I move him?
Staring at me, he furrows his eyebrows and blinks a few times.
“Is your vision okay?” I raise two fingers, but his eyes remain fixed on my face.
Slightly nodding, he barely smiles while his gaze shifts downward, lingering on my necklace.
Or, is it what’s below the necklace?
I straighten up, smirking.
“I—I fell.”
He speaks.
The Greek God that lay beneath me was far too breathtaking for my eyes to let go. I can’t deny that I like the situation that I have found myself in and, in the midst of it all, I picture a similar situation where his wellbeing isn’t as compromised.
Wouldn’t it be delicious if he could…
Belle, focus!
“Do you think you can move?” I smile, raising my eyebrows in hopes of a confirmation.
“Yeah.” He prepares to rise, placing one palm under himself as he pushes up. The muscles on his arm strain against the cotton fabric of the sleeve.
Oh my…
I give him a hand which he gladly takes.
I must confess—I admire a man who accepts help from a woman without making a fuss.
“Guess I got thrown off and hit my head.” He shrugs, looking over to his horse as he walks toward him. “This is Flint.” He pats his friend’s neck.
“Thrown from one stone to another.” I giggle and he mirrors my laugh.
“Something like that.”
“I’m Belle.” I extend my arm for a handshake. “Frances.”
“Jake Downton.” He barely touches my hand, gracing it with a soft shadow of a shake.
Come on, Cowboy. I can take it.
I bend over and pick up his hat, handing it to him as we lock eyes in an unplanned gaze that lasts a little longer than I originally intended.
Is it getting hot out here?
I feel the rivulets of sweat under my shirt, racing down my spine, sending a slight shiver through me.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Downton.”
“Likewise.” His eyes scan me, all of me, without shyness or subtlety as if he’s not even trying to hide it.
I will my voice into command. “Are you good to ride?”
“Absolutely.” He runs his hand over his horse’s halter, down to the lead.
I notice that his hands are rough. What I wouldn’t do to have them give me a massage. “Maybe, it’s best if I go back with you? Just in case you need help on the way?”
I immediately regret offering when he blinks a few times and tilts his head as if I just said something completely alien to him.
“Uh, thank you!” He chuckles, his perfect white teeth accentuating the pink hue of his flushed lips.
Damn.
“Yeah?” I grin.
“Yeah, that’s very nice of you.”
Who am I kidding? He is clearly a very strong young man and should be fine on his own. My offer, obviously, entails a rather selfish aspect that serves my own agenda.
Yes, he’s undeniably hot and I would like to get to know him. What’s the harm in riding back with him and striking up a conversation? It’s not like I run into a man like this every day. My chances of meeting anyone new are next to none.
“This is Lady, by the way.” I point to my horse before jumping up, taking my position atop.
“And is she?”
“Is she what?”
“A lady?” He chuckles.
“Oh, without a doubt.” I giggle as we ride on, thinking that she’s more of a lady than I’ll ever be. “So… does he always like to test gravity with you, or…?”
“Ah.” He laughs out loud. “No. We ran into a snake.”
“A—a snake?” I widen my eyes on purpose. “Like, a real one? And, you didn’t think to warn me this entire time?”
“I—I” He stutters, quickly shaking his head. I clearly took him by surprise.
“I’m joking!” I burst out laughing and he shoots a brief scowl my way. “Of course, there are snakes out here. I’m just messin’ with you.”
“Oh, I see.” He begins to lighten up.
“Sorry. I should be nicer; you just hit your head.”
“No, no. That’s fine. Now I know what I’m dealin’ with.”
“Excuse me?” I laugh again, raising my pitch a notch.
“Hey, you started it.” Shrugging, he grins as his eyes gaze at the surroundings. “So, you from around here?”
“Well, I’m from town. But I like to ride this magnificent countryside every day.”
“Wherever you may roam, eh?”
“Pretty much.” I titter, slightly tilting my head. “What about you?”
“What about me?”
“Where are you from? You know… before I found you on the ground, which, by the way, means you belong to me,” I joked.
“Finders keepers?”
“You bet!”
“I’m… actually from right here.”
Looking around, I see nothing but a vast field.
“Right here?” I furrow my eyebrows.
“This is