to quit your job.”

She crosses her arms, then shrugs. “Fine, I quit. I’ll be back for my last check.”

“Your other job,” I clarify, knowing damn well she knew what I meant.

“I’m positive you can’t dictate what I do outside of these walls. What I do on my own time is none of your business,” she retorts. I should’ve expected her to be defensive and not listen.

“If it’s about the money, I’ll give you a raise.”

“No.”

I grind my teeth at how damn stubborn she’s being. “Double,” I counter.

Elle’s brows shoot up.

“You don’t belong there. It’s not a good look for the clinic.”

“Is that the only reason you don’t want me there?” she challenges. I can tell she wants to be defiant, but there’s no way she can deny my offer.

Instead of going down the road of why I don’t like other men looking at her, I bring up another point she won’t argue. “Unless you’d like your