“Thanks for the offer, Holden. I plan on spending time by the pond, reading. I was actually going to head there after dinner.” I hold my book up in his line of vision.
“No, you gotta stick around. We have a campfire tonight and stuff to make s’mores. It’ll be a lot of fun. Maybe I can convince you to take me up on my offer.”
I shrug and hide my sly smile. “Maybe. I’ve always wanted to learn toride.”Man, I need to stop reading these damn books.My mind just stays in the gutter.
I run to catch up with my parents, leaving Holden standing there with a goofy grin on his face and his hands shoved into his pockets.
We arrive out front and stand around with the other families. It looks like there are four others here now. Three families with younger kids who are all running around chasing one another, and another family with a girl my age.
Dad approaches the family with a teenage girl. “Pete, it’s great to see you. This place is amazing.” They shake hands and carry on with idle chit chat while I open my book to read about my favorite book couple, Quinn and Caleb. I wander around the small area with my nose in the book, internally screaming at the characters to kiss already. I don’t even see the sweaty boy in front of me until it’s too late.
Our bodies collide, and as I start falling, he reaches out, wraps his rough hands around my upper arms, and steadies me. My book slips from my grasp and lands in the dirt by my feet. I don’t even care, though. His hold is strong, and if the way his body felt when I walked into it was any indication, he is packing some serious muscles. I blink and stare into the most beautiful gray eyes I’ve ever seen. He has several inches on my five-two frame. I feel so small in his embrace.
“Sorry about that, I didn’t see you.” His voice is deep, a hint of humor present. I’m too stunned to say anything, so I just blink back at him.
This guy is a hottie with a body!
Shaggy brown hair that’s damp at the end and curls at the nape of his neck. Large gray eyes that shine bright, square jawline with a little stubble on it, and muscular arms and thighs. His football shorts leave little to the imagination.Yup, I was right.
My own book boyfriend is real. I’ve read so many books and pictured the perfect hero so many times, but none of my thoughts have ever done my ideal man justice. This man hits the nail on the head.
He stoops down and picks up my book, dusting off the cover before handing it back to me.
“I’m Tristin Ellis. My family owns this here ranch. Who are you?” There’s a slight twang to his words, but the accent’s not as strong as some I’ve heard.
My mouth is dry, but I force the words out. “L-Lana Robinson. My family and I arrived today. We’re here for two weeks.”
He smiles, and I swear the birds sing louder and the wind through the trees creates a symphony around us. “Welcome toBlack Stallion Ranch.”
Chapter 4
Tristan
I’ve been pissed off since I left the field today. Kasey showed up halfway through practice and tried to talk me out of the break-up. She wouldn’t budge from her spot on the bleachers until Coach finally told her she needed to leave.
Then, she was waiting for me by my car.I just want dinner and a shower. Leave me the fuck alone.I got rid of her by telling her we will talk when she gets back from the campus tour in California next week.
I pull up to my house and see guests milling around.I’m late.I should have been home and showered twenty minutes ago, but Coach had one more drill he wanted me to run through.
Then I ran into the meek girl with her nose in a book, and my whole day changed.Lana Robinson.She’s pretty. Different than Kasey. She doesn’t have a face full of make-up or clothes that show off half her body. She’s a natural beauty. Blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a smattering of freckles along the bridge of her nose. When I knocked into her, my whole body came alive. It’s like it knows something my brain is too slow to comprehend.
She was like a jolt of electricity to my system. Then she blinked her eyes at me, and her mouth popped open in surprise. The urge to kiss her was so strong, I had to clench my jaw and step away from her.
I walk up to Mom and Dad and give my mom a kiss on the cheek. “I’m gonna shower real fast. Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s fine, dear. Want us to wait for you? I know you like helping with this part of the night. We can stall for a few,” Mom says.
I look out at the guests and grin when I see Lana watching me. I raise my eyebrow and match her stare, then lift my hand, giving her a small wave. She buries her face in her book again, and if I’m not mistaken, I see her cheeks redden. “No, I’ll be back for supper.” I glance back at Mom who’s smiling. I roll my eyes and huff. “What?”
“Nothing.” She shrugs one shoulder. “She’s pretty. Holden was hitting on her earlier today, too.”
“I’m not hitting on her. She’s cute, but I slammed into her. I want to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion or something.”
She chuckles and pokes me in the stomach. “I’m sure she’s fine. You don’t havethatmany muscles. Go get clean. You smell bad.” She scrunches her face and shakes her head.
I sniff my pit and wrinkle my face in disgust.She has a point. I drop my stuff off in the mud room and jog up the steps, pulling my shirt off as I walk. I make the shower as fast as possible so I can get back to everyone. Once I’m done, I change into a pair of fitted jeans and a white t-shirt. I toss on a pair of boots and make it back outside to hear everyone clapping.
Lana sits at one of the benches, her nose back in the book, ignoring the riveting speech my dad gives every week. “Everyone, this is our son, Tristan.” Her head snaps up at the mention of my name. “He’ll also be around to help you with anything you need,” Dad says, placing his hand on my shoulder.
