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Another round of tears started. “I wish you would have.” She hated that her voice was trembling and her chest was heaving. She’d cried enough tears over Knox, and he didn’t deserve any more.
Holt’s arms went around her, strong and sure. Macie couldn’t help but cling to him. This man had been so good to her, which only brought on another wave of grief for her choices so long ago.
When her tears finally calmed, and she was pretty sure she’d worn Holt out, she said, “Maybe I shouldn’t have kissed you, but I want you to know that Knox and I are over. I wouldn’t have kissed you if I thought I’d ever get back with him.”
Holt drew away and set his hands on her shoulders. “I really want to believe that, Macie. But you might understand my insecurity here . . . I mean, I’ve watched my brother charm women for years. Even you. Especially you.”
“You can consider this woman officially uncharmed by Knox,” she said.
Holt’s gaze searched hers. “I believe you, darlin’. And you need to know that I care for you. More than I should under the circumstances.”
She blinked back new tears. “I care about you, too, and not as a brother-in-law, or anything close to that.”
The edges of his mouth lifted. “That’s good to hear.” He lifted his hand, and his thumb traced the edge of her jaw as goose bumps scattered along her skin. Then he lowered his head and leaned his forehead on hers.
Macie closed her eyes. “I still don’t want to be here when he comes to Prosper.”
“We’ll cross that bridge later,” Holt’s voice rumbled. “But I think we should tell my parents, about us, before he shows up.”
“No,” Macie said, lifting her head. “Not yet. I mean . . . I don’t think your mom could take another shock.”
Holt studied her for a second. “You’re probably right. She’s been through a lot. And more time would be good.”
“We can sneak away sometimes, right?” she said. “This is a nice getaway place.”
Holt chuckled and glanced around, then his gaze landed back on hers, more intense than before. “Yeah. I like having you all to myself.”
She slid her hands over his shoulders, then slowly down his arms, over his biceps, her fingers exploring his contours. When her hands shifted to his chest, then lower to his stomach, Holt said, “Macie, you’re setting me on fire, darlin’.”
She only smiled, and he growled, then tugged her against him and kissed her hard. She liked this side to Holt, so different from his usual calm and decisive manner. Holt undone was sexy, and his hands created his own path of fire along her skin as he deepened and slowed their kissing.
Macie was no longer a teenager star-struck over a rodeo champion. She was a grown woman with a child, and she wasn’t to be waylaid by flattering words or false promises. But beneath her hands, the solid warmth of Holt was unlike anything she’d ever experienced, or allowed herself to hope for. Things were beyond complicated between them, yet in this copse of trees, the outside world felt miles away.
But it was time to return to reality; they both knew it.
When Holt released her, he kissed her softly on the cheek, then he linked their fingers as they walked back to the horse. She liked this—simply holding Holt’s hand. And she wondered if there would ever be a time or place they could do this in public.
Holt helped her onto the horse, and after he mounted behind her, he handed her the reins.
“Your turn, darlin’.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Here,” he said, his voice rumbling next to her ear as he wrapped his big hands around hers. “It’s not hard. I promise. And I’ll be right here if you need help.”
Macie smiled. It was like he’d spoken the truth about everything in that sentence.
“Okay.” She flicked the reins. Miraculously, Bonney began to walk. “She’s walking.”
Holt chuckled, and his chest vibrated against her back.
“You need to give me a little room,” she told Holt, because his arms were fully wrapped around her waist. “Everyone a mile away will know we’ve been up to something.”
“You’re probably right,” he said, but for several moments, he didn’t release her. Not until the barn and arena came into view.
“Holt.”
“All right.” He set his hands lightly on her hips.
