At least before Ariana.
Now, I didn’t want to leave because of her.
Not out of worry.I had eyes everywhere.The entire property was wired into my system.If anyone stepped foot on the land, I’d know.
I stayed because every second I spent in her presence, I found another reason not to go.
Cato dropped a mud-stained tennis ball at my feet, whining softly.I tossed it into the pasture and watched him tear after it, kicking up dust in his wake.As he zoomed through the grass, my gaze drifted toward the guesthouse.
And my thoughts drifted to Ariana.
To last night.
To the moment in the kitchen she’d stood before me, the soft light glinting off her hair, her eyes hesitant but warm.The way her voice trembled when she thanked me.The way her lips parted when I leaned in.
A brush.
A whisper.
A spark.
It had taken everything in me not to push it further.Not to drag her against me and lose myself in her the way I’d been craving for days now.
But she needed space.
And I’d promised myself I’d give it to her.
Even if it killed me.
Cato pawed at my leg, panting heavily through the ball in his mouth.
I reached down and took it from him.“Good boy.”
The sound of a door slamming closed caught my attention.I looked toward the guesthouse in time to see Ariana step onto the back deck, bundled in a sweatshirt and leggings, her hair loosely tied back.The morning light shining on her made her appear almost ethereal.Like something out of a dream.
Cato immediately abandoned all loyalty and bolted toward her.
“Careful, bud,” I called out, jogging after him.“She’s still healing.”
“I’m fine,” she said, laughing as Cato bounded up the steps and pressed his head against her hip.She scratched between his ears, her voice low and tender.“Hey, pal.You’re happy to see me.Aren’t you?”
“Do you blame him?”I remarked, leaning against the railing.A subtle blush bloomed on her cheeks.“I’m about to take him for a long walk to tire him out.”
“Sounds invigorating.”
“Want to come?”I asked before I could stop myself.“If you’re feeling up for it.”
She hesitated, biting her lower lip.That same lip I’d kissed less than twelve hours ago.
Then she nodded.“I’d like that.”
She held the railing as she carefully stepped down the stairs.She still had a slight limp, but every day it got better.I still took it slow, allowing Cato to dart ahead.
When he stopped and looked back at me expectantly, I threw the ball.It arced high against the pastel sky, cutting through a veil of morning mist.
“He’s so playful,” Ariana remarked.
“He still has a bit of puppy in him, I suppose.”
