8. Kat

EIGHT

Kat

Shadow was on the move, and I had to grab him before he decided to jump the fence.

I bolted to the barn with Gabe on my heels, my lungs burning. We skidded inside, and I snatched a lead rope and lunge line from their hooks on the wall.

"Check the stalls," I barked at Gabe, tossing him the lunge line. The echo of hooves and the musky scent of hay filled the air as we moved, ensuring no other horse could make a break for it. A couple horses let out frightened whinnies, huffing in their stalls.

"Locked tight," Gabe confirmed. Relief flickered briefly in my chest; it was one less thing to worry about.

We headed out into the last gasp of daylight, squinting across the expanse of the smaller enclosure. "There he is," I said, pointing. Shadow was standing on the far edge of the enclosure, his tail thrashing.

"Got it," Gabe nodded.

"Keep it calm and slow," I instructed, fixing my gaze on the black figure of the horse. "He spooks easy, especially now."

Gabe nodded again. "Understood."

We edged forward, the grass crunching softly under our boots. I couldn't help but watch Gabe out of the corner of my eye, taking in his surprisingly gentle steps.

We were going to catch him. We had to.

"Easy, Shadow," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper as we closed in on the skittish horse. "It's just me."

Shadow's head snapped up, his eyes wide and rolling with fear. He took a step back, ears pinned.

"Shit," I hissed, freezing in place.

"Stay steady," Gabe said, his voice unexpectedly soothing. He moved slightly ahead, a hand outstretched towards Shadow.

"Good boy, Shadow," he coaxed, inching closer. "I'm not gonna hurt you."

My heart hammered against my ribs as I watched Gabe. Shadow's muscles twitched, ready to bolt, but Gabe kept talking, his words a low hum in the cooling air.

"Shh…there you go."

I took a breath, stepping alongside Gabe, my own hand extended. "That's it, buddy," I whispered, drawing on every ounce of patience I had. "Settle."

Shadow's nostrils flared, his head lowering an inch, then two. We held our breaths, willing him to trust us.

"Come on, Shadow," I urged. "Let's get you home."

Gabe's hand finally brushed Shadow's muzzle, and the horse let out a soft snort, as if weighing his options. I could almost hear Gabe's pulse, steady and sure, as he slowly slipped the lead rope over Shadow's neck.

"Good boy," Gabe praised, his voice a soft rumble. "That's it."

I couldn't help but stare at Gabe, my breath catching in my throat. This wasn't the Gabe who had made high school a living hell. This was someone else entirely—someone capable of kindness, patience, and…

Hell, was that gentleness?

"Kat, grab the other side," Gabe said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

We got on either side of Shadow, guiding him with quiet words and gentle touches. My mind reeled. Gabe was a bully, a brute…or so I thought. But as we walked Shadow back toward the barn, I found myself reassessing everything I knew—or thought I knew—about him.

"Didn't know you had it in you," I said, unable to resist the jab.

"People change," Gabe replied.

"Apparently they do," I muttered under my breath, too low for him to hear.

Once we had Shadow safely back in the barn, I grabbed an apple from the feed room and handed it to Gabe. He gave me a questioning look, his brow furrowed. "Are you seriously rewarding me with an apple?"

I snorted. "It's for him, asshole. You should do the honors."

Gabe laughed softly, then turned to Shadow, holding out the apple on his flat palm. "Here you go, big guy."

Shadow sniffed cautiously before taking the apple, crunching it contentedly. My heart swelled as I watched them, a smile cracking my face—a genuine smile. When was the last time that happened? The tension that had been living in my shoulders eased. I felt…good. Bone-tired, but the right kind of exhausted.

"Come on," I said, jerking my head toward the house. "Let's get cleaned up."

Gabe fell into step beside me. We didn't talk much; there was no need. But the silence wasn't awkward—it was comfortable, almost natural. As we approached the porch, Livy looked up from her perch on the steps, Bandit by her side.

"Hey, you two. Finally caught the speed demon, huh?" Livy grinned, her eyes bright. She held up the bag from the diner. "Finished off those chicken tenders. Couldn't help myself. And, uh, might have started on the cookies."

