I never fucking learn, do I?
I shake off the mental image. It’s habit is all.
With enough time and pussy at the local bar, I’ll get used to being around her.
I get back to the subject at hand. “You’re right. There’s nothing wrong with the crops.”
A smug righteousness flashes across her features.
“But they’re not as good as they could be.” Her face falls, and I experience a surge of sympathy, but not enough to stop. She’s paying me for a job, and I’m going to do it. She’ll have to get over her ego. “If you want award winners, these aren’t going to cut it.”
She huffs. “Well, I think you’re wrong.”
I want to argue with her, but choose not to. One, because heated arguments will only ratchet up the lurking sexual tension between us, and two, because it will infuriate her.
“Time will tell who’s right,” I drawl.
Her white teeth sink into flesh, and I ignore the surge of lust I feel. I can’t quite tell yet if she’s aware of the chemistry or if she’s too distracted by her dislike of me.
I flash a smile and lean in. “I expect a ‘You were right, Caden’ when I prove you wrong.”
Her shoulders snap back. “Like that’s ever going to happen.”
“Like I said, time will tell.”
“Exactly.” She leans forward and taps the tip of one blunt nail to her mouth. “Regardless, I can promise those words will never cross my lips.”
Before I can respond, a male voice says, “What’s going on here?”
I glance up and see a guy that bears enough similarity to Cat—despite the difference in stature—that he has to be one of the McKay brothers standing across from us, a stunning, flame-haired redhead at his side.
Everything about the woman is mischievous, from her twinkling, electric blue eyes to her long hair that spells trouble.
She gives me a wide, slow, brilliant smile. “What do wehave here?”
Cat shakes her head up at the clear blue sky before blowing out a breath. She gestures toward the couple. “Caden Landry, this is my brother Jackson and his fiancée, Gwen Johnson.” She flips a hand back in my direction. “This is our new farm manager.”
Jackson’s face clears, and he sticks out a hand. “Nice to meet you, man.”
“You too.” We shake, grips firm and strong.
Gwen smiles at me in greeting. “Thank God. I was giving myself one more day before I allowed panic to set in.”
I chuckle. “Well, rest easy. I’m here to save the day.”
Cat mutters something that sounds an awful lot like, “Oh sweet Jesus.”
I glance down at her. “You say something, boss?”
“Nope.” She shakes her head, eyes glittering with not-so-repressed agitation.
Jackson rubs a hand over his jaw. “You know about the restaurant opening?”
“I do.”
“When are you starting? We need to review the crops as soon as possible.” Jackson’s tone carries the cadence of someone expecting to be obeyed, and I can respect that.
Gwen rolls her eyes. “At least give him a chance to get settled in.”