Sedona Surrender (Sedona Pack #4) - Lisa Kessler Page 0,4

ever discussed semen in my life.”

“I forget everyone else doesn’t talk like this every day.” He laughed, and there was that warmth sliding through my bloodstream again.

“You’re numb to semen?” I giggled.

Okay, definitely too much wine.

“Not sure how to answer that.” The smile was plain in his voice.

“Sorry. There’s a good chance I should’ve had some food before I poured the wine.” I stared up at the ceiling, willing myself to mellow out. “I swear I don’t usually drink alone. I’m just new in town and a little stressed about the job.”

“Not meeting up with your brother?”

He had remembered our brief conversation earlier. The corners of my mouth tipped up. “He’s got his hands full with his new pregnant wife and he’s got a demanding job in Phoenix, so it’s tough to pin him down.”

“Well if you come up with more questions about bull semen, you’ve got my number.”

I rested my elbow on the table with a goofy grin. “Not exactly. I have your office number.”

Was I seriously asking the vet for his number? Maybe I was lonelier than I’d realized.

Sedona was a long way from Lake Tahoe. I’d left behind my best friend, Vivianna, a job that I loved, and a house that was walking distance from the gorgeous lake. But when Chandler had told me he’d eloped with Wendy and they were expecting, it had flipped a switch inside me. Our dad had nearly died of a heart attack a few weeks earlier, and suddenly it hit me how short life was. Chandler and I had a chance to make sure our fractured family history ended with our parents. It inspired me. More than that. Seeing Chandler in love, happy—god, it made me believe love might be real after all—and I didn’t want to miss a moment.

Vivi understood, and my former boss, Taryn, sent me off with a promise that Goldstone Properties would always have a place for me if I ever came back to Tahoe. But I still missed them.

Cole gave me his cell number and added, “I have some time later in the day on Saturday if you’d like to get together. We could meet at the ranch or maybe over a drink?”

I blinked. “Like a date?” I hadn’t been on one in so long, I wasn’t sure.

“No. Just thought you might have more cattle questions.” Was he back-pedaling? “Plus, I guess then you’d know someone else in town besides your brother.”

So not a date.

“That’s okay. I wouldn’t want to keep you from your…” He didn’t wear a ring, but he could still be married or have a girlfriend or a family. “Thanks, though.”

“If I had someone to be kept from, I wouldn’t be inviting another woman out for drinks.” His chair squeaked again, and I imagined him leaning back with an arm up behind his head, his biceps on display. “I’m not that kind of guy.”

“Good to know.” I glanced at the stacks of boxes lining the wall, begging to be unpacked, and decided to ignore them. “I do have some questions. But I’ve got a thing on Saturday afternoon. Maybe we could meet tomorrow instead?” He was quiet long enough that I checked my phone to make sure the call hadn’t dropped. “Cole?”

“Sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I’m here. I was just checking my schedule. Fridays are usually pretty busy.”

“Maybe after work? We could still talk over a drink, but I’m not sure where to suggest we meet up.”

“All right.” He paused, and I imagined him writing it on a paper desk calendar. He didn’t seem like a Google calendar on his phone type. “How about the Wolf Pack Bar? Say six o’clock?”

“Great. See you then.” I grinned without fear anyone would see the goofy hearts over my head. This wasn’t a date but still. “I might have a bunch more semen questions.”

He laughed again, and I caught myself wanting to hear more of it. “I’ll be ready.”

“Thanks, Cole.”

“’Night, Madison.” The call ended, and I set my cell on the table, replaying the sound of my name on his lips in my mind.

I got up and stretched before heading into the kitchen to forage for food. Anything to take my mind off the phone call I’d just had. I had just taken out a frozen chicken pot pie when my cell rang again. I peered around the corner as if it might explode, pretty sure I should not answer with my current buzz.

Chandler’s name lit up the screen. How much damage could I do?

I