When Lilian emerged in her chaps, ready to take Kwen out for her daily ride, Davien was nowhere to be found. She didn't think that he would have taken off without his hat, but perhaps he'd finally given up trying to... whatever it was he was trying to do.

She saddled up her horse and received an excited chuff in return. Kral nuzzled her on her way by—he knew that he'd have his turn later when they got back. Lilian liked to make sure that they both got good exercise. She used to take both out and switch off who she rode, but they seemed to prefer having separate rides and getting all the attention to themselves.

"See you in a bit, love," she said to him, and then patted Kwen's neck fondly. "Let's go, little lady."

They took off out of the paddock and into the woods, onto a trail that maybe wouldn't have been obvious to just anyone, but the horse knew where she was going. Lilian's heart soared as she rode, allowing herself to enjoy the feel of the wind through her hair.

Riding in nature was the only time she let the weight lift, that heavy load that she carried on her shoulders. Let the dark clouds part a little and enjoy a sliver of sunlight through the storm. Even though she made sure to carry her guns this far from the house, they still felt lighter than they ever did when she was out here.

She leaned forward and tightened her grip on the reins, urging Kwen faster as they came to a clearer part of the forest. Leaves brushed her cheek, and she closed her eyes, allowing a rare smile across her face as the sun filtered down on her.

A little while later, she approached the halfway point of the ride, the pool beneath a waterfall from the stream that ran through her property. It was a great place to refill canteens and let the horses have a drink. Occasionally Lilian would jump in herself, on days when she felt she needed a good soak.

It was apparently a day for good soaks. At the sight of bare glistening shoulders sticking out of the clear water, Kwen chuffed, and Davien turned around in surprise. The shock in his eyes quickly melted into amusement, and he straightened a bit, revealing more of his rippling torso dripping with water.

Lilian bit down on the inside of her cheek, fighting to keep her jaw from dropping at the sight. Regardless of the fact that she absolutely, positively, definitely had no interest in a relationship at this juncture, she was still a living and breathing human with eyeballs.

And she hated to admit it, but Davien was a fucking sight to behold.

"Good afternoon, ma'am," he said with a little smirk, and ruined the magic of the moment.

She narrowed her eyes. "What are you doin' out here?"

"Cleaning myself after all that hard work." He spread his arms. The muscles beneath his taut skin rippled with the movement—not that she was looking at them. "Is everything on the farm to your satisfaction?"

"No." She raised her chin so she could stare down her nose at him. "I would be much more satisfied without anyone around."

He chuckled, lifting some water in his cupped hands and drawing it over his hair to slick it back from his forehead. His very, very pink forehead. "If you'd kindly return my hat I'll be on my way."

Lilian wrinkled her nose and straightened her back as he began to walk towards the shore. His pile of clothes was on the bank, and as the surface of the water revealed more of his naked body she blinked rapidly.

"No rush, no need to rush," she blurted, urging Kwen to turn so she could look away.

Davien stopped moving, the water lapping gently at his hip bones, and he offered her that little smirk again. "That's mighty generous of you, ma'am."

She stared at the treetops, avoiding looking down into the clear water at what she was certain would be a tiny horrible little cock that she would surely hate. "I'll leave your hat out on the fence," she said gruffly, and then gave the horse a tug.

For the first time ever, Kwen didn't respond immediately. Lilian let out a noise of surprise, and grunted, tugging harder on the reins. The horse sounded almost like she was laughing as she whinnied, and ever-so-slowly lumbered away, a deliberate snail's gait.

Davien chuckled again, and Lilian fought the urge to shoot him in his smug face.

She scowled down at the back of Kwen's head. See if I take you out riding again, traitor.

***

By the time Lilian got back from her second ride with Kral, Davien was retrieving his hat from the fence and gathering his things.

"It's late," she snapped, before she could stop herself. "What took you so long?"

He looked up at her with an amused smile and gave the horse an affectionate pat. "I spent some time with your girl. She's all brushed and fed and settled in for the night." He plonked his hat on his head and adjusted his pack, tipping his brim at her. "Pleasure to meet you, ma'am."

She bit down hard on her tongue as he headed down the lane. "You don't have any guns," she said, and closed her eyes as she mentally chastised herself for speaking.

"No ma'am, I do not." He turned back and patted his bare hips. "Been a long time since I had those."

She scowled, and she wasn't sure if it was at him or at herself. "You're really gonna travel at night, all defenseless?"

He raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything.

Lilian realized what she'd done, what she'd insinuated, and grunted with disapproval. She clenched her jaw and dismounted, resting a hand deliberately on the barrel of her gun.

"Get in the fuckin' barn," she demanded, jabbing her thumb over her shoulder. "One more night, you understand? One." She held up a finger to accentuate her point. "You groom Kral, get him set up, and you can sleep in there tonight, and that's it. You best disappear by the time that sun rises tomorrow."

Or else... she didn't have an or else, so she didn't say it. She didn't know what she would do if he were still there in the morning. Abuse him some more for doing stellar work?

She grunted again and ignored Davien's knowing smile, stalking off towards the house before he could thank her. If the word ma'am fell from his full lips one more time she was sure she'd put a bullet between his unnaturally white teeth.

She slammed the door, the hinges rattling, and fought the urge to scream as she prepared dinner for herself.