Women flocked to him, always had, and he rarely turned them down. He didn’t do girlfriends because he tired of them after a couple of weeks. Vinny and stability were like oil and water. The only humane thing to do was keep his distance.
****
Annalise rushed into the house. As soon as she shut the door, she leaned back against it and closed her eyes. She hugged the flowers to her chest and took slow, measured breaths to calm herself down.
Would her past ever leave her alone?
She’d never spent much one-on-one time with the men. Her focus was on keeping her job and ensuring they were happy with her services. She kept her head down and feelings bottled up—but she wasn’t blind. All three of the cowboys were ridiculously handsome, tall, and hard with muscle. She’d seen them working the fields, handling the horses, and washing up in the outdoor shower at the end of the day.
Vinny had disheveled dirty-blond hair that was a little too long in the front. When he’d run his hand through it, her heart always skipped a beat. Of all the men, he was the crazy one, always joking and laughing. The risk-taker. But she knew there was a darker side. A sad side. She felt it sometimes, especially in the evenings. Now he’d opened up a little window into his psyche and she’d been right all along. There was much more to the sexy blue-eyed cowboy than what met the eye.
“You hiding?”
Annalise gasped when Gabe came around the corner. Her back was still pressed to the door. “No, just a bit out of breath.”
It wasn’t too much of a stretch. She definitely wouldn’t pass for a fitness model. She’d always been excessively curvy, and a good run would most certainly get her heart racing.
“Dogs aren’t chasing you, are they?” He went into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water from the sink. His skin was sweat-glistened. All three men worked themselves to the bone six days a week. On Sundays, they tried to take it easy, but she could tell they were still antsy to get more things done. There was such an unsettled nature to the men.
“They’re little angels with me.” She joined him in the kitchen and set the flowers in the oversized vase she’d pulled out from under the counter earlier. Annalise wasn’t sure why she felt so damn nervous around Gabe specifically. She assumed it was because he was the decision-maker on the ranch, and she wanted this job more than anything.
There was something about Gabe. She couldn’t read him at all. As far as she was concerned, he barely tolerated her. Or outright hated her. If it wasn’t for Vinny and Archie, she was sure she’d be out on her ass.
“I’m surprised how quick they took a liking to you,” he said. “They’re usually slower to trust.” Then he stood there at the kitchen island opposite her. He was staring … or was he just lost in thought? Should she respond? Carry on preparing the meal?
She swallowed hard and met his gaze.
“Well, I like them. And I like you, too.” Annalise froze in place. Had she actually just said that out loud? She was trying to keep friendly so he didn’t fire her, but it sounded more like flirting. Why did she always have to put her big foot in her mouth?
He raised a brow. It was a barely-there movement, but she noticed it nonetheless.
“I’ll let you get back to it.” He set his glass on the counter and left without another word. Now she was worried about losing her job for being inappropriate. It was never her intention. She just didn’t want Gabe to hate her.
As soon as he walked off, she collapsed against the fridge, feeling completely drained. Gabe Cartwright was a lot older than her. She would have claimed she got daddy vibes from him but couldn’t, not when he made her heart flutter in the least of paternal ways. A little part of her always hoped he’d rip open his flannel shirt and pull her into a kiss to end all kisses. Her fantasies often got carried away. Living with three of the hottest men in town, it was a constant battle to keep herself in check and professional.
Annalise had trepidation about taking the job in the beginning. Being alone with three men on the sprawling ranch had some red flags. She should be thankful they hadn’t tried anything, but most days, it felt disappointing. They had reputations with women, so she was starting to get a complex.
She mindlessly began prepping for the evening meal. Her thoughts were definitely elsewhere. If she could go back in time and keep her mouth shut with Gabe, she would in a heartbeat.
Now Vinny and Archie were supposedly helping her move all her worldly possessions into the house tomorrow. She didn’t think Gabe would approve, especially now. This was a disaster. Why couldn’t her life have been easier? Why was she so unlovable?
She twirled her hair up into a makeshift bun and pulled out the pots and pans from the lower cupboard. When she stood back up to set some on the counter, Gabe was standing there across the island again. She froze, setting the pots down before she dropped them.
Her heart raced from the scare and the fact it was Gabe. This was it, she just knew it. He’d tell her it wouldn’t work out. She’d crossed the line.
“I wanted to apologize,” he said.
Silence rained down on them.
“I don’t understand…”
“Well, I know you’re being paid to cook and clean, but you live here now, so you can’t just work from sunup until sundown.”
“I really don’t mind.”
He shook his head. “You need to live your life, enjoy some free time. We have a large property, and there’s plenty to explore. Just … be sure to take some time for yourself.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
What she wanted to ask was if his words meant her position was permanent and she was no longer under probation. It sounded like it to her. She was just so glad he’d come back so she didn’t have to overthink what had happened earlier all night long.
He turned to walk away but stopped himself. Gabe ran a hand over his jawline, the scratchy sounded traveling straight down to her pussy. She’d already noticed the five o’clock shadow that complemented his dark hair and eyes. There was a brooding quality to him, a rugged irresistibility. “If you’d like, I could give you a tour after dinner. If you’re not afraid of horses, of course.”
“That sounds perfect,” she said. Did she look as shocked as she felt?
“Good. I best get back to work.” This time, he left, and she heard the door close behind him shortly afterward.
She wanted to jump up and down like a schoolgirl. This was like a dream come true. Annalise couldn’t wipe the smile off her face as she prepared the meal. Gabe was her one obstacle, the man she feared, the cowboy with her fate in his hands. Now that weight had been lifted off her shoulders, and her future, for once, felt promising.
****
“What are you smiling about?” Vinny asked.
“I’m not smiling.” Gabe donned his hat and walked past his friend. He needed to clear their east field and get it ready for planting. There was always something to do, but it seemed keeping busy was as vital as breathing for him. Silence and idle hands gave him too much time to think about things he’d rather forget.
“It’s her, ain’t it?” Vinny followed behind him. “No man has that kind of smile all on his own.”
“Don’t you have work to do?” Gabe asked, trying his best to ignore him.