Chapter 6

6

Melissa

I sabella shudders as I brush her mane with gentle strokes. “Oh, I know you love it,” I giggle as I enjoy every second I get to spend with this beautiful mare. “Pretty girl.”

Growing up in Lincoln, I didn’t get to see many horses. I’ve been around a few, but never close enough to feel their silky coat tickling my fingertips, to feel their skin twitch under my touch the way Isabella’s does when I stroke her. She’s a gorgeous creature. Downright majestic.

“When Mitch gets back from town, he’ll help me with the saddle, and we’ll take you and Cosmos out for a ride in the fresh snow. How does that sound?” I ask her.

By now, Isabella has learned that I groom her before and after a ride. And since she hasn’t been out today, she can anticipate what comes next. Checking my watch, I know Mitch should arrive in about thirty minutes. It gives us an hour or two for a proper ride before I have to get back into the kitchen and prepare the ranchers’ supper.

“I think I’m getting used to this place,” I tell Isabella.

I know the mare doesn’t understand me, but it does me good to let these words out from the bottom of my heart.

“I’m glad to hear that,” Ethan says, startling me.

Isabella stirs beside me, but I quickly and gently tug on her harness for reassurance. She’s incredibly responsive to my commands. I’m permanently in awe of her—though I’m even more in awe of Ethan’s ability to virtually sneak up on me at any given moment.

“You scared the crap out of me,” I gasp.

He smiles as he comes into the barn, the spurs on his boots jingling subtly with every step. That winter jacket hugs his torso and gives him an air of authority, making me feel vulnerable in comparison.

“You should be used to that by now,” he says, moving closer.

Elias, his horse, hears him from the stalls and lets out a welcoming neigh.

“He’s happy to see you,” I mutter, unable to take my eyes off this clean-shaven and slightly stocky Avery man.

“And you’re not?” Ethan asks.

The distance between us is shrinking with every step he takes, and I cannot find the will to move away. The pull is magnetic or like a flame, and I’m a foolish moth. My brain goes haywire when I look at his lips.

His icy blue gaze scans me from head to toe.

“I’m always happy to see you,” I politely reply. “How can I help you, Ethan?”

“I was just popping in to say hello. Darla said I’d find you here, grooming Isabella. You two seem quite at home with each other.”

“Yeah, she’s a sweetheart,” I say with a smile as I stroke the mare’s strong neck.

“She can tell you’re a good person, otherwise, she’d never give you the time of day,” Ethan replies.

I can’t help but blush a little. “Oh, that’s sweet. So, I’ve got the Isabella seal of approval, huh?”

“You’ve got mine, too,” he says.

The air between us thickens and Ethan keeps coming closer. I should do something. Step aside. Get behind Isabella. Anything. But I can’t. I don’t think I want to because Ethan is nearing, and my heart is throbbing with anticipation and my curiosity is getting the best of me. I shouldn’t, but I want to see where this is going.

He is mere inches away now, and my mind’s a blank as I look up and lose myself in a pair of cold, blue eyes.

“You’re not afraid of me?” he asks.

“Should I be?” I reply with a raised eyebrow.

“My brothers say I can be intimidating, and I gotta admit, I lean into that pretty hard.”

“Well, you can lean into that all you want for all I care,” I shoot back.

“You don’t strike me as the bold type,” he says, visibly amused. “What changed?”

“Nothing’s changed,” I reply. “I’m just not easily intimidated.”

“To be fair, intimidating you is not what I planned.”

“You just want to see how far you can go with me, right?” I laugh lightly.

“I just want to figure out why I can’t stop thinking about you, Melissa.”

The words hit me hard, knocking the wind out of me. He takes another step, and I quiver in my boots as I feel his hot breath tickling my lips. I can’t move, nor do I want to, and it’s an alarming thought, given what I’ve started with his brother. Whatever this is, it is perilously exciting, and I can’t seem to back away from it.

“Ethan…”

“You’re clearly not indifferent to this either,” he says.

“Well, no, but—”

He shuts me up with a kiss. It is quick and intense, and all of my defenses crumble like a house of cards. One by one, my senses unravel as I feel his tongue spearing mine. A moment later he pulls back, his breathing heavy.

The blue in his eyes is almost black, desire burning beneath those long eyelashes while I struggle to regain my composure. I’m flustered and turned on and definitely losing my mind here because all I can do in response is throw my arms around his strong neck and kiss him again.

His scent—leather and sea salt—fills me. His taste—coffee and maple syrup—makes my core tingle. His body is hard, unyielding as his arms snake around my waist. He pulls me in and deepens the kiss. I devour him, and he responds in kind as liquid heat seeps through my panties. Beneath layers of winter clothing, there are two beings made of flesh and bone, burning for one another.

“No,” I manage and finally find the sense to pull back. I step away from him, panting and panicking as I nervously look around. “No, this is… oh, this is so wrong. What did you do to me?”

“I didn’t do anything,” Ethan quips. “You’re the one who asked for seconds.”

He runs his thumb over his lower lip, and I damn near come from just looking at him. I shake my head in fear of hyperventilating if I don’t put a reasonable distance between us. Ethan doesn’t seem angry or offended. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s actually enjoying this. Maybe a little too much.

“Dammit, this is not okay,” I snap. “I can’t do that again.”

“Melissa, it’s alright,” he says, slowly raising a hand to touch my face.

I jump back, and for a brief moment, Ethan seems offended. “It’s not. Oh, God, if Colton finds out…”

“Melissa, hold on.”

I run blindly out of the stables as a steady snow begins to fall. The skies are grey, draped in thick clouds and the cold air pierces my lungs with every frantic breath. My cheeks burn, my lips tingle from the memory of his kiss. I wanted it. That’s why I feel so damn guilty.

I wanted it.

And just like Ethan said, I went in for seconds, too.

What was I thinking?

I forget all about my ride with Isabella.

I barely notice the winter cold and the twinkling Christmas lights hung around the ranch house windows as I rush back inside. I head straight upstairs and decide to hide in my room until it’s time to start prepping for dinner. I’m staying put, between these four walls, and taking deep, controlled breaths until the panic passes.