Good looking was an understatement, truth be told.
But that didn't give him the right to intrude on my training!
I tossed my head, rubbing a cloth over Apollo's sweaty haunches, determined to ignore him completely. Might as well get this over with. I wasn't going to give the guy the satisfaction of knowing he was making me a little nervous.
Well, more than a little.
I was kind of like the horses in that way. I always sensed danger.
And this particular cowboy was giving me those vibes.
The dangerous kind. Not that I thought he would hurt me. But I knew he was dangerous to my equilibrium.
And he was giving off way too much heat.
"What do you want?"
He snorted and shook his head. I went back to what I was doing. Immediately, I felt his eyes on me. Specifically, on my rear end. I spun around.
"Excuse me, but spectators are not allowed in the barn."
A slow, arrogant grin lit up his face. Did I say he was good looking? The man was beyond gorgeous. I felt my knees go weak a little.
But I forced my spine even straighter.
His eyes flicked down to my bosoms and I scowled, crossing my arms over them. That just made the smug bastard grin wider!
"I'm no spectator, darlin'."
"Don't call me that!"
"Whatever suits your fancy, then." The grin fled. "I should call you a fool. You know you damn near fell off that horse about fifty times back there?”
I flipped my hair over my shoulder.
"I did not. It just looks like I did."
"Oh no darlin', I'm afraid not. Your form is sloppy. Your reflexes are dull. But-"
I was sputtering with indignation as he pushed through my protests.
"How dare you! I-"
He grinned again, leaning back against the post as if he'd been born there.
"You could be great."
My jaw dropped.
"You got some of the best natural talent I've ever seen."
I rolled my eyes in exasperation. I knew I was great. I didn't need this cowboy to tell me so.
"You have some nerve coming in here, telling me my form is bad-"
He grinned again, his eyes slipping down my body. He shook his head as if he could barely stand to look at me. Like it was almost painful.
Then he whistled.
"No darlin', I would never say your form was bad. I said it was sloppy."
He chuckled to himself, terribly amused by his own joke.
"What you need is a firm hand-"
I gasped and stifled the urge to smack him. I didn't want to cause waves. I was already getting a reputation in the equestrian world as a slapper.
I'd slapped three men last year alone.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
He tapped his hat and winked at me.
"Me? I'm Clint McRae."
I stared at him. The name was familiar. I gasped as it clicked in I did know the name. In fact, he was one of the top trainers in the business. Come to think of it JJ had said he was getting me a new trainer after I drove the last one to drink...
Did that mean- but wait- it couldn't be-
He finally moved, all loose limbs and easy cowboy grace. But there was a purpose to his movement. An almost predatory grace.
Like a big cat about to pounce on an unsuspecting gazelle.
"I'm your new trainer."
Chapter Three
Clint
"Lesson one–"
I was speaking to her back. Her slender, strong back, covered in a slim fitting denim shirt that fit her like a glove. The wild-eyed woman was stomping away from me, too ornery to listen to reason.
"Oh, go to hell!"
I grinned, picking up my pace a bit.
"Darlin', that's not very ladylike. A professional rider must always be on her best behavior."
She turned around so fast I nearly ran into her. Her pretty little finger came out and poked my chest. Hard.
“How dare you!”
"Damn, woman. There's no need for violence!"
She poked me again. I had to admit, I kind of liked it. She was standing so close that I could have kissed her. My body responded immediately.
"I did not hire you. You are unhired. Now, go– jump in a lake!"
I laughed at the expression on her face as she tried to think up a suitably ladylike insult. I could almost see her running through a list of cuss words and deciding not to use them. I knew she wanted to tell me to go to hell again.
But she didn't.
Good girl. She was already learning, even though I knew she would start smoking at the ears if I mentioned it. Instead I decided to stick with my original plan.
To cool her off.
She squealed as I bent down and hoisted her over my shoulder. Damn, but she felt good in my arms. Smelled good too.
Sort of like a vanilla ice cream sundae.
With… fresh strawberries.
I grinned, my hand resting on her lower back to hold her in place. I was real tempted to let it slide down a bit. Then I'd be enjoying a handful of her sweet cheeks, as well as feeling her generous bosoms pressing against my back.