Chapter FIFTEEN-CASEY&ZEKE

CASEY

I can’t believe I just went for a ride on a horse with a cowboy in New Jersey.

What the what now? How is this even my life?

I bite my lip and watch Zeke move his powerful body with an effortless grace I could never match.

“Um, I have to change, but I’ll meet you by the pool, okay?”

Zeke nods, he is acting like he’s distracted with checking the tack on the last horse, but I know he is listening.

I take a moment to simply stare as he brushes his hand over the animal’s flank like it’s a living treasure.

Of course he does that.

Of course, he’s good with animals.

Gentle with his hands when he wants to be.

Those same big, rough palms that were on me just hours ago. The ones he used to make me see stars.

God. Focus, Casey.

I make my way across the grass, back to Avery’s, feeling the heat of the day soaked into my skin—and something else simmering deeper.

Zeke Gordon is a living, breathing contradiction.