What the fuck was happening? I never asked guests out. But I was counting down to the minute I could peel Claire away from the group at the bonfire.

I could still taste her kiss on my lips. She was fucking incredible.

I sat on one side of the fire and Nash was on the other. The staff huddled around the food and a few coolers of beer. The group was loud as usual.

As soon as Claire walked toward the party we both rose. That’s when I saw it.

That’s when I realized he was looking at her the same way I was.

Shit.

It wasn’t like we hadn’t ever been attracted to the same woman before, but there was something about this one I wasn’t willing to just let go. I wanted her. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to take her to bed. I wanted to fuck her on a blanket under the Montana sky. I wanted all of those things while she panted my name. Like hell, I was going to be chivalrous and give up that fantasy for Nash.

I reached her before he did.

“Hi, darlin’.”

She blinked. “Did you just call me darlin’?”

“Do you like that better than baby?” I joked.

She laughed. “I guess it’s ranch talk?”

I nodded. “Something like that.”

“I guess it’s ok then.” There was a new twinkle in her eyes. Something I had noticed at the barn this afternoon.

I raked over her body, taking in the way the flimsy sundress she had on clung to her breasts and hips. It definitely wasn’t the kind of dress a woman wore to a bonfire, but she was clearly out of her element here. She had made that known from the instant she set foot on the ranch. I had to push away the idea of whisking her off now and exploring every inch under that dress. Fuck. I wanted a chance to kiss between her thighs. How was I going to do that with Nash hot for her too?

But it was too late.

My so-called-brother appeared with two beers in his hands.

“For our guest.” He grinned widely, showing off his white teeth.

“Thank you.” Claire blushed.

She looked between us. “I will say, I never get this kind of personal treatment at the spas I visit.”

“Good.” I wrapped my hand around her waist. “Then you’ll like this.”

Before she could protest, I pulled her onto the wooden dance floor near the bonfire.

I lifted her against my body and spun her a few times to the music. If I was going to get ahead, I had to make the first move. Once Nash made his claim on her, it would be over.

We didn’t fight over women. I never thought we would…until now.

“Do you do this every night?” Claire asked, looking up at me with her soft eyes.

“Dance? No.”

She giggled. “Do you ever dance?”

“No,” I answered.

“Then why tonight?”

If I was going to make this happen, I had to lay it on the line now.

“Because, you’re sexy as hell, Claire. And I felt like dancing with the most beautiful woman on my ranch.”

“Oh.”

I saw her eyes widen. “Do you say that to all the reporters?” she teased.

I spun her around again. I could see Nash from the corner of my eye.

“I don’t talk to reporters. This is a first, city girl.”

It was true. I let Nash handle PR and media. I did the heavy lifting. I wasn’t exactly known for being a people person.

“I-I don’t know what to say.” She was cute in a shy way, but the way she kissed me this afternoon, I knew there was a firecracker inside her ready to shoot off.

The music ended and I held her close as I dipped her against my arm. I was willing to see if I could light that fuse tonight.

“Say you want to go spend some time together back at your cabin. Say you want to get out of here and be alone.”

She nodded. “I think I’d like that. But there’s one thing…”

“But what?”

I led her off the dance floor. I took her hand in mine. We could sneak past the food and the staff and be out of here in two minutes.

“I’m next.”

Nash swooped in as soon as the next notes started and swung Claire against his hip. I watched as he twirled her between two of the dancing staffers. Fuck. He was like a vulture, picking off my woman. I wanted to march out there and punch him.

I had to wait until the song was over. I had to wait until she was back to take her to the cabin.