Free Rocky Mountain Desire: Six Pack Ranch, Book 3 by Vivian Arend Page A

bottle and passed the last to Gabe.
    “You boys are lucky you switched your schedule. Still haven’t convinced my dad that calving in February is old school and timing them for April is a hell of a lot easier on the body and the feed costs.”
    From then on, Matt pretty much ignored the conversation between Travis and Gabe. Ranching discussions had already filled his day. He didn’t want it to be what he talked about all damn night as well.
    But it was good to get out of his trailer. Maybe find a little companionship for the night.
    Someone to get his mind off Hope Meridan, because she was pretty much all he’d been thinking about since last week, sorry son of a gun that he was.
    It wasn’t just the feel of her under him, but the little things he’d started to obsess over. Like her ready smile. Her stubborn refusal to allow him to do anything for her without complaining first.
    The music was loud enough there was no need to pretend he wanted to contribute to the conversation. He leaned back on his stool and peered around, checking to see who was out that he recognized.
    His gaze skittered over the dance floor, and his meager supply of calm and relaxed whooshed away.
    Hope had her arms draped around Clay Thompson’s neck, and they were both smiling way too much for this to be a first casual hello dance. Hell, he couldn’t see any daylight between them either, and the way Hope was wiggling, Clay had to be pressed nice and tight to her soft breasts and…
    Fuck it. Matt picked up his bottle and chugged back a few long swallows. No reason why she couldn’t be here. She was a grown-up. Clay was too.
    But it was impossible to pull his gaze away. She had on skintight jeans, faded patches on the ass, all her ample curves right out there and visible. Clay had tucked his thumbs into her belt loops, fingers spread over her butt as they swayed together. Hope rested her head on his chest, the motion turning her face toward Matt. She’d closed her eyes, face relaxed and a hint of smile on her lips.
    It was the most peaceful Matt had ever seen her, and something ached inside.
    He wasn’t wishing her anything less than happiness, but there was this strange sensation that rushed him. He stared at Clay’s hands as the man moved them slowly over Hope’s body, and the ache switched to something sharper and needier.
    Matt sipped his beer and deliberately rotated his stool so they weren’t in his line of vision. That brought him into direct sight of a Christmas party group of women, gazes darting over him and the boys. Travis was already making a move. He lifted his bottle in salute, then grinned at Matt and Gabe when a couple ladies headed their direction in response.
    “You guys know how to dance? Because we need some exercise and our favourite song is about to come on.” Their spokesperson shook her head back and smiled enticingly.
    “What’s your favourite song?” Travis teased. He stood and stepped behind them, hands resting lightly on their shoulders.
    “Any that we’re dancing with you?”
    “Well, I’m all for making your night a little brighter.” Travis took her by the hand and led her toward the floor.
    Gabe rose and reached for the other lady. He paused and motioned with his head as he spoke to Matt. “You joining us on the floor?”
    Matt glanced away, catching sight of Clay moving toward the bathrooms. Hope sat at a table with a glass in her hand. Damn it anyway. “Yeah.”
    But he didn’t head to the partiers’ table to find his own dance partner. His feet carried him the other direction, and he found himself staring at Hope, wondering what the hell he was doing. “Hey.”
    She glanced up, and her smile vanished as she slammed her lips together. “Matt?”
    Awkwardness edged along his spine, and he felt about ten years old. “How are you?”
    Hope snuck a peek toward the bathrooms. “Good. What’re you doing?”
    I have no fucking idea was the first thing in his brain. Couldn’t say that though. Like