“Chassie told me one of the first days we were out doing chores.”
“I’m surprised you remembered. We’ve talked about a lot of stuff.”
“And some stuff, not so much, eh, querida?”
Trevor ground his teeth together. “What kind of stuff?”
But Chassie ignored him as she was too busy rubbing her fingers on the top of the goat’s head. “Ooh, feel right here. She’s so soft.” She placed Edgard’s hand under hers and they stroked the grayish-white coat together.
A goat. Chassie wanted a goat? What else didn’t he know about his wife?
Probably nothing as earth shattering as your love affair with a man.
153
Rough, Raw, and Ready
“I can’t fuckin’ believe this.”
“Why not? Is Edgard buyin’ me a goat what gets your goat, Trev?” Chassie teased.
Edgard busted out in deep belly laughter and he high-fived Chassie.
“Very funny, Chass.”
“I thought so.” She cooed, “Isn’t she sweet?” at the animal.
Edgard kept grinning at Chassie with a very pleased look on his face. “Not as sweet as you.”
Chassie bumped him with her hip. “Do I need to get a bucket to catch the honey drippin’ from your mouth today?”
A low-pitched chuckle. “Maybe.”
Trevor stood there dumbfounded, feeling as if he’d materialized in another dimension.
“So tell me about my new pet. What’s her name?”
“Greta. Marlin said this little gal has a great disposition and she didn’t have any problems giving birth.”
“She’s pregnant?” Chassie squealed.
“At least her name ain’t Billy.” Trevor trip-trapped into the stall. He dropped to his knees to get a closer look at the creature, which was trying to eat a balled up piece of leather. Familiar leather. His eyes narrowed. “Hey. Is that my glove?”
“Oopsie.” Chassie gently tugged it out of Greta’s mouth, chastising, “Bad girl, Greta.”
The nanny goat lowered her head in apparent shame and let out a mournful baaa-baaa.
Edgard and Chassie both laughed.
“Did you feed her?”
“Not yet.”
“She probably needs a drink first. I’ll get a bucket of water.” Chassie was off like a bullet.
154
Lorelei James
Greta butted Edgard in the chest until he scratched behind her ear. She butted him again and he shifted sideways until he and Trevor were hip-to-hip.
Just as Trevor was about to open his mouth, Edgard said, “Before you chew me out, Chassie needed something to cheer her up today.”
“Agreed. How’d you find a goat seller when you’ve only been here two weeks?”
“I asked Gus. He told me about Marlin Jones who lives out by Devil’s Tower. I’d planned to wait and take Chassie with me so she could pick one herself, but like I said, after losing Meridian this morning, she needed a pick-me-up.”
As they petted Greta, Trevor grumbled, “At least you didn’t buy her a damn horse.”
“Well, now that you brought it up, there’s something else I need to tell you.”
Trevor’s head swiveled toward that silky voice. “You didn’t—”
“No, I didn’t.” Edgard’s brilliant smile and mischievous eyes caused Trevor’s stomach to flip. Talk about pure sexual power. “You are so easy, Trev.”
“Ha ha. Asshole. Buyin’ my wife gifts. I oughta kick your butt.”
“You’re just pissed you didn’t think of it first. Besides, if I wasn’t allowed to gloat earlier, then you ain’t allowed to pout now.”
“I ain’t poutin’. Why would you think that?”
“Because that lower lip of yours is sticking out. Then again it always has.” Edgard’s slumberous gaze dropped to Trevor’s mouth.
That seesaw sensation jumped in his gut again.
“Damn, your mouth is tempting, way too tempting.” Edgard lowered his head.
Trevor remained motionless, one hand buried in the goat’s pelt. The sweet, soft tease of Edgard’s firm lips, the sharp scrape of teeth and a bristly beard, the erratic bursts of warm breath morphed into a gentle kiss. Trevor didn’t pull back; he just closed his eyes and let it happen.
Their bodies didn’t touch, but the palpable heat between them expanded. The subtle movements and wet glide of mouth on mouth was calming and tender and unexpectedly erotic. But necessary. Lord. As his heart rate picked up and Edgard’s taste danced on his tongue, Trevor realized just how necessary this kiss was.
155
Rough, Raw, and Ready
An hour—a day—a week later, Chassie cleared her throat behind them.