GRACE
There was something about the way Ty asked me to dinner that made heat pool between my thighs. He didn’t exactly ask; he told me. It was so hot.
In the past, guys I’d been with were nothing like him. They were unsure of themselves, weak, hesitant. Ty seemed like the kind of guy who went after what he wanted. And I was beginning to think he wanted me.
If only I could get that reaction from Scott, too. The smile on his face this morning had gotten my hopes up. It lit up my insides like fireworks on the fourth of July.
Scott and Ty were dreamy in their tight jeans and snap shirts. Ty’s hair was mussed again like he had just jumped out of bed, while Scott had his cowboy hat on but his beard was definitely more than it was yesterday. I had to wonder how long he would go between shaves.
The day had barely started, and I was already anxious for it to be over so I could meet them for dinner.
I walked into the barn and was greeted by Storm sticking his head out over the stall door waiting for me. In addition to my amazing horse, Liam was also leaning against Storm’s stall, waiting for me to arrive.
“Good morning,” I said in a chipper voice.
“Morning.” His brow lifted.
I knew what he was here for. He wanted the juicy details of yesterday, especially after we pulled the prank on him and then were at dinner together. Part of me wanted to punch him for getting my hopes up with Scott. The afternoon, once we’d gotten past our shock at being set up, had been really nice. I hated that I still couldn’t get a good read on Scott. There were times I could’ve sworn he seemed interested and other times, he seemed like he was holding himself back.
The logical side of me reminded me that the intense feelings I was experiencing with the guys seemed a little too soon to be real. It seemed that neither my body or my heart was ready to forget either Ty or Scott even after they walked me home. I had the most deliciously detailed dream that starred both of those sexy cowboys and all the ways we made each other beg for more.
Once I had Storm all tacked up and ready to ride, I led him out of his stall. Not happy with my silent treatment, Liam frowned and blocked my way out to the arena.
“You know Blake is waiting for me, right? Do I need to tell her you were keeping me from getting to my lesson on time?” I tilted my head and put my hands on my hips.
He sighed and moved to let me pass before following me out of the barn.
“You know what I want to know. Why are you being so difficult?”
“Because that’s what little sisters do. If you don’t believe me, ask Blake.” I stuck my tongue out and mounted Storm.
“Okay, fine. But tell me one thing.”
I looked at him. What one thing could he ask that would answer all his questions?
“Do you want this?”
“Yes,” I answered immediately. I wasn’t sure exactly that he was referring to. Did I want to ride? Did I want to be here? Did I want Scott? Did I want Ty? Did I want to train for the Olympics?
Yes, to all of those.
He gave a firm nod before turning and leaving me.
I directed Storm into a trot as we neared the arena, where I could see Blake waiting.
“Did he finally get his answers?” Blake asked once I reached her.
I laughed.
“He’s been hounding me nonstop this morning, asking where you were and insisting he had to speak with you.”
It seemed that Blake hadn’t been let in on what Liam did yesterday. He was up to something more. I hadn’t figured out what this end game was yet.
“Let’s start.” I smiled and shook my head. I didn’t have an answer for her, but I knew one way to avoid her growing curiosity—train. Let her yell at me and coach me. It worked in the past. I knew it would still work now.
“First, tell me how your ride went with Scott.” She smirked when I stubbornly shut my mouth. “I was surprised that Liam asked Scott to give you the tour, but I have a general idea of what his reasons might be. So, I’m more than curious about how it went. Anything I need to be aware of?”
“Yes, I fell in love with Scott the moment I laid eyes on him, and I’m staying here to have his babies.”
I let out a belly laugh. I didn’t often catch my sister off guard like this. I was going to enjoy her reaction for just a minute. It also gave me time to think more about the response I’d just given her off the top of my head.
If I thought about it, it wasn’t that farfetched. I wouldn’t say I fell in love with Scott, but I was crushing on him. Babies, on the other hand, weren’t that far off in my future. I had been thinking about when I do finally make it to the Olympics, what I would do after. Settling down and having a baby had come to mind more than once. I just wasn’t ready to voice that out loud, lest I want my eardrums to burst from being yelled at by my mother, who would demand I ride the high of being in the Olympics. She’d never let me walk away quietly and have a life of my own after that.
Blake’s forehead creased as she stared at me. Probably trying to decide just how serious I was. “Just remember what I said before. These guys are not here for you to play with and then ditch.”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, yes. I hear you.” Whether or not I was going to listen was another story.