Doubtful. My body isveryaware of her.
Not that I’ll admit it.
I shrug, going for nonchalant. “Do what you’ve got to do. But no sudden movements. She spooks easily.”
“I promise I’ll be careful.” She looks pleased I didn’t put up a fight. I don’t like it, that hasn’t changed. But I told her yesterday I’d let her ask a few questions, and I’m a man of my word.
Besides, Wyatt laid into me last night after dinner, making it more than clear that the ranch needs this, so whether I like it or not, I need to play nice.
If my brother had any idea of hownicemy dreams about the young reporter were, no doubt he wouldn’t want me anywhere near her.
I give Kali one last look before turning back to Chestnut. I was afraid the horse might object to having an audience, but it’s almost as if she’s happy to have Kali watching. Her nervousness disappears while I move around the ring with her. After a few laps, she’s leaning into me and even nuzzling my arm a little.
“You’re really gentle with her,” Kali says softly on our third lap as we draw close. “Is that always the approach?”
I keep my focus on the mare, but Kali’s question gets the flicker of a smile out of me. “Most of the time,” I say. “You can’t force trust. Not with horses.”
“Not with people, either.”
That makes me turn to her, but she’s jotting something down in her notebook. When she looks up, she asks, “So, it’s more about reading the signs and following the horse’s lead?”
“It is.” I don’t even bother hiding my surprise. Chestnut nudges me with her big nose, and I reach up to stroke her neck. She seems to like Kali, so we take a few steps closer to the edge of the corral.“Every twitch of her tail, every breath…she’s telling me something. It’s my job to listen,” I say as we get closer. “Like now, I think she’s letting me know that she likes you.”
“Me?” Kali’s eyes grow wide. “You think she likes me?”
I can’t help but smile at the excitement on her face. I nod because it’s true. “Do you want to pet her?”
“Are you serious?” Kali’s mouth drops open and I have to swallow hard to push the image of those pink lips wrapped around my cock out of my head.
Focus, Cash!
“I sure am.” I reach out and take Kali’s free hand, guiding her slowly toward Chestnut. With her hand flat, I press it lightly to the horse’s neck.
“She’s so soft,” she breathes.
I hold onto Kali a moment longer than necessary, but when she starts moving her hand slowly up and down in gentle strokes, I pull away.
The horse leans into the touch.
“She’s incredible.”
My eyes don’t leave Kali. “She is.”
With every second that passes, I find my feelings toward this woman shifting. Chestnut seems to like her, and I’ve always said that horses are some of the best judges of character I’ve ever met. And since I can’t seem to get out of spending time with her…
“Have you ridden before?” The question slips from my mouth before I can think twice about it.
“Ridden?” Kali turns so quickly, I’m afraid she might spook Chestnut, but miraculously, the horse doesn’t seem affected. “You mean, on a horse?”
“Yes.” I chuckle as her skin flushes a very cute pink. “Have you ridden a horse before?”
She swallows hard and shakes her head. “I mean, maybe I sat on a pony at the fair once.”
“That doesn’t count.”
Before I can talk myself out of it, I slip through the wooden rails, take her hand in mine, and start leading her toward the barn. “Come on.”
She blinks. “Where are we going? What about Chestnut?”
