Then she proceeds to introduce us to all the men – all the very, very gorgeous men. Enzo, who I’m already familiar with and am making certain I don’t have any eye contact with him after finding out what I said to him when I first arrived. Then there is Lake, Dante, Elias, and Madden. They’re something else entirely. It’s like, if you put them all in a line, there would be one for every woman’s taste. Bad boys, playboys, lighter hair, darker hair, you name it, it’s there.
“Let’s go!” Lei calls.
We all begin the walk toward the lake, and I trail behind the group, trying really hard not to make any conversation with them. Thankfully, they’re all chatting away amongst themselves, and I’m grateful for that. I don’t think I can handle too much chit chat right now.
“How’s the head?”
I glance beside me to see Enzo appear in my vision, he’s walking along in those blue jeans, those boots and oh, that flannel rolled up to the elbows. God, he’s gorgeous. Like, I would climb that man like a tree without even a second thought.
“Morning, Daddy,” I murmur. “The head is fab.”
He grins.
I grin, too.
I might not like people a great deal, but a girl has a sense of humor.
“Guessin’ your sarcasm means the head ain’t fab. The lake will cure it. Always does for me.”
“Is this where I tell you I can’t swim?”
He pauses for a second, studying me, and then continues walking. “I’ll carry you.”
“Oh, my Prince Charming. Will you cradle me while I let the cool water wash over my head?”
“You’re bein’ a smart ass ...”
Not a question.
I grin. “I’m never serious, you’ll figure that out. I can swim just fine, though I must admit, the idea of someone holding me in this state isn’t a turn off ...”
He grunts. “Can drown you just as easily, if you like.”
I smile and keep facing straight ahead.
“So, cowboy who hates being called cowboy, have you been on this ranch long?”
“Don’t underestimate the actions I’ll take if you call me cowboy again.”
“You ride horses, do you not?”
He glares at me.
“You live on a ranch?”
“Your point?”
“You’re a cowboy.”
“I’m not a fuckin’ cowboy, I’m a man workin’ the land, not a fuckin’ boy. There is a difference.”
“Yeah, okay, cowman.”
“The drowning is becoming more and more tempting.”
I smirk.
We keep walking.
“Are you going to answer my question about the ranch?” I ask.
“Been here as long as I’ve been friends with Rhett. My home. Anything else you want to know?”
“Oh yes, I’m very nosy. Have you got siblings?”
“No.”
“Parents still alive?”
“Yes.”
“How old are you?”
“For fuck’s sake, why don’t I write it all down so you can stick it on your wall?”
“That would be fab, thanks.”
He growls.
“I’m thirty-one.”
“I usually don’t go for men that old, but I’ll take one for the team.”
He stares at me again. “What makes you think I’m goin’ to do anything with you?”
“I didn’t come here for a massage, at least, not a massage on my back ... if you know what I’m saying.”
I wink at him.
“Has anyone ever told you you’ve got a big mouth?”
“Oh, Daddy, yes.”
He grunts, but the smirk on his face tells me he’s enjoying our little banter. So am I. I wouldn’t say no to spending a month in Enzo’s bed, hell, it has been so long since I’ve had a good hard fuck from a man, I’d happily take what’s being offered from any one of these guys. Slutty? Maybe. But when I’m home, I’m a mom and that’s my life. I came here to get away, to have a break, or so I’m told.
So, I’ll take what I can get.
We arrive at the lake, and I pause and admire the utter beauty. It is big, filled with lush water and surrounded by grassy areas. A café is situated looking right over it, and I’m guessing that’s where we get to eat some of our meals. There are sailing boats, kayaks, jet skis, and other water equipment near a little jetty that goes out onto the water.
It’s perfect.
This place is perfect.
Maybe I will like it here after all.
2
“Isn’t this place incredible?” Faye asks, exhaling as she rubs a hand down her belly.
Breakfast was out of this world good. Eggs, bacon, fruit, cereals —you name it, it was there. We all ate way too much, and suddenly swimming doesn’t seem so appealing, but knowing we’ve got all day makes it a little more exciting.
I’m feeling a lot better, my headache has eased, and my body feels a little less sore. Perhaps this isn’t going to be so bad after all. I can’t remember the last time I just enjoyed myself, truly just let myself unwind and relax.
“It is nice,” I admit.
“I can’t wait to do all these activities,” Alice, the other woman who was speaking to me this morning, says.