Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 70097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“You’re speaking for him too?”
“Grant?” I didn’t want to cause trouble between them. I didn’t know exactly what was going on, but they didn’t need to fight over me.
He turned to me, looking surprised, like he’d forgotten I was standing right there while they fought about who was going to teach me to ride.
“I feel safe with Rhys because he’s your brother, and I know you trust him around me.”
Grant closed his eyes and exhaled.
“There’s a lot going on right now,” Rhys said. “And your world has definitely flipped upside down recently, but that’s not an excuse to be an asshole to me.”
“Fine. You’re right.”
“Do you have time to give me a lesson now?” I asked.
Grant looked at his phone. “No.”
“But he’s going to anyway,” Rhys said. “Tell me what you were going to do, and I’ll take over so you can have some time with Jacob.”
“A minute ago, you didn’t want me here, and now—”
“I didn’t want your attitude. If you’d asked nicely, I would have suggested this to start with.”
“Why are you such an asshole?”
Rhys laughed. “I think you mean why am I always right.”
“Get out of here.”
“Tell me where to go since you love giving orders.”
Grant glared at him before listing off all the chores he’d planned to take care of.
Rhys turned to go, but Grant called him back. “Be careful. Keep your eyes open for anything suspicious from inside or out.”
“Yes, sir.” Rhys saluted him, then headed for the barn.
“What do you mean inside or out?”
Grant sighed. “Let’s focus on riding, and we can talk about that later.”
“I can’t be left in the dark if I’m going to be here with you, if I’m going to support you and trust you—”
“You don’t have to support me. I’ve got this.”
I stared at him until he looked down and started fiddling with the bridle I knew Rhys had already checked and rechecked. “You’re allowed to need support.”
“But I—”
“No.” I laid a hand on his shoulder. “Let me do this for you. Let me be there when you need someone to take care of you, not with a gun or fighting skills but with comfort and… friendship.” I wasn’t about to say love, even though that’s what I wanted to give him.
Grant looked up, eyes wide. “I don’t need—”
“Yes, you do.”
He let out a long breath. “It’s not easy for me to need anything.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“I’ll see if I can change, but…”
“All you have to do is let me—” I stopped abruptly. Once again, I’d almost gone too far.
He frowned, studying me intently. “What?”
“Care for you too.”
“Okay. I’ll try.”
He had me show him what Rhys and I had worked on the day before. Every time he touched me, whether it was placing a hand over mine on the reins, cupping my leg to remind me to keep my heels down, or laying a hand against my back to remind me to sit up straight, a thrill raced through me. It was all I could do not to squirm in the saddle.
I was able to concentrate much better once he sat on the rail and talked me through stopping and starting, then turning and walking over poles. Everything was coming back to me quickly.
“I’m impressed,” he said when I stopped Biscuit in front of him. “You remembered almost everything once you got going.”
Yeah, because you weren’t touching me. “It’s coming back easily.”
He tested me on more skills before once again having me stop before him. “How are you feeling?”
“Great. Well, hot, but otherwise great.”
“How about a shady trail ride?”
That sounded heavenly. “Are you serious? You think I’m ready for that.”
“With this horse, yes. You’re more than ready.”
I’d gained a lot of confidence, but I also knew I was taking up too much of Grant’s time. “I would love that, but don’t you have work to do.”
“Rhys seems to think I should have the day off or at least part of it, so I’m going to take advantage of that.”
“I’m supposed to make lunch.”
“Trust me, everyone can make their own sandwiches. They won’t starve before you’re back.”
“Okay.” I started to swing a leg over to dismount, but Biscuit took a step forward. Grant grabbed the reins in one hand and my waist in the other.
“Whoa,” he commanded.
The horse stood still, and I continued my dismount. Grant pressed against me as I slid from the horse, making the full length of our bodies touch. When my feet hit the ground, he held me there, trapped between him and the horse.
“You feel so good. This is where you belong. Your body against mine.”
I sucked in my breath. How did he know exactly the right thing to say to drive me wild?
“You like that, don’t you? The idea of always being where I could touch you?”
“Yes.”
I wanted to turn around and kiss him right there, but I knew anyone might walk up. Though if he kept rubbing himself on me like a satisfied cat, I might stop caring. I glanced toward the barn. Maybe we could put it to good use or at least find a secluded spot on our ride.