Her Cowboy Cousins: A Reverse Harem Romance

by Veronica Wade

“How could you be so stupid? This isn’t like you! You don’t make decisions like this. Even Spencer wouldn’t do something so completely inappropriate,” Marshall yells.

  “Like hell he wouldn’t! I see the way he looks at her, the way you look at her. You’re telling me you don’t think he’d have done exactly the same? You’re kidding yourself.”

  “Hey, can you keep it the fuck down?” I stage-whisper. “I can hear you down the damn hall, and if I can hear you so can guests! And how about you don’t speak for me, Morgan? I have zero interest in Eva, so don’t drag me into whatever issue you two have got going on.”

  They both look at me, confused. “Uh, we’re not talking about Eva,” Marshall says slowly.

  “Oh,” I say, feeling a little stupid. “Then who are you talking about?”

  “We’re talking about Sarah,” he responds.

  “Sarah…?” I’m not following. “What could you be fighting about Sarah for?” Then I start to process. “Wait, you did something inappropriate with Sarah?” I snap at Morgan, immediately enraged.

  “Holy hell, it was one fucking kiss! Can you both get off your high horses here? I get that you’re pissed, but at least be real about what you’re actually angry about.”

  “What are you talking about?” Marshall asks.

  “You’re not pissed because I fucked up and kissed Sarah. You’re pissed because you didn’t.”

  Marshall laughs. “What? What are you on about?”

  But what he says immediately resonates with me.

  He’s not wrong. As soon as I hear the word kiss, something flashes through me like rage.

  “Spencer, you’ll be real with me,” Morgan pleads. “Be honest, you like her too.”

  He’s right, I can’t lie about shit like this. Marshall has always been able to stew in his own denial, but I never could.

  “Yeah, I might be a bit jealous. I’m attracted to her, sure.”

  Morgan turns back to Marshall. “And so have you, just admit it. I know you. I know you both. I can tell when you’re attracted to a girl.”

  “That’s not the issue here!” Marshall says, clearly irritated. “I might be attracted to her, but I wouldn’t have kissed her. In fact, I had the opportunity and decided against it. I made the right choice.”

  “Wait,” I say. “You nearly kissed her too?”

  “Okay, see!” Marshall says quickly. “This is exactly why I didn’t. Don’t you see that this is a huge problem? We can’t do anything with her, since we all clearly like her. This is wrong. We’ve all got a good relationship, and we’re running this phenomenal ranch. We can’t go screwing up this project over one attractive woman, no matter how much we might like her.”

  “Marshall’s right,” I say to Morgan. “This is going to cause too many problems. Nothing is worth this. Let’s not forget about the talking-to we got from her mother.”

  I can’t say that I want to get rid of my bad reputation and then also go after a twenty-one-year-old woman who works for me. Even if she is beautiful… and sweet.

  “Right. We just need to stay away from her. That is the only option here that doesn’t involve us potentially imploding our bond and our business,” Marshall says, trying to convince Morgan. And maybe himself.

  “I agree. We just gotta back off.” I echo, but my voice doesn’t even sound convincing to me.

  It’s stupid, because I’ve had plenty of women. So many that lately, I haven’t even had any interest in chasing tail. I’ve been fine just focusing on work and keeping my head on straight. Maybe that’s exactly why it’s so hard to stay away from a girl this perfect. After so many years on my own, I’ve used up my willpower and now I can’t help fantasizing about a woman as undeniably sexy as Sarah.

  “Okay, yes, I agree with y’all’s point, but if I’m honest the problem is I’m just not sure I can stay away.” Morgan’s face is crumpling. “I get the repercussions, okay? I don’t think it’s the best move. But my kissing her today just felt… I dunno, like it wasn’t even voluntary. I just looked at her and had to kiss her. It’s like there’s something special about her. I can’t keep my thoughts straight when she’s around. I don’t see how I can keep seeing her every damn day and not act on my desire. I mean, sure, if she weren’t working here and around all the time I could stay away, but… then I wouldn’t have to.”

