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He relaxes, his demeanor changing to something more confident. “Then let me join you. Please. I want to talk.”
“I told you—”
“It doesn’t have to be about that.”
“Then about what?”
He shrugs those broad shoulders. I remember how hard and sculpted his muscles were beneath my palms the night before.
“Anything. I want to know you.”
I cock my head, debating if he’s being sincere. “I’m sure your brother told you all about me, after he warned you to keep your distance.”
Austin laughs then, sounding more like a cowboy than a city boy from Seattle. “I don’t take orders from Chance. I figure you’re the only one who can tell me to stay away. I’ll respect your wishes, but fuck anyone else who keeps me from you.”
A smile edges to my lips. He said just the right thing, and I’m betting Austin Bridger doesn’t take orders from anyone.
“That bruise on your jaw says otherwise,” I remind him.
He absently glides his fingers over the contusion. “It’ll take more than that.”
And that right there makes him all the more attractive. He makes the walls I build to protect myself start to crumble. I’ll be cautious, but I like how it feels to let him in, even if it’s only a little bit.
I want to get to know him, too. I haven’t stopped. I bite my lip and study him. He’s patient as I think on it, as if waiting for me to tell him to fuck off. To leave me alone.
“I’m not weak,” I say instead. “I’m broken, but I’m fixing myself.”
“Carly, you’re not br—”
I hold up a hand. “I am. I’m broken, but I’m getting better. A little at a time. Last night…” I roll my eyes. “God, last night helped with that a lot. Because you thought I was just Carly. Not Broken Carly like Chance thinks of me. Like Lexie and the entire town.”
He sighs and reaches out and strokes a hand over my hair, tucks some strands that have come loose behind my ear. “Baby, shh.”
Pet names. I don’t like them. But I no longer seem to mind.
I close my eyes and revel in the feel. In his lack of more words.
When he drops his hand, I look up at him. Does he know about the hidden spring? Probably not, since he only arrived a few days ago. Funny. I didn’t want to share that place with anyone.
Except now I do.
I want to share it with Austin. Want to share more with him.
“Okay. Come on,” I say. “I want to show you something. We have to drive for about ten minutes to get there.”
He steps back to let me out of the room. “Drive into town?”
I step out into the central hallway of the stable. The tang of horses is stronger out here. The sliding doors are open at either end of the building, allowing natural light and fresh summer air in.
“No. To the edge of your property.”
“Can’t we just walk?”
I laugh then. A big belly laugh, and damn, it feels good. “You have no idea how large your ranch is, do you? Come on. I’ve got a secret to share.”
