CHAPTER TWO #2
“That’s—” Her voice cracked. She swallowed hard, tried again. “That’s inappropriate.”
“Only if you don’t want it.” I pulled back just enough to look at her face, to see the way her lips had parted. “Do you want me to stop, Maggie?”
She should have said yes. Should have told me to get the hell off her property and leave her alone. Instead, she just stared at me, breathing hard, her hands coming up to rest against my chest.
“I don’t... I can’t...” She shook her head, trying to clear it, and I watched her scramble for that attitude, that armor. “You’re supposed to be helping me with the horses.”
“I am helping.” I didn’t move back, even though I probably should have. “I’m teaching you the most important lesson about ranching.”
“Which is?”
“When you’re out of your depth, you ask for help from someone who knows better.
” I slid one hand from the wall to her jaw, tilting her chin up until those defiant eyes met mine.
Her pulse fluttered against my thumb. “I know about horses. About cattle. About running a ranch. About a lot of other things you’ve probably never even thought about. ”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re so arrogant.”
“I’m experienced. There’s a difference.” I stepped back before I did something stupid like kiss her and find out if she tasted as sweet as she looked. “Now, do you want me to teach you how to handle these horses, or are you going to keep fighting me?”
She looked torn, pride warring with practicality. Finally, she sighed. “Fine. Teach me.”
“Good girl.” The praise made her flush again, pink spreading down her neck, and I filed that away for later. She liked being told she was good, even when she was trying to be difficult. “First rule. Confidence. Horses can smell fear, but they can also sense when you’re sure of yourself. “
I spent the next hour showing her the basics.
How to approach, where to touch, how to read their body language.
She was smart, I’d give her that. She paid attention and asked decent questions.
After a few tries, she didn’t shy away even when Diablo gave her attitude.
By the time we were done, she was feeding all three horses without incident, and there was a smile on her face that did something strange to my chest.
“See?” I said, leaning against the stall’s half wall, watching her give Diablo one last cautious pat. “It’s not so hard when you know what you’re doing.”
“Thanks to you.” She closed the stall door behind her. That smile was still there, softer now, genuine. “I appreciate the help. Really.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We’ve got a lot more to cover if you’re serious about keeping this place.”
Her smile faded slightly. “I’m serious.”
“Then we start tomorrow. Five o’clock. I’ll show you how to check fences, spot cattle problems, everything you need to know.”
“Five in the morning?” She looked horrified. “That’s insane.”
“That’s ranching, darling. The work doesn’t care if it’s cold or rainy. If you’ve gotten enough sleep. You said you don’t give up. Prove it.”
She glared at me, but there was no real heat in it. “You’re enjoying this.”
“Damn right I am.” I moved closer, crowding her space again, to make her aware of how much bigger I was. “I like watching you struggle. I like seeing that fire in your eyes, knowing you’re going to fight me every step even when I’m right. It’s entertaining as hell.”
“Glad I could amuse you.”
“Oh, you do more than amuse me, Maggie.” I reached out, traced one finger down her cheek, watched her shiver. “You fascinate me. You make me wonder about things I probably shouldn’t be wondering about my new neighbor.”
“Like what?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her eyes had grown darker. I knew I affected her. I knew she felt small and feminine against my big frame.
“Like how innocent you really are. If you’ve ever been with a man who knew what he was doing.
I want to know what sounds you’ll make when I take my time with you, show you everything you’ve been missing.
” I leaned down, my lips almost brushing hers.
“Like how long it will take me to make you forget every reason you think this is a bad idea.”
She was trembling now, and I could see the conflict written all over her face. Part of her wanted to run. Part of her wanted to stay. And part of her—the part I was most interested in—wanted to find out if I was all talk.
“You should go,” she said, but she didn’t move.
“Probably.” I didn’t move either. Our breathes were still mingling together. “But you really don’t won’t me to. Not yet away.”
She tossed her head in defiance. “And why not?”
“Because you want to know what happens next. Because you’re curious. Because even though I scare you, you’re also attracted to me, and you don’t know what the hell to do with that.” I pulled back and looked her dead in the eyes. “Am I wrong?”
She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again. “You’re the most presumptuous man I’ve ever met.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only answer you’re getting.” She ducked under my arm and headed for the barn door. I let her go. For now. “Five o’clock tomorrow. I’ll be ready.”
“I know you will.” I watched her walk away, hips swaying, ass perfect in those jeans, and felt satisfaction settle deep in my bones.
She was running, but not far. And tomorrow, I’d have her right back here, close enough to touch, close enough to push, close enough to make her admit what we both already knew.
She wanted me. She just didn’t know what to do about it yet.
But she would. I’d make damn sure of it.