Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115683 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 578(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
The horse balks, flailing its front legs. The chaps make sense now. I imagine taking a hoof to the shin would be super unpleasant if you weren’t wearing some kind of protection.
But he—Colton—doesn’t even flinch. He just keeps his hands on the horse. Keeps talking in that steady, soothing rumble that has me feeling some kind of way.
“Brother, it’s all right. Easy, boy. It’s just me. We’re gonna head outside, all right?”
The horse’s sides heave. He snaps his head one way, then the other. Shuffles his hooves.
Still, Colton remains calm. Meanwhile, I’m shaking in my clogs.
“You ready now, Brother?” he asks the horse.
The horse snorts. I wonder vaguely where the name “Big Brother” came from.
Also, my mouth has gone dry.
Colton has his hands on the horse’s nose again. That’s when I notice Big Brother’s breathing is starting to even out.
Okay okay okay. So Colton Wallace knows what to do with his hands. No biggie. It’s sexy as hell, yeah, but there’s plenty of things guys do that are sexy. Like—
“You always give me a run for my money, don’t you?” Colton chuckles. “It’s like you know I dig a challenge. C’mon, you rascal. Let’s get some fresh air.”
No way.
No fucking way does this grumpy cowboy enjoy being put to the test. That doesn’t compute. He was just growling, clearly annoyed at being put upon, but seeing this…
Colton glances at me over his shoulder and smirks. “Pick your jaw up off the ground, would you? Ain’t polite to stare.”
How is he calm enough to be funny right now?
How is it legal to look that fucking handsome while also being some kind of secret horse whisperer?
Ignoring the insistent beat in my chest and between my legs, I focus my gaze on the horse. His eyes are liquid onyx. Full of feeling.
“I just can’t stand the handsomeness,” I manage. “His, not yours.”
“You like the big ones, huh?”
“If you’re trying to tee me up—”
“I am.” Colton has the gall to run his hand up Big Brother’s silky neck. In reply, the horse nuzzles into Colton’s chest. “Aw, now you warm up to me, huh? Only after I beg?”
“I hate you.” It’s all I can think to say.
Colton’s face creases into a handsome smile. “How do you feel about petting?”
“C’mon.” That’s Beck. “As much as I appreciate the game of tit for tat y’all got going on, Dad will skin your hide if your grossness forces sweet Lainey to quit on us.”
Colton’s eyes bore a hole through my head when he replies, “She ain’t sweet.”
“Not one bit.” But my voice drips with saccharine sweetness nonetheless. “Proud of it too.”
I turn my head to see Beck resting his arms on the top of the stall door, a funny look on his face as he glances between Colton and me.
“Y’all are enjoying this, aren’t you?” he asks.
“You don’t need to worry, Beck.” I tuck my pen behind my ear. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Wanna bet?” Colton shoots back. “Speaking of sure things, I reckon you don’t have the courage to pet Big Brother here.”
My heart thuds inside my breastbone, but I manage to step forward. “How much cash do you have on you?”
He lets out a bark of laughter. “Enough. Go for the nose. Softest thing you’ll ever touch. Well, second softest.”
“What’s the first?” I nonchalantly reach out, like my hand isn’t shaking.
The horse balks. I nearly faint, pulling back my hand before I can touch his nose.
“Whoa, boy. Easy, easy.” Colton’s using that voice again. The soothing one. “You’re nervous, and he senses that. Horses pick up on your energy. If you’re skittish, he’s gonna be skittish too. You gotta be confident and calm. Like this.”
Before I know what’s happening, Colton is wrapping his fingers around my wrist and bringing my hand to Big Brother’s nose.
No preamble. No time to psych myself out or second-guess my sanity.
He just puts my hand on the animal. And you know what?
Neither of us—not Big Brother and not me—balks this time.
I do, however, experience a rush of heat that has my scalp prickling with sweat at the feel of Colton’s firm, authoritative grip on me.
The horse’s nose really is soft. It’s almost velvety and very warm.
“Keep your hand steady,” Colton says. “I’m right here, so he isn’t gonna hurt you. I promise he’s just a big teddy bear on the inside.”
“Aw.” Beck sticks out his bottom lip. “Just like you.”
“Shut up, Beck.”
“Love you too, Colt.”
Big Brother sticks out his lips, tucking his sweet nose into my hand.
I can’t help it. I giggle. “You do like that, huh?”
“Big Brother likes girls,” Beck says.
I carefully start to move my fingers, stroking the horse. It’s weird, but Colton is right—I can actually feel the horse relaxing along with me.
I peer into those depthless eyes of his and sense that well of emotion I saw there earlier. Something in my chest catches.