“He’s difficult to handle,” Jasce says. “But with my help, I’ll have you riding him in no time.”
I nod, my heart pounding with excitement. The thought of riding such a magnificent creature makes my skin tingle with anticipation.
Jasce leads me through the rest of the stalls, introducing me to each horse and telling me about their unique qualities. By the time we finish, I think about riding every one of them.
“Now.” Jasce takes my hand, leading me toward Scarlet’s stall. “It’s time for you to ride.”
Nerves tighten and coil inside me as we approach the mare. She’s even more beautiful up close. Her coat is a rich chestnut color, and she has a white blaze on her forehead.
Sadness thrums through me for the mare. She has been through so much, and yet here she is, ready to carry me on her back.
“Go ahead.” Jasce nods at the horse.
I stare up at her saddle, wondering how I’m supposed to get from the ground to way up there. Jasce watches me as I try pitifully to place my right foot in the stirrup. Over and over again, I try to put my foot in the stirrup, and I fail.
“Put your left foot in the stirrup,” he says, offering the first bit of help.
I do as he said, placing my left foot in the stirrup, and then I try to propel myself up, but I don’t get far. He grabs my waist and hauls me up until I’m resting in her saddle. I take a deep breath and try to relax. It’s a lot higher off the ground than I imagined it might be.
The horse sways sideways, and I gasp and grip the saddle until my fingers ache.
“Jasce.” My voice trembles, betraying my fear.
A frown tugs at the corners of his mouth. “Scoot forward.”
“What?”
“Scoot forward.” Nerves thrum in my throat as I obey him, sliding forward enough for him to mount the horse behind me.
I brace myself, trying to ignore the feeling of his body so close to mine. Especially his thighs. They cradle me and make me picture things I have no business picturing.
“Are you ready?” he asks with his mouth near my ear.
Ready?
How can I possibly be ready with him so close?
He pulls me closer until his chest is snug against my back. “Relax,” he murmurs. “Let the horse do the work. Trust her.”
I manage a nod as Scarlet moves forward. The synchrony of her steps resonates through the saddle and into my bones. It’s everything I have ever imagined, this synchrony, this movement, the feeling of raw power beneath me.
As we emerge from the dim stables and into the open courtyard, Jasce’s arms graze my hips. Every time his body brushes mine, excitement and trepidation spark through my veins.
This is Jasce.
Jasce!
I lean forward, craving distance, or at least enough space to think clearly.
He hauls me closer, tucking me back against his chest. “Stay here. That way you feel my movements as I guide Scarlet.”
Feel him?
The last thing I want to do isfeelhim.
Scarlet’s rhythm entangles with the tempo of my racing pulse as I try to not think too much, to not feel too much, to not want too much. But unfortunately, with every brush of his body against mine, I’m reminded of the way he looked as he slept naked next to me last night.
Stop!
