“Oh baby, I don’t see you that way. I just don’t want to hurt you.”

“If I need anything, I’ll tell you. I’m not too proud to ask for help. But what I need right now is for you not to treat me like that fragile little puppy of Duchess’s who has to be bottle-fed. I’m scarred, yes, but I’m healing.” I breathe in, let it out slowly. “I’m sorry I told you I was damaged. I’m not. You proved it to me. I can still feel, and it’s a wonderful thing.”

“Fuck, yeah. Baby, you make me feel too. More than I ever thought I could.”

I push his hair off his forehead. “What do you mean?”

He chuckles. “I’ve never been serious when it comes to women, but you make me want to be. Hell, I already am with you.”

Warmth surges through me. I can’t possibly be in love with this man. Not yet.

So why do I feel like I’ve found my forever?

Of course it’s someone my father doesn’t want me anywhere near.

Which reminds me…

“God, I still I need to talk to my dad.”

“I know.”

“I need to see Lexie and tell her I’m all in with my job, no matter what my dad said. I’m late…again.”

“Don’t worry. She’ll have you.”

“Don’t you dare put in a good word for me or make excuses for why I’m late. This is my responsibility, Austin.”

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay.”

I rise and begin to dress.

“Such a shame to cover all those treats up,” Austin says. “I didn’t get to suck on those pretty little nipples.”

“When you get back from Seattle, they’ll be waiting. All of me will.”

21

CARLY

Lexie’s in the vet’s office when I arrive.

I’m leaning against the doorframe. “Hi.”

She looks up from her paperwork, clearly flustered. “Oh, Carly. What are you doing here?”

I clench my fingers together, suddenly nervous. “Coming to work, if you’ll have me.”

“I got a phone call from your dad saying you no longer work here.”

I cringe, imagining that conversation. “I know, and I have to apologize for that. My dad doesn’t make my decisions for me. I’ll understand if you want nothing to do with me after this mess, but I love this job and I want to work.”

“I see.”

“Have you hired anyone else?”

“I haven’t had a minute to think about that.” She smiles and sets a pen down on the messy desk.

The office is near the stables, and the ever-present scent of horses hangs in the air.

“The job is yours. We have a ton to do. Chance just told me they’re going to break down the dam at Shipp’s Creek, so we have to go out there and check for any wildlife that might be affected while they’re gone to… I guess he didn’t say where.”

“Seattle,” I say.