Page 35 of Catching Mr. Right

Chapter Fifteen

MANDY

Cas is in a mood. He’s been quietly thunderous for almost two weeks now. Sure, he’s been careful not to yell at me, but I can tell he’s grouchy. I just don’t know why. A couple times I caught him staring at me, and the look on his face was enough to make me want to fly into his arms, but even if I wasn’t getting close to Sam I couldn’t. Cas made it obvious he doesn’t actually want me. He doesn’t want anybody getting that close.

Right now though, I need something from him, and he’s always helpful so I march out to the yard where he’s putting Soldier through his paces. I want to ask the history of the horse. Why he’s so well trained, and how he learned to dance like that, but any time I try to get Cas to talk about it he shuts down hard. Only yesterday, I’d asked how long he’d been into horses and he scowled at me and stormed away to the other end of the yard without a word. When I approached Claire, she’d told me Cas was the only one who should tell his story.

God, I hope he’s in a better mood today. Because I need a huge favor.

Soldier’s ears prick and swivel as he picks up the sound of me coming at the same time Cas lifts his head. His gaze is like warm chocolate running over my bare skin. “Mandy.”

I pop one pink cowboy boot on the bottom railing and start my climb to the top. He never takes his eyes off me. I can feel his attention like static electricity over my calves and up my thighs. Across the white Daisy Dukes I picked out in the hopes he would be mollified by them. He roams his gaze higher, giving me belly flutters that remind me of the first time I stood on this fence and watched him. I thought I’d only get butterflies for Sam because he’s meant to be my Mister Right, but Cas is the one who really makes me nervous and tingly. My nipples pebble inside my Rainbow Brite cropped T-shirt. By the time he gets to my face I’m blushing from head to toe, my insides burning and clenching over what I’m about to do. “Could I talk to you?”

“Yep.”

He doesn’t make a move to come closer, so I swing one leg over the fence and then the other. Holding onto the top rail, I turn and drop down in the yard. “Are you mad at me or something?”

“Nope.” He scratches Soldier’s neck, giving his attention to the horse.

I’ve seen him a time or two without his shirt on, but he’s always been too far away for me to see his tattoos. His whole side is covered from his front to his spine. There’s a mess of things; horses up on two legs in a line, a girl in a top hat, landmarks, dates. I touch his shoulder blade and he hisses like I’ve hurt him.

“I’m sorry. I’ve never seen them up close. They’re beautiful.”

“They’re scars,” he says.

“Scars?” I stare at them, run my hands over his skin that ripples as his muscles contract underneath, but the skin is smooth and unmarred beneath the patchwork. “Do you mean they cover scars? Is this something to do with why you’re always worried about accidents?”

He shrugs as he turns around. “What do you need?”

Here we go. Deep breath. “I need you to have sex with me.”

His eyebrows shoot up and he laughs. “Okay then.”

“Phew.” I exhale and grin. “That was much easier than I thought it was going to be.”

“Wait, what? You’re serious?” He gapes.

“Yes.”

“No way.” He glowers at me before turning away and stomping across the yard.

I hurry after him, rushing my words. If I don’t get them out now I may not be able to. “Sam asked me to dinner. That has to mean he’s finally opening up to the idea of us being together. But I lied to him and told him I wasn’t a virgin.”

“You told him you weren’t?” He slows down for a step, but doesn’t stop.

“He told me I was too young and innocent, remember?”

“Did you ever think maybe you are?” He whirls around and I almost crash into his chest, which jerks up and down with each breath he takes.

“Why are you being mean, Cas?” He’s always been the first person to tell me I can have what I want. What I set my mind to. And now he’s telling me the opposite?

“Why are you being ridiculous?”

“Oh come on, Cas. You know it’s not a big deal, right? It’s just sex.” I plant my hands on my hips, my feet in the dirt. Only sex with one of the hottest, sweetest guys I’ve ever been attracted to. And yes, it’s probably a stupid idea given how close we’ve gotten, but then isn’t that a good reason he should be the one? He should definitely be the one.

“It’s a huge deal. Massive.”

“As big as your cock?” Because I can see the hard outline of his erection pressed between his thigh and tight denim, and it’s scary big. Almost enough for me to tell him to forget about my virginity because if I’m snug around my vibrator there is no way he’s going to fit.

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