Page 77 of Back in the Saddle

Hunter laughed and got out of bed, pulling the duvet with him.

‘Hey! That was mine!’

‘Technically, it’s mine. Let’s move this party to the kitchen.’ He watched her pull on her pants and a shirt, leaving her bra on the floor.

She pushed her fingers through her tangled hair. ‘What?’ she asked when she caught him staring at her.

‘Nothing. Last one in the kitchen washes up.’

He knew that, logically, this was going to end in nothing but heartache when the time came for her to go back to Scotland. But he couldn’t help himself.

He was falling in love with her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Caroline

CAROLINE:I slept with Hunter.

ERIN:I knew it! How was it?

CAROLINE:Fantastic.

ERIN:Oh, come on! That’s all I get?! I need details! I still don’t even know what he looks like. You could really send a friend a photo or two …

CAROLINE:He doesn’t have social media. What am I supposed to do, snap a photo of him and say, ‘Oh, my friend is nosey’?

She wouldn’t mention the photo strip from the rodeo. They’d ended up getting two – she had one, and Hunter had kept the other. Just the thought made her cheeks burn. Those felt private. A keepsake she wanted to hide just for herself.

ERIN:This is exactly what you should do.I’m sure he’d be flattered. But you’re avoiding the question. How was it, really? I know you haven’t been with anyone other than Finn.

CAROLINE:I don’t really know how to describe it. You know the feeling that everything just seems right, when you aren’t thinking about anything else, the whole world and the worries and silly things fade away, and you just focus on the moment you’re in?

ERIN:I guess?

CAROLINE:Well, it felt like that. I mean, physically it felt bloody wonderful. I didn’t think there were different types of orgasms, but no vibrator has ever felt like that. And it was great the first time, and the second … I don’t know. I feel like I’ve been missing out before.

ERIN:You clearly had shitty vibrators (just kidding). The second, hm?

CAROLINE:Don’t judge! The oral sex was great, too …

ERIN:Oh, trust me, I don’t. I’m just happy for you for feeling happy. You deserve to feel all these awesome things. And yay for some tongue action! That’s one thing they haven’t invented yet – my theory is that men know once we get toys like that, we won’t need them.

CAROLINE:Erin!

ERIN:What? It’s true!

CAROLINE:I just hope that it wasn’t a mistake.

ERIN:Things that feel this good never are. My grandma told me once to never regret anything that made you smile. Because it couldn’t possibly be wrong.

CAROLINE:That’s a bit of a stretch, don’t you think? But anyway … I appreciate it. I just don’t want him to get too attached.

ERIN:He’s a guy. Why would he? It’s like a perfect scenario. He has all the perks of spending time with you on all levels without the fear of any commitment. He knows you’ll be leaving, right?

CAROLINE:Of course he does.

ERIN:Then it’s all good. I’m more worried about you.