I rest my free hand on her thigh. “It’s good to try new things.”
“Yes, experimentation can really pay off.” Audria laughs. “And since you mention that, does Trigger go faster?”
I snort at the effort that would require. “Not willingly. Want me to try?”
Her helmet smacks into me as she tenses. “No, that’s okay. I was just curious.”
“Maybe you can on your second time, and I’ll stay on the ground.”
“Why?”
“Trotting is hell on the balls.”
A high-pitched bleating interrupts the flow of our conversation. Audria twists to see Archie’s beloved goat scampering about in the nearest horse pasture. “And who is that cute bundle of fluff?”
“The farm’s very own little rascal. Ace is a troublemaker.” I watch her kick and buck at the air, stubby legs flying wildly in every direction.
Audria fixates on the creature bred for mischief. “With a name like that, I’m sure she has several tricks up her sleeve.”
“Constantly. She eats her way through ropes and always gets loose. She won’t stay in any pen. If that’s not bad enough, she riles the other livestock up and forms stampedes. Charlie can’t fix the broken fences fast enough.”
“Why keep her around?”
“She’s a stellar companion, better than a donkey.”
“Well, that’s not saying much. Any animal should be better than an ass.” She nudges me with her elbow.
That gets a chuckle out of me. “Funny girl.”
Her entire form shakes with laughter. “Thanks. I’ll apparently be here all day.”
“And the sun is still shining. We’ll have to find something to do after Trigger craps out.” I nod toward Ace. “Wanna use her for roping practice?”
Audria sucks in a breath. “That tiny goat? She’s smaller than a bullseye.”
“She isn’t self-conscious about her weight. No need to worry about wounding her pride.”
“Now who’s the funny one?”
I lick my lips and lean a little closer. “Speaking of hilarious, do you have plans for Halloween?”
Her upper body melts into mine. “Not that I’ve made yet.”
“Any interest in celebrating with me?”
She glances back at me, quirking a brow. “A holiday hangout, farmer? This is getting too serious.”
Pressure brews as I fight to maintain a neutral expression. Regardless of the effort, my eyes narrow at a tree in the distance. “A ton of other people will be there.”
Audria’s features brighten with a wide smile. “I’m totally messing with you. Where do you plan to take me?”
“Nice try,” I mutter. “You’ll have to wait and see, if you even want to go, that is.”
“Why wouldn’t I? We’ll have a blast no matter what. Just tell me it’s not the spooky castle.”
“Why? You don’t want to go back?” My mask of indifference still doesn’t crack.
She remains facing forward without responding. The silent treatment is torture.
I squeeze her hip. “Okay, that was a bad joke. This won’t be anything scary or boundary-pushing. It doesn’t involve roping or milking or riding.”
“Do we get to dress up?” Even with her turned the opposite way, I can see her mind whirling with possibilities.
I bob my head slowly. “Yes, that is strongly encouraged.”
“Can we wear a couple’s costume?”
That has my eyes flaring wide. “Are you trying to make a statement to the entire town that we’re an item?”
“No!” She blurts that exclamation far too fast for my liking. “Not that it really matters. I’m sure they’re already blabbing about us on the daily. But I’ve never coordinated a ridiculous ensemble.”
I clap my palm on her leg. “Why didn’t you say so? That’s my newfound purpose, after all.”
Audria dips her chin with a giggle. “Happy to oblige.”
“Should I buy the costumes?” One of the shops along Main has to have a matching outfit.
She rests her hand on top of mine. “I’ll take the lead, farmer. Lord only knows what you’d pick out.”
I thread our fingers together. “Still salty? I make you ride a horse one time, and all the trust goes out the window.”
She reclines against me as we rock to Trigger’s beat. “You’ll just have to work extra hard at earning it back.”
I nuzzle into the crook of her neck, kissing the delicate skin there. “Challenge accepted, babe.”
Reeve leads me inside the entrance of his CornHub palace with a palm resting at the base of my spine. Why does that hand on my back feel more like a brand with each occurrence? I swoon into him like a magnet, my legs bending on their own. He responds by hooking his fingers around my hip and securing an anchor. The wall reinforcing my resolve wobbles from the impact. Damn, this man makes resisting love quite impossible.
I inhale weakly to chase away those romanticized musings. Studying his place of business seems to be a good enough focal point, not that there’s much to see. The interior is dark, as expected after hours. Bare walls and basic lobby furniture give the front area a minimalist style. A stale quality carries through the air along with hints of musk. If I weren’t already aware, I can clearly see this company is male dominated.
“What’d you forget again?”
We were en route to dinner when Reeve asked if I minded a slight pitstop.
Reeve blindly directs me past a section of cubicles. “Ah, just some contracts I need to sign.”
I furrow my brow. Suspicion attempts to raise its head, but I tamp that twinge into a hidden corner. “That’s reason enough, I suppose.”
“Yep, it’ll just take a minute.” He guides us to a long hallway.
“No rush. I’m still plenty satisfied from earlier.” I toss him a flirty wink.
His gruff chuckle awakens the slumbering buzz in my core. “Shameless, babe.”
“You wouldn’t have me any other way.”
Even in the pitch-black, I can feel the sizzle of his eyes tracing my curves. “I couldn’t dream a better version.”
This guy and his loose tongue are a detriment I’m caving against. A sacred talent buried deep manages to prop me upright. I release a warbled sigh all the same.
Reeve tows me into a small room, flicking on the light as we cross the threshold, illuminating a standard office layout. I squint, adjusting
