His Cowboy

Billie Bob Jones

After dinner Pedro led us to the large sunroom at the back of the house that had an extensive view of the large backyard. The sun had set and the moon was up so I could not see much beyond the lights planted around the house and in the garden. I wished we would have come here earlier so I could make out how large his estate really was.

The sunroom had large folding doors that were open allowing for the cool night breeze to enter the room. The sound of water was just around the corner and whilst everyone was occupied with getting drinks I sneaked away to take a peak. A large lap pool with a built in Jacuzzi covered a huge portion of land.

What did this house not have?

Outside the sun room was a covered patio that had fairy lights dangling from the wooden beams that extended the entire covering. It reminded me of the barn parties we would have back in Bloom and I found myself smiling as I looked up to them.

It had been months since I had last attended a barn party and I missed the feeling of it. I had been so caught up in preparing for rodeo's and helping Clyde with the ranch that having fun became a farfetched idea. My mind had not been in the right head space for social interactions which just made the situation worse.

I knew our deal with Benedito would keep me busier. It was a great thing he decided to invest but I knew it was going to take a lot of hard work and dedication to get to where the ranch wanted to be. It was a big sacrifice but Clyde had accepted me when my own father had not. He was worth missing all the parties for.

"What has your head caught up in the clouds?" Benedito's low thunderous voice made the hairs at the back of my neck stand.

"I'm just tired," I lied as I lifted myself up from the door frame and stood up straight to face him.

"Would you like to dance?" he grinned.

He was the very reason to why my head was spinning. I had not even noticed the low sound of music in the background. It had a wonderful Spanish feel to it.

"What do you mean?" I frowned as he took a step closer to me.

"Would you like to dance with me?" he held out his hand but my brain struggled to process what was happening. He wanted to slow dance with me!

"Uh," I looked over to our family and friends who were having fun by the bar area. Was he in his right mind to suggest such a thing?

His warm hand wrapped around my hand that held my beer, he took it out of my hand and placed it on the coffee table before taking my hand in his, "It's just our family and friends. No one will mind."

I wanted to argue that they would, but I knew they would not care. With a heavy sigh I simply nodded which earned me another smile from the mysterious billionaire. He led me to the fairy light covered patio where the music could be heard well because there were two more speakers.

He placed his one hand on my waist making me purse my lips in defeat whilst his other hand held mine. With a grumpy nature I placed my hand on his shoulder as we gently swayed to the music. Never in my life had I danced with another man like this and I was not sure where to look.

His eyes were set on my face but I felt that if I looked at him it would just make things awkward. Clearly he was more comfortable with himself whilst I on the other hand was a terrible mess.

"What relations do you and Delilah have?" his minty hot breathe tickled the side of my face making my body involuntary shiver.

"She's my best friend," I answered finally looking up to meet his hot gaze. That seemed to satisfy him as he nodded. "Why?"

"I noticed you were very close," he grinned. "It's not often you see a woman and man being so close without romantic interest."

"Delilah wouldn't be interested in me even if I was the last man on earth," I laughed.

"Ronaldo seems to have taken a liking to her," he chuckled. I looked over his shoulder and saw them laughing together. To think earlier tonight he barely recognized who she was.

"It seems so," I smiled.

We kept silent for a few seconds as we continued dancing. I still wondered why he would ask me to dance but the one thing I knew about Benedito was that he seemed to live in his own world. There was no point in stressing about it.

From the corner of my eye I saw a man dressed in protective gear like the guards from the gate approach us. I tensed knowing that he saw Benedito and I. My sudden rigid nature alerted him that something was wrong. He followed my gaze and the guards steps seemed to halter when he saw Benedito's angry glare.

"Eu não disse que não queria nenhum distúrbio hoje à noite?" he growled to the guard who immediately dropped his head in fear. (Did I not say that I did not want any disturbances tonight?)

I had no idea what he had just said but it definitely sounded like the guard was in trouble.

"Você fez Chefe, mas temos uma emergência," the man quickly responded as he still looked down to the floor. It was almost like he was bowing. (You did Boss, but we have an emergency.)

"Até que ponto?" his face instantly switched from anger to concern. He let go of my body and turned to the guard who finally looked up to him.

"Código vermelho." (Code red.)

My head switched to look at both men as they conversed. These were the times I really wished I had tried to learn more languages.

"Reúna a equipe, vou encontrálo no meu escritório em dez minutos," Benedito said. (Gather the team I will meet you in my office in ten minutes.)

"Sim, chefe," the man quickly nodded before running off. (Yes boss.)

"I'm sorry but I have to leave," he turned back to me and looked at me with a blank facial expression. He seemed more guarded now, stress rolled off him and he put distance between us.

Even though I was grateful he was no longer touching me I felt a bit disappointed we were back to day one.

He seemed to sense that as he stood in front of me again. "Thank you for coming tonight. I am very grateful you gave up your night with your friends to be here," he smiled surprising me. It was obvious he was not one who often thanked people or showed gratitude, but I was happy he was at least trying.

"It's my pleasure. It wasn't as terrible as I assumed it to be," I joked making him chuckle.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Pedro will make sure to give you the courses I asked the chef to prepare for you."

"Thank you," I smiled. Another steak sounded like heaven to my ears.

"I will see you next week. Have a good night Barbie," he grinned.

"Same to you Dito," I nodded. He headed to my parents and Delilah. I could tell he was explaining the situation to them by Ma's concerned facial expression and Clyde's. He quickly spoke to Ronaldo who nodded before he took his leave.

We decided it was the perfect time for us to head back home to give the men time to deal with whatever was going. Pedro had given me three fancy takeaway boxes in a bag before we left.

By the time we reached the ranch it was close to midnight and I was exhausted. The day had gotten stranger and stranger the more it continued and I was tired of thinking about it.

My dynamic with Benedito made no sense and I wondered if that was how he treated all business partners, or if he was simply trying to make up for how he treated me.

When I entered my room the box that contained the gifts he had gotten me rested on my bed. The fancy watch rested on my bedside table making me sigh. If he felt guilty for how he treated me then I completely understood but I felt it needed to end.

He had done more than enough to show his regret and if he continued I would end up with gifts that needed a safe. I grabbed the watch and headed to the closet where my safe stood behind my clothes. I punched in the code and placed the watch alongside my guns for safe keeping.

A part of me was tempted to research how much it was worth but I knew if I found out I would want to give it back to him immediately. He could have done something greater with that money than spend it on me.

I was too lazy to shower so I simply stripped down to my boxers and jumped into the bed. Although I barely got any sleep in that night.