Page 160 of Giddy Up, Daddy

“But you said you’re with Wyatt.”

“Yes, I am. I’d like to be with you too. I’d like the three of us to be together. So would Wyatt.”

“When pigs fly,” I said hotly.

“Let’s talk in the morning. Hear me out.”

Alden offered his hand and I took it, grumbling. Wordlessly he led me to his bed. I’d been poised to tell him off earlier, but him saying we would talk more in the morning had me musing that I was overlooking a lot of unspoken possibilities. It sounded like they had brought up wanting a three-person relationship together with me. Tucking me in against his side, Alden kissed my cheek.

“I’m sorry for stomping away from you, Alden. I should have listened to what you had to say before jumping to conclusions.”

“I care about you very much, Kennedy. I have for a long time.”

“I care about you too,” I whispered.

“In case you didn’t know, Wyatt cares about you also.”

I didn’t dare voice my opinion because I had nothing nice to say. Wyatt was my friend, but I wouldn’t tolerate hisrecklessness when it came to a relationship. Despite caring for Wyatt deeply, I questioned his dedication and commitment. I nodded to show Alden I was at least listening to what he had to say.

“I don’t want to be an old man of eighty and look back on my life with regrets,” he drawled. “I won’t make the same mistakes I made in my twenties. At least not on purpose. Trust me enough to know that I’d never lead you on.”

“I trust you. More than anyone.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Let’s go to sleep.”

“All right. Good night.”

“Sweet dreams, darlin’.”

I had my concerns still, but they could be brought to light tomorrow. If the three of us were going to balance, Wyatt was going to have to step up and prove himself.

Chapter Five

Kennedy

Alden had been waiting on me hand and foot since I’d opened my eyes. Breakfast in his bed. A long relaxing bath. Carrying me to his couch and setting me up with blankets and snacks. True to his assessment, I was very sore today. The bruises on my legs and waist grew darker and my thigh muscles were taxed from keeping my position on Topaz. I made a mental note to go out and see my sweet horse today. He was likely stressed from his ordeal too.

“Kennedy?”

I raised my head as Alden strode into the living room. His jeans pulled on his muscular thighs as he walked. I failed to keep my gaze off them.

“See something you like?”

“You,” I said matter-of-factly. “What’s on your mind?”

Alden sat next to me on the couch, close enough that I could smell his aftershave, but put space in between us. “Let’s talk.”

Ice pitted my stomach. I knew what he wanted to talk about: the conversation we’d put off last night. We’d been avoiding it so far this morning, but we couldn’t keep doing that. “Is Wyatt your boyfriend?”

“He’s getting back to me but I’m ready to give our relationship a chance. All three of us. He’s been denying the possibility for almost as long as you have.”

I raised my eyebrows. He wasn’t wrong, but I wasn’t going to admit it. “You think we’ve been fawning over you in private?”

“Tell me you haven’t.”

“Still so cocky. Doesn’t it get annoying lugging your ego around?”

Alden rubbed a hand across his mouth. “Not cocky, darlin’. I’ve seen the writing on the wall, but I didn’t want to push you into something you weren’t ready for.”

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