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“Be right there!”
I tucked my phone back in the bag and petted Storm’s flank. He nuzzled his face against my shoulder and I couldn’t help but laugh at the little snort he made for attention.
“You’re just a big baby, aren’t you? A beautiful, big, adorable baby,” I said, petting his face.
“Biggest baby there is when it comes to attention.”
I looked up to find Gray closer than I expected. Had he been watching me this whole time?
“He’s precious. Thanks for assigning him to me.”
He tipped his hat, like the cowboys did in the movies. My knees felt weak again.
“And this really is the most beautiful place I think I’ve ever seen.” I looked around, admiring it all over again.
“Figured you city folks might appreciate a slice of real nature,” he said, unpacking the lunch supplies with those monstrous hands of his. They were calloused and tan. Working man’s hands. I caught myself biting my lip and tried to deflect.
“Real nature?” I chuckled, unbuttoning my cover-up. “And what, pray tell, had we been riding through up until now? Holograms?”
“Smart mouth,” he quipped back. I caught the ghost of a smile on his lips before he turned away, surveying the group of horses to ensure they were all safely settled.
“This isn’t even the half of it, anyway. There’s falls you wouldn’t believe.”
“You’re holding out on us, huh?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Can’t give away all the Whittier secret spots to strangers.”
“I suppose that’s fair.” I unbuttoned my jeans and tried my best to take them off gracefully without also looking like I was trying to give him a show. It didn’t matter much anyway, because when I glanced up at him, his eyes were fixated on a tree. “Well this one is gorgeous and I’m grateful we’re here. But don’t think I’ll forget about the others.”
He grunted again. Why did I like that so much?
“You joining us?” I asked, now standing in front of him in only my black halter bikini.
“Ah, no. Y’all enjoy yourself.”
“You sure? It’s a beautiful day. Marge did say you needed to relax more.”
“Marge needs to mind her own business.”
I laughed. He smiled. Barely.
“Alright, well, if you change your mind . . .” I let my words fade and when he didn’t do or say anything else, I backed away, turning to the water, feeling his eyes on me like a physical touch.
7
Gray
I wanted to touch her.
That moment when she stumbled and I had my arms wrapped around her and my hands on her was not enough. I was salivating like a damn dog over here and none of it was okay.
This is why I shouldn’t have agreed to this stupid excursion. I don’t have the time or energy to be wanting things like that. And from some hoity-toity socialite or whatever the fuck she was? None of it made sense.
Except that jolt of electricity that ran through my veins when she was in my arms was like nothing I’d experienced before. Even back when I was carefree and dating whenever I pleased.
No, there was something different about Eryn Blake.
I watched her walk away from me in that fucking two-piece. It was simple—black with a ribbon that tied at the back of her neck. I don’t think I’d ever noticed a single detail about a bathing suit in my life, but here I was, appreciating that particular piece of clothing. Wondering how soft it would feel. How tight it was now that she’d jumped in the water and it was soaking wet. Imagining my hands untying that ribbon and letting her gorgeous tits loose for my enjoyment.
