Page 31 of Unexpected Temptation
“Princess.”
Jaylen snorted.“She’ll probably live up to her name.”
Amelia hugged the young horse’s neck and closed her eyes.
“I don’t care.She’s perfect,” Amelia murmured against the horse’s neck before going back to brushing her.
“She’s never going to let you go if you keep doing what she wants.”
Amelia giggled when the horse nibbled on her hair.
A deafening clap of thunder startled both the horses and humans.
“I think the storm is worsening.Let’s get back inside.”
Jaylen watched Amelia give the horse one last hug before letting him lead her out and lock the stall door behind them.
Jaylen made sure her poncho covered her, hoisted her up on his back again, and made a run for the house.
They made it back to the house before the next downpour hit.Jaylen pulled off her poncho and then his own, then hung them on hooks to dry as Amelia sat and took off her shoes.He leaned against the wall and pulled his boots off, setting them aside.
Amelia walked up to Jaylen and slid her arms around his waist.His arms pulled her tight against his chest, and he bent to inhale her sweet scent and kiss the top of her head.
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“You’re very welcome,” he murmured and rubbed a hand up and down her back.
She tilted her head back to see him.“It’s the best thing anyone has ever done for me.”
Jaylen bent and pressed his lips to hers.He kept the kiss light and sweet before he raised his head.
“That’s the first of many animals I’m going to give you.That way, you have to clean up after them instead of me.”
Amelia snorted, took a step back, and then laughed.“Ahhh, now I know your reasoning.”
He pulled her back against him, pressed a hard kiss to her mouth, and grinned.
“Go and sit in front of the fire to warm up.I’ll bring you a hot chocolate.”
“I could help you.”
Jaylen affectionately cupped her shoulder.
“Another time.I can tell you’re cold.”He didn’t want to see her shivering like she had the day before.
****
Amelia watched as hewalked away before she headed toward the fire.She curled herself into the chair, covered up with the blanket she’d left there that morning, and watched as the flames flickered.
“Here you go, Sweetheart.”
Amelia looked up and reached for the cup he held out to her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Jaylen set his own cup down on the hearth and used a poker to get the flames going before arranging a few more logs on top.Amelia’s gaze scanned over him as he bent to build the fire up.He was the strongest person she’d ever met.The people she’d grown up with would never have gotten dirty or done any of the physical labor he did every day of his life.Jaylen was as masculine as a man could be, and everything about him drew her in.
