“How are you doing?” he finally asked after they’d made a wide circle around the property.
She frowned when she saw the roof of the barn in the distance. “I’m wonderful. Can we keep going?”
“Not today.” The path widened and he dropped back to ride next to her. “It’s your first time, and I don’t want you to be too sore.”
“Oh.” She stretched her legs and winced at the burn in her inner thighs. “I can just walk it off later.”
“Keep that thought,” he murmured, obviously trying to hide a smile.
Unfortunately, he was absolutely right about her soreness. Although she refused to complain, it was about all she could do to care for her horse and limp back to the house.
After taking off her coat and boots, she flopped to the couch and groaned. “I think now is a good time for Mittens and Charlie to visit my lap. I don’t know if I can move.”
Laughing, he leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Go upstairs and take another bath while I get supper ready, baby. There’s Epsom salt in the cupboard.”
Before she could protest, he tapped her nose, then added sternly, “And don’t argue about being lazy this time. The bath will make you feel better, and you don’t want a spanking over your sore muscles, right?”
“Maybe I do.” She giggled and got up with somewhat less groaning, then yelped when he smacked her bottom.
“Careful what you wish for!” he called after her as she limped up the stairs.
Chapter Fourteen
Walt
He smiled and shook his head, then listened for the sound of water filling the tub. He wouldn’t put it past her to hurry through a shower so she could help with lunch.
As much as he wanted to follow and share another bath with her, he didn’t. Between making love to her most of the night and her ride, he’d bet she was exhausted. Besides, throwing sandwiches together wasn’t exactly challenging.
While Susan bathed, he hiked to the end of his driveway to collect his mail and frowned at the dark clouds moving in from the west. Normally, he’d check the weather report but decided not to.
Instead, he prayed for Christmas snow deep enough to give him an excuse to keep her. The Horsemen would give her time off if she got snowed in, and…
He let the thought trail off, knowing he was being ridiculous. Didn’t stop him from wishing though.
After dumping his mail on his desk, he straightened up the living room and started a load of laundry. Lastly, he made a huge bowl of popcorn, then set it on the coffee table with the cranberries, plus the needles and thread he’d purchased.
She came downstairs, dressed in loose yoga pants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. Damp waves framed her face, and her cheeks were pink from the warm bathwater. Smiling brightly, she went straight to him and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Lowering his head, he kissed her, tracing the edges of her teeth with the tip of his tongue. His cock hardened, and he groaned into her mouth when she rubbed against him.
With some effort he gentled his kiss and rested his forehead against hers. “That’s enough of that, young lady. Are you ready to decorate our tree?”
“Can I kiss you more first?” Reaching around him, she grabbed his butt and squeezed. “Please, Daddy?”
“If I kiss you more, we’ll end up in bed again.”
“You say that like it’s bad.”
“Shoo. To the couch with you,” he ordered. “Don’t forget, Christmas is tomorrow, and Santa will want to see a decorated tree and cookies when he comes down the chimney.”
“Oh, I suppose.” She grinned and stole another kiss before scampering to the couch. After curling up next to him, she picked up the thread and pack of needles. “Did something need mending? I can do it.”
“Nope. No mending.” He nipped off a long piece of thread and stuffed the ends through the eye of the needle. “We’re going to make garlands for our Christmas tree.”
He pushed the needle through a cranberry to demonstrate, then handed her the needle.
“Oh!” She chose a piece of popcorn and ate it. Grinning impishly, she got another and added it to her string.