I blushed. This was why I’d joked.
Luckily Humphrey had excellent comedic timing—he got it from me—and started to rub his giant head against Carter’s shoulder, bumping him into me.
“Hey now,” I said firmly, and Humphrey stopped immediately.
“You really have a magic touch when it comes to the horses,” Carter stated, amused.
“Not just horses.” I waggled my eyebrows.
Grinning, he replied, “That, my love, needs some more empirical studies conducted by yours truly.”
We realized what he’d called me at the same time and chose to ignore it. Instead, we kissed until Snoopy stomped his foot to get going again.
“Study session at your place tomorrow night?” I asked when we started the ride back.
Carter laughed. “Sounds good to me.”
Chapter 20
Carter
Iwoke up wrapped around Hawk, which was honestly becoming my favorite thing. It didn’t happen often enough. He was so warm and pliant, and smelled so good I couldn’t help burying my nose against his nape and inhaling deeply. As if that woke him, he stirred. I kissed his skin and pressed my pelvis against his ass.
“Don’t even think about it,” he croaked, his deep voice raspy from sleep.
The sound shot straight to my cock. “Too late.”
With a speed and strength I’d forgotten he possessed, he flipped over and pinned me beneath him by my wrists so I couldn’t move. He stared down at me, trying for stern, but it was just fucking hot. I couldn’t help the little groan. Hawk held out for another three seconds before he broke and kissed me soundly.
Hawk escaped my clutches beforeIcould escape his hold. I was left panting on the bed, watching his bare ass as he scooped up his bag and headed into the bathroom. I waited until the door was shut before I grinned.
The more we got to know each other, the more playful he got. Honestly, I didn’t know he had it in him. From the moment we met, he’d been serious and stern, and the biggest smile I’d ever gotten out of him was a barely there smirk. Now, even though his smile wasn’t wide, it reached his eyes, and he joked with me and let me see him act that way with others. I could only imagine how he would change the more comfortable he got with me.
I couldn’t wait to see it.
Hawk emerged a few minutes later, dressed and ready to go. I reached out and made grabby hands. He chuckled but sat on the chair to dress his feet instead of coming closer.
I whined, hamming it up. “Come kiss me.”
“Nope.” He didn’t look at me but a tiny smile played on his lips.
I gasped, outraged. “Why not?”
“Because it’s one thing to kiss you when we both have morning breath, and another entirely now that I’ve brushed my teeth. Besides, it’s already late. I’ve got to get going.”
I squinted at him. “It’s only seven thirty.”
He nodded. “Yep. Like I said, late.”
Hawk stood, glanced at me quickly, then turned his back to bend and pull on his boots. My brain shorted out, staring at his perfectly encased bubble butt. Seriously, that man had an ass to die for and it made my mouth water. It was only when he straightened again that I realized at some point he must have purposefully gone and gotten the boots, since I knew for a fact he’d taken them off at the door when we’d arrived last night.
“You’re a tease,” I accused, some of the outrage tempered by the breathlessness. “You’re turning me on on purpose just to walk out the door to play with horses instead of me.”
“Oh no, baby,” he assured me, voice deep and dark. “It’s not a tease. It’s a promise for later.”
He darted over and kissed my forehead but was too quick for me to grab. I tried but he dodged easily, and I knew he was agile and usually appreciated it, but right now it was frustrating. I might have growled, but all it did was make him laugh. He beelined for the door but then paused and leaned against the jam.
“No, seriously. How are you this sexy all the time? Just get back here and we can—”
