LOLA
“Violet,”I hiss as I grab her arm and yank her back before she can disappear inside the catering tent.
She spins around, eyes blowing wide, hands flying up like I’ve caught her stealing. “What?”
“Did you know Hunter was going to be here?” My voice comes out lethal. “That it’s his kid’s party?”
She shakes her head so fast her earrings swing. “No. I told you I was dealing with a guy named Ace. And my uncle arranged this months ago, before I took over. I had no idea. But…”
I arch a brow. Let the silence do the work. “But?”
A grin splits across her face, the kind that means trouble. “It’s not a bad thing bumping into your truck romp. Plenty of spare rooms here.” She waggles her eyebrows. “After you’re done with work, of course.”
A laugh punches out of me before I can stop it. “No.” I press my palm flat against her shoulder and push her back an inch. “It can’t happen again.”
Even as I say it, my stomach does something traitorous. A flip. A swoop. Something I haven’t signed up for. I don’t know what scares me more, being trapped, or the fact that Hunter Sterling makes me feel things I’ve spent my whole life convincing myself don’t exist.
That scares me.
Violet tilts her head, reading me the way only she can. “Why not? You’re single. I’m pretty sure he is. You two had fun. You can have fun again.” A shrug. “Doesn’t need to be serious.”
I bite down on my lip hard enough to sting. There is nothing about Hunter Sterling that screams unserious. He’s intense. Passionate. Not someone I’d want to let go of.
“V! Where is the cake going?” Luke’s voice booms from inside the tent.
“Go.” I nudge her toward the noise. “We can talk later. I’ll start handing out the appetizers.”
She scuffles away, and I’m left standing there. Staring at the ranch like it might give me answers. The high-pitched screaming of kids launching themselves off the bounce house while some tatted beast of a man launches himself right after them, arms wide, roaring like a grizzly.
I suck in a breath and square my shoulders.
Professional. You’re a professional today.
I duck into the tent and grab the silver tray of canapés. The smell hits me instantly—smoked salmon, cream cheese, dill—and my stomach snarls. I completely skipped breakfast.
I start weaving through the crowd. Cowboy hats everywhere. Big belt buckles. Pretty women draped on arms like accessories. I don’t fit in here. Not even a little. Not in my catering whites with my hair scraped back and zero ranch credentials.
I’m halfway to the group of suited men gathered beneath the old oak when my toe catches on a rock, and the ground rushes up to meet me.
A shriek tears out of my throat. But I don’t hit the dirt.
A strong hand catches me around the waist and hauls me upright. My ribs press against a hard forearm. Only two canapés tumble off the tray and hit the grass.
My face ignites. Full, scorching embarrassment. Because I know exactly whose hand is on my waist before I even lift my chin.
But I do. I have to.
Hunter Sterling is grinning down at me like I’m the single most entertaining thing that has ever happened to him. “City girl.” His voice is rough, meant only for me. “I need to get you some more appropriate boots.”
My eyes dart sideways. The suited men are watching; they look like the town lawyers. Every single one of them has their eyes on me. I try to pull away, but Hunter’s grip tightens, pulling me closer, his mouth brushing the curve of my cheek so lightly it could be an accident.
It isn’t.
“I’m fine,” I hiss through my teeth.
He chuckles, and the sound rolls through me like something I should run from. This time, I twist my head and dare to look at him properly, and every rational thought I’ve ever had packs its bags and leaves. Fuck, he’s gorgeous. The ink crawling up his neck makes him look dangerous. He’s every woman’s filthiest daydream made into flesh.
And that kiss earlier? To die for. I’m screwed.