Page 24 of Finding Chloe

“Blake used to take me there all the time.” Kyle shrugged. “We’d let Sapphire explore to keep her spirits up.”

“Thank you so much, Kyle. This helps a lot. I can’t believe I missed that.” I made a few more adjustments to the drawing and then added notes in my planning notebook for possible ideas. Glancing at my watch, I had twenty minutes before I was due at the big house.

I quickly finished my dinner and packed up my computer. “It’s time for my meeting. Thank you both for the advice.” I turned and gave Hunter a quick kiss before rising and skirting around the table to the other side. Before I could overthink it, I leaned down and gave Kyle a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for dinner and the help. I promise to make up for this.”

Kyle’s wide eyes found mine, and I fought the urge to kiss him on the lips just to see how shocked he’d be. My heart broke at missing out on more with him tonight. I didn’t know how long the meeting would be, and it wasn’t as if we had plans other than to have dinner. But it was supposed to be my chance to see if Kyle and I had potential. With Hunter and Matt, I knew we had undeniable chemistry. Kyle was the one I didn’t know where I stood with. Did he like me, or was he placating Hunter while I was in town?

“I look forward to it,” he said after a beat. A smile stretched across his face, showing off his gorgeous dimples. That urge to kiss him hit harder, and I had to step back before I gave in.

“Tomorrow night?” My stomach flipped thinking about it. I couldn’t think of anything on my schedule that would interfere. It all revolved around how tonight’s meeting went and speaking with Matt. We hadn’t had a private moment all day, and I’d be skipping out on a night with him again.

Kyle’s eyes danced. “Can’t wait.”

MATT

“You’ll never guess, Matt,” Chloe squealed as she flung her arms around my neck from behind. I’d just finished the morning feedings and had taken a break on a pile of shavings bags. It was time to clean some stalls, but I needed a few minutes.

“What, Greene?” I chuckled, grabbing her forearms to keep her around me. I pressed my lips to her skin and breathed in her delicious scent. It was a combination of her favorite vanilla lotion and a smell that was uniquely hers. I wanted to lick her whole body all day long.

Chloe giggled and tried to back away as my whiskers tickled her cheek. I hadn’t felt like shaving this morning. I had to force myself to shower after waking up alone. It made my heart ache. I was getting used to Chloe sleeping with me every night, but for the past two nights—ever since Hunter and Kyle came into the picture—she hadn’t slept with me. Was she sleeping with them already?

“They love the location and the ideas I presented.”

I laughed as she shook my shoulders. Her excitement was infectious, and I felt myself grinning too.

“That’s fantastic. I knew you could do it. One more thing off your list.”

Chloe let out a deep sigh. “Thank goodness. If we didn’t find someplace soon, they’d be getting married in the jumping arena.”

I barked out a laugh. High-profile people marching around the arena in expensive dresses and suits. “I might have paid to see that.”

“It’s a free show, since you’re invited.” She rocked forward against my back. I gripped her arms tighter around my neck and relaxed into her touch. I loved the feel of her against me. It was like she was made to be wrapped around me.

“Can you guys get the mower over there to clear the tall grass?” Chloe leaned her head against mine.

“Of course. We just started the mowing in the front pastures, but we’ll pop over to do it before we move to the back ones. Is that okay?”

“Sure. Just as long as it can get in the rotation. I won’t be able to get started until it’s been cleared out.”

“Anything for you.” I kissed the inside of her wrist. Chloe snuggled into my neck, kissing her way along any exposed skin. Her lips on my skin sent my nerves into overdrive, and my cock twitched.

“Please tell me you’ll be in my bed tonight.” I turned my head to the side so I could see her.

She chewed on her bottom lip.

“What?” I asked, not at all thrilled she didn’t immediately agree.

“I have a dinner date with Hunter and Kyle tonight.” She pushed off my shoulders, and I turned to face her.

“Again?” My fingernails dug into the palms of my hands. Didn’t she just have dinner with them last night? Why did they get to monopolize her nights?

“Hunter and I connected when I was in New York. I’ve regretted not giving him my phone number every day. I still like him. I want to see where things can go.”

“But you have me.” The bags squeaked underneath me as I shifted. “Isn’t that enough?”

“I don’t really have you, Matt. We’re friends… with benefits… sometimes.”

“What if we were more than just friends?” The words slipped from my mouth, and I didn’t regret them. The time to fight for her, to make my intentions toward her clear, was now. She was mine, and I wasn’t going to give up without her knowing exactly how I felt.

---