“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, my voice coming out more aggressive than expected.
“I could ask you the same thing,” he replies with a chuckle.
He must sense my confusion, because he barely takes a breath before adding, “Annabeth, this isNorthbrook Ranch… I’m DallasNorthlane.”
Oh. Fuck. Me.
I’m trying to muster up the kahunas to snap back that nobody would have bloody assumed that the North portion of those names could be connected, when he continues to speak.
“Here, let me help,” he offers, taking the bridle I forgot I was holding before hanging it on one of the hooks above me.
“Thanks, Mr. Northlane,” I reply, sheepishly.
“God, I’m not that old. Dallas is fine,” he says, flashing me that damn smile that sends a rush of heat to my centre.Get it together, woman.
“Billie mentioned that you rode.”
I can’t help but giggle at the unintentional innuendo. I cock my eyebrow, smirking at him. He immediately realises what he’s said and scrambles to confirm he was talking about the horses. “I’m sure you were, cowboy,” I taunt, a wicked smile threatening to escape my lips.
Again, get it the fuck together, Annabeth.
Dallas helps me tidy up the tack-shed, whistling to himself as he sweeps the floor of the barn. I’m locking the door – trying to movequickly so I can escape the prison of my mind that’s now fixated on Dallas – and,of course,the key gets stuck in the lock. My hands break free, and I stumble backwards. I’m two-seconds away from falling on my ass into the dirt when suddenly I land against a solid frame.
“Careful, darlin’,” Dallas exclaims.
His arms are wrapped around me just beneath my breasts. His legs held firmly in place as he catches me. I wriggle in his embrace, but he hasn’t quite let go, so all I’ve done is turn myself around to face him completely. Our noses are so close they’re almost touching, well, they would be if he wasn’t almost an entire foot taller than me.
Heat rushes to my cheeks and wetness begins pooling between my thighs. The smell of coffee and cigarettes lingers on his breath. His tongue peeks from behind his teeth, coating his bottom lip slightly before returning to his mouth. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like tobitethat lip.
“Oh god, thank you. The damn lock got stuck and I—”
He cuts me off mid-sentence. “It’s okay, Annabeth. I’ve got you.”
And fuck me absolutely sideways did those words make meferal.
I’m screwed. Not only do I teach his daughter, but apparently, I also keep my horse at his property, and all I can think about is climbing the 6’4”, completely off-limits cowboy in front of me like a fucking tree.
Not sure if either of us realise that we’ve been in this bizarre almost-cuddle for perhaps far longer than would be considered appropriate, but neither of us make any steps to move. After what feels like an eternity, I slowly try to unravel myself from him. His grip tightens ever so slightly, and electricity radiates through my body.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his expression serious and completely unreadable.
“Yes,” I murmur.
He lifts one hand slowly from where it sits in the small of my back, reaching it to my cheek and brushes a loose strand of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. “I’m glad. Otherwise, I would think you were out here falling for me,” he quips. A devilish and irresistibly sexy smirk creeps over his mouth and he – seemingly reluctantly – releases me from our almost-cuddle.
Dallas looks incredibly pleased with himself. I just scowl at him, reaching for the closest item – a fly-veil – and whacking him with it. His laugh erupts from deep within his belly. It’s full and hearty, and the sound makes me weak at the knees.
“Look out Hawks Hollow, she’s a feisty one.”
“Oh, shut up,” I scowl again.
His expression stills for a moment, and I can feel his eyes following me as I continue closing the barn door. We close the gates in silence, making our way back towards the carport. Dallas escorts me back to my ute, although, it looks more like a pile of shit next to his. He opens my door, tilting the brim of his hat in a subtle, but respectful gesture.
I slide into my seat, and before I can open my mouth to say goodbye and thank him for helping me – and catching me, as it were – he cuts in. “It was nice bumping into you today, even if you did almost knock yourself out. Twice.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” I add with a wink.
“I’ll see you soon,” he says. The words escape his lips and enter the world like a promise, more so than a simple parting statement.
