Because it’s her first timewith me.
I interlock her fingers with mine, guiding her inside the open barn.
With every step toward the horses’ stalls, my nerves heighten.
Of all my horses I’ve never let anyone near Storm before.
He’s the one thing that’s always been mine. The one thing no one can take from me, and that won’t willingly leave me.
Once we reach the stall I let go of her, despite my body screaming to keep holding on, and I unlock the stall gate. Entering first, I turn to find her still standing there, staring at Storm with worry in her eyes.
“Come on”—I gesture to the horse—“He won’t hurt you.”
“Are you sure? He looks mean.”
I shake my head, huffing out a laugh. “I promise.”
Her head snaps in my direction, and I know those two little words hold more power than I meant for them to hold. Instantly my head swirls with ideas of her past and promises that she thought would remain true but ended up broken.
I move to stand before her, bending to level my gaze with her.
“I promise,” I repeat the words that now hold more meaning.
She swallows before she nods and follows me into the stall. Storm lifts a foreleg, stomps his hoof in the hay, and shakes his head with a neigh.
She brings her hands up in defense as if he’s about to attack.
“That’s his way of saying hi,” I tell her, before moving to put the halter on him and securing it in place. Once it’s secure I give him a small pat on the head. I swallow past a nervous lump in my throat because I want her to know all of me. But it’s scary to open up past a physical connection. “Storm has been in my life since my ex left. A light inside of me died, and I had a feeling I would spend the rest of my life alone. I needed an outlet. I needed some peace in my life and something that brought me an inkling of joy.”
She remains quiet to let me continue.
“I want you to see that too. I’m not sure if you’ve ever ridden a horse before,” I say, grinning as I turn my head to face her. “But I want to know if you want to give Storm a ride?”
“I…” She pauses. “I don’t know, Griffin. From watching television shows, can’t the horses tell if you’re nervous? I really don’t want to be thrown off a horse when I’m having a good day.”
“You’re having a good day?”
She rolls her eyes as if I should already know, but smiles. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“For starters, I woke up aching everywhere.” She winks at me. “The good kind of ache that makes me want more.”
“Blair,” I cut her off with a warning tone.
Just remembering last night sends blood straight to my cock. That wasnothow I wanted it to happen, nor was it my reason for taking her out there. But it happened and I don’t regret it for a second. It was perfect. I know the reason behind that is the woman standing in front of me.
“And then this cowboy showed up at my work this morning to bring me coffee,” she continues, the corners of her mouth rising painfully slow into a smile. “And that’s when I realized I was having the best day. All of this to say, I’m not sure I want to be thrown off a horse today.”
She laughs, and I just offer her a weak smile.
“I won’t let that happen,” I say honestly.
She stares at me as if she’s trying to figure out if I’m telling the truth. I guide the horse out of his stall before making my way to the small tack room to grab his saddle. Taking the time to mount it on his back before making sure everything is in place and safe.
The last thing I would want is for her to get hurt. If I thought Storm would throw her off him there’s no way we would be here right now.
It’s a big deal to bring someone here, because this is my safe space. The one thing that’s mine. Opening this part of me up to someone when I haven’t heard the words I’ve wanted to hear is only opening myself up for the potential for heartbreak.
