Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
“Did it ever,” I agreed.
“Can you not find another partner?”
I nodded. “I could, yeah. The question is, do I want to?”
She tilted her head and regarded me for a few moments. “What is your heart telling you to do?”
My eyes found hers once again, and I swore she looked like she sucked in a quick breath. “Well, my heart seems to be as confused as my head is right now.”
“Oh,” she whispered while her eyes drifted down to my mouth.
I wanted to pounce on her and take her right there on the damn floor like a fucking beast. But Timberlynn wasn’t the type of girl I wanted to simply have a quick fuck with. Hell no. I wanted her like I had never wanted any other woman, and I wasn’t going to simply romp around on the floor with her and walk out. I wanted to make love to her. Learn what it felt like to be buried deep inside of her. What made her moan, dig her nails into my back, and arch to take me in deeper.
If I didn’t get my thoughts in another place soon, I’d let the animal in me take over.
“Your turn,” I managed to say without sounding like I was in physical pain from not kissing or touching her.
“Right. Well, I’d really love to have a place with a good chunk of land. Equine training has been a dream of mine since I can remember, to be honest with you.”
“Anything you want to specialize in? And what about a degree? Most trainers have one.”
She flashed me a wide grin. “I have an associates in equine science. I might have taken a few extra classes here and there.”
I laughed. “Damn, woman, you are impressive.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked down at her hands. “I’d love to focus on equestrian sporting, but I think therapeutic training would be amazing as well. Especially if I could find some good rescue horses for that. I also love the thrill of training a horse under saddle. Something about that connection you have with a horse when you’re trying to get them to trust you. I love it. And maybe when I’m more settled in, I’ll do a bit of breeding as well.”
My brows raised. “If my mother hears you talking like this, you may have a partner.”
That made her smile. “I love working with young horses too. There’s almost an adrenaline rush with it.”
I swear to God, my heart skipped a few beats. Where had this woman been all my life? “Have you started many young horses under saddle?”
She grinned. “I’ve had my fair share, yes. Enough to make a business out of it, if people gave me a chance.”
I placed my hand over my heart and slowly shook my head. “You are the girl of my dreams. I think I’m falling in love with you.”
Timberlynn laughed, and I took in the sound of it. When she truly laughed, like wholeheartedly, there was something so beautiful about it. I loved the way it made me feel. She held something deep down inside of her that she didn’t want anyone to see or know. I wasn’t sure what it was, but all I knew was that I loved seeing her with her guard down. It was a bonus knowing it was me who helped her relax like this. And to see her talk about her future was exciting, to say the least. Hopefully her future intertwined with mine in some way.
“Don’t hold out for me. I have no intentions of ever falling in love again.” Her voice sounded somber, even though she tried to make it light. My heart sank at the word again.
Who in the hell had she loved, and what had happened? And how in the hell could I be so jealous of someone who didn’t have a name or a face? I could feel it bubbling up inside of me. “And why not?” I asked, honestly curious if she would answer.
When she finished off her wine, I figured she’d brush me off. But she surprised me once more. “Because I’m obviously not the type of woman a man wants.”
I stared at her, stunned. “Why in the hell would you say that?”
I almost willed her to tell me why she was so scared to let her walls down.
Standing, I walked over to her and reached down to lift her up. Timberlynn couldn’t have been taller than five foot three, if that. The way she tilted her head to look up at my six-foot frame was adorable. Her eyes were so green tonight. They took my breath away. She swallowed hard, and I felt my blood course through my body, almost leaving me dizzy from the rush.
“Why would you say something like that?” I asked again, in more of a demanding voice.