9
RIVER WINFREY
Fuck. Me.
Leighton Mitchell is wearing cutoff denim shorts and cowgirl boots. How is it possible that she just walked into my barn wearing the two things that turn me on more than anything else in this world?
Her legs don’t stretch for miles the way most guys like. Hers are short but shapely—not too muscular, not too skinny. They’re sexy as fuck. And I know that they’d feel perfect wrapped around me.
Dammit.
I can’t have thoughts like that about my daughter’s nanny. She’s my employee. Thinking about her beneath me is wrong. She’s a good girl, and I’m a dick for letting the thought even cross my mind.
But I can’t help myself. I’m so fucking horny. I haven’t been with a woman since Scarlett was born four months ago. I don’t remember the last time I went this long without sex.
I need to get off even if it’s with my own hand. That’s the only thing that might help me to stop having these thoughts about her.
Leighton holds up a basket. “I peeked. Your mom went all out.”
“What did she send?”
“A charcuterie platter with cheeses and grapes and a bottle of wine. And I think that I saw some fresh honey.”
A horseback ride. A charcuterie platter. Cheeses. Grapes. Wine.
No peanut butter and jelly with Coca-Colas.
Shit. Diane Winfrey is playing matchmaker. It’s clear as day.
Does Leighton see it? Fuck, I hope not. She’s a professional. It would be disastrous for Scarlett and me if she were to feel sexually harassed on the job.
“Are you okay with this?” I need to know now if this is uncomfortable for her so I don’t take it further.
“Yeah.” Her brows scrunch, forming some wrinkles over her forehead. “Are you okay with it?”
“I am if you are.”
“Is there a reason that I shouldn’t be?”
I take the food basket from her and work on securing it to my saddle. “No.”
Leighton goes to the horse that I’ve saddled for her. She looks even smaller standing next to the huge beast. “I’m probably going to need help getting on my horse unless you bring me a step stool. Short leg syndrome.”
She puts her left boot in the stirrup, and I place my hands on her tiny waist. She bends at the knee to jump and she’s so light that it’s like lifting a child. “Up you go.”
My horse and I lead the way to the place that I consider the most beautiful spot on my ranch. It’s a short distance, so our ride isn’t a long one.
“This is beautiful, River.”
“It’s my favorite place in the world.”
I get off of my horse and go to Leighton. She plants her boot in the stirrup and slings her leg over the saddle, coming down to the ground with the assistance of my hands on her waist.
“I come out here to write songs when I want to get out of the house for some fresh air.”
“I can see why you would come here. This place is very inspirational.”
I sling the blanket outward and spread it on the grass. “This is where I wrote ’Everything I Need.’ Well, I pretty much wrote it and the whole album out here.”