Page 42 of Saddle Storm

Just had to breathe through it.

Kids are messy. That’s why they make dust busters.

“Don’t worry about it.” I pull to a stop behind her truck at the stables and hop out, coming around the other side to open her door.

Holy hell.

Storm’s ass is pointed in my direction as she attempts to pick at crumbs from the back seat. Plump, round, every perfect curve filling her jeans. Heat moves through me and my cock twitches.

Her jeans sit low, exposing skin as she reaches further back. Hips twisted in a way that makes me want to reach out and hold her in place.

Fuck, get a grip.

“On second thought, probably should make sure you get every last crumb back there.”

She snaps back, finding my eyes low and my grin cocky just for effect. She shoots me a sharp glare and dusts the crumbs she collected onto the floor of my car. Then matches my grin. “Well, since we’re not being well-mannered or anything.”

I stretch out my hand, helping her out of my low seat and pulling her against me. She gasps, dropping her head between us to where my bulge brushes against her. “Trust me,” I murmur in her ear. “I’m minding my manners right now.” I step back, giving her room. Her face flushed as she releases a breath and sets her hat back on her head.

I lean against my car, watching her, arms folded in front of my chest, lips turned up on one side.

She flips around to me and takes a step until her pointed finger reaches my chest. I catch her glance down at it like she’d just poked a wall. “All right, hotshot. I don’t know what you’ve been trying to prove the last day between walkin’ an untamed pony, tricking me into dinner, and picking us up this morning, but whatever it is, consider it proven, all right? We’re cool. I’m over my thing. Water under the bridge. Now please, carry on.” There’s a smirk playing on her face and her tone is light, almost teasing. Not razor-sharp like I’ve gotten used to. She’s subtly asking me what all this was—and letting me down gently.

I frown. “What thing? The crush or the ghosting thing?”

“Both,” she says and by the look in her eyes, I know she’s close to meaning it.

We should shake on it.

Establish an easy friendship right here and now. And when I’m in town between games and seasons, maybe even catch a kid-rated movie. But I don’t know how to do that. If I’m capable of walking away after spending time with her again. With her kid.

And the question still weighs on me, heavy and insistent. One I know I’m going to regret asking, but I settle on doing it anyway.

“Truce then,” I say, stretching out my left hand.

She pauses before awkwardly taking it with hers and chuckles. “Truce.”

I hold her hand, knowing the risk I’m about to take. “Who’s Max’s father?”

Her face falls, but she covers it quickly. “We said truce, Silas. Not friends. You know, that thing that you avoided being the minute I stepped into your school?”

“I agree. I have friends, Storm. And I don’t think of them like I think of you.”

This makes her pause, but she shakes it off like she’s got a battle to win here. “Besides, it’s not like I ever got a reason. Other than you were completely immature and self-centered.” She folds her arms.

I frown and dodge the question she’s clearly asking. “You said you didn’t care to know why.”

“Of course I want to know why,” she snaps suddenly. “I’ve got a grudge the size of Colorado and it’s not going away anytime soon.” She raises her arms like she doesn’t know what to do with me. “So no more dinner tricks. No more showing up at my apartment. And stay away from Max.”

I release a breath, leaning back against the car as her sudden outburst starts to make sense. “So that’s what this is about.”

“That I’m still angry? Yes.”

“No,” I say calmly. “I had you for a minute there and then you turned on me the second I asked about Max’s father.”

She turns away, proving me right.

“Why the secret? Not like I’ll tell anyone.”