I mounted up and reached down to help her up again. As I lifted her, her hips brushing mine like they belonged there, and spent the whole ride trying to figure out how to tell her she’d be sleeping in my bed tonight.
I wasn’t planning to have company. But hell, she looked better in my saddle than half the women I’ve dated—and that ain’t a short list.
3. CHAPTER BARN
I felt her start to shiver. Even with me pressed up against her back, I could tell the cold was creeping in. It was winter, after all—nights had already started freezing this week.
I gave Shakespeare a light kick. He knew exactly where we were going.
Home.
Fifteen minutes later, we pulled into my driveway. I swung down first, then tipped my hat like a damn showman.
“Welcome toCasa de Cash.Closest thing to a motel you’re gonna get tonight, ma’am.”
She blinked. “What?”
I helped her down carefully, watching her ankle.
“This was the best plan I could come up with at 11 p.m. in the middle of nowhere.”
I didn’t give her a chance to argue or hesitate. Just pressed the keys into her hand before she could say a word.
“There. Make yourself at home. I’ll go unsaddle the horse.”
She hesitated on the porch. I glanced back. “Come on now. You’re pretty much already my wife—don’t start acting shy.”
She smirked, just a little. “Thanks… I guess.”
If only she knew how little she had to thank me for. And I really hoped she wouldn’t Google Dalmore. Because then she’d know Bert’s damn inn was only two blocks away.
When I came back in from the barn, there she was—sitting on my damn couch, wrapped in a blanket twice her size.
Not gonna lie…she looked like she belonged here.
I nodded toward the fireplace.
“I’ll get the fire going.”
She looked up. “You don’t have to do that.”
“Do what?”
“This whole… host thing.”
I tossed a few logs in, struck a match.
“It’s not hosting. I just don’t feel like freezing my balls off.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Not really.” I turned back toward her. “See, us men? Not great with encrypted female subtext. Just say it.”
She hesitated.
“I just mean… you’ve been really kind and all, but I hope you’re not expecting…”
That was the first time I saw her actually flustered. Right then the fire flared up—and I saw it: the tiniest blush across her cheeks. Hell, she looked good like that.
