Page 109 of The Billionaire Who Saved My Cat From The Mafia

“Sounds romantic.”

“Does it?”He smiles to himself but doesn’t make eye contact.I think he’s up to something.

He turns us toward a wide, flat meadow, and Athena happily follows along.

“Ready to go a bit faster, Boots?”

“Canter?”

“You go it.”

We move both horses to the next fastest gait, and it takes me a bit of time to get used to how Athena moves and responds to my weight.I’m not used to the split reins, so there’s a learning curve, and the saddle feels strange.

“You’re a great rider,” Special K says.“A natural.”

“I’m not at all used to a Western saddle.It’s like riding a horse while sitting in an armchair.”

“As opposed to perched on an uncomfortable stool?”

I laugh.“Close.”

We continue through the meadow, and pretty soon I’m relaxed and enjoying all the sensations this ride offers me.The sight of the rolling land, rising hills, and majestic mountains. The smell of fresh earth and grass and the sound of hooves and wind.The feel of the wind in my hair and the capable horse under me.

And the deep sense of peace that comes from being at Special K’s side.

“You good?”he calls out to me.

“Excellent.”

“Then let’s give ‘em some gas.”

We kick the horses into a gallop, and I hoot with joy.For a moment, I give myself this gift of being free.I won’t think of Niko and his crew of ruthless scum.I won’t worry about whether he’s looking for me, or how long I have until he finds me.

After a nice long run, we slow the horses, continuing on for another half hour or so before we reach the hot springs.I know that Pussy is back at Emma’s house, perfectly content with Jasmine, so I have no concerns about keeping her out of harm’s way.I’m still a little embarrassed about how I lost my shit up on the ridge when Pussy ran off.

It was a reminder that I can pretend I’m not afraid and focus on enjoying the moment, but the fear—so sharp and nasty—is always just below the surface waiting to be triggered.

When we get to the hot springs, Special K helps me down from Athena.He secures the horses in the shade and we walk to a vantage point on a large boulder to watch the sunset.He puts his arm around me, and I lay my head on his shoulder.

“Let’s sit for a minute,” he says.He guides me to a nearby rock shaped almost like an overstuffed chair.We sit and lean back.His arm is propped casually over my shoulders.

“Thank you for this,” I tell him.

“Thankyou,Frankie.”

His politeness makes me laugh, and when I look over at him, I say, “We’ve sure got the gratitude part nailed down.”

“We have a lot of the parts nailed down,” he says, his voice serious.“Does it seem strange to you that it’s been so easy for us?That there’s no awkwardness, or effort required in being together?”

“See?I told you this was gonna be romantic.”

He gives me a crooked smile, and his single dimple comes to life.I love that damn thing.

I love him.

“I’m going to tell you something.I’m asking you to hear me out.”

Oh, shit.“Okay.”