Muffled laughter brought his head up. Watching him from the porch, Nikki tilted her head to the side. “I hadn’t seen that style yet. It’s a good look for you.”
“Hell, I don’t care. I’d wear it like this if I were headed home.”
She shrugged. “Wear it now. I don’t care, either.” She frowned slightly. “Or go without a shirt,” she said, and averted her eyes.
He hid his smile by yanking the T-shirt off. She could shrug and toss her hair as though she was indifferent all she wanted. Right now she was so easy to read it almost felt as if he was cheating. “I bet Matt would lend me one.”
She turned so sharply to him, her ponytail whipped to the side. “Can we just go and get this over with?”
“We can.” He got rid of the shirt and closed the truck door. “Try not to be jumpy. Animals can sense your mood.”
“Well, great because—” She shoved her hands deep into the pockets of her jeans and stared down at her track shoes. “You know, don’t you?”
They started to walk. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he said, his gaze snagging on her slender neck.
“That I’m afraid.”
“I suspected. Is it only horses?”
She kept her head down. “Bulls. I hate bulls, too. I saw Matt ride once... Never again. I wish he’d quit the circuit and stay here.”
“That’s the plan, isn’t it?”
“No, I mean, quit right now. He’s scheduled for five or six more events this year.”
“I’m pretty sure Rachel feels like you do. Bull riding can be a dangerous—” Trace cut himself off. It was too late. He saw her shoulders tense. What the hell was wrong with him? “Matt is good. And he’s careful. He’s got you and Rachel in his life now. He’ll finish his career in one piece.”
“I hope so,” she murmured, hunching her shoulders forward and sounding small and fretful.
Trace slipped his hand around her nape. She shot him a startled look, but he just smiled, left his hand right there and massaged her tense muscles as they continued to walk.
She moved a little closer to him, which kicked his heart rate up. He kept kneading and rubbing her soft warm skin and by the time they reached the stable, she’d started to relax. They hadn’t made it inside yet when one of the horses whickered and she went stiff again. She stopped, probably would’ve jerked away if he hadn’t been caressing the back of her neck. The pulse below her jaw beat wildly.
“Wait right here, okay?” Trace moved his hand to her chin and urged her to look up at him. “I’m going to make sure Lester is done brushing Diablo.”
“Who?”
“He’s a kid who works here.”
She stayed motionless, only her eyes moved to sweep a gaze inside the dim stable.
Trace didn’t want to let go. He’d give just about anything to let his fingers trail down to her collarbone, slip beneath the scooped neckline. Just a little...he only wanted to feel more skin. Hell, he wanted more than that, but for now, what he cared about most was for her not to be afraid.
“Nikki?” He waited for her to look at him. Her eyes were black and filled with so much fear it sliced into his confidence. Maybe this wasn’t the right thing to do. He was good with horses. Everyone assumed he was good with women. And mostly he was...flirting was easy. But he’d never been tested when it really counted. “Can you trust me? I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
She stared into his eyes and moistened her lips. Taking in a deep breath, she lifted her hand, and he expected her to push him away. She held on to his wrist. “No offense. I don’t trust anyone.”
Trace smiled. That wasn’t entirely true but if that’s what she wanted to believe...
Her grip on his wrist tightened. “Does Matt know?”
“Not from me.”
“Whatever happens in there, don’t tell him.”
Now he knew he’d screwed up. Lester was inside. The kid might talk. “I won’t say a word. Will you wait here? I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, her gaze still locked with his, and he wanted to kiss her. Right here, where the sunlight glistened off those soft full lips and glowed from her golden skin. Fear slowly faded from her eyes replaced by something that looked suspiciously like it could be trust. Whatever it was it stopped his foolish thoughts and he let her go before his good sense ended up in the dust.
* * *
NIKKI WATCHED TRACE disappear into the cavernous stable. Along with him went her short-lived confidence. That she couldn’t fully appreciate the breadth of his shoulders or the muscular definition of his back told her how out of control her fear had grown. Back at the porch when she couldn’t smell and hear the animals, she’d been real clear that she wanted him with his shirt off. Now all she could think about was whether or not to run.