"Betty threw in cookies?" Gabe sounded genuinely surprised. "She must be feeling generous today."

"Did you save me any, or am I doomed to starve?" I joked. Livy rolled her eyes as if it was the most ridiculous question she'd heard all day.

"Of course I saved you some," she said with playful sarcasm. "Though I considered giving your burger to Bandit." Her eyes twinkled with mischief, and then the laughter bubbled up from her throat.

It was like a balm to my weary soul. Maybe, just maybe, we were going to be okay.

Bandit seemed to catch the lighter mood and trotted over, tail wagging a mile a minute. He sidled up to Gabe, of all people, nosing his hand for attention. This dog, who seemed more than ready to maul most any man who came by, was cozying up to Gabe? The surprise must've shown on my face because Gabe chuckled, reaching down to give Bandit a scratch behind the ears.

"Looks like I've got a new friend," he said.

"Seems like everyone's charmed by you lately."

My voice came out sharper than I intended, but something about Gabe being Mr. Popular rubbed me the wrong way, stirring a strange mix of annoyance and…something else I didn't want to name. He looked up at me with a smirk. "You included in that?"

I stared at him, blinked once—twice.

"Hey, I'm starving here," I blurted out, redirecting the conversation. "Why don't you join us for dinner, Gabe? You've earned it after today."

He looked surprised, and I got it. This was a complete reversal from my earlier attitude. But then he gave a small nod, accepting the invitation. "Sure."

I dropped onto the porch steps, the rickety wood creaking under my weight. My body was coated with a layer of grime and sweat, my muscles screamed from the chase, but when Livy handed me that cold burger, I didn't give a damn about anything else.

I took a massive bite, and for a second, nothing else existed but the taste of a perfect Millie's burger. I moaned, probably louder than I should have, but hell, it felt like the first real thing I'd eaten in days. When I came back to reality, Gabe's eyes were on me—wide, intense, and then quickly looking away.

Heat flared up my neck, and not from the food.

"Good?" he asked, his voice rough, pretending his gaze hadn't lingered a second too long.

"Better than good," I replied, trying to sound casual.

We ate mostly without talking, the silence comfortable enough, punctuated by the sounds of the ranch—the distant whinnying of horses, the lowing of cattle in the field, the rustle of leaves in the wind. It gave me time to think, to replay the day's events, how Gabe had shown up out of nowhere, helped with Shadow, and now…now what?

Gabe was sitting and chatting with Livy, shooting the shit like they were the best of friends. He ate while listening to her talk about school…and she told him things she hadn't even told me. She talked about art class, about how she was getting really good at drawing, how her teachers were supporting her.

I felt, once again, like I'd failed her. But now…it felt like I was doing something right just by letting Gabe sit here on the porch.

"Alright, I better hit the road before it gets any later," Gabe finally said, pushing off the stairs.

"Wait," I heard myself say before my brain caught up with my mouth. "It's late, and those roads are treacherous at night. You should stay."

He hesitated, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered my offer. "I don't want to impose?—"

"You're not imposing. It's been a long day, and you helped a lot with Shadow. Stay."

Livy looked at me, then back at Gabe. She could sense something was up. I wasn't sure if I was ready to share just yet.

"Okay," he agreed. "If you're sure."

"Take a shower first," I gestured vaguely towards the house. "You'll feel better."

"Thanks, Kat." He paused and then added, "Where should I bunk down for the night?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it, suddenly aware of the intimacy of the situation. "Well," I started, feeling the heat creeping up my neck, "I've been crashing in my old bedroom, so you can have the master. Ben's…there are some clothes in there that should fit you."

Gabe glanced over at Livy, who was still munching contentedly on the remaining cookies. She was playing coy, but I could tell she was listening. She always was. "That alright with you, Liv?" he asked gently.

"Sure, go ahead." She shrugged nonchalantly.

"Okay then," he said. "Thanks again, Kat."

After Gabe disappeared into the house, I turned to Livy, my heart thumping. "You okay with him staying over?"

Yeah, I like Gabe," she said simply.

