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HE SHOULDN’T BE kissing her. Not with Cal and Click and his father so close. But he didn’t seem to have a damn choice. Right now, having her in his arms was all that mattered. Now that he knew the sounds she made, the way she tasted and how passionate she was, he couldn’t wait to have her alone.
“Brody,” she whispered, her hands pressing against his chest. “Behave.”
“You sure about that?” he asked, his mouth traveling down her neck to her throat.
Her breath hitched. “I’m sure... Your father...”
“Wouldn’t blame me.” But his hold eased.
She sighed, the smile on her face almost tempting him into another kiss. “Being charming again?”
He shook his head. “Honest. You’re a beautiful woman, India Boone. Any man, my father included, would have to be blind not to see that.”
“I’m pretty sure my looks have nothing to do with how your father feels about me.” Her fingers slid through his hair. “Does Cal need a saddle pad or were you just trying to get me in here?”
Brody released her, his long-suffering sigh making her chuckle. “He needs one. But I’ve got it already.”
She shook her head.
“You’re saying you didn’t want me to kiss you?” he asked.
She studied him, her arms wrapped around her waist. “I’m not saying that.”
He grinned and walked out of the storage closet—and smack into his father’s chest.
“Get lost?” his father asked.
“No, sir,” he said, refusing to get flustered. “Just making sure we have everything we need to get Cal started.”
“Now you do?” he asked, his gaze traveling beyond him.
“Now we do,” he agreed, hefting the saddle onto his shoulder. “Any horses catch your eye?”
His father nodded, his gaze staying on India as she walked past them both and toward Cal. Brody pointedly ignored the look and followed her, supplies in tow.
“He’s not too big.” Cal was sizing up the compact dapple-gray quarter horse named Tommy.
“He’s just the right size,” Brody agreed. “Good temperament, too.”
“So he’s nice?” Cal asked.
“You think I’d let you get on a horse that wasn’t?” India asked, smiling bravely. She was trying her hardest to stay calm, but Brody could pick up on her nerves.
“Tommy’s got some years on him,” Click said. “He’s got a sure step and a gentle spirit. I think you two will get on fine, Cal.”
Brody let Click take the lead on the introductions, but he stayed close. Cal knew him best, and if he got panicked or needed more time, he wanted the boy to feel comfortable saying as much. He watched Cal with the horse, the way the horse sniffed him head to toe, and listened to Click’s instruction on how to saddle a horse.
“I know how to do that,” Cal said. “I’ve watched a million times. I’ve just never been allowed on a horse without my mom.”
Brody smiled at India. Of course she would have ridden with him. She’d grown up in the saddle.
“You’re old enough to ride on your own,” Brody’s father spoke up.
Brody tensed, but—much to his relief—India didn’t. She nodded at his father.
Five minutes later everyone was out of the barn, and Cal was on horseback. Brody adjusted the stirrups, made sure the boy’s helmet fit right and patted his leg. “You look good. You feel good?” he asked.
