Page 27 of Perfect Guy
“It would be great. You’re exactly the kind of girl my brother needs. What did your brothers say about the article?”
“Levi teased me and asked a few questions I mostly dodged. I don’t think Wilder’s even heard. You know he’s not one to read The MC Scoop, and if anyone mentioned it to him, he seems unbothered by it.”
Wilder lives in his own world. Ranching and now his life with Hallie. Before Hallie, he’d ranch, be grumpy, and go to sleep. It was the same cycle for years.
“I can’t imagine Wilder getting upset about it, but you never know. It is kinda weird. Two cousins and two siblings. Keeping it in the fam,” she jokes and snorts.
I laugh along with her because her humor is infectious. I needed this after a long day.
“I gotta go, but I’m glad we talked.”
“Me too,” I tell her before saying our goodbyes and hanging up.
I wander through our land, taking in the beauty of the wildflowers that show off their vibrant colors in the summer before fall puts them back to sleep. The sky is clear blue, inviting me to continue to stroll. The nearby trees rustle in the light breeze, which is welcomed under the direct sun.
I take a deep breath, inhaling the mix of fragrances from the plants around me, and clear my mind. I smile as I think about my conversation with Canaan yesterday before I got awkward and insecure.
My face heats when I remember what he said about the eye-roll emoji. It was a dirty comment. Not that I’m a virgin or a prude, but reading that coming from him and imagining what being with him would be like made my skin flush and pulse race.
I rub my hand across my collarbones and turn back around toward the house. My brothers and Caleb will be back soon, and I can catch up on what’s been happening today once they do. On Monday, I’ll be back at the construction site to continue working on the plans with Oscar. It’s easier to do at the location.
I head inside and to the bathroom to shower off the day. My phone lights up when I get back to the room, wrapped in my robe. A missed call and message show on my screen. Picking it up, I read Canaan’s message first.
Canaan: I told you if you ignored me I’d show up at your doorstep
Eyes widening, I type out a quick message before he goes through with his threat.
Madelyn: I was in the shower. Chill out
Canaan: Biting my lip from saying anything dirty because it’s not the moment.
Madelyn: What are you…a teen boy?
Canaan: Sometimes I question that myself, but I can guarantee you I’m a man
Madelyn: You’re ridiculous
Canaan: We need to talk
Madelyn: I know
My phone rings and I answer, leaning back against my headboard.
“Hey,” his deep voice washes over me, making my skin tingle. Considering I’m practically naked, I should’ve gotten dressed before having this conversation.
“Hi.” I shift on the bed, crossing my outstretched legs.
“I need to know what I said last night that was so wrong.” His voice holds a hint of desperation.
“It was nothing.” I shake my head, mostly for my own sake.
“I’m calling bull.” He waits patiently.
Sighing, I close my eyes. “It just reminded me of a bad experience, and I shut down. Sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize. What bad experience? Did someone hurt you?” His voice rises on high alert.
“No, nothing like that.” More like my morale was hurt.