Okay, and now I’m jealousI’mnot his good girl.Fuck me.
“Okay, she is pissed,” I explain. “Don’t go thinking you’re special,Cowboy.”
“Oh, I won’t,” he says, but I hear the humor in his voice.
I reach around my horse to pass him her favorite fruit: a pear. I don’t even get it into Brett’s hand and she’s gobbling it up, making us both laugh.
“Okay, forget everything I just said. She apparently doesn’t hate everyone, and loves strange men, and will do anything to make Mommy look bad.” I shake my head, patting her nose gently.
“Clearly she’s a good judge of character,” Brett says, awarding me with a shit-eating grin. “I think I’m gettin’ the nod. Don’t worry, honey, your secret is safe with me.”
Oh, he is definitely getting the nod, and I feel it right between my thighs.
Seeing him like this with my animals and how soft and sweet he is… it makes me want to ride him all the way home. Lust burns deep within me and ignites my cheeks.
He leans forward and kisses her nose, and it’s like I’m not even here. “Do you two need a moment?” I say, amusement in my tone.
“She’s perfect.” His eyes meet mine. “Thank you, Bailey. I think I needed this.”
He’s no longer rigid, and just like Rebel, he seems relaxed with his shoulders softened and his hands no longer fisted. I love that I got to do this for him without even realizing it.
“Well, you’re welcome,” I say, embarrassed.
His eyes blaze as we stare at one another.
I pat Rebel as I by-pass them both. “Goodnight, sweet angel,” I say to her. “See you in the morning.”
Brett gives her one last pat and follows me out. “I mean it,” he goes on. “I’ve been a coward when it comes to this kinda thing. I don’t know why I haven’t been able to be affectionate with another horse, stupid really. Maybe deep down I thought I was bein’ disloyal to Clyde, his death was sudden and traumatic.”
“I’m sorry, truly,” I say, knowing exactly how he feels. “Everything happens when it’s meant to. You can’t rush these things.”
“No, I guess not.”
I pat Dancer and Spirit as we leave, not wanting the night to be over, but knowing it has to end at some point.
I get to the barn door before him and turn, and I swear to god I see him wipe a tear from his cheek. Now, I love me a manlyman every day of the week, but there’s something about this mysterious, rogue cowboy from Nashville that has me all up in a bind. He speaks his mind and doesn’t care how that makes him look. I love that.
I reach for his hand and he glances down at it, then our fingers touch. “You did good.”
“Bailey—”
Before I know what’s happening, I lean up on my tippy toes and kiss his cheek. His beard is softer than I’d imagined. Warm and comforting, just like him. It’s then I realize what I’ve done.
“Holy shit. I’m sorr—” I don’t get to finish because he pulls me to him and our mouths crash.
His lips do a torturous dance against mine as I grip onto his biceps and hang on for dear life. I love that he’s so much bigger than me. And something I didn’t know I loved?—him walking me back to the barn door, pinning me against it as he cups my face.Holy crap.
Brett kisses me like it’s his last day on earth, and I’m here for it, my pussy clenching as we get entangled and things heat up quickly. He pulls back suddenly, panting just as much as I am. “I’ve been wanting to do that ever since you ice skated across the bar,” he says, pressing his forehead to mine.
He didn’t. He did fucking not.
I try not to swoon, but fuck it, I want him, and if that kiss is anything to go by, he wants me too.
I pull him by the lapels of his shirt, his jacket sliding off my shoulders as he leans one hand on the wall and the other pins me at the hip. It’s subtle, but it’s sexy. Commanding.
Jesus.
“I’ve never done this before,” I start between kisses.
