Page 36 of Save Me

Kennedy gasps as she peers out of the passenger window. When she turns back to me, there’s a sparkle in her eyes.

“Horseback riding?”

My heart leaps in my throat at the unabashed joy on her face.

“This is what you brought me to do?” she asks as her hands move to undo her seatbelt.

I quickly turn off the car and get out, making it to her side to hold the door for her.

“I love horses,” she gushes.

I know.

I barely manage to hold the words back.

“I figured you would.”

Her forehead wrinkles. “How?”

“Pretty certain it was on your intake form for the club,” I lie.

We do have members of the Black Opal complete a lengthy application. Yes, I’ve looked over Kennedy’s extensively. But her history of riding and love of horses was something I knew long before she ever became a member of the club.

“Oh,” she says, but the wrinkle on her forehead remains. She looks at me, and her lips part as if she’s about to say something, but the ranch owner comes over.

“Mr. Kim,” the older man greets, hand outstretched. “This must be the lovely Ms. Townsend.”

He takes her hand but, to my chagrin, bows his head as if he’s about to kiss her palm.

Abso-fucking-lutely-not.

My hand covers Kennedy’s before I can think about it, taking her hand in mine as I glare at the owner.

He clears his throat and takes a step back.

“First, we’ll ride out to an overlook with the most spectacular view, and that’s where you’ll have your picnic lunch,” he explains, although I know all of this since I personally arranged it.

“This is amazing.” Kennedy smiles at me. Then she does something that twists my heart in a fucking knot. “It’s been so long since I’ve gotten out to ride.”

She lifts on her tiptoes, kisses my cheek, and whispers, “Thank you.”

I remain planted in place for a few seconds. Around me, I can hear Kennedy and the instructor talking about her riding experience and their shared love of horses.

But I’m too caught up in the tingling on my cheek from where she kissed me. I want to drag her back to me and make her do it again and again.

Then, I want to take her somewhere hidden so she can privately thank me.

Instead of acting like a caveman, I watch her. When the farm owner brings out the horses, her eyes light up. The smile that crests on her face is like the sun rising over the mountains in the morning.

“Let me help.” I don’t wait to take her by the waist to help her on the horse. I nearly shove the owner out of the way to be the one to assist her.

She tells me no, but still takes my hand and lets me help her settle into the saddle.

Reluctantly, I withdraw my hand to mount my horse for our afternoon ride.

After the owner gives us more instructions on the route, we start our forty-five-minute journey to where a picnic lunch awaits us. On the way, I watch Kennedy. There’s a small yet beautiful smile playing on her lips.

Yet, as she stares off at the scenery in the distance, I see something in her eyes. A far-off look as if she’s concentrating on something.

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