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He heard, rather than saw, Macie exhale. Then she looked over at him. They were standing only a couple of feet apart, and the depth of her brown eyes made him think about things he shouldn’t.
“Holt . . . I don’t know . . .”
“What don’t you know, darlin’?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“Spending one-on-one time with you.” She bit her lip.
Warmth buzzed through him, and not from the sun.
“Dancing with you last night . . . was . . .” She didn’t finish, and it was making Holt crazy.
He wanted her to say the words. Out loud. That there was something between them—always had been. And she still felt it. Maybe he should back off. Let someone else teach her to ride.
Instead, he swallowed against the dryness of his throat. “It’s only a ride on a horse,” he said in the most nonchalant tone he could muster. “To get you comfortable with the height and the movements. I think if you give it a shot, you might want to try on your own another time.”
She scanned his face.
With one look, he swore his heart flipped. How did she do that?
“You could even wear my hat,” he offered.
Her dimple appeared. “I’m not wearing your hat.”
Holt lifted his hat from his head and moved to set it on hers, but she ducked with a laugh. He grabbed her arm and hauled her against him, then set the hat on her head.
She squirmed, but not very convincingly.
Stop touching her. Let her go.His body wouldn’t listen to his brain.
“There,” he said, patting the hat into place. “You look like a real cowgirl and as pretty as a peach.”
Her hand had curled around his bicep, and her body pressed against his was sending his mind into directions it shouldn’t be going.
“You’re kind of bossy, Holt Prosper,” she said, laughter in her voice.
He also wanted to do other bossy types of things. What he really needed was an ice cold drink. Was her breathing as shallow as his? “So, what do you say, darlin’?”
She smiled. Which created another ripple through his chest.
“I think I’ll take you up on it.” She lifted the hat from her head and set it securely on his.
Holt chuckled. “All right, all right. Have it your way.” He turned to the horse and grasped the reins. “Set your left foot here. I’ll help you with the rest.”
Moments later, he swung up behind Macie. She was right. They were in very close proximity. And as Holt secured his arms around her to take ahold of the reins, she relaxed against him.
“That’s it,” he murmured, then flicked the reins to set Bonney into action.
They moved at a canter at first, and the horse’s movements below were rhythmic and steady.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“Not too bad,” Macie said. “Can she go a little faster?”
Holt laughed, then clicked his tongue. Bonney sped up. “I think you’re catching on.”
Macie relaxed further against him, and her braid tickled his neck.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
