As I try to catch my breath, my eyes travel slowly up the man who now barely hovers above me. The moment is no longer funny; it feels intimate. When my eyes finally reach his, I take in the beads of sweat that have formed on his forehead. Slowly, they glide down the sides of his face, caressing the contours of his finely etched cheekbones and strong jaw line. His once piercing blue eyes are now a deep cobalt. His lips that are normally stuck in a smile now look full and rich.
“See, I told you I’d catch you.” Wes’ husky timbre tells me he means more than just catching me right now.
Butterflies like I have never felt before take flight in my stomach. My breath catches as I feel the tips of his calloused fingers graze my collarbone, snaking their way to the nape of my neck. The thundering of my heartbeat drowns out everything else around us. I can’t hear, can’t see, can’t feel anything—but him. The heat from his body and his heady scent wash over me like a tidal wave. My eyes flick from the endless depths of his eyes to his delectable lips as he arches my neck. Before my eyes have a chance to make it back to his, the softest of touches faintly grazes my lips. It’s delicate but demanding, fragile yet determined. With Wes’ lips lingering on mine, I can tell he’s trying to gauge whether or not I’m going to push him away. Before either of us has the opportunity to further pursue what’s going on between us, a man’s voice breaks through our lust-filled haze.
“Wes? You in here, man?”
Just like that, our bubble evaporates and returns me to the here and now. My fire is now contained and doused. My mind races with reasons why I need to stop this. I don’t want some summer fling, but I’m not so sure that I can’t resist whatever this is either. I’m aware that we’ve been flirting like crazy, and I’d be a damn fool to say that I don’t like it, because I do. But the damn butterflies have now multiplied and are wreaking havoc on my stomach.
Before I have the chance to say anything, Wes interrupts my thoughts. “I know what you’re thinking, but you’re wrong. I’m not that guy who, when the summer is over, will just up and walk away. If there’s one thing you will learn about me, I’m a very persistent man. I wasn’t raised to be a quitter. And just so you know, this,” he says, ghosting his hand between us and our compromising situation, “was just a preview.” His low, deep, husky tone rolls over me, sending currents of electricity straight to my core, awakening a need so strong that if I don’t put some distance between us right now, I may combust.
A chill rushes over me when Wes pushes up and steps away from me. I look at his hand extended out for me to take. My eyes move between his hand and him. Wes’ words swirl around me, making me dizzy. I like him. I know that we share some type of connection. Whether it’s purely physical or something deeper is yet to be determined. Something in me pulls me to him, though. I don’t know what it is, but I know I want to find out. I know that when I place my hand in his, I’m silently letting him know that whatever is going on between us, I’m okay with it.
The soft, smooth skin of my hand meets his warm, strong, calloused one. Within an instant, my body comes to life when I collide with the hardened muscles of his chest and stomach. “I was hoping you’d come to me.” Wes tucks a lock of hair behind my ear with an easy smile.
“We don’t even know each other,” I whisper, casting my eyes down at the floor because I know if I look in his eyes, I will not be able to say what I need to say. I know I’ve changed the subject, but I want to be honest with him.
With my hand still in his, Wes’ free arm wraps around my waist as he squeezes me tighter to him. “You may not know me, but I told you before, and I’ll tell you again, I’ve heard a lot about you, and I intend to get to know you better.”
“It’s only been a day and a half, Wes. You may have heard about me, but you don’t know me.” I lift my eyes to search his, hoping he can see some reason behind what I’m saying to him.
“What are you scared of, Kenleigh?” His voice is soft while his eyes search mine.
“Honestly? You already called me out on it earlier. I’m not scared. I’m terrified. I know we share some kind of connection. I don’t want to get attached to you, only to have you ripped away from me. What happens when the summer ends, huh? I go back to San Antonio, you go back to Dallas, and that’s that. We go on with our lives. I don’t want to be the real life version of some damn Nicholas Sparks’ book.”
“Did you just compare us to some book?” he asks with a chuckle.
