“I’ll do that.” I didn’t think I would seek out a Sterling until now, but I can’t leave town without tying up a few strings. I just hope I don’t sever them entirely.
FORTY
MEREDITH
I’ve just finished loading my breakfast plate in the dishwasher when the front door opens. It’s not locked when someone’s around, and now we all have the security app on our phones.
The footfalls carry into the kitchen behind me. Bowen would’ve gone down the hall first to his room, or to clean up. Calder always comes straight to me if he returns from chores before I leave for work. I straighten just in time to get taken into his strong, sun-heated embrace. Sweat clings to his shirt, but I don’t care. I like rugged, dirty Calder.
He buries his nose in my nape and inhales. “That fucking wildflower smell makes me hard every time.”
I cover his hands with mine. “It’s my shampoo.”
“It’s your shampoo, bodywash, detergent, everything.” He spreads his fingers on my waist and nibbles my earlobe.
Shivers course through me, and I sink farther into his embrace. He told me what Gil said to him about the possibility of some kids breaking and entering just because they can. It’s taken away some tension I didn’t realize I was carrying.
“Spend the morning with me.” His hot breath gusts across my ear, and I shiver. “Let’s go riding.”
I try to see if he’s serious. “Like, now?”
“It’s gorgeous out. Not too hot, little breeze. Fucking perfect.” He catches my mouth for a kiss. “We can get the horses limbered up for Friday.”
“I have to work.”
“It’s Monday.” A big brewing and packaging day, but riding with Calder on a beautiful June morning sounds divine. It’s one of my favorite things even when a hot cowboy isn’t with me.
“I know. The guys will help us. They’re already out.”
“Riding?” A pang of jealousy hits my chest. I love my job but miss having time for other parts of life. Holly, Ransom, and I used to take rides on gorgeous summer days. Holly would pack a picnic, and we’d just enjoy ourselves.
“Yep.” He spins me around and hooks his hands around my waist. “Are you in?”
I’ll end up naked if I say no. Either ride sounds amazing, but under my fingertips, excitement vibrates through him. He wants to go riding in the pastures, and I want to be with him when he does. Maybe I want to recapture more of the good memories of me and my sister and Ransom. There’s a lot of them, and I don’t want to let any resentment steal them from me.
I slide my hands up his muscular arms. “Let me change.”
“I can help.”
“Then we won’t get back outside.”
He pretends to consider. I laugh and pat his chest before untangling myself from his embrace.
I’m giddy by the time I get downstairs in a worn pair of blue jeans and boots. I ditch the Jules Creek polo for my old Robbers shirt. I stuff my feet into my boots and lift my cowboy hat from a hook on the wall. When I turn, my heart somersaults. He’s reclining against the island, watching me through hooded eyes, his cowboy hat on and the brim down low. His legs are crossed at the ankles, and he’s folded his arms over his chest.
This is my favorite view in the world. The desire swirling inside me gets demanding.
“You sure you weren’t the model?”
He smirks. “Very sure I’m not in any magazines in my underwear.”
“Hm. Shame.”
He pushes off the island, and we walk down to the barn. Calder falls two steps behind me, and when I slow to see why, he says, “Keep walking. Let me watch that ass.”
I’m beaming from the inside out and add more swing to my hips.
Sawyer sees us from the barn and wanders out, grinning. “Mer, you’re finally coming out to play.”
