But my arm went around her waist before she could fall.
I caught her.
Her breath caught, and then she was looking up at me, red lips parted.
“You weren’t supposed to catch me,” she said.
I grinned. “Guess I’m hardwired to rescue damsels.”
She rolled her eyes. “Such a Holt.”
I set her back on her feet and let go.
Mostly.
My hand stayed at her waist for one second longer than it needed to, and she didn't step back, and then I made myself move.
"That was actually good," I said.
"I know."
"Don't get smug about it."
"I'm not smug." She was smug. "I'm confident. There's a difference."
Bishop exhaled loudly behind me. I turned to check him out of habit, which also gave me something to do that wasn't looking at her.
"We're going to do it again," I said. "With Bishop this time. I want you to feel his size before Dale's guy comes in at speed."
"Okay."
"You're going to stand at his shoulder and lean your weight into him. Just get comfortable with how solid he is."
She stepped up to Bishop without hesitation, which I appreciated, and put her hand flat on his neck. He accepted this with his usual indifference.
"Hi," she told him.
Bishop blinked.
"He's not much of a conversationalist," I said.
"Neither is Gage and Millie loves him." She stroked down his neck, easy, and Bishop's ear swiveled toward her. Traitor. "See? We're bonding."
"You're stalling."
"I'm warming up." She looked at me over her shoulder. "There's a difference."
I moved to stand at Bishop's head, one hand on his bridle. "Lean your weight into his shoulder. I want you to feel what happens when he shifts."
She leaned in. Bishop stayed solid, the way he always did.
"Now close your eyes," I said.
She looked at me.
"I need you to feel it, not watch it." I kept my voice even. Professional. "Close your eyes."
She closed them.
