43. Rosy
FORTY-THREE
ROSY
“Ouch, fuck.” Nate growls.
I turn to look over my shoulder and a laugh splutters out. He pushes Jerry’s head, trying to detach himself from the hold the pony has on his rear trouser pocket.
“That’s my arse.”
Jerry snorts back, not letting go.
“I have carrots,” I announce with a snicker.
Jerry suddenly releases Nate’s trousers and charges towards me.
Nate grunts as his arm gets yanked after the pony.
His grip stays tight on the lead rope attached to the pony's headcollar, and the pony almost drags him along. They come to a stop beside me, Jerry huffing indignantly and Nate grumbling under his breath. Shifting Gilly and Mabel’s lead ropes into one hand, I tug open the gate, trying to hide my sniggering.
We reach the side of the barn, and I tie up the girls, then tie Jerry’s rope to another hook. Picking up the grooming box, I turn to Nate. He’s scowling, rubbing at his rear cheek.
“He’s a bit of a character…” I trail off, unsure what else I can say without bursting into laughter again.
“You should kiss it better,” he says, straightening and giving his backside another rub.
“You…want me to kiss your butt?” I croak, my neck growing hot and undoubtedly red.
“I’d kiss yours better if you asked.” One of his brows rises, and he looks at me expectantly.
Shit, okay. Now my entire face is encased in flames. There’s no logic to it, really. He’s seen every inch of me and spent a lot of time in places no one else has…but apparently him kissing my butt has me all flustered. Explain that one.
I can’t, so I laugh. All squeaky, high, and involuntary.
“So…butt kissing aside.” I cough, needing to change the conversation so my face doesn’t melt off. “Jerry is just a little opinionated; it wasn’t personal.”
“But he’s so…small.” His frustration at being bested by something not even three feet tall is obvious.
“But mighty,” I add, breaking into a smile…again. It feels like it’s become the new normal around them.
Handing him a brush, I pull out a hoof pick.
“They need a brush as they’ve been rolling and have dried mud on them. Just pick one and approach from the side. They’re all used to it, so you’ll be fine.”
I run my hand down Gilly’s front leg and pick it up, working to remove all the mud from her feet. It’s cathartic and my mind relaxes as I carry out a task I’ve done too many times to count.
With Nate turning up to help, all of them have been here now. It’s…not something I’m really able to put words to. But it tugs the conversation I had with Steph the other night to the forefront.
Not the part about me catching feelings. That part we’re still avoiding.
But are they falling? Is that why they’re taking the effort to come here and spend time with me?
I can’t imagine Nate’s enjoying being here; he’s not really someone you can picture with cute, furry animals. Hauling timber, lifting logs…anything that requires bulging muscles and a scowl is more fitting.
Moving on to her next hoof, I chance a glance at him, and my insides melt. Mabel’s head rests over his back, her eyes sleepy and relaxed, as Nate kneels, meticulously brushing every speck of dirt and dust off her front legs. He’s both gentle and attentive.
My view becomes obscured, and a small sting flicks across my face. I end up with a mouthful of thick black hair; a certain chubby pony’s tail.
Turning, I see Jerry staring at me, tail flicking again as if he’s warning me.
Right, the carrots.
“Let me finish Gilly’s feet, then I’ll get you a carrot,” I promise, and he snorts way too loudly for it to be polite.
“What?” Nate straightens, and I notice his arms. His bare ones.
When did he remove his hoodie?
He does have nice arms, though. They’re so warm and strong. So firm from all those muscles everywhere.
“What are you getting me?”
“Oh, nothing. Sorry. I was talking to Jerry. I promised him carrots, then promptly forgot. So he decided to remind me, hence the tail to the face…” I trail off as a small, heart-stopping smile tugs at his mouth. “What?”
“You.”
“Me, what?” My hands fist at my hips as I wait.
“It’s cute.” He shrugs, then goes back to brushing Mabel. Long strokes down her neck, followed by his hand smoothing her coat.
“Cute? That’s not very exciting.” What is with these men thinking I’m cute?
“Want me to tell you how fucking sexy I find you?” He pauses, staring intently at me. There’s no smile or smirk now; instead, it's dark, smouldering.
“Oh. No, I mean, you don’t have to. But any time you want to, I’m willing to listen.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Women like compliments. Well, I can’t speak on behalf of all of them, but I’m sure a lot do.”
“You want me to compliment other women?”
“No. Well, yes. I mean, if you want to? I can’t dictate what you can and can’t do. Can I?” My voice rises, turning what should’ve been a statement into a question.
Mortification overtakes my body, and I can’t seem to stop the crap coming from my mouth.
With a last sweeping brush of Mabel, he steps around and up to Gilly.
Crapsicles. Now he’s facing me.
But with her back coming up to my chest, it feels like there’s at least some form of support holding me up, as my hands stay buried in the soft hair on her back.
“You can,” he states. “Tell me I’m yours.”
I swallow. It’s loud and tight in my throat from the heat of his words. I want that. But I’m dating three of them, so I have no right to demand it. The possession still licks through me. I really want to claim him as mine.
Surely if he’s asking me to…then I should?
“Little tease. Tell me.”
“You’re mine,” I whisper, allowing the hungry part of me loose. She’s greedy and wants all of them. Maybe she’s always been there, just tucked away in the dark parts of my mind, and they’ve awoken her with every touch.
His head tilts to the side, and the smug look on his face causes my face to flame.
Can he see her? Shit, who am I kidding? He’d love her.
“Sure fucking am. You said it. Can’t take it back either,” he growls, his dark brows pulling low as his hand clasps my jaw and he tugs me gently up onto my tiptoes.
It should be awkward; it shouldn’t work, but somehow his tall frame curls over the expanse of Gilly’s back, and his mouth presses into mine.
Did he seal the deal with a kiss?
Wait, is he some sort of demon I just sold my soul to?
Although technically, he gave me his.
Because he’s mine.
A wide, goofy smile stretches across my face when he pulls back. He pauses, eyes flicking to my mouth as he slides his thumb across my lips, stroking my smile. It suddenly feels heated, and my skin prickles under his gaze as my heart pounds heavily behind my ribs.
“Okay…I need to get the carrots,” I squeak, interrupting our trance.
What I really need is a moment to catch my breath.
My back hits the wall inside the barn, using it for support. I need to focus for a second, get my breathing under control, and my mind unstuck so I can concentrate.
A vibration in my pocket startles me more than it should. Tugging out the farm’s phone, I answer, bringing it to my ear. “Furrever Home Sanctuary, how can I help?”
Pushing off the wall, I wedge the phone under my ear as I open the container with the carrots.
“Hello?”
Silence meets me again. I go to hang up but freeze when a breathy exhale comes down the line.
“Is anyone there? I can’t hear you, but if you need to speak to us, please call back so we can assist.” I pull the phone away from my ear to end the call.
A strange, muffled, almost groan-like noise comes from the speaker a second before I hit the button.
That was…weird.
But if it was important, hopefully they heard me and will call back.
Grabbing a few carrots, I head back out to appease the tiny beast and finish up with Nate’s help. Though I’m likely to remain distracted the whole time.