Page 79 of Reins

He chuckles and shakes his head, tipping back his hat. “Down here there’s hot summer and cool summer. That’s about it.”

I shiver remembering barely two weeks ago nearly freezing to death in the woods with him. A lot sure has changed since then.

“I could get used to this.” I hop up into the back and untie Petunia, patting her velvety nose. “We made it to a safe place, girl.” Leaning in, I press my cheek to hers and scratch her chin before leading her out.

Both the mares stand on shaky legs as we walk slowly across the red dirt towards the barn.

“That’s how I feel.” Cade jerks his thumbs towards their wobbly stride. “I think I have a Dodge logo imprinted on my ass.”

“Then we match again. Last thing we need is a pair of tattoos. Like a triple crown.” I catch up to him and thread my fingers into his.

After we get the animals tucked into their paddock, he shows me the tack room and where all the hay is stored.

I love how common sense the layout is. Much better than the barn at the ranch.

It isn’t where I belong anymore. I never want to see it again.

“Want to see your new home? I mean, it’s yours for as long as you want it.” His crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes deepen as he squints at me.

“What if I never want to leave?” I blink against the bright sun, wrapping my arms around his waist to prop my chin in the middle of his chest.

Every moment I’m with him I feel closer. Yet there’s always an invisible barricade between us where he’s holding back.

“You’ll get sick of me one of these days.” His thumb trails over my cheek to brush a strand of hair. “Then I suppose I’ll move out to the barn.” The whites of his teeth flash with his adorable lopsided grin.

Fuck, he’s just so—

Before I can stop myself, I rise onto my toes and drop a small kiss to the corner of his cheek. “You’re stuck with me.”

His hand at the small of my back freezes, pinning me tightly against him.

For a moment, I hold my breath, hoping he dips his head to kiss me back.

But with a heavy sigh, his grip loosens and his jaw clenches. “Let me show you the house.” His eyes climb to focus over my head. “We can go shopping tomorrow to find some furniture for your room.”

Damn him.

No. I’m the one who’s a fool. He was honest from the beginning.

Why do I keep pushing for more?

Because I want it. I want him to touch me as more than a friend. The biggest joy I experience is when he folds me into his body at night and his lips rest at the nape of my neck.

I know he presses them to my skin before he falls asleep. I always pretend I don’t feel it so he won’t stop.

And sometimes, before he’s fully awake, he grinds against me and I can feel his need pressing into my back.

I may not understand all of the details of sex but I’m also not completely stupid. I grew up on a farm. I’ve been to the breeding stables for some of the most expensive dressage horses in the Pacific Northwest.

Maybe he’s holding back because he knows he’ll never be comfortable with my body? Or the uncomfortable truth that I’m Ava’s sister.

The woman he loved and lost. I’ll never be her.

I don’t want to be.

Twisting the ruby ring on my hand, I let him lead me with the other into the cool recesses of his home.

He keeps saying it’s mine too. Except as long as he keeps me at a distance, it won’t be.