Page 146 of Well Played

I snort. “Like you were so mature about your feelings for Glory, Chase. Took you forever to finally see the truth even though it was starin’ you in the face.” I chuckle, remembering the run around those two gave each other before they finally got together.

Glory giggles. “He’s got you there, Chase.” She rubs her pregnant belly and then leans over to gather some of the dishes from the table. Chase immediately jumps up to help her.

“Took me a little while to get my head out of my ass. You’re supposed to be the smarter brother, though. At least that’s what you’re always sayin’.” Chase throws me another shit-eating grin and I glance over at my other brother, Alex. He’s grinning like a fool too, and I shake my head.

“You agree with the moron?” I ask him softly. “Think I’m infatuated with my new client?”

Hell, I guess I am pretty obvious. But there’s something about Leah. Something tugs at my heart even though I’ve been accused of not having one in the past. Not to mention the sweaty dreams I’ve had of her, taking her every which way I can, pounding into her from behind or…

“Yep, sure do agree with the moron, at least this time,” Alex says cheekily interrupting my daydreams.

I sigh, long and hard. “Not like it matters, Alex. She’s not interested.” I glance over to where Chase and Glory are washing dishes together while teasing and laughing with each other. “She doesn’t think of me that way.”

“She watches you,” Alex says matter-of-factly. I swing my head around to see amusement on my usually solemn brother’s face. “She watches you when you aren’t paying attention. Same as you do with her. Way I see it, y’all are both gone over eachother, but too afraid to make the first move. Better cowboy up and do it, Matt, before she gets tired of moonin’ over you.”

I blink, hard, thinking of the way she looks away from me sometimes, like she’s just been studying me, and I’ve caught her in the act.Could she have feelings for a stubborn old cowboy like me?

“Maybe,” I say gruffly, “maybe I should.”

A gentle frown appears on Alex’s face. “Be careful though, Matt. Her horse isn’t the only one that’s hurtin’. There’s pain there so tread lightly. Whatever she’s been through,” he shakes his head gravely, “well, it wasn’t pretty.”

I nod. I get the feeling sometimes like I’m trying to heal two beings at once: horse and rider. Yes, Leah can ride and ride beautifully, but she’s still skittish and tentative. And then there’s that sadness that clings to her. It makes me just want to wrap my arms around her and never let go.

“I’ll do my best, brother, to be gentle.”Because I would rather kill myself than hurt that girl. This girl has captured both my heart and my hormones.

5

All that practicegrowing up didn’t leave much time for dating…or anything else. -Leah

Leah

I runmy hand along Stormy’s glossy brown coat as I chatter my innermost thoughts to my horse. She’s a great listener and not nearly as opinionated as having a real friend. Though I probably look like a crazy person talking to her like this.

“I’ve never thought about sex a lot, Stormy, but there’s something about this guy. Of course, I’m worried about you, well you and me, since we can’t seem to get it together, but this cowboy is something else.” I bite my lower lip and Stormy’s ears perk up as if she’s listening for more gossip. “I’ve never had a boyfriend, girl. Did you know that? Not a single one. Not even a single kiss unless you count the one that Brayden McFay stole in daycare when we were six, and I don’t. But this guy…” Some things should probably not be said out loud, especially where an innocent animal can hear. The fantasies I’ve been having about Matt have not been G-rated at all. More like NC-17.

“I shouldn’t think of him as much as I do, Stormy. I should only be worried about one thing and that’s you and me getting back to the Olympics. We’ve still got it in us, girl, I know that. We just need to get past whatever this hang up is.”

Stormy snorts and nods her head in agreement. I swear she understands every word I say.

“Talking to her like a person, huh?” Matt’s deep voice comes from out of nowhere and I jump. My cheeks burn fire engine red. I hope to God he didn’t hear any of the silly stuff I said.

“Yep,” I say succinctly.

He pats her muzzle and murmurs, “I do that, too. All the time. And horses understand. Sometimes I think they understand moods and feelings more than humans do.”

I nod. “I’ve always thought that too. Especially Stormy. She’s in tune with all my thoughts.”

“And your fears?” Matt asks as his strong hand strokes along Stormy’s coat.

I take a deep breath and look up into Matt’s emerald eyes. A stir of longing furls within me, even as I try to make sense of what he just said.

I cock my head to the side. “What do you mean by that? My fears?” I ask cautiously.

He gives me a look of sympathy that I can’t mistake for anything else. “I mean she feels what you feel, including when you’re afraid of something. She can feel your anxiety and it makes her anxious.”

I pull my hand away from Stormy. “So, you’re blaming me for this? For Stormy’s anxiety and inability to accept a rider? You think this is all my fault!”

He sighs and runs a hand over his face. “That’s not what I’m trying to say. I don’t blame anyone. But I do know that we’ve focused on healing her, but not you. Have you talked to anyone about what happened?”

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