Page 17 of Hold Me Until Morning

Knew.

My stomach tightened in a fit of nostalgia, the tiniest bit of grief, but I sucked it down and stepped forward so I could softly run my hand down her neck. I whispered, “Hey, there, beautiful girl. You are gorgeous. Just perfect, aren’t you?”

I let my hand sweep down her neck a couple times in hopes of winning her trust.

She snorted and sighed before she shifted her weight into me, and I edged around to her front so I could stroke my thumb between her eyes.

Softly.

Slowly.

“That’s right,” I murmured.

She chuffed and nuzzled her nose into my cheek. A quick giggle got free, and I leaned in even closer, wrapping my arm around her neck in an embrace.

She was as gentle as could be. Most all the horses here were since we needed them to carry guests of varying experiences, sizes, and demeanor.

I stayed like that with her for the longest time. Getting to know her and letting her get to know me. Each of us giving our trust. Our love. Our devotion.

I froze when I felt the frisson of energy cover me from behind, and a swath of irritation blazed over my flesh when I finally pulled away to peer back at the source.

Cody Cooper was leaned on the inside of the gate, big hands stuffed in his pockets, one boot crossed at the ankle.

Looking like the epitome of a self-loving cowboy.

Arrogant.

Brash.

Too big for his own britches, like my father used to say about the hands I’d been instructed to stay away from. God, should I have listened.

He wore that smirk that forever seemed to light on his face.

There was something different about him, though, the way those golden eyes seemed to glow as they watched me from three feet away.

“Is there something I can help you with, Mr. Cooper?” I asked, going all business.

That grin twitched, and something sly and flirty drifted into his tenor. “So, we’re just going to pretend we don’t know each other? Don’t you remember me?”

There was almost a tease tacked onto the last.

Was he serious? As if I could ever forget.

“I think it’s you who didn’t remember me.” It came out far too snippy. Like I cared, when I didn’t. Guys like him didn’t deserve the extra attention.

His gaze raked over my body, dragging from my head to my toes and back up again. Far too languid for it to be considered polite.

“I’ll admit it was dark last night and…”

He trailed off, leaving the obvious unsaid.

I looked different.

Back when I’d met him when I was eighteen, I used to be rail thin, bare faced, covered in dirt and grime and running around the ranch like I was the same as the hands.

Now I was all curves and had decided I loved a good haul from Sephora.

“…I thought you’d moved away,” he added, his voice dropping in caution.

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