Already he could feel the headache of that restriction coming on. When he was a kid, he’d thought he’d find a way to make her see he was worthy of her affection. But then Mack had to go and cross to the dark side. After he’d started hanging with the sortof friends Jane’s parents didn’t approve of, Jane stopped coming by.
He thrust his hand through his hair, running it back and forth as he made it to the barn. He’d been a fool. She wasn’t his friend. She’d beenMack’sfriend. Jane merely tolerated him.
Noah stopped, his breath catching in his throat when he caught sight of her.
Jane stood at the far side of the barn, her eyes locked on a horse.
Not just any horse.
His.
The horse was a tall, ebony beauty. His coat was completely black, and his mane was long and well-groomed. He was a sweet horse and loved attention, which was probably why he had his whole head out of the stall where he was kept.
Jane rubbed his nose and scratched his neck. She was cooing something at him, and he was lapping it all up like the rascal he was.
“His name is Caspian.”
Jane gasped, whirling to face him.
Noah smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets as he moved toward her. His boots scuffed against the concrete at his feet, brushing aside bits of straw that were left un-swept. “And he’s spoiled rotten.”
She smiled, looking toward the horse once more. Her hand glided up and down Caspian’s nose. “Caspian, huh? It suits you.” Jane glanced at Noah out of the corner of her eye as she worked his way toward her. “Is he yours?”
He gave her a curt nod. Caspian might possibly be the most valuable horse on the property. “He’s a Friesian. His breed is native to a Dutch province, and once upon a time, they were war horses.”
Jane let her gaze sweep over Caspian’s large form, but she wouldn’t be able to see just how graceful he was unless Caspian came out of his stall and trotted around for her. Knowing Caspian’s personality, Noah figured the animal would be up for the challenge. He was not only spoiled, but a showoff.
He reached Jane’s side and held out a hand to pat his horse’s neck. “What are you still doing here?”
She glanced at him from beneath her lashes but continued to face the horse. “We just finished up a little bit ago. I…” She smiled and turned to him fully. “I’m a sucker for animals, and I wanted to see these guys before we got too busy tomorrow.”
Noah jerked his chin toward Caspian. “You ride?”
Jane blinked several times. “What?”
“Have you ever ridden a horse before?”
She shook her head. “I can’t say I have.”
“Would you like to?” He shifted closer to her—near enough that he could smell her perfume. The soft floral scent permeated his senses, and all he wanted to do was inhale every bit of it. His voice had been low, husky. His resolve to steer clear of her was waning even now, and he steeled himself for her to decline his offer.
“Could I?” she whispered. “I know it’s getting late, but?—”
“We wouldn’t have to go far.”
The smile that lit her face was enough to drag him right back into the thick of it. He’d do anything to see that smile fill her face. Nothing would make him happier than being the source of that smile every single day of his life.
“I’ll get him saddled.”
When it was clear he didn’t plan on getting two horses ready for a ride, Jane started to fidget. She shifted and opened her mouth a few times while he tightened the belt of the saddle beneath Caspian’s belly.
“Something wrong?” Noah inquired.
“It’s just…” She swallowed and shuffled her feet some more. “Will there be another horse? We’re… not…” Jane cleared her throat. “Are we riding together?”
Noah straightened. “You’ve never ridden a horse before. And like you said, it’s getting late. I don’t think Mack would forgive me if I lost you or you got hurt.”
He wouldn’t forgive himself, either.
