Moore, Gigi - Desiree's Lone Wolves [The Double R, Book 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Gigi Moore Page A

the men in Carpenter-Reynolds’ circle were always on, preening, posturing, and competing.
    Some might see this as being a jerk or, as Maria put it, not being nice. Desiree just saw it as par for the course.
    She had to admit, however, she envied the cowboys and their way more. She hadn’t felt like she had been or even could be herself again, not in a long time, not since…
    He had been a businessman, too, dressed in expensive, tailored clothes and exhibiting impeccable manners—like Remy.
    Desiree shook herself and took a deep breath, forcefully staying in the moment and not allowing memories to drag her back to a time when she had felt weak and worthless.
    Maria put a hand on her arm. “You should go see about him. He looked about as upset and unhappy when he left here as you do now.”
    Desiree cleared her throat before speaking, for she knew her voice would come out in a ragged rasp if she didn’t. She didn’t want Maria to be more on alert than she already seemed. “Maybe I will take a walk and try to burn off some of those jambalaya and pralines calories.”
    “You go do that. I will hold down the fort.”
    Desiree headed through the living room toward the spiral staircase and headed upstairs to her bedroom to finally get out of the business attire she’d been in most of the day. She looked through her drawers and closets, finally deciding on something simple, at least as simple as she was capable of. She threw on a cream Western shirt, a pair of black jeans, and her cowboy boots.
    Looking in the mirror, she decided the tight bun did not go with the rustic gear, so she took out the pins and let her hair fall down around her shoulders. She brushed the copper-brown waves until they shone beneath the light of the room. At the last minute she freshened up her perfume, applying a spritz behind each ear of the vanilla scent she preferred.
    Desiree stood from her vanity, headed for the door, and took a deep breath as she grabbed the doorknob.
    What was she doing? It wasn’t too late to turn back. She hadn’t gone anywhere yet. She hadn’t made a date, and no one was expecting her. She could stay in and watch TV or catch up on some work without standing up or disappointing anyone, except herself, of course.
    Desiree took another deep breath and pulled the door open just in time to see her sister grasp her chest and gasp on the threshold.
    “You scared the crap out of me!”
    “Up to no good again, no doubt,” Desiree drawled and pulled the door further to allow her sister entry.
    Maia looked her up and down and took a whiff of the air as she stepped into the room. “Where are you off to?”
    “Nowhere special. Maybe a walk around the ranch, get some fresh air.”
    “Good for you.”
    “Why good for me?”
    “I heard about your little adventure in the Old West town.”
    Who hadn’t? Gossip traveled like wildfire around this place. Desiree remained glad that the kiss she’d shared with Carson hadn’t received equal billing with her near trampling. At least she hadn’t heard any whispers about it around the ranch yet, and she was sure if anyone had witnessed the kiss, they would have been yammering about it by now, especially if they had caught that slap at the end.
    “I’m just glad you’re taking the initiative to get out and around and enjoy this place the way it should be enjoyed,” Maia said. “The way you deserve.”
    “I’m not going out riding or anything. It’s just a walk.”
    “One step at a time.”
    “How very wise of you.”
    Maia grinned and stepped back into the hallway. “Don’t be too hard on yourself, Desi. Give yourself a break. Give them a break.” She started to leave, then paused and turned back to Desiree, brandishing a flashlight. “I almost forgot why I came up here in the first place.”
    “Wha—?”
    “Just take it, okay? You never know.”
    Desiree took the offering and watched her sister leave, wondering how much Maia knew about what had happened to her.