Page 157 of Giddy Up, Daddy

“Usually am. What are you referring to?”

“I’ve been missing something vital all these years. Not just a dominant partner but someone who cares about me. Someone who wants what’s best for me. I’ve been too chicken-shit to admit that everything is right in front of me.”

“You finally want to give this a go?”

“You?”

“Us, Firecracker,” he said gruffly. “A relationship.”

A relationship? Of course I wanted to be with him more than I needed my next damn breath. “We’ve never talked about it. I wasn’t sure if I could be a good match for you.”

“I didn’t think we needed to or I’d have mentioned it before now. You’re my best friend. We’ve done some incredible work together in the ring. It makes sense that we'd be good together in every way.” Alden ran his fingers through my hair, rubbing and soothing my frazzled nerves. I shifted around to look up at him.

“What about Kennedy?” I knew he had feelings for her. Everyone did. Was Alden looking for a throuple like all of our friends were in? I wasn’t opposed.

“She’s been a bit wild since her divorce. I haven’t asked her what she’s looking for. Though I think I can give her what she needs too.”

“She’s had a crush on you forever. Not that we’ve been talking about you.”

“I bet you have been. You always do, Wyatt,” he corrected.

“Do you think we can… the three of us… I mean if she likes me enough to…” I sighed. Kennedy and I didn’t have a complicated past, but she wasn’t in the dark. She’d seen me parading women and men through my life like a revolving door of partners. Bragging about the one-night stands, casual flings, rodeo groupies. It had all been a blur for years. They had been band-aids on my bleeding heart. I desperately needed a Daddy. Someone who would prioritize me. Keep me in line and not let me go wild. In turn I’d give him my submission. I also wanted a submissive partner. Kennedy fit the bill, but I wasn’t sure I could lead her in the same way Alden could. I never pictured the three of us together.

That’s a lie.

I’d thought about it but never took any action.

Alden rubbed his mouth. “She’s been dancing around the topic much like someone else I know. Kennedy would benefit from a relationship with both of us. We’d encourage her to compete, if she wants. Whatever dreams and goals she’s been sitting on? We’d get her to follow.”

“Sounds pretty. The idea of us helping her.” I wanted to see Kennedy get herself back after her divorce. To see her bloom. And yeah, like Alden, I wanted to be around to help her get there.

“And I’d help you in the same way. I’ve never shied away from anything, I won’t do it now.”

I let the thought bang around in my brain. No, talking about it wouldn’t do any good. My hind end burned and though I tried to play it off like it wasn’t a big deal. It was. “My ass is sore.”

“Good. Back on topic,” he said, reminding me that we’d been discussing the possibility of a relationship.

“Alden,” I huffed, the worries and fears racing through me.

“Stop letting those gears in your brain run you ragged. Are you willing and ready to be in a relationship? If not, you need to stop poking my buttons.”

I sat quietly for a few minutes, mulling over his words. I had been pushing, poking, bratting. It was easier to do those things than tell him what I wanted. Scratch that. What I needed.

“This could be a terrible idea.” I finally gave voice to the thoughts in my head.

“It could be the best one we’ve ever made.”

Excitement leapt painfully in my chest. I knew what I wanted, but I was scared to rush. My friendship with Alden was too important to risk. “I’m used to jumping into things without thinking. It’s served me well for a long-ass time, but this is too important. Please give me a few days.”

“A few days, but not forever. I’ll chase you if I have to, but I won’t be happy about it.”

The mental image of Alden chasing me across our town on a horse flitted through my head, but in the vision he was shirtless, those gorgeous muscles of his on display. Shaking my head, I pushed the thought away.

“It’s not just me,” I answered. “If you and Kennedy are about to get into a relationship, I don’t want to interfere.”

“You let me worry about Kennedy. I’ll float the idea of the three of us to her because I’ll be damned if I have to rope the two of you together to quit fighting me.”

Damn Alden and the visual fantasies he kept feeding my brain.

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