Page 50 of Growing Into Love

I doubt I’ll get any sleep at all. I stare up at the ceiling, barely illuminated by the light of the digital clock on my bedside table. I listen to the soft sound of Cass’s breath and try not to think about her nipples straining against her T-shirt.

Fuck, that didn’t work. My cock starts to throb again and my heart pounds against my ribs like it’s trying to break free. I don’t know how I’m meant to act normal this week when everything suddenly feels upside down.

In the end, though, the jet lag wins. My body is so exhausted that even my racing mind can’t keep me awake forever.

When morning comes, I actually feel better.

And still hard. Christ, it’s like I’m in secondary school again. When was the last time my body behaved like this?

I prepare myself to race to the loo before Cass wakes up, avoiding the embarrassment of her catching me with yet another boner. Then I realize the other side of the bed is empty.

I get out of bed, relieve myself, and I’ve just slipped into a pair of jeans and a fresh tee, wondering where I could find some coffee, when the door to the room opens. Cass comes in wearing leggings and a neon pink crop top that reveals a tempting glimpse of her flat stomach. Her hair is in a high ponytail, her earbuds in, and she’s dancing to whatever music is playing, two paper cups in hand. She sees me and smiles.

“Morning,” she says, putting one cup down on the desk and taking her earbuds out. “Didn’t know if you’d be awake or not, so I brought you a coffee.”

“Cheers,” I say, gratefully accepting it. “Where did you get off to?”

“Went for a run,” Cass says. Then she checks the time. “All right, trainer. You’ve got half an hour to get dressed and ready so we can catch the shuttle to Windy Acres.”

I gesture at myself. “Done and dusted, boss.” I tug at my tee. “Wish I’d packed some nicer things.” I brought a couple of button downs and a pair of good, dark jeans. But nothing that screamsprofessional show jumping trainer.

“You don’t need nice clothes,” Cass says with a dismissive wave of her hand. “What you’re wearing is fine.”

“I was thinking of Carmen and Rosa,” I say. “They look so put together.”

Cass laughs. “Carmen and Rosa are nothing to be concerned about. Remember, this sport is full of posh twats like Nigella. What’s on the outside doesn’t matter. It’s what’s in here—” she taps on her breastbone “—that counts.”

I grin. “You’re quite good at pep talks.”

“I’ve had a fair few from Del.” Cass’s face brightens. “Oh, her surgery went smoothly, by the way. I was speaking to her earlier.”

“That’s great news,” I say, grabbing my coffee.

We take the stairs down to the first floor.

Betty waves at us. “Hi guys” she says. “How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” I say.

“Oh good,” she says. “I’m doing my best, but there are still no other rooms available. I’ll keep you posted though.”

“Thanks,” I tell her.

There’s a little table with bottles of water and fruit. I take an apple and Cass gets a banana. Then we head out to the porch to wait for the shuttle.

“I talked to Dec too,” Cass says, peeling her fruit. “I wanted to check on Naturally. Make sure Dec is taking good care of my boy.”

“I can’t imagine Declan treating any animal poorly,” I say. “Even one he didn’t intend to care for.”

Cass takes a huge bite. “Exactly.” She points the banana at me. “Mark my words, by the time we get back, Naturally Sweet is going to have my brother wrapped around his little finger. Er, hoof.”

My heart sinks, remembering how Declan asked me to try and talk Cass out of the sanctuary idea. I don’t like the thought of doing that—but I made a promise.

“So, what’s the plan exactly?” I ask.

“What do you mean?”

“For the sanctuary,” I say. “You know, you’ll need to have a solid business plan. You’ve got a barn to build, you’ve got to calculate how many horses you can take. You’ll probably need to set up a donation network. What do you plan to do for labor?”

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