He wouldn’t force her to get too close to the horses, and even if he tried she’d refuse. But what if being in a stable made everything worse? Oh, she really did believe Trace wouldn’t let any harm come to her, but she also believed that the horses could sense she was terrified. If facing her terror head-on didn’t work, it would be murder living on the Lone Wolf. Maybe she could find an apartment in town. Sadie would know...
From deep inside the stable someone was walking toward her. Not Trace, but a shorter, huskier guy. He was young, she saw when he stepped out of the shadows, his hair lighter. Had to be the guy Trace mentioned. Already she’d forgotten his name.
“Hi,” he said as he got closer, eyeing her with curiosity.
“Hey.” She hugged herself, doing her share of sizing him up as he passed, checking for signs of evil-horse attack.
She casually angled to her left to inspect him from the back. His clothes weren’t torn and there was no blood. He wasn’t limping. All good to know.
“Nikki?”
She must’ve jumped three feet in the air before she spun toward Trace. “God, scare the hell out of me, why don’t you?”
He raised both hands, palms out. “Sorry.”
Okay, for the moment she could appreciate his chest. It was mostly smooth, just a faint dusting of hair between his brown nipples.
“You ready?”
“I guess.” She sucked in as much air as she could manage and wiped her damp palms down the front of her jeans.
“Good. Keep taking deep breaths.”
“If I tell you I have to leave then I’m leaving. Period.”
“Got it.”
“It does not mean I’m opening the subject for negotiation.”
“Glad you cleared that up.”
She swung a look at him. “I’m serious.”
“Me, too. You women seem to think everything requires a discussion.”
Nikki gaped at him, then noticed they’d advanced several feet inside. Bales of hay were stacked in the corner. On a railing three saddles sat in a row. The scent of leather and weirdly, soap, was strong. “Are you purposely being an ass to distract me?”
“Think about it. You ask a guy if he wants to stop for a drink, and he says yes or no. A man asks a woman the same question and what does he get?— ‘Oh, I don’t know, isn’t it too late? What do you think?’” He’d raised his pitch to mimic a feminine voice and Nikki almost laughed.
“That’s not true,” she said. “And it’s sexist.”
He finger-combed back his dark hair, and frowned as if giving the matter serious thought. “You’re probably right about it being sexist, but I swear to God it’s true.”
“Really? Ask me again about going to Kalispell and see what I have to say.”
Trace grinned and caught her hand. “I wish we were at the Sundance. Then I’d know all the horses’ names.”
She slowly looked to her left. They were standing in front of the first stall, but she didn’t remember walking this far in.
The horse looked at her with its ears pricked forward.
Nikki moved closer to Trace. “Is it male or female?”
“She’s a mare. You might hear someone refer to her
as a roan. That’s for the color. The paint over there might be referred to as a pinto.”
“I won’t touch her,” Nikki said, watching the mare’s nose strain over the stall door. “Any of them.”
“I wouldn’t let you. I don’t know these horses. We’re just having a look.” He slid his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him as they kept walking.
Despite the fact that he’d been working in the sun and sweating, he smelled nice. Very masculine. Very different. Whatever combination made up his scent it was a turn-on. She almost forgot they were surrounded by horses. For a second she considered sliding her arm around his waist but didn’t. It would be crazy to let this turn into something else. This was perfect. She had an excuse for the clammy palms and racing heart. No need for Trace to know he was partly responsible. The fiery tingle low in her belly was all him.
He rubbed her arm. “Maybe some day when you’re at the Sundance helping Rachel and Jamie I’ll take you to our stable.”
“You’re never there when I am.” She bit her lip, wishing she hadn’t admitted she’d noticed his absence.
“I figured you were trying to avoid me.”
“I only go over to cover for Rachel when she’s busy with Matt or if Jamie calls.”
