Wild About the Wrangler by Vicki Lewis Thompson Read Free Book Online Page A

contortionist to bite my fingers while they’re up under his mane. Thanks for getting me over the hump.”
    â€œNo problem.” He stepped away with regret, another warning sign. He was enjoying this teaching business way too much. On top of that, watching her scratch Jasper’s neck made him want things he shouldn’t, like her delicate fingers lightly scratching his chest, or his back, or his thighs, or . . . .
    He stared up into the rafters of the barn while he disengaged from that line of thought. What had he decided only moments ago? That he was capable of giving her riding lessons without letting the experience become sexual?
    Well, he was capable of that, damn it. Now this project had become a matter of pride, a test to see whether he’d evolved. She’d trusted him with a secret that only her beloved stepsister, Georgie, knew. She needed his help to take her Ghost-inspired art to the next level.
    Using that situation to introduce sex into their relationship wasn’t playing fair. He was better than that. He’d prove that to himself if nothing else.
    â€œYou were right,” she said. “He really likes this.”
    Taking a deep breath, Mac brought his attention back to Anastasia and the horse she was caressing. Jasper, the lucky nag, was blissed out. His head hung low and his eyes had drifted half-closed as Anastasia ran her fingernails over his silky neck in a rhythmic pattern.
    Mac couldn’t keep watching that. Certain things were likely to happen if he did. If she thought his crotch had been interesting while they’d stood outside her gate, she’d find a whole other artistic challenge there if he didn’t get out of this barn ASAP.
    He grabbed the first excuse that came to mind, the one she’d given him earlier. “I’ve been thinking about that carpet.” His nose would grow for sure with that whopper. “I would feel better if I get some of it pulled up tonight.” And the physical labor would help him deal with some very inappropriate thoughts about her.
    â€œTold you so.” She gave Jasper one final scratch. “See you later, handsome.” Then she turned toward Mac. “Thank you. Petting him was exactly what I needed to do. The idea of riding him or any horse still scares the snot out of me, but I’ve made progress.”
    â€œYes, you have.” Her open expression filled him with joy and another less noble emotion. But he’d conquer this attack of lust or know the reason why. He handed back her messenger bag. “Then I’ll see you here at six in the morning?”
    She groaned. “I
knew
you were going to say that. All right, but I’m warning you that I’ll be a zombie.”
    â€œThat’ll actually be better than if you’re totally awake.”
    â€œI don’t see how. My coordination isn’t great under the best of circumstances. If I’m half-asleep, I could slip right out of the saddle.”
    â€œIn the first place, I wasn’t planning to have you get up on Jasper tomorrow.”
    â€œJasper? Isn’t that your horse?”
    â€œNot exactly, and for the next two weeks, he’ll be your horse. I trust him to take good care of you.”
    She smiled. “That’s incredibly sweet.”
    He fought off the wave of tenderness that made him want to pull her close and kiss those smiling lips. “It’s incredibly practical. We can’t risk another bad experience, considering what’s at stake.”
    â€œYeah, I guess not.”
    â€œSo tomorrow you’ll brush Jasper before putting on his bridle and saddling him up. Then you’ll take it all off again and brush him some more. That’s plenty for the first day.”
    She gazed at him as she hoisted the messenger bag more securely onto her shoulder. “I knew I’d made the right choice.”
    â€œWe’ll see. No promises.”
    â€œI don’t need promises.