Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74698 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“You cut me out first,” she yells, causing Ginger to snort and shake her head. Holland turns her horse around to face me head-on. “I can’t do this, Trey. Nothing has changed between us.”
I shake my head, desperate to make her understand. “I’ve changed, Holland. I’m older, smarter, wiser.”
She gives a bitter laugh, pulling a little hard on the reins, causing Ginger to skitter sideways. Holland sticks in the saddle like a pro and sneers at me. “I am too, Trey. And I’m far too wise to get involved with you again. I learned my lesson.”
She then turns Ginger and sends her into a canter back across the pasture toward the barn.
CHAPTER 6
Holland
My head is bent over my phone as I step up onto the curb outside the printshop. My fingers work furiously to get a text off to Annika. It’s no wonder I don’t see the huge body in front of me and next thing I know, I’m crashing into Trey where he stands at the shop door.
I scramble back, recognizing his body and scent before I fully realize it’s him.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, slipping my phone into my purse and rifling around for the shop keys.
Trey twirls them on his finger and I forgot I had left them with him last night. I’d intended to get them back at dinner and then things went to hell with our impromptu riding adventure.
I snatch the keys from him, ignore his smirk and unlock the front door. He starts to follow me in, but I turn and put a hand to his chest, attempting to push him back. He’s solid stone and doesn’t move.
“You can’t come in.”
“I have work to do,” he says.
“I don’t want you here.”
“Tough shit,” he replies. “I spent a lot of money on materials and I’m halfway done with the flooring.”
“I don’t—”
Trey captures my wrist and pulls my hand from his chest. He sounds annoyed. “Just let me in. I’ll stay out of your way, finish the work and be gone. You can ignore me from the safety of your dad’s office.”
I glance over my shoulder, just inside the shop, and I’m instantly struck by the transformation that has taken place since yesterday. The machinery has all been wheeled to one side of the space and on the other half, the once worn and damaged floorboards have been replaced with sturdy new ones. Their golden color gleams in the sunlight streaming through the windows. It’s then I notice all the rotted casings have been replaced, but they still need paint. It’s remarkable progress for just one day, and I can’t help but be impressed by Trey’s unwavering dedication.
“You did this all by yourself yesterday?” I ask astounded.
“Nah. Got a buddy who came and helped me lay the flooring, but the casings are all me. That was pretty easy though. Just need to be painted.”
I glance back at him considering my options, but I know the best choice. “You can finish but leave me alone, okay?”
Trey gives me an irksome, snappy salute. I definitely don’t like the boyish smirk that makes me focus on his lips, which have done some serious damage to me in years past.
I push through the door and he follows me, close enough that I can smell his soap. The same woodsy scent he used back when—
Walking faster, I put distance between us and head into the rear of the shop where my dad’s mess of a record system awaits. As Trey’s scent recedes, memories from last night come rushing in to take its place. Dinner with the Blackburns was like stepping back in time. The warmth and laughter felt so familiar, it was as if I’d never left. Although Wade hit me with the expected question of why I left and never returned, they seemed to accept my answer and didn’t push for more.
It felt right, being among them again.
Part of me even felt a little right being around Trey, and as much as I told myself I was over him, over us, I’m still helplessly attracted to the man, as evidenced by the fact I kissed him back last night.
I’m not sure when in my formative life that a young girl’s crush turned into a deeper desire, but it was long before our first kiss on the dock when I was eighteen.
So when he compelled me through kind eyes to divulge my dad was an alcoholic and hugged me with the assurance that everything would be okay, I was all in by the time his mouth was on mine.
And God… what a kiss. It was everything I’d ever wanted, and I knew if he didn’t give it to me again and again, I wouldn’t ever be happy. That evening we sat on the dock and made out. Trey held my hand, asked me to tell him everything about my home life and before the moon rose, he vowed that he would be my champion. We made out more, held hands back to the horses and snuck kisses in before I got in my car to go home.