The boy looked at me, then at Jack. He jerked his head for Joey to follow him, and they exchanged a few murmurs, before the boy ran off over the pine straw.
“What the hell was that about?” I asked Joey.
“He said he’s getting me a faster horse.”
Jazz snorted with laughter.
“Uh, Joey,” I said, my eyebrows raised in amusement. “When was the last time you rode a horse?”
“What? You think I can’t beat this pansy-ass actor?”
Jazz lost it, doubling over with giggles. “Did you—”
“You’re on.” Jack aimed my brother a serious look before Jazz could finish. “If I win, I get to stay here on the island tonight with your sister. Alone.”
I gasped out a breath then clamped my jaw shut.
Jazz promptly stopped laughing. “Shit, that was hot,” she murmured at me.
No kidding.
Joey seemed to be weighing it up. Then his horse was led out of the barn. A muscly black horse that skittered sideways and pulled on his lead. “It’s a deal.”
We followed behind as boys and horses were led down to the beach and into the bright sun.
The race, which was marked out with rope, was to comprise a four hundred yard sprint, followed by a wade into the water around a small buoy, and then back. I was nervous to watch. It was notoriously difficult to maneuver the Marsh Tackies around turns without falling.
Jack toed off his shoes and socks, sliding his bare feet into the sand. He gathered his t-shirt behind his head, giving me a peek at his beautiful stomach. Oh yes, please please take it off. Then he pulled it over his head, leaving me with a dry mouth and sweaty palms.
My brother followed suit.
Jazz made a soft sound next to me.
Where Jack was chiseled and lean, Joey was no less fit but slightly broader with thicker arms and shoulders.
“Oh my …” Jazz got her phone out. “I’ve got to get this on video. It might be the hottest damn thing I’ve ever seen. Like, ever. I’m rarely speechless, but this might just do it. In the immortal words of Lana Del Rey:
“Oh that grace,
Oh that body,
Oh that face,
Makes me want to party …” she sang for my ears only.
“How do we get on without a saddle and stirrups,” Joey asked.
Jack walked over and created a stirrup with his hands for Joey and helped him up. Then he walked back with a smirk, held onto the mane of his horse, and leaped up onto its back in one smooth motion.
Oh. My. God.
Jazz squeaked. “I think I just orgasmed.”
“Shut up, Jazz,” I managed, and swallowed thickly.
“If I win?” asked Joey, looking a bit disgruntled and more determined than ever. His horse skittered to the side, ignoring the soothing tones of the boy holding his leading rein.
“You won’t. There’s too much riding on it for me. ‘Scuse the pun.” His eyes found mine.
I held Jack’s eyes a moment before he winked and looked back at Joey.
My brother flushed. “If I win, you can stay on this damn island alone.” He glared at the stable hand who was standing next to them as the Race Starter. “When you’re ready.”
My eyes roamed down Jack’s bare torso to a tendril of black ink sneaking out over the waistband of his underwear that was visible above his worn blue jeans. The tattoo that covered his scarred skin caused by his father. His hands were curled into the mane, his biceps flexing. His powerful leg rested on the side of the chestnut horse, ending in bare feet and the tattoo of the beautiful little sea turtle. Jack had marked his body four times … once to cover his painful childhood memories, once to celebrate the leap in his career to megastar, the thin chain of ink on his ankle I’d never asked about, and once … to remember me.
I didn’t get a chance to think on that further as a loud, “Hah!” rendered the air and both horses were smacked on their rumps and took off.
Jack immediately leaned in, gripping the horse with his entire body, muscles rippling. But Joey was on a much faster horse, and what Joey lacked in style as a rider was more than compensated for.
The black horse looked to be pulling into the lead. Joey threw a look over his shoulder at Jack, his blond hair whipping into his eyes.
Jazz mewed next to me. “Go, Joey,” she yelled, her phone pointing straight ahead.
“Are you seriously cheering for me not to get laid tonight?” I laughed incredulously. “Go on, Jack!” I screamed out.
“Didn’t realize you were ready to ride the horse again, so to speak.” She giggled.
“Maybe I’ve changed my mind.”
“But seriously, this is like the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”
We both looked at each other, and then screamed and cheered for our respective guys.