It’s modern, but timeless.
“What’s with that grin?” I ask as we sit in the rocking chairs.
“I’m observing you.”
“And what do you see?”
Wyatt looks back out at the landscape and then back to me. “I see you fallin’ in love with my place. Who’d have thought you’d love the countryside, Big City? It looks good on you.”
“Hmm,” I muse. “I don’t know that it’s the countryside, Little Buckaroo.”
“What did you call me?” He stands quickly.
I’ve been mulling over the perfect nickname for him. Since he rides horses, and I know the “little” part will piss him off, this seemed perfect.
“Little Buckaroo.”
“There ain’t nothing little about me, baby.”
Oh, how much I love this nickname already. “I figure it’s something we can pass down if it’s a boy.”
His lips form a hard line, but my face lights up with a huge smile. “Nothing about my boy will be little either.”
I shrug. “I would encourage you to wish for a girl.”
Wyatt steps closer, drops his hands onto the arms of the rocking chair, and gets in real close. “Honey, if we have a boy and you call him that, we’re going to have a problem.”
“Honey,” I say back, “you’ve got no say in this. You’re my Little Buckaroo, and he will be, too.” Great. Now, I’m rhyming.
“You know what?” He pushes off and stands tall. “You’re going to find out what happens when you call me that next time.”
He stands there, all brooding and sexy in his pair of jeans and a Henley. Wyatt is always sexy, but he’s doesn’t realize he’s the drop your panties kind of guy, which is probably why I did just that. Even right now, when he’s trying to be a badass, I only see the sweet guy who I’m falling for.
I shrug. “I’ll take my chances. You’re not so scary.”
His grin grows wicked. “I’ve been behaving.”
“Still not scared, Tiny Buckaroo.”
“You’re going to regret that.”
I probably will. He really doesn’t like the name, which makes me want to use it more. “Maybe you should take me back to the cottage,” I offer. The playfulness disappears as lust fills his eyes. I get up, allowing my breasts to graze his torso as I stand. “That is,” I say as I look up from beneath my lashes, “if you want me to apologize.”
Wyatt’s lips are on mine so fast I don’t have time to blink. His arms are around my back with his hands in my hair. I love when he does this. It’s possessive and protective at the same time. Our mouths move together as the kiss grows heated. I know exactly where we’re going. I can’t seem to get enough of him.
I pull back, “I’m ready.”
He grins and yanks me against him. “Now, where would the punishment be if I gave in?”
Jerk.
I want sex. That kiss sent tingles where I wanted them. But I’m sensing he knew that.
His look says I’m right. “Turd.”
He laughs, kisses me again, and releases me. Wyatt tugs me to his side, and we start to walk. “I have a better idea.”
“Oh?”
We keep walking, casually he’ll lean in and kiss the top of my head. My arms stay wrapped around his middle, loving how easy this feels, until he leads me into the stables. The horses are in their stalls, looking all pretty and strong. I walk over to the one that is looking over the half gate.
“Hi,” I coo to the horse. “You’re a big guy, huh?”
Wyatt snorts. “Sure, the horse is big, but you call me little?”
I shake my head. “He’s just jealous.” I pet the horse’s nose. He’s really a magnificent horse. He’s tall, with a shiny black coat and white speckles on his butt. I glance over at the side of the stall where his name is written. “Aww, you’re sweet, Desperado. And you’re a handsome boy.”
“He’s an Appaloosa,” Wyatt says, coming next to me. His hand rubs Desperado’s neck, and then he pats it. “That’s why he has the spots.”
“Do you have Appaloosas at the farm?”
I don’t know a damn thing about horses. I probably should learn if I’m going to be a part of his life.
“No, we breed mostly Quarter horses or Arabians. My mother had an Arabian when she was growing up, so my father indulges her. But Quarter horses are what most people want around us. They’re good for working, riding, rodeos, and just about anything else.”
“Oh,” I say as if any of that makes a difference. Desperado moves slightly and then rests his head on Wyatt’s shoulder, and Wyatt obliges him with a neck rub.