“Told ya!” Dad says when I return with my second load.
“In a few days, there will be even more,” I explain and rinse them. After I finish, I say my goodbyes and head home. I think about Gavin and his cold stare when I denied knowing him. After I shower, I eat leftovers, then go to my room. Even if I used Love is Blind as an excuse to ditch, I wasn’t kidding about catching up.
I flick on the TV and get comfortable. As I’m dozing off, Kenzie lets herself into my room.
“I knew it! I knew I heard Cameron’s voice.”
Grabbing a pillow, I throw it at her, but she quickly blocks it. She’s entranced by the TV, but then snaps out of it and brings the attention back to me.
“You gonna tell me what really happened between you and Gavin, without the CliffsNotes?” She tilts her head and crosses her arms. “I wasn’t born yesterday, Maze. I saw the way you two were flirting at the bar a few weeks ago, and considering you needed to be picked up after my shift, I think I know what happened. I’d never forget a face like that,” she says.
I sigh. “You wouldn’t believe me if I tried to make something up anyway.”
“Because you’re a shitty liar,” she reminds me.
“That’s what you think,” I retort.
“Your face always gives you away.” Kenzie smirks. “So quit stalling and tell me how big his dick was.” She plops down on my bed, reaches for the remote, and pauses the show.
My cheeks heat, and her mouth falls open.
“Oh my God,” she whispers. “He’s humongous, isn’t he?”
I nod, then cover my face before I glance at her. “The sex was amazing, but I can’t get involved with him.”
Kenzie places a hand on her chest. “I will trade you places in a heartbeat!”
I lean my head against the wall. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You are. If he’d let me inside, I’d go to his cabin right now and save a horse. So what’s the hangup? You’re allowed to have fun, Maze. Amazing sex never hurt anyone.”
After sucking in a deep breath, I exhale slowly. “He’s so much older. I knew he was when we hooked up, but it didn’t matter at the time because it was a one time thing. Not to mention we’re in two different places in our lives. I want to start my catering business eventually, and he could get bored of being in the middle of nowhere and leave. Not to mention my rule—I have it for a reason.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Timothy ruined every opportunity for anyone who works on the ranch and wants to date you, even if they’re the perfect man. So how old is he?”
I look at her. “Thirty-five, I think?”
“So what if he’s closer to dad’s age than yours. Big deal. There are some silver foxes out there that I’d let be my daddy.”
Nearly throwing up in my mouth, I playfully smack her. “Oh my God, stop! That’s not true.” I burst out laughing at the face she makes. “You say that shit to get under my skin.”
She smiles wide. “Of course.”
I reach for the remote, but she pulls back before I can. “We’re not done talking about this. I have to know what you’re going to do about this now that he’s here.”
A small grin forms on my lips. “Pretend I didn’t have the best sex of my life with him.”
“And that’s it?”
I nod.
Her eyes widen in shock. “Do you have brain damage?”
“No! It’s just another heartbreak waiting to happen. Pretending lets me move on with my life. The right man will come when I least expect it.”
Kenzie snorts and rolls her eyes. “But what if he is the one, and you’re just being stubborn as hell?”
“Doubtful,” I huff.
“People have sex with no attachments. You don’t have to get married or anything. It’s called having fun.”
“Not for me, Kenzie. I’m good. Also please don’t tell anyone. And I mean anyone. Rowan knows, but no one else.”
She makes a zipper motion across her lips. “Secret’s safe with me, but you gotta tell me why you called me to pick your ass up if the sex was so great.”
I hesitate. “I was embarrassed that we slept together so soon after meeting. I’d never done that before. I knew I couldn’t face him and didn’t reach out because I wasn’t sure what to say.”
“You were living on the edge.” Kenzie snickers.
I throw another pillow, but this time, it catches her off guard and smacks her. I snag the remote and flick on the show. Being preoccupied by Cameron, she kicks off her shoes and lies on the bed. We watch and laugh at the same things. Randomly, I’ll think about Gavin and the way his lips felt on my skin. His strong hands on my body is something I wish I could feel again. Just the way his tongue twisted with mine makes heat rush through me. When the episode ends, I yawn.
“I’m leaving tomorrow to go back to school,” she tells me.
I stick out my lower lip. “I know. I’m gonna be sad.”
“Aw, I already promised Mom I would come back as much as I could.” She hugs me.
“Good,” I say. “Drive safe. Text me when you get to your dorm.” I sound like Mom with the reminder.
“I will! Night. Love you,” Kenzie says with a grin
“Love you too.”
She shuts the door, and I let out a long sigh.
What Gavin and I had was special, but it can never happen again. Sex without some sort of attachment doesn’t exist.
Chapter Four
GAVIN
ONE MONTH LATER
“C’mon, Racer. Don’t gimme a hard time today,” I plead with the colt who’s giving me hell about wearing a bridle. He’s a quarter horse, and they are usually the easiest breed to train, but it’s hot as hell, so we’re both agitated. He’s not as wild as the others, which is why I start my days with him.
Maybe it’s not just the heat that’s annoying me.
It’s been a month since I moved to the ranch, and though I’ve settled in comfortably, Maize’s still trying to convince me she doesn’t remember who I am. When we’re in the same place, she actively dodges me as though I have a contagious disease.
And perhaps it pisses me off more than it should, but I’ve never had a woman who wasn’t eager for my attention. She claims to have no memory of our night together, but I don’t believe her, considering she screamed my name and begged me to fuck her hard. I haven’t been able to get it out of my mind since it happened almost two months ago.
With working on the ranch and training Cooper advanced bull riding skills a few times a week, one would assume I’d be too damn exhausted to think about her, but every morning I see her at the B&B, and it’s impossible not to. Maize barely glances my way as she walks in and out of the kitchen, refilling the buffet with her delicious pancakes and sausage patties. When I speak, she acts as if I’m wasting her time, and her responses are short. I’d be amused if she weren’t lying to me. Regardless, I always smile at her, and though she tries to remain unfazed, the blush on her cheeks gives her away.