Page 38 of Perfect Storm

“You’re amazing.”

“I know.”

I can’t stop myself from laughing. It stops when she pushes me back down and moves so her knees are on either side of my head.

“Fuck yes, sit on my face, baby,” I growl.

And I return the favor with enough enthusiasm that I have her screaming.

She forces me to shower alone then we take some time getting dressed up in the fancy clothes Alessa ordered us to bring and head back outside to the huge patio area.

Everyone is speculating Jordan and Alessa are gonna pull a surprise wedding on us tonight, but it doesn’t happen. They have canapes, more champagne, and give out gifts to everyone, like it’s Christmas or some shit. I can see the BreakNeck guys are astounded. I’m not too far off it myself.

This isn’t the Alessa I know and love. But she is happy and the rest of the guys are, too. Riley and her bullshit don’t matter, not when I have my family around me like this.

Jordan tells us the plan for tomorrow is riding lessons, for those who want it, or a morning to do whatever we feel like. His eyebrows waggle, and he winks.

I am pretty sure no one needs any encouragement where that is concerned. I’m not thrilled about what my brother is getting up to in the room next to us. We’ve given them a run for their money. I don’t doubt the others are doing it too.

I watch Ciro and Jack for a bit. They are the only single guys here. There aren’t any other women around to entertain them, but they seem happy enough.

I fill Dylan in on the phone call with Declan but refrain from letting anyone else know. He’s worrying too much about me and telling him Dec is on the case eases some of that concern. I don’t want my brother to let this ruin his time here, either.

Later on, I notice both Ciro and Jack have left. Ciro went upstairs but I don’t know where Jack disappeared to. They are probably upstairs playing cards, gambling all their money to each other.

Jordan suggests grabbing our bathing suits and heading to the hot tub. The damn thing is so big it will fit most of us.

Jenna and Adam don’t join us. They sit with her mom, chatting together, occasionally laughing but keeping to themselves. Nick declines too, deciding to become the DJ and bar tender. Elsa says she wants to go see the horses and wanders off.

Everyone is doing their own thing, which is great. I put my arm around Adrestia. She leans into me while chatting with Brooke about something I don’t care to get involved in. I just sit back and watch it all, realizing I don’t care what Riley does.

I have everything I need right here.

Chapter 11

Elsa

I love the smell of horses. The hay, the feed, the wood of the stables, and the wax that keeps the saddle leather supple. I’m drawn right to them, slipping into the stable.

I pass by the tack room and head to a beautiful white mare. Her head bobs over the gate, curious who I am. She lets me pet her and I rub along her muzzle.

Being a part of this adventure is amazing. I cannot wait to come out and ride one of these beautiful creatures tomorrow. I used to go riding all the time when I was younger. And once dad moved out, there was a small horse ranch near where he moved after the divorce. He’d escaped into the countryside as soon as he could.

Dad is in a good place. He is in love. He hid his true self for so many years. It disgusted Mom. She thinks it’s awful he lives in a van.

Knowing he’s gay, in a seriously committed relationship with another man, well, she’ll never get over that.

It annoys me, because he is the same person. He’s just free, out in the open. Happy, the way he deserves.

I move along the wide walkway, greeting horses if they’re standing by their gates, peering in where they aren’t.

My heart almost melts when I see a mother and her foal in one of the bays near the back. I would give anything to stroke the foal. That would only frighten both of them.

Nick has never ridden before. It’s going to be so much fun teaching him. He will try anything once, I love that about him. We might have had a rocky start, but I can’t imagine my life without him in it.

As I move further along, checking for more horses, I hear a shuffling sound and a grunt. I’ve seen a couple of stable hands looking after the horses. Someone is still working, though it seems late for that. I can ask which horse will be best for Nick.

People don’t realize how individual horses are in their behavior. He will need a gentle horse that is used to new, nervous riders.

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