“Ah. I won’t take it personally then.”
She didn’t have to look to know he was grinning. She much preferred keeping her eye on the stalls as they walked by. A horse at the back made an angry sound. “Gee, don’t tell me...that’s Diablo.”
“He’s still getting used to being penned in.”
“Maybe we should turn around.”
“You’ve trusted me this far. Give me five minutes. You can stand as far back as you want.”
“The next county?” She sighed. “Five minutes.” Neither of them wore a watch. So what? She’d know when it was time to make a run for it.
They got to the last stall, and Trace took his arm from around her shoulders. She moved back as he stood at the stall and stroked the horse’s neck.
“Mustangs have a reputation for being harder to tame and train than other breeds. They’re innately suspicious of humans.”
“So he was wild when Matt bought him?”
“Someone else had him for a short while, but they couldn’t handle him.”
It had taken Trace about three hours. She’d watched him from her window, awed by his patience, never speaking above a whisper. The horse had responded fairly quickly all things considered.
“See this black hair rimming his ear? We call them black points.” Trace stayed focused on the stallion, murmuring things she couldn’t hear. She was beginning to think he’d forgotten about her when he said, “I have a proposition for you, Nikki.”
“What’s that?” she asked, suspicious when his gaze remained on the horse.
“Let me teach you to ride.”
“Diablo?”
“No.” The corners of his mouth quirked, but he kept the smile in check. “I have a Sundance mare in mind.”
She didn’t care if it was a pony. “Why? What’s the point?”
“You live on a ranch. It’ll be easier when you see you have nothing to fear.”
“I’ve been doing just fine by staying in my own corner.”
“You’re also missing out. Horses are terrific animals.” Trace met her eyes. “Come on, Nikki, give me a shot.”
Breathing in deeply, she turned her gaze to the stallion, and watched Trace stroke its velvety neck. “Okay,” she said, the word nearly sticking in her throat. She hated feeling afraid...of anything.
5
THE NEXT DAY Trace waited for Nikki at the agreed upon spot, a grassy field between the Lone Wolf and the Sundance. It was the perfect place because she could easily access it by truck, and yet they’d have privacy.
He’d brought Gypsy, a sweet bay mare that was a guest favorite because of her gentle disposition. She rarely spooked and she was also on the small side, a good size for Nikki to control. Not that he expected her to climb in the saddle right away. She had to get to know Gypsy first and let confidence squeeze out some of the fear.
Damn, he hoped she hadn’t changed her mind. He glanced at his watch. She was only five minutes late. Nothing to sweat over. He thought he’d given her good directions but he might’ve taken a turn or two for granted. There weren’t many landmarks out here.
He checked his phone to make sure she hadn’t called him to cancel, relieved to see he didn’t have a voice mail. It wouldn’t have shocked him if she’d had second thoughts, but she wouldn’t leave him dangling. A moment later he heard the truck, and through the aspens and spruces, saw flashes of chrome reflecting the sunlight.
Gypsy barely reacted. The mare was used to the sound of vehicles around the Sundance, but he stroked her neck, passing his calm energy to her. Then Nikki parked and climbed out of the truck in tight jeans and there went his composure. He was still fine on the outside, it was just his pulse that seemed to be headed for a finish line. Gypsy danced a bit to the side, but he held on to the reins and hoped Nikki hadn’t seen the nervous step.
She walked toward him, her gaze fixed on the mare, her hands restless until she buried them in her front pockets. “Hey.”
“You have any trouble finding the road?”
“Only one wrong turn.” She finally met his eyes. “FYI, it’s not a road.”
He smiled. “It’s gotten overgrown since I was here last. Gypsy and I rode over the grass a few times to make a trail for you.”
“She’s a bay,” Nikki said, stopping a fair distance away and eyeing the mare as if she were an opponent in a boxing match. “I did some checking online so I’d know what I was getting myself into.”
