It’s too soon to be thinking about getting involved with anyone.
I surreptitiously watched him sitting patiently while Star picked her way across a creek. He was smiling down at her, holding her on an extra loose rein so she could take a drink and keep her balance.
It’s way too soon to get this flutter in my stomach every time I look at you.
Star took a step, then stumbled on a slippery rock. Jesse barely flinched. He kept the reins loose and stayed still so she could get her feet back under her again. A moment later, they were out of the creek, joining the rest of us on shore.
“Good girl,” he told her with a smile as he patted her neck.
Oh God. It’s way,waytoo soon for me to be alone with someone as perfect and attractive as you.
Jesse glanced at me as the group started down the trail. A smile flashed across his face that sent electricity down my spine. I returned it, hoping he didn’t hear the way my heart went wild.
Oh my God, I am so fucked.
“Jesus Christ.” I groaned as I got out of the Jeep. “I am sore in places I forgot I had.”
“Oh, come on.” Jesse chuckled, though he was moving a little gingerly too. “It was only three hours of easy riding—you can’t bethatsore.”
“Uh-huh.” I cocked a brow. “Is that why you’re walking slower than usual?”
“Fuck you.”
We both laughed and headed inside. After we’d left our shoes by the door, we both paused to stretch. God, I really was sore. My inner thighs were especially pissed at me, and my back had some questions about just what I’d been thinking. It wasn’t bad, though; more like the way I felt after a particularly good workout.
Jesse ran his hands down his abs and grimaced. “I’ve definitely been out of the saddle for too long, because I forgot how much it works your goddamned core.”
“I know, right? I feel like I just did a million crunches.”
“Seriously. I think this means I need to start riding regularly again.”
“Yeah?”
He nodded. “I’ve been thinking about it for years anyway, but after today… I might have to look into it more seriously.”
I considered it, then admitted, “I haven’t thought about it in a while, but now, I don’t know. I might have to look into getting back in the saddle for real. Maybe I’ll go take some riding lessons or something; I know what I’m doing, but it’s a good way to get back into it, you know? Knock off the rust?”
Jesse’s smile made the room tilt. “That sounds like a smart way to do it. I know me—if I start again, I’m starting again. So I’ll buy something sooner than later. And knowing me, I’ll want to compete, so…”
I chuckled. “Competition’s in your blood?”
“Ooh, yeah. Don’t get me wrong, I love just going down the trails or goofing off in an arena. But I guarantee I’ll be chomping at the bit to compete before long.”
“Sounds like fun. I’ll probably stick to trails. At least for a while. I’ve never competed, so…”
He grinned, unaware of what that did to my pulse. “Fair warning—once you try it, that bug will bite you and won’t let go.”
“Duly noted. In the meantime…” I put my arms over my head to stretch, refusing to think too much about the way his gaze went to my midsection when my shirt lifted up. Or the way his eyes darted away, and was that some pink in his cheeks?
No, Eric. No, no, no. Teri just putthatbug in your ear, and now you can’t unsee it.
That was probably it.
As I twisted a crick out of my back, I peered longingly at the couch, ready to drop my tired carcass onto it and not move until it was time to drive back to Pittsburgh. On second, thought, though…
I looked down at my dusty clothes. “Ugh. I’m disgusting. I need a shower.”
“Yeah, same.”
