The Rider's Dangerous Embrace (An Interracial Bad Boy Romance Story) by Nicole Jordan Read Free Book Online Page B

yet, and the light was just beginning to peek through, the dark sky only subtly lightened. No sun in sight. But Jayda could see the horse and the rider with the help of a spotlight and the wisps of a new day.
    The mare’s legs were fluid in a movement as she pulled them up high, kicking and prancing before placing them down again, in an intricate pattern. It was like he was making her dance for him.
    She had seen horses dance before, rodeos and some shows specialized in dancing mares. But this, this took her breath away and she stood there mesmerized as he worked the beautiful palomino. She couldn’t see the man’s face under his hat but he was clearly very in tune with his animal. The mare’s powerful muscles bulged, gleaming in the morning light as she danced. She never slowed down for a second, despite the fact that Jayda could see signs of her age. This was no young horse. She was smart, strong, capable and a veteran. It was possibly the most breathtaking thing she had ever seen.
    He finally spotted her, slowing his horse down to a stop. Standing there. Looking at her the way she had looked up at him. She still couldn’t see his face, but someone had to talk soon or this would get weird. Jayda fidgeted and then cleared her throat.
    “Good morning,” she shouted, pulling herself out of the sight like it was just a daydream. “You happen to know how to point me in the direction of the bull riders’ training facility?”
    The rider rode over to the boundary of the fence and tipped his hat up, revealing his face.
    Luke.
    She bit back a surge of irritation and arousal, both of which coursed through her, appearing suddenly. Together. Jayda cursed under her breath.
    “Mornin’. You’re early. I wasn’t sure you’d show. So I thought I would wait at the entrance and let Ol’ Sigil out. Let me put her away and we can go up together.” Luke hopped down off the horse and then led her away.
    Jayda knew that horse. Sigil’s Pride had been one of her dad’s “show horses” for his appearances in parades. No wonder her dancing took Jayda’s breath away. The horse was nearly 18 years old. Not a geriatric, but pretty close to retirement age.
    “Just wait here. I’ll be right back” Luke hopped down off his horse and then led her away.
    Jayda waited there for him, kicking her boots in the dirt like she did when she was a kid, waiting for her father. Dust flew up and coated the air, shimmering in the first morning light. She was nervous. It was what she did when she was nervous. This man kept her on edge.
    Luke walked out of the bar, his hands in his pockets and a gleam in his eye. She had never seen a man that looked so determined. So focused on any one thing. But he was. She saw it when he was in the ring, riding that bull and she saw it now. His focus was aimed at her. It almost made her run straight into his arms.
    Cool it. She grounded her feet and just waited.
    He looked her up and down in her casual jeans and her green t-shirt. She knew she looked a little too casual, but it was a training facility. She was just going to get dirty. She hoped.
    “Damn Jayda. You sure can play dress up. What is it today? A regular country girl?” His grin was slow, just like the way his eyes wandered up and down her body. Pausing as he reached certain curves. “I think I like it even better than business woman.”
    He was teasing her, but it nagged at her subconscious. She wasn’t just a country girl. She was a a business leader, an educated woman, a black woman. One with a mission.
    She narrowed her eyes, “We can’t all be born as perfect as you. Some of us have to try.”
    “I’m far from perfect and you know it. I’m just myself, Jayda. Plain and simple.” He dripped snark as he said it, and it renewed her fantasy of smacking him.
    “I doubt anything is simple with you.” Certainly not the way you make me feel .
    He walked a step closer. She could smell him. Sweat, horse, and musk. It was intoxicating. Her gaze