Indy’s eyes glisten with unshed tears as she leans into the horse, using one hand to stroke the top of her head while the other pets Whimsey.
I become their personal paparazzi, taking pictures of the three of them at different angles, capturing this moment to save for a lifetime.
When I’ve taken at least a hundred, I join them on the grass.
Indy smiles when our knees brush. “I can’t tell you how many times over the years I almost texted you to ask if I could come out here and spend some time in the stables.”
“To be with the horses?”
She stops petting Pixie to look at me. A shade of rose flushes her cheeks, and for a second, I see a younger version of her—the girl I fell in love with when I was just a boy. “The horses,” she says softly. “Whimsey. The quiet.”
I shift closer to her, resting my hand against her cheek. “Why didn’t you? You’re welcome here anytime.”
My heart beats faster when she leans into my touch.
She’s perfect,so damn perfect.
“It didn’t feel right to ask. Seemed ridiculous to still be dreaming about visiting a place I’d only visited once.”
Something possessive and carnal sparks inside of me. Drifting my fingers down her arm, I thread my fingers through hers, then stand, tugging her up with me.
I want to look into her eyes when I say this—feel her against me.
I shift until our bodies are flush. “Let me make something crystal clear for you right now. You are it for me—what’s mine isyours. That goes for what belongs to my family because one day you will legally be their family too.”
Her breath hitches, that blush on her cheeks deepening further.
I drag my lips across her skin, drifting until I reach her ear. “That’s right, Trouble. Someday soon, my ring will be around your finger. I told you, if you showed up to my game, I’d spend these next three weeks showing you exactly how you deserve to be loved. I intend to keep that promise.”
“By proposing?” she breathes, stunned. I pull back to look at her—her eyes wide, lips slightly parted. She’s trying to figure out if what I just said was real.
I smirk. “Not yet. But someday. I can promise you that.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Crazy about you, Trouble. Always have been.” I nuzzle against her before placing a firm kiss on her cheek.
I pepper more against her until I reach her mouth, immediately thrusting my tongue inside.
“Tell me to stop,” I murmur through another kiss, heat pulsating through me again.
Her hands slide up the front of my shirt, gripping the fabric like she needs something to anchor her, and shakes her head. I don’t hesitate, pressing back into a kiss that starts slow. Indy tastes like sunshine and sweet promises of the future. I feel our kisseverywhere.
Beyond this little bubble we’ve just created, the trees rustle from the wind and birds chirp. But all I hear is the pounding of my heart.
Closer, Whimsey barks, reminding us she’s still below us. Indy laughs against my lips.
“Did you guys ever remodel that extra guest house?” she asks breathlessly and intertwines our fingers. For a second I have to think about what she’s just said.
I quirk a brow. “About six years ago. Why?”
Anticipation stirs, excitement thundering through me like a flash bomb.
My grip on her hand tightens as she leads me out of the arena, careful to lock the hitch behind her.
“Where are we going?” I ask, already knowing—I just want to hear her say it.
She flashes me a mischievous smile.
