Page 39 of The Tryst

When we’re far enough away from camp we can barely see the glow of orange fire through the trees, Trey whirls on me. He grabs my arm, pulling me close. Before I can react, his lips are on mine, warm and insistent. I kiss him back, my hands gripping his shoulders, but then I pull away, laughing quietly.

“Trey, I really have to pee,” I say, a grin spreading across my face.

He chuckles, the sound low and intimate. “Fine, fine. Go ahead. I’ll keep watch.”

I find a spot behind a tree, and Trey turns his back, keeping the flashlight trained away from me. “No peeking,” I tease.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replies, his voice full of humor. “Although I’ve seen everything you have to offer up close.”

Yes, he has. I’d venture to say that summer of love ensured he knew my body better than I knew it.

After finishing my business, I rejoin him, feeling a rush of exhilaration from our secret interlude. We stand close, the darkness wrapping around us like a cloak.

“It’s hard not to look at you,” Trey whispers, his words warm against my ear. “Not to touch you.”

I shiver, both from his words and the cool night air. “I know. This is… complicated.”

“It’s going to be hard to keep out of your tent tonight,” he says, his tone playful yet serious.

“I don’t think Abby would appreciate you sneaking in.” We brought three tents and Abby and I are sharing one, Trey and Wade the second and Kat and Gabe the third.

Trey steps closer, his hand cupping my cheek as he kisses me again. It’s slow and deliberate, a promise of things to come. I wrap my arms around his neck, losing myself in the security of his gentle touch, connected by more than physical attraction.

I can admit that now. My heart is demanding it and I’m not sure exactly when it made the choice to crack open and allow him access.

When we finally pull apart, I’m panting, and my heart is racing. “We should get back before they notice we’re gone,” I say, though I’m reluctant to leave this bubble of intimacy.

Trey nods, but not before pressing one last, lingering kiss to my lips. “Falling for you again has been the easiest thing that’s ever happened to me,” he murmurs.

I smile, both happiness and fear swirling in my chest. “It hasn’t been so easy for me, but… it’s happening.”

Even in the dark and shadows, I can see Trey’s bright smile. One more kiss to my forehead and then he’s leading us back through the woods and into camp where my friends wait.

CHAPTER 13

Trey

“Okay, everyone,” Icall out, my voice carrying across the arena. “Let’s pick up a canter.” I critically watch the group of five riders command their horses to enter into the loping gait, noticing a mistake off the bat. “Carrie… you’re on the wrong lead. Try again.”

The sun beats down, but the weather is too pretty to coop them up in the indoor arena. This is an adult group lesson and my last of the day. They ride in a large circle around me, their faces a mix of concentration and enjoyment.

After they make two full circles, I call out, “Okay… down to a trot.” Carrie’s on the wrong lead again. “Sit one, Carrie.”

She takes an extra bounce in her seat, putting her back on the correct lead. “Great job. Now look down… memorize what it looks like.”

Her head bows for a second, studying her horse’s shoulder and then back up again with uncertainty. “You’ll get it,” I assure her as she trots by. “Takes practice.”

Carrie nods, her face scrunched up with concentration.

The sound of an approaching car on gravel gets my attention and I turn to see a silver sedan pulling into the small lot between the lesson barn and arena. My pulse skitters as I recognize Holland’s rental.

“Everyone drop your stirrups,” I say, my eyes cutting back and forth between the riders and the beautiful blond. Fuck she looks good… wearing a pair of riding jods, a new pair of bootsshe must have picked up at Freedman’s and a helmet in her hand.

That’s a sign of permanence in my opinion. For a woman who was intent on heading back to Zurich, she just dropped some money to be able to do a little casual riding.

I grin as she waves at me, heading to the arena fence. Luckily, the lesson is almost over so I instruct the riders to pick up their stirrups and two-point. I cross a break in traffic and meet Holland at the fence.

Her easy smile speaks to the way things have changed in a few short days. Yesterday, she accepted my invitation to take a quick Sunday morning trip to the Cincinnati Zoo where we spent a few amazing hours, walking around hand in hand. It was like we were young lovers all over again, sneaking off to a place where we’d have anonymity. Conversation flowed and there was tenuous talk of future plans. That evening, she came over and had Sunday dinner with our family before Abby headed back to Pittsburgh and it felt like old times.

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