Lost Love (Cowboys & Angels 1)

“Got it.”

Trevor started to walk off. “Oh, and just an FYI. They like to run.”

I laughed. “Oh gosh, I feel a race coming on.”

We rode in silence for a bit until we were off the main trail, cutting through one of the pastures. Steed seemed lost in thought, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was thinking about what Chloe had said.

“Today at the spa, Chloe told me her Christmas wish list.”

He laughed. “She’s been asking to write a letter to Santa Claus, but told me it wasn’t ready for me to read it. Of course, I can hardly read what she writes anyway.”

I chuckled.

“What was on it?” he asked.

I cleared my throat. “Well, some things you’ll love, one you will hate.”

His brows pinched together. “Really?”

Nodding, I giggled. “Yep. She said she wanted her own horse. A bed for Patches so she could sleep in her room with her.”

Steed let out a roar of laughter.

I went on. “A Barbie dream house. Some books, other things like dresses and make-up.”

“Make-up?” he gasped. “What the fuck does she need make-up for?”

My failed attempts to hide my smile only made him frown more. “Fuck,” he said, his hand raking through his beautiful brown waves.

“Then she said she wanted a boyfriend. Preferably Timothy Knox.”

Peeking over to watch his reaction, I thought he was going to blow the top of his head off.

“Boyfriend! Who the fuck is Timothy Knox?”

My cheeks ached from holding back laughter. “He’s a classmate. Sweet little boy. He always pulls her chair out for her if he is near. And he always sits next to her at lunch.”

Steed’s eyes widened in horror. “W-what?”

I looked ahead of me. If I kept staring at Steed, I was sure to start laughing my ass off.

“You need to move him.”

Lifting a brow, I asked, “Move him? Move him where?”

“Away from my daughter! To another class!”

“Steed, I’m the only kindergarten teacher. I can’t have him moved. Besides, I wouldn’t even if I could.”

“Why not? The little bastard is going after our Chloe.”

My breath seized in my throat.

Our Chloe.

Not wanting to make a big deal out of what he said, I ignored it. “They’re five. It’s harmless.”

“It’s not harmless if my daughter wants to be his girlfriend.” He shook his head and brought Marley to a stop. “I’m going to be sick.”

A small part of me felt sorry for him.

“Then I probably shouldn’t tell you she asked for a kiss from him also.”

Steed’s face turned white, and he slid off of his horse. He stumbled for a few steps and dropped back onto his ass.

It shouldn’t have, but damn, it turned me on seeing him react this way. I knew I was making a mistake sliding off my horse, but I was tired of playing it safe. Besides, it was obvious that Steed needed me.

Standing over Steed, I watched while he cradled his head in his hands.

“This is payback. Karma. My sin coming back to haunt me.”

Sighing, I kicked at his boot. “Stop it. You’re making a big deal out of nothing. I thought we were going to ride.”

He glanced up at me. “Are you sure you can keep an eye on this little Timothy bastard?”

I grimaced. “Steed, I don’t think you should be calling my students names like bastard and little prick.”

He scoffed and stood up. I was about to say more but my voice caught in my throat. I was so taken by this man’s beauty that I struggled to think straight, let alone speak. His blue eyes popped against the off-white cowboy hat. My eyes traveled down to the day-old scruff on his face. I wanted desperately to feel it against my skin.

Moving my gaze farther down, his tight blue T-shirt showed off his perfect broad chest and I swear you could see the faint outline of his six-pack abs. To say he had a nice body would be putting it lightly. His body was amazing. It was clear the man worked out. A lot.

The tight Wrangler jeans and cowboy boots finished off the package. And what a freaking hot package. My mouth watered, but at the same time felt dry. My tongue zipped out and ran over my lips…anything to make my dry mouth feel wetter.

Steed took a few steps towards me, and I backed up until I bumped into Allure.

“You look like you’ve got something on your mind, Pax.”

Oh, I do. You. Inside me. On top of me. Behind me. Making me scream out your name.

“I, um… I…um…”

I’d planned on telling Steed I was ready to take the next step today. I didn’t think I could stand another moment with his burning hot body near me. I ached for his touch. Longed to have him do all the things he had been promising to do.

He lifted his hand and ran the back of it over my cheek, causing me to tremble. A slight lift to the corner of his mouth proved he was gauging my reactions. “Tell me, Pax. Tell me what you want.”