Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
She frowns. “A year?”
I wave my hand. “Nothing.”
Word of why I’m here and the rules behind it clearly hasn’t spread to the staff, at least not to Carly. I’ve only met her and the housekeeper so far.
The horse whinnies and shifts her feet, distracting Carly. She runs her small hand down the animal’s flank, and it’s the first time I’ve ever been jealous of a horse.
“I’d better get back to work. I have another horse besides Ivory to groom.” She glances my way and I can’t miss the interest and curiosity. “See you around, Austin.”
She grabs the lead and guides the horse down the center aisle of the stable. I watch the perfect sway of her ass in the snug jeans.
“Count on it, Carly. Count. On. It.”
This year may suck, but at least I’ll have a good view.
4
CARLY
* * *
I’d say the second-most beautiful.
I can still hear the words in Austin Bridger’s deep rich voice.
Austin Bridger…
Wow, is he good looking. Dark hair, dark eyes, a sculpted jawline, and that adorable dimple in his chin. And that body…my God.
There’s a good reason I dropped the cloth I was using to wipe Ivory’s face.
Attraction, pure and simple. In fact, attraction is too tame of a word.
More like captivation. It’s startling, and so is he.
Once I turn away from him, I don’t dare turn back until I hear him leave the stable. Then I let out a breath I only now realize I’ve been holding. My nipples are hard. And lower… I never thought I’d feel desire again. Or anything close to this. But now—
I lean against Ivory’s soft body and breathe. Simply breathe.
Dr. Lake said I’d be interested in men again, but I didn’t believe her. No way could I possibly. Not after what I’ve been through.
“It will catch you unaware,” she said during a recent session. “I know you don’t believe me, Carly, and that’s okay. But it will happen. Those feelings are still inside you, and they will return.”
“Soon?” I asked, trembling. I wanted to be normal, to feel like a woman. But it was difficult to trust even Dr. Lake. She hadn’t been there.
“Probably not,” she said, “but it will when you’re ready. Did you get a vibrator like I suggested?”
I warmed at the question. She’d recommended I begin to take back my sexuality by getting a sex toy to use solo. To relearn my body and find pleasure in it. There aren’t any adult stores around—if there were, I’d be too embarrassed to enter, anyway—so I ordered it online.
I nodded.
“Good.”
She didn’t ask what kind I’d gotten or if I’d used it or if I’d made myself come. I was thankful because just telling her I bought one was hard to share. So much harder than everything else I’d divulged. I’d bought one that had tons of five-star reviews, a fancy kind that not only vibrated against my g-spot inside but had a suction-like thing that went over my clit. It… God. I’d been embarrassed and fearful of using it, but the pull on my clit had been so intense it had wrung an orgasm from me before I could even think twice.
I’m trembling. I’m not sure how I kept from doing so in Austin’s presence.
A vibrator is one thing. Austin Bridger is another.
When you’re ready.
I’m so far from ready!
I let out a breath. I didn’t tell Dr. Lake I was considering a one-night stand. A fling. A get-back-on-the-horse night of sex. Ripping off the proverbial Band-Aid. Whatever the term, I want to have it because I worry it will never happen. This feeling. Desire. Attraction. I don’t want it to be me and my sex toy for the rest of my life.
But I am feeling. For Austin Bridger.
He doesn’t know about my past.
He doesn’t know anything about me.
A thrill shoots through me because all I saw was interest in his gaze. Not pity or concern. Not fear of damaging the already broken Carly Vance.
My idea for a fling is growing. Maybe it’s just what I need. A night with a man who doesn’t know about my past. Who wants me. The complete version of me.
If he gives it to me, maybe I can be whole again.
I turn when someone enters the stable—a blond woman not much older than I am but who was able to complete veterinary school and nab the dream job as head veterinarian here on Bridger Ranch.
“Dr. Davis.” I correct my stance. I’ve got to make a good impression on the boss. Lazing about lusting after the new ranch owner isn’t the way to do that.
“Please, Carly. It’s Lexie.” She offers a kind smile and pats Ivory.
“Okay.” I nod.
I’ll try, anyway.
“How are you and Ivory doing?” She eyes the horse.
“Great. She’s gentle, and my God, so beautiful.”
“Isn’t she?” Lexie gives Ivory another gentle pat on her flank. “I knew she’d be perfect for your first day. I didn’t want to overwhelm you.”