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I cringed.
“Yeah, I knew better than that. But, I start with stops. Lots and lots of halts. I want to know they have brakes before I let them go wild. I just drive them into it with my sit bones. My dad had reining horses. Your seat is a powerful tool.”
“That is true. I guess I’m used to riding with more contact.”
“For sure,” Cole offered, “but you also use cues well beyond your reins. I like to start with body-conscious riding on young horses. To me, it’s not a refinement. It’s a must. I also demand they stand at the block.”
He watched a rider mount as the horse walked away.
I snickered and whispered, “She’s a hunter princess. It’s best not to judge. They seem to get off on their horses being little shits on the ground.”
He chuckled. “But are you happy so far? You can always give me feedback. I worry because I never see you.”
“I’m thrilled,” I said. “They look fab. I am not a micromanager with trainers. I don’t have time to be. I’m generally a good judge of people—well, except with the men I date. Moreover, I trust my horses to tell me who they do and do not like. They like you.”
“Great. Just let me know if you want to hop on them at some point,” Cole said. “I can show you more of what I’m doing.”
I never expected him to offer.
“Oh, sure,” I said. “Maybe when you return from Tulsa?”
“That’d be good.” He checked his watch. “Well, shit. I gotta go. Piper needs me to drop her at a friend’s house for a pool party even though she has access to one every day.”
I chuckled. “Yes, a pool without any teen drama queens.”
He smiled. “Yeah. If I don’t see you again before we leave, have a nice week. And thanks for watching Brownie.”
“It’s no trouble,” I said.
I agreed to host the Hayward family dog to help out. It was my last bit of time in Chicago before I went on what would turn into a world tour of sorts—events in LA, New York, Seattle, Vancouver, and Toronto. Then, I’d go to Europe. It was exciting but also exhausting. I’d be home for short blips in between, but not long. Spending a weekend and some change with a dog sounded like a good plan.
“Well, thanks.”
Cole left. I stuck around to put Mack away, then hopped on one of my mares. By sunset, I was a sweaty disaster. I flung my boots off and rushed upstairs to change. I began disrobing, forgetting to pull my blinds. Figuring no one saw me, I neared the window in my bra only to see Cole staring right back from the pool below.
Shit! There was no way I could embarrass myself more at this point, so I leaned into it, pretending like I meant to show off my pink and purple zip-up bra. I waited for him to respond, but he merely waved, unfazed, so I returned the favor before closing the blinds. I felt stupid and texted him.
ME
I know you think I keep trying to flash you, but I’m just forgetting that the person who lives over there isn’t a woman who wouldn’t care if she saw me naked.
Still waiting on his text, I got a phone call from my mom about a charity dinner she hosted, leaving me distracted and unwashed. However, I could not end the call. By the time I was free, I stared back at my messages.
COLE
I didn’t even notice. Although, we’ve both seen each other in compromising positions by this point, so who cares?
ME
I don’t mean to bother you. Although, you have already seen my nips, so the damage is done?
COLE
I sincerely doubt your nipples have ever damaged anyone.
Was he flirting with me?
I peeked out the curtains again, trying to find him. By now, Cole was posted up by the pool with a water bottle and a magazine, basking in the sun. I didn’t mind his abs any more now than I had after the lockout. He looked up at me again with a chipper smile. What was that?
