Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“More important news,” Trev said, grinning. “My dad’s out of town for the weekend. I’ve invited over some people tonight. A small gathering, not like the last one, and Blaise hasn’t been around now that he has Empire moved over here. So, no interruptions.”
Saxon moved his gaze to meet mine. He wanted to go—I could tell without him saying anything.
“Okay,” I said when Saxon said nothing.
“Of course, Declan is invited, if that’s who you want to bring,” Trev said to Saxon, then looked back at me. “And I want you there.”
Although we hadn’t been alone again since the night I had snuck out of the house with him, he’d been by daily to visit. I hadn’t felt the need to remind him we were just friends because he had been acting like a friend and nothing more. I wasn’t sure if this was his way of saying I would be his date or not.
“You up for it?” Saxon asked me before he replied to Trev.
I nodded. “Sure.”
“Excellent,” Trev said, looking pleased. “I told everyone eight, but if y’all want to come on over early, that’s cool.” He kept his gaze on me when he said it.
I glanced toward Saxon, wanting him to make the call on when we went over.
“Okay,” was all he said.
Trev nodded his head back toward Empire who was further away from the other horses.. “How’s that one doing?” he asked. “Blaise been around much?”
I continued to rub Firefoot.
Blaise had been here twice, but he’d not spoken to me—or acknowledged me for that matter. Not that I cared or expected him to. It was a relief when I didn’t have to be around him. He checked on Empire, spoke with Kenneth or Saxon, then left. His last drop-by had been two days ago. Not that I was keeping track or anything.
“He’s good. Kip has been running him daily,” Saxon told him. “Blaise has been by a couple of times.”
“Better here than my place,” Trev replied, then looked back at me and winked. “See you tonight.”
Trev gave Saxon a nod before heading back out of the stables.
Once he was gone, Saxon turned his attention to me. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to,” he said, studying me, as if he thought he could read my feelings by my facial expressions.
I shrugged. “I’m good with it.”
Although I was questioning that decision. I did my best to avoid Declan, but that was when she was at the house with just the three of us there. At a party, I wouldn’t be forced to be around her. Besides, Trev was my friend. He wanted us there.
Saxon didn’t seem convinced with my response. It was clear in the way he continued to frown. “You seem to have bonded with Firefoot,” he said.
I turned my attention back to the beauty I’d been giving treats to and smiled. “He’s a good boy,” I said.
“Want to ride him?” Saxon asked me.
I thought about it for a moment. It wasn’t the first time I had considered it, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to trust the horse or myself just yet. Just because he liked my attention and the carrots I brought him didn’t mean he wanted me on his back.
I shook my head. “Not just yet,” I replied.
Saxon grinned then, as if he had expected that response from me. “All right. Just let me know when you change your mind.”
“I will,” I assured him.
I didn’t watch Saxon head back out to finish whatever he had been doing before Trev arrived. Instead, I gave my full attention to Firefoot before he got annoyed. He was by far the easiest male to deal with I had ever met. All you had to do was feed him carrots and rub his neck.
After I finished with Firefoot, I glanced over at Empire. He was watching me with his head out of the stable. I wasn’t supposed to give him any snacks. He had a very strict dietary plan that Saxon handled himself. However, lately, he had been watching me with Firefoot. I walked over to him, keeping my distance, unsure of his demeanor.
“I’d give you a treat, too, but I can’t. You’re on a special diet,” I told him as he studied me. “I’m sure Saxon will be over soon with something for you.”
He was bigger than Firefoot, and there was intelligence in his eyes. Something about him made me feel as if he understood everything I said. Perhaps that was what made a horse a champion—his ability to understand humans.
“I’ve been told you don’t want to be touched. That’s why I don’t pet you like I do the others,” I explained to him.
“He’s not a dog,” a deep voice said, causing me to jump.
When I looked behind me, Blaise stood there, staring at me.
“I know that,” I managed to say calmly even though being around Blaise made me feel anxious.