Page 57 of Tough Love

“Let’s go, Huddy, before I lose my nerve.”

He pulls the reins to the side and Rocket walks on toward the northern laneway. I follow and move to the sway of Sergeant’s sure and steady gait beneath me. I push him forward with my seat until I’m beside Hudson. “Where are you taking me, Rawlins?”

“Somewhere fun. It’s the last week of the warmer weather before the cold starts to descend on us. Gotta make the most of it.”

“Oh okay, I guess I’ll have to trust you, then.”

“Yup.” He pops thepand stares ahead, all cheek. The light green t-shirt he’s wearing moves over his arms that jostle with Rocket’s movements. His Stetson firmly planted on his head, Wranglers, and boots, he makes for one ridiculously smoking-hot cowboy. “Enjoying the view, Howard?”

I chuckle, but heat flushes my neck and face. “Always.”

“Ready to pick up the pace?”

“Sure, but not too much. Maybe a slow lope?”

“Sure.” He squeezes Rocket forward, and they lope down the lane.It’s now or never, Addy.I do the same, and after the initial usual butterflies and heady feeling that have been with me in past lessons, I relax. Focusing on Hudson, I catch up, and I can’t help the smile that grows on my face.

God, I missed this.

After a twenty-minute ride, we come to a river. Tree-lined banks flank the half-full bending waterway, its waterline just over the halfway mark. It’s clear and steady. And so gorgeous. What a spot.

Hudson dismounts and hangs the reins over a low-lying branch. Before I can move from the saddle, he’s beside Sergeant, holding his hands up to me.

“I can get down myself, you know.”

“Any excuse to feel you up, Howard.”

I scoff and swing my leg over the pommel, shaking my other foot free of the stirrup. My hips give a subtle twang with the movement. Hudson’s hands rest on my hips, and he dips his head. “Addy?—”

“Uh-huh?”

“I—”

Hudson’s truck roars toward us. Ruby is hanging on to the top of the window frame. Reed has the biggest shit-eating grin on his face, like he’s busted something.

Hudson sighs. “Just great.”

Reed parks the truck a few trees down and rounds the vehicle to open Ruby’s door. Her face lights up as she watches him, his biceps flexing to shut the door before he crooks an arm, and she slides hers through. They wander to where I am still sitting on the horse.

“You okay, Addy?” Reed says, the grin slipping from his face.

“Yeah, a little achy.”

Hudson looks up, brows dropping, head tilting. I force a smile, something like asorry I didn’t say anything, and he mutters something I don’t hear.

“Get her down, Huddo. She should stretch or something.” Reed stops at Sergeant’s head, and Ruby rubs the gelding’s face.

“You ready?” Hudson asks.

I nod and he lifts me from the saddle. I slide down his chest until my feet hit the ground. Heat pools in my belly, fire scattering through my veins at the contact.

“Better?” Hudson whispers.

“Thank you.”

He looks like he wants to fold me into his arms, but he hesitates and lets me go.

“Nothing a good skinny dip won’t fix, Addy,” Reed quips.

---