“But they’re way more comfortable than you
think, and I’m willing to learn.”
And I didn’t have time to pack sneakers.
His gaze is quizzical as he regards me and points to the
food on the table. “Dig in. You’ll need the energy.”
“Why? A horse isn’t exactly hard work.”
He cocks his head, and slowly, a grin breaks across his
face. “Who said anything about horses?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Last night’s rain has stopped, but a strong gale is still
blowing. Mud cakes my boots and sticks to my jeans as I trudge after Kellan for
what feels like miles. The ground is one giant bucket of sludge that seems to
slow down my pace and make my usual walks around Central Park seem like an
afternoon stroll through the backyard to water the plants.
My legs have never hurt so much in my life. In fact, my
thighs are burning, and I consistently feel like I won’t be able to take
another step. But somehow my groans and huffs keep me going.
Or is it my ego that just doesn’t want to admit defeat?
Or is it the fact that he warned me my boots weren’t
suitable for hiking, yet I wanted to prove him wrong?
Sure as hell, Kellan doesn’t seem to break a sweat. It’s
frigging cold outside, but he’s adamant he doesn’t need a jacket. From behind,
his shoulders look magnificent—broad and strong, the muscles barely
contained by his shirt. His thighs are built like tree trunks, and for a
careless moment, I imagine myself sitting on his lap, my legs wrapped around
his narrow waist, his green gaze piercing mine as he cradles me against him.
But the sexiest thing about him is his tight ass. I wonder
if it’s as hard as his biceps. It sure looks like it’s been carved out of stone.
“Ava?” His voice pulls me back to reality. I clear my
throat, thankful that his back’s still turned on me and he can’t see the
telltale heat of a major blush creeping up my face.
“Yeah? What did you say?” I manage to croak.
“I asked whether you’re from NYC, too, or just your friend.”
He seems to be having a great time, all cheerful and buoyant as he strikes up a
conversation.
“Yep.” My voice sounds so strangled, I might just be on the
verge of having an asthma attack.
“What really brings you to this part of the world?” He says
it like Montana’s the Antarctic.
“A road trip,” I say because that’s about all I can squeeze
out through my taxed lungs.
Kellan shoots me an amused look over his shoulder. “Just
finished college?”
As if.
I’ve worked my ass off since I turned sixteen.
I roll my eyes. “No, I finished college two years ago. Like
I said, just a road trip.”
His laughter rings through the air, taking me by surprise.
It’s so deep and rich and full, I trip over my feet and barely manage to avoid
taking a tumble facedown into the mud—which I’m sure he’d very much
enjoy.
“Okay, if you must know,
we’re here to see Mile High.” He stops and turns around, waiting until I catch
up to him.
“Really?” he asks, resuming his walk.
“Yeah, really,” I say in the most bored tone I can muster.
“You don’t sound excited.”
“Sorry, I can’t help myself. I’m not really a fan.” I shrug,
feeling the need to apologize. “I just don’t get all the hype about this band.”
I peer at him sideways, surprised to find that he’s listening intently, holding
my breath as I try to catch his expression. There’s nothing on his face.
“So I gather the trip wasn’t your idea.”
I shake my head, more out of irritation with Mandy for
coming up with her grand plan than out of need to confirm Kellan’s statement.
“I’m just doing my best friend a favor. If it were up to me, I would have sold
the tickets and enjoyed this road trip, but Mandy is a big fan. She’s like a
sister to me. And then there’s my job.” He glances at me, and I feel the need
to clarify. “I’ve been offered an investigative position with a business
magazine. That’s been my dream for ages. But it’s
think, and I’m willing to learn.”
And I didn’t have time to pack sneakers.
His gaze is quizzical as he regards me and points to the
food on the table. “Dig in. You’ll need the energy.”
“Why? A horse isn’t exactly hard work.”
He cocks his head, and slowly, a grin breaks across his
face. “Who said anything about horses?”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Last night’s rain has stopped, but a strong gale is still
blowing. Mud cakes my boots and sticks to my jeans as I trudge after Kellan for
what feels like miles. The ground is one giant bucket of sludge that seems to
slow down my pace and make my usual walks around Central Park seem like an
afternoon stroll through the backyard to water the plants.
My legs have never hurt so much in my life. In fact, my
thighs are burning, and I consistently feel like I won’t be able to take
another step. But somehow my groans and huffs keep me going.
Or is it my ego that just doesn’t want to admit defeat?
Or is it the fact that he warned me my boots weren’t
suitable for hiking, yet I wanted to prove him wrong?
Sure as hell, Kellan doesn’t seem to break a sweat. It’s
frigging cold outside, but he’s adamant he doesn’t need a jacket. From behind,
his shoulders look magnificent—broad and strong, the muscles barely
contained by his shirt. His thighs are built like tree trunks, and for a
careless moment, I imagine myself sitting on his lap, my legs wrapped around
his narrow waist, his green gaze piercing mine as he cradles me against him.
But the sexiest thing about him is his tight ass. I wonder
if it’s as hard as his biceps. It sure looks like it’s been carved out of stone.
“Ava?” His voice pulls me back to reality. I clear my
throat, thankful that his back’s still turned on me and he can’t see the
telltale heat of a major blush creeping up my face.
“Yeah? What did you say?” I manage to croak.
“I asked whether you’re from NYC, too, or just your friend.”
He seems to be having a great time, all cheerful and buoyant as he strikes up a
conversation.
“Yep.” My voice sounds so strangled, I might just be on the
verge of having an asthma attack.
“What really brings you to this part of the world?” He says
it like Montana’s the Antarctic.
“A road trip,” I say because that’s about all I can squeeze
out through my taxed lungs.
Kellan shoots me an amused look over his shoulder. “Just
finished college?”
As if.
I’ve worked my ass off since I turned sixteen.
I roll my eyes. “No, I finished college two years ago. Like
I said, just a road trip.”
His laughter rings through the air, taking me by surprise.
It’s so deep and rich and full, I trip over my feet and barely manage to avoid
taking a tumble facedown into the mud—which I’m sure he’d very much
enjoy.
“Okay, if you must know,
we’re here to see Mile High.” He stops and turns around, waiting until I catch
up to him.
“Really?” he asks, resuming his walk.
“Yeah, really,” I say in the most bored tone I can muster.
“You don’t sound excited.”
“Sorry, I can’t help myself. I’m not really a fan.” I shrug,
feeling the need to apologize. “I just don’t get all the hype about this band.”
I peer at him sideways, surprised to find that he’s listening intently, holding
my breath as I try to catch his expression. There’s nothing on his face.
“So I gather the trip wasn’t your idea.”
I shake my head, more out of irritation with Mandy for
coming up with her grand plan than out of need to confirm Kellan’s statement.
“I’m just doing my best friend a favor. If it were up to me, I would have sold
the tickets and enjoyed this road trip, but Mandy is a big fan. She’s like a
sister to me. And then there’s my job.” He glances at me, and I feel the need
to clarify. “I’ve been offered an investigative position with a business
magazine. That’s been my dream for ages. But it’s
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