Cowboy (Steele Riders MC)

“See. She already has her guard dogs.” Having lost his point, he scowls and drops it.

“Come on, Angel.” He takes my hand, and the coarseness of his rugged fingers feel sexy against my soft ones. I want to lean in and squeeze them, but I remain indifferent as can be. “Relax. I’m not going to pin you to the barn wall, strip your pants off you, and then fuck you raw and hard. No matter how tempting the idea is.” Fucking asshole.

“I’m not worried about that.” Only worried that I’d let him.

“No? Then what’s going on behind those mischievous eyes?”

“I’m hanging out with a random stranger, giving him my trust when I’m about to ride a horse for the first time. I’m a bit nervous.”

“I can’t fault you for that, but you don’t have to worry. Today, we’ll stay in the corral here. Once you get the hang of it we’ll move out and take a small trail to the small pond.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, Angel.” He brings me over and I see this gorgeous dark horse whose coat is so black it shines with every beam of sunlight. “This is Knight. He’s my horse.”

“They’re not all yours?”

“Yes, but I’m the only one that rides Knight.”

“So which one am I riding?”

“Knight.”

“But I thought you said.” I don’t get the words all the way out when he grips my hips and tosses me onto the saddle so effortlessly. “Slide your feet into the stirrups on each side while you hold onto the pommel for support.”

I follow his directions to a tee because I’m petrified and he’s the only person I can trust.

“Please don’t let me fall.”

“I won’t. I can guarantee that.” He takes the reins and then leads the horse over to the enclosure. Once inside, the horse seems to know what we’re doing and trots gently around in the circle. We put the horse into a nice canter as Cowboy keeps control of the horse. “So tell me. Where are you from?”

“Initially from the east coast, but then I moved to Texas when I was sixteen.”

“That had to be hard.”

“It was. I had to stay with my grandparents after my parents died in a car accident.”

“That’s really tragic to lose your parents when you were so young. I just don’t talk to my family. Some people are best forgotten. Do you visit your grandparents often?”

“No. They passed away last year.” I start to choke up, missing them and feeling the wound as if it was fresh.

He stops Knight with a command and then takes my hand. “I’m sorry to hear that, sweetheart.”

“They were madly in love, and my grandpa let go just days after my grandmother passed.”

“That’s sweet and sad as hell all at the same damn time.”

“It is. I miss them all the time, but they loved each other madly, so I remember the wonderful times I had with them and hope they’ll be happy with my choices.”

“I’m sure they are.”

“Enough with the melodramatics. I was having fun.” I toss him a wink and then add, “Lead the way, Cowboy.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m glad you decided to come here,” he says, looking up into my eyes while I sit on his horse. So am I.

“Me too.” I pet the top of Knight’s mane, earning me a pleased neigh.

He whistles, and Knight starts to move again. “Come on, Knight. Let’s give this beautiful lady a nice ride, so she’ll keep coming back.”

“Keep it up, and I might never leave.”

“That’s the plan.”

By the time my ride is over, I find my face aching from smiling so much. I’ve never felt this free and yet we’re only in a confined space. We’ve shared more than I expected and more than I normally have. Still I have my secrets.

It’s wonderful as the early afternoon sun hits my face while the breeze skims my skin, cooling it off. “Are you ready to call it a day?” he asks. A sense of sadness overcomes me, but I contain it and nod.

“Yes. I’m going to be saddle sore.”

“You’ll need a nice soak tonight.” He leads us back to the stables. As we approach the large open doors, he stops the horse and then helps me down off the mount. His firm hands grip around my waist as he lifts me easily and smoothly slides me down his body. I fight the shiver of lust that races through me at the slightest bit of contact our bodies make.

I brush the luxurious mane with my fingers and then turn to my teacher.

“This has been fun, thank you.” Nervousness sets in my belly.

He gives me a crooked smile that only amplifies the butterflies dancing in my stomach. “I’m glad I didn’t scare you away.”

Still, I’m not going to let him have the upper hand. “I’m not frightened of you, Mr. Williams.” There’s a dare in my words and he doesn’t miss it.