Bouquets and Buckles: An Age Gap, Snowed In, Cowboy Romance (Crimson Ridge)

“You can’t leave town. Stay.” Brad crosses his arms. “What the fuck are you gonna do, Sky? Have the world’s most miserable New Year pity party all by yourself?”

I’m being stared down by my best friend and his boyfriend, who are determined to keep me here stuck in torturous longing for the man sleeping in the room across the hall.

Because even though Brad and Flinn have their own home on this ranch, they’ve been my own personal shadows since arriving back.

Under normal circumstances, this is exactly how things would be between us if I ever came to stay. We’d be in each other’s back pockets from dawn until long after midnight.

Except now, I’m painfully aware of the other Rhodes man in this house, who I haven’t seen since our near miss at the stables yesterday morning.

“Look, it’s only three more sleeps until New Year’s Eve.”

“And you know he’s going to be fucking insufferable if you don’t stay, so do me a solid, would you, please, love?” Flinn looks up from his phone where we’re all sitting around the farmhouse kitchen table.

The one I was splayed out on, covered in whiskey and Lucas Rhode’s wicked mouth only a few nights ago.

“Fine. Fine. I’ll stay for your silly little party.” I tease. “But in return, you gotta help me get my tire and stealth-rescue my car.”

“You sure you don’t want to just claim it got stolen? We could torch it and dump it out on a back road somewhere?”

“Oh my god. Are you insane? I don’t need Sheriff Hayes on my ass, thank you.”

Brad chuckles. “He’s hot. I wouldn’t mind that man being all up in my business.”

From across the other side of the table, Flinn gives him an eye roll. “I’m literally right here.”

“Oh, don’t pretend like you haven’t checked that man’s ass out in a pair of jeans before.”

“Either way,” I interrupt the man-crush going on over our local Sheriff. “We’re not disposing of my car. Don’t be ridiculous, Bradford Rhodes.”

“What? It’s an ugly fucking ride.” He shrugs, gets up and starts rummaging in the fridge.

“It’s served me well, I’ll have you know.” I huff.

“Ok, so let’s make a plan to get your tire sorted and grab your car.” Flinn ignores his idiotic boyfriend and taps on his phone screen. “The garage is open today but closes again until after the new year. So today’s our chance to get this shit done.”

“Thank you, Flinny. At least one of you assholes is helpful.”

“Hey, Dad… you need anything from town? We’re going in to sort out Sky’s car.” Brad calls out, and that’s when I feel his presence.

My cheeks immediately heat, and I have to fight every urge in my blood to turn around in my chair. I want to throw myself into his arms so goddamn badly it hurts. Which is why I can’t let myself even glance his way, because if I do, it’ll be too obvious. There isn’t a chance in hell I could keep my head on straight or emotions in check when it comes to that man.

The familiar deep, rich sound of him clearing his throat sends goosebumps flying over my skin. “I’ll text you a list.”

“Sweet. Anything you want us to pick you up for dinner?” Brad heads over to collect our jackets, and yet I keep myself rooted firmly in place. Pretending to read something on my phone.

“No, I’m good. You kids do your own thing for dinner.” That’s all he says, and then as quickly as he appeared, he’s gone.

I hear Brad and Flinn chatting animatedly as I trail after them out of the house, and we all pile into their truck, but I’m only half paying attention to anything in my surroundings. My mind is stuck in a loop of memories of Luke’s touch, his kisses, his lips tipping up into a small smile.

The guys occupy the front seats, and as I buckle myself in, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Brad’s Dad:

I wish I could be the one to help you today.

I hate that I can’t.

My eyes shoot up to my friend, who is driving and playing rock, paper, scissors with his boyfriend to decide what to have for dinner.

Oh my god. I have to bite the inside of my cheek because I might just swoon right out of this vehicle.

I wish you could, too.

God, there are so many other things I want to say to him. I miss you already. I want to feel your arms around me. I think I’m in love with you. Except it’s not possible. Nothing between us was ever going to be more than a temporary bit of fun. To work through the sexual chemistry between us, but we both knew it was going to end as soon as Brad came home.

Probably for the best.

Really?

With how beautiful you look today…

Let’s just say that tire might have been the last thing on my mind.

I’m blushing so damn hard right now. I have to sink into my coat collar to avoid giving away the goofy look on my face.

Mr. Rhodes.

Are you flirting with me?

I shouldn’t be.

Do you want to?

Butterflies erupt in my stomach, watching the tiny dots bounce on the screen for what seems like an eternity, stopping and starting before his reply finally comes through.

Sweetheart, I want everything when it comes to you.