Chapter 5 #2
Heat rises in my cheeks. “I wasn’t trying to mislead you. Red’s rules about not discussing specifics...”
He waves a hand. “I understand. The double-blind date concept only works if people can’t research each other beforehand.” Josh reaches across to cover my hand with his. “Does it bother you that I know now?”
“It should.” I squeeze his hand. “Usually when men find out about my family’s wealth, everything changes. Either they start seeing dollar signs or they get intimidated and disappear.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He strokes his thumb across my knuckles. “Your family’s money doesn’t change who you are or how I feel about you.”
The sincerity in his voice makes my throat constrict. “Most people don’t see it that way.”
His smile is genuine and reassuring. “Most people haven’t watched you spend days covered in mud, determined to master every aspect of ranch work because you refuse to do anything halfway.”
“I really don’t want it to be a big deal between us.
” Saying “us” sounds and feels right. I’m not even sure what date this would be, but it feels like we’ve been together for weeks or months, not just a few days.
I turn the subject slightly, not ready to delve into that discussion.
“You mentioned something about complications in family businesses?”
“My parents assumed I’d want city life with a college education, corporate job, and completely different path.” Josh’s expression turns rueful. “They were surprised when I returned after graduation and asked to expand operations.”
“They supported you eventually, though.”
“After I proved I was serious about success.” He reaches across to cover my hand with his. “Sometimes, you show people what you’re capable of instead of waiting for permission.”
His touch makes my skin tingle. I study the contrast between his work-roughened fingers and my hands, where blisters will turn to calluses if I continue like this. The thought pleases me rather than makes me want to run to Manhattan for a mani-pedi. “How did you prove yourself?”
“I bought additional land with my own money, expanded the herd, and increased profits thirty percent in two years.” He gives me a small smile. “It’s hard to argue with results.”
“I don’t have the option of starting independently. Family business means family expectations.” I sigh heavily.
He tilts his head slightly, clearly thinking it through. “Maybe you need to redefine what family business means.”
Before I can ask what he means, Andrew appears in the doorway looking apologetic. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a drainage problem.”
Josh releases my hand reluctantly. “What kind of problem?”
He snorts and shakes his head. “The kind where water flows in exactly the wrong direction.”
The drainage problem stems from miscalculated slope measurements.
Half of yesterday’s work needs to be torn up and redone.
I watch the crew begin repairs with frustrated admiration for their patient professionalism, and I’m relieved the section I dug isn’t part of the area needing to be reworked.
Not because I don’t want to dig again, though I definitely don’t, but because I don’t want to seem incompetent even though I was following directions.
“This is why we test systems before declaring victory.” Josh hands me a shovel with philosophical acceptance. “Most problems reveal themselves quickly.”
“In business, we call this iterative improvement.” I start digging where he indicates, grimacing at the flare of pain in my blistered hands but pushing it aside. “Fail fast, learn quickly, and adjust accordingly.”
He chuckles. “Same principle with different vocabulary.”
We work steadily through the morning, correcting slopes and redirecting water flow. The physical labor feels meditative after our conversation about family expectations and career aspirations. Something feels satisfying about solving problems with your hands instead of endless meetings.
Around noon, Josh straightens and surveys our progress. “I think we’ve earned a break. Want to see more of the property?”
“I’d like that.” I lean on my shovel, realizing I’m not as exhausted as expected. The work is becoming easier, or maybe I’m getting stronger.
“A creek runs through the back section. It has a swimming hole I used to escape to as a teenager.”
I frown. “Escape from what?”
“I escaped chores, expectations, and the feeling everyone was watching to see if I’d measure up.” His expression grows distant with memory. “It was the one place I could just be myself without worrying about disappointing anyone.”
My heart softens imagining that younger version soaking in quiet time with no one telling him who to be. “I’d like to see it.”
We walk toward the barn to store our tools, and Josh pauses, looking almost nervous. “Actually, I want to share something with you that I haven’t with anyone else I’ve dated.”
That immediately gets my attention. “What is it?”
He glances around to ensure privacy and then meets my eyes directly. “Would you be interested in running there in our shifted forms?”
The suggestion surprises me so much I nearly drop my shovel. “You want to shift together?”
“Only if you’re comfortable. I know it’s intimate, sharing that with someone new, but.
..” He trails off, looking uncertain. “I’ve never wanted to include a romantic partner in that part of my life before.
I’ve run with my sister and parents, of course, but not a girlfriend.
” He sounds almost shy when he says the word, which is a complete opposite to his usual confidence.
My heart beats in an uneven rhythm. Shifting with someone else is deeply personal, especially with someone who isn’t family or a longtime friend. Such an act of trust and vulnerability goes beyond physical intimacy. “I’d love to.”
Josh’s smile transforms his entire face. “Really?”
“Really.” I set down my shovel and feel anticipation building in my chest. “I haven’t shifted with anyone since my mother died.
My father is a rottweiler shifter, but he’s never shifted around me, and I haven’t wanted to share the experience with anyone else until now. I’d forgotten how much I missed it.”
We move behind the barn for privacy. Josh begins unbuttoning his shirt with matter-of-fact efficiency. Shifters approach nudity more casually than humans, but something’s still intimate about undressing together in afternoon sunlight. “Do you shift much in the city?”
I snort and laugh at the same time. “When’s the last time you saw a donkey strolling down Houston?”
He grins as we stand together, both naked now, and both pointedly not looking down. “Point taken. What about your apartment?”
