Page 20 of Brazen

“That’s really cool. I’m a vet. I specialize in horses although this one, Cletus–” she tipped her head toward the paddock “–is giving me trouble.”

“And Sam can help?”

She laughed. “Oh yeah. Just watch.”

We stood side by side, quietly watching Sam run his hand down the animal’s quivering flank. I could see his lips moving. He was talking to Cletus although I could only imagine what one said to a horse. Cletus’s ears flickered. Tail twitched. He shifted, kicked out a back leg.

Then Sam led him around the paddock, continuing to talk.

“See? He’s the horse whisperer around here.”

Watching Sam like this, without a cocky smile or a butter-won’t-melt-in-my-mouth attitude, made him seem more… real. Hotter.

“Does he ever wear a shirt?” I wondered to myself although Charlie heard and laughed.

“I hope not. That body’s God’s gift to women. It should be on display.”

Oh. Were they an item? Ernie had called him a player. I ignored the sour jealousy that bubbled up. I didn’t like the idea of her lusting after Sam.

She turned her head and winked. “Don’t tell Levi. My guy.”

I relaxed and smiled. “My lips are sealed.”

Sam led Cletus over to us. “I think you’re all set. He and I had a little talk, and he should be a little less sassy now.”

Charlie went and took the reins, and eyed the previously surly horse. Now, he seemed to be docile. “Thanks. Nice meeting you, Clio. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”

Sam hopped the fence again and grabbed the shaft from my hands. “Let’s fix that tractor, so you can go pick up your little man on time.”

Sexy, capable, and didn’t forget that my kid came first. Was I under his spell now like Cletus?

8

SAM

* * *

“I have a question,” Clio said as we walked side by side across the field to the tractor. Just being near her soothed my wolf, who’d been going nuts since the moment I first saw her.

Mine, he snarled at me.

Yeah, got the memo. Working on it.

“Shoot.” I itched to reach out and hold her hand, but I held the replacement shaft in one and her toolbox in the other. Besides, she didn’t want that.

“What’d you say to Cletus to get him to calm down?”

“That’s a secret between me and Cletus. Man talk and all that.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw she smiled, while her eyes were on the ground, watching her footing in the tall grass. Out in the field there was always a chance for a random rock or an animal hole tripping you up. The sun was high, and the air was warm but had a hint of fall. This would be the last grass harvest of the season once we had the baler on the back of the tractor up and running again.

She stayed quiet until we got to the tractor. She walked to the back of it and squatted down between the back tire and the attached baler.

I stood near her, taking the opportunity to study her. This was the first time I’d seen her out of her work coveralls. Today she wore a pair of denim overalls with a white tank beneath. It showed off her toned arms and her perfect curves. Wide hips and full, grippable ass. Those tits made my mouth water.

I shifted, so that my jeans were a little more comfortable. I wanted to reach down and adjust myself, but that wouldn’t go over well.

“The tractor starts, right?”