Page 65 of Unsuitable

Kas pulls up to the gates of the estate. He presses a button on the dash, and the gates start to open.

We ride the rest of the way to his house in silence.

My stupid stomach is doing cartwheels at the thought of going out riding with Kas. My head is suffering with severe confusion as to why my stomach is so happy about it. It must be the excitement about riding a horse for the first time. It can’t be anything else.

Right?

Also, I’m trying to figure out why he offered to take me riding. Why not just let Cooper take me?

I know Kas and I hit some sort of truce yesterday, but he still dislikes me.

And I still dislike him.

Right?

Seventeen

Dressed in jodhpurs, a white Matis Estate polo shirt, and riding boots, I walk toward the stables.

Outside the stables, I see Kas with Butterscotch. He’s putting her saddle on.

He’s wearing a white polo shirt, similar to mine but without the logo, and these dark brown fitted trousers, not quite jodhpurs. They’re tucked into black riding boots.

The guy even looks hot in riding gear. It’s seriously annoying.

“Hey,” I say as I approach. “Where’s everyone?”

I was worried about bumping into Cooper and him seeing me getting a lesson from Kas after he already offered.

“They’re on lunch,” he says as he fastens the straps on Butterscotch’s saddle.

I’m a little relieved to hear that.

“Am I riding Butterscotch?” I ask him.

“Yeah. She’s an easy ride. Good for a first-timer.”

“Hey, girl.” I stroke her face. “No apples today, I’m afraid. But I’ll bring you some tomorrow. The good ones since you’re letting me ride you.”

Kas finishes up with the saddle and looks at me. “I need to fit you up with a riding helmet.”

“Okay.” I follow him into the empty stable at the end where they keep all of their tack.

Look at me, getting down with the horsey lingo.

Kas pulls a helmet down from the shelf. I expect him to pass it to me to put on, but instead, he steps directly in front of me and places the helmet on my head. He’s so close that I can smell the mint on his breath and the aftershave on his skin. It’s distinctly spicy with a hint of cedarwood in it.

Not gonna lie. His close proximity is making my heart beat a little faster and my insides tighten up.

“It’s a little big,” he murmurs. He lifts the helmet from my head and reaches forward to put it back on the shelf, putting him even closer to me.

I shut my eyes as I breathe in. All I manage to do is take in a lungful of his scent.

My heart starts to beat faster.

It’s been so long since I’ve been this close to a man. Of course my body is going into overdrive. He’s hot.

But it’s nothing to do with him.