"Good," I say, stepping back quickly. "Keep that posture. It'll feel weird at first, but it'll become natural."
I adjust her stirrups, showing her where her feet should rest. "Ball of your foot on the stirrup, heels down. That's your anchor point. If something goes wrong, heels down helps you stay in the saddle."
"Got it. Heels down."
"Now the reins." I hand them to her, then have to step close again to position her hands correctly. "Hold them like this. Firm but not tight. You're communicating with the horse through these reins, not fighting her."
Sierra's concentrating hard, her lower lip caught between her teeth. This close, I can see faint freckles across her nose that weren't visible yesterday. Can see the determination in her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands that she's trying to hide.
She's scared but not backing down.
"You're doing fine," I say, and I mean it. "Most people are terrified at this point."
"I am terrified. I'm just stubborn enough not to show it."
"I've noticed." I step back, giving myself space. "Alright. We're going to start with just walking. Gentle pressure with your heels means go. Pull back gently on the reins means stop. To turn, you'll apply pressure with your leg on the side you want to turn away from and guide with the reins. But we'll work up to that."
I lead Daisy toward the arena, Sierra sitting in the saddle with white-knuckled determination. Once we're in the enclosed space, I unclip the lead rope.
"You're on your own now. Just ask her to walk forward. Remember. Gentle heel pressure."
Chapter 6 - Sierra
"Gentle heel pressure," Wade repeats, and I force myself to focus on his words instead of the memory of his hands on my body.
I squeeze my heels against Daisy's sides, and she starts walking. The movement is jarring at first, my body trying to figure out how to move with her instead of against her. But I focus on what Wade taught me: sit deep, heels down, shoulders back.
"Good!" Wade calls from where he's standing in the center of the arena. "Keep that posture. Let your hips move with her."
My hips. Right. I try to relax into the saddle, to let my body follow Daisy's rhythm, and oh God, that's worse.
The friction of the saddle between my legs, the rocking motion, the memory of Wade's hands on my hips just minutes ago… It all combines into something that makes heat pool low in my belly. I'm getting wet. Actually wet, my panties dampening with each step Daisy takes.
This is mortifying.
I try to shift position subtly, but that just makes it worse. The seam of my jeans presses exactly where I don't need any more stimulation, and I bite back a sound that would definitely give me away.
I need to focus. I’m learning to ride a horse. A *horse*. Not thinking about Wade Turner's rough hands. Not wondering what those hands would feel like sliding up my thighs, exploring the curves of my body that I've always been self-conscious about. Not imagining his fingers digging into the soft flesh of my hips as he—
"You're tensing up," Wade calls. "Relax your shoulders."
Right. Relaxing. I can do that. Except I can't, because now I'm thinking about his voice. That deep, rough growl when he told me to adjust my posture. Would he sound like that in bed? Commanding and sure, telling me exactly what to do?
Or would he be gentle? Would those hard eyes soften, those rough hands turn tender? Would he worship my body the way I've never let anyone do, kissing every inch of skin I've spent years feeling ashamed of?
My thighs are literally trembling now, and it has nothing to do with the effort of riding.
I wonder if he's ever touched a woman like me. Someone with extra curves, with soft stomach and thick thighs and breasts that are definitely more than a handful. Would he be disgusted? Would he compare me to whatever type of woman he usually—
"Sierra, watch your—"
The reins slip from my hands. I realize it too late, grabbing for them and throwing my weight forward. Daisy sidesteps, startled, and suddenly I'm sliding. The world tilts, and I'm falling, the ground rushing up to meet me.
I hit hard, landing on my side. Pain shoots through my ankle as it twists beneath me, and I cry out. Above me, Daisy dances nervously, and through the haze of pain I see her hoof coming down toward my head—
Then Wade's there. He literally throws himself between me and the horse, one arm wrapping around me while the other pushes Daisy back. "Whoa, girl. Easy. Easy."
Daisy settles, moving away, and Wade's full attention turns to me. His face is pale, eyes wide with something that looks like fear.
