Page 47 of Stick Around,
I tucked that thought away, unwilling to dwell on it. “Not tonight she doesn’t.”
The sound of Quinn’s footsteps sent us all into casual poses, like teenagers caught plotting something.
“Ready to saddle up?” I offered her my arm.
She took it with mock formality. “Lead the way, cowboy.”
I guided Tater Tot along the winding path that led toward the beach, with Quinn settled in front of me, her back pressed against my chest. Having her nestled between my thighs was both sweet torture and absolute perfection. Every bump in the trail pushed her body more firmly against mine.
“You doing okay?” I shifted slightly, careful not to disturb her balance.
Quinn leaned back, tilting her face upward to look at me. “More than okay. I feel... safe.”
The simple admission punched me straight in the gut. For someone who made a living crafting clever comebacks, I found myself speechless. I tightened my arms around her, an instinctive response I couldn’t have stopped if I tried.
The trail crested a hill, and the Pacific stretched out before us, a vast expanse of blue-gray water that had a touch of turquoise where it met the shore. The sun was almost set and made everything glow in a golden color. Quinn gasped, her body going still against mine.
“Wait until it’s down all the way.” The best part was yet to come, hopefully.
I guided Tater Tot off the main trail toward a quieter stretch of beach near the dunes where we’d be alone. The massive horse plodded steadily downward, unbothered by the extra passenger or the shifting sand beneath his hooves.
When we reached the flat stretch of sand, I swung my leg over and dismounted first, keeping a hand on Tot’s bridle to steady him.
Quinn slid down after me, and even though she’d mastered mounting and dismounting since our first lesson together, I still grabbed her waist to steady her as her feet touched the sand.
I didn’t let go immediately, and her hands rested on my shoulders, our faces inches apart. My fingers lingered before I reluctantly released her. “It’s a little different dismounting on sand.”
Quinn smoothed her sweater, looking flustered in the most endearing way. “Sand or no sand, dismounting is way more intimidating than mounting.”
I tugged open the saddlebag. “Toss your boots in; Tater Tot can play pack mule while we walk.”
After slipping off our boots and socks and burying my toes in the texture of the cool sand, I clipped on Tater Tot’s lead. I kept a loose hold as we made our way down the beach, the massive horse ambling contentedly behind us like an overgrown puppy. The air carried the scent of salt and seaweed, and the waves provided a soothing soundtrack.
With my free hand, I reached for Quinn’s, my fingers brushing against hers in a silent question. When she didn’t pull away, I threaded our fingers together. I resisted the urge to stroke my thumb over her knuckles, but I couldn’t stop myself from giving her hand the gentlest squeeze.
“Are you sure we can bring him this close to the water?” Quinn glanced at the incoming tide as it inched closer to us with each wave. There was a touch of concern in her voice.
“He’d be running along the edge if I let him,” I assured her with a soft laugh. “He has absolutely no fear of the ocean, which is somewhat miraculous considering he’s terrified of puddles back at the ranch. Animals contain multitudes of contradictions, just like people.”
“And what contradictions do you have?” She looked up at me, her head tilting slightly. There was curiosity in her expression,but also something more probing, as if she were trying to solve a puzzle.
The question caught me off guard, and my gaze drifted toward the bluffs the sun was sinking behind. How to answer without revealing too much or too little?
“Well… I can talk to a crowd of fifty strangers without breaking a sweat, but sometimes struggle with one-on-one conversations that matter.” My thumb finally gave in to temptation, brushing lightly across her knuckles. “I’m terrified of commitment but hate being alone. I memorize jokes to make other people laugh but can’t remember to buy milk.” I paused, feeling unusually vulnerable under her steady gaze. “And apparently I’m brave enough to ride a thousand-pound animal at full gallop but nervous as hell holding your hand right now.”
Her eyes softened. “That’s surprisingly honest.”
I shrugged, playing it off. “I’m a surprising guy. Full of mystery and intrigue.”
“And yet somehow not mysterious at all.”
“Ouch. There goes my enigmatic cowboy persona.” I tugged gently on her hand, nodding toward a smooth stretch of beach where the sand formed a natural seat.
I wrapped the lead loosely around my wrist as we sat, Tot standing quietly behind us with the breeze ruffling his mane. He snorted softly, content to be near.
“Kellan?” Her voice was soft, almost getting lost in the sound of the waves.
“Hmm?” I turned to look at her, struck by how her profile was silhouetted against the darkening sky.
