A groan slips out of me. “This feels wonderful.”
The rumble that vibrates his chest makes my toes curl. “Did you miss me, babe?”
I asked a similar version to his niece, but this one has an entirely different meaning. We’re both so busy during the week that our days together are precious, not that I’m getting attached or anything. Biggest lie ever.
“Maybe a bit,” I admit.
He lifts my chin between his thumb and pointer, treating me to a tender kiss. “I’m glad you could make it.”
I sigh against his lips. “Thanks for inviting me to… wherever we are.”
Reeve releases me, keeping a palm on my back as he guides me toward the barn he appeared from. “This is my cousin’s ranch. He’s a professional calf roper. He does some steer wrestling too.”
“And he chooses to live all the way out here?” I realize how snooty that sounds the second it escapes. “No offense.”
He winces regardless. “A dig at the country after everything we’ve been through? You wound me, woman.”
“That was a gross comment. I apologize.” I cringe for sincerity’s sake.
His smile resurrects in the next breath. “No worries. I understand. This type of property seems too grand for a town like Bam. He paid a fraction of the price for this section of land compared to most other regions. To be honest, it’s tough to find this much real estate for cheaper, even in the boondocks of North Dakota.”
“Glad I’m not the only one picking on rural sites.”
“Says the city girl.” He laughs.
“You would go there,” I mumble. I stab him with a glare, catching another eyeful of hot cowboy. Staying mad at him, even as a joke, is impossible. “I like your hat.”
Reeve tips the brim. “Thank you, ma’am.”
I make a gagging sound. “Eww, don’t start with that. I feel like an old lady.”
“So long as you’re mine.” He wags his brows.
The sentiment strikes straight to my heart. A whimper almost escapes from the hit. I rip my gaze from his, needing some semblance of space. It takes all my effort not to clutch my chest.
What am I doing, mooning over this guy to ultimate extremes? How long can I keep this up? Feelings are forming. Hell, they have been since our friendly date at the lake. I’m not ready for this to end. A quick peek at him shows his eyes seek mine. Those baby blues are killer on my resolve. With a nod, my decision is made. I can pretend for a bit longer.
Reeve ushers me through a doorway big enough to fit three trucks. The air is thick with dust and hay, clearly a horse palace. Two rows of stalls run along the left half, forming a wide aisle in between. The other side appears to be mostly storage rooms and leads to some massive-looking dome on the far end.
“Indoor arena,” he explains after finding my gaze trained that way. “But we’ll be using the outdoor.”
That earns a slow blink of my lashes. “What?”
“Arena.”
“No.” I shake my head. “For what?”
“Your roping lesson.” His lips twitch at the corners.
My eyes grow wider than saucers. “I’m almost afraid to ask what that entails.”
“You remember the rodeo this summer?”
“Sure,” I drawl.
A small grin forms. “Guys catching calves from the chute.”
I burst into hysterics, full throttle ahead. “You honestly expect me to do that? Listen, farmer. I appreciate the ridiculous inaccuracies regarding my skills, but no fucking way. You can’t be serious? No. Just… no.”
He stands there without no visible reaction to my tirade. Once I’ve finished, Reeve quirks a brow. “About done?”
The steam whistles from my kettle. “I guess.”
He grips my shoulders with a gentle shake. “By no means would I ever hand you a rope, plop that fine ass on a horse, and expect anything productive to happen.”
“Oh,” I murmur.
“Yeah, oh. Such little faith.” He clucks his tongue at me, clear disappointment in the sound.
My posture deflates farther. “I’m still a little wary after the milking.”
“But how did that turn out?”
“Quite well,” I say begrudgingly, but a smile forms shortly after. I dry-humped the hell out of his lap later that evening. Good times.
“Take this.” Reeve passes me a lasso. “And follow me.”
I do, albeit with timid steps. I’m still not convinced a wild mustang isn’t waiting at the end of this tunnel.
Once we exit the barn, a huge circular pen stands directly in front of us. The ring is empty aside from a few objects I can’t decipher. He leads me through a gate and over to a tipped barrel. With a nod and a pat, Reeve signals for me to sit down.
“You want me to get on that?” I point to the oversized rusty can, my tone rising with uncertainty.
“Would you prefer Stud?” He hitches a thumb over his shoulder, blindly pointing at what I assume is a stallion.
The horse’s black gaze watches our every move.
My legs shake from the consideration alone. “Uh, no?”
“You sure?” Reeve’s light eyes twinkle under the shade of his hat.
“Very. He looks… excited.” I swallow the grit lodging in my throat.
He grunts. “You’re not his type. Don’t worry.”
I wipe fake sweat from my forehead. “Thank the country roots for that.”
His palm slaps the metal barrel. “Saddle up.”
With the elegance of a drunk college chick, I straddle the damn thing and plop down. It whirls underneath me, and I fling my arms out for balance. “Whoa.”
Reeve chuckles. “That won’t work on a stationary mount.”
“Worth a shot.” I wiggle in place, testing the reliability. “It’s very unsteady.”
He settles himself behind me, planting his feet to add stability. “Better?”
I feel not so much as a wobble now. “Yep.”
“Okay, see that cow?”
I search the open
