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I don’t know how I know that about her, but it’s true. This woman is searching for something, and she finally found it. Me. I’ll give her anything and everything.
“I’m Gavin,” I finally manage to say, holding my hand out to her.
“Pia,” she says as her hand slides into mine.
I never want to let her go. Desire slices through me at that one simple touch, the feeling of her smooth skin rubbing against my palm almost too much to take. I wonder what her hands would feel like sliding up my bare chest, or perhaps clawing down my back.
Fuck, I need to get myself under control. I’m nothing if not disciplined in every area of my life, but apparently this little pixie princess is undoing everything about me.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I finally say after clearing my throat. “You were great in there,” I say, pointing back toward the tent behind us.
“Oh, thanks.” She smiles sweetly at me before she turns and strokes her horse’s mane. Her cheeks flush that pretty pink once more, and I get the sense my girl doesn’t know how to handle compliments very well. “Penny does most of the work.”
“You two make a good team,” I counter, meeting her halfway.
My sweet girl rewards me with another precious smile. I want to take a picture and set it as my phone background. That’s how obsessed I already am with this woman.
“Thanks,” she murmurs.
“How long have you been trick riding?” I ask her.
I’m desperate to know everything about her, but I don’t want to come on too strong and scare her away. I wonder if she gets hit on a lot after her show, and my hands curl into fists at the thought. She’s too young, too innocent to be fighting off unwanted attention from sleazy assholes.
“About a year,” she replies, her voice soft and sweet like the rest of her.
Her words are pleasant, but the look in her big blue eyes tells me there’s more to her story. So much more. I want every secret pain, every hidden tear. I want to collect her smiles and figure out what makes her happy. But for now, I’ll settle on a date.
“I should get to the stables,” Pia says after a few moments of silence.
Damn, I suck at making small talk.
“I need to put Penny back in her stall.”
“I’ll walk with you. If you don’t mind,” I hurry to add.
“Um, sure. You aren’t allowed into the tent for liability reasons.”
She gives me a stern look, resting a hand on her hip. Goddamn, she’s adorable and feisty and so fuckingmine. It pains me not to have my hands on her right this second.
I nod, and Pia starts to lead Penny over toward a tent nearby. This side of the circus is so different from the front side. There are no flashy lights or loud sounds. It’s mostly deserted, with just a few tents for animals and the other acts.
It seems a little lonely, especially when it’s deserted and the rest of the carnival is going on in the background. I can’t picture someone so young and bright living here.
“Do you like working here?” I ask her.
Pia looks away from me, her eyes wandering over to Penny. It’s obvious that she loves her horse and would do anything for her.
I will not be jealous of a horse,I tell myself sternly. It’s not working.
“It’s a job,” my girl finally says. Her small voice speaks volumes. She’s far too young to feel trapped in her own life.
“There are other jobs,” I tell her softly. I watch her face closely, taking in her wide, doll-like eyes, delicate cheekbones, and tiny nose, turned up slightly at the end. Pia’s brow furrows, but then she forces a smile to her lips. It’s hollow.
“Not ones that cover a stable and all of the other costs that come with owning a horse. I only have a high school diploma, and I can’t find anywhere else that pays well enough to let me keep Penny and also feed myself.” Round eyes blink up at me, a hint of panic swimming in their crystal depths. “I don’t know why I told you all of that,” she murmurs, looking like she wants to hide behind the nearest beanbag toss game.
“Because I asked,” I say gently, giving her a smile. My girl is skittish, but she needs to know she can trust me. I want all of her words. Every last one. She’ll soon find out I’m greedy like that.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her that she never has to worry about money or working again, that I’ll take care of her and Penny. I know that it would only freak her out. We just met, and she has no reason to believe or trust me. Not yet anyway.
