Unbridled (Unlikely Lovers) by Cheryl Brooks Read Free Book Online Page A

the arm, then went back to packing up her gear.
    Travis picked up her saddle. “I’ll put this in the truck for you.”
    She was about to tell him not to bother when she finally realized why he was being so helpful. It was simply his way of thanking her for lending him a sympathetic ear. “Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”
    After tossing her tote bag into the truck, she returned for Kira. Travis stood next to the mare, speaking softly as he fed her a treat. Miranda hurriedly snapped a lead rope to the mare’s halter and released the cross-ties, turning away before Travis could see the tears gathering in her eyes.
    Barely trusting her voice enough to speak to him, she wished him a happy Thanksgiving and led Kira out of the barn, doing her best to ignore the growing ache in her heart. A chilly rain began to fall as they reached the trailer, and her numb fingers fumbled with the latch. “Don’t suppose you’d consider telling me what he said, would you?”
    A glance from her big, dark eyes was Kira’s only reply as she stepped up into the trailer .
    Mi randa sighed and swung the tailgate shut. “I didn’t think so.”
     
    Travis stood watching until Miranda’s truck was out of sight, his cheek still tingling from her kiss. It might not have been the sort of kiss he craved, but it was better than nothing and far more than he deserved—especially after he’d done his best to follow Alan’s advice and then fucked it up by asking for another hug. If Shelley hadn’t given him such a hard time he might have been stronger, but between that and the disappointment he’d felt when Miranda hadn’t shown up for her lesson the previous week, he was surprised he hadn’t kissed her.
    What would she have done if he had? His scalp tingled at the thought of her fingers threading through his hair, her hungry lips parting as he deepened the kiss.
    “Stop it, Travis,” he muttered. Grabbing his toolbox, he headed out to his truck. The rainy sky further dampened his mood. If the forecast was correct, the paddock at his next stop would be a sea of mud by the time he arrived. He’d already started the engine when a sudden impulse had him reaching for his phone.
    Alan answered on the first ring. “I had a feeling I’d be hearing from you today. What happened?”
    “Shit, I don’t know. I’m about to lose what’s left of my mind. You already know what happened with Shelley. If Miranda hadn’t been so damned sympathetic, things might have gone differently, but stupid me, I asked her for a hug and she gave it to me. Even kissed me on the cheek.”
    “ The slightest touch can be fatal,” Alan warned. “Don’t ever let it happen again.”
    “ Tell me about it. I damn near kissed her back—and I wouldn’t have stopped with a simple peck on the cheek.” Grimacing, he shook his head trying to banish the thought of Miranda in his arms, urging him on with passionate, heart-stopping kisses. “Maybe I should come right out and tell her how I feel. Then she could tell me to go to hell and never speak to me again.”
    “I doubt it. She sounds too nice for that.”
    “You’re probably right. Honestly, I don’t know how much more of this I can take. It gets worse every time I see her.”
    Alan sighed. “There’s a simple cure for that. Don’t see her again.”
    Travis shuddered. “I practically had a stroke when she wasn’t here last week. I’ve never wanted anyone so badly in my life.”
    “Cold turkey, man. It’s the only way.”
    “I know. I can’t help thinking if I stick around long enough, she might fall for me and leave her husband.”
    “And you’ll feel guilty for breaking up her marriage for the rest of your life. I know you, Travis. Sooner or later, the taint would kill any chance of happiness.”
    Alan was right. Unfortunately, it didn’t change a thing. “Yeah. Damned if I do and damned if I don’t.” He drew in a ragged breath. “Guess I’m better off keeping my mouth shut.”
    “Absolutely.