Page 33 of All of Us

Could be a date.

DUSTY

I can’t wait to hear all about it.

Maybe some of the things you’ve learned will come in handy.

I looked at my phone, confused. He had told me the other night he was interested in more, but then seemed eager to hear about me being with another man. Now wasn’t the time to think through all that.

JOE

Brunch Sunday?

DUSTY

I’d like that. Let me know how the date goes. ♥

JOE

You're so weird. But I'll tell you Sunday.

At least now he knew I would be out with someone. Though I wasn’t sure why he was so eager for me to be with someone else, it felt opposite to what he had said the other night. I’d run out and get some food for brunch tomorrow afternoon, and we could talk about it. Now I was going to spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying Gentry’s company.

When I heard the truck on the gravel in my driveway, my heart rate picked up. Gentry walked up the porch looking incredibly handsome. The burgundy western shirt he had on was incredibly flattering—I drooled a little. His jeans fit him perfectly, his boots buffed, and he wore a black felt cowboy hat, different from the straw one he normally wore.

“Fuck. You look hot.” I said without thinking, and I knew I turned red at my outburst.

He smiled at me and winked. “You look pretty good yourself. Ready to ride, then start our date?”

It was a date.

That flutter in my chest surprised me, and I tripped. Gentry reached out, and when his skin touched mine, there were sparks and chills at the same time. I repeated the words Mont had told me.

Don’t get attached until you know for sure who fits you best.

Right now, I liked both of these men and wanted to explore a little. I was an adult, and so were they.

Be honest with them.

I’d talk to Gentry tonight. Today, though, I was going to enjoy riding, then have a nice dinner, and get to know my new friend more. Since his hands were already around me and his mouth was right there, I helped myself.

His lips were warm, soft, and welcoming. There was no hesitation as he kissed me back, and a little moan escaped him. When he pulled me closer, I could feel how solid he was in his jeans—it was nice to be wanted.

“Hello.” I said quietly.

He smiled against my lips. “Hello. Are you ready to go riding? I thought we would skip the arena work and go on a longer trail ride.”

“That sounds nice.” I really enjoyed learning how to ride, but I looked forward to learning more about Gentry.

“Have you talked to Martin Wilson over the last few days?” Gentry asked, keeping his arm around me and leading me to his truck.

“No, haven’t heard from him.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Would you mind if I made a phone call really quick?”

“Sure.” Now I was worried. Had I done something to Martin that he was concerned about? I watched as Gentry paced back and forth by the horse trailer.

He slipped the phone in his back pocket and smiled at me. Then he jogged the last few steps and grabbed me around the waist.