The corner of my lips tugs into a grin, as I try to hold back my own bit of laughter. “Shut up.” I slap his arm playfully. “You know what I mean.”
“I do. But listen, we are Kenleigh and Wes, no one else. Let me take you on the ride of your life. I don’t know what will happen at the end of the summer. Nobody does. But I can promise you this, our ride will last longer than eight seconds, and I’ll be the one hanging on for dear life,” he whispers as his face closes in on mine. I turn into his smooth shaven skin as the tip of his nose caresses my cheekbone.
“Let me think about it,” I whisper, my eyes closing when soft, full lips kiss the shell of my ear.
“I’ll be waiting,” he murmurs in that deep, husky tone that makes me weak in the knees.
“Dude, I know you’re in here!” The man from below shouts again.
“Who is that?”
“Brantley. Can’t you tell?”
“Well, as you know, we were in the middle of something when he came in here shouting.” I nod my head in the direction of the bale of hay we just vacated.
“That’s good to know that I make you forget other people, especially men.” There’s a playful gleam in his eye.
“Don’t go getting a big head. It’s hard to think when a big, sweaty guy is on top of me, trying to ravish my face.”
“Big, huh?” he asks.
“Whatever. You should see what he needs.” I wiggle out of his hold.
Wes steps back, but lifts our joined hands and places the sweetest of kisses on the back of mine. “All right. Wait here for five minutes and then come down.” He releases my hand and backs away toward the stairs.
“Okay,” I whisper to his retreating form.
While I wait, I ponder over what he said. I have no clue what it is that makes me hold back with him. I’m not this scared, confused person. I take life head on. If something makes me happy, I go for it. Like him, I’m persistent, too. We have fun together and he’s so easy to talk to and be around. The passion he possesses, with everything he does, draws me to him. And I can admit that he’s right in the fact that no one knows what will happen at the end of the summer, and I know that he’s more than capable of taking me on the ride of my life.
I hop off the last step of the ladder onto the barn floor, and two mumbling male voices draw my attention. I quietly inch my way to the wall next to a stall. With my back flush against it, I listen.
“She’s special, man. Don’t go and mess with her head only to let her down.” It’s Brantley’s voice. Without Wes here to distract me, I can hear his recognizable Alabama twang, and he sounds pissed.
“It’s not like that with her. My mom’s been telling me about her since last summer. About how she captivates everyone and everything around her. That there’s this light of beauty that surrounds her, and that people just want to be near her to bask in that same light. And you know what? After a fucking year of listening to my mom go on and on about her, I’m starting to believe she’s right. I don’t know, man; you know how I’ve been living life since I’ve been in Dallas. All I’m saying is that it’s refreshing.”
My hands clamp over my mouth hard as I try to mask the deep breaths my lungs are dying to take. I had assumed that Sandy was the one talking about me to Wes, but I never knew she thought all those things about me, and now, he does, too.
“All right. I’ve said my piece, but I’m telling you, if you hurt her, I’ll kick your ass. And you know you’re like a brother to me, but like I said, she’s different. Kenleigh’s not here for your entertainment, We
s. She’s a good person with a good heart. And the kids that come here love her, too. You know it’s hard enough for them with all of their own special needs, but even the ones who know they aren’t going to live forget about that when they’re here, and it’s all because of that girl,” Brantley says with an exasperated sigh.
“I got it. And you’re like a brother to me too, but just trust me on this one, okay? Honestly, I think she could be the one to break me, not the other way around.”
Not able to handle listening to them talking about me, I clear my throat and step away from the wall. Tension pulsates thickly in the air as I round the corner looking at Brantley and Wes. With a wide smile, I look between the two men who were just talking about me. “Is something wrong?” I ask. Brantley’s hands rest firmly on his hips, his knuckles begin to turn white, and his face has a red tint to it. The veins bulge from Wes’ interlocked fingers straining behind his neck. His knuckles are starting to turn white as well from the strain he has on them. His lips aren’t turned up in a smile anymore, and there’s a blank look in his eyes.
