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And Dante?
Seducing her would be nothing more than a stretch of his limbs before breakfast. The only requirement was that she was on hand and apparently in good working order, but as he didn’t seem interested, she was safe. And this was her chance to sound him out about her father’s problems. She couldn’t afford to rest on her pride where that was concerned. She had to try every option, and with her brothers away on a mission with Blackheart, she would need help. “Race you to the beach?”
“Race me?”
Dante was clearly trying to curb a smile. “Why not?” she pressed.
He laughed, confident it would be no contest. He was the world-class rider. She might have a particular skill when it came to horses, but this was like comparing a piano tuner to a concert pianist. No wonder he was certain of victory. But there was something he’d overlooked—two things, if she took into account the fact that she was half his weight. She was riding Dante’s best horse. Even given his superior skills, he was right in saying it was no contest, because she was going to win.
~~o0o~~
“Cheat!” she yelled when she arrived on the beach after riding flat-out along the trail. Dante was idling in the saddle, watching her as she trotted up.
“I did what I had to do to win,” he said with a wry shrug as she reined in.
“You might have warned me that all options were open.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did we mention playing fair?”
She pulled a face and shook her head. No rules. Her mistake. If she’d stop to think for a minute, she might have known that Dante would take the most direct route, down a tricky slope. He was a world-beater and hadn’t achieved that position by following the crowd.
But this was her reward, Rose thought as she turned to look at the ocean. Not so bad…especially when she brought Dante into frame. He was also staring out to sea, and in profile, he was possibly even better looking than he was face-on. He was an incredible-looking man—elemental and perfectly at home on the wild shoreline. Mounted on his proud black stallion, he looked more the Romani chieftain than ever. His jeans were snug, and his shirt was undone to the waist. His powerful body suggested a man who lived in the gym, but he was so deeply tanned she doubted he did. She looked away quickly as he glanced at her. Dante’s stallion was pawing the sand impatiently, while Lucifer was waiting calmly for her next instruction. She was so proud of the horse.
“After you,” Dante invited.
His smile was for the horse, not for her. He had no difficulty showing his feelings where animals were concerned; it was just humans that pissed him off.
“Don’t forget to strip,” he murmured as she turned Lucifer toward the ocean. “Staff clothing?”
Correct. She was wearing the official uniform of high-quality breeches and a shirt embroidered with the team logo.
“Are you shy?” Dante suggested.
Just because she wasn’t a second Ms. Pants-down… “Are you mocking me?”
“A little,” he admitted.
Banter that brought them closer only made her yearn to be closer still, which wasn’t helpful when she was trying to keep everything on a professional level. It would be safer in the water. Maybe the chill of the surf would cool them down. “I’ll strip if you’ll strip,” she challenged.
Big mistake.
Swinging his leg over the side of his stallion, Dante slid her a look as he dropped to the ground.
“I don’t mean in front of me—” Too late.
Her senses sharpened as Dante shrugged off his shirt. Closing her eyes briefly, she relished the vision that was Dante Formosa half-naked, and didn’t risk looking at him again until they were both in the water, by which time she had discreetly stripped down to her sensible underwear.
Sensible was the only type she owned.
She glanced at Dante’s muscular back as he plunged into the surf ahead of her. He had to be one of the few men on earth who looked as good from the back as he did from the front. Turning Lucifer into the waves, she murmured distractedly, “Let’s do this—”
She shrieked as the chill of the water enveloped her and was glad of Lucifer’s solid warmth beneath her. He responded to her instructions beautifully and didn’t hesitate at all. She had his confidence. It was the best feeling in the world. Swimming him was amazing. They moved as one, and as Lucifer plunged through the waves, she was thrilled to know the big horse trusted her.
She might have enjoyed it more, but she couldn’t stop thinking about her father and how best to broach the subject of helping him. If Dante agreed to be involved, what would be his price?
“You’ve done really well with Lucifer,” he commented when they were back on the shore.
“My pleasure.” True. Nothing gave Rose greater pleasure than working with horses to make sure they achieved their full potential.
