I can see a man coming down the road. Maybe the owner of this horse? Though I can’t wave or yell because I have no clue how the horse will react. But the man doesn’t look happy at all. Another man comes rushing our way, but the angry man reaches me first.
“Get off the fucking horse,” he growls and comes closer to grab the reins.
The horse jumps to the side, clearly spooked by the idiot.
“Could you try to be less loud and bouncy?” It takes effort for me to use a polite tone so the words might come out in a slight hiss.
The other man arrives but the angry one is still trying to grab the horse, and he’s now cursing me out. The horse instantly starts to buck. My heart lurches but instinct kicks in and I have full control and smooth talk the horse back to a calm state.
All while I’m fuming on the inside. Luckily the angry man is now standing a few feet away because I needed the room to regain control of the horse. What a stupid asshole. It’s clear he doesn’t know how to handle horses.
“You okay, ma’am?” a guy wearing a Stetson with blond hair coming out from underneath it and a scruffy jaw says.
His head tilts and so does my freaking heart. Wow. This man is gorgeous. Warm, blue eyes and a friendly face. Broad shoulders with tattoos covering his shoulders, arms, and peeking out underneath his leather cut and tank. He looks around my age. I’m twenty-one, maybe this guy is a little older? Twenty-five, tops. His lips move but I’m too busy gawking to hear what he says.
His lips curl into a knowing smile before he kindly repeats his words, “Mind getting off the horse? I’ll make sure not to spook Toby, we don’t want him to start bucking again. And I’m sorry about Enzo, he’s an ass.”
“Please tell me it’s not Enzo’s horse,” I sigh, feeling sorry for the horse.
The man with the blue eyes chuckles. “Nah, it’s one of our new quarter horses. We train and then sell them. They belong to the MC, our ranch is up ahead. Enzo normally handles the Longhorns but he suddenly decided to help out with the horses.”
“He should stick with the Longhorns.” I glance at Enzo who is still standing at a safe distance with his arms crossed in front of his chest, glaring at either me or the horse. Without thinking I mutter, “I hope one of the Longhorns pokes him in the ass next time he’s around them.”
Another chuckle makes my gaze collide with blue ones again. He grabs the reins and holds out his hand for me to take. “The name is Ledger, and you are?”
“Staying on this horse.” I give him a tiny smile. “Sorry. It’s been one heck of a night and I’ve been traveling for hours on end to get to my brother. And I’d rather stay on his back than to walk beside a skittish horse.”
He tilts his head and scans my face. “You have to get off Toby sometime. Our ranch is right over there, and I’m sorry, but no visitors are allowed.”
No visitors allowed? I didn’t travel hours on end to have nowhere to go. I’m in a life or death situation, not to mention the thirsty part adding to another life or death situation if I don’t start dehydrating soon.
“We’ll see about that,” I snap and simultaneously drag the reins out of his hand and spur the horse on.
Screw him. I’m not a visitor; I’m searching for my brother and hope to stay with him until I find out what to do with the rest of my life. The whole life or death situation has an effect on my future and I can only rely on my brother for help.
I sadly don’t have the time to relish in the amazing feeling of riding at full speed because I have to take a hard left to head for the large ranch. Good thing the gate is open and so are the stables. I jump off and quickly guide the horse into one of the open stables. Routine allows me the speed to unsaddle and place the items in front of the stall after I lock the horse safely inside.
I’m jogging in the direction of the large house when I see the two men running my way. Bye bye, boys. I’m way faster than those two slowpokes. Though my joy doesn’t last long when I step inside the house–which is actually the MC’s clubhouse–and at least ten pairs of eyes lock on me.
“Shit,” I grumble.
Ledger steps around me, his chest is rapidly rising and falling but other than that I wouldn’t say he’s out of breath. The other dude is panting like his life depends on it, and he’s giving me a death glare along with it. I should probably be happy he’s out of breath otherwise he would be cursing at me.
“I told you no fucking visitors allowed,” Ledger states, his voice even but his eyes flare with anger.
I step closer to him and jab my finger against his chest. “And I said, we’ll see about that.”
I’m tired. Cranky. Thirsty. And I want my freaking brother. My breath rushes out of my lungs when his fingers wrap around my wrist and he pulls roughly, making me collide with muscled chest as his other hand grabs my hair to keep me in place.
His lips go to my ear and he whispers low, “You’re inside the clubhouse of The Iron Hot Blood. A chick all alone…think long and hard
