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To her great joy and relief, he wrapped his fingers around her hand and gave it a squeeze, then turned and stepped to the door. Sherlock had been patiently waiting, and when Noah opened it, the terrier darted outside.
* * *
It had taken all of Noah’s self-control not to sweep Ellie up into his arms, carry her into his bedroom, remove every stitch of her clothing, and explore every inch of her lusciousness. Feeling such an immediate and acute attraction was rare for him, but there was no denying it, and his stiffened cock, uncomfortable in his jeans, reminded him with every step.
Try as he might, he could think of nothing to say, then realized there was nothing to say. Words were superfluous. The energy crackling between them was all the communication they needed. At least for the moment.
Entering the barn, he stopped at the first stall, called to Sunny, then stared down at her, anxiously waiting for her reaction. As the magnificent stallion walked in from his paddock, her eyes grew wide, and a wave of delight rippled through Noah’s heart.
“I’ve never seen a horse like him,” she breathed. “His coat, it’s actually shimmering, and he’s so muscled. He’s like some kind of horse God. How do you even ride him?”
“Carefully,” Noah replied, then laughed. “Just kidding, we have an understanding. I sure as hell wouldn’t let anyone else on his back.”
“I must paint him. I must. Please let me?”
The answer came to him in a flash, and he moved an arm around her shoulders.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he began, lowering his voice. “You tell me what’s goin’ on with you and your father’s girlfriend in that big house, and yeah, you can paint him.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
For what felt like the umpteenth time, Ellie’s heart skipped.
“Before you answer,” he added quickly, “whatever you tell me will be private. I won’t mention a word of it to another livin’ soul.”
“But…why are you even asking me about this?”
“Well, I guess I’m worried about you,” he replied, lowering his voice. “You weren’t drinkin’ at The Barnyard for no reason, and you made it pretty clear you were there because you hated the idea of goin’ home—or you were afraid to. That’s bad. Maybe I can help. Sometimes just talkin’ can make a difference.”
His compelling kiss lingered on her lips, and she could still feel his muscled arms around her offering her shelter and protection. It had been a slice of heaven. They’d just met, but something was happening between them.
“Hey, if you’d rather not, it’s okay,” he continued. “I get it. You don’t know me from Adam, but the offer—“
“It’s not that,” she said hastily, gazing into his riveting green eyes. “It’s just a very…uh…confusing situation.”
“Family stuff can be, but Ellie, no pressure. Just understand I’m here if you need me. I’ll give you my number and you can call me any time. Okay?”
An unexpected threat of tears suddenly loomed.
She’d been utterly alone with the frightening mystery, and now a sexy cowboy offering comfort and support had magically materialized.
“I, uh, I don’t know what to say,” she muttered, fighting back a well of emotion, then quickly turned to look back at Sunny, hoping the distraction would stop her tears. “He really is magnificent.”
“Give him this carrot,” Noah suggested, handing her the treat. “He’ll be your friend for life.”
“Aren’t stallion’s aggressive?” she asked nervously. “Won’t he take my hand off?”
“Not this one, I raised him. He’s a real gentleman. I take it you haven’t been around horses much.”
“Hardly at all, but now I’m here in Elk Valley I’m hoping to change that,” she replied as the horse gently accepted his treat. “They’re such noble creatures.”
“Come on, you have to meet the foals. They’ll melt your heart.”
Thinking he’d already melted it, she walked with him down the barn aisle and out the other side.
“Cody, my ranch hand, puts them out early,” he declared as they approached a fenced paddock. “There are a couple of newborns with their mothers in large stalls, but these guys are old enough to play and socialize with each other.”
“They’re absolutely precious,” she said with a sigh, watching the long-legged babies prance around, “but they don’t seem to venture far from the mares.”
