Page 47 of Perfect Pact

Chapter 9

Dusty

“Sonofabitch,”I groan, hating that it’s already morning. I reach for the covers, but they get stuck on…something.

What the hell?

I roll over, finding Beth in my t-shirt, snoozing away, wrapped up like burrito beside me. Looks like I’ll be having a cold shower for breakfast. I must love torture. Tucking her in tested my restraint like it had never been tested before. For not wanting to go on a date, she sure did end up in my bed.

Because you put her there.

Okay, so maybe she didn’t have a choice. It was either my bed or try to carry her down the hill to the barn, then put her in her bed and worry if she gets sick all night. My bed was the no-brainer.

But her pulling me into bed with her…well, that’s one thing I didn’t count on.

I sit up, slide out of bed. “Well, hello there.” I stare down at my cock. He’s obviously annoyed he was left out of our sleeping arrangement last night. “Soon. I promise.” I palm it through my boxer briefs, praying a little hand hug will calm him down.

I’m careful not to wake her as I head to the kitchen.

I open the fridge and pull out a cold water. I didn’t drink as much as Beth, but I still feel like I have dry mouth. Screwing off the cap, I drain it of its contents while making my way over to the coffee pot.

Damn…goats!

I do a double take when I pass by the window. Beth’s goats are wondering around their little gated area waiting for someone to fill their buckets.

I make eye contact with one. I think he’s the leader.

“Who, me?” I glance over my shoulder.

I shake off this silent conversation I’m having with a goat who obviously can’t see me standing in the window.

The goats need water. There really isn’t any debate here. I can either go to my bedroom and slide on my jeans, risking waking up Beth, or I can slide on my boots and just get it done. Either way—buckets are getting filled.

“It’s too early for this shit.” I grab my shades from the table on the back porch and slide them on. “That’s better.” I’m very aware of how look, but I don’t care. My closest neighbor doesn’t give two shits because she’s sound asleep in my bed.

My bed.

I can’t stop smiling. Beth Michaels, the woman who stole my heart at her first rejection, is in my room. I’m walking along, whistling, minding my business, when I feel…stuck.

“Wh-What…?” I scan the area, frantically flailing around, trying to regain my balance. This has Beth written all over it. She was pretty adamant about getting revenge.

I glance down. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” My boots are stuck in a ditch full of water and mud. “Well…fuck.” The damn hydrant wasn’t shut all the way off. There’s no telling how long it’s been running

I shrug. “Only one way out.” I wiggle my feet around and walk right out of my boots, leaving them submerged in the brown crap I can only hope has nothing to do with the goats.

I pull the hose out of the ditch up and wash off my feet before folding it in two and taking it with me to the goat’s water area.

“Who’s ready for a little drinky?” I hold up the hose and let it go, creating a nice little water fountain. They all come running. The first one looks like he’s been rolling around in pollen, swirls of yellow coating on his side. It’s kind of pretty.

“You thirsty, bud?” I plop the hose in the bucket, and he starts to go to town. Then another one with black markings walks up. He stands out from the rest with silky white hair. Untouched and looks like it’s been brushed daily. It wouldn’t surprise me if Beth brushes them before bed.

“I feel like we should become friends. What can I call you guys?”

“Baaah…” the pretty boy chimes in.

“Yeah, I don’t speak goat.” I begin filling another bucket. “But I feel like you’re a Ryan…Goat-Ling.”

“Baaah—baaah.” Ryan nudges my hand, begging me to rub him.