What are you doing today?
Hopefully, my fiancé. Love you!
Skylar laughed as she set the phone down, her heart so light. Ryan and Seth’s happiness was palpable, like something you could reach out and touch. She wanted that same electric connection, that same certainty. Maybe it would be with Rawley, maybe not, but after last night, the way his hands had moved across her skin like he was memorizing every inch, she couldn’t imagine any other man measuring up. In any way.
At ten thirty, she stepped outside into the sweltering heat that hit like a physical wall, making her T-shirt cling instantly to her skin. She climbed into her SUV only to leap back out, the leather seats scorching through her clothes. She got a towel from the back, placed it on the seat, and got in again. Reaching out, she jabbed the ‘start’ button and cranked the A/C to maximum before retreating back into the blessed coolness of her house. That vehicle needed at least five minutes of climate control before it would be habitable.
As she waited for the car’s air conditioning to battle the merciless summer heat, she hoped she wouldn’t be late. Time was ticking and she couldn’t wait to see him again.
Snatching her purse from the kitchen counter, her cowboy hat from the peg, she headed for the front door, keys jingling.
“I’ll be back later, Cosmo,” she called out, scanning the empty living room for the cat. No response. “Why would you think he would?” she muttered to herself. “He’s a cat. He only graces you with his presence when it suits him.”
She opened the door, releasing a blast of scorching air that made her skin prickle instantly. She pulled it firmly shut, the lock clicking with finality. Each step to the vehicle felt like walking on hot coals, even through the soles of her cowboy boots. When she finally yanked open her car door, the rush of cooled air was a small mercy, though she still left the towel carefully over the sunbaked leather seat that threatened to sear through her jeans.
Skylar put Rawley’s address into the navigation screen on her infotainment system, then backed out of the driveway. Her stomach was in knots. It shouldn’t be. Not after last night. With a smile, she realized she didn’t care if they went riding or not. She just wanted to be with him.
When she pulled up to his house, she gasped. It was stunning. Just as she imagined a farmhouse should look. It was white with black shutters, the porch, scattered with white rocking chairs and a swing, and it looked like it was wrapped around the entire house. The steps leading to the front door were wide and inviting, but she pulled to the side steps and saw the door open and Rawley stepped onto the porch with two black and white dogs following him. He walked toward her vehicle and waited until she stopped, then he opened the door and put his hand out to her.
“Hi,” she said as she pushed the button to shut the vehicle off.
“Hi. Did you have any trouble finding the place?”
“Not at all. My GPS got me here just fine.” She reached for her purse, then stepped out and he kissed her lips.
“It’s hot today.”
“I think that’s an understatement.”
“Well, we could go swimming when we come back.”
“Swimming? Where?”
“I have a pool out back.”
“Nice, but I didn’t bring a suit.” She stared at him to see him trying not to grin, then she felt a cold nose nudge her and looked down. “Hi, babies.” She squatted and rubbed their ears. “I love Border collies. What are their names?”
“Calvin and Hobbs. Calvin has the blue eyes.”
“Cute names.”
“Come inside, then we can go.” He looked at her feet. “I’m glad to see you wore boots.”
“I grew up on a horse farm.”
“Oh, so you know how to ride.”
“I do. I’m ready to go. I’d just like to put my purse inside and of course, see the house.”
Rawley grinned. “Of course.”
He took her hand, led her up the steps and into the kitchen.
“Oh, Rawley, this is so beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
She gazed around. The kitchen featured mahogany cupboards with matching wood planks that gleamed with a deep, reddish-brown luster beneath the recessed lighting. The countertops were beige and white marble, veined with delicate gold that caught the morning light. Stainless steel appliances gleamed like sentinels. She smiled when he wrapped his arms around her from behind and nibbled on her neck. She laughed then leaned away from him.
