Page 60 of Saddles

Karma came down and kissed his rosy ass twice.

There’s a good possibility that I’m just not cut out for relationships.

Huh. I’m deluding myself to believe that’s even something she’d want from me.

She got pushed overboard into an ocean of shit, and I just happened to be a floating chunk of garbage she found to keep her from drowning.

That doesn’t make me a hero.

With a deep breath, I push back into the cool cabin, my arms full of split wood.

She’s huddled under the blankets to ward off the growing chill.

Damn it, I let the fire get too low while I was outside feeling sorry for myself.

Figures. I’m always abandoning what’s important.

I can feel her eyes following me as I squat and stoke the embers back to life. It isn’t long before heat begins to pour from the stove.

“You know, you’re kinda like that.” Her voice is muffled from beneath the thick comforter.

“Like what?” I hang up my jacket then move around the half-wall to get ready for bed.

“The fire. It’s like you’re hiding in a bed of ash, acting like the whole world has burned around you. But you just need someone to poke you with a stick.” She giggles, covering her head.

“No one is poking me,” I grumble as I brush my teeth.

Her laughter grows louder. “I didn’t saypegging.You can’t hide forever.”

I give her a raised brow as I slide my belt out of my jeans. “Nice girl like you shouldn’t even know what that means.” But I can’t stop the smile. “I ain’t hiding.” I protest. “You found me, remember?”

Her grin turns to a scowl when I drop the saddle blanket on the floor.

“What are you doing?” Her dark eyes narrow in the dim light.

Isn’t it obvious? “Making my bed.”

“No.” She flips the quilt down and scoots away from the edge.

“April, I—”

“I said ‘no’. You can sleep here. Please?” She props herself on her elbow, then pats the sheet next to her.

This is a first. I can’t recall ever having a woman beg me to crawl in bed with them.

“You win, I won’t argue.” I hold up my palm in surrender, then slide in next to her, staying firmly on my back with my arms at my sides.

She shifts to drape her wrist across my chest, and nestles her lips against my shoulder. “See? It’s almost comfy, if you weren’t lying there like you really do have something shoved up your ass.” The bed jiggles with her silent laughter.

My side feels like it’s burning when she drapes her knee over my thigh, framing my knuckles against the “V” of her legs.

Fuck. She’s killing me.

I can’t breathe. If I move, I’ll rub the one place I shouldn’t.

And now that’s all I can think about.

With a groan, I pull my arm up and turn to her. Fine, if this is what she wants, I’ll hold her, but on my terms.

---