Page 201 of Waiting Game

I dismiss that and peer at the floor. “It’s a long fall up.”

He pauses. “That’s a strange way of describing it.”

I think back to what I said and pull a face. “Yeah, I meant the ground is somehow both farther and closer than I’d like.” I tug on the reins. “Do we have to do this?”

“Yes. It doesn’t hurt my calf.” He bats his lashes at me. “You wanted me to exercise, didn’t you?”

I huff. “You didn’t need me here though.”

“Where’d be the fun in that?”

“I’d have more fun talking to Camille.” I click my tongue like he does to get Gloria to shuffle forward.

Of course, she doesn’t.

I kinda bounce on the saddle to make her move, but no dice.

“She’s offended.”

“Shut up.”

He shrugs. “She is.”

“She doesn’t know what I said.”

“Sure she does.” He pats his ride’s neck—Thunder. “They’re intelligent.”

Could he look more gorgeous? It’s obvious he was pretty much born in the saddle, but I didn’t know I could be turned on and terrified at the same time.

New level unlocked—check.

He glances at me in concern. “Mia?”

I clear my throat. “I’m sorry, Gloria.”

She actually freakin’ neighs.

Cole motions with his hand for me to continue. “It’ll need more than that.”

Knowing I’m crazy for indulging him, I still mutter, “I like Camille, Gloria. That’s all. It’s nice to be around another woman who doesn’t think Cole walks on water.”

Gloria neighs and steps forward.

I shoot him a smug smile as he cries, “Not nice, Gloria!”

“Nah, Gloria knows your sass too well. She’s used to Thunder preening and hogging all the limelight whenshe’sthe one who’s purdy as a Georgia peach.”

That earns me another neigh.

Apparently, Gloria approves of my sweet-talking because, finally, we start moving forward.

“I know you wouldn’t tell Camille my secrets.”

His cockiness has me rolling my eyes, even though, deep down, I’m relieved he believes that. Especially after what happened with Gracie.

“Keep getting kissed in coffee shops by random strangers and I might unzip my lips.”

Cole decides to bring his death forward a few decades early: “That really riled you up, huh?”

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