“Sure do,” I reply. “I also love open communication in a relationship.”
“That’s probably important,” she agrees.
I allow my unwavering stare to delve deeper. “Are you ever going to tell me what happened in that warehouse?”
Her gaze slides off mine. “I got closure.”
“For what?”
She shrugs. “A part of my past that really stung, but I refused to admit it.”
A tightness knots in my chest. “I don’t like secrets, menace.”
“It’s not mine to tell. Can you respect that?”
I blow out a heavy exhale through clenched teeth. My boots carry me to the gap in the stall door where I extend my arms overhead, bracing against the top board. Frankie’s attention burns into my change of position. A slow heat crawls over me as she shamelessly ogles.
“Like what you see, menace?”
“You’re really fucking hot,” she blurts. “It’s horrible for my concentration.”
“Good thing I’m not paying you to keep track of my daughter,” I drawl with extra sarcasm.
“That reminds me,” she murmurs. “You should probably stop paying me. It’s kinda icky in our situation.”
“There’s nothing icky about our situation.” I resent the very notion.
Her eyes roll. “As if I was cashing those checks. I’ll keep testing your credit card’s spending limit, though.”
“Please do,” I laugh while mentally tallying how many times she’s pet her horse by this point. “But it’s gonna cost you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I’ll need an answer. A real one this time. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the chance?”
Her smile is wistful, capturing the whimsy of the question. “Love someone enough to surrender my soul.”
A rough cough scrapes from me. “Damn, I think you’ve been watching too much reality television.”
She huffs. “Jerk.”
“Your jerk,” I retort.
“Seventy-five. I’m done.” Frankie swipes along Greta’s neck once more. “Your turn.”
“I’m interested in petting your pussy, not your horse.”
She shakes her head while brushing her palms together. “The question, stud. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do?”
The truth rushes forward in an uncontrollable surge. “Grow old with the woman I love.”
Her gaze leaps to mine while her breath hitches. She walks forward until our boots bump. “Here’s to hoping that can be arranged.”
I cup her cheek in my palm. “Will you let me make love to you?”
She leans into my touch. “Gosh, that’s really romantic.”
“Do you hate it?”