  “Well, we can’t fire her. She hasn’t done anything wrong. Especially not after you kissed her. That’s just wrongful termination. It’s out of the question,” Marshall says. “You have to control yourself.”

  “Maybe he’s not the only one concerned about being able to control himself.” I shift a little, leaning back against the wall when I say it, like I’m bracing for Marshall’s reaction. Which isn’t a good one.

  He runs his hands through his dark hair in frustration. “Okay, so… what, guys? What the hell do you want to do? We can’t fire her, you can’t stay away, how do we handle this without wanting to kill each other?”

  I shrug. “Maybe we should just… let things play out. I mean, yeah, I’m a little jealous. But if it turns out she’s interested in one of you and not me, I think my attraction to her will fade. Never had much problem with rejection. Maybe we should just let her decide who she’s interested in and agree among ourselves that whatever she chooses, we go with it. We don’t fight over it. We be grown-up about this shit.”

  “Yeah!” Morgan agrees immediately. “I mean, I can do that. We’re all adults here. If she isn’t interested in me, I’ll give someone else a chance.”

  That’s easy for him to say. He’s already kissed her. He’s probably pretty sure that she is actually interested in him.

  “Even so,” Marshall continues, “we can’t just all play some game where we all vie for her attention. That’s running dangerously close to the border of sexual harassment. We can’t create that kind of work environment for her.”

  “So we won’t,” I say. “How about none of us actively pursue her, but we be straight up with her? Tell her we all have interest but that we respect her work here and her choices. If she has an interest, she can come after us, and if she doesn’t… business as usual.”

  Marshall still seems hesitant. “What about what Miranda said?”

  “Oh, come on!” Morgan argues. “This isn’t some child we’re discussing. Sarah is an adult woman, capable of dating whomever the hell she wants. Her mom may treat her like a kid, but we damn well shouldn’t.”

  “I agree,” I say, though I can’t deny Miranda still intimidates me a little bit.

  “Fine,” Marshall finally agrees. “We’ll talk to her about it. But after we do, whatever happens, happens. We can’t let it affect the business. We can’t go after her. We be honest with her, and we step back.”

  “Deal,” Morgan and I say at the same time.

  I’m happy just to have the opportunity. Considering earlier today, I thought she’d be completely off-limits for good.

  But there’s no denying that I feel the same way Morgan does. My attraction to her is intense and magnetic. I may be able to handle being rejected if it comes to that, but I don’t know if I could handle never even trying. I want to know if there’s even a chance.

  The next day Sarah comes in as usual, except nothing feels as usual about it.

  She’s shifty anytime one of us is near, and she keeps staring holes through the computer screen if anyone of us so much as walks by. I say hello to her and she gives a short “hi” before pointedly looking away from me.

  I’ve got no doubt she’s embarrassed about being caught by Marshall last night, but it upsets me a little bit how distant she seems. I gotta take the bull by the horns.

  “Hey, Sarah.” I come up to her desk when I see she isn’t doing much.

  “Yes?” She looks up at me, her voice even softer than usual. Her face more beautiful than ever.

  “The boys and I want to talk to you after your shift. Can you meet us in the kitchen before you leave?”

  “Sure,” she sa
ys, her voice nervous and squeaky. “What about, exactly? Is everything okay?”

  As she talks, it’s hard for me not to think of last night. About how less than twenty-four hours ago, those lips kissed Morgan…

  And they could kiss me.

  It’s all that runs through my mind. I want to lean down and kiss her. But I can’t. I can’t pursue her at all, so really, I want her to reach up and kiss me as she did Morgan. I want her face to inch closer and closer to mine until…

  “Spencer?” she asks, bringing me out of my reverie.

  “Nothing to worry about. We’ll discuss it later,” I say, after I can’t think of a subtle way to explain. This does not put her at ease.

  “Okay,” she says quickly. “No problem.”

  “Great,” I say, but I linger at her desk.

  I feel like I’m willing her in my mind to kiss me. I’d kiss her back so much better than Morgan ever could. I’d make her swoon. I know I would.

