Page 20 of Saddles & Suits

It isn’tuntil early that evening, after we’ve spent the afternoon in bednotbeing employer and employee, that we actually talk about our relationship.

Seb’s worried that things could turn out weird for him, since he’s basically sleeping with his boss. I get why he’d feel that way, but since I have no intention of behaving unprofessionally in “work” situations, I don’t see that it’s going to be an issue. It’s not like we work together in an office environment. We both agree not to ever bring our personal relationship into the “workplace.”

“But we can talk about work when we’re just hanging out,” Seb decrees. “Because I like my job and you’re a good person to talk to. If you weren’t my boss, I’d still talk to you about work sometimes.”

I grin a little. “Aww, you like talking to me? Also, can you stop calling me your boss? It’s a little…”

Seb quirks an eyebrow, a wicked expression crossing his face. “A little… naughty, maybe? Does it make you want to be the boss somewhere else?”

My face gets hot. “Stop,” I protest, but even I can hear that I don’t mean it. Oh God, do I have a kink?

My friends will never believe it. I’m the most vanilla person in the world. Although wanting to roleplay office relationships in the bedroom isn’t that much of a kink.

Seb laughs delightedly. “You do! Well now, that’s something we might like to explore.”

My heart starts beating so hard, I’m sure Seb can tell. “I… really?” Did I pull off sounding nonchalant?

Not really.

“Of course.” Seb leans over and kisses me, and within seconds, we’re both distracted from the conversation. Who wants to talk when we could be doing more interesting things?

It’s much later before we speak again, sweaty, breathless, and exhausted. “I think I need to eat something,” Seb mutters, and it’s punctuated by the growl of a stomach. I’m not sure whose. My brain hasn’t come fully back online yet.

“What time is it? Is Dave here yet?” He can’t be, because if he is, he would have let us know—probably by knocking on the door and making lewd comments. It’s not like we were all that quiet, especially this last round. Seb’s a noisy bastard.

Groaning, Seb hauls himself out of bed, crossing to where he dropped his pants before. He fishes in his pocket for his phone and groans again when he looks at the screen. “It’s nearly seven thirty,” he says, “and Dave has been and gone. He says he left food warming in the oven, and that hopefully we’ll come up for air before it catches fire and burns the house down.”

I’m not sure whether to laugh. “I guess we should check on it.” And eat. Because, man, I’m starving. “What else did he say?” There’s no way Dave didn’t make some cheeky comment about what we were doing. Something more inflammatory than just hinting we’d be too busy to notice dinner burning.

Seb flushes bright red. “Never mind.”

We get dressed, because even if Dave’s left, a working property is rarely completely without people. Something might need attending to at the stables. Wandering the house naked would be great, but not while there are other people on the property.

As we head downstairs, I wonder what the best way is to get Seb’s phone away from him. I really want to see Dave’s message. It’s probably rude but funny as hell. Well, funny now that I finally have Seb in my bed. The whole world is funny now, just a regular fountain of joy. I can’t remember the last time I was so happy. Almost giddy.

Hell, I’ve got it bad.

We push through the kitchen door, and I nearly run into Seb when he freezes.

Dave didn’t leave. In fact, he called in reinforcements. Chris and Lisa also sit at the kitchen table, all three sipping coffee. Well, I assume that’s what they’ve been doing, since coffee cups sit in front of them, but right now, they’re staring at us with big, stupid grins on their faces.

Dinner with a side of good-natured teasing, it is.

ChapterTwelve

Seb

As I finish doinginventory in the feed room, one of the world’s most boring jobs, I’m thinking about the fact that I’ve never been in a relationship that’s as much fun as this one. And isn’t that sad? It’s not even that Jack and I spend a lot of time doing overtly “fun” things. For three days a week, we don’t even see each other. But I still can’t wipe the smile from my face. When we’re together, everything seems better. Is it because I’ve always been so focused on my long-term career plans and never given anyone else the chance to make me feel this way? Or is it because I’ve never been with Jack before?

I’m almost afraid of the answer.

One thing that’s definitely new to me is sexting and late-night video calls. I’ve always seen my phone as a practical thing. Sure, other people have phone sex, but no way could it be as good as the real thing, right? So what’s the point?

There’s a point.

A good one.

Averygood one.

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