I blink up at him, unsure what to do with the butterflies that are soaring deep in my belly. Luckily, he keeps talking, so I don’t make a fool of myself yet again.
“I thought we could go riding tonight, if you’re feeling up to it.”
“I’m always up for a ride.”
His brow arches, that damn smirk making a reappearance.
I smack his chest with the back of my hand. “You know what I mean.”
“Oh, I’m sure I know exactly what you mean.”
I give him a cool once-over. “I’m rethinking my choices.”
He leans down, his lips ghosting over the shell of my ear. “You’d be making asubstantialmistake.”
Goosebumps raise on my skin, and he squeezes my hip. My panties are immediately wet. It’s pathetic how my body reacts to him so instantaneously.
I clear my throat and step away because I’m pretty sure if I don’t, I’ll climb him like a tree in the middle of the condom aisle, and that would cause even more of a scene than we already have.
“I’ll tack up Dolly and Cash for us,” I say, trying to maintain some decorum despite my pulse thrumming like a hummingbird’s wings and my panties being soaked.
He shakes his head. “I’ve been working so hard with Luci. I thought it would be a good night to take him out on the trail.”
I shake my head. “He’s not ready for that yet.”
“Come on, Red. He’s come so far.”
He gives me a crooked grin. It’s a smile that’s full of charm, and I find myself completely disarmed by it.
I give in with a sigh. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when he throws you on your ass.”
“Noted.”
I pry Allie out of her hiding spot in the aisle with adult diapers, and she drives me back home so I can shower. I let her curl my hair and add some makeup, but I veto her outfit choices since Wes wants to go riding. Dresses are out and my favorite pair of jeans and a graphic T-shirt—featuring a cowgirl riding a horse withCan’t Be Tamedin big, bold letters—are in. She convinces me to pair it with a denim button-down and peels out of my driveway at a quarter until six.
Once she’s out of my way, I head out to the stable to saddle the horses for our ride. I tack up Dolly first. She’ll be happy to get out on a trail tonight. I’ve been so busy working with training the horses I’m being paid to train that I haven’t had a chance to take her out for a ride in a while. She bobs her head and nickers in excitement. I laugh when her hooves stomp back and forth like she’s dancing. “Settle down, Dolly. I’m excited too, but we can’t go anywhere if you don’t let me get this saddle on you.”
Dolly’s ears twitch in response and after a few more excited stomps, she settles so I can get her saddled. Once Dolly is ready, I tie her to the rail and get to work on Luci.
I begin tacking the big black horse, moving slowly to keep him calm. He’s come a long way in the last few weeks, but he’s still a sensitive horse that turns skittish with unfamiliar sounds. He’s not excited like Dolly, but he doesn’t show any signs of distress when Wes pulls into the driveway and slams the door of the truck.
Wes saunters into the stable in a pair of faded Levi’s, a black T-shirt, and his Stetson pulled low. When he spots who I’m tacking up, he smirks at me. “You’re actually gonna let me ride him?” He keeps his voice low so he doesn’t startle Luci.
I give him a slow perusal and purse my lips. “I’m not sure you can handle all that horse, city boy.”
“Hey now. Those are fighting words. I’ve been handling him just fine.”
He’s right. He’s been doing great with Luci during trainings. I’m still not sure the horse is ready for a trail ride, though. Normally, I play it safe with my horses, but Wes had smiled at me all cute and charming, urging me to throw caution to the wind, and I'd melted a little.
Hopefully, I don't regret this later.
I hold Wes’ stare, taking in those hazel eyes of his, the center a warm gold that heats me from the inside out.
“If he winds up hurt, I’ll make sure you end up hurting too.”
He whistles low. “Alright, Red. Don’t worry. I know how to ride a skittish horse.”
He greets Luci while I finish up with his saddle. Luci nuzzles into his hand and chuffs an eager greeting. Once I have it cinched up, Wes leads him to the front of the stable. “I’ve got some stuff to put in their saddlebags. Hang on.” He jogs to the truck and grabs two paper bags that appear full and a large blanket.
