Page 24 of Pretty Little Scars

“You’re such a wonderful girl,” she croons, and holy shit, I think my heart just swelled in my chest. “Thank you for going easy on me.”

I’ll go easy on you.

Jesus, I’m going to hell.

“Tomorrow, I’ll saddle up and ride with you, and we can go out and check some fence line together, if you’re up for being in the saddle for a couple of hours.”

“Sure, that sounds fun. I bought stock in ibuprofen, so I should be fine.”

“Just come up to the house and soak in the tub at night, Darby.”

She wrinkles her nose as I lead her into the barn. “You shouldn’t give up your tub for me every day.”

“I’m notgiving upanything. I’ve never used that tub.”

Her eyes go round as she stares down at me. “Never?”

“Nope.”

“That’s a crime,” she replies and goes to swing down off the horse, but she catches her foot and starts to fall. I rush forward and grab her, holding her flush against my chest as she lowers to the ground. “Whoops.”

“I’ve got you,” I murmur, my eyes falling to her lips. She’s pressed against me and feels like she was made for me. She’s not too short, but still several inches smaller than my six foot three. Her dark hair is up in a ponytail, and I want to press my lips against the skin of her neck. I want to wrap that hair around my fist, tug her head back, and feast on her mouth.

Christ, I want her.

She doesn’t immediately step out of my arms, so I don’t pull back.

I want to see what she’ll allow.

Her gaze bounces over my face, and to my utter shock, she reaches up and brushes my hair off my forehead.

“You have good hair,” she decides and then pats my chest, and I take that as my cue to back away.

So, I do. I move back, putting a couple of feet between us, and Darby exhales, as if she’d been holding her breath.

“I have to go into town for a meeting with Dr. Fisher, and my sister is coming to town.” Her brows pull together, as if she doesn’t know why she told me that much.

“Which sister?” I ask, just to keep her talking.

“Charlie.” Darby’s face goes soft at the mention of her sister. “She’s the baby, but she’s notababy anymore. She wants to have lunch.”

“Enjoy your lunch.” I don’t ask for permission before I reach out and tuck her hair behind her ear, and she doesn’t flinch. “If you want to use the tub later, just text me. My siblings are coming over to watch the game. You’re welcome to join us.”

“Xander’s game?” she asks.

“That’s right.”

She nods and then shrugs a shoulder. “I might come watch. I like hockey.”

“It’s a religion in our family. Comes with having a pro player as a brother.” I smile at her, and she nods. “Ava and Harper will be here.”

“Well then, I’ll poke my head in.”

Is it bad that I’m jealous as fuck of my sisters? I want Darby in my house because she wants to seeme.

Get it together, Hendrix.

“I’ll see you this evening, then.” I move away from her, and she nods.