Chapter 3
Chapter three
Izzy
"No fucking way. I didn't come all the way out here to see you just to die," I say, shaking my head in refusal.
"Come on, Beauty. Did you think the hat and boots I gave you would just be for playing dress up?" A deep laugh escapes him. "Although..." He looks me over from head to toe. "You do look damn good."
"I must say, the fact that they're both pink is a nice touch." I do a little twirl, kicking one foot behind me on the landing. "But, if you think I'm actually getting on that thing, you've lost your damn mind."
He places a hand over his chest before speaking, feigning offense. "His name is Harry Trotter, and he is a horse. You do not refer to him as a thing. You gotta talk about him with respect so you don't hurt his feelings, you crazy woman."
I snort. "You named your horse Harry Trotter?" The laughter that bellows from me fills the large barn, causing the horse to rattle a bit.
"I loved reading Harry Potter growing up. Now, stop diverting the conversation and hop your pretty little ass on up there. I have something I want to show you."
"I do have a pretty ass, thank you for noticing. But can this ‘something you want to show me’, not be walked on foot? Or maybe take the truck?"
"Iz." My name escapes his lips and comes out as a low growl.
Fuck, it's sexy.
"Jett," I counter, the sass in my voice in full effect as I put up a fight.
"Can you make anything simple?"
"Pshhh, that sounds fucking boring," I scoff, throwing him a very sarcastic glare.
He shakes his head and lets out a dark chuckle before staring me down and raising a brow.
"I'll tell you what... Either you hop up there on the oldest and slowest horse I own, or you can ride with me on Bullet. Bullet here has earned his name." He pats the massive black horse directly next to him. I gulp instinctively, knowing a challenge when I see one.
Ugh.
"FINE!" I shout. "You win. I'll ride the grandpa one. You can ride the deathtrap all by yourself."
Without another word spoken between us, he places his hands on my hips as he lifts me, helping me onto the horse.
I may be terrified, but if there's one thing I know after spending all this time with Jett, I can trust him with my life. Like it always does, that realization scares me more than it comforts me.
Jett takes his time, talking me through where to grab, how to sit, how to steer, and everything else I need to know to feel comfortable up here. It helps—a little.
Once he's finished his very thorough demonstration of Horse Riding 101 for Dummies, he turns and heads toward the horse, who I now know is named Bullet.
Bullet looks fucking evil, like he's ready to mess shit up just for joy.
Looking him over, I begin to gain an appreciation for good old Harry Trotter, who is letting me sit on his back without so much as flinching.
"Okay, Grandpa. Let's do this," I whisper to the horse, nervously reaching a hand outward and rubbing his head. He makes some weird ass grunting noise in appreciation.
I look at Jett as he puts one foot in the stirrup and effortlessly swings the other leg over.
Damn, why is that so sexy?
"Because it's me doing it, that's why." He chuckles with a smug grin painted over his face.
Oops, I guess I said that out loud.
"Yeah, that's enough of that. Come on, just lead me to my death already. " Sarcasm coats my tone, rolling my eyes and motioning out to the trails ahead with my hands.
Jett chuckles and shakes his head. "Okay, let's go. Remember, to get him to go, you just—"
"Got it," I say, annoyed.
I gently squeeze my legs on the horse's sides, giving a soft kick. Before I know it, old man Harry Trotter slowly begins to move forward. Poor guy—every step is a chore. My butt wiggles in the saddle while he gradually picks up speed.
"Move with the bumps, Beauty," Jett calls out from behind me. I throw him a sarcastic glare and a thumbs-up. To which he simply returns with a laugh.
"Jett!" I scream his name with a surprised yelp and a laugh when he and his devil horse speed past us, now leading the way.
He laughs, turning to look back at me. "Better keep up, or you'll get lost."
"I— I can't go that fast! The poor wizard over here can barely move as it is. I don't want to break him!"
Jett slows down until we're riding at the same speed next to one another. "Yes, you can. Let him do the work. He can sense your tension. Trust him. Let go." His voice is caring and sweet, and a smile pulls at the corners of my mouth.
I look him over and nod. His smile widens.
The man is beautiful. Although I'm still mildly terrified of what we're doing, seeing him in his element isn't only sexy but also wholesome.
Jett is always talking about his life on the ranch.
He managed to paint a picture of it in my mind, and I fell in love with this place before seeing it.
Seeing him here, on his horse and in the zone, I get it.
This isn't just something he does and loves. It's a part of who he is.
"We'll stay together and pick up the pace a little at a time," he says, positioning himself closer to me and flashing me another panty-dropping smile.
"Wherever we’re going, it sure as hell better be worth it," I say under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear, as Harry Trotter and I pick up pace to stay next to Jett and Bullet.
"If I know you as well as I think I do, I say you'll love it." He chuckles, not sparing me a glance. "Almost there. It's at the end of this trail."
We ride on the trail through the trees for a few more minutes before I see a clearing.
Holy shit.
As we turn right into the clearing, all the colors come into view, and the sound of rushing water fills the air surrounding us.
"It's... Th-this is stunning," I mutter breathlessly, taking in the sight before me.
A meadow of wildflowers, with a large creek that runs through it.
