I shrug. “Topic never came up.”
If it had, I would’ve missed out on Bianca’s stunned expression when she stumbled to a halt at the hitching post. Her wide eyes couldn’t believe I’d properly tacked both horses while she explored the house. That shock doubled when I gripped the saddle horn and swung onto Bandit in a fluid motion. She’s been peeking back at me frequently ever since. Probably to make sure I’m not full of shit and still astride my mount.
Like now, her eyes narrow on me and my natural seat. “Who taught you?”
“YouTube mostly,” I admit.
Her laughter increases in volume. “No way.”
“Any professional horse person worth their credentials has a channel. Damn good tips on there.”
She sobers, nibbling on her bottom lip. “Have you watched any of mine?”
I nod automatically. “Been a subscriber for five years.”
Her eyes bulge again. “That’s basically when I started posting.”
My chest puffs up a bit. “I was your first follower.”
“How is that possible? I had a flood of hits the minute my account went live. To be the first, you would’ve needed to be watching the second I activated it.”
“I’m well aware.” In more ways than one.
Her gasp electrifies the distance separating us. “That’s… stalkerish.”
Our gazes clash in a heated exchange. “Does it bother you?”
“Maybe.” But there’s a telltale grin curving her lips, revealing the truth.
Bianca likes the idea of my obsession. I wonder if she realizes how far that fixation goes. A house stocked with her favorite things should be a big fucking hint. There was no missing how her gaze stuck to the flowerbeds packed with daisies. Her serene smile in that moment was a precious gift. If only she looked at me with the same fondness. Maybe she’ll learn to appreciate my protective habits and forgive me for the deceptions along the way.
Right now, the sparkle in her features is piqued in interest. “Why didn’t you just ask me for lessons?”
“That wasn’t an option.”
She assesses me in silence, staring deep until I can practically hear her pulling at my protective layers. “Is that why you didn’t talk to me for all those years?”
My chin dips in acknowledgment. “There wasn’t much to say.”
Not while Brody’s warning constantly taunted me.
“You don’t seem to be at a loss for words anymore,” Bianca muses.
“Our change in circumstance helps.”
Her exhale drowns out the trickle from the creek we’re passing. “That’s one way to describe my brother hiring you to guard me.”
“Just for Europe.”
“Which expanded into a promotion of lockdown proportions thanks to your dad.” She rolls her eyes, not appreciating the position I’m in.
That’s why I find myself admitting, “You’re not a job to me, Princess.”
“Yeah, yeah. My safety is most important. You’d probably volunteer to protect me just to stay on Brody’s good side.”
My molars grind under the force of her assumption. I don’t think she’s ready—and I’ve said as much—but she’ll discover the depths of my infatuation eventually. Might as well rip off the damn blinders.
It starts with a chuckle, which startles Bianca. I stare at her, not afraid to expose what she does to me. Her lips part while mine slant into a smirk. She’s the only one who gets to witness such jovial expressions from me.