Wes looks at Brantley for a long minute before he looks back at me. “Nothing. I’m gonna go and get some air.” Without a backwards glance at me, he spins around and walks out of the barn.
“What was all that about?” I ask, pretending I didn’t hear them.
“You know, Kenleigh, I like you a lot and really respect you, but don’t treat me like I’m stupid. I know you and Wes have been spending a lot of time together.” With a deep breath, he continues. “I wasn’t going to insert my two cents, but then I heard him in here talking to someone when I came looking for him. I didn’t know it was you he was talking to until I asked him if you were up there and he didn’t deny it.” Brantley smoothes his hands over his bald head a couple of times. He looks at me for a long moment, pinning me with his stare. “I know you heard our conversation. I don’t know how much you heard, but don’t act like you don’t know what’s wrong.” He drops his hands and walks over to an empty stall.
Brantley has never talked to me like this before. Ever since we met last summer, there’s always been an easiness between us. We’ve been able to joke around with one another, and it’s never been taken to extremes or insulting in any way.
He walks over to a pitchfork in the corner of the stall. I take a minute to think of how to fix this between us as he begins to muck the stall. I follow him, take a deep breath, and hope that what I’m about to say won’t piss him off further. “You’re right. I did hear some of y’alls conversation, mostly the tail end of it, I’m assuming. And I’m so sorry if you thought I was treating you like you were stupid. Because I don’t think that. I would never think you’re stupid. You’re such a good friend to me and I appreciate you wanting to protect me, but it’s okay. I know I’m only nineteen—“
“That’s my point. You’re nineteen, Kenleigh. You don’t know him, but yet, you two have been almost joined at the hip since he’s come home. I’m not trying to be a dick here, but you’re too good for him. I’ve known Wes for about three years now, and I know how he is.”
“Is it so hard to believe that people can change?” I ask, arching an eyebrow at him. “I’m not trying to throw a low blow at you, but I remember you telling me how you moved here from Alabama because you couldn’t kick your heroin addiction.”
“What’s your point?” he bites out.
“My point is that you’ve changed. I know it was hard for you, but you did it, and I couldn’t be happier for you if I tried. You think I don’t know his type? Professional bull riders carry the same reputation that rock stars do. The only difference is theirs is in the country world. I’ve been to rodeos and seen how women of all ages and from all different walks of life throw themselves at ‘em and I know they eat that shit up. I’m not as naïve as everyone seems to think. What I’m trying to say is that if you can change, what makes you think it’s so impossible for him to do the same?”
“And you think you might be the one to make him change?” he asks condescendingly.
“No. I don’t want someone to change for me. They need to do it for themselves. But I will say this. If I choose to get to know him better, that’s my business. Like I said, I appreciate that you wanna look out for me, but I really don’t think he’ll hurt me the way you think he will.”
“I hope you’re right because I’d hate to kick his ass.” Brantley releases a long sigh and then looks up at me with a grin pulling at his lips. “I’m sorry that I snapped at you. It’s not my business, and I know that. I just don’t wanna see you get hurt.”
I nod my head in understanding. “I know and that’s why we’re such good friends. I’d hate to see you get hurt, too.” My fingers tap on the edge of the stall a couple of times. “Well, I guess I’ll get Autumn saddled up and take her out.”
“You’re gonna go and look for him aren’t ya?” he asks.
“I feel like I need to talk to him. I don’t want there to be tension between any of us, especially because we’ll be here all summer.”
“All right. Well, Mr. Adams asked me to tell him that the fence down by the creek needs mending, so I’m sure that’s where you’ll find him.” And just like that, Brantley turns his back to me and starts mucking the stall out again.
I walk off, calling over my shoulder, “I love you, Brantley!”
“Yeah! Yeah!” he shouts back.
After returning to the stalls, I put Autumn away before deciding to head into the house. I’d been out riding for almost two hours, looking for Wes up and down the creek, and searching for the broken spot in the fence. The only spot I found looked recently fixed. When that served me no result, I went to the spot that he had taken me to last night. It was a lot harder to find since I’d only been there when it was dark, but when I did find it, it was just as breathtakingly beautiful. Maybe even more so, because now I know the meaning behind it. He wasn’t there either.
