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Jesus. She’s a goddess. Icy blonde hair straightened into a glossy mane begs to be touched and eyes rimmed in a smokey shadow make those cornflower hues pop. And her signature red lips. Don’t even get me started on those lips. Goddamn, I want them on me—everywhere—biting me, kissing me, licking me… sucking me.
My hungry eyes shift lower to her dark indigo dress, tiny sparkles dotting the material like the constellations at midnight. She shifts, the fabric floating, and her leg—ending in a black open toe stiletto—peeps through a high slit, that toned creamy thigh testing my restraint.
Someone call an ambulance—I’m about to go into cardiac arrest.
A jab to my side stings my ribs still tender from the accident. “Ow, what was that for?” I move my seat out of Preston’s way.
“Mind putting your tongue back in your mouth?”
My lips tip up into a smug smirk. “No can do, bro, but you may have to scrape my melted body off the floor later. Sorry, not sorry, but she’s fucking hot.”
Savy giggles as Preston scoffs, but I pay them no mind. My starry eyes are on her and her alone.
Taking a big gulp of water, I attempt to simmer down, otherwise it’s going to be a long evening until I get to peel that dress off her.
Scarlett begins by introducing herself. “Good evening and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to join me for this event. Most of you know me as Scarlett Rhodes and I head up the Equestrian Therapy, Montana’s western division. I’ve been at the helm for the past six and a half years and ET has a special place in my heart. As a little girl, I didn’t have this dream, not yet at least. I did, however, have a ridiculous amount of My Little Pony figurines so perhaps fate was showing her cards.” Laughter titters, and she winks before continuing. “Like an overwhelming number of people, I, too, struggled with anxiety and depression, especially after having my son, and it felt as if there was never an end in sight. Until my best friend introduced me to the horses.”
Her gaze finds mine under the harsh stage lights and she nods, blowing me a kiss.
Deep breaths in and out, buddy.
“I was desperate for anything to work, so when he suggested I spend time with them, I fell in love. The grooming and feeding, walking and riding calmed me almost instantly, and I knew this was something special. Anxiety, depression, and addiction doesn’t discriminate, and I wasn’t the only one who could benefit. A little research and many conversations later, I knew it was a legitimate venture—places like this exist. There just wasn’t an equestrian center close and at my friend’s insistence, I opened one.”
She switches the mic to her other hand and the bracelet I gave her glints in the light. She hasn’t taken it off since I gave it to her. My chest swells. “Ever since, it’s only grown, and soon a new center near the Survivalist and Outdoor Sporting Facility property will be complete, thus providing even more services to people in need. Thanks to your generous outpouring of love, we can help so many struggling children and adults. Before I bore you to tears, please accept my sincere gratitude for your gracious donations. Without you, we couldn’t do this. Now, go eat and enjoy yourselves!”
A round of rousing applause erupts as Scarlett places the mic back on the stand. The live band strikes up a soft, classical song, and she descends the side steps, making her way to our table, her dress swirling around her legs. Who knew a scrap of fabric could drive a man to the brink of insanity?
Sitting down, her clean scent wraps around me as she leans in to bump my shoulder. “Hi handsome. Boy, am I glad that’s over.” She fans her dewy face.
“You killed it up there. I know I couldn’t take my eyes off you.” I slide her drink to her waiting fingers.
Her radiant smile beams at me behind the sweating glass. “Is your suit killing you yet?” she queries, her melodious laugh twinkling over the music and chatter.
“I would do just about anything for you, but this might be drawing the line, darlin’.” I wink, running my fingers along the silverware. Keeping my hands busy is imperative if I’m going to keep them off her. I don’t trust myself not to escort us into the darkest corner for a quick make-out session.
“Well, soon you’ll get to take it off. I mean, whenever we get home, not here, of course.” Her face flushes as deep a color as her lips, and I chuckle. She’s so fucking cute.
“Oh, and in a bit, I want to introduce you to Mr. Kent. He’s new and heads up the southern division in Louisiana, but he’s here for about a week and is interested in hearing about SoS.”
“So what you’re saying is I should get him on the wall and make him rock climb?” I jest.
Before she can reply, a streak of lightning slashes across the sky and a rumble of thunder rattles the windowpanes as rain splatters the glass. An employee pulls the floor-to-ceiling blackout curtains shut, cutting us off from nature’s loud performance.
Savy rolls her silverware from her cloth napkin and lays it across her lap. “Why is it always raining at your fundraisers, Turtle? This happened last year and almost knocked the power out.”
Despite the continuous squall, everyone remains content, eating and drinking, carrying on their conversations.
“Ooh yeah. Reminds me of one night years ago. The storm scared poor Theo out of his mind, and he refused to let one of us leave. Remember us making a blanket fort and sleeping in the living room with him?” She turns her flawless face to me and beams.
That memory is branded in my mind. I grab her chin with my fingers and lean in. “That’s the day I knew I loved you.”
Her eyes widen before fluttering closed as I erase the space and kiss her. Someone claps in the background and Preston chuckles, but they fade away as I fall deeper into the melding of our mouths together.
Scarlett pulls away first and I snag her lips again for a quick kiss before standing up and extending my hand. “Dance with me?”
Nodding, she places her hand in mine and allows me to lead her to the dance floor.
I spin her around, listening to her peal of laughter as I twirl her back into my arms. “I’m so proud of you. Your speech was perfect. So is this dress. I’m having a seriously hard time not dragging you away.” My grip tightens on her waist as we get swept up in the waves of music.
