His eyes glinted. Sinful temptation lurked in the depths of bright illumination, imploring her to try. Heat radiated from the apples of her cheeks, and her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Their eyes locked, she opened, drawing the warmth of his finger into her mouth.
“Now, I know you’ve enjoyed our time together so much that you’re going to want to call me no less than three times, probably five, to tell me how much you miss me, but—” Unable to keep a straight face, his eyes twinkled naughtily. “I’ve got some business to attend to today and seeing how you’re determined to keep personal separate from business, I won’t be able to pick up the call. However, I will be dropping by around six o’clock to take you to dinner, if you’re so inclined?”
Uncontainable laughter shook her upper body. Excitement and giddiness flourished inside.
“I’m inclined,” she responded, adding, “Not to bring that ginormous ego of yours down a notch, but I won’t be able to call you today because I have a hot date.”
His expression soured.
“With Mr. Montgomery.”
Moving to his feet, Nash tucked, zipped, and buckled. He bent, rocking her world with another long, lewd kiss, before walking out the door.
Leaving her with another vision of his glorious assets.
The last thing she wanted to do was face Bee and Mr. Montgomery wearing a new morning shade of blush titled Orgasmic Overload. After a quick shower, she ambled warily into the kitchen. Fortunately, the only thing waiting for her was a note from Mr. Montgomery and an egg white omelet atop the stove in a covered pan.
Need to reschedule our meeting.
Monty
Concern pinched her brows into a deep V reading his scratchy handwriting. She wished he’d left a reason for the cancelation. Ember certainly didn’t consider Mr. Montgomery a chatty person, but he was never that short on words.
Sensing something was wrong, she devoured breakfast, changed into jeans and boots, and hopped in her father’s truck that was parked in the garage. She needed to text JC before heading out to the stables. Another round of excruciating heat flushed her cheeks staring at the phone in her hand, deciding what to say.
Ember – Morning. Not sure if I’ll have time to pick up my car today. Is it cool if I pick it up tomorrow?
Her phone chimed before she could even get the truck in reverse.
JC – Staying in bed all day? Must be a great morning!
Ember – Fantastic morning. ;) But Mr. M left me a note canceling our meeting with the accountant today, so I’m going to ride out and see what’s going on.
JC – Don’t think you’re getting off that easy. ß Ha! Pun intended! I want details!
Ember – Sorry, driving. Details will have to wait.
Backing out of the garage, Ember laughed out loud, imagining the sad, tortured look on her friend’s face.
JC - Not cool!!! Are you seeing him again?
Ember - Yes! I’m seeing him tonight.
JC – You mean you’re getting laid again tonight! Lol BTW Reed said he’s totally into you.
Ember’s hands broke out into a sweat gripping the wheel. She couldn’t push the green call button fast enough. JC prolonged answering the call until the fourth ring.
“Imagine that!” JC made a hmmff sound, followed by a rustle of devious laughter. “I thought you were driving.”
“I am, but I put you on speaker.” Ember threw the truck into drive. “What did he say to Reed?”
“You know Reed, he totally gave Nash the third degree. It’s like glimpsing into the future. I almost feel sorry for the first boy who takes Chloe on a date. That man is so protective.”
“And that’s why you love him so much. Now, stop screwing with me and tell me what he said.”
“Deeeetailssss,” JC sang, her tone verging on bewitching.
“Okay, all right, I had a really nice night. The man actually threw me over his shoulder, hauled me into my room, and tossed me on the bed before ravishing every inch of my body. I’m pretty sure God thinks I’m in some sort of trouble because I called out to him until the wee hours of the morning. Best sex I’ve ever had. Happy?”
“Yes, thank you!” Giddy laughter filled the truck. “Ahh, there’s nothing better than getting hoisted over a shoulder. That’s a total alpha male, dominating thing. The first time Reed and I had sex, he…”
“Not trying to cut you off, but I only have a minute. Tell me what Nash said.”
“While I was making coffee last night, Nash assured Reed that he wasn’t trying to get in your pants to buy the ranch.”
Ember’s slippery hands wrapped tighter around the steering wheel, waiting on bated breath to hear the specifics. After a beat or two of silence, she shouted into the air, “That’s it? That’s all he said?”
“Sorry, I overdramatized that a bit, didn’t I? Come on! It’s pretty obvious, he couldn’t peel his eyes off you. The man stared at you all night long like he was salivating over a steak dinner.”
Excitement deflated, Ember threw her hands outward into the air. “You totally set me up. You know I’m going to have to get even now.”
“Umm, how about a little thank you instead? Who do you think made Reed invite Nash to the party? You’re welcome!”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s catch up first thing in the morning. I gotta run. Don’t worry about picking up your car tomorrow. It’s fine here until—whenever.” Sarcasm coated her voice. “Just in case you’re still in bed tomorrow morning…praying.”
Pulling up to the stables, Ember recognized Travis’s long lean form working a horse in the arena. He held onto the end of a long leather rein as a speckled gray horse trotted in a circle. She’d only seen him once since they danced at the bar and it was a little awkward. She never should’ve made the mistake of dancing with him in the first place, and the last thing she wanted was tension between them.
Hoping to get beyond any misconceptions, she exited the truck and approached the arena wearing a pleasant smile. Resting her forearms along the top of the white fence, she asked, “Are you breaking that horse in?”
“I’m not a fan of breaking horses, I prefer to train them,” Travis stated concisely, all pleasantries zapped from his tone. Beneath the brim of his hat, the angles of his face were severe, his jaw rigid.
She remained quiet, privately wondering why he was so brusque. She couldn’t decide if Travis was incredibly focused on the horse at the other end of the leash or unhappy about how things ended at the bar.
Ember reached down giving some attention to the Border Collie sitting at her heels. Bottled up energy darted in the dog’s baby blue eyes as it watched the horse with intense concentration.
“What’s your dog’s name?”
“That’s Jet.”
“She seems well trained too.”
“One good dog is worth two men,” he riddled gruffly. “She’s loyal, but just like everyone else, she’s gotta job to do.”
As Travis turned another circle, it dawned on her that Nash’s truck, a very distinct truck, had been parked outside her house that morning for everyone to see. Swimming in silence and the sound of the horse’s hooves stamping the finely crushed dirt, Ember opted to keep quiet, waiting for him to work through whatever weighed on his mind.