"Good." I nodded, trying to ignore the confusing tangle of emotions inside me. "I'm gonna go shower."

"About time," Livy teased, scrunching her nose. "You stink."

"Hey!" I pretended to be offended, but the laughter bubbled out of me, light and easy.

It felt good to laugh after everything that had happened.

A few minutes later I was alone at last, the doors locked and everyone safely ensconced inside the house. I shut the bathroom door behind me and leaned against it for a moment. The house was quiet except for the distant sound of water running in the master bath. I twisted the shower knob, listening as the pipes groaned to life and water began to cascade down.

Gabe was right on the other side of the wall.

I peeled off my filthy clothes, dropping them into a heap on the floor, and stepped into the steam-filled shower. As hot water sluiced over my body, washing away the grime and sweat, I caught myself wondering about Gabe. He'd just turned off the water in the master bath.

Suddenly, an image flashed unbidden into my mind; Gabe, stepping out of the shower, droplets of water trailing down his skin, muscles flexing…

I shook my head, trying to dispel the image. The sensation of finally getting clean was almost a physical relief, and I couldn't help but moan softly. But that sound triggered another memory—the hunger in Gabe's eyes as he watched me devour that burger.

"Stop it," I murmured to myself.

But I didn't stop.

Instead, my thoughts stubbornly clung to Gabe. I bit my lip, letting out a sigh. My hand, almost of its own accord, began to trace the contours of my body, gliding over wet skin.

"Damn it…" I whispered, knowing this was wrong, hating that part of me didn't want to stop. My fingers lingered on my breasts, circling with a touch that grew increasingly purposeful. Heat coiled deep in my belly, spreading down to where my hand now rested. I swallowed hard, the reality of how many feelings I'd repressed crashing into me. My fingers dipped lower, exploring with a hesitant touch that quickly found a rhythm.

"Fuck…"

I found myself leaning back against the cool tile wall, my breath hitching as my mind conjured up images of Gabe stepping into the cascading water. What tattoos were hidden beneath those clothes? I pictured ink snaking across his broad shoulders, down his solid arms—each mark telling a story I suddenly yearned to read.

My hand moved frantically now, driven by those forbidden thoughts. I wanted him. God, I wanted him, and I despised myself for it. He was just down the hall, within reach…

Imagining his hands on me, rough and yet so tender, I lost myself in the fantasy. My pace quickened, breaths coming out in sharp moans. The thought of him touching me, soothing the wildness inside with a touch, it was intoxicating.

The way he'd spoken to Shadow, in that low, rough voice…I could imagine him using that tone with me.

"Easy…good girl…"

My mind painted a vivid scene; riding him, feeling that rugged body under mine.

How would he hold me? Would it be with restraint or a desperate need mirroring my own?

His name slipped past my lips. "God, Gabe…"

I tipped over the edge without warning, overwhelmed by the fantasy of Gabe inside me, his hands on me, his tongue tracing my lips. Pleasure crashed over me in waves, and I stifled a cry, gripping the edges of reality as the fantasy shattered, leaving me gasping and alone in the shower.

Dragging myself out from under the water, I fought to steady my breath. I wrapped a towel around my body, chastising myself for the fantasy. With every tingling sensation fading from my skin, remorse sank its claws in deeper.

He was my enemy. He'd hurt my family. He'd hurt me .

"Damn it, Kat," I muttered, toweling off with more force than necessary. This wasn't me—I didn't lose control, especially not over Gabe Mitchell, of all people. The guy who'd made my life hell now had me coming undone with just the thought of him? Pathetic.

But my hand paused on the bathroom doorknob as I went to leave, heart revving up again. It would be so easy. Just a few steps. He might even be waiting, hoping…

No. No way I was going to be that girl—the one who threw herself at a guy because of some deluded, post-orgasmic haze.

In the sanctuary of my bedroom, I crawled into bed, pulling the blankets up to my chin as if they could shield me from my own desires. Sleep would come, eventually. It had to. Because the alternative—that I'd lie awake all night, yearning for something that could only end in disaster—that wasn't an option.

Not for me.