Page 17

SIXTEEN

Isla

“C’mon, Stargazer, you can do this, girl,” I chant under my breath as we race around the track. Since Doc finally gave me the go-ahead to train again, I’m running Gazer through the barrels that Rafe has set up all year just for me.

“Luis has been working her for you,” Pancho tells me as I cool her down with a light trot. “He’s about the same weight as you, and I know you’ve got rodeos coming up. So, while you healed, he’s been running the barrels to keep her in shape and active.”

Another reason for me to adore the ranch hands here. They’ve ensured that my girl will be prepared when we head out in a few weeks to race. “Thanks, Pancho. I’ve been a bit worried that she wouldn’t be ready.”

“I also started adding to her feed and gave her some fatty food for the calories to keep her from losing weight during all the practices. The vet’s been out and given her a clean bill of health, and the farrier did her hooves last week.”

I grin, because all of these things were on my list to ramp up so that Stargazer is in peak physical health. “Y’all take good care of my girls,” I reply. “I need to figure out which routine to do with Starlight this time that’s a bit different than the last one. I do like the music, so I don’t think I’ll change it. What do you think, Pancho?”

“What if you use the one from two years ago?” he suggests. “It was popular with the judges and audience. Maybe tweak a few things, play the same music.”

“That might work,” I muse. “We’ve got the routine on video, so I’ll start watching it in order to get ready. Right now, I’m going to head back to the house unless you need me for something.”

“No, I’ve got it from here,” Pancho says, taking Stargazer’s reins.

“Don’t forget her apples,” I tease since he’s the one who helped spoil both of my horses with the treat.

“As if,” he scoffs, grinning at me. “Just got in two new bushels of what’s in season.”

I giggle. “Of course, you did. I think y’all spoil all the horses more than I spoil these two.”

“We’ve got the best lineage in the country,” he brags. “Part of that is how we care for them. Did you know all the mares are expecting? Gonna be a banner year for the ranch since most are already spoken for.”

“Can’t wait to help train them. I bet there’ll be some rodeo champions,” I say. “Gotta earn my keep somehow around here.”

Pancho chuckles as he shakes his head. “As if Rio would let you go. You’re one of the best advertisements for the ranch we’ve got, Issy. Starlight’s past race record, as well as how well Stargazer is continuing to do, ensures that the Triple R stays on everyone’s mind when they’re looking to expand their stock.”

Shrugging, I tell him, “But, if Paps hadn’t gotten me started all those years ago, I wouldn’t be where I am now. So, it’s a win-win, I guess.”

“Go on up to the house, Issy. I’m sure Constance has lunch ready by now,” Pancho instructs. “You might have the okay from Doc to resume normal activities, but you still need to take it easy.”

I perk up at his words because now Rafe can’t find any valid excuses and put me off any longer about taking our relationship to the next level. I mean, I’m not complaining about the heavy kissing sessions, but I’m to the point I feel like I’m going to explode if I have to wait much longer. With a new plan in mind, seduction in my head, with a skip in my step I jog toward the big house to eat, get cleaned up, maybe rest a bit, so I can seduce my man.

“I thought I’d find you here,” I tease Rafe as I wrap my arms around him from behind. He’s sitting at the bar in the clubhouse, several of the brothers situated around him as they enjoy a few beers. “You busy?”

“Never too busy for you, Issy,” he replies, turning slightly so he can kiss me. BamBam makes a noise as though he’s choking, but I suspect he’s trying to hold back his laughter, because of what Rafe said to me.

“Pancho’s had Luis running Stargazer through the barrels to keep her in shape and ready for the upcoming rodeos,” I tell him.

“Yeah, he asked what the schedule was back when you first got hurt and weren’t able to exercise her,” he informs me. “They couldn’t really work Starlight since dressage is so subjective.”

“I’m not worried about getting her form back now that I’ve been cleared by Doc to resume all normal activities. I took Gazer through her paces today and will work with Starlight tomorrow since Pancho suggested I use a routine from a few years ago and maybe tweak it a little because it was a judge and crowd favorite.”

He leans in and whispers, “Resume all normal activities, huh?”

I nod while grinning up at him. “Yep,” I reply, popping the p. “Thinking we can move forward in other areas of our life now.”

“Good to know,” he teases, his voice deep and husky. “So, y’all, we’ve got something to take care of. We’ll catch y’all later.”

