Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Destry.
The barn was quiet with only the occasional sound of a horse shifting in the stalls.
Savvy had finished her runs a while ago and now she was kicked back on a few bales of hay, watching as I put her horse away. I could feel her eyes on me and I didn’t have to look back to know she was thinking about something.
After I secured the stall, I finally turned and walked over, dropping down between her thighs, right in front of where she sat. She didn’t say anything, just scooted forward and her arms slipped around my neck as she pressed herself against my back.
I let my hands rest over hers as I tipped my head. “What’s on your mind, Rebel?”
She was quiet for a second before she finally said, “I know about the horse.”
I stilled but let my thumb graze her knuckles. I figured she would find out eventually.
“Yeah?”
She nodded and pressed her cheek against my back. “Shore told me.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “That woman don’t know how to keep nothing to herself.”
Savvy smiled against my shirt, but when she spoke again, her voice was softer. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I brushed my fingers along the back of her hand before answering. “Would you have taken it if you knew?”
She was quiet but I didn’t need her to answer. I already knew the truth.
“You needed that horse, Rebel. I had the money to get it. It was that fucking simple.”
She sighed and her fingers traced light patterns on my chest. “It’s not simple for me.”
I turned slightly, glancing over my shoulder. “Why not?”
She shifted, finally lifting her head but keeping her arms draped over my shoulders. “Because it’s a big deal. You didn’t have to do that.”
I turned and dragged her around my body until she was on my lap. “Yeah, I did.”
She frowned. “Why?”
“Because I wanted to and I do what the fuck I want. But more than anything, I did it because I wanted to see that pretty ass smile on your face.”
I could see the fight in her eyes and the stubborn part of her that didn’t know how to take things freely or know how to accept help without feeling like she owed something in return.
I wasn’t about to let her overthink this.
I tilted my head. “You mad about it?”
She rolled her eyes. “No.”
“Good.” I hooked a finger under her chin, making her look at me. “Then just take the damn gift, Rebel. The horse is yours and you’re mine. I consider that a decent trade but I’m the one who came up.”
She bit her lip, but her eyes were softer now. I ran my hand down her thigh, squeezing lightly. “You deserve it.”
She searched my face for a moment, like she was trying to figure out what to do with me, then finally sighed. “Thank you.”
I grinned. “You’re welcome.”
I pulled her closer, letting the quiet of the barn settle around us. She shifted against me, her arms still around my neck and her knees pressed into the hay on either side of my thighs.
I leaned back slightly, resting my hands on her hips, watching her carefully. Her eyes were serious but her expression was a little hesitant, like she was sorting through something in her head. “This feels serious.”
I nodded, brushing my thumb over her hip bone. “That’s because it is.”
She swallowed and her fingers moved over my shoulders, like she needed something to focus on. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
“Me either but I’m not mad at it.”
She nodded. “So what does this mean?”
I smirked, tipping my head. “What do you want it to mean?”
“That’s not fair. I asked first.”
I tugged her a little closer, my fingers pressing into the small of her back. “I don’t play games, Rebel. If I’m with you, I’m with you and I want to be with you.”
She stared at me, studying my face like she was trying to find a catch or a way out, but there wouldn’t be one. I was so fucking serious about this and us.
“I know you’re used to doing things your way, and I damn sure got my own ways too, but I’m here. If you want this, I’m all in.”
She nodded. “Okay,” she said softly.
I tilted my head. “Okay?”
She smiled. “Yeah. Okay.”
“That mean I get to call you mine now?”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “I don’t know. Do I get to call you mine?”
“I thought that was already understood.” I smirked, letting my hands drift lower. “But if I need to convince you…”
“You say that like I didn’t just agree to it.”
“You did and I guess that means you’re stuck with me now.”
“I should’ve thought this through more.”
I grinned. “Too late.”
She arched a brow, tilting her head slightly. “What if I change my mind?”
“You won’t.”
She squinted, pretending to consider it. “I don’t know...”
I chuckled, shaking my head. “You could try to run, but we both know you wouldn’t get very far.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re awfully cocky, cowboy.”
I grinned. “That’s why you like me.”
“I tolerate you.”
I leaned in close and let my lips brush over hers. “You do more than tolerate me.”
I kissed her and when I finally pulled back, she blinked up at me, lips still parted.
“Guess I need to prove my fucking point.”
She groaned, shoving at my chest, but she was laughing now.
I caught her wrists, keeping her right where I wanted her.
I flipped us so she was on her back. She gasped, laughing, but her hands slid over my shoulders, holding on.
“Let’s see how well you tolerate this.” I spread her thighs wider with mine. I kissed her hard, knowing it wouldn’t take much to have her singing my praises.