It felt a lot like happiness.He had a nice laugh.It was deep and infectious.I instantly felt my shoulders loosening and my heart rate slowing.
‘That young?I’m not sure toddlers are allowed on horses, are they?’
‘Probably not,’ he grinned.‘I’m exaggerating, but the point was, because I grew up around them, I learnt not to be afraid.But if you’re new to it, then I can understand how it can be scary.I’m not gonna push you to do anything you don’t want to, but the hotel wouldn’t bring us here unless they knew that the horses would be fine for beginners.And if you want to try, I promise I’ll be right beside you, so nothing will happen to you.’
I looked into his eyes and saw that sincerity again.I actually believed him.
‘But what if I fall?’ I asked.
‘I’ll be right there to catch you.’
My heart fluttered.That was so sweet.He certainly looked strong enough to do that.With those arms, he could probably carry me and the horse without breaking a sweat.
‘And it looks pretty high up, which means there’ll be a steep drop and I don’t see any railings or anything to stop us plummeting over the edge.’
‘I’ll ride on the outside, so you’ll be safe.I got you, Halle.’
Jake rested his palm on top of mine and as our skin connected a bolt of electricity rocketed through me.
Whoa.
I thought him holding my shoulders before did things to me, butthis?
A kaleidoscope of emotions fluttered in my stomach.Goosebumps erupted across my skin and my heart galloped out of my chest faster than a horse racing at the Grand National.
Maybe given the circumstances, thinking about a horse riding fast wasn’t the best analogy to convince me to face my fear, but it was exactly how I felt.
The sensation of Jake’s hand on my skin was reassuring and downright electrifying.
Just as I was revelling in the sensation, he yanked his hand away.And despite it being at least twenty-five degrees up here, suddenly my hand felt like it had been plunged into a bucket of ice.
‘Sorry.’ He shuffled away from me on the bench.‘I didn’t mean to…’
‘It’s fine!’ I squeaked.‘Thanks for… talking about it actually helped.’
Jake beamed like I’d just told him he’d scored top marks in an empathy test.
‘Yeah?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Enough to convince you to give horse riding another try?’
I paused.
Could I really do this?
My chest tightened again.The ranch owners had said the horses were gentle and suitable for beginners.I was wearing a helmet and Jake said he’d be beside me and catch me if I fell.
I’d come to the Love Hotel to push myself out of my comfort zone.
Although romance sadly wasn’t on the cards, that didn’t stop me from making the most of this experience.
When else would I get the chance to come to LA and do a horse-riding hike with breathtaking views?
Probably never.
If I didn’t do this, I’d regret it.
