41. Cody

FORTY-ONE

"You look fucking good on that horse."

I kind of loved it that Hailey still blushed as she rode up on the brown mare. There shouldn't be a lick of modesty left in her since I'd spent all last night worshipping that delicious body, and she sure as hell wasn't acting shy then.

But there she was, those full cheeks pinked, all kinds of sweet, though the rest of her looked sexy as sin.

Rich blonde locks weaved in honey and maple struck beneath the rays of sunlight that speared down through the leaves of the trees that towered on the property, the woman wearing tight cowgirl jeans, red boots, and one of those fancy blouses she always wore to work.

She peeked each direction to make sure no one overheard, and her voice slipped into a giggle. "You'd better watch yourself. You're going to get me fired for fraternizing with the hot contractor."

I grinned as I leaned against the backside of the main stable where I'd been waiting for her, one boot kicked up against the wall and my arms crossed over my chest.

"Hot contractor, huh?"

That adorable smile pranced across those full, full lips. "Are you begging for compliments, Mr. Cooper?"

"Ah, we're back to Mr. Cooper?"

"We are at work."

"Well then, Mr. Cooper is definitely begging for a few compliments, and in case you needed clarification, he is definitely game for a little fraternizing."

I pushed from the wall when she got near enough, and I took hold of the horse's bridle, giving the beast a pat to her neck as I stared up at the woman who never failed to steal my breath.

"Is that so?" Hailey seemed fully game to play.

"Come down here and I'll show you just how game I am," I told her.

She giggled again, and she glanced around before she let me take the reins and accepted the hand that I extended to help her down from the horse. The second her boots hit the ground, I edged her back against the wall, leading the horse behind me.

Pinned, Hailey bit down on her bottom lip, blue eyes peeping up at me from beneath those long, long lashes. "Just what do you think you're doing, Cody?"

"Fraternizing." I murmured it before I dove in to take that delectable mouth.

Her shiny lips were sweet, and her tongue whispered of purpose.

I curled my free arm around her waist and angled in, devouring her mouth while my entire being sank into her spirit.

Yeah, kissing Hailey Wagner was definitely my favorite thing to do.

The way it felt like I was both floating and my feet were firmly planted on the ground for the very first time.

Moaning, I pressed myself deeper against her.

From behind, the horse whinnied.

Hailey flinched like she'd just remembered where we were, and she pressed those sweet hands against my shoulders. Her face was flushed when she looked up at me. "You keep it up, and you're going to traumatize poor Starlight."

I chuckled. "Nah, that was approval."

"Really? And what exactly was she saying?"

"Something along the lines of ‘git it'." I rocked my hips into hers.

Laughter rolled out of Hailey. Her smile was unstoppable.

Fuck, I liked it.

I liked making her happy, and if I could, I would keep this exact same expression on her face forever.

"What?" she asked as she searched my features, a slight frown pinched between her eyes.

"Just thinking what a lucky bastard I am."

A soft puff of air escaped her nose. "I think I'm the lucky one."

We stayed like that for a moment.

Gazing at each other.

Relishing in what this meant.

Finally, she gave me a slight nudge.

"I'd better get Starlight back to her stall. It's going to be feeding time, then I need to get to my meeting."

I sent her the best pout I could manage. "Don't like that you're not coming home with me."

She had some kind of administrative dinner tonight inside the lodge.

Her fingers fiddled in the fabric of my shirt. "It'll only take a couple hours, then you can pick me up and take me home, and I'll be sure to make it up to you."

I let the smirk climb to my mouth. "Oh, darlin', you'd better watch yourself because I'm going to hold you to that."

"You'd better," she said.

I was shaking my head as I stepped away and passed her over the reins.

Yep, no question I was fuckin' whipped. Couldn't stand the thought of being away from her for even a second.

"Text me fifteen minutes before you think you're wrapping up, and I'll head out."

"Okay. Give Maddie a kiss for me."

"You know I will…I'll probably have to give Lolly one, too." I winked at her.

Amusement shook her head. "Oh God, don't give her any ideas."

"I'm pretty sure Lolly's ideas are all her own." I backed away slowly, hands stuffed in my pockets as we swam through the lightness.

Through this thing that felt so right.

The confession threatened to work its way free of my tongue. Because I knew it, looking at her, that she was it for me.

"I'll miss you," I told her instead of admitting it.

Hailey lifted her hand in a small wave. "Be careful."

"Always." I turned on my heel and followed the path around the side of the stables and down to the parking lot in front of the maintenance building. My team was already gone for the day, having wrapped up another pour earlier this afternoon.

Pride filled me as I thought of the progress we'd made. The project was coming together nicely, the first group of cabins already to about twenty-five percent completion. We'd be here the whole summer, but we were more than on track, and the work that had been done was fucking gorgeous.

I wasn't too humble to admit it.

I waved at Tyrek who was locking the front door of the maintenance building before I strode across the dirt lot to where my truck was parked on the far side facing a dense thicket of woods.

My boots clomped on the loose dirt, and I clicked the locks, glancing left and right to make sure there wasn't anyone lurking about before I pulled open the driver's side door.

I went to hop inside.

I didn't know what it was that stopped me.

What made me hesitate a beat.

A tacky awareness slicking over my flesh.

I didn't have time to process it.

No time to step back or just fucking run.

Not before an explosion so fucking loud and disorienting erupted in a gulf of flames.

A detonation of heat and fire and power that blasted me back.

There was no way to stop it or prepare for it.

No way to even contemplate the pain as I flew.

There was nothing at all as my entire world went black.