Page 89 of The Wrong Ride Home

“I don’t want to go back, Elena.” We lay naked by the river, our last night before he left for Dallas since his summer break was over.

“We’ll stay in touch, mi cielo.” I kissed his chest as I lay my head on it and heard his beating heart.

His arms were around me, and I felt safe. Oh, so safe. The safest I’d ever been. Loved. Cherished. Happy.

“Will you…ah…come back?”

He had the last time for a day only to topple my world. I thought I’d tell him about the pregnancy and….

“Yes.” He took another step and cupped my cheek.

My whole body went still.

“I’ll come back, and we’ll talk.”

I wanted to push his hand away. Ireallydid, but I was starved for him, and I wanted so desperately to feel the way I had for that short time when we were together that I let myself indulge and all but nuzzled his hand.

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I whispered.

“You feel it, too.”

I closed my eyes.

“I want you,” he growled out the words.

I licked my lips and found my spine. I moved away from his touch. “As a horse trainer.” I tried for levity. It fell flatter than a dry creek bed in August.

“Asyou.”

I shook my head. “That wasn’t a question, Duke, that was a statement. I’m here to sell your horses. Speaking of which, I have an offer from Kincaid Farms for Copper for one-fifty.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Why is he willing to pay so much?”

I gritted my teeth. “Oh, I don’t know because I gave him a blow job to go with it. My blow jobs are seriouslythatgood.”

I expected him to lash out. Instead, his eyes crinkled with amusement. “I think they are, butI doubt you’re sucking his cock. I’m just surprised ‘cause that’s a lot of money.”

“Were you there or not when he won?”

“I was there when you did,” he said huskily.

Okay, Twilight Zone alert! What the fuck was going on?

“He also wants Whiskey Rush and?—”

“Don’t sell.”

I raised both eyebrows. “Huh?”

He smiled. “Don’t sell.”

“We’re here to sell the fuckin’ horses, Duke.”

“Prize money. Let’s make money. Don’t sell the horses.” He kissed my forehead.

My spine softened…just like that. The man was confusing the hell out of me.

“Just because Fiona isn’t warming your bed doesn’t mean I will.” I took several steps away from him and hit the wall of the storage room.

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