Around and around we went. Until the rest of the world faded away, and it was just me and Niko. I heard his breaths, his snorts, and the thump of his hooves in the dirt. I zeroed in on the feeling, wanting to cement it in my brain and muscle memory.
“Little faster now. Keep it at a trot but pick it up.”
I didn’t even have to do anything. Niko moved faster, which made me grab the pommel. Immediately, my bouncing got worse but I couldn’t make my fingers let go.
“Sit back in the saddle,” came Mal’s direction, as gentle and easy as ever.
I did, and things smoothed out again. I couldn’t help the grin that took over my face. I was doing it. Riding at a trot in a decent manner. Moving with the horse instead of against him.
“Okay, that’s enough for today, I think.”
I gently pulled back on the reins and Niko stopped. Mal walked over and when he took hold of the bridle, I swung off the horse. Feet on the ground again, my legs felt like jelly and I had to consciously adjust my stance. Mal clapped me on the shoulder.
“That was real good for a first lesson.”
I squinted at him which made him laugh. “I felt like I had no idea what I was doing.”
“That’s because you don’t,” he said, mirth in his tone. “A few trail rides, plus the ride you had the other week, means nothing. But we’ll fix that. Pretty soon, I won’t have to remind you to fix your seat. Then before you know it, you’ll be cantering and even running without worry. We’ll get you there, Carter.”
“Thanks,” I said, meaning it.
“You’re welcome. I’ll get the basics in you, and then when Demi’s off maternity leave, she’ll whip you into a real rider. It’ll be like you’ve been on horses your whole life.”
I didn’t quite believe that, but I did trust that I would know how to ride well once I finished lessons. Mal and I said our goodbyes, as he took Niko back to the stock barn. Apparently, I didn’t have to worry about cool down or grooming him, which was fine with me.
Since I was here anyway, I figured I’d go spend a little time with Ramona. I wanted her to be used to and comfortable with me. When I turned to head back into the barn, I stopped dead. Hawk was lurking in the shadows by the door. I got the impression he’d been watching for a bit and didn’t want to get caught. But he hadn’t left fast enough. I walked toward him, half expecting him to turn and leave.
He held his ground.
“You looked good,” he mentioned when I was within hearing distance.
I snorted in disbelief and kept going until we were less than a foot apart. He sucked in a breath and lifted his head to meet my gaze. I raised a brow. “Really?”
“Comparatively, yes. You’ve gotta learn to keep your heels down.”
Since he was wearing that tiny smirk that passed for amusement, I didn’t take it seriously. I rolled my eyes. “So I’ve heard.”
He shrugged. “You’ll get there. You’ve made progress.”
I had. I knew that. But I also didn’t know what to do with this Hawk, the one who was giving compliments instead of chastising me. I couldn’t help needling him just a little. “So when can I ride Ramona?”
Ah, there was the scowl. His response was just as expected. “When I say. You’ve got a long way to go and so does she. Until she’s back in riding shape, and puts on more muscle—”
“Hawk. I wasn’t being serious. I know all that.” I took a step closer and he sucked in a breath. Was it my imagination, or did his pupils dilate? It was probably the lack of light and not for any other reason. “I was just…being an ass.”
He didn’t say anything for a long moment, just studied my face. When he took a step closer, I wasn’t sure who was more surprised; him or me. He licked his lips. I bit back a groan. I closed the distance between us until I was looking down at his gorgeous eyes and his pretty face.
“Can I kiss you?” I whispered, afraid to break the moment between us. I was ready for the no. Instead, he gave the tiniest nod. He let me turn his hat around as I lowered my face until we were breathing each other’s air and murmured, “You are so fucking pretty.”
That fast, Hawk reared back, practically leaping away so we were no longer in each other’s space. Where a moment ago his gaze had been filled with lust, his eyes were now wide with fear.
“I’ve got work to do,” he muttered, then turned and hightailed it away from me, through the barn and out of sight.
All I could do was stand there, staring in the direction he’d gone. What the hell just happened? Hawk had wanted it. He’d said yes. But clearly, he changed his mind. I hung my head and breathed deeply, trying to get my body and thoughts under control.
“Fuck.” I had a feeling this was going to be a mess I had to clean up.
Chapter 11
