Chapter Ten #2
“Oh shit, no, no, no. Slow down.” I pull back the reins, clinging tightly so I don’t slide off, but that seems to be the wrong move because it only makes him go faster.
My ass bounces up and down the saddle, not looking anywhere near graceful as I catch up to Posey.
“He won’t stop!” I shout, barely able to breathe in between trying to hang on and hold the reins, breezing past her and Blythe.
Posey flies up next to me and gets close enough to where she can grab the reins and pull back. “Whoa, Priest.”
He finally slows down before my heart gives out, but I’m panting by the time he comes to a stop.
“You okay?” Posey asks.
I blink. “He tried to kill me.”
She snorts. “No, you squeezed your calves after he saw Blythe runnin’. You told him to race.”
“I most certainly did not!”
“Relax your body,” she says softly, handing the reins over, although I’m reluctant to take them. “You’re too tense.”
“No shit. I almost died.”
“Are you always this dramatic?” she teases, shifting Blythe over so there’s space between us.
She adjusts the hat on her head, shaking out her long blonde hair that’s lighter than it was years ago. Since her hair was in a braid all day and she took it out after work, the ends are wavy. I’m tempted to thread my fingers through it and feel the softness against my palm.
When she looks over, she catches me.
“Why’re you starin’ at me like that?” she asks cautiously.
“Lookin’ at you calms my nervous system,” I admit. “Sorry if that’s weird.”
“No, I don’t mind.” Her genuine smile sends warmth to my chest and my heart rate goes back to normal. “Not everyone gets used to the rush or likes it.”
Posey guides us toward the barn, and I’ve never been more excited to kiss the ground.
“You okay to groom him? Otherwise, I can do it.”
“No, I’m good now that the cloud of death ain’t loomin’ over me,” I quip, knowing she’d laugh at my dramatics.
We work quietly, brushing our horses, and then I bring Priest back to his stall.
“No hard feelings, okay?” I give him a little pat, leaning against the gate once it’s locked. “But I probably won’t be back for a while.”
“Meanwhile…” Posey’s voice behind me makes me jump. “He’s gonna tell his friends how much fun he had.”
I bark out a laugh, following her to the tack room to put the grooming supplies away. “At least one of us didn’t come back traumatized.”
“Oh now you’re milkin’ it…” she taunts, setting everything inside while I wait.
I scoff once she closes the door behind her. “Says the person who couldn’t even walk straight twenty-four hours ago.”
She playfully pushes against my chest, but I don’t budge. Instead, I grab her wrist and instinctively pull her into me. I expect her to step away or put space between us, but she stares up at me between her dark lashes.
“In case I didn’t mention it, thanks for savin’ my ass.”
Her tongue peeks out between her pink lips before she nods. “Figured it was easier keepin’ you alive than hirin’ another new guy for the goat farm. Plus, a death on the ranch is never a good look.”
“Oh, are those the only reasons?” I cross my arms, feigning offense.
She steps back, slowly walking toward the exit with a sly grin. “I guess you’ll have to catch me if you wanna know!”
Posey takes off at a full sprint, holding onto her hat as she runs.
I can’t help laughing.
That little shit.
By the time I get to my truck, I find her bouncing in the driver’s seat.
“No, ma’am. Move over.”
The last thing I need is her killing my transmission or damaging the clutch and having no money to fix it.
“I can’t drive?” She sticks out her bottom lip. “We aren’t that far from the house.”
When I step onto the board, it brings us to eye-level. “Posey. Move over or I’ll move you myself.”
“Pretty macho for a guy who was weepin’ for his life thirty minutes ago.”
Weeping?
“You’re gonna pay for that.”
Wrapping one arm behind her and the other underneath her thighs, I haul her to my chest.
“No! I’m not movin’!” She tries fighting me, but I have an easy hundred pounds on her. “Let me go!”
Her squeals echo throughout the truck as she tries getting out of my hold. I dig my fingertips into her skin and tickle underneath her knees.
“Oh my God, stop that!” she yelps, unable to contain her laughter while I finally get a strong enough grip to bring her down with me.
She continues wiggling as I carry her in my arms, so I shift her body until I can haul her over my shoulder.
“Put me down, you caveman!”
“Nope, you didn’t listen,” I remind her, giving her ass a quick tap. “You asked for it.”
“I’m so gonna get you back for this!” She smacks my back a few times before a throat clearing grabs our attention.
“Am I interruptin’?”
I was so lost in our stupid little game that I hadn’t heard anyone approach. Quickly, I spin around to see whose voice it is.
And he doesn’t look amused.
I set Posey on her feet and stand a few inches behind her. I’m like a deer in headlights, unable to move or speak, which makes me look suspicious as hell. Although we weren’t doing anything inappropriate, I’m sure to him it didn’t seem like harmless fun between roommates.
“Hi, Daddy.”