Not knowing what else to do but wait for him to come around, I decide that a nap sounds really good. Carrying myself into the house and up to my room, I toe off my boots before lying back on the bed. I’ve never been one to take naps, but as hot as it is out, I feel completely drained. Rolling onto my side and tucking my hands underneath the pillow, my eyes suddenly feel very heavy as they slide to a close.
“Hey beautiful,” I hear a familiar voice from somewhere distant. I attempt to roll over, but stop when I feel something warm and a little scratchy, like the softest grade of sandpaper you can buy, caress my cheek. Without realizing it, I nuzzle into the unfamiliar yet familiar touch and sigh contentedly. Slowly, my eyes flicker open. Deep red and purple hues surround the room as the sun is almost done setting, and then I remember coming back to the house to nap after not being able to find Wes.
I clear my throat. “Hey.”
“Will you come with me? I have something I have to show you,” Wes asks, staring into my eyes.
“Sure. What time is it?”
“Almost nine.”
My eyes shoot open as I jolt up on the bed. “What? It’s almost nine. Why didn’t anyone wake me up?” I screech.
That gains me a chuckle from Wes. “Well, when I found you about an hour ago, you were sleeping so peacefully that I couldn’t wake you.”
“I’m sorry that I fell asleep. I really only planned on taking a power nap, but obviously, that didn’t happen.”
“Why are you sorry?” A bewildered expression comes over his face.
“Because I should’ve been up to help your mom cook dinner.”
“Kenleigh, you know you don’t have to help her cook dinner right?”
“I know, but I still feel like I should help. Your mom is letting me stay here and not asking anything from me. The least I could do is help her cook everybody’s meals.”
Wes tucks a stray piece of hair behind my ear. “My mom wants you here in the house. She doesn’t expect anything in return; trust me. Besides me not wanting to wake you up, when I told her how I found you, she insisted tha
t I let you sleep. Don’t worry about it, okay?” Reaching for my hands and pulling me to my feet, he says, “Come on.”
As I follow him out the door, the house is dark and quiet. “Where is everybody?”
“Mom and Dad went to town for a few things.” Wes tugs on my hand and pulls me closer to his body.
The wooden floor creaks beneath our feet as we make our way down the stairs and out onto the porch. An ATV is waiting for us in the grass. Adrenaline starts pumping its way through my veins as I hop on the back behind Wes. Just as he starts it up, he looks back over his shoulder and says above the roar of the motor, “Hold on. Tight.” He shoots me a wink as he turns back around, revving the engine. I wrap my arms around his waist so that my hands rest against the lean contours of his sculpted stomach. He guns it forward and we take off. My hair sweeps back as it mixes with the wind. I shout over the whipping wind and the scream of the four-wheeler. “Where are we going?”
“Do you trust me?” He asks, yelling back.
Do I trust him? I want to say no, but something in my gut pulls at me, telling me that I do. My eyes squeeze shut while my grip around his waist tightens. I let go of anything and everything that may make me want to hold back with him. “Yeah! I trust you!” Before I know what’s happening, my head tucks against the rippling muscles in his back as we go airborne. My stomach feels like it’s in my throat as I hold in the scream that is so desperately trying to work its way out of me. The muscles in my thighs clutch the seat, forcing my ass to stay rooted to where it belongs. We both bounce as we land with a thud, but within seconds, we’re airborne again. For the next few minutes, we ride around and jump hills and speed our way to this destination that he still hasn’t told me about. But it’s okay, because I trust him.
As the ATV slows down and comes to a stop, I release my death grip from around his midsection. I take a deep breath and shake my arms out to try to put some blood flow back into them. With adrenaline raging through my veins like a hurricane, I can’t help the laugh that escapes me. I jump off the four-wheeler with shaky legs, still laughing.
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