“No money, no obligations, no strings unless the two people decide to tie them.” Zoe dismisses me with her hand. “It could be just a dinner date, maybe a swim, and sometimes it’s more. And yeah, a shocking number of ‘sometimes more’ end in wedding bells. Laramie’s hit rate is insane.”
“So you … discovered the ultimate companion for me?”
“You already found your forever man. You’re marrying him next week. But remember that night when we were up until three drinking?”
I nod. “How can I forget? I was a babbling idiot that night.”
“You told me you were terrified you might not be able to keep Calder satisfied.”
I glance down at my hands, twisting my engagement ring. “He’s happy. We’re happy. I just worry about long term. He has quite a past, much more experience, and a long trail of broken hearts. He’s still in touch with most of his past hook-ups. I don’t know how often they stay in contact, he says they’re only friends, but sometimes, I wonder.”
“Maisie.” Her voice softens as she covers my hand with hers. “He has more experience because he’s eight years older than you. You’re more than enough. I keep telling you,he’sthe lucky one. So I did what any ride-or-die best friend would do.” She pauses for dramatic effect with her eyes never leaving mine. “I told Laramie the whole story and requested a total player, who’s ridiculously good in bed. Someone with enough experience to, how should I put this?” She giggles. “I asked her for a man who will help expand your repertoire in bed.”
“Expand my—” I choke on a laugh. “You asked her to find me a sex tutor?”
“Teacher. Mentor. Weekend tryst. Whatever you want to call it.” She grins. “Someone who can show you exactly how to driveyour future husband so wild he’ll never even glance at another woman.”
“And?” My heart hammers against my ribs.
Zoe leans back in her chair, crossing her legs with supreme confidence. “She said she had the perfect candidate in mind to give you a private riding lesson.”
“Riding lesson?”
“That’s what everyone calls the scheduled dates here. All you need to do is call the front desk when you’re ready to confirm. Laramie needs to make sure I’m not pranking you and you’re completely on board before she sends one very hunky, very skilled cowboy straight to your suite.”
Zoe checks her phone, and gets up from the table immediately. “Damn girl, all this talk about riding lessons made me lose track of time. I better get going. I’m babysitting my nephew tonight.” She bends and presses a quick kiss on my cheek. “Keep me posted. No pressure. This is your decision, Maisie. I’ll respect whatever you decide, but I hope you’ll have fun being bad, just this once.”
Chapter two
Maisie
I return to my suite, slipping through the door before anyone sees me in the hallway. My heart’s still thudding from my call to Laramie. I couldn’t handle admitting it to her in person so I confirmed my date at the table, right after Zoe left, so I wouldn’t lose my nerve.
It was like I was ordering sex off the menu. Talk about room service—
Even thinking about it now makes me break into a sweat. We both knew my riding lesson had nothing to do with horses.
I pace barefoot across the thick rug, and catch my reflection in the mirror next to the dresser. Not good. My brown hair is still messy from the wind and my eyes look wild.
I’m over my head.
I’ve been sheltered my whole life. I haven’t even worked for anyone other than relatives. I do the books for our family’s ranch, so life’s been easy until Calder sold that filly to my dad, and we started dating. From day one, I worried something was off, and I might not be enough to keep a man like him forever.
The phone on the nightstand shrills, and I jump as if it caught me committing a felony. I rush past the bed and snatch the receiver with a gulp.
“Hello?”
“Is this Maisie?” The sound punches through my chest, like I’m standing too close to the bass speaker at a concert. “This is Brecken Wade. Laramie said you’re looking for a private riding lesson tonight.”
I blow out a breath. “That’s me …”
He lets out a low, confident chuckle. “Good. Let’s be real clear, darlin’. According to Laramie, you’d like me to train you to be the wife your husband never wants to leave? The kind who keeps him so satisfied he forgets any other woman even exists?”
Heat rushes over me. “Yes,” I whisper. “I’m sorry and mortified to admit it, but that’s exactly what I want.”
“No need to be embarrassed about being honest.” His voice is warm, easy-breezy, and affectionate, making me feel more at ease. “Here’s what I’m thinking. How about I come to your room? When you hear my knock, you act as if we’re married and greet me after a long day at work. Does that sound good? Are you ready to play pretend, sweetheart?”
“I think so.”
