Page 12 of Barn Burner
Reaching into the bucket, I grab a carrot and hold my palm out flat in front of Prince. He snuffles his lips against my fingers, then takes the carrot, the loud crunch making me grin. “That good, huh?”
“The banana is his favourite,” Jesse says from where he’s feeding the horse in the next stall.
I find the biggest piece of banana, and Prince bobs his head as I hold it up, clearly excited. He does the funny lip shuffle against my hand again before eating the banana. I feed him afew more pieces, my face beginning to ache from my smile, when Jesse steps in closer.
“Okay, that’s enough now,” Jesse grumbles, causing Prince to let out a disgruntled noise. “Nu-huh, none of that. Brayden doesn’t know that you’ll keep eatin’ ’til the bucket is empty because you’re too damn greedy.”
Prince lets out a loud huff from his nostrils, flicking his mane in a frustrated jerk. Jesse rolls his eyes, but it’s not in annoyance. There’s a look of adoration in his expression. It does nothing but throw fuel on the lustful fire I have for this guy.
After a quick stroke to the horse’s muzzle, Jesse shows me around the rest of the barn, introducing me to the different horses and handing me his bucket when mine is empty.
“This is their treat. A reward, if you will, for workin’ hard this morning. They have an enriched diet, but like us, they have a sweet tooth, so it’s something I like to do for them.”
I brush my hand against the neck of a brown-and-white horse called Dakota but tilt my head to face Jesse. He’s busying himself with something on the outside of another stall, but when he must feel my eyes on him, he pauses and glances over at me.
“You’re a nice guy beneath all that gruff exterior, aren’t you?”
He huffs, and I can see why Prince is his horse. He’s clearly picked up his owner’s traits.
“It’s nothing to be ashamed about. I think it’s bloody attractive, to be honest.”
“What is?” he murmurs.
“A guy who has a good heart. Who cares for animals. For his family.” I turn to look at him, ignoring when Dakota snuffles her lips against the back of my neck. “Helps a complete stranger on the side of the road and brings him back to his family home so he’s not completely stranded.”
Jesse doesn’t say anything, just simply stares at me. Like he can’t believe the words just came from my mouth. The silencethat falls between us is palpable, and if I hadn’t seen the heated look in his eye earlier, I’d be kicking myself for putting my foot in it. I can only assume Jesse’s been burned in the past, and he now wears a thick layer of armour to protect himself.
And I am, if not determined, always up for a challenge.
I go back to feeding the rest of the horses, and once my second bucket is empty, I make my way back toward the back of the barn, where Jesse is cleaning up.
“So, what do you do?” he asks when I place the bucket down on the counter.
I hesitate. I’m guessing by the question, he doesn’t know who I am, and there’s something in me that feels compelled to not tell him everything. I’ve found people treat me differently when they know I play in the NHL, and while I’ve only known him for a day, I don’t want that to happen with Jesse. Having him be unaware might be for the best. It’ll let me deal with my shit in my own way, in my own time.
“I work in athletics,” I answer.
“Mhm.” He nods. “Makes sense.”
Leaning back against the counter, my lips hike up in a smirk. “You been checking me out, Jesse?”
His eyes dip, and I feel the heat of his gaze travel from my bare legs up to my face, like he’s touching me with warm, roughened hands.
“Kinda hard not to,” he mumbles so low I would have missed it if I wasn’t so hyperfocused on him.
Well, damn.
Knowing he feels whatever lust-filled attraction is going on between us, I take a step forward, closing the distance between us until the toes of my shoes touch his boots. I place a hand on his hip, fingers digging into the firm flesh just above the waistband of his chaps, then drop my voice as I say, “If you everwant a treat for working hard, Jesse, just say the word. Because I’ll reward you real good.”
The answering rumble in Jesse’s chest causes my cock to throb, and it takes everything in me not to graze my teeth over the thick column of his neck that’s only inches away from my mouth. Instead, I grab onto the only ounce of restraint I have and turn to head toward the door, but before I step outside, I look over my shoulder. He’s standing in the same place, fists clenched at his sides, nostrils flaring, but it’s not anger in his eyes.
It’s pure want, and I’m fucking here for it.
Darting my tongue out to lick across my bottom lip, I throw him a wink, then disappear out the door before I can do something that might get me into trouble.
6
Jesse
