The Riding Master by Alexandrea Weis Read Free Book Online Page B

quickly snuffed out any defiance Rayne had left in her.
    “Why are you shaking? I’m not going to hurt you.”
    “It’s just been so long…I’m not very good at this.”
    “Do you want me to stop, Rayne?”
    She bobbed her head.
    His lips veered closer. “I don’t believe you.”
    She was about to open her mouth and protest when he kissed her. The instant his lips touched hers, she wanted to push him away and retreat to her bedroom, but then something happened. Rayne began to return his kiss. She ran her hands up his back, and as she crushed her breasts to his chest, her lips parted.
    His kisses were electric, eliciting feelings she had never known. She felt as if she was on a roller coaster, terrified and thrilled all at once. The air grew thin, her heart raced, and her legs felt weak. Then, a powerful longing shot up from somewhere deep inside her. It was like a sudden wave of pure desire creeping into every facet of her being. Foster had never done this to her. No man had.  
    He broke away, breathing heavily against her cheek. “Christ, you feel good.”
    Rayne struggled to stay upright. “Ah, you don’t feel so bad yourself.” She tried to back out of his arms but was blocked by the kitchen counter.
    Trent ran his finger along the outline of her jaw. “You’re adorable.” He took her hand and led her from the kitchen.
    Her heart thudded as he walked into the living room. When he spied the hallway that led to her bedroom, Rayne trembled once more. Trent must have sensed her fear, because instead of leading her to the bedroom, he guided her toward the front door.
    In her entryway, he let go of her hand. “I’d better get out of here before I do something…stupid.” He took a breath while contemplating her eyes. “I’ll be busy with a job in Dallas all week, but I will see you next Saturday at the stables. Saturday night you can come over to my house, and I’ll cook you dinner.”
    Rayne nodded in agreement.
    “Do you like Italian?”
    She nodded again.
    He wrapped an arm about her waist. “Get some sleep.”
    When he kissed her again, Rayne felt that overwhelming yearning rising up once more. But before she could respond, Trent withdrew, putting his hand on her fancy brass doorknob.
    “Good night, Rayne.” He gave her one last smile, stepped outside, and then quietly shut her door.
    Rayne stood in her beige and white entryway and touched her fingers to her lips. “Damn.”  
    Still reliving his kiss, she went about the house, locking doors and turning out the lights. By the time she entered her bedroom, Rayne was fretting about their next meeting. When she saw him again, how should she act, what would she say?
    “Stop acting like a sixteen-year-old girl,” she loudly chided, making a brown, furry face look up at her from the bed. Frank was lying sprawled out over her gray and white comforter on her queen-sized brass bed.
    “What do you think I should do? See him again, or nip this in the bud now?”
    Frank plopped his head back down on the bed and closed his eyes.
    “Yeah, I feel the same way.”
    Walking into her bathroom, Rayne determined that it would be in her best interest to call the whole thing off with Trent before it interfered with her life at the stables. She could not afford to have her students, along with Selene, whispering behind her back. And when the relationship ended—Rayne was thoroughly convinced that it would—she would be left embarrassed and insecure at the one place she had considered a sanctuary.
    “Next weekend, I’ll talk to him.” She stood before her beige vanity, plotting her strategy. “I’ll very calmly explain that we can’t be more than friends. It isn’t professional. It isn’t wise, and it certainly isn’t healthy, at least not for me.”
    But you know you want to see him again. That kiss….
    Rayne shook off the notion. “No, this is for the best. I’m better off without a man.” And then her body slouched against the beige countertop.