irritation level rising.
Ahm rubbed at his temples as he cut his eyes over to Bryce. Are
they always like this?
Like what? Bryce feigned ignorance of his brothers playful
behavior. He was actually having a good time right now. He loved
playing around with the twins. They kept life from getting boring and
stale.
Like grown-ass kids.
Don t make me bust out my garlic spray bottle, Chauncey
warned. I heard a noise coming from my closet last night. Was that
you?
110 Lynn Hagen
Ahm started toward the doors, heading out of the barn, grumbling
something so low, not even Bryce s shifter hearing could pick it up.
Bryce exhaled a sympathetic chuckle. Poor Ahm. If he was losing
patience this quickly, the twins were going to drive the elf insane by
the week s end. He held on to that thought as he watched his mate s
backside, his cock getting hard as he thought about the sex they had
three days ago and how damn good it felt to be buried in that tight ass.
It had shocked him that Ahm had let Bryce fuck him, but then again,
the man seemed to be surprising him a lot lately.
The number one surprise was Ahm s profession of love. It had
blindsided Bryce. He thought he would have to browbeat the
confession out of Ahm sometime in the distant future. But the man
had given it of his own free will.
Do you think he ll be back? Chance asked as he scratched at his
chin and then answered his own question. I think he ll be back.
You two are morons, Bryce said as he went after his mate. He
caught up to Ahm by the porch, grabbing his arm to stop him from
going any further. It was getting to the point that Bryce hated to see a
frown on the man s face. Ahm had frowned enough in life. If Bryce
had it his way, Ahm would wear a pleased expression all the time. He
was sexy as hell when he smiled. It made the dimples in his cheeks
pop out. Slow down, pudding pop.
Ahm turned, glaring at Bryce as if he were the offender. His
nostrils were flaring and his blue eyes were twin ice glaciers. Don t
try to sweet-talk me. Your brothers are immature assholes. They
better be lucky you would take offense to me killing them. I ve never
exerted so much patience in my life!
Duh, you just now figuring them out?
Ahm looked as if he hadn t expected that answer. Well, yeah.
Bryce took a seat on the steps, pulling Ahm down next to him.
The man sat without a fight which surprised Bryce. He exhaled a
deep breath as he thought of a way to explain Chauncey and Chance
to Ahm. There really wasn t any way to describe them to anyone who
A Man s Worth 111
wasn t family or didn t know them really well. Look, the twins have
been like that their entire lives. I don t apologize for the way my
family acts. All I can say is learn to fight fire with fire. You have to
learn to outwit them.
Ahm looked skeptical, and still pissed off. I ve never met a
family like yours, Bryce. The Lakelands are very unconventional.
And that s what makes us so damn lovable. Bryce gave a soft
laugh. I don t want to be normal, and neither do my brothers.
Where s the fun in that? Let your hair down. Bryce tugged at a few
strands that had fallen over the man s shoulder. You have plenty for
that.
So we get the file and then plot revenge against the two
hellions?
Bryce winked at his mate. Now you re cooking with bacon. He
turned. Speaking of bacon, I can smell it cooking. There s fresh
coffee, too. Damn if the scent wasn t making Bryce hungry as hell.
Come on. Let s go eat before we invade France.
You are one strange bear, Ahm said as he stood. Bryce could
see some of the closed-off rigidness slipping back into Ahm s blue
eyes, and he wasn t going to allow that. He pulled his mate into his
arms and grinned. But you wouldn t have me any other way,
dumpling.
Ahm gave Bryce a soul-stirring smile before he pulled away and
headed inside, shaking his head. Bryce gladly followed.
* * * *
Riley sat atop his horse, gazing over the thirty head of cattle. He
was ready to get things moving, but he was a man short.
Olaf was late.
The human had been nothing but a pain in the ass for the past
week. Riley was trying to give the man a chance, knowing how
desperate some folks were for a job. But his patience had just run out.
112 Lynn Hagen
If the guy showed, Riley was sending him packing. He took his job
seriously and had warned everyone the first day that he didn t tolerate
tardiness.
On the flip side of things, Charlie and Winter were turning out to
be an asset. The two men worked hard as hell. He had been delayed
with the drive, but the two had stayed busy helping out around the
ranch.
Think he s coming? Charlie asked as he pushed his Stetson
back from his eyes.
Riley wrapped a gloved hand around the saddle horn. We re
going to get started without him. He steered his horse toward the
front of the cattle. Warrior went with ease. They were heading south
of Brac Village to the market. Riley didn t foresee any problems, but
they were heading out into open terrain.
Wait for me! Sterling shouted as he rode up on Hell Raiser. Pa
sent me since you re one man short.
Riley loved his mate to death, but he wasn t sure Sterling was the
right man for the job. The guy was good with animals, but they were
taking the cattle in to be sold off. He wondered if Sterling knew this
bit of information. He didn t have it in his heart to tell the guy.
I thought Pa was extracting Hell Raiser s sperm, Riley asked.
Sterling crinkled his nose. That sounds so gross. He s finished,
anyway.
Riley chuckled as he steered his horse south and began the drive.
About an hour into his day, he spotted Olaf riding hard toward them.
He was amazed the man had the nerve to show up.
You gonna fire him? Sterling asked as he rode next to Riley. I
don t really like him. He s mean looking.
Yep, Riley answered as he listened to the creak of his saddle
and enjoyed the fresh air all around. It was days like this that he was
glad they had bought a ranch all those years ago. Riley loved the
outdoors and working in the wide-open space. He couldn t imagine
himself with a nine-to-five job. It would drive him crazy. If a man
A Man s Worth 113
can t take his responsibilities seriously, then I don t need him working
on the ranch. Since mating Sterling, Riley had learned to let loose
and not be so serious about life. But he still was a hard-nosed man
when it came to running his beloved ranch.
Did I ever tell you that you re hot as hell when you are being the
boss? Sterling asked with a come-hither bat of his eyes before
guiding his horse toward Charlie.
Riley turned, looking at his mate in wonder before turning back
around, chuckling to himself. The guy never ceased to amaze him.
His lips immediately tilted down when Olaf rode up next to him.
Sorry I m late. I overslept.
Riley clenched his jaw. It was the only way to stop himself from
yelling. The others didn t seem to have a problem getting here on
time.
It won t happen again, boss. Olaf steered his horse toward the
middle of the herd.
For a moment, Riley was too stunned to say a word. Had the man
just gotten flippant with Riley? He felt his blood begin to boil as he
pulled Warrior to the side, waiting for Olaf to ride by him. His hands
clenched the reins, stopping them from reaching out and strangling
the man. When Olaf passed, Riley spoke loud enough to make sure [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]