Page 54 of Saddles

“Ford—” I scoot closer to the edge. “—there’s no one else here but us. No one to judge, or impress. Tomorrow I’ll be leaving, and you never have to see me again. But for today…we can maybe heal a tiny bit.” I feel like I’m on the ledge of a cliff, and I don’t know if he’s going to reach out to save me.

His fist bunches and taps against his thigh.

Once.

Twice.

Then his palms are framing my face and he’s pressing his lips on mine in a devouring collision. All I can do is cling to the tight shirt that hugs his frame and relent to the bruising pressure, opening myself to the delving of his tongue.

He kisses me as if he’s possessing me. His fingers weave into my hair as he tilts my head, until he’s both swallowing and suffocating me.

And all I want to do is beg for more.

The pain, the ache, the humiliation that has eaten at my soul fades with the passion of his scalding lips.

Tears burn in my eyes. In relief that I can stillfeel.But in gnawing dread that I may never see him again after I’m gone.

Dampness on my cheek lingers as he slowly pulls away, and I can see the sheen of his own lingering in his eyes.

His jaw ticks and he wipes a stray droplet that escapes along his nose. “I’m sorry.”

In a whirl of motion, he grabs his coat and disappears outside.

Chapter 17

Ford

Why did it have to feel soright?

It shouldn’t. I’m too old and fucking rotten to drag her down with me.

Pepper nickers at me, pinning her ears and bobbing her head towards the cabin.

“Yea, I know, you like her better.” Even though I’m the one that takes care of you, ungrateful nag.

Alfalfa scatters when I pop the ties on it, sending tiny green dried leaves in a puff cloud around me.

Great, now I’ll itch too.

I ain’t taking another bath until she’s gone.

Gone.

Will I ever see her again?

Damn. I was in such a hurry to get her out of here, I never thought I’d want her to stay.

But those fucking lips…

Pepper jerks her nose, butting me in the chin.

“Is she trying to knock some sense into you?” April stomps the snow from her sneakers in the bare earth of the barn, clinging one of my coats around her.

“It’s too cold out here, you should go back in where it’s warm.” I turn away from her and start pumping water into the bucket.

“No. I’m not going to let you hide. Talk to me.” She drops her butt onto a bale of straw near enough to Pepper’s pen that my horse can reach her and nuzzle for a pet.

Then Roscoe has the balls to curl up on her feet.

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