Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 116(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“No, that’s silly, sweetheart. Let’s put it this way: we’ll play it by ear, shall we? All of us will act like normal people, and we’ll go about our business like adults.”
He’s gently reprimanding me, and I hate it, but I also know the handsome cowboy is right.
“Fine,” I say in a grumpy tone. “Got it.”
Colt shoots me a reproving look, his blue eyes gleaming a bit dangerously.
“Can I get an agreement with more grace and polish?” he queries in an even tone. “Perhaps even with some courtesy?” He’s asking, but there’s an undercurrent to his voice that tells me I’ll be in big trouble if I don’t comply.
“We like our girls sweet,” Cason rumbles, his words carrying their own nuance of power. “Bad girls don’t get to stay at the Double C. They’re relegated to the barn.”
I stare at the older man. What the hell is he saying? Who sleeps in the barn, like they’re a serf? We’re not living in the Dark Ages anymore and indentured servitude has been outlawed. But this is no way to start off with your new bosses, so I take a deep breath and smile even though it feels like my face might crack,
“I’m happy to be here too,” I say in a courteous tone. “Thank you for having me.”
The twins smile, and once again, I’m taken aback at how handsome Colt and Cason are. Their dark hair falls over their foreheads in a comma, and their jaws are square and masculine. Those blue eyes gleam once more, and they practically purr with approval.
“Good girl,” Colt growls.
“Very good girl,” Cason echoes. “Now, let’s get down to the business of getting to know each other for real, shall we? Are you ready, sweetheart?”
A tingle goes down my spine because it’s me against the big bad cowboys … and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for me next.
6
Kiki
Unfortunately, Colt and Cason don’t jump my curvy form for a good ravishing, like I’d secretly hoped.
“So what brings you to Montana?” Cason asks in a conversational tone, leaning back. His broad form appears relaxed, but I can sense the tension emanating from his frame because there’s electricity in the air. I’m a young woman who’s in close quarters with two hungry alpha males, and they know it … as do I.
As a result, I change tactics and decide to bring out the charm. Be smart, Kiki, the voice in my head whispers. These are powerful businessmen, and it’s important to get on their good sides no matter what happened between you before. That’s certainly true, so I straighten my spine, perk up, and smile prettily.
“Well, I just finished college, and wasn’t sure what to do next,” is my murmur. “So I figured I’d take a gap year of sorts.”
The men nod.
“Very wise,” Cason drawls. “Wish we’d had the forethought to do that before going buck-wild and joining the rodeo circuit. But this conversation isn’t about us. It’s about you, Kiki. So what made you decide to spend your gap year working on a ranch?”
I take a deep breath, getting my thoughts together. It’s important to do better, so I modulate my voice into a smooth and feminine tone.
“Well, it has to do with my major. I was a biology major with an interest in mammalian development. I was thinking that I’d take some time to work on a ranch before applying to D.V.M. programs. You know, veterinary degrees? I’m hoping to be a vet one day.”
“Yes, we’re very familiar with vets around the ranch,” Cason drawls, his brows going up. “And becoming a vet would be quite an achievement. What draws you to the profession?”
“Well, I’m not sure about the decision yet,” I say quickly. “I’m still deciding, although I do love animals. But I figured it’d be good to get some experience working on a ranch before committing myself to another couple years of school. And then there’s hands-on training after that too, which takes years as well.”
Colt chuckles.
“That’s some solid reasoning. So you must be twenty-one? Twenty-two or so?”
“Yes,” I murmur. “I’m twenty-one, and fresh from graduation with a degree from Western University.”
A look of approval flashes between the two cowboys and I’m surprised because most men who work with their hands don’t give a shit about degrees or academic achievements. It’s just a piece of paper to them because real intelligence and talent manifest on the job in a cowboy’s line of work. But something about Colt and Cason is different, and I look between their handsome miens, trying to figure it out.
“Great,” Cason drawls after a slight nod of his head. “We can always use someone good with animals on the farm. Hell, in addition to the cattle, we have a stable of horses, goats, sheep and even an assortment of chickens. Gordon in the kitchen likes to use fresh eggs in his omelets, which are the best I’ve ever had.”