Page 147 of Well Played

I blink back tears. This taciturn trainer wants to talk about counseling? Who does he think he is?

“I saw someone,” I bark back. “I saw a lot of someones. I think my dad sent me to every therapist in three counties.” My lip curls up. “They all wanted me to talk forever about the accident, about my feelings and blah, blah, blah. It was one accident. I’ve been training most of my life. Do you know how many times I’ve been hurt? Do you know how many times I’ve ridden even though I was in agony? I’m fine. I’ve always been fine!” I’m breathing hard by the time my diatribe is over and the concerned look on Matt’s face is almost my undoing.

“Don’t analyze me, cowboy. I don’t need it,” I spit out.

He walks towards me softly, as if approaching a spooked horse. I suppose in a way he is. I reach out a hand to stop him, but instead curl my fingers when they touch the soft fabric of his plaid shirt.

“Come here,” he says gently.

I don’t think. I fold like a child into the comfort of his chest, heaving a sob. His arms wrap around me, and I weep. I weep for the first time in years. Probably more than a decade. The last time I remember crying like this is the last time my mother…well, I’d rather not think about that day.

I come to my senses slowly. I don’t know how long I cry. It could be an hour or two minutes, I’m not sure. Matt holds me close the whole time and caresses my hair with his large, tanned hand.

“You don’t always have to be fine. It’s okay to not be okay, pretty girl. You can let go. You can just be you,” he murmurs, and I wonder how long he’s been talking to me through all my tears.

I sniff and realize my nose is on the verge of running.Shit, nothing more attractive than a girl with a splotchy face and snot coming from her nose.

I step back and look up at Matt. His dark eyelashes are so long up close.Such a dumb thought to have right now, but it’s all I can think of.

The look in his eyes is pure sympathy until I lick my lips. He follows the movement of my tongue with sudden heat in his concentrated gaze.

His hand curls around my neck and he pulls me closer, looking down at me with both adoration and want.

I want what comes next. For once, I want to take a leap and give into this attraction between us. I want this cowboy to kiss me and make it count.

When his lips meet mine, I hear a husky moan. It takes me a second to realize that the sound is coming from me. I open my lips on a gasp and his tongue slips between my lips. I emit another moan and move closer to Matt. I want to remember this always, my first kiss and the first time I’ve ever let someone else this close.

His tongue twines with mine and he pulls my hips in close to his. I can feel his hard length against me and my core heats in response. I want this kiss, but I want more. I want everything.

Tongues dance, hands roam, and his pained groan shoots bolts of lust straight to my pussy. I can’t get close enough to him.

Suddenly, I feel a not-so-gentle nudge between us, pushing us apart. We both give groans of disappointment as Stormy butts her muzzle in between us.

I can’t stop my sudden giggle. “Stormy, are you jealous?” I ask when I’ve finally recovered my faculties.

I nuzzle my nose into her coat and feel my cheeks redden. I’m afraid to look up and see Matt’s face again. He acted like he enjoyed the kiss, but what if he didn’t?God, what if I’m a horrible kisser?

I feel a callused finger touching my chin and I finally lift my head.

“I like that,” Matt says with a grin, “I like hearing you giggle and seeing you smile. And I like kissing you even more than that.”

“Y…you do?” I ask nervously.

He nods and gives me a sweet kiss on my cheek. “I do. And I plan on us doing a lot more of it. But perhaps we should get to our lesson first before Stormy gets too jealous and knocks me on my ass.”

I giggle again and Matt’s whole face lights up.

“God, I love that smile,” he says, and I feel my cheeks heat again.

I smile through the entire lesson that day.

6

I can’t ignorethis attraction between us any longer. -Matt

Matt

I can’t stopmyself from whistling the next day. I’m getting somewhere with Leah and Stormy. I know there’s something underneath there that’s keeping them both from taking that next step, but I’ll figure it out. I know I will.

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