He stood and winked as he helped me up. “Unless you’d rather do the other kind of riding your dirty mind was thinking of.”
“I find that statement coming from you rather funny.”
Steed laughed and led us to the horses.
“Didn’t even hear you pull up, Trev,” Steed said, reaching his hand out to shake his brother’s.
“I’m stealthy like that,” he replied with a sweet smile. “I’ll meet you at sundown in the spot?”
Running his hands over his horse, Steed responded with a nod then answered, “Yeah. That sounds good.”
“The spot?” I asked with my head tilted.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, Paxton,” Trevor said. “My brother’s got everything well planned out.”
“I see that,” I said with a huge grin. Steed helped me get up onto Allure. Even though I was capable of getting on a horse by myself, I liked having him help me. I’d missed that attention from a man.
Trevor lifted his hand and called out over his shoulder, “You kids have fun! Remember, practice safe sex!”
“Shut the hell up, Trevor. You asshole!” Steed shouted at his retreating brother.
Some things never changed, especially the way the Parker brothers interacted with each other. One minute they would be the best of friends, the next they were telling each other to fuck off. I rolled my eyes and let out a giggle as I gave Allure a small squeeze to get her going.
We rode next to each other in silence for the longest time. I loved being out on the ranch. I always had. The peacefulness was good for my soul. The sound of nature worked its way into my mind, relaxing me along with the easy stride Allure was keeping next to Lady.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Steed’s warm voice penetrated my thoughts. I turned my head and we smiled at each other. “Just how peaceful it is out here. I love it so much.”
“So do I.”
“Did you enjoy living in Oregon?” I asked.
With a harsh laugh, he shook his head. “Hated it. Every single minute. Had I not met Kim I’m positive I would have been back home sooner. Probably after school.”
I nodded. The thought made me feel sick. Steed only went out with Kim because Joe’s mother spread false things about our relationship to Melanie. My body shook with anger.
No. No looking back, Paxton. Only to the future.
And what an amazing future it would be.
My heart soared hearing Paxton say how much she loved the ranch. Spending the day with her like this was something I wanted to do more often. Having her near me made me happier. I always felt so light on my feet with her around me.
“So, where are we going? This spot of yours?”
Smiling, I replied, “It’s actually our spot. We’ve been there a number of times. We were just in my truck.”
She gasped. “The lookout?”
I nodded. “I thought we could watch the sunset.”
Her eyes lit up, leaving me breathless. Paxton was never hard to please. She enjoyed the simplest of things and appreciated them. Unlike Kim. They were two complete opposites. Having Paxton in Chloe’s life was going to be so good for her.
“I love that idea,” Paxton softly said.
“We better pick it up some, or we’ll miss it.”
We set off in a trot, heading toward the spot where I had originally given her the promise ring, which I noticed she had started wearing again.
Sliding off my horse, I walked up to Paxton’s and helped her down. She wrapped her arms around my neck, and we were soon lost in a kiss.
My body warmed as I deepened our connection. My hand slid under her shirt to feel her warm skin against mine.
When we both pulled back for air, I leaned my forehead against hers. “You make me feel so alive.”
Her arms tightened around me. “I’m so glad you gave me a ride home that night.”
Wrapping her tightly, I picked her up and held her for a few seconds. God, how I loved this woman. I set her down and brushed a stray hair away from her face.
“Come on. Help with the blanket.”
Her brows lifted. “Blanket?”
I laced my fingers with hers and walked to the side of Lady where Trevor had packed what I asked him to.
“And wine,” I added with a smirk.
“Why, Mr. Parker, aren’t you the romantic one.”
“Well, I figured wine, old blanket, sunset. I couldn’t ask for a better scene to make love to you.”
Her lips parted before a slow smile slipped over her beautiful face. My heart hammered like it always did before I made love to her. The need to have her body against mine was growing by the second. My fingers ached to touch her and make her call out my name.
“Steed,” she softly breathed.
I handed her the wine and pointed to her side saddle. “Glasses are in yours. Will you grab them, and I’ll lay out the blanket?”