Page 27 of The Tryst

“What’s that?”

“I’m doing this so you know how it feels,” she admits with naked truth in her eyes. “I’m willing for us to spend time together and I’ll enjoy the hell out of it, as I imagine you will, but in the end, I’m going to be the one to walk away from you. I think only then will I have closure.”

“That’s about as fucked-up a thing as I’ve ever heard,” I mutter, still grateful she’s not cutting me out completely. I’m still of the mindset I can get her to change her tune.

Get her to fall for me again.

But I think we’ve talked enough. We’re definitely done fishing. I bring my hand up to cup her cheek and lean in to kiss her. She would have every right to pull away but instead she leans in to meet me halfway. Our lips tangle with immediate need to forget all about our past, because all we have is right now.

As our mouths meld together in a fusion of sweet and spicy desire, nothing matters but the two of us. The gentle lapping of the water against the dock synchronizes with the racing of my heart and somewhere in between gasps and soft moans, I lower her onto the blanket beneath us. I trace the curves of her body, causing Holland to arch into my touch. Her skin is so soft and my mouth waters at the thought of tasting her again.

Fingers working at the snap of her jeans, I’m surprised when she suddenly bats them away. With the sun completely extinguished and the moon newly risen, I watch mesmerized as Holland pushes away from me to stand up.

I expect her to walk away but she pulls her shirt over her head and tosses it down. Next she undoes her bra and my throat goes dry as her breasts spill free.

My entire body comes alive when she shimmies out of those jeans shorts, taking her panties right along with them, and then she’s standing gloriously naked before me.

“You’re a vision, Holland Rhodes,” I murmur.

“I’m glad you can see clear enough,” she says as she kneels down at my hip. Her hands go to the button on my jeans and she pops it open. “Because I’m about to make your eyes roll into the back of your head.”

I know this is just sex because Holland has made it clear that’s all she wants. In her mind, she needs to hurt me the way I did her, and she’s going to do that by walking away again. I suppose a prouder man would turn down this deal, but I love her too much not to let this play out the way she wants and hope to hell I can deviate her from her path.

CHAPTER 9

Trey

The sun ishigh but an eastern breeze has dropped the temperature to a beautiful seventy-five degrees. We held all the lessons outside today and now Kat is working one of the young geldings in the outdoor arena. I stand by her side in the center of the ring as she lunges him, the chestnut horse trotting in large circles around us.

Kat’s using two long lines, one attached to each side of the horse’s bit, which allows her to have more precise control over his movements. She holds a lunge whip in her hand, occasionally flicking it lightly behind the horse without making contact to encourage him to keep moving.

“Easy, boy,” Kat says in a soothing tone, her eyes focused on the gelding. “That’s it, keep it steady.”

The horse responds to her commands, moving in a smooth, controlled trot. Kat expertly handles the lines, adjusting them to guide the horse’s head and neck position while maintaining his forward movement. The double lunge lines allow her to work the horse on both sides evenly, promoting balance and coordination.

“He’s looking good,” I say.

Kat doesn’t take her eyes off the horse, giving a slight tug on the left rein to guide him into a larger circle. “He tends to be a little stiff on the left side.” She flicks the lunge whip. “Do you see it?”

“Yeah.”

“But he’s been getting better each session.”

Kat nods and commands the horse down to a walk.

“You knuckleheads about done with work?” Wade calls out as he enters the arena by climbing over the white rails rather than using the gate. He waits for the gelding to pass and then joins us in the center as Kat lets him cool down in a continued walk.

“I’ve got a few more horses to lunge,” Kat replies. “Gabe’s out of state on business, so it’s the perfect time to put some extra hours in.”

Wade nudges me with his elbow. “Want to go out for some beers with me, Cory and Jake?”

I think about the text Holland sent me a couple of hours ago.Want to go fishing again tonight?

My reply was straightforward:Fuck yes, I do.

Last night on the dock, she made me see stars that were brighter than the ones in the sky and somehow, we’ve settled into an easy truce. Her teasing text, an invitation to hook up again, is evidence of that.

“I’ve got plans,” I say with a shake of my head. “But I figured you’d be going out again with that waitress from Smokey’s you hooked up with last night.”

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