Page 210 of Love Unwritten
Willow drops the menu. “Honestly? I have no idea.”
“Does Lorenzo know why she wants to do this?”
“Nope, but he told me that he is determined to find out.”
The next day, while Nico is at summer camp, Rafael asks if I want to take Penelope out for a lap around the property together during his lunch hour, and I agree. Rafael has been taking longer breaks from work, both because of Nico’s summer vacation from school and because he wants to take advantage of the little time we have left before I head to London. I appreciate his sacrifice, especially when he has to stay awake later to make up for the time spent away from his computer.
Thankfully, Rafael didn’t let Lily and Dahlia get rid of his cowboy boots and favorite set of flannel shirts when they were helping him with his closet. His pair of scuffed boots combined with a black T-shirt, faded blue jeans, and a backward ball cap is really doing something for me, especially when he bends over to grab a sugar cube I accidentally dropped while hopping on to Penelope’s saddle.
I’m caught in the act of checking him out, and he climbs onto the saddle behind me with a deep chuckle. My heart squeezes in my chest as his arms circle me and his body presses against my back before he grabs Penelope’s reins.
I lean back against him with a sigh. “Have you thought about adopting another horse?”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because then we can ride together.”
“Do you even know how?”
“No, but you could teach me.”
His thighs press against mine. “And miss out on you sharing a horse with me? Hell no.”
I laugh. “Fair point.”
“Plus, I like to do this.” He kisses the sensitive spot on the curve of my neck. “And this.” He brushes a hand up the inside of my thigh, making my lower half heat up.
“Focus on the trail.”
He chuckles in my ear before making a clicking noise with his tongue. Penelope increases her speed, and my fingers dig into his arms.
“Warn me next time!”
He laughs again as we head off toward the short trail he had made around his property.
“So…” I finally work up the nerve to broach the Lily–Lorenzo subject after mulling it over for five minutes. According to Willow, she plans on announcing their relationship soon, so it’s best for me to get ahead of the news.
His arms wrapped around me tighten. “What?”
“I have something to tell you.” My hand chokes the saddle’s pommel.
“I assumed as much.”
I blink twice. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve hardly said anything since yesterday.”
“Oh.” Maybe Dahlia was right, and I do need to work on my poker face.
“I thought a quick ride could help clear your mind, but I guess not.”
The way he reads me so easily is both unsettling and impressive.
“I—” I pause when he shoots me a look. “I’m nervous.”
“Is everything okay?” His grip on the reins tightens.
I stare at his hands. “Kind of.”