Page 106 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

“So, you made it.” He stepped in close, giving her the two air kisses that he always did when he saw her.

“I did. Did you doubt that I’d come?”

“I would never doubt such a thing.”

I didn’t know if Kaylani had picked up on the lewd comment, but I did.

“Do you have the stall ready?”

Dylan’s gaze flicked over her, like he was taking inventory.

“I do. Do you have the cash?”

She crossed her arms. “Yes. I wouldn’t stiff you.”

Dylan’s lips parted like he was about to make another crude joke, but then his eyes shifted to me.

“I see you brought your bodyguard. You really don’t need him here.”

My hands stayed relaxed at my sides, my expression bored.

“I’m not leaving her. So if you’ve got a problem with me…”

Kaylani grabbed my arm as I stepped forward. Her eyes silently begged me not to start a fight.

Fuck.

Dylan smirked and stepped back.

“No problem at all. I was just stating that this is a safe place.” I doubted that. “Bring Atlas around to the far aisle. Stall five is empty. My girls will take care of him.”

“No need. I like to do it myself.”

Kaylani was already moving before he could reply, her face the picture of focus.

I gave Dylan a slow once-over, then followed my very determined wife.

Kaylani’s hands shook as she unlatched the divider, but the moment Atlas stepped down and snorted into the barn air, her shoulders eased.

Atlas looked around, ears tipped forward, nostrils flaring. New space. New smells. Other horses. He let out a loud bellow, as if announcing his presence to the entire barn.

I grabbed the tack trunk on wheels and followed behind her as she led him into stall five. I set the trunk down, opened it, and handed her a brush. I knew that she would want to brush out the sweat marks from the long drive.

The second she slipped the halter off and set Atlas up, she pressed her forehead to his neck.

“Hi.” Her voice broke. “I’m sorry about all of this, but I promise that I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. He’s not going to sell you to some asshole as long as I’m still breathing.”

Atlas shoved his muzzle into her hair like he didn’t care about apologies, just her. I stood at the stall door and watched her breathe him in like oxygen.

Dylan leaned on the wall across the aisle, arms crossed, gazing at her like she was entertainment.

I stepped into his line of sight.

His eyes flicked to mine.

“You seem to have a problem with me, and yet I’m the one doing you a favor.”

“No. You made a business deal.”