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“Are you hurt?” Kieran asked before he could think better of it.
Finley stiffened and kept his gaze on his task, but Kieran witnessed the blush creeping up his boss’s neck. The temptation to rub his nose against Finley’s flesh to see if it was warm to the touch caught Kieran off guard and nearly sent him running.No attachment. No bonding.Canoodling with his boss would break both those rules.
“Just a little stiff,” Finley said.
“You didn’t give me all your salve, did you?”
“No,” Finley said, “I just didn’t use it.”
He rose to his feet and finished the health check they performed regularly on the horses to catch injuries before they turned into something more threatening. Once Buttercup received a clean bill of health, Finley showed Kieran how to groom the horses. He sent Buttercup off with her handler once they finished and retrieved Skipper, a gorgeous young horse with a gait that exuded confidence.
“He’s a little full of himself,” Finley said, “but he’s an excellent horse for you to train on.”
Like the day before, Finley stayed close while Kieran ran point. He offered suggestions and gentle reminders as Kieran made his way around the horse, checking hooves and searching for injuries. He’d nearly made the mistake of walking behind the horse, but Finley grabbed his arm and pulled him back in time. Kieran’s face heated from the rookie mistake, but Finley wouldn’t let him stew about it. He distracted Kieran by asking what he should do next. He let go of his irritation and continued the inspection, pointing to a shallow scratch on Skipper’s hip.
“Good eye,” Finley said. “He’s rubbed up against something. Based on the location, I’m thinking a splintered piece of wood at the paddock or in his stall. We’ll check both places.”
After they groomed Skipper, Finley showed Kieran how to apply healing ointment and explained what the signs of early infection would look like. He used a gentle touch and an even gentler voice as he treated the animal. Kieran glanced up at one point and caught Finley staring at him with an expression that looked too much like adoration for Kieran’s comfort, but Finley blinked, and approval replaced his heart eyes.
They continued the wellness checks and grooming for three more horses before taking a water break. Kieran averted his gaze from Finley’s mouth wrapped around the bottle and his throat as it worked up and down to swallow the cold liquid. Both things reminded him of the fantasies he’d had about his boss.
Finley tossed his empty bottle into the recycling bin. “Ready?”
Kieran held up his finger and downed the rest of his bottle. Finley didn’t have any qualms about watching him, or maybe he wasn’t aware of the laserlike focus he aimed at Kieran’s mouth. A little devil whispered in his ear or shoved his pitchfork into Kieran’s brain, urging him to test his boss. Kieran pulled the empty bottle from his mouth and licked his bottom lip, catching the lingering droplets and Finley’s full attention. The man continued staring until a bark of laughter echoed through the barn. Finley jumped and jerked his gaze up to meet Kieran’s just as Owen and Tyler stepped into the supply room. Shock and shame shimmered in his pale irises, and Kieran regretted giving in to his impulse.
Tyler and Owen stopped inside the door when they spotted Kieran and Finley. Their conversation faded as they looked between their boss and the newcomer.
“We just stopped for a drink and were heading out,” Finley said.
Owen’s lips tilted into a smirk as he assessed the situation, and a new tension filled the air. It was clear he suspected something was going on between Finley and Kieran. “Of course, boss.”
“We’re getting a drink too,” Tyler said. “We should make it champagne after surviving Nellie’s shenanigans this morning. That crazy horse nearly tore a chunk out of my ass.”
Kieran stood taller, feeling the need to advocate for her. What had they done to rile her up? Someone had obviously abused her with a brush. What other items had been used against her?
The comment about Nellie coerced a huge smile from Owen’s lips. “She barely grazed you.”
Tyler turned around, thrust his ass toward his friend, and pointed to a back pocket. The fabric was loose at three corners and dangled by a fourth. “I just got these jeans.”
“Ivan can fix them,” Finley said. It wasn’t the first time someone referenced the big guy having nimble fingers and a gentle touch. Kieran had also learned that he was the head beekeeper, a skill he’d learned in Arrowhead. “Better yet,” Finley said, “he could teach you how to fix them.”
“It’s better to teach a man to fish than to feed him one,” Owen agreed. “Keep your wits about you today, though. Nellie girl is in a mood.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Finley replied. “I have a trick up my sleeve that might calm her down a little.” He glanced at Kieran. “Maybe two tricks.”
“We should start a friendly wager,” Tyler said.
Kieran didn’t like that bet any more than the stupid stakes they’d placed on Finley’s love life. “Maybe we should bet on the horse instead of against her.”
Owen’s shoulders went back, and he puffed out his chest. Finley halted the bigger man before a rebuttal could form on his lips.
“We all love Nellie,” he said, patting Owen’s shoulder as he passed. “Let’s get back to it, Kieran.”
Owen held his gaze, a challenge shimmering in his eyes. Kieran didn’t start fights, but he never backed down from one either. Technically, they weren’t fighting, but the tension sparking between them could easily flare into an altercation.
“Kieran!” Finley called out from the hallway. And, damn, he really liked the way his name rolled off his tongue, especially when it held a hint of command. Kieran didn’t think he had a power dynamic kink, but he was already trying to figure out ways to entice the bossier side out of Finley.
Kieran forcibly shifted his brain back into work mode to concentrate on doing a good job. He picked a rock from Biscuit’s hoof and identified another wound for Sarge. He and Finley worked through the rest of the stable, saving the feistiest beauty for last. Before they retrieved Nellie from her stall, Finley reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle.
