Thank goodness she’d set her boundaries and had a schedule to maintain. When they’d met that hadn’t been the case, but she’d still managed to hold onto her plan for the future.
A breeze touched her hot skin, bringing with it the tangy scent of crushed grass. Snorts and the soft thud of hooves from the nearby pasture blended with the chirp of crickets.
A half-moon and a handful of stars decorated the cloudless sky. Lights twinkling from the homes on the property gave her the feeling of being surrounded by a friendly village.
She headed for the barn where Fudge was stabled. A smaller barn partially hidden behind it was used for wild horses Luis brought in to train so they’d be adoptable. Mila had said it was empty for now.
Too bad. She would have liked to watch him work with those horses. But he’d temporarily paused that part of the operation in advance of the holiday because it was labor intensive.
Stepping though the open door into the barn, she stopped to let her eyes adjust. Small lights spaced along the aisle helped guide her over to Fudge’s stall.
Slowly she unlatched the door and stepped in. He was lying down, but in a different part of the stall, so he’d been up, probably to finish off his oats and hay. The bucket and hay net were both empty.
He lifted his head and softly knickered.
“Hey, Fudgie.” She knelt down and took his head in her lap. “How’re you doing?”
In response he made the little noise in his throat that was his signature reply whenever her voice rose in a question.
She let out a breath, relieved and grateful. “Glad to hear you’re feeling better.” He wouldn’t make that noise if he was hurting.
Combing her fingers through his forelock, she rubbed his nose and stroked his neck. “It’s been quite a day. You with your hoof and me trying to decide—” She caught herself and changed course. “Whether I should accept the Bridgers’ hospitality or not.”
Normally she confessed all her secrets to Fudge. Did Monty’s camera record audio? Better to assume it did and watch what she said. “As you can guess, I decided to accept it.”
Fudge’s head became heavier as he relaxed against her. “Time for you to get some more sleep.” When she started to move away he lifted his head again. “Monty will be here soon to check on you.” She gave him a kiss on his nose. “I’ll be back to see you in the morning. Sleep tight, sweet boy.”
He kept watching her as she backed out of the stall. Blowing him another kiss, she closed and latched the door. The straw rustled as he settled down again.
She walked out of the barn a much calmer person. Her pal Fudge was on the mend and they both knew it. The special bond they shared had a soothing effect on each of them.
Breathing in a lungful of cool air, she let it out slowly, centering herself. Tonight she would enjoy hot sex with a wonderful man. And she would keep it in perspective.
That mindset served her well until she reached the casita’s low patio wall and stepped through the open gate. Luis rose from one of the patio chairs, his broad-shouldered silhouette filling her with a desperate hunger that incinerated every rational thought in her head.
“Bienvenida, querida.”
With a low moan, she hurled herself into his arms.
He caught her and laughed in delight as he swept her up and carried her through the open door. He kicked it shut. “How’s Fudge?”
She gulped for air. “He’s good.” Arms around his neck, cradled against his muscular chest, she drank in the sight of his strong profile and the endearing dent in his smooth cheek. “Did you cut yourself?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Well done.” She should be noticing the house he was taking her through, but she was having a moment. No man had ever carried her to bed, not even him.
Then he stepped into his bedroom and she couldn’t help but notice her surroundings. Flickering votives were everywhere. “Oh, my.” Her heart melted. He’d remembered.
“Like it?”
“You know I do.” So did he. Before their second night together they’d combed the small mountain town for votives and come up empty. “But the shops were all closed today.”
“The owner of the General Store’s a friend of mine. Fetched me a big box of them this afternoon.” He slowly lowered her to her feet. “And now I’m going to kiss you properly.”
She slid her arms around him and looked up into those incredible eyes. Her body clamored for his kiss, his touch, all of him loving all of her. “Yes, please.”
Cupping her face in his warm hands, he leaned down. “Let me know if I taste the same.” Then he settled those smiling lips against hers… and instantly swept her back five years to that motel room.
