Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97836 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
When I pulled up to the barn, the first thing I saw was Silas’s broad back and muscular shoulders, golden brown in the sun. He was wearing one of my utilitarian tank tops, shoved haphazardly into a pair of jeans. Unlike the pair he’d worn when he’d arrived in Majestic, these jeans fit him as perfectly as if they’d been tailored by the god of ass and thigh.
I stared at him for a full minute as he leaned against the fence, watching Natana work in the ring with Letty. Bunny stood close to him inside the paddock, nosing his biceps periodically to remind him she was a good girl who deserved treats and kisses.
He reached out to run teasing fingers along her cheek and down her nose without taking his eyes off Natana as she moved to stand on Letty’s saddle. It was obvious Silas was comfortable with horses, which made little sense for a man from the city.
My annoyance with his meddling melted like spring frost in full sun. For some reason, just looking at him had the capacity to completely derail me.
Was this what it was like to meet a cult leader? Where suddenly your rational brain, a lifetime of lived experience, and even your gut completely abandoned you, leaving you at the mercy of a charismatic stun gun?
I watched as he let out a loud whoop as Natana successfully jumped from the saddle, somersaulting in midair before landing on her feet. She turned and grinned at him before taking a dramatic bow with her hands outstretched. Natana Whiteplume really was a beautiful woman, and maybe I’d missed an incredible opportunity by never asking her out. But watching her flushed and happy, enjoying her biggest passion in life, was nothing compared to the feeling I got from simply glancing at Silas Concannon’s back.
If I’d ever found Lake McNair or Jackson Painter attractive, it was nothing compared to how I found Silas. I was stupid for him. Completely and utterly in thrall. Lust was a stronger power than I’d ever imagined or experienced before.
As I stepped out of my truck and began walking toward him, a warm breeze brought with it the familiar scents of hay, horse, and sunshine. Despite my annoyance, all I could think about was taking Silas home and getting him naked. Licking every bare inch of him and sucking his cock into my mouth. Grabbing his ass and grinding into him until I could mark his belly with my cum. Leaving his mouth raw and red from beard burn and yanking his hair until it stood on end.
When he turned around, his easy smile faded instantly to a neutral expression. “Hi.”
My stomach curdled with nerves. “Hey.”
Silas’s eyes flicked briefly toward Natana before he moved toward me and pulled me into his arms and kissed me. It was awkward and performative, stiff and meaningless.
I wanted to scream and rail. Hell, I wanted to punch him in the fucking face.
“Hey,” I said again stupidly.
“Hi.”
Fuck.
Thankfully, Natana called out with a greeting and a few comments about Letty’s performance, giving me an excuse to pull away.
I walked to the fence to give Bunny some attention while I spoke to Natana. I felt Silas move behind me. Every square inch of my body was attuned to his. I knew where he stood, and I felt his confusion like an uncomfortable itch on my skin.
After another minute, Silas entered the ring to retrieve Bunny. He led her out of the ring and toward the barn. I didn’t even realize I’d followed him until Natana called after me with a laugh. “Guess I’ll see you later, then.”
I waved a hand at her and followed Silas into the darkened aisle. The familiar scent of the barn grounded me. Silas clipped Bunny to a nearby hook and proceeded to untack her, even though I could tell from his movements he didn’t really know what he was doing.
“Need help?” I offered, stepping up to offer Bunny some reassurance while Silas fumbled with the stirrups.
“Natana showed me what to do.”
I bit my tongue against correcting him as he forgot a few steps. It hardly mattered as long as Bunny herself was well cared for. Once he had the saddle and blanket off, I handed him a curry comb and took another for myself to start on her other side.
We worked together in silence for a while before Silas finally broke. “Are you still pissed at me for helping?”
When he said it that way, it sounded ridiculous.
Almost as ridiculous as it actually was.
Instead of firing off my mouth the way I was inclined to do, I bit my tongue and took a breath. “Maybe a little. Mostly, I’m just tired. It’s been a long week.” I let out a breath so deep it might’ve stirred the leaves in the trees. “And apparently, I’m still not getting things done the way I should since you’re finding all this stuff to help with.”