Page 42 of Saddle and Bound

She raises a hand and, with a slow and almost uncertain gesture, touches her neck where the milk has left a shiny trail. Her fingers move lightly, tracing the path of the liquid on her skin, and I'm completely hypnotized by that gesture. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from doing something rash, like moving closer and taking her place, letting my hands explore that smooth, warm skin.

"Rosie," I murmur, her name coming out like a prayer from my lips.

I see her eyes lower to my lips, her breath becoming quicker. I'm about to do something stupid, I know it. I'm about to ruin everything. But right now, with Rosie in front of me, covered in milk and more beautiful than ever, I can't think of anything else but how much I want to kiss her.

I lean slightly forward, my heart racing in my chest...

I lean towards Rosie, the world around us seeming to vanish. I can feel her breath mingling with mine, I see her eyelids lower slightly in anticipation...

"Hey, Alex! Are you done with the milking? We need help with... oh!"

Diego's voice makes us startle, abruptly separating us. I turn to see my friend standing at the barn door, his eyes moving from me to Rosie with obvious surprise.

"Am I... interrupting something?" he asks, a smirk forming on his lips.

"No!" Rosie and I respond in unison, perhaps too quickly to be convincing.

But even if we had been the most convincing people in the world... well, the scene was unequivocal.

Diego raises an eyebrow, his gaze lingering on our milk-soaked clothes. "Sure, and I suppose the milk bath is a new milking technique I don't know about?"

I feel my cheeks warm with embarrassment.

"There was a... small accident," I mutter, running a hand through my damp hair.

Rosie nods vigorously beside me but doesn't say a word. Diego looks at us for a long moment, clearly unconvinced. Then he shrugs. "If you say so. Anyway, when you're done... um, cleaning up, we need help with the horses."

"I'll be right there," I respond, trying to sound as normal as possible.

Diego nods and turns to leave, but not before giving us one last amused look. Then with a laugh he disappears, leaving us alone again.

Silence falls in the barn, loaded with unresolved tension and unspoken words. I glance at Rosie, who is staring intently at the floor.

"I... maybe we should go change," I say finally, my voice slightly hoarse.

Rosie nods, finally looking up. There's something in her eyes - confusion, desire, maybe a little fear - that makes me want to take her in my arms and never let her go.

Instead, I take a step back. "I'll see you... I'll see you later?"

"Yes," she responds softly. "Later."

I watch her walk away, my heart still racing in my chest. What just happened, or what was about to happen...

Chapter 23

Alex

'Cowboy Stallions ????'

Diego: RED ALERT! ?? I just caught Alex and Rosie splashed with milk! ????

Chris: WHAT?! Details, now! ??

Fran: @Diego dude... I think you might be a bit confused about what you saw... aren't you old enough to have had the talk?! ??

Diego: idiot I mean exactly what I said. They were milking

Fran: I don't want to repeat myself...

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