Boone
It had been a month since that night at The Barn when I’d met Gabs, and we’d both been so busy in that time we hadn’t managed more than several phone calls and a whole lot of texts. Every calving season was the same. It was a predictably busy time of year for all ranchers, but I’d been hopeful I’d be able to fit in seeing my beauty. I hadn’t anticipated her work schedule being so full. I hadn’t thought a tattooist and piercer would be as busy as she was. Apparently, their shop had a good reputation and drew clients in from outside the area. I guessed it also helped to be so closely tied to a motorcycle club. Whenever I’d seen bikers wearing a club vest, they always seemed to be covered in ink.
After so much time passing since seeing her and only getting one goodnight kiss from her that first time, I couldn’t wait to see her again and finally, today was that day. She had the afternoon and evening off work, so she was coming over to spend the time with me on the ranch. I’d still need to get a few chores done while she was here, but I figured she could join me for them.
Since she loved horses so much, I planned on leaving the ATV home and saddling up a couple of the horses to go check the herd. I had a picnic dinner all packed and ready to go, so once we finished, we could go for a ride. Being spring, it was pretty damn muddy at the moment, but one of the pastures had an area of rocks. A few of them were large and flat enough that we’d be able to spread out our picnic on them. I knew, because my three nieces loved to have picnics out there whenever they came over.
Anticipation at finally getting some alone time with Gabs had me rushing through the day. By the time I stood on the front porch watching her car come up the driveway, I was strung as tight as a new fence. I didn’t move while she pulled up then got out, taking a few moments to soak in the sight of her. She wore jeans, boots, and a long sleeve button down shirt. With a straw hat on her head, she was all cowgirl, and I couldn’t help but grin at the picture she made.
When she started walking toward me, I made my way down the stairs and when I reached her, wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in flush against me. Before she could say a word, I curled a finger under her chin, tilting her face up so I could take her mouth with mine. The moment our lips touched, I was lost to her. The feel of her against me, her scent in my lungs, overtook my mind until I could think about was her, just like the first time.
She slipped her palms up my front and rested them on my pecs, her touch burning through my shirt as she leaned into me. With a moan, I tightened my hold on her and deepened the kiss, swiping my tongue over her lower lip until she opened for me to slip inside. Her sweet taste exploded through me and drove my need for this woman higher. With a groan, I pulled back from the contact before we got so carried away, I completely forgot about all we had to get done.
“Damn, sweetheart. I wish we could take this inside and keep going—”
She cut me off by pressing a quick kiss to my lips.
“I get it, Bo. We’ve got jobs to do first, but I’m all yours till morning, so we’ll have plenty of time later. You know, if that’s what you want.”
Her cheeks flushed.
“Gabs, I’d like nothing better than to have you stay over. Been missing you like crazy.”
Which was nuts considering we barely knew each other, but it was the God’s honest truth.
“Me, too. C’mon, let’s go get these chores done. We going out on the ATV or the horses?”
Forcing myself to release her from my embrace, I took her hand and led her to the barn.
“I figured we’d take the horses for a ride, then once we’re done checking on the herd, we can ride up to a perfect little spot I know for some supper.”
She gave my hand a squeeze and grinned up at me when I glanced over to her. She was completely adorable, and the fact she appeared to love ranch life? Well, that was the cherry on the top. She seemed so damn perfect, I was on edge waiting for the dream to end. I hadn’t had a whole lot of perfect or easy in my life. And this thing with Gabs was going so smoothly, I was struggling to trust it was for real.
Gabs
I couldn’t stop smiling as I led Stormy, one of Boone’s rescued mares, out of the barn. She was a dapple grey, so looked nothing like Whiskey, who I missed terribly. It’d been a month since Royce had told me I was no longer welcome in their barn. I’d tried to keep myself as busy as I could, so I didn’t think too much about the horses I’d grown to love so much. The other reason I kept busy was to avoid being home alone. I’d found trampled plants around my windows more than once since Royce had pulled his shit, and I was starting to accept the fact I was going to have to move soon.
The downside to being so busy was how difficult it had been to line up some free time with Boone. I’d not taken that fact into consideration when I opened up my schedule at Silky Ink. Bookings had flooded in before I realized my mistake.
The idea of spending the rest of the day not only with Boone, but riding and being around horses was enough to put a bounce in my step.
When I’d gone past the other rescued mare, Bolt, she’d looked so damn sad as she watched me saddle up Stormy then leave her behind. Telling her I’d take her next time didn’t seem to help her mood.
I glanced over to speak to Boone, but the sight of him mounting his large, black stallion, Triton, had me freezing. Damn, he filled out his Wranglers well, and the sight of him in that saddle made my mouth go dry.
Once he got settled atop his horse, he looked in my direction with a smirk. “Like what you see, darlin’?”
Heat raced over my cheeks as I turned my focus to mounting Stormy, ignoring his question as I settled myself into the saddle.
“Do you think I could take out Bolt for a quick ride after we get back?”
He chuckled as he caught my gaze. He knew I was changing the subject to avoid answering his question. “You caught her giving us the stink eye as we went past her too, huh? We’ll give her some lovin’ when we get back, make it up to her.”
I walked Stormy over toward him, and once I got near, Boone tugged the reins, urging Triton forward. I followed his lead as we headed away from the barn.
South Texas was mostly flat, so I could see for quite a way in each direction. My heart swelled as I stilled to inhale a deep breath of the country air and take it all in.
“You doin’ all right?”