Page 149 of Time To Learn

30

Kristian

Patience might be a virtue,but as I wait for Laura to get ready, I couldn’t give afuck.

Not having her for a whole week has taken its toll on me, but it’s not just the physical part I’ve missed.

It’s being denied holding her in my arms that’s the real torture, and I can’t wait to breathe her in, to feel the way her heart beats against mine, once again.

“Are you sure that beast won’t take a bite out of me?” I ask her as she puts the line in my righthand.

“It’s time the two of you got better acquainted,” she grins at me. “Besides, he’s not a beast—just a horse with a bruised heart, that’sall.”

I narrow my eyes at her and attempt to tamp down the need inside me. Knowing that she won’t take over, I sigh lightly and turn my head to lock eyes with the horse in front of me. At least his aren’t angry anymore—only curious andcalm.

“Okay, boy,” I murmur as I take a step back. “Be a good lad and do as your mum tells you, yeah? Begood.”

The further I walk, I let the line slip lightly through my hands until it growstaut.

Affronted, I grimace.

“Why isn’t he moving?” I ask Laura and glance quickly ather.

She crosses her arms in front ofher.

“Well, you haven’t told him what you want yet. Cluck your tongue lightly, and he’ll follow.”

I feel like a nutter, but do as shesays.

Thunder’s ears flicker at the sound I make, and when he moves towards me, I can’t help butgrin.

“See? Now, please take him out to Domino and Lady’s paddock for me while I clean uphere.”

Nervously, I turn my body as the horse gets closer and he stops at my rightside.

“Alone?” I ask her, slightly alarmed.

“Sure, why not?” she asks, blinking innocently at me. But she doesn’t fool me—she’s enjoying this far toomuch.

“Right,” I murmur and turn my back on her. “Please don’t embarrass me in front of my woman, Thunder. Deal?”

The sound of Laura’s low laughter follows me all the way through the stables and outside. Surprised that he doesn’t make a move to run away from me, I take a firmer grip on the line, just in case he’s only playing nice for a couple of seconds.

“Females,” I mutter to him, “they’re the strangest creatures. But what would you know about that, eh? Or maybe you do?” Quickly, I glance behind me and crane my neck, trying to get a look underneath his belly. I only catch a glimpse, but it’s enough to make me wince. “Yep, thought so. I feel sorry for you, I reallydo.”

Thunder snorts and shakes his head lightly, and I get the strangest sense that he’s laughing at me rightnow.

Why am I even talking tohim?

I focus on keeping a bit of distance between us and look up at the rainy clouds.

“I hope that holds off for a while.”

The paddock is only a couple of hundred metres away, but it feels like forever passes until we get there. Finally, we stop in front of the fence, and I move my hand up to his bridle and click off the line with the other hand before I open thegate.

“There you go,” I murmur and release Thunder as he starts to fidget, no doubt eager to get out to the ponies.

I let out a deep breath, relieved, when he gallops away and close the gate as quickly as I can. Now that I’m free to turn my attention back to the woman I desperately desire, I roll up the line and jog back to the stables. It’s time I show my wildcat that, sometimes, there’s a time and place for playing games—but this wasn’t one ofthem.