Page 53 of Reckless Hearts

Not sure how to want something you were never supposed to have.

Not sure how to survive it.

Chapter 16

Colt

After last night’s decision,there’s a truce between us.

Something’s shifted. The sharp edges are still there, but they’ve dulled. At least for now.

The bathroom door creaks open, steam rolling out.

Maverick steps into the room, towel slung low on his hips, hair dripping down the sides of his face.

Still half-wet and fully smug, like walking around half-naked is normal at seven in the morning.

“Used up all the towels, didn’t you?” I mutter from where I’m still half-asleep in bed, sore as hell and already irritated.

He smirks and tosses a damp one at my face.

It hits dead-on. Warm. Wet. Disgusting.

“Shoulda gotten your ass up earlier, Lawson.”

I rip the towel off, jaw tight. “Real fuckin’ considerate.”

He shrugs and starts toweling off his hair like nothing’s wrong in the world like he’s not standing there looking like that, all lean muscle and loose confidence, water sliding down his chest in rivulets that I definitely shouldn’t be noticing.

I drag my eyes away, mutter a curse, and grab the half-wet towel off my chest as I push out of bed.

His low chuckle trails behind me as I stalk to the bathroom, seething.

I slam the door harder than I need to.

And it still doesn’t drown out the image of him standing there in just that towel.

Chapter 17

Callie

The sweet smellof fresh hay is the first thing that hits me when I walk into the arena, followed quickly by manure. It’s impressive how fast I get used to it the smell disappears into the background, becoming just another part of what makes this place special. With the growing attention on the sport, most buildings have been updated, but this one has that old charm from my past. Wood-planked walls faded with time. A dirt floor leading through multiple hallways lined with empty stalls. They won’t bring all of the bulls in here until the last minute. The animals are too dangerous to be left unattended in regular pens like this. Without the sound of their grunting, it’s almost peaceful. The calm before the raging storm that’ll happen tomorrow night.

I’ve been anxious since dropping that bomb on Maverick and Colt. They told me they’d figure it out, but I have no idea what that means.

They’re unloading their stuff, no doubt meticulously checking it. Just like skydiving, one tear in the cinches could leadto disaster. A loose rope could be a death sentence if it catches around their boot.

A horse whinnies, kicking its hooves, and throws its muzzle over the gate, huge black eyes staring right at me. Hot air huffs from wide nostrils, as if to say I’m annoying him. Animals are sensitive to emotion, especially horses. Centuries of being prey have ingrained their flight response, tuned to read the rest of their herd for any signs of danger. It’s unsurprising that my anxiousness sets him on edge, making him restless, head swinging back and forth, tail whipping his sides. If I unlatched the gate, he’d be a mile away in a minute.

“Shhh. It’s okay,” I croon, cautiously moving closer, not wanting to spook him more than I already have. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause such a fuss.”

The stunning black stallion watches my approach, breaths filling the space between us, but his demeanor settles, giving me the confidence to move closer. “That’s it. I made such a fuss, didn’t I? Worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. Good thing you’re here to snap me out of it.” The more I speak, the lighter I feel, as if it’s the horse soothing me instead of the other way around. I hold my hand above his nose where he can easily see it and wait, letting him decide if he wants to be touched. He nuzzles into my palm, and his smooth, short fur glides under my touch.

“You’re such a good boy.”

His wet nose nudges my hand as if agreeing and pushes it harder into me. His huff of frustration is easy to read. “You’re right. You deserve a treat.”

Recognizing the wordtreat, he whinnies again, this time pleased. I search my pockets, already knowing they’ll turn up empty. “Had I known I’d meet you today, I would have brought you something.” I stroke his nose again. “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll bring you something when I come back.”

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