I laugh again. “A donkey in a penthouse is not a good idea. Mom and I used to drive to the country estate to shift, but I haven’t had time in years.”
“Let’s remedy that.”
I nod in agreement. “Let’s go.”
The shift feels like coming home to myself, like remembering something fundamental I’d temporarily forgotten.
My donkey form is smaller than Josh’s horse form but perfectly built for the terrain ahead.
I have strong legs, sure footing, and a stubborn determination that translates directly from my human personality.
Josh has a glossy black coat, powerful muscles, and alertness that speaks to both intelligence and natural confidence. He nickers softly and tosses his head, inviting me to follow as he breaks into an easy trot toward the woods.
Running together feels like dancing. Our different gaits find rhythm that works for both of us.
Josh’s longer stride carries him over fallen logs and rocky patches with graceful ease while my donkey form picks careful paths through challenging terrain with natural skill.
We’re perfectly matched despite different forms, each contributing strengths that complement the other.
The forest opens into a meadow, and Josh breaks into full gallop. I follow, and my donkey form covers ground with speed and efficiency I’d forgotten I possessed. The race becomes a game. Neither of us tries to win, but both of us revel in pure joy of movement and shared purpose.
The creek appears ahead, and he leads us down a narrow path to a secluded pool surrounded by willow trees and smooth rocks. The water is crystal clear and inviting. Without hesitation, Josh leaps from the bank into the deep center.
I follow, my donkey form hitting cool water with a splash that sends ripples across the surface. The shock of cold water is exhilarating, washing away heat and dust from our morning work and the journey here.
We surface together, shifting back to human form as we break through to air and sunlight. Josh’s hair is slicked back from his face, and water runs down his shoulders as he treads water beside me.
“This is incredible.” I float on my back, looking up at the canopy of leaves filtering afternoon light. “How did you find this place?”
“I was twelve and angry at my father for making me muck stalls instead of playing with friends.” He moves closer, and the current from his movements laps against my skin. “I ran off to sulk and stumbled across the pool by accident.”
“It’s perfect.” I right myself in the water, suddenly aware we’re both naked and alone in a place that feels like it exists outside the normal world. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”
“Thank you for running here with me.” His voice is soft and intimate. “I wasn’t sure how it would feel, but it felt...”
“Natural.” I finish his thought, moving closer until we’re treading water within arm’s reach. “Like something we’ve done a million times before.”
“Exactly.”
The space between us shrinks without either of us making a conscious decision to move closer. Water circles gently around us and birds call from trees above. The sounds feel distant compared to the intensity of Josh’s attention.
“Lindsay?”
My name is a question and an invitation, and I answer by closing the remaining distance between us.
His kiss is soft at first, being tentative despite the intimate setting.
I respond by threading my fingers through his wet hair, pulling him closer until there’s no space between us.
The kiss deepens, becoming something urgent and necessary, fueled by days of attraction and the primal connection we just shared in shifted form.
He grasps my hips under the water and pulls me against him as we sink deeper into the creek.
I wrap my legs around his waist, and he supports both our weight effortlessly while we kiss with increasing intensity.
Cool water contrasts with the heat building between us and creates sensations that make me forget everything except the taste of his mouth and the feeling of his hands on my skin.
When we finally break apart, we’re both breathing hard, and he rests his forehead against mine. “I’ve been wanting to do that since the restaurant.”
“Just that?” I trail my fingers down his chest, enjoying how his breathing changes.
“Among other things.” His voice is rough with desire as he tightens his hands on my waist. “I don’t want to rush this, though.”
I look up at him through my lashes. “What if I want you to rush?”
His answer is another kiss that’s deeper and more demanding than the first. This time, there’s no hesitation and no careful testing of boundaries. We experience just need and wanting in the perfect privacy of our secluded pool.
We stay in the water until the sun begins sinking toward the horizon, sharing kisses and comfortable silences. Eventually the cooling air makes us both shiver, and it’s time to leave, to my regret.
“Are you ready to run back?” he asks with a grin that makes my stomach flutter all over again as we walk out of the water.
This time, I don’t bother to maintain the pretense I’m not looking. I examine him from head to toe, noting his thickening cock. When his eyes start to darken, I make my move. “Race you,” I challenge and shift, starting to run.
“Cheater,” he calls good-naturedly behind me, and his hoofbeats follow me seconds later. He overtakes me before reining in his stride and running beside me. The race is over, but I’d rather have him at my side anyway.
The run back through the darkening woods feels different from our earlier journey.
It’s more intimate now that we’ve shared a first kiss and the vulnerability of being completely honest with each other.
My donkey form moves confidently through the terrain, matching Josh’s steady pace as we make our way back to the barn.
We shift back to human form behind the barn and dress in comfortable silence, both of us stealing glances at each other as we pull on our clothes. Something’s different between us now, a new level of connection that makes even mundane actions feel charged with possibility.
“What happens now?” I ask as we walk back toward the house.
“Now we see where this goes.” Josh takes my hand and laces our fingers together. “If you want to see where this goes.”
“I do.” The certainty in my voice surprises me with its strength.
“Good.” Josh stops walking and turns to face me fully. “I’m starting to care about you, Lindsay. Really care.”
“I’m starting to care about you too.” The admission feels like stepping off a cliff, though Josh’s smile makes it worth the risk.
As we walk toward the lights of the house, I think about Eddie’s words, my father’s expectations, and the choice I made to come back here despite having no idea what I was really choosing.
Sometimes the best decisions feel like leaps of faith, and caring about Josh feels like the biggest leap of all. I should be afraid, but I’m not.