I watchher hips sway as she walks away from me, curls bouncing down her back as she disappears into the bar. With no goddamn panties on.
And all I can do is let out a long breath and zip my jeans back up.
Holy shit.
That wasn’t just sex. That felt… life-altering. Like something shifted in me, whether I wanted it to or not.
I step out of the truck, slam the door shut, and lock it. I’m still half lost in the feeling of her against me, the sounds she made, the way she clung to me like she needed me.
Boots crunch on gravel ahead, catching my attention and stopping me from chasing behind her. Because I fucking will.
“Hunter! What the hell are you doing out here in your truck?” Reese calls as he walks toward me.
“Nothing,” I grumble, brushing him off.
I look up at him and sigh. And there he is, as usual, in a goddamn suit in the middle of a cowboy bar parking lot. “Youcould’ve at least put a hat on,” I tell him. “I know you don’t work the ranch, but read the damn room, Reese.”
He laughs. “I’m just here for a whiskey before bed. And to check on you. I know today’s rough.”
My jaw tightens slightly before I exhale. Reese and I have known each other since the first day of school. Two completely different worlds growing up.
His parents owned the law firm he runs now. Kid loved school, loved books, loved structure.
Me?
I counted minutes till the final bell so I could get back to the ranch and help Dad. That’s where I belonged. Still is.
And Reese?
He genuinely loves wearing suits.
“I’m good, Reese,” I say, clapping his shoulder as we head back toward the bar. “I’m good.”
Then I add, “You’re lucky you’re walking in here with me. Otherwise, someone would’ve given you a black eye for lookin’ like such a twat.”
He laughs because he knows it’s true. He doesn’t care what the cowboys think. And he doesn’t have to—because the Sterling brothers have his back. And in return, we’ve got the best damn lawyer in town when things get messy.
Inside, music crashes over us, heat and noise filling the air again. My eyes immediately scan the room, searching for red curls.
Reese heads straight to the table where my brothers are, dropping into a seat.
I don’t move. I stand there, scanning the crowd.
Then my stomach drops as I spot her. Just the back of her head as she slips out the rear exit with her friend, and that guy she’d been dancing with earlier.
Xavier.
They’re safe with him. He works on my ranch during the busy periods.
I drag a hand over my stubble, jaw tight, and finally move to the table, dropping into my chair but still staring at the door she just walked out of.
“What’s up with him?” Reese asks, nodding toward me as he looks at Beau.
My fists clench under the table. He’s my friend. I can’t punch him. Sometimes I really want to, though.
“Nothing,” I mutter.
Ace bursts out laughing. “He’s got his eye on a girl.”