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She pressed two fingers to his chest and pushed him back so she didn’t feel quite so suffocated from his nearness. “A long, healthy life.”
He chuckled.
Caleb Keagan actually chuckled.
The man had been quiet and straight-faced the entire time they’d been interacting. Suddenly, he was smiling and flirting with her. What had gotten into him?
A better question would be what had gotten into her?
She was actually tempted to take him up on his invitation. As nerve-racking as it would be to get back in the saddle, she found she wanted to be with him more—to investigate this new version of himself he was willing to share.
He was still close to her, mere inches away. His expectant gaze drilled into her, making her heart skip in ways it hadn’t ina long time. “Well? I suppose there’s only one question you have to ask yourself.”
“And what’s that?” she whispered.
“Is it worth the risk?”
No, the question she had for herself was what, exactly, was she risking? She nibbled on her lower lip. Hadn’t she just told herself to let go and enjoy the moment? She was here for the next few weeks if she was lucky. Why not? There were worse traveling companions than Caleb.
“Fine. But you have to promise me that you won’t let the horse take off.”
He chuckled. “I can’t make a promise like that. But I can ensure one thing. If your horse decides to go off on an adventure of her own, I’ll be right behind you.” Caleb’s voice was quiet, husky, even. His focus dipped to her mouth, where she’d just released her somewhat swollen lip. Her thoughts turned hazy as she leaned closer to him for just that moment.
Then she realized what she was doing and immediately withdrew. Her eyes darted away, and she mumbled, “Deal.”
“I’ll meet you down there.” His words sounded like they were far away, traveling through a cavern and echoing in her ears. Caleb retreated out the door and disappeared.
Emma’s hands shook, but it was unclear if it was due to the upcoming ride or the fact that this whole thing felt like a date. She grabbed her jacket and phone, then slipped out of the house and headed straight for the barn.
Caleb was in the middle of hoisting the saddle on the second horse when she arrived. He flashed her a smile and all the nerves momentarily disappeared. He patted the neck of the horse as he came around. “This one belongs to Isabelle. She’s Mateo’s youngest sister. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Buttercup get skittish a single day of her life.”
Emma moved closer to the horse, her hand outstretched. She’d nearly reached the animal when Caleb took her hand and guided it along Buttercup’s neck. There were callouses on his hand—a sign of all the hard work he was likely used to doing. His touch was firm and sure. It wasn’t any wonder that the horses behaved around him.
She glanced up at him over her shoulder but found him focused on Buttercup instead of her. He was alert, patient, and reserved, all at the same time. She wanted to lean into him, to feel the steady beat of his heart and feel the strength that emanated from him. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt safe. She didn’t have to be on her guard—always wondering if the person she was spending time with wanted to be with her or with the star they knew on stage.
In the absence of her security detail and the paparazzi, Emma had finally found her center, and it had only taken a few days to completely let her guard down.
Well, not completely. She still had her secrets.
His eyes flitted to her, locking on her as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.
Emma felt momentarily trapped but then reminded herself that Caleb didn’t know anything, and he didn’t have to. There wasn’t a reality where he would want to come with her and spend time in LA being part of her entourage. Their story would be but a moment.
“Ready?” he said.
She nodded.
He moved her hand into his other one and guided her to the side of the horse. But rather than guide her up, he dropped her hand and grasped her around the waist. In an effortless movement, he hoisted her into the saddle. “Now, unless you want to ride sideways, I’d suggest putting your other foot in the stirrup.” His charming smile and the laughter in his eyes wereenough to set her blood on fire. If she wasn’t so terrified of getting completely attached to him, she would have thrown her arms around his neck in that moment and kissed him until stars glittered in the night sky.
Instead, she settled for doing exactly what he’d told her to do. He took the reins and walked Buttercup to the other horse that was tied up on a post near the door. “Are you ready for the best night of your life?”
She almost laughed, but it wouldn’t come. Caleb could very well be right. So far, tonight was beating out many of the nights she would have put as contenders for the best—and all because she was going to spend it with a cowboy who was easy on the eyes. “I’m ready,” she murmured.
Caleb handed her the reins, then he climbed into his saddle and led the way out of the barn. The ride wasn’t much different than the one she’d taken with Sophia. They wandered the trails while Caleb shared more about his family. He didn’t bare all, by any means, but it was enough for her to feel she knew him better than even some of the people she’d been on tour with.
Large family. Raised an orphan. A twin who had betrayed their family. His life could have been made into a television special, and yet he’d turned out to be the kind of guy who just needed to catch a break.
By the time they returned back to the house, the sky was lit with different colors.
