Page 23 of Bouquets and Buckles

I know she’s teasing, but hell, if it doesn’t make me wonder the same thing. How the fuck has this girl been in my life all these years, yet only now are we discovering this spark between us?

Especially when I know there’s only a matter of time until that snow is cleared and she’s gone again.

“You’re lettingme help with the horses tomorrow. End of story.” Skylar drops her Kindle into her lap and pouts at me when I walk back into the lounge.

I’ve been out getting all the basic shit done down in the stables but insisted that Skylar didn’t need to help me.

Besides, I’d have never gotten anything done anywhere near as quickly if she’d been there alongside me. Not because she’s incapable, but because I wouldn’t have been able to keep my hands off her.

I tug my hat off my head and run my fingers through my hair.

“Ahh, but that means putting clothes on, and I much prefer the idea of coming back in from the cold to find you naked on my couch, sweetheart.” I lean a shoulder against the wall and touch my tongue to the front of my teeth, eating up the way she flushes perfectly under my words.

“I’m serious.” She tugs the blanket tighter around her shoulders, and I fucking love that she’s stayed right here, without anything on, settled in front of my fire all afternoon.

“Ok, fine, you can come scoop horse shit to your heart’s content tomorrow. Does that make you happy?”

“Very. Thank you.” She gives me a satisfied little smirk and then picks up what she was reading. Only, as I go about stripping out of my jacket and boots, I feel her eyes straying my way.

“Good book?” Once I’ve hung everything up, I cross the room and bank the fire with more wood. Purposely taking my time.

“Mmhm.” She sinks her teeth into the plump curve of her lower lip, trying extremely hard to keep her eyes focused on the screen.

“Not too boring for you, I hope? Being stuck in here all day with only a book to keep you occupied.”

I’ve got plans to make this much more interesting.

“Nope, it’s kinda perfect.” Her tongue darts out to wet her lips. Pink spots deepen, high on her cheeks, and fuck, she looks so sexy.

“You’re welcome to put a movie on… if you prefer?”

“I don’t mind, it’s your house. What do you want?”

“Me? I like the idea of getting cozy right there beside you with a book. As long as that doesn’t sound tooold and boringto you?” Crossing to the couch, I’m shit stirring after what I heard Brad say to her on the phone last night. Except if I’m truthful, beneath the teasing, there is a tiny part of me who is still a little unsure what this girl even sees in me or wants with someone like me.

Skylar shifts over, making room for me to wedge myself in the corner of the L-shaped couch as I swipe up a book I’ve had sitting on the side table here for months, yet my eyes are usually too heavy to manage reading more than a couple of pages at a time.

“Honestly… after how crazy the last few weeks have been at my shop, it actually feels amazing to have the luxury of time and quiet and to not have to talk to anyone.”

Oh, I can definitely donot talking.

“Come here.” My dream girl, whom I cannot keep, nestles herself against my side, with her head on my chest and hand holding her Kindle braced against my stomach. I prop my own book up on my chest, but in all honesty, I’m not focusing on a single fucking word.

My other arm snakes over her waist, palm covering her hip. It’s too tempting to see just how silky and wet she might be between those thighs.

As we lie there together, I feel her shift a little beneath my fingers. That’s the moment her breathing shallows, and I can’t help myself. Slipping my hand between the layers of blanket, I trace the lush curve of her stomach down, down, down until I find the exact place where I want to explore.

Skylar’s breath sucks in with a quiet gasp as my fingers dip into her pussy and find exactly what I’m looking for.

Discovering how absolutely drenched she is.

“Luke...” She makes a tiny moaning sound that makes my rapidly hardening cock kick inside my jeans. Turning her head into my chest, teeth graze the front of my shirt.

“Are you sore?” I stroke gently, running my fingers through the velvety feel of her. The slippery evidence of how turned on the girl in my arms is, coats my fingers.

“No.” Her hips lift and adjust, giving me easier access. “I can’t stop thinking about you being inside me again.”

That makes me more feral for her than I have any right to be.