Page 113 of Lassoed Love

“I fucking missed hearing you laugh,” I admit with a grin, and she blushes at my admission.

“So ‘Brad’ huh, you’re on a nickname basis now?” I inquire, with a curious smirk.

She smiles before saying, “I guess we are. He’s been really kind. I think I… I look up to him like the brother I never had.” Well, that’s better than anything else, I guess. But a part of me softens at the thought of her finding some comfort in Bradley. She’s a part of me now, just as much as he is.

“Well, Brad’s got a knack for being the supportive type,” I say with a casual shrug.

“Yeah, he is. But seriously, I appreciate you coming past, Xav,” she says, a genuine warmth in her eyes. I just nod.

“Your, uh, your sister came past with Harrison the other day. Youcan imagine how that went down with Imogen.” She laughs, and I smirk. Ah yes, those two bicker like an old married couple, worse than my parents, who are actually married.

I chuckle. “Those two can argue over the colour of the sky. It’s a talent, really.” I offer her a playful grin, enjoying the light banter.

As we guide our horses to turn around, the afternoon sun casts a warm glow on the landscape. Blue and Duchess, sensing our shift in direction, let out occasional whinnies, creating a symphony of equine sounds. I glance at Isla. “We should start heading back,” I suggest, my eyes catching hers briefly before I guide Blue in the opposite direction, leading the way back along the trail.

As we make our way back, the air between us seems to lighten, transforming into a more playful and comfortable atmosphere. I’ve been trying to break that awkward tension lingering, cracking jokes here and there. Liv calls them ‘dad jokes’ and I’ve never understood the term.

Isla’s laughter, like a melody, punctuates the quiet hum of the horses’ hooves against the trail.

I shoot her a sly grin. “Why did the horse go behind the tree?”

She looks at me, curious. “I don’t know, why?”

“Because he wanted to change his jockeys!” I deliver the joke with a smirk, and Isla can’t help but chuckle.

She shakes her head, still smiling. “You’re an idiot. Where did you even come up with that?”

I wink. “Well, I’ve got a whole stable full of them.”

The banter and laughter continues, Isla shaking her head at me,turning the ride back into a blend of laughter and the gentle sounds accompanied by the thudding of the horses’ hooves.

Turning serious, I instruct Isla to squeeze her legs to the saddle. Confused, she asks why, but I cut her off, demonstrating how to hold the reins real tight.

“Hold it like this,” I say, showing her the grip. When she questions why, I reply, “When the horse moves, you move with it, like this,” and shift my hips back and forth on the saddle.

“Basically, just imagine you’re riding my cock,” I say casually, with a wink.

Her breath hitches, confusion written all over her beautiful face. I look up at her with a mischievous smirk and say, “Race ya back home.”

With that, I click my tongue, nudging Blue, and we take off into a gallop.

Trusting Duchess, an easy horse to ride, I believe she’ll make the journey comfortable for Isla. As Isla exclaims, “What, wait!” I turn to look back at her.

Duchess follows suit, galloping off to follow. Isla squeals in a fit of laughter. “Xavier, you arsehole.” I see her gripping the reins as instructed, her body moving back and forth.

“Atta girl, that’s it.” I laugh, turning back to focus on the direction I’m heading.

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Cover Me Up - Morgan Wallen

Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton

Idismount Blue once we reach the stables, swiftly latching his rope onto the post. Turning, I offer a hand to lift Isla off Duchess.

“I can’t believe you did that! I could have fallen off and been trampled to death, you ass,” she exclaims, slapping me on the shoulder, a full-blown smile on her face. I watch her, a sense of contentment filling my eyes. Isla continues rambling, her eyes sparkling with awe, “But,wow! That was amazing! I want to do that again. I want to ride horses all the time, oh my god.”

I smirk, teasing, “I have something else you can ride,” throwing in a wink. Isla huffs in disbelief, shaking her head, a blush creeping onto her face.