The flowers are gorgeous and unexpected, especially for November.
There aren’t wildflowers anywhere on the ranch.
These had to be purposefully grown. I look closer and notice the butterflies swarming, and my heart does a little backflip.
I’ve always loved butterflies. If I actually had a spirit animal, they would be mine. There’s something beautiful about going through the trenches and coming out on the other end, even more beautiful and free.
Harry Trotter and I come to a stop next to Jett and Bullet.
Jett hops off effortlessly and makes his way over to me.
He reaches out his hands, and I take them.
Instead of helping me down, he lifts me, holding me to him.
I wrap myself around him, my cheesy smile on full display as I gaze into his eyes.
When Jett sets me down, I catch my bearings and adjust my pants that slid up my ass on the ride here. I take in the scenery before me. You'd only imagine seeing it in a picture or a movie.
Entranced, I take a few steps toward the path in the field of wildflowers while Jett ties up the horses to a nearby tree.
Everyone knows that I love wildflowers just as much as butterflies, including him. For him to plan this out is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me. I know how I should feel —excited, like most girls would.
Unfortunately, I'm not like most girls.
It's too much. Too personal. Too intimate.
"Are you trying to get in my pants?" I call over my shoulder, looking back at him with a quirked eyebrow in a weak attempt to deflect from the overwhelming feeling deep in my gut.
"Because if you are, it may just work." The alarm bells are ringing in my head, screaming for me to flee, but I don't. Because it’s Jett.
"Beauty, if I wanted to get in your pants, all I had to do was take them off you myself." His voice is even, sexy, and deep as usual. In three quick strides, he catches up to me.
My laugh blurts out of me before I can rein it in. "Touche', motherfucker. So if you didn't take me to this gorgeous place to fuck my ever-loving brains out, then what do you have planned for us, Beast?"
"You know, believe it or not, I like more than just fucking you. I love just being with you, Iz."
Run. Run. Run. Run. Run.
It's the chant my brain is screaming on repeat.
"Well, that's sappy as fuck. Even for you, Lover Boy," I joke, looking away, but I don't miss the annoyance growing on Jett's face before I do.
He doesn't speak. He doesn't have to. His face says everything.
Grabbing my hand, he leads me down another path that aims toward the water. I follow without putting up a fight.
He seems nervous. Jett is never nervous.
He's typically so confident that it's downright fucking cocky.
It's one of the things I like most about him.
He's self-aware, knows who he is, and doesn't give a shit about impressing anyone. You either take him for exactly who he is, or you can eat shit and leave. We’re a lot alike in that manner, and I think that's why I appreciate it so much in him.
So, to see him nervous like this just doesn't sit right with me.
"Okay, Jett. What is going on? You're nervous. You're never fucking nervous," I blurt, pulling my hand from his, and stop walking behind him.
"When I missed your birthday last year, I told you I wanted to make it up to you. This is my way of doing that. You love butterflies; I grew these flowers so they’d come for you." He doesn't look at me as he speaks. He just keeps walking, expecting me to follow behind him.
I don't.
Instead, like the total asshole I am, I turn around and begin walking back toward the horses, Because he’s Jett, no longer a good enough excuse to stay.
"What the fuck, Iz?" Jett shouts from behind me, the anger in his tone evident. I can hear him walking behind me, so I spin to face him.
"You have nothing to make up to me, Jett!" I scream, and he takes a step back. "We. Are. Not. Together. You know that! Why are you trying to ruin this?" I say each word clearly and slowly, my hands moving dramatically as I speak.
Jett winces, and his shoulders visibly slump. I wasn't expecting my instant regret, witnessing each word pierce through him like a blade to the heart.
Shit.
Seeing the disappointment clearly cross his features, I can’t help but hate that I’m like this. I’d love to be able to pull back the layers of armor I’ve built around my heart and let him in fully. But I can’t do that. I did it once before, for Chad.
I know Jett well enough to know he is not Chad. Not even close. But, if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that men take, and I’m not willing to give any man the opportunity to take more from me than what I’m willing to give, ever again.
"You're right, Iz. We're not together.” His jaw flexes, and he rolls his eyes.
“You'll fuck me, but God forbid you won't give me more.
So no, we're not together. Because you're too goddamn stubborn to see a good thing even when it's standing right in front of your fucking face.
" Jett's tone is harsh, and his words hit me exactly as intended.
He steps toward me, our bodies colliding as our eyes meet, and his hands cup my face.
"And believe me, Iz, we are a good thing.
Don't fuck this up." It comes out as more of a plea than a warning.
I pull back, refusing to do this with him. Why is he doing this? Things between us are great. I thought we were on the same page, and now he wants to go and get all in his feelings and shit.
Chad…
My stomach churns on reflex, the thought of his name repulses me. I let him in, and he took advantage of that, leaving me damaged and in shambles.
What the fuck…
"I'm gonna go." My tone is dry, lacking all the emotion I'm bottling up.
I want to love this. I want to love him. I can't risk it.
I just can't.
I jog back toward the horses. Jett doesn't try to stop me. Shakily, I manage to get up on Harry Trotter without breaking any bones.
Once I'm up and settled, we head back towards the ranch and don't look back.