Free Newmar, Lola - Rhett's Branding [Scarlett Rose and the Seven Longhorns 3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) by Lola Newmar Page B

attention to Bubba. “Nice to meet you, sir. We’re glad we could make it.”
    “So,” Bubba began, a slight embarrassed look coming over his face, “forgive me for asking this, but who are y’all related to here?”
    Scarlett felt a shock of panic fill her belly as she tried to think fast for a logical answer.
    But without a hitch, Rhett explained, “I’m Lily’s boy. You know, the ball player.”
    To her relief, Bubba’s face instantly lit up at Rhett’s answer. “Aunt Lily! Of course! You’re…er…”
    “Rhett,” he finished for him with a friendly smile.
    Bubba snapped loudly. “Rhett! Yeah!” Bubba laughed then slapped his knee. “Boy, I tell you. Sure is nice to have all my kin folk in one place.” He then turned his attention to Scarlett and whistled appreciatively as he gave her an once-over. “Damn, boy, you done got you a movie star while you were gone?”
    Scarlett felt her cheeks blush as she nervously fidgeted with her neckline, pulling it up as she averted her eyes from the large man’s hungry gawking. As if sensing her unease, Rhett wrapped a strong arm around her waist and protectively pulled her closer to his tall, muscular body. “That’s exactly what I’d told her. She’s my new fiancée.”
    She smiled up at her prince, happy to see his chin slightly lifted in alpha confidence.
    “Well, where’s her ring?”
    Scarlett’s smile disappeared at Bubba’s observation. It had made sense for her and her men to assume they were automatically engaged when they’d realized they were mated. Surprisingly, she’d been so caught up with them that she hadn’t thought about a diamond.
    “I figured spending ten grand on the fawn-colored warmblood she has waiting for her back at my ranch would be sufficient enough,” he replied casually.
    Scarlett quickly turned to Rhett in shock. “You bought me a horse? Rhett, I barely know how to ride.”
    He smiled down at her then kissed her on the lips. “I know, and I can’t wait to teach you more.”
    Bubba let out a loud cackle and patted Rhett on the back. “Our clan has always known the way to a woman’s heart is through livestock.”
    “Don’t I know it,” Rhett murmured as he stroked the back of his hand down Scarlett’s cheek. He took her hand, kissed it, then led her through the crowd Bubba escorted them through.
    Now not only was she feeling uneasy, crashing a perfect stranger’s party, but to top it all off, she felt guilty Rhett had bought her such an expensive gift.
    “Stop it, Scarlett.” Rhett’s insistent tone snapped her from her daze.
    “Huh?” she asked in confusion.
    “Stop feeling guilty about everything and have a little fun, will you?” He turned to Bubba, who was returning from the far table with two large mugs of beer for her and Rhett. “Thanks, buddy!”
    Scarlett’s nervousness quickly calmed as she observed Rhett with the other partygoers. He looked so easygoing as he chatted with the men and tipped his hat to the women, his blue eyes sparkling as he would laugh at their jokes and rolled with the punches. His confidence lit up the room, and Scarlett smiled inwardly in pride that he was her mate. The entire time he socialized, he held her close by.

    * * * *

    “And then he turns and yells, ‘Bubba, you never said she was a goat!’”
    Rhett threw his head back in laughter. The large group that had formed around them bellied over at Bubba’s punch line. He was really having fun.
    But although he may have looked carefree on the outside, he was careful to never let Scarlett out of his sight. He pretended not to notice all the men staring at his mate like she was the ripest watermelon in town, but his own predatory instincts could instantly decipher the competitive way they looked him over. Well, they weren’t getting anywhere with his Scarlett. She wasn’t just his average arm candy. She was his mate, and only his brothers were lucky enough to share that right.
    “I love this song,” she said