Page 92 of Paper Horses

My lips thinned as I tried to bite back my smile. “I thought we were leaving jealousy behind us with the past.”

“We are, but this sounds like a future thing, and my possessive ass doesn’t like that word unless it’s me wooing you.”

My neck bent back when I laughed, and he nipped at it.

“Not wooing like that. It’s a list of people in the affluent circles who I know would be interested in using your skills.”

His head raised, and with it, an eyebrow. “That so? You sharing me like that might not work out well.”

This time my eyes narrowed, and I hoped he could feel the burn of my irritation.

“See, there’s that flash of jealousy.” A nip to my ear had me rubbing it with my shoulder. When I didn’t respond, keeping my gaze drilled into him, he continued, “Fine, tell me more and then we’ll go riding.”

He gave my bottom a smack that made me jump into him, and I tossed him an aggravated look even though I enjoyed it. Turning to my computer, I pulled up the file.

“My father would host parties when we were young, and he insisted we attend. Best manners, perfect clothes, etc. When I came back from school, he insisted I attend all the charity functions and other parties that people in his circle held. Many of the people I’ve known since those childhood events. I suppose exposing me early helped me become adept at socializing and making deals with those people. My brother, not so much. But me, I learned the skill, and when you add in the reputation I have, people talk.”

“That’s all they do, right?”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“No jealousy, remember?”

“Yes, but I’m not training some rich man’s horse if he’s ever had his hands on you.”

My exaggerated eye roll did nothing to sway him.

“I rarely indulge in those circles. I steer clear of drama and anything that can taint my family name, so there’s no one on that list that I’ve ever even considered sleeping with.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

“Don’t give me that look. You had girlfriends…long-term girlfriends, so drop it before you see a side of me you won’t like.”

His brow quirked, a grin tugging. “If it’s that feisty, annoying bitch who ordered me to get her luggage, that could be fun. Can you make her wear the boots?”

“Oh my God, you are unbelievable.”

I closed the program and put my computer into sleep mode.

“You really think they’ll bring their horses here?”

“I know they will. Not only that, but they’ll buy their colts here.”

He rubbed his face, his stubble scraping his rough hands when he did. “I don’t know, Olivia. I’m nobody, and there are ranches out there that have been doing this for generations.”

I stepped up to him, pursing my lips and saying, “Is that your confidence I hear slipping? Because I know that’s not what I hear. Not Hudson Thomas, the best damn horse trainer this side of the Rockies and the sexiest city-born cowboy there is.”

“You think I’m sexy?” he asked, giving me a lopsided grin.

“Definitely. And confident. You bought a cattle ranch without knowing anything about running one⁠—”

“And look where it got me.”

“Because you’re a horse guy, not a cattle guy. Run with what you know. There’s a reason Gabe and I don’t invest in sports teams. We don’t know sports. But give us a shopping mall or a resort, and we’ll make it first-class.”

“And the ranch?”