After putting the other horses out to pasture, they went back to the barn and sat by the minis’ stalls. Pugsly curled up beside them.
“How does it feel having all four of your kids in one barn?”
“Surreal, and a little scary. It’s up to me to keep them safe and fed, and to train Buttons and Prince. I want to be the best handler I can for them. Do you feel that pressure with your horses?”
“Every day with every animal. You’re a natural with them, Trix. You’ll be great at all of it. And I’m right here if you need help.”
“You’ve been amazing. I had the greatest day working with you and Annabelle and Alfie. Bringing them into the house made it feel so real. Thank you for that.”
“I had a great time, and I like seeing you do your thing.” He kissed her temple. “I like doing your thing, too.”
Her body heated up. “Mm. You’re very good at doing my thing.”
“Ride with me tomorrow, darlin’.” He nipped at her ear. “We’ll hit the trails early so you can still go running.”
This was a huge, unexpected leap. They’d gone trail riding together during the day and in early evenings, but the mornings had always been Nick’s coveted private time. “Did I hear you right? Are you asking me to join you on your sacred morning ride?”
“You’re going to make a big deal out of this, aren’t you?”
“Who, me? Not at all. I would be honored to join you during your cherished me time, when you ponder life-altering things like what to have for breakfast and how growly to be that day.” She giggled.
He grinned but shook his head. “Why do I bother?”
“Because you like me,” she said in a singsong voice, turning toward him. “I would love to go with you for a trail ride, but first I need some answers.”
“Here we go.” His jaw tightened.
“What changed for you? You seem more relaxed about us.”
He leaned his head back against the wall. “It’s a hell of a lot easier to just go with it than to fight it.”
“Why did you fight it? I mean beyond not wanting to ruin our friendship.”
“Because your life is in Virginia and my life is here. I wasn’t sure where that could go, and I didn’t want to complicate things or hurt you.”
“But none of that has changed,” she pushed.
“No, but other things have, like the fact that I had no clue you were into me. You opened that door and uncapped a damn volcano I’d been trying to keep from erupting. You know I was never looking for this, Trix. A relationship wasn’t even on my radar. But it’s you.”
That made her feel good all over.
“And as far as where we live goes, my thoughts on that have changed, too. I like my space, and you’re starting a business back home. You’re going to need time to get it off the ground. Long distance doesn’t sound so bad anymore. I think it’ll work for both of us. Beyond all of that, one of the things I was most worried about was that I liked who we were together as friends, and I was worried that would change. But nothing has changed, beyond your inquisitions.” He pressed his lips to hers. “We’re still the same stubborn mules we’ve always been, and I like that about us. We’re not pretending to be something else the way so many couples do. Nothing had to change for us to be together…except what obviously has.”
“You mean naked and exclusive?”
“Hell yes.” He drew her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Then he rose to his feet, pulling her up with him. “The horses are settled. What do you say we go explore those changes?”
“I’d love that. Just let me say good night to my babies one more time.” She gave him a quick kiss and went into the stall. She crouched down, and Buttons walked over. “Hi, sweet girl. Mama’s going inside for the night, but I love you, and I will be out bright and early tomorrow. I promise.” She put out her hand, and Prince came to her. As she petted him, she said, “I think you’re going to need a crown instead of a unicorn horn, my little Princey. I love you, and I hope you and Buttons have a great night.”
She gave Prince a kiss on the head, and as she left their stall to say good night to Annabelle and Alfie, Nick was coming out of Annabelle and Alfie’s stall.
“Did you say good night to my babies?”
“’Course. They’re in my barn. That makes them my babies, too.” He held the stall open and waved her in.
“I love that you feel that way.” She went up on her toes and kissed his chin.
He winked and headed for Buttons and Prince’s stall.
After they’d loved up the horses, they headed up to the house with Pugsly. Nick draped an arm over Trixie’s shoulder and kissed her on the way inside. “God, I love kissing you,” he said huskily as they stumbled through the back door. He took her in a rougher, deeper kiss, and she went up on her toes, needing more. He lifted her into his arms, guiding her legs around his waist, and carried her into his bedroom.
When he set her down and began stripping off her clothes, she said, “Am I going to wake up to an empty bed?”
“No,” he said firmly. “But there’s a good chance you’ll wake to a hard cock.”
Oh, how she loved his raunchiness! She reached for the button on his jeans. “I can’t think of a better way to greet the day!”
Chapter Nineteen
SUNDAY BROUGHT LESS humidity and a stunning sunrise as the horses carried them up the trail. Nick didn’t know exactly what was going on with him, but the more he allowed himself to openly explore his feelings for Trixie, the bigger those emotions became. She didn’t say much as they rode, but just having her with him made it better. They took in the view from the top of the trail, and when they made their way back down, she rode beside him in the meadow.
A hint of mischief rose in her eyes. “This is where Romeo and I leave you in the dust.”
“What—”
“Hiya!” They took off at full speed.
Nick gritted out a curse and kicked his heels, and he and Lady chased after them. Trixie was laughing and waving her cowgirl hat, holding on to the reins with one hand. When they reached the other end of the meadow, she put on her hat and leaned forward, loving up and praising Romeo.
“That was a cheap start,” Nick joked.
She looked him up and down, her hair wild and tangled, her cheeks pink, a sheen of sweat on her brow. “Want to go again, cowboy? Romeo and I are a great team. We’ll blow you away.”
She was so damn beautiful and arrogant, she already blew him away.
“I wouldn’t want to wear you out like last night.” They’d been wild between the sheets, and she’d been as limp as a rag doll after. She’d fallen asleep with a sated smile on her lips, and with her in his arms, so had he.
She lifted her chin. “Chicken?”
He scoffed. “Let’s do this.”
Off they went, racing across the meadow. They tied, and she insisted they go again. After they tied a second time, she said it just showed they were a perfect match. As much as defining them as a couple was changing his mindset, he noticed changes in her, too, like the way she openly talked about them as a couple now. As new as it was, she said things that made it feel like they’d always been a couple.