Page 33 of One Sultry Summer

“See what?”

“You’ll see.”

In the half-hour that passed, we didn’t see anything, instead, we chatted about our mundane personal lives. Then I heard a sound in the distance that I wasn’t familiar with. It was a rumbling sound that got louder and louder. I started to feel a vibration on the ground and in my chest. My eyes widened as a herd of horses came over the ridge. Seeing them was breathtaking.

The horses galloped close enough for us to see them, but far enough away, to not disturb them. Their powerful hooves shook the earth. Wyatt’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and I felt a surge of adrenaline. As the herd drew closer, I could see the intricate patterns of their coats and the wild beauty in their eyes. I was amazed by the number of horses on the land.

“Do these horses belong to someone?”

“No, they are likely the last wild horses remaining in this area.”

“They’re so beautiful.” My eyes scanned them, trying to guess how many were out there. “There must be at least seventy to a hundred horses.”

“Sounds about right. We try to track them and make sure they are alright. They are an important part of the ecosystem,” Wyatt explained. We watched them until they disappeared over the next ridge, their hoofbeats fading into the distance. It was a sight I would never forget. Wyatt’s presence added to themoment, making it even more memorable.

“Is this one of the reasons you opposed my company building in Skybrook?” He looked at me, and somehow, I already knew the answer without him saying a word. He nodded in agreement. “Thank you, I’m so glad you shared this with me. I will include this in my report and ensure this area remains undisturbed.” The expression on his face softened and so did my heart.

He removed his hat and kissed my lips, and warmth spread through my entire body, ignited not by the sun but the passion between us. I pulled him down onto me where we laid on the blanket. I wasn’t worried about being seen as there didn’t seem to be a soul in sight for miles around us. A soft, gentle breeze ran over my exposed skin as we made love again.

He held me close, making me feel as if I hadn’t a care in the world. I straddled him feeling invincible and careless. Throwing my head backas I moved up and down on his shaft. He pinched and sucked on my breasts. I wanted so badly to scream as the orgasm was building, stronger than I had ever experienced before.

“Don’t hold back, Valerie. Come for me, baby.”

“Fuck!” I screamed, the walls of my vagina contracting around Wyatt.

“That’s it!” He encouraged me to continue. He lifted to meet my movements. That’s when he shouted out his own curse words as he came. We sat there panting, with me still on top of him, and began to laugh as we realized we were in the open field with the sun beating down on us.

“I think this is by far, the craziest thing that I’ve done in my life.”

“Then I think you and I need to get out more.” I beamed at him.

“I couldn’t agree with you more.” He kissed me on the nose, and I rose from his lap. “Besides, we should head back.” He went about putting his clothes back on, and I did the same. He rolled thegreen blanket up and shoved it under his arm.

We strolled hand in hand across the field and back to where Hubs stood waiting for us to return under a shaded tree. At this moment, I had a whole new appreciation for horses and Wyatt, the man with many layers.

Chapter 12

Wyatt Woods

As we headed back, the clouds slowly rolled in, giving us a much-needed break from the sun. Valerie leaned back against me as we rode in silence. The only sounds were Hub’s hooves hitting the uneven ground and the birds chirping nearby.

As we trotted along the trail, the cemetery came into view. I debated whether to tell Valerie about Lauren, but something told me that now was not the time. Soon, I would unload the baggage I was carrying, and Valerie would head for the hills, sooner than she planned on leaving.

Until then, I would savor the brief time we spent together. I brushed her auburn hair asideand kissed her neck. Within a few minutes, we were back at the house. I got off the horse, then Valerie put out her arms, and I helped her down from Hubs. Once her feet were firmly on the ground, I gazed into her eyes. One was blue like a storm. While the other was hazel, like a radiating golden sun, holding my attention.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Forgive me, I was a little distracted. You have the most beautiful and interesting eyes.” I cleared my throat. “Would you mind if I took care of Hubs first, and then we could have lunch?”

“No, not at all. I want to watch if you don’t mind.” After guiding Hubs back to his cozy stall. I carefully unstrapped the saddle, feeling the warmth of his powerful back beneath my hands. The scent of hay and horses heightened all my senses. She stood outside the stall, looking closely as I explained the proper care of a horse.

I figured she was likely bored, but she seemed to listen intently to every word. Whenshe asked me questions, I realized she was genuinely interested. She even asked about the other horses in their stalls. I provided her with their names and detailed their distinct traits and characteristics.

Once I was done with Hubs, I ran into the house to grab some carrots and offered them to Valerie.

“Would you like to give them a treat?”

“Sure.”

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