“I don’t have any food,” I told him, stroking the velvety nose.
Hunter loped over. God, he looked so fucking good, and he smelled even better, like country air and male.
“Come on, Merlin.”
“You named your horse Merlin?” I asked with a laugh.
“They’re technically horses Garrett bought for Penny. Of course, he just lets them out to roam around the property. Once I found one in the kitchen.”
“Speaking of…” Merlin’s sibling was trying to steal some of the salad Kate was prepping. I grabbed the reins of the other horse, leading him away from the dinner line to a nearby barn.
“Marco said we could keep them here for now,” Hunter said.
I grabbed a bucket and filled it with water while Hunter started brushing down the big black horses. I grabbed another brush and helped him.
“You can go back to the party,” he said. “And tell some of my brothers to come help.”
“There’s a line for supper,” I said. “Besides, I like horses.”
“And here I thought you were hanging around because you wanted time with me,” he murmured, turning to face me.
“I mean, maybe,” I said looking up at him.
“You can’t show up all sexy with your overalls and a fanny pack and not think that you were going to drive me crazy all afternoon.”
“I do try and make an effort,” I quipped.
Hunter kissed me, smiling against my mouth.
“Fuck, I love kissing you, Meg,” he whispered. His hands tugged at my clothes. I wanted to melt into him, give into him.
He unhooked my overalls, and his hand slid under my shirt. I gasped as he caressed a nipple, pinching and teasing it as his tongue slipped into my mouth. It was sensual and powerful and exactly how I had fantasized about being with him again. Well, not exactly…
Bahhhh!
I jumped. A demonic-looking goat bleated at us.
“I don’t think he wants us in his barn,” I said, slightly out of breath. Hunter tried to shoo the goat away, but it charged at him. Hunter sprung back with a curse as the goat reared up for another attack.
I thought we were going to be trapped in the barn until one of the horses turned around and snapped at the goat. It fled, and the horse gave a smug snort.
Undeterred, Hunter reached for me again.
“We should go back to the dinner,” I said.
“Or”—Hunter drew me close to him—“we could skip the party and go back to my place.”
“Your place? With all your little brothers?”
“Yes, but see, they’re all here,” he said, tipping my head back to kiss me hard. “And we could use the excuse that we’re taking the horses back.” His hand tangled in my hair as the other pressed between my legs. “I want you. You know I do. I always do.” He promised a night of bliss, but I still wasn’t ready to give in, wasn’t ready to trust him again.
“I am kind of hungry.”
Hunter blew out a breath. “You’re going to choose broccoli salad and macaroni and cheese over me?”
“Mrs. Levenston is making brats,” I said, “so I’ll still have some sausage in my mouth!”
42
