“He’s welcome to try,” Zach said, “as long as he signs the disclaimer. You remember Chad’s accident last year, don’t you?”
“Yes. But honestly, Zach, I think Harper’s a better rider than Chad.”
Zach snorted. “I beg to differ, but he can try if he wants to.”
“I’ll definitely speak to him about it,” she said. Then, “I’d love to get together for lunch and catch up. Are you free today?”
“’Fraid not.”
“Oh, shoot.” Angelina’s lips turned into a pout. “How about tonight then? Harper and I are throwing a gala in the Westminster room at the Windsor. Y
ou’ve got to come.”
“Dusty and I have plans.”
“We do?”
“Yeah, darlin’, we do,” Zach said, winking at her.
“Shucks,” Angelina said, batting her eyes. “You two make a cute little couple.”
“Oh, we’re not a cou—”
“Hush, darlin’.” Zach’s arms went around Dusty and he pulled her close.
“Please say you’ll come, Zach. You can bring her along.”
Zach cleared his throat. “We appreciate the invitation, Angie, but—”
“We’d love to come,” Dusty said, interrupting. “We absolutely wouldn’t miss it. What time?”
“Around eight. Heavy appetizers and desserts. And an open bar, of course.”
“You don’t mind if we invite Chad along do you? And my brother? He and Chad are old friends.”
“Of course.” Angelina’s lips broadened in a saccharine smile. “We’d love to have them.” She turned to focus on Zach. “I ran into Chelsea earlier and invited her and Dallas. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you. Ta-ta.” Angelina turned to walk away, but looked over her shoulder. “I’ll have Harper get in touch with you about the bull.”
“You do that,” Zach said, sliding his hand down Dusty’s back to squeeze the cheek of her bottom.
Dusty jolted. “What the hell are you doing?” Her whisper was urgent. “She can’t even see that.”
“So? You deserve it for telling her we’d go to her shindig.”
Dusty shrugged away from him. “Serves you right, for trying to use me as a pawn in your love life.”
“Now, darlin’”—he pulled her into his embrace again—“I have no intention of using you as a pawn. But I do want you in my love life.”
When his mouth came down on hers, Dusty gasped, giving him the opening he sought.
Oh God, oh God, oh God. Magic again. His mouth was as silky and sweet as it had been the night before, and his tongue was just as carnal and relentless. The kiss was unwavering, drugging. Dusty responded. She had no choice. She moaned as she surrendered.
When he withdrew his tongue, she whimpered at the loss, but when he started nibbling his way across her bottom lip, she shuddered. When he sucked it between his teeth, she hissed. And when he licked inside her lips, running his tongue around her teeth and gums in little flicks, her knees weakened and she nearly swooned.
He caught her in his strong arms. “That’s right, darlin’. Just enjoy it.” He continued his assault on her mouth.
Oh, the sensation, the sweet joining of tongues. Dusty gave in to his domination of her mouth. She wilted in his arms as he licked and bit at her. He not only gave, he took, kissing her with a reckless abandon she had never known. She was losing herself, but she didn’t care.
A soft smack echoed as Zach broke the kiss. Dusty gasped, panting and puffing as he nibbled on her neck, her ear.