His jaw clenched, and he nodded. “I guess that makes sense. I’ll follow you there to make sure you don’t have any trouble with the trailer but I’m not going to set food on Kincaid land.”
“Wouldn’t expect you to,” I mumbled. He was stubborn and proud, just like my cousin. If the two of them could ever set aside the damn feud, they’d probably realize they had a lot in common. But the odds of that happening were about as likely as me winning the lottery, maybe even less.
We got the paperwork done and Tanner followed me back to the Iron Spur. Once I’d pulled into the long drive, he slowed down long enough to wave. I got the gelding settled in the stall Slade had prepared. Thankfully, he wasn’t around so I didn’t have to answer any questions. Once I was sure the gelding was comfortable, I headed to the cabin. Even though neither of us had said anything about it, I knew Tanner would already be there.
The cabin had stopped being a mistake and had become a choice and something neither of us questioned anymore. The drive felt familiar now, the turns easy, the silence comfortable in a way I hadn't expected.
He was waiting for me on the small porch. I climbed the steps, and he tugged me through the doorway. Inside, he kissed me slowly, his hands moving over me like we had all the time in the world. I unbuttoned his shirt, pushed it off his shoulders, and traced the line of his collarbone with my mouth.
"You bought the gelding," he said, his voice rough.
"I did."
"That means you got what you came for."
I looked up at him, my palms still on his chest. "Does it?"
His jaw tightened, and a question flickered in his eyes. Probably the same question I'd been asking myself a thousand times a day but couldn’t answer.
"Waverly—"
I kissed him before he could finish, before either of us could put a name to what was growing between us. His hands slid into my hair, his mouth opening under mine, and we fell into the rhythm we'd built…urgent and consuming with no room left for doubt.
He laid me down on the bed, his weight settling over me, his hands gripping my hips as he moved inside me. I wrapped my legs around him, my nails digging into his back, and let myself fall.
After, we tangled together in the sheets, his arm draped over my waist, his breath warm against my shoulder.
"Are you going to start training this week?" he asked.
"I’m planning on it."
"You'll need to build his stamina. Work him on transitions before you push speed."
I turned my head to look at him. "Are you offering advice or volunteering?"
His thumb traced slow circles on my hip. "I’m just saying."
"Tanner."
He met my gaze. "I don't work with Kincaids.”
"You keep saying that."
"Doesn't make it less true."
I rolled onto my side, facing him fully. "Then what are we doing?"
He didn't answer. Just pulled me closer, his hand sliding up my back, his mouth finding mine again.
And I let it be enough… for now.
Hours later, the chill of the evening wrapped around us as we stood outside the cabin under a sky heavy with stars. Tanner's hand lingered on my elbow, his warmth seeping through the fabric of my sleeve.
"Are you ready to head back?" His voice sounded like gravel that had been smoothed over time.
I nodded, drawing in a breath of cool mountain air. It cleared my head, but as we turned toward my truck, I realized I didn’t have my keys.
"Damn," I muttered. "I left my bag inside."
