In a suit, Cayden is gorgeous. Absolutely freaking amazing.
In tight jeans and a cowboy hat…dear God. I am screwed.
My jaw is slack, taking in the very country attire he’swearing, leaning against the entrance to the stables.
“Did you notice they have fifteen head of horse? You’re notthe only one who needed to ride today.”
Of course. “You board your horse here?”
He nods. “I sure do.”
“Seriously.”
“It’s a great place. Close to the city, has open fields, anda trail that won’t spook my girl. I guess you felt the same, hence why yourgelding is also here.”
“Yes, clearly,” I reply. I rub Max’s neck, trying—andfailing—to keep my eyes off Cayden’s lower half.
“Anyway,” Cayden says, pushing off the side and walkingtoward us. “I was saying he can sense your energy and it’s clear you’reagitated.”
“I wasn’t until about a minute ago.”
“You’re saying I’m your instigator?”
I sigh. “Yes.”
Cayden laughs. “I don’t think so, but if you need to tellyourself that, go ahead.”
My head is not in the right place for this today. “I speakthe truth, but as much as I would love to continue this, I came here to ride.”
Cayden looks to Max, who normally looks away from strangers,but is studying him. “Hey there, big boy. You’re a handsome guy.”
Max is a beautiful horse. He would’ve been an amazing stud,but we weren’t in a position to breed him.
“He doesn’t like strangers,” I warn Cayden.
“He seems to like me. As I said before, I’m pretty lovable.”
I roll my eyes. “Not to Max. He’s an excellent judge of—” Istart to say more but my very non-trusting and anti-men horse brushes his noseto Cayden’s outstretched hand.
“Character? I agree. He knows I’m safe and I’m a horse guy.”
Yes, I remember. Cayden’s family owns a horse farm, which iswhere I got my first horse from. I loved her so much. She is now almosttwenty-four and lives the good life in the fields at home.
However, Max doesn’t know this and is supposed to be rude tohim because I will it so.
“Traitor,” I whisper to him.
He doesn’t seem to care, just allows Cayden to pet him.
“As much as I’d love to stay here, I have a limited amountof time before I need to head home. Come on, Max, we’re going to ride now.”
“I’m saddling up Sadie, how about we ride together?”
“I’d rather not. I need time with Max so he’ll forgive me.”
Cayden smirks. “Afraid?”
“Of what?”
