“On three then?” he asked with a wicked smile.
“On three. ”
As soon as Layton hit three, I kicked the shit out of my horse and took off. For most of the time, I stayed neck and neck with him. He looked over at me and smiled as he did something to his horse, and the next thing I knew, he was gone.
Holy shit! That’s a fast horse.
By the time I reached the third oak tree, he was already there, waiting for me.
“Holy shit! Why is that horse not training for racing?” I tried my best to catch my breath from all the excitement.
He laughed and winked at me as he ran his hand up and down the neck of the chestnut Thoroughbred gelding. “Buck here is a retired winner. He actually won me close to a million dollars in the few races he was in. ”
My mouth dropped open. Oh. My. God. He totally just played me.
“You are such a jerk, Layton Morris. Ugh!” I turned the horse and started to head back toward everyone.
I heard him laughing behind me.
“Oh, come on, CG. You walked right into that one! Didn’t I tell you I raised and had racehorses?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yes, you did tell me that, Layton. ”
He came up, riding his horse next to mine. “I’m impressed at how well you ride, Whitley. I think I’m going to have to change the meaning of CG from city girl to country girl,” he said with a sweet smile.
I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Thank you. I actually love riding. I always have, and I’ve always been a cowgirl at heart. ”
Layton smiled. “Why do I get the impression that Olivia was surprised by the fact that you could ride?”
“Ha! Why do I get the impression that she knew you would be out riding, and somehow, she was trying to show me up?”
Layton’s smile faded as he looked away. We rode for a bit in silence.
“What are you doing this evening?” I wasn’t even sure why I had asked.
He let out a sigh and shook his head. “Heading into Austin. Kevin and Reed want to check out some club. ”
I snapped my head over to him. “Really? Court and I are going to Austin! I’ve never been. We’re going to look at a few stores for Olivia’s engagement party. ”
Layton’s smile faded for one brief second before another one of his amazing, panty-melting, dimpled smiles returned.
His eyes lit up. “Can I take you out to dinner tonight in Austin?”
Jesus, between his eyes and that smile, he could drive a girl mad.
I smiled and nodded. “What about Courtney?”
“That was an open invitation for both of y’all,” he said with a smirk.
For some reason, it disappointed me that he didn’t want to spend time alone with just me. I grinned and looked away.
“What time are you planning on heading into Austin?” he asked.
I pulled out my cell phone and looked at it. “Probably around three. That way, we’ll have a few hours to look around. ”
“Perfect. How about I call you around six? I have the perfect place to take y’all for dinner. ”
I heard Courtney laughing, so I looked up, and I saw Olivia glaring at Layton and me.