  But of course, there’s no way to get her to kiss me with my thoughts. Even though I know there’s no chance she’s just gonna lean over and kiss me in the middle of the lobby, I’m getting frustrated.

  “Is there… something else I can do for you?” she asks.

  I try to keep my tone even, but my next sentence comes out a bit strangled. Some ladies’ man I am. I don’t know why Miranda was worried.

  “No, nothing. Bye,” I tell her gruffly, before turning and walking away.

  Dammit, Spencer, is that any fucking way to get her to like you?

  Idiot.

  Sarah

  I can literally feel my hands trembling. God, I am such a coward, but it’s impossible to keep myself calm right now.

  I’m straightening the rose-colored floral sheets in one of the empty guest suites. Eva didn’t bother to come in and do it herself, despite it being her only job. Which is always mildly annoying, but it’s especially annoying today considering every time I try to fold a sheet corner, I see how badly I’m shaking.

  I try to move quickly because the more I notice the trembling, the more anxious I become. I sit down on the bed, though I haven’t even fluffed the pillows yet. I sit on my hands so I don’t think about them too much. I just need a minute to calm down.

  There can only be one thing they want to discuss, and that is my humiliating kiss with Morgan.

  But the real question is, what are they going to do about it? Will they fire me for misconduct? Maybe. That’s the only thing I can think of that they’d want to do right now. If they didn’t have a problem with it, there would be no reason for a meeting. They would just let it go. So they clearly have no intention of letting it go.

  What the hell am I going to do if they fire me?

  I can’t go back to the diner after quitting. I’m positive they won’t take me. And nobody else in town is hiring! It’s hard to find jobs in small places like this. There isn’t that much turnover.

  I really screwed the pooch on this one. I knew I was attracted to my bosses, I knew I had to keep it under control, so how could I let it get that far? Why did I allow myself to masturbate while thinking about them? While thinking about all three of them? I’m clearly some kind of sicko.

  I guess that’s the only consolation in all of this… they don’t know I’m hot for all of them. For all they know, it’s just Morgan. It’s the last bit of pride I have.

  I take a deep breath. Fired or not, I’m going to do a good job today. This could be my last chance to show my value as an employee. Between my mom’s interrogation and my kiss with Morgan, I’ve been more trouble than I’m worth. I’ve got to convince them that in the long run, I’m going to be a valuable asset to the ranch.

  I need to get back to my desk or to the kitchen where they can see me working hard. But instead I’m in here fixing the messes that Eva left! I really should tell them about the terrible job she’s doing instead of covering it up myself.

  It doesn’t seem like the right time, though. If I tell them now when they’re nearly about to fire me, I’ll just look like I’m throwing someone else under the bus to divert attention from myself.

  Even though I’m not. She’s been slacking off since the first day she started.

  Maybe I’ll tell them after our meeting. If they want to discuss something that isn’t about firing me, I’ll let them know what I really think of Eva’s shoddy work. And if I do get fired, it’s not like I’ll have to deal with it anymore. And they’ll probably realize I was telling the truth pretty quickly on their own when I’m not around to make up for her.

  I tuck my hair behind my ears, feeling the tiniest bit of sweat on the back of my neck, and begin to fluff the pillows before heading out of the room.

  I don’t have much of a chance to prove anything to them, though. I walk down the hall where I find the Lesters are leaving their room, likely to go riding the horses again. As soon as they walk by, I hear Marshall’s voice from behind me.

  “Sarah?”

  I jump a little bit. “Oh, sorry. You startled me.” I force a smile as I look at him, but I’m having a hard time keeping eye contact.

  All I can think about is how angry his voice had been last night, his undeniable fury with me. Then I remember Spencer’s curtness earlier.

  And I’m positive, I’m done for. I might as well consider this job lost.

  “Since there are no guests around, Spencer, Morgan, and I would like to speak with you now,” he says without smiling.

  “Okay.” My heart begins to race. “Sorry, I just thought Spencer said you guys wanted to talk to me after my shift.”

