“She looks miserable,” Payton said to Gemma. “I’m going to go talk to her.”
“Callum certainly hasn’t done much to make her feel welcome,” Gemma commented. “Men can be so thickheaded.”
Payton grabbed Gemma’s arm. “Come on, let’s go teach those boys a little bit about hospitality.”
They walked over to Hayley and stood on either side of her, their arms braced on the top bar of the fence. “You know what I love about this,” Gemma chirped in her charming Irish accent. “I love the chaps. A man wearing chaps just sets my imagination to working overtime.”
“Why is that?” Payton asked, playing along.
“I just can’t help but think about what those things would look like without the jeans underneath.” She glanced over at Payton and pulled a silly face. Payton burst out laughing and Hayley couldn’t help herself. A giggle erupted from her throat and she bit her bottom lip to stop herself.
“I was thinking exactly the same thing,” Hayley said. “Why do I find those things so sexy?”
“It’s the leather,” Gemma said. “It’s so…”
“Dangerous?” Payton asked.
“Smooth,” Hayley said.
“Naughty,” Gemma added. “I mean, I can understand how a man would enjoy lacy underwear on a woman. For me, a man in leather just gets me all tingly.”
The trio stood and silently watched as Teague maneuvered a calf through the maze of posts and barrels, the rest of the stockmen shouting directions from across the paddock.
“Thanks,” Hayley said.
Payton turned to face her. “For what?”
“For making it easier. I know how Brody and Callum feel about me and I don’t think they were too chuffed to see me turn up here.”
“Whatever is going on in their heads has nothing to do with us,” Gemma assured her.
“Sistahs before mistahs,” Payton said decisively. They both looked at her as if she’d suddenly begun speaking Armenian. “Sisters before misters. Girlfriends should come before boyfriends.”
“Oh,” Gemma said. “Yes. I completely agree.”
“Do you ride?” Gemma asked Hayley.
“Like the wind,” she said with a grin. “What about you?”
“No. If they did this on bicycles I might give it a go. But horses scare the bleedin’ bloomers off me. And I don’t care for the way they smell either.” She sighed. “Still, I wish I knew how to ride. Callum seems to be more comfortable on a horse than on his feet.”
“I could teach you,” Payton said.
“Me, too,” Hayley offered.
Gemma smiled. “Callum offered, but I didn’t want to look like a muppet in front of him, so I begged off. But as long as I’m here, I wouldn’t mind trying.”
“It’s a date then,” Hayley said. “Payton can bring you out to the shack. I’ll organize a lunch and then we can ride back together.”
The idea of making plans together seemed to solidify their new friendship and as they watched the boys, they chatted amiably.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Gemma asked, nodding in the direction of the three Quinn brothers. The men sat on their horses, staring across the paddock.
“Maybe they think we’re plotting against them,” Payton said.
Brody was the first to approach. He smiled as he drew his horse to a stop. “Ladies,” he said, tipping his hat. “Are you having a lovely time?”
Payton smiled seductively. “Absolutely,” she said.
“What are you doing over here all on your own?”
“Discussing our love of chaps,” Gemma said. “With or without jeans. If I might be so bold, which do you prefer?”
Her question took him by surprise and he grinned. “That’s between me and my horse.” He turned to Payton. “Would you ladies like to give it a go? I’m sure the boys would love to see you jump into the competition. And there are prizes to be had for the winners.”
“I’ll try,” Payton said.
“Me, too.” Hayley crawled over the fence and started in Teague’s direction.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to sit this one out,” Gemma said.
“Come on,” Brody insisted. “Callum will ride with you. You can steer and he’ll work the pedals.”
Gemma grinned. “All right.”
Payton helped her over the fence and they strode across the paddock, Brody riding beside them. When they got to the boys, Brody suggested that they all compete in pairs to make the game more equitable. The girls would hold the reins while the boys held the girls and used the stirrups.
As the eldest, Callum went first, settling Gemma on the saddle in front of him and wrapping his arm around her waist while his other hand gripped the saddle horn. Brody and Payton watched from a spot at the fence as Davey released a calf from the pen.
He stood behind her, his chin resting on her shoulder, his hand on her hip. “So what were you girls really talking about?” he asked, his voice soft against her ear.
“Sex,” she said.
“Really?”
“That’s all girls talk about when they’re together. We were comparing the three of you.”
“And how did I fare?” he asked.
“Oh, I spoke very highly of you,” Payton teased.
His hand slowly moved forward on her hip until it was pressed flat on her lower abdomen, right above the waistband of her jeans. “Did you tell them how good I am at making you moan?” His fingertips drifted a bit lower.
“Stop,” Payton said. “Everyone is watching.”
“No one is watching,” Brody countered.
She closed her eyes and moaned softly. How was it possible that he could set her nerves on fire with a simple touch? They were both fully dressed, standing amidst a group of people, and all she could think about was his hand dipping into her pants.
“How far will you go, Payton? Can I make you come just by talking to you?”
“Don’t even try,” she said.
“I’ll wager I can. Dare me.”
“Brody, I—” He shoved his hand a bit farther beneath her waistband and she sucked in a sharp breath. “All right. You probably could. But that doesn’t mean I want you to. Not here.”
“Where?” he murmured.
“Your room.”
“Hey!” Brody called. “We’re going to grab some more coldies. Who wants one?” He took the time to count the takers then turned to Payton. “Come on, you can give me a hand.”
They started off toward the house without attracting any attention. When they reached the porch, Brody pressed his finger to his lips, then poked his head inside the door. Though the smell of fresh-baked bread drifted out, Mary was elsewhere. He took Payton’s hand and dragged her through the kitchen, then up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
When they were both inside his room, Brody slammed the door behind them and began to unbutton her jeans. Payton fumbled with the belt holding his chaps, but let go when he bent over to pull off her shoes. Her jeans and panties followed and by the time he stood, he was completely aroused, his erection pressing against the faded