“He’s soft,” I murmur.
“Touch his neck.”
I do. Carefully. The hair is warm and a little rough under my fingers. The horse turns his head slightly toward me, not in warning, just awareness.
“You ride him?” I ask, glancing at Alex.
He nods.
“Every weekend. Sometimes during the week, whenever I get the chance to come here”
I continue rubbing Apollo, admiring how good he looks
“You want to try giving him a ride?”
I immediately shake my head,
“No way.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t think I can,” I reply, “I might fall.”
“You won’t,” comes Alex’s steady reply
“I’m not even wearing boots.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he says, wiping his hands, “come here.”
I hesitate, but when his fingers graze my wrist, I go.
He positions me beside Apollo, then taps the stirrup
“Put your foot here,” he says, “and hold the saddle horn.”
I do as he says shakily.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to go up.”
Alex raises a brow at that
“Just do as I say, Lucas.”
Biting my lips, I nod slowly, then I lift my foot, and I try pulling myself up, but I don’t make it far. Suddenly, his hands grip my thigh and ass.
“Lift,” he commands, and pushes
I gasp, half-startled, half —
With one strong push, I’m up. Seated in the saddle.
Legs dangling on either side. My heart pounds as I grip the reins.
Alex steps back and looks up at me. “You’re alright.”
“I feel like I’m going to slide off.”
“You’re not.”
