Page 49 of Head Over Spurs

She bit her lip and raised her eyebrows right back at him. “Yeah,” Jules admitted slowly. “I do.”

Willing himself to not react by lifting her in the air and kissing her, he settled for reaching out and squeezing her elbow. With a broad smile, he never broke eye contact with her as he told Brett, “We’re in.”

“Figured you say that, brother,” the rancher replied in his gruff voice. “Jules, if you’re interested in staying on with your new foal then let me know.” Clapping Riley on the shoulder, he stepped around them and out of the stall.

For a moment, the only sounds were that of Brett leaving the stables and the occasional huffs of the other horses around them. Then Maddie rose, turning to her best friend. “I’m so glad you want to be a part of this,” she said.

“Together in the stables again,” Jules replied, throwing an arm around Maddie’s shoulders.

“We can be together in the stables tonight; he’ll need frequent feedings—like every few hours.”

“I’ll stay with him tonight,” Riley interjected. “I’ve got my bedroll in the truck.”

He looked down at the weak, chestnut colored foal that now relied on him. There was no way he was leaving the little fella tonight. Not with that scared, pained look in his eyes.

“I’ll stay too,” Jules replied quickly. Turning to their resident vet, she said, “Mads, you’ve already done so much for him tonight. Go rest, we’ll be fine.”

Maddie frowned but nodded in agreement. “Okay, I’ll show you everything he’ll need. I’ve got it in the feed room.”

Still arm in arm, the women stepped out of the stall together, Grey close on their heels. On their way, they passed by where Cooper was still milling about the stables. “Coop, go grab your bedroll for Jules,” Grey instructed.

“Jules is sleeping in my bed tonight?” Cooper joked, sticking his head back into the stall. With a quick glance at Riley’s less than amused expression, his lopsided smile slipped. “I’ll be right back,” he muttered.

Leaning in the doorway, Riley watched Jules disappear into the feed room. Grey hovered in the aisle, watching him watch Jules. “You look like you had plans tonight,” he commented, his eyes shifting over to the feed room as well before turning back to Riley.

“Just a dinner with a friend.”

Grey nodded, running his hand along his jaw. “Oh yeah? Where’d you go?”

“Sterling Vineyards.”

A hum escaped the stoic team lead. “Jules was there with her mom tonight, according to Maddie. Mighty big coincidence.”

Riley nodded noncommittally, glancing back over to the room across the way. The pair of cowgirls were heading back their way. Grey moved to greet Maddie, pulling her into his side. Then lifting his chin over her head, he added to Riley, “There’s some wild that can’t be tamed. Then there’s some just looking for a safe place to land. With her, I think you’re dealing with the latter.”

“With him,” Riley offered carefully, motioning to the foal behind him for good measure.

“Of course,” Grey replied, a knowing glint in his eye. “Have a good night you two.” Then the meddling cowboy and his girl disappeared from the stables.

Alone at last, Riley turned to find Jules leaning back against the wood wall, her focus on the small horse. The worry had never fully left her eyes, but now it was back with a vengeance.

“He’s going to be okay, right?” The question was barely audible, thick with vulnerability. Something she wouldn’t let just anyone see in her.

He stepped in front of her, lifting a hand to cradle her jaw. “I’ll do my damndest to make sure he is.”

She pressed her cheek into his hand, lifting her eyes to meet his through her thick lashes. Skimming his thumb across her bottom lip, he was intoxicated by the way her mouth parted at his touch. The way she melted into him.

Mesmerized. Riley was utterly mesmerized. He was so focused on her increasing closeness, he wasn’t sure which one of them was leaning in. Maybe both.

Sliding his hand along her jawline, he lifted her chin upward until her red stained lips were pointed at his mouth. Poised just inches away. He hesitated, waiting for her to react.

She did so by taking the collar of his shirt in both hands and pulling him the remaining distance down to her.

Riley drew her into an urgent kiss, desperate for the connectionthat was already seared into his memory. His mouth moved over hers, all consuming. That was the thing about Jules, he could lose himself in her in the blink of an eye.

A groan escaped him as she met him with just as much need. There was no hesitation in the way she opened for him. In the way she sank against him while his tongue swirled deliberately, exploring her.

Breaking the kiss, her lips ghosted across his jaw. “Have you decided to go down this road again, then?” he rasped. His hands curled around her waist and his hips pinned her against the stall.

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