Eclipse soaked up her attention like a sponge. It was cute as hell to watch the two of them together. I couldn’t tell who loved the other more. Eclipse was a pretty social horse with people, but he definitely had favorites, and it was easy to see Madison had immediately become one of them.
“I could put him on a lunge line so you have a little more freedom. You won’t have to worry about him sprinting off, not that he would.”
“I wouldn’t say no to a short ride. I can practice getting him all tacked up.”
Madison beamed as she collected everything she needed, double-checking with me that she was correct for each piece she selected. In no time, Eclipse was ready to go and Madison was swinging onto his back with the help of a mounting block to reach.
Once Eclipse was on the lunge line, we went out into the arena. We were alone for now, but not for long, so we might as well take advantage of the space.
“Take him wherever you’d like,” I instructed, letting her practice guiding Eclipse. He responded beautifully and she grinned from atop him. I still had to follow them, but the long line let me get fewer steps in. She took him on a few loops, her body relaxing slowly.
“How long until we can go faster?”
“We could attempt trotting,” I offered, “but there’s a specific pattern of movements you have to do so you don’t get jostled right out of the saddle.” I carefully explained posting and had her try a few times while Eclipse was only walking. “Good, that’s pretty much all you have to do, but you have to match his gait. Give him a little squeeze with your thighs.”
I made a clicking sound as she did so and Eclipse took off into a trot.
“Holy shit,” Madison gasped, struggling but eventually hitting the correct timing. “I thought I was gonna fly off for a second there.”
“Not impossible,” I said with a smile. “I learned on a way bigger horse and took a few tumbles while I was learning. Whenever you get tired of that, gently pull on the reins and say ‘whoa’ like we talked about.”
She did a couple more loops at a trot before giving herself a break. “I feel like my brain might be starting to scramble.”
Eclipse came to a stop and I walked over. “You did great for your first time.”
Her cheeks flushed and sweet raspberry filled the air around her. “You’re probably just saying that.”
“I’m not. You’vejustlearned to walk on him, so trotting already and not falling off is good to see. Are you ready to get off, or do you want to walk him for a bit?”
“We can walk. I’m already feeling the ride in my thighs, but I’m determined to get more comfortable with it.”
I followed next to them while Madison circled the arena, surprising me by trying another stretch of trotting and getting the hang of it slightly faster than before.
“Hubris,” Madison said with a laugh. “I think I bruised a butt bone that time.”
“Hop down and walk it off.”
She swung her leg over, balancing her weight on one stirrup and I locked my hands on her hips, lowering her carefully. By the time her feet met the ground, I was drowning in raspberry tarts. She shivered under my touch.
I held my breath as she spun and stared up at me with wide, dark eyes. Her gaze dropped to the bob of my throat before gliding up to my lips and darting away again. Curiosity overwhelmed me. I held still as she tentatively laid her palms against my chest, and when her eyes met mine once more, I was done for. The second my brain registered she was rising up on her toes, I was bending to meet her.
Madison tasted like sugared pastry and sin.
Her moan as our lips collided was a shock of lightning down my spine, my hands gripping her tighter. She was soft and pliable beneath my touch. Instinct pounded through me, demanding I scoop her up and disappear into some hidden alcove where I could claim her.
A throat clearing had me reluctantly pulling away.
Jax gave me a wave from the opposite end of the arena. “I see you’re putting your management powers to good use.”
Madison pawed at me. “Who’s that?”
“Jude’s brother, Jax. He’s helping me run things while Charlotte’s pack are taking parental leave.”
Jax walked closer with a smile, extending a hand, which Madison shook. “Nice to meet you.” He introduced himself to her, not missing the opportunity to give me sly eyes.
“I’m Madison,” she replied. “I’m friends with your brother, but we haven’t had a chance to meet yet.”
His eyes widened for a fraction of a second. “You’re Madison from Best of Nests?”