  “Yeah, we did, but now seems as good a time as any. Follow me.”

  Great, they aren’t even going to let me finish out my shift!

  I try to keep my composure, though I feel like bursting into tears. I’ve never been fired before. I’ve always considered myself a great employee. I mean, I really was one… when I wasn’t making out with my superiors. Which is ironic considering I’m not the type to make out with anyone. The last thing anyone would call me is promiscuous. If anything, I’ve been some kind of prude my entire life. And now I’m losing my job over an inability to control my lust? Wonderful.

  Disappointment overwhelms me. It’s crazy how attached I am to this job even though I’ve been doing it for such a short time. I tell myself that’s only because it pays well, it’s easy, and it’s going to enable me to go to culinary school, but in the back of my mind I know that’s not true. I know there’s more to it than that.

  I hate the thought of never seeing Marshall, Morgan, or Spencer again. I hate that I’ve disappointed them this way. I’ve got this feeling of connection to them, like we were building something together, and that connection is about to be broken.

  It’s stupid. Normally, I don’t have too much of a problem handling my crushes. If I want to stop liking a man, I do it. But I haven’t made any headway in losing my attraction to any of them. Maybe they’re the forbidden fruit.

  I follow Marshall down the hall like he asks, dragging my feet a bit. I’d like to delay the inevitable as much as possible.

  He leads me into a room I know is not a guest suite, but I don’t know exactly what it is. Marshall and Spencer have not yet arrived.

  “We’ll wait for the other two to get started,” Marshall says in an even tone.

  Well, if he’s going to fire me, I at least appreciate him keeping a level head about it. It makes me feel a lot less guilty than his yelling did last night.

  “What is this place?” I ask as I look around.

  It’s got a classic farm touch to it. A wooden table in the middle of the room, deer heads mounted on the walls, leather chairs around the corners of the room.

  “It used to be my Uncle Gary’s room, before he passed and left the ranch to us. But we’re converting it into a guest lounge of sorts. Though we really can’t bear to change his room completely. We were all really close to him, so we’ve kept some of his chairs and knickknacks around the room in his memory.”


  “I like it. It has a very relaxing vibe,” I say. Which is quite a big statement considering this is probably the least calm I’ve felt in a long time.

  “Thanks. He had a soothing presence. Most people who met him said that,” Marshall smiles softly.

  “I’m so sorry about his passing. I’m sure you all miss him very much,” I say as I sit down in one of the chairs.

  I know it’s dumb to get into a conversation like this, knowing what’s about to happen, but I can’t help myself. If I’m going to be leaving today, I at least want to treasure the last few moments I have with the guys.

  “We do. He was a father figure to us. He never had children of his own, so he treated us like his kids. Honestly, even being left the investment of this ranch, I don’t know if I would’ve come back to Autumn Falls if it hadn’t been Uncle Gary who left it to me. I liked my life in the city. I wasn’t really motivated to return, but I had to do it for him. I knew my cousins would struggle to keep this ranch afloat without my business expertise, and I just couldn’t let my uncle’s hard work go to waste.”

  Okay, now I know that this conversation is definitely a mistake. Because I’m looking at him speak about someone who is near and dear to his heart, and I feel like I’m melting. Hearing him talk about his uncle touches me. Marshall has a kind of blunt way about him; he seems very logical and gets straight to the point of things. It’s hard to see him as a vulnerable, emotional being. I never imagined he would be so self-sacrificial, giving up a life he enjoyed all for the benefit of his family.

  “That’s so sweet of you to do.” I give him a small smile.

  He shrugs. “It’s the decent thing to do.”

  The conversation is cut short when both Morgan and Spencer enter the room, consternation on their faces.

  They all take seats on the small leather couch across from me, and I fidget in my chair, tapping my finger against the leather in an effort to calm my jitters. Though, if anything, it makes me more anxious and probably more visibly worried.

  “Look, I’m so sorry about yesterday,” I blurt out before they even have a chance to begin. “I know that kind of behavior is not okay—”