Told her she really should be resting.
It was what her mother would have said. Even Gigi. Treating her like the invalid she wasn’t.
But Alejandro didn’t do any of those things.
He carefully lifted her astride him, reached around to undo her lacy white bra and gave her full tender dominion over him.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ALEJANDRO PUT HER on a horse the next day.
He had
a small mare saddled and brought out into the home paddock, where he patiently spent time explaining what was going on in the animal’s head.
‘She’s used to being ridden, and she likes women. I think the two of you will get on.’
Lulu stroked her neck, and when the mare swung her head around and Lulu jumped Alejandro merely tugged on the mare’s mane to show her who was boss.
‘She likes you.’ He grinned.
Lulu stepped a little closer and tried again, rubbing her hand over the horse’s flank.
‘She’s so beautiful.’
‘Do you think you could sit on her?’
‘I’ll try, but I want you to take a picture with your phone—because it might be the one and only time I’m ever on a horse.’
She was nervous, but she let Alejandro give her a leg up and found herself gripping the pommel as he fitted her feet into the stirrups.
Her heart was pounding, and she’d broken into a sweat, but Alejandro stroked her thigh reassuringly.
‘It’s all right, girl, she won’t do anything you don’t like.’
‘Do you mean me or the horse?’
Alejandro grinned again and gave her the reins. He took hold of the lead rope.
His eyes were serious, though, as he looked up at her. ‘I won’t let go, amorcito. I promise.’
It was a bit like standing on the deck of a boat, but Lulu found herself falling into the rhythm of the horse’s gentle stroll.
‘You’re a natural,’ Alejandro told her.
‘I don’t know about that. My body understands what it needs to do—it’s my mind where the battle is.’
‘Then we’ll do this every day until your mind comes to accept it.’
‘But don’t you have better things to do?’
‘You need routine, Lulu,’ he said calmly, as if it made sense, ‘so we’ll make a routine for you.’
She felt a lump rise into her throat but she didn’t cry.
It took several days before she was happy enough for Alejandro to let go of the leading rope. She got the mare up to a canter—and inevitably took her first spill. She was on her feet before he reached her, straightening her helmet, laughing and groaning.
The mare nudged her and Lulu stroked her neck. ‘It’s not your fault, girl, I got too ambitious.’