Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“Why are you frowning?” Maverick asked, one brow arched.
“Was I?”
“You don’t like my name?”
“I do! I love your name. Keep telling me about the horses.”
The song changed and it was another slow song, so we kept dancing.
“Well, it took me a few years to move my way up the ranks on the ranch, but Dustin finally let me start training the horses. He said I had a way with them, especially the cranky ones and the ones who had emotional issues.”
“You do,” I said with a smile. “Have a way with the horses. My father calls you a horse whisperer. Said you can take any horse and make them trust you.”
His cheeks turned pink, and it was the sexiest thing ever to see the blush on his cheeks. Not many rough and tough cowboys blushed, but when they did, it made a girl’s insides warm. Or maybe it was just this cowboy who had that effect on me.
I chewed on my lower lip and jumped when he spoke again.
“I love horses more than people, so that’s probably why they like me.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s more than that. I’ve seen you with them. You have a way about you that makes them feel at ease. I think it’s the way you touch them.”
His fingers dug into my waist for a moment before they loosened. I found myself drawing in a quick intake of air.
Looking away, Maverick scanned the room.
“Will you be coming over for my dad’s birthday dinner?”
“Your mom asked me to join the family, but I don’t know.”
“What do you mean, you don’t know? Maverick, my father thinks of you as a son.”
Something passed over his face before he cleared his throat and stepped away right as the song ended. “Thank you, for both dances, Lily.”
I had the strangest sensation of missing his touch. I brushed it off and smiled at him. He was, after all, incredibly handsome. What woman wouldn’t want to be in his arms? “It was nice dancing with a man who doesn’t step on my toes. Ben is terrible at dancing.”
He chuckled. “Well, I better let you get back to your friends. I’ll walk you over to your table.”
Grinning up at him, I said, “A horse whisperer and a gentleman.”
He lowered his voice and whispered, “I’m not a gentleman all the time, Lily.”
The way his eyes turned dark when he said that made me bite down on my lip. Had he meant for that to sound so sexual? Or had I just imagined it? My mind instantly went to an image of Maverick’s mouth on my body and I shivered.
“Are you cold?” he asked, a slight smirk on his face.
I shook my head, but hadn’t been able to muster up any words.
Before I could think on it another second, he stopped walking. “Thank you again for the dance.”
Feeling out of sorts suddenly, I nodded. “Um, yes, thank you.”
Maverick turned to Renee and Ben, wished them a good night and started to walk across the room and toward my mother and father.
“Now that is eye-fucking.”
I hadn’t realized I had been staring at him retreating until Renee’s words pulled me away and I looked at her. “What?”
“You, eye-fucking the hot cowboy who cleans up real nice. How did it feel dancing with him?”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Renee. They danced, it wasn’t like they were dry humping on the dance floor. He works for her dad.”
I slipped into my seat and picked up my water. My mouth had gone dry. When I finished drinking, I glared at Ben. “How could you make him feel like he was less than me?”
Ben’s eyes went wide. “What do you mean?”
“The comment you made about him working for my father. So what? He’s more than just a ranch employee, Ben.”
“Oh, really? You sneaking into the barn with him, are you?” Ben asked, a smirk on his face.
Every part of me wanted to say yes. I wanted to see what his reaction would be. So when the words that came out of my mouth next tumbled out, I wasn’t the least bit surprised.
“Maybe I am. And maybe he’s the best I’ve ever had.”
Renee nearly spat her wine across the table. “What? Are you sleeping with him?”
Ben’s mouth hung open in utter shock.
My only reply was a one-shoulder shrug.