“Mine,” was all he said, and she felt it in every ounce of her being.Then with careful movements he set her feet back down and ordered her, “Don’t move.”Looking around she couldn’t believe she just did that in their rented paddocks, but she didn’t regret it one bit.Then Renn was back with a sleeping bag and a T-shirt.First, he used the T-shirt to clean her up and then pulled down the hem of her dress, so she was covered again.Next, he laid out the sleeping bag on the stacks of hay and took her hand, leading her to sit on the soft sleeping bag.
“Will you stay here with me?”he asked while sitting next to her.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
With a nod he reached up to grip the back of her neck and kissed her, but this time it was a sweet, reverent kiss.The kind that seems to say something.Then they lay down on the blanket and in the dim light he pulled her body into his.And she realized not only were they not going to get any sleep but the reason it felt different with Renn was because he was completely different than every other man she’d ever dated.Because somehow, she’d gone and fallen for this cowboy she barely knew, and now she’d given him her body and her heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Renn
Live in the Moment
After what couldonly be described as a monumental night, Renn and Miranda woke before dawn in the quiet paddocks.They were wrapped in a barn blanket and there was straw in Miranda’s mussed hair, but she didn’t shy away from his touch, and they made love again before both getting dressed.
“Is it a walk of shame if I’m proud of how we spent our time last night?”she asked with her husky morning voice.
He kissed her swollen lips.“No, but wear this flannel just in case you run into anyone in the lobby.”
“Because stilettos and a flannel make me look less guilty?”She smiled but buttoned the flannel over her black fitted dress.
“Yes.”He stole one more kiss.“I’ll take care of the boys while you get cleaned up at the hotel.”
“Thank you,” she said before leaving him to it.
After making sure both horses were exercised and fed, Miranda returned in plenty of time for her meeting with Mr.Dixon and Renn headed back to the hotel.His mind was filled with vivid memories of Miranda with flushed cheeks as they stared into each other’s eyes and shared their climaxes just that morning.After a quick shower and putting on fresh clothes, he grabbed a few coffees and breakfast sandwiches before heading back to the arena.She was still talking with Mr.Dixon and by the look of her smile the conversation must be going in the right direction.
“Like mother like son, you were right—Renn the Beautiful Beasts live up to their name,” Mr.Dixon said when he spotted Renn.
“You would know better than me, sir.”He shook the man’s hand but didn’t miss the questioning look on Miranda’s face.
“Alright, I’ll worry about the horses, and you worry about football.I expect you to take us to the big game this year, all the way.”
“Yes sir,” Renn agreed, trying not to cringe when Miranda’s brow furrowed in confusion.
“Ms.Sutton, I like your style and there’s no question you’ve done a wonderful job with these two.We’ll be in touch,” Mr.Dixon said before departing.
Once Mr.Dixon was out of earshot, Miranda’s smile faded.“You told him to make an offer for Beast?”
“No, I ran into him at the hotel yesterday at check-in.He asked why I was here.I told him and I guess he inferred he should probably take a look at your studs.Did he make an offer?”
Miranda began to pace.“Well, he offered to buy Beast and Thor on the spot for an obscene amount.”
“Oh,” Renn said, knowing her plan was to build a business not just sell everything she’d been trying to build.“I mean that’s great—it proves you’re on the right track if the most successful ranch in Georgia wants to buy up all your stock?”
“But I’m not interested in selling Beast.And I don’t want to find success based on some good ole boy network.What did he mean about the big game?”
Renn lifted his hat off and ran his hand through his still-damp hair.“Um that’s the reason I’ve had so much free time.Technically I’m a professional football player, not an out-of-work cowboy.But I’m between contracts and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next.”
“Football player?”
“Yes.”
“Like for the NFL?”
“Yes, the Georgia Aces specifically.But I’m not sure I want to play for them anymore, or play at all.”
“What are you even talking about?”Miranda stopped pacing and waved her hands like a bird.
