Page 65 of Tame Me

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah. Horses are clever. They have an instinct for someone not being quite right.”

I tried to stifle a yawn but felt awful when he noticed. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay, you must be exhausted. Let’s get you home for some sleep.”

“I’m fine.”

He touched my arm, and our eyes met. This strong, amazing hunk of a man had a lovely soft side to him, and my body turned to mush as he curled his hand on my cheek, and I leaned into him. “It’s okay. I understand.” He took the horse brush from my hand and hooked it up on the wall.

After another lengthy goodbye with Gypsy, he led me out the back again and to his truck.

During the ride home, I fiddled with the stem of the rose as we talked about the show.

I tried not to voice my lousy opinion of Sam every time he mentioned her name, which was often.

The conversation turned to his other horses back home, and the pride he had for his animals was extraordinary.

I imagined he’d spend loads of time out in his vast paddocks tending to his animals.

But as the miles cruised past, I wondered how, or even if, I would fit into that picture.

I came from the country life, but now that I’d experienced city living, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back.

Chapter Eighteen

We turned off the highway, and he reached over to touch my knee. “I know you’re tired, but . . . ummm, would you like to come up to my room?”

“I’d love to.” No hesitation was required. It didn’t matter how tired I was; I’d make time for Billy.

His magnificent grin dazzled me, and I smiled back at him. The two of us were like giddy teenagers, and soon we broke out into fits of laughter. As I wiped my laughter tears away and his melodic chuckle filled the car, I reminded myself once again of just how lucky I was.

He drove the truck down to the hotel parking garage, and as he pulled into his designated parking space, I recalled the time Henry had brought me down here and how I didn’t want Needledick to see me with a man.

This time, however, I didn’t care what he thought.

I wanted to walk right alongside Billy and be proud of the man at my side. My chest swelled at that decision, and as we hopped out of the truck and met at the hood, our hands wove together like they were meant to.

In comfortable silence, we walked up the ramp and onto the steps. At the top of the stairs, the glass doors slid open, and I made a show of sniffing my rose as we strolled hand in hand across the lobby.

For the first time in . . . probably ever, I wanted Needledick to see me, but he wasn’t there.

The lobby was empty and eerily silent. I had no idea where he was, and I didn’t care either.

The elevator dinged open, and we stepped in, and with Billy at my side, I pressed the button for my floor. When the doors shut, I leaned across the gap between us and closed my eyes, and a heartbeat later, our lips met.

I had intended for it to be a brief kiss, but the second we touched, and I inhaled his sexy scent, it was like I was possessed. I moaned and parted my lips, allowing his tongue entry. His breathing increased, and as our kiss deepened, a lovely tremor purred through my insides. Billy knew how to ignite all my senses.

Our kiss ended, and I reluctantly pulled back, but the lust in Billy’s eyes confirmed he’d felt the same fireworks I had. I cleared my throat and twirled the rose in my fingers. “So . . . I’ll see you in about twenty minutes.”

“Come up whenever you’re ready. I’m in room thirty-two.”

“Okay, I won’t be long.” At my apartment, I filled a glass with water for my rose and positioned it in the center of my table. This was the first time a man had ever given me a flower, and I now understood why such a thing was considered so special. I smiled and stood back to admire the rose’s beauty. The way Billy had presented it would probably make it the most special flower I’d ever receive.

I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and stood out on the balcony for a couple of minutes, giving Billy time to get to his room. Lovely butterflies danced in my stomach at the prospect of going up to my hunky cowboy.

I yawned again and decided I needed to keep moving before sleep took hold completely. I just hoped I didn’t yawn once I was in his company.

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