Page 51 of The Maverick’s Legacy

He finally met her gaze. “Why wouldn’t you? It sounds like an amazing opportunity. You’d be the headliner.”

She tentatively reached out, her hand settling on his taut stomach. “There’s a lot of reasons why I should say yes. But there are three reasons why I won’t.”

Jesse went still. “And what are they?”

“One, I want to open my riding school. I already have things in the works, and I want to see it through. Two, I’m tired of that life. I want to stay in Tenacity and see my niece grow up and my cousin get married. I can’t do that if I’m constantly away.”

He turned so that he was facing her fully. “What’s the third reason?”

“Well…you see, there’s this guy that I’m crazy about—”

She didn’t say anything more because Jesse had swooped down and captured her mouth with his. Carly threw her arms around his neck, holding him close. Their breathing became uneven as he guided them back into the tack room and over to the counter that was opposite the window.

He hitched her onto it and only then broke their kiss. His hands moved to her ankles, and he removed one of her boots and then the other.

“Don’t make this decision based on me,” he murmured as his palms glided up her legs to the button of her jeans.

“Did you not hear me mention points one and two? You were third on the decision scale.”

“Funny,” he said, even as his eyes darkened with desire.

When he went to undo the button fastening her jeans, her hands went on top of his to stop him.

“Promise that you’ll wake me before leaving the next time you sleep over.”

A smile tugged on his mouth. “I promise. Even if I have to jump on the bed to wake you up. You’re a sound sleeper. And you have the cutest snore.”

“I do not snore!” Carly replied, affronted by the accusation.

“Sure.” His hands started to work on her jeans’ button again.

“I’m sweaty and smell like horse,” she warned.

He bent his head and licked a strip along her neckline, and she moaned. Her head flew back to give him better access.

“You taste amazing,” he murmured against her ear, causing tingles to shoot across her skin. “And you smell incredible. I’m addicted to you. Let me prove it.”

Her hands moved to the countertop, clasping it tight. She lifted slightly so he could remove her jeans and underwear. This was home to her now. Not the hotels, not the crowds…this beautiful man before her. Not taking his eyes from hers, Jesse got down onto his knees and pulled her hips toward his waiting mouth.

And then he showed her exactly what he meant.

Chapter Nineteen

Carly unloaded Nieve into the waiting stable the day of the Dinosaur Days Rodeo. She had a couple of hours before she was expected to perform, and she was supposed to meet Jesse and Oscar beforehand, but she felt uneasy about leaving her prized stallion unattended.

“Hey, Carly.” Remi’s fiancé, Shane Corey, walked up to her. Beside him was a tall, handsome Black man who shared a lot of the same facial features. “Have you met my brother, Ellis?”

“I haven’t.” She turned to Ellis. “But I’ve met your fiancée, Tiffany, a couple of times before,” she said, shaking Ellis’s hand.

Ellis smiled. “She does make an impression.”

“She does indeed.” Carly laughed. “She also makes the most beautiful flower arrangements I’ve ever seen. Is she here?”

Shane pointed toward the exit of the indoor arena. “Remi’s helping her sell flowers.”

“Oh…” She looked in the direction he indicated before glancing back at Nieve.

“He’ll be safe here,” Ellis assured her. “Shane and I are volunteer security. No one’s going to be messing with the horses under our watch.”