I closed my eyes. The sound of ragged breaths and the rhythmic beats clopping against the hard terrain filled my ears. I held on tight, as I felt the power of the beautiful beast beneath me.

"Faster, Daddy!"

I squealed with delight as he whipped the reins and gave a swift kick, making the horse run faster, and my grip around his waist tighter.

The wind blew my hair around my face, and I smiled wider. We were running free. And not a single thing mattered more in those moments between the beat of the hooves underneath, than my daddy and me.

Suddenly, the horse came to a stop.

My daddy turned toward me and started shaking me. I could hear my name, but it wasn't coming from him. It was coming from somewhere in the distance.

"Grace? Grace, wake up. We're almost there."

I slowly blinked open my eyes, allowing light to pour in. A blurred face gradually came into view as I rubbed my eyes and sat up.

"How long was I asleep for?"

"Just twenty minutes or so. We're about to land. They just announced it." Mark pointed out the airplane's window; we sliced through the last of the clouds as buildings came into view. Although there weren't many. Wyoming's empty land was vast and one of the reasons I was excited to vacation there. It was a welcoming change from the busy hustle of city life.

Mark, on the other hand, was not too thrilled about my idea of a vacation. He preferred the city life, so when I suggested taking a trip out to a lodge in Wyoming for our five year anniversary, it took a lot of convincing and bargaining. He agreed we could go if he could still work. I counted it as a win, because no matter where we chose to vacation, he still would have worked anyway.

Mark worked at an advertising company with my stepdad, Frank, for six years, and he became obsessed with working his way to the top. That's actually how we met. I had brought Frank lunch one day and he introduced us. He said Mark had real potential, and I would be lucky to be with a guy like him. Five years of dating later, he still kissed ass and Frank soaked it up.

The plane jolted and rocked my body against the seat as the wheels came into contact with the runway. I grabbed the armrests, placed my head back into the seat, and shut my eyes. I loved the feeling of flying. But landing was another feeling entirely. I was not sure if it was the landing that scared me, or if it was the reality of being grounded; stuck in place without the liberating feeling that flying brings.

"I do not know why you make landing into such a big deal Grace. We're fine." Mark let out an exasperated sigh.

"Yeah, I know. It just always makes me feel a little on edge. But we're fine; you're right." I smiled and began to grab my bag from the floor below, so I would be ready to unboard.

The airport was small, so there was hardly any wait time for our luggage. Mark left me to get our rental car while I grabbed our bags and then met him outside. Throwing the bags in the trunk of the car, we headed toward the five-star lodge that would house us for the next nine days.

Upon arrival, I gasped in adoration. It was even more beautiful and charming than the pictures online. The entire lodge was made out of cedar and stone with tall glass windows and lights placed strategically around to give it an ethereal feel.

I looked to Mark to see him quickly cover a grimace, giving me a tight smile. "Let's get inside, shall we?"

We walked inside, and I paused as I took in my surroundings. I was captured with more appreciation for the building that was both elegant and rustic with high ceilings, glass chandeliers, and animals mounted on the walls. It held such a graceful charm, one that made me feel at home. I knew Mark was not thrilled nor enraptured by the place as I was, but I decided to not let him ruin my good mood. I promised I would find a way to repay him and make his stay enjoyable.

The plane ride exhausted us both, so as soon as we checked in and got settled into our spacious, mountain view room, I took a much needed hot shower and then threw myself onto the inviting bed. I took satisfaction in how the soft, clean sheets felt between my legs, as I wiggled around and snuggled into my pillow. Mark laid claim to his own side soon after and we both took a quick nap.

When we woke, I glanced at my phone to see that it was close to dinner time. As if on cue, my stomach grumbled in protest, giving me the only incentive I needed to check out the rest of the lodge which I had already been eager to see.

I turned to Mark, gently nudging him and pulling his attention away from his phone. "What do you say to checking out a bit more of the lodge and finding a place to eat?"

"Sounds great, I'm starving. Let me just get dressed into something else."

Partially reluctant to throw the covers off me, I followed Mark out of bed and we quickly got ready. As we headed down to the first floor in search of something good to eat, I decided to stop by the front desk to ask for recommendations. Mark decided on a casual bar and grill, insistent on getting a few good beers.

We were swiftly seated, and I thanked the waitress for the menu. Looking it over, I eagerly ordered. I was beyond ready to eat and everyone else's meal looked and smelt delicious. As a chef, I tended to be extra picky, but I was so hungry, I'm pretty sure I would have ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and not have complained.

After ordering our food, Mark and I engaged in small talk while we waited, but he was quickly getting antsy. He wasted no time in getting a drink. "Go to the bar and grab me a beer sweetheart. You know the kind I like."

Of course I knew the type he liked. He and Frank drank beer often enough together, it would be hard to ever forget his love for Corona and lime.

I took the few steps to the mahogany bar and leaned against it, waiting on the bartender who was currently mixing a drink. The man next to me tipped his head back, took a swig of his beer, then slammed the bottle down so hard, I jumped and grasped my chest.

"What does he pay you?"

I spun my head so fast to look toward him, confused if it was me he was addressing.

"Excuse me?"

He jerked his head toward Mark who was on his phone, paying no mind to me.

"He pays you, doesn't he? Guy calls you sweetheart in that shit tone and tells you to fetch him his own beer, you two must have some sort of an arrangement."

My jaw dropped as I stared at him. I took the moment to assess him. He was around my age with chestnut hair which I could see peeking out underneath the black stetson he was wearing. He had a strong jawline and the bluest of eyes that I tried not to let myself drown in. Especially considering he just insinuated I was a prostitute or an escort? Or... I don't know what. But I was completely insulted either way.

"I'm sorry, who are you to speak to me that way? He's my boyfriend. It's called taking care of him. You know, what you do in a relationship!" I snapped, completely surprised by my own outburst. I was usually more refined.

I looked him up and down, unable to stop my sudden onslaught. "Actually, who am I kidding, you have probably never been in one. You don't seem the type."

His slightly glazed eyes narrowed in on me, searching my face momentarily before looking away and taking another swig of his beer.

"Pretty sure you take care of each other in a relationship. But you're right, what do I know." He waved the bartender down. "Nate, this lady here needs to order."

My eyes widened and then narrowed in on him; I was both shocked and confused by his actions, causing a slight twinge of guilt at my outburst. I placed my order then looked back toward the abrasive stranger.

"Thank you. But you didn't have to do that. I could have gotten attention."

He abruptly turned his whole body toward me and stood up. He towered slightly over me as he tilted his head down and came within inches of my face. His warm, alcohol-induced breath fanned my skin, causing a chain reaction of heat to spread throughout my body, and my own breath hitched at the sudden close proximity.

"I'm sure you could have. But wouldn't want your boyfriend to be kept waiting any longer. I'm sure he hates it." He pulled back wearing a smug smile. "Ma'am." Tipping his hat, he walked off, and I stared after him with a gaping mouth.

What a son of a...

I refused to speak ill of anyone's mother, but that man made me want to break that rule. It was arrogant of him to assume that. He was right, of course, which made me all the more mad. Mark hated to wait on me. But there was no way in hell I would ever admit that to him.

Grabbing the beer, I plastered a fake smile on my lips and headed back to my table to an already agitated Mark, where I desperately tried to put the conversation out of my mind. There was no way I would let that man-child get to me. No way.

Stay safe, stay kind, stay authentically you💕

-Allie