“Ouch.” Grayson cringes. “That’s not good.”
“Especially since I still want her.”
“These damn Bishop women are difficult, I’m tellin’ ya. Just when you think you’re making progress, they go and rip the rug out from under ya.”
I laugh at the truth of his words. I haven’t felt sparks with a woman in years, nothing like what I feel when I’m around Maize, and I hate that she won’t give us a chance. Some people never find love once in their lifetime, and it’s even more rare to find it twice. I’m not ready to walk away from someone who I’m falling so hard for—not after all this time. Especially not when I know how it feels to be inside her. I’ll always remember the way she screams my name as she comes. She felt it too, and I’ll do whatever I can to prove I’m worth the risk.
“Maize’s a sweet girl, and from what I know about her, she’s reserved and keeps to herself a lot. Don’t give up on her yet,” Grayson genuinely tells me.
“Trust me, I don’t plan on it.”
We leave the kitchen, and when I get to the door, I see a group of ladies walking across the yard toward Diesel and Riley.
“Ah shit.” Grayson says what I’m thinking. “Looks like they told their women about the party.”
Rowan, Kenzie, Elle, Maize, and Zoey come into view.
“Who are the guys with them?” I narrow my eyes at Kenzie and Maize as frustration and jealousy ripple through me.
“No idea, but I think they’re townies. I’ve seen them at the pub before.”
Just great.
We walk outside and say hello. Kenzie smiles at me but avoids Grayson, while Maize pretends I don’t exist.
“Sorry, man.” Diesel pats my shoulder. “Rowan overheard me and decided to invite the girls. Hope that’s okay.”
I nod. “Sure, no problem. Plenty of beer and food inside.”
Looking around, I realize my small gathering is now at least thirty or more people.
“Get used to it because nothing on the Bishop ranch is a small affair. Ever.” Grayson chuckles.
A few people walk inside and return with plates and drinks, but one guy has two bottles, then hands one to Maize. She smiles and squeezes his arm. What. The. Fuck.
Did she seriously bring a fucking date to my party?
After getting no closure and waiting six months for her to acknowledge we hooked up the first time, this is how dirty she wants to play?
I want to confront her, but that’d make a scene, and I don’t want everyone seeing or hearing our conversation. I’m too old for these childish games, but dammit if it’s not working.
For the next hour, I do my best to keep my eyes off Maize and her little boy toy, but it’s nearly impossible when she purposely stands in my view. I’ve learned her friend’s name is Leo, and if his arm wraps around her one more time, I might snap off his fingers.
“I’m gonna use the bathroom, be right back,” I overhear her tell him. As she walks away, his gaze lingers on her ass, and my jaw nearly cracks in half.
A few moments later, I head inside, using the opportunity to be alone with her. The bathroom door is wide open, and when I walk down the hallway, I see Maize snooping in my bedroom.
“Can I help you?”
She jumps, quickly spinning around. “Jesus!” Her hand presses against her chest as she catches her breath. “You scared the shit outta me, Gavin.”
“Well, imagine my surprise when I catch you not in the bathroom but in my bedroom. Lookin’ for something?” I lean against the doorway with a smug grin on my face. She’s not getting out of this easy or walking away this time.
“I got lost.”
“Is that so?” I don’t feed into her bullshit for a second as I push off the doorframe and step toward her. “You wanna tell me what you’re doing here tonight?”
Maize crosses her arms, pursing her lips. “I was invited. That a problem?”
“Considering you’ve ignored me for two weeks and brought a date to my party, I’d say yes, it is a problem. You and I need to talk.”
I nearly close the gap between us as her arms fall to her side, and the way her breath hitches doesn’t go unnoticed. She licks her lips as her eyes flick up to mine.
“We have nothing to talk about, Gavin.”
“Sure we do. For starters, why don’t you tell me who your little friend is?”
“None of your damn business.”
“You gonna sleep with him, then bail the next morning, too? Should…” I throw a thumb over my shoulder. “Should I warn him? Give him the Maize 101 on what to expect?” I lean down until my lips nearly brush her ear, then whisper, “Tell him you like it fast and deep and to slap your ass real hard. Save him the trouble of having to hear you talk.”