Laughter rings out as Rafe catches me up in a fireman’s carry and strides out of the clubhouse and toward the big house, while I giggle so hard, I’ve got tears flowing. When he runs up the steps and onto the porch, he sets me on my feet and cups my face in his hands.

“Fuck, I’ve been waiting for you forever,” he murmurs as he lowers his lips to mine.

As the sexual heat rises between us and intensifies, I move closer to his body, craving his warmth. “Think we might wanna go inside,” I whisper against his lips. “Otherwise, we’re gonna have some onlookers.”

“Yeah, that’s not happening,” he decrees, his gravelly tone causing goosebumps to rise along my skin, scooping me up in a bridal hold then somehow managing to open the door and walk through without dropping me. He locks the door then strides over to the stairs without losing his gait.

“I can walk, Rafe,” I tell him as he starts up the stairs. The last thing I want to have happen is to fall and break something because he’s being Mr. Macho.

“Like I’d ever drop you, Issy,” he scoffs.

I’m actually impressed because while I’m not heavy per se, he has carried me since the clubhouse and now that we’ve made it into his bedroom, he’s not even breathing heavily! I mean, my heart is nearly thumping through my chest wall at what’s about to finally happen, but he’s as cool as a cucumber.

He gently sets me on my feet then says, “I hope you didn’t have anything planned for the next few days. We’ve got a lot of time to make up for.”

“But what about the club’s businesses?” I ask.

“That’s why I have officers,” he teases. “They’ll cover them and ensure everything keeps running smoothly.”

“Oh, okay,” I reply, suddenly very unsure of myself. I mean, I have literally no experience outside of the hot kisses he’s given me. Even when I was dating Miguel, it was definitely tame as hell. He held my hand, occasionally kissed my cheek, but there was no real chemistry.

“Why are you so nervous, Issy?” he asks.

“Maybe because my development in this manner is somewhat arrested?” I retort. “Rafe, I’m clueless about sex.”

“I know Constance talked to you about the birds and the bees, Issy,” he jests, trying to calm me down. “So, that’s not the problem.”

“What if… what if I can’t satisfy you?” I murmur, dropping my head as my utter lack of confidence in my sexual side rears its head.

“Babe, that’s not going to be an issue,” he declares. “And I’m not worried about your experience or lack thereof, since this is about me and you and what we figure out we enjoy doing.”

Damn, he has a silver tongue at times, always knows the right thing to say when it comes to calming me down. With his experience level, I’m positive he’ll make it good for me, so I decide to just toss my insecurities aside and I pounce on him, pushing him onto the bed and landing on top of him. My sudden move has him chuckling as he wraps his arms around me and gives me a quick kiss.

“I do enjoy kissing you,” I admit.

“Same,” he replies, rolling us over so I’m on my back and he’s hovering over me with his weight on his forearms. “We’ll start there and see where it leads us, okay?”

“Okay,” I agree. “Don’t we have too many clothes on, though?”

“Oh, we’ll get to that soon enough, Issy,” he silkily whispers, causing a full body shiver to flow through my body. “Just know, I’ll like anything you do, babe, but if there’s something that makes you uncomfortable, speak up.”

I nod, now eager to kiss him again. Reaching up, I run my thumbs through his short, well-manicured beard, and hear him moan. As I explore his face with the tips of my fingers, seeing the flecks of gold in his pupils, a few light freckles across the bridge of his nose, and the tiny scar at the corner of his eye from a tree-climbing accident when we were younger. Winding my fingers through his hair, I gently tug so he comes closer then place my lips against his.

Kissing him is both unique and the same every time, and as I swipe my tongue across his bottom lip, I sigh when he opens and touches the tip of his to mine. Long, glorious minutes are spent exploring his mouth. He always has a minty flavor, but tonight, it’s more. I know he was drinking beer, but I also taste the smoky hints of the whiskey he enjoys on occasion. It’s heady and makes me realize that as far as Rafe is concerned, he’s always been the one for me.

Even when I was a little girl and had no clue how important boys would be once I was older. He was my best friend, my confidante, the one who’s always made me feel safe and protected. While our kiss continues, memories of our relationship flit through my brain, and it dawns on me that even though he was a few years older, every good thing that’s ever happened in my life has him at the center of it.

“Rafe,” I murmur against his lips. “You don’t have to say it back, but you need to know that I’ve loved you for a very long time. I think every connotation of the word espouses our relationship, from our friendship to now. I trust you implicitly and know you’ll always keep me safe.”

He gives me a passionate look that has me swooning. His feelings are displayed on his face, and I shiver from the intensity of it.