Page 99 of Abyss

Whimpering at the feel of him against me, I let him pull me into another kiss before he reluctantly leans back, brushing his thumb over my bee-stung lips. “Fine, to be continued later, then.” He glances at the dough I have set out for the croissants I was going to bake. “You think we can leave in an hour or so?”

“I’ll be ready.”

Earlier,I was gawking at the shirtless man with sweatpants in his kitchen. Now, I’m drooling over the same man wearing fitted dark jeans, distressed brown leather boots, and a button-down flannel shirt with rolled-up sleeves that make his forearms look so provocative they should come with a warning.

Tugging the neck of my old shirt that hasPeel With Carewritten above a picture of a kiwi, I let the cool breeze caress my heated skin. I trail after him while blatantly checking out his incredible denim-clad ass.

As soon as we got out of his truck, Hudson placed a cream-colored Stetson hat over my head before pressing me against his truck and kissing me like he hadn’t just done so minutes before.

He’d gently pinched my chin, his piercing blue irises rimmed with thick dark lashes casting down at me with such intensity, it sent butterflies soaring in my stomach. “You’re fucking unexpected, Kav.”

But before I could ask him to clarify, he entangled our fingers and led me toward the stables behind his farmhouse.

Anticipation courses through me as the breeze picks up my hair. My boots leave prints on the damp ground, and once again, I note the serenity of the ranch.

Coming to a stop at the wide gates of the stables, I follow Hudson inside with my bag of treats. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, revealing old, weathered beams and a few stalls lined against the wall. With the scent of leather, soil, and hay surrounding me, I feel like I’ve been transported into a completely different world full of rustic charm.

Noting the three empty stalls, I trail behind Hudson to one occupied by a majestic, sun-bleached, wheat-colored horse standing regally with her ears held high as she watches him—us—approach.

Walking up to the stall, Hudson kisses the air. “There’s my beautiful girl.” His voice is gentle and admiring, captivating me as he rubs her neck, letting her smell his hair and skin before kissing her cheek. I’m mesmerized watching the bond between them, and somewhere in my head the song,Dust in the Windby the band named Kansas, echoes softly.

“Yeah, yeah, I missed you, too,” he coos, brushing his fingers through her mane.

His words and gentle touch seem to calm her while her deep brown eyes study me with curiosity and apprehension.

She’s stunning, with a large patch of white under her neck and ears that are tipped with black. Her nose twitches in anticipation, pulling a soft laugh from my lips. Someone knows there are treats in the bag for her.

Hudson extends his hand to me, intertwining our fingers and silently inviting me closer, and I do so, feeling the tension growing in the air.

“Reach out with the back of your hand so she can smell you,” he says to me as he continues to reassure her with more gentle words.

Kansas snuffles softly, her breath warm against my hand, making my smile stretch across my face. I want to stroke her velvety fur, but given what I know about her so far, I decide against it, waiting for her cue to tell me when she’s ready. When that will be, I’m not sure, but I gather she’s still unsure for now.

“You’ve had her twenty years?” I ask, remembering what he told me last week.

He nods, his expression affectionate as he strokes her neck. “I got her when she was nearly five. She was, and is, themost beautiful girl both Maddy and I had seen, and she came with this ranch we bought.”

I notice he stays away from the word “horse” as he speaks about her.

“She’s too old for anyone to be riding her regularly, but she’ll let me if she’s feeling up to it.”

“Do you have more?” I ask, hinting at other horses without explicitly saying the word.

Hudson looks out to the pasture through an opening on the other side. “Two more, Lottie and Whiskey. They’re both old, but not as old as this girl. They’re both retired racing horses that Maddy brought here when she heard they were looking for a new home. We thought they could keep this old girl company.” He chuckles, indicating Kansas. “But she’s so moody, she barely acknowledges their presence.”

Ah, like father like horse-daughter, I see.

I smile at the way he dotes on her, forgiving her for her grumpy personality, almost as if it’s endearing. And for reasons I never expected, that in itself makes me fall for him just a little more.

Kansas reaches out her neck to sniff the treats in my bag.

“Looks like she knows these treats are for her.” I laugh, looking to Hudson for guidance. “Do you think she’ll let me feed her?”

He takes a peppermint cookie from the box, showing me how to feed her, and I follow his lead cautiously. Kansas eagerly takes the treat into her mouth from my open palm before letting out a loud satisfied snuffle, making Hudson and me grin.

“You might have found a way to win her over,” he remarks with a chuckle. “I guarantee you’ll be best friends if you keep coming over with treats.”

I swallow and give Kansas another cookie, wondering how to interpret Hudson’s words. Keep coming over . ..

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