“Good for you doing your own research. The more you know what to expect, the better.” He could stare at her sexy pink mouth and almond-shaped eyes all day, so he turned back to Gypsy before he forgot what he was supposed to be doing. “She’s about the best tempered horse I know. Josh and I use her to give riding lessons to the guests. Come closer. She wants to meet you.”
Nikki seemed to favor close-fitting stretchy shirts with necklines that dipped just low enough to make a man itch. He’d seen her wear four different colors. Today’s was yellow. And with the deep breaths she was taking, he’d have to watch himself. It didn’t help that he’d spent too long in the shower wondering how those lips would feel....
“I have to admit, she does have a sweet face.” Nikki stepped closer. “You’re holding on to her, right?”
“I am. Honestly I don’t need to, but we’re gonna take our time, let you two get acquainted for a while.”
She nodded, eyes only for Gypsy. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do.”
“As soon as you’re comfortable, you keep moving closer. Remember what I told you yesterday about a horse’s ears?”
“Yes, forward means friendly or curious. And I’m trying to keep my voice quiet and even.”
Trace smiled. “You’re doing fine.”
“Oh, the other thing I read was that quarter horses are good horses to use to teach someone to ride.”
“That’s partly true, I suppose, but more important, the horse should be used to beginners. Also important is that I know the horse well.” He pulled off his right glove. “You can get online and read for hours, but it comes down to whether you trust me or not.”
Her lips parted and she tore her gaze away from the mare to look at him. “I do,” she said softly.
They were only talking about a horse and riding lessons, for Christ’s sake. No reason for his chest to tighten. “Good.” Obviously he’d been looking into those pretty brown eyes too long. He switched his focus to Gypsy. “Makes it easier all the way around.”
“I’m coming closer now.”
He didn’t want to make her more nervous by watching her inch forward, but he’d never met anyone this scared of a horse before. She wasn’t faking like some of the guests had done to get his attention. Her face was pale and if he touched her
hand he’d bet it would be ice-cold. She stopped after three steps.
“Nikki?” He moved away from Gypsy to get closer to Nikki, but the mare went with him making her retreat. “Sorry. My fault.” He tethered Gypsy to a shrub, then went to Nikki.
Her eyes locked on the loose tie. “Will that hold her?”
“She’ll stay right where she is. That really was my fault.” He pulled off his other glove before he reached for her. “What are you afraid will happen?”
“I—I’m not sure.” She frowned at his fingers wrapping around her upper arm. His thumb almost touched his middle finger. The sassy mouth and tempting curves made him forget how small she really was.
“I’m not going to force you to do anything, so you can relax.”
She smiled a little. “You’re treating me like Diablo. Letting me get used to your touch.”
“Something like that.”
Her lashes lifted and her eyes looked every bit as enticing as her body. “Why?”
“So we can approach Gypsy together.” He put an arm around her shoulders, and held her against his side. And then ordered himself to calm the hell down. Finding out he was getting hard wouldn’t ease her mind.
“Okay,” she said, her body stiff.
“You’re short. I think you’re afraid the horse might lunge forward and overpower you.”
“Maybe. Yeah.”
“I still have a free hand to block her, but it won’t be necessary. Think this might help?” he asked, feeling her start to relax. “Two to one, plus I’m taller than Gypsy.”
“I was thinking a stool, but yes, this—”
The mare stepped closer. Nikki grabbed his hand and pulled his arm across her middle like a shield. Leaning into his side she tried to move them backward.
“You’re okay,” he said, his arms circling her protectively. Not wanting to lose ground, he slipped behind her, holding her against his chest, ignoring her death grip on his forearm. “Gypsy was probably curious, that’s all.”
She nodded, her gaze trained on the mare, her fingers digging deeper into his muscle. Her hair smelled like a beach drink, something with coconut and vanilla in it. The soft shiny strands caught on his roughened chin, though he’d shaved early this morning. He should’ve been more thoughtful and waited until just before he came to meet her. Taking another pleasant whiff, he vaguely reasoned that needing a razor didn’t play into any part of today’s—
From This Moment On Page 5
