“Watch it,” I order. Bunny turns her head. She has to tilt it back to look up at me. The brim of her cowboy hat blocks some of her line of sight. I dropped it on her head before we walked out the back door. You can never have enough protection against the sun here.
“Why are you so grumpy?” She puts her hand on her hip.
“Yeah.” Boone is now full-on smiling.
“I’m not grumpy.” I shrug. “Maybe possessive,” I admit, not caring. She bites her plump bottom lip, letting me know she likes what I’m saying. That’s good because I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
“I got them saddled for you.” Boone pulls his ball cap out of his back pocket, putting it on his head. “I’m sure I’ll see you around, Bunny.” He gives her a nod before heading off.
“Who’s that?” she asks, dropping her hand from her hip.
“He works here so you’ll see him around. He’s a good kid. I gave him a heads-up that I had someone over.”
“Cause you don’t usually have people over.”
“Yep.” I snag her hand, pulling her into the barn. Princess and King are waiting.
“Oh my. She’s so pretty.” Bunny takes a tentative step forward. King looks her over. He must approve because he doesn't step in front of Princess. Usually he protects her at all costs by blocking her from anyone who he doesn’t deem worthy. I suddenly understand where he’s coming from. He does that shit often too. Picking and choosing who he wants to let near her. It’s why I keep them alone in this barn. Less trouble. I feel a special bond with him now that I can relate.
“Go on.” I let her hand go, giving her ass a small pat. She takes a few steps closer, her hand reaching out to pet Princess’ nose. I strap the basket Mom packed on to King and grab him a treat. I give another to Bunny, who feeds it to Princess.
“She’s sweet.” She gives her a kiss on the nose.
“She is if she likes you. If not she’s a brat.”
Bunny laughs. “Well, she is a princess.”
“That she is. Let me help you up.” I guide her to the side. “Put your foot here and throw your leg up over the top.” I’d prefer she ride with me, but that can wait until another time. I want her to know how to ride a horse. Being all the way out here, it’s something everyone should know. In one quick move she’s on top of the horse.
Her whole face lights up. “I did it.”
“You’re a natural.” I hand her the reins. She even sits with perfect form. “You’ve never ridden before?”
“Nope.” I watch as she reaches down to pet Princess’ mane.
“Do I look the part?” She lowers her hat a little.
“Yeah, cowgirl.” My cock hardens as I think about her riding something else, but that too will have to wait. I turn around, adjusting myself before I go over to King and mount up. “You’ll have to ride a little ahead of me or next to me. King won’t let her fall behind. He won’t be able to concentrate if she’s not in his line of sight.”
“He always has to have eyes on her. That’s so sweet.” More and more I am understanding why my horse does some of the shit he does. I understood it before but now I am really getting it.
“What do you want to see first?” I ask.
“Everything.” Excitement laces her words. That was my plan to begin with. Not only to show it to her, but to give her everything she could ever want and more.
12
Bunny
“I didn't know ponds could be this clear.”
Jameson holds out his hand to help me down from the horse. I take it, allowing my body to fall into his. I slide down him, feeling every inch of his hard muscular body until my feet hit the ground. My body heats and not from the afternoon sun. He clears his throat before he tosses his hat on the ground. He grabs mine off my head and does the same. My hair comes tumbling down.
“I make sure it stays this way. It’s my slice of paradise. Some people enjoy the beach. I enjoy this.” I have to admit that I’m still a bit shocked at how rough around the edges Jameson actually is. My first impression of him was way off. Seeing him here, in his environment, only confirms that for me.
Thoughts of what it would be like to be able to come here whenever I wanted flood my mind. It feels peaceful and calming. It’s somewhere I could see myself living for the rest of my life. It feels right. I push those thoughts to the back of my mind, reminding myself that it’s way too soon to get my hopes up. This place is a world away from mine and everything I know.
“Let’s get you out of this sun.” Jameson walks over to King, unfastening the basket and the blanket from the side of the saddle. He tucks the blanket under his arm and holds the basket in his hand. He walks back to me, holding his hand out.
I take it immediately, loving the feel of his rough hand in mine. Praying that I’ll feel those hands all over my body sooner rather than later. Thinking about the way the calluses will feel against it has me blushing. My only saving grace is that it’s hot today so my face is already heated from the sun. Jameson leads me over to a large tree whose branches hang far out enough to give us plenty of shade.
“This looks good for a little break.”
“It’s beautiful. If you keep showing me all of these pretty things I’m never going to want to leave this place.” I can swear I hear him mutter something that sounds like that’s the plan but I’m distracted when he unravels his hand from mine to open up the blanket. “This feels a little like a date.”
“It can be whatever you want it to be.” He sits down, motioning for me to do the same.
“I don't really date,” I admit.
“Me either.”
“How is that possible?” I make sure to sit close to him. He pulls me closer before he opens the basket for us. “You’re a billionaire oilman that is too handsome for his own good.”
“Did I hit a billion already? I don’t pay much attention.” I burst into laughter. “After a few million who really counts anymore.” I laugh harder, making him smile. “I’m more enjoying the fact that you think I’m handsome. I don’t know about it doing anyone else any good, but it’s doing me some good right now, so I’ll take it.”
“That’s what PJ said. Something about you being richer than God.”
“I don’t count other people's money.”
“You don’t count your own either apparently.” I keep falling more for him by the second. “So what do you count?”
“Since I met you I’ve been counting how many times I can get you to smile.”
“I think that comes easy for you too.” I can’t stop smiling so he’s winning that one.
“Good.” He reaches for me. In one easy move he has me sitting between his legs. “Now how is it that you don’t date?”
“I’m either working or running from a stalker,” I try and tease, but it’s the truth. I feel him tense for a moment. “You still haven’t told me why you don’t date either.”
“I’ve lived out here most of my life. There aren't many people around.” He brushes a piece of hair off my shoulder. “Then the whole hitting oil shit happened and I had to go into the city. I didn't much care for the attention I was getting or the reason why I was getting it.”