Page 31 of Lone Wolf in Lights
Laughter bubbled around them, but amidst it all, Willow’s awareness of Eli was a constant thrum in her veins. His eyes, a green so deep she felt she could fall into their depths, were locked onto hers again. And though no words passed between them, he didn’t need to say a word. Her nipples puckered, regardless of the hot water surrounding her.
“Aubrey?” Jaxon asked.
She snorted. “I think I’ll save the rolling in the snow for when hell freezes over.”
“Fair enough,” Jaxon conceded with a laugh. “Gunner, show the ladies how it’s done.”
Willow watched the easy banter between Charly and Jaxon and how he’d taken her so tight in his arms. She’d never seen Charly look so happy. She questioned whether the intense chemistry between herself and Eli could ever transition into a steady, comforting flame or if it was meant to always burn wild and unrestrained. Yet, despite her uncertainties, she couldn’t ignore the magnetic attraction that continuously brought her back to him.
Which was all the more confusing since none of this was supposed to be real.
The chill of the winter air brushed against her cheeks, a stark contrast to the steam rising from the hot tub’s surface. She could feel Eli’s gaze upon her like a tangible force, and something within her stirred—a wildness she’d kept caged for far too long—and she needed to cool off...andfast.
“I’ll take that dare,” Willow declared, right as Gunner rose.
Before doubt could claw its way back into her thoughts, she propelled herself over the edge of the hot tub. She squealed in laughter as the crisp snow embraced her in a cold kiss as she landed with a soft thud. Her skin prickled with goose bumps as she raced forward.
“Willow!” Aubrey’s voice rang out, equal parts shock and amusement.
She sank into the snow and began to wave her arms and legs in and out. She didn’t care about the icy sting or the way the snow clung to her barely-there bikini. She was free in this moment—free from the shadows of her past, free from all her own damn worries, and she was trusting in the feeling as the seconds slipped by.
Rising to her feet, a shiver danced up her spine and her breath came out in giggles. She glanced back toward the group, where everyone’s faces were illuminated by the multicolored lights from the hot tub. And there he was—Eli, his eyes alight not with hunger now, but something so much sweeter.
Their gazes locked, and time seemed to hesitate at the way his smile reached his eyes, crinkling the corners and revealing a rare warmth. One that a woman could find herself lost in.
“Get back in here,” Charly called out, her voice laced with laughter. “Before you turn into an ice sculpture.”
With a final chuckle, Willow bolted back toward the hot tub. Her breath misted in the crisp night air as she plunged back in, her skin tingling and burning.
“Atta girl,” Eli commented, pride swirling in his eyes.
“Braver than I am.” Jaxon chuckled from across the tub.
“Or crazier,” Aubrey added with a playful wink.
“Maybe a bit of both,” Gunner replied with a laugh.
She kept on laughing and met Eli’s gaze. The smile he gave her was filled with warmth and served as a reminder that the life she had been struggling to regain was finally coming back to her.
Ten
After putting in his training rides in the morning, Eli stood in the arena, the wind howling outside. For most of the night, he had struggled to erase the image of Willow in a bikini from his mind. He finally gave in at around three in the morning and took matters into his own hands. Literally. The pleasure helped temporarily, but when he woke up, her smooth and alluring skin was still imprinted in his thoughts. He took a shower and sought pleasure again, and as he finished, he allowed himself to imagine her while releasing his built-up tension. But even now, if he let his mind drift, his cock twitched.
He was only too glad for a good distraction that came later in the day. Beside him, a woman with a sharp gaze, undoubtedly a riding coach, gave nothing away as she scrutinized the colt being ridden by a teenage girl, probably no older than sixteen, who looked tiny in his saddle. Ranger had been an easy colt to train, with Eli only putting thirty days of training on him, while some took sixty days or longer.
The cold nipped at his ears as he explained, “Ranger’s sire and dam were both champions in the western pleasure circuit. He’s got the bloodline and the brains. Could take your daughter all the way to the ribbons.”
The father nodded, clearly impressed by the elegant lines of the young colt, whose coat shone like burnished copper. “He certainly looks the part,” he replied, smiling at his daughter, who guided Ranger through a series of maneuvers, each one executed with increasing confidence.
“Looks and moves like a dream,” the coach added, her critical tone softening just a fraction as she took in the colt’s fluid movements. “Good conformation, responsive...show him right, and he’ll shine.”
As if sensing the weight of their expectations, Ranger turned his head slightly and nudged the girl’s foot in the stirrup. Her eyes lit up as she laughed, and Eli couldn’t help but feel a spark of satisfaction knowing the colt was already weaving his magic.
The father and coach approached the daughter in the center of the arena, and Eli hung back, knowing they needed privacy to talk.
A moment later, the father returned to Eli. “That colt is everything you said he would be and more. We’ll need to get our vet out here for a pre-purchase exam, but if all checks out, consider him sold.”
Eli offered his hand. As the father shook it, Eli said, “Glad to hear it. He won’t disappoint.”
