Page 8 of Bride ’N Boots

“Don’t know yet. Haven’t looked. But if I had to guess, I would say Western Bridal is going to be happy as hell. You guys don’t just look like you’re in love, you look in lust too.”

“I have a boyfriend,” I said weakly.

She rolled her eyes. “Technically. Yes. Actually? Not so sure about that . . .”

I nibbled on my lip, but Arden immediately made me stop. “Lipstick.”

“Right.”

“You two almost kissed,” she said. “And we’d barely started the photoshoot.”

“I know,” I finally admitted because Arden was relentless. “I don’t know what’s happening to me.”

“It’s called lust, darling. You’ve never felt it, so you’re unfamiliar with the concept.”

“I’ve felt it.” I paused. “Maybe.”

“What did he whisper to you?” Arden asked. “When he was twirling you around?”

My cheeks heated. “I won’t repeat it.”

“Oh it must have been good, then. Really good.”

I groaned.

Stratton came back, shoving his phone into his pants pocket. “Ready for round two?”

Arden and I looked at each other.

I’m not sure I’ll survive round two.

CHAPTER FOUR

“Okay, for this next shot, I want to get Maisie on the horse, and Stratton, I want you holding the reins. You’ll look at each other and smile. This will be so adorable,” Arden said.

I pointed to the mare that was currently tied to the fence post. “You want me to get up there?”

“Yep.”

“Am I straddling?”

My eyes darted to Stratton.

He raised his brows.

Great. Now I wanted to straddle Stratton. And I couldn't get that image out of my head.

The first part of the photo shoot had made me completely aware of him. His touch caused my skin to zing, and my head was full of dirty thoughts. They flickered like images from an old school film reel; one after the other.

“You will be riding astride,” Arden confirmed, drawing me back to the moment. “We have to see the cowboy boots. That's kind of the point of this whole thing. Western bride, you know?”

“Honeysuckle is calm,” Stratton said. “The mare, I mean. She won’t throw you.”

“I’m not worried about her,” I said. “I’m worried about how I’m supposed to get up there without a step stool.”

Stratton smiled. “I’ll lift you.”

“Oh, this is perfect. Let me get the camera ready. Wait. Three, two, one, go.” Arden focused the camera on us as Stratton's hands went to my waist.