Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 703(@200wpm)___ 562(@250wpm)___ 469(@300wpm)
It was Garrett’s turn to shine. If there was anything he was truly good at it, it was making a case. “I think that’s a bad idea, and it won’t work. How many hands does this ranch employ?”
“We have eight full-time hands who live in the bunkhouse, and another four who live in town and commute in,” Olivia explained. “Garrett’s right. I know most of them are men, but they live for gossip or know someone who does. Their mommas use gossip like military intelligence. If you’re in the bunkhouse, everyone will know it.”
“So let’s talk about this in a reasonable fashion.” Garrett was perfectly satisfied with the way she’d put them neatly in a box. He didn’t want a way out. “Well, the way I look at it, Olivia started a new scene at the airfield. I would like to negotiate the parameters of this new scene we find ourselves in.”
“A scene?” Olivia asked, biting that thick bottom lip of hers.
Even flustered she was the sexiest woman he’d ever seen.
Keane’s lips turned up slightly. “That’s how we’re playing it?”
Oh, he of little faith. He wasn’t playing at all. In a sexual sense, yes, there would be play. But he wasn’t going to use that word when it came to the opportunity that massive asshole had handed them. “What else would you describe it as? We’re playing a role that isn’t reality. We’re pretending to be Olivia’s boyfriends so her ex will leave her alone. Or at least he’ll understand she’s not unprotected. It’s a scene.”
“I don’t know that I would call it that, but I understand what you mean.” Olivia’s face was a pretty pink. “I’m sorry I brought you into this.”
“I’m not,” Garrett admitted. He had found honesty could be useful in certain situations. “I understand why you did it.”
Keane nodded grimly. “So do I.”
Her expression turned curious. “Why do you think I did it?”
It was time to let Keane say a few things. “You want to tell her?”
“I’ve met men like that before. Many of them. He’s attractive and charming and thinks that’s the only thing that matters. I don’t know if he grew up wealthy, but he believes money is due to him for being male and attractive and charming. He doesn’t understand how to hear the word no. If you don’t put a wall between the two of you, he won’t leave you alone. He’ll only believe another man, so it’s me and Garrett or your dads, and you don’t want to wreck your parents time together.”
“That sounds about right,” she replied. “He didn’t grow up with money, but it’s always his end goal. In some ways he reminds me of Grim. They both came from terrible households. Grim’s was abusive in every way, but Scott’s was, too. Not physically, but they played their kids off each other. He’s incredibly competitive, and I put you in the line of his fire.”
“We can handle it,” Garrett assured her. “I agree with Keane’s assessment. I think if you don’t have a wall to hide behind, he’s going to make your life difficult. He wants you back for some reason, and it will take a lot to get him off his goal. You have another choice. If you like I can document everything and get him fired. Trust me, that asshole will push you to the limit if you let him.”
Her arms crossed under her breasts in a protective gesture. “I know he will. Look, I panicked. It’s been a lot the last few days. Between the wedding and… It’s a lot.”
He knew what she wasn’t saying. She was talking about them. He actually took it as a compliment. If she didn’t feel something for them, it wouldn’t bother her they were here. He was starting to know this woman. There was her business side, and a softer side she probably didn’t let anyone but family and close friends see. There was the hurt girl who grew up being judged for something she had no say in. She needed a release, but she couldn’t ask for it. “Olivia, I think this could be a good scene for all of us. We left a few things undone. I don’t mind telling you that last night meant something to me. I know we agreed to not catch feelings, but they’re kind of all over me, and it might be good for us to spend this time getting some closure.”
Olivia seemed to think for a moment. “It was a fantasy.”
Now they were getting somewhere. They needed to talk about this. Even if they tiptoed around the heart of the matter. “Yes, but it was also something real. It happened.”
“We had boundaries,” she argued, but there was no heat to her words.
“And boundaries change when the situation shifts,” Garrett replied. “I worry if we don’t get some closure, I’ll think about you for the rest of my damn life. Maybe this is all happening for a reason. Maybe you don’t need closure, but I think Keane and I do. We haven’t had a submissive like you in a long time.”