From This Moment On - By Debbi Rawlins Page 0,17
she could think about was whether or not to run.
He wouldn’t force her to get too close to the horses, and even if he tried she’d refuse. But what if being in a stable made everything worse? Oh, she really did believe Trace wouldn’t let any harm come to her, but she also believed that the horses could sense she was terrified. If facing her terror head-on didn’t work, it would be murder living on the Lone Wolf. Maybe she could find an apartment in town. Sadie would know...
From deep inside the stable someone was walking toward her. Not Trace, but a shorter, huskier guy. He was young, she saw when he stepped out of the shadows, his hair lighter. Had to be the guy Trace mentioned. Already she’d forgotten his name.
“Hi,” he said as he got closer, eyeing her with curiosity.
“Hey.” She hugged herself, doing her share of sizing him up as he passed, checking for signs of evil-horse attack.
She casually angled to her left to inspect him from the back. His clothes weren’t torn and there was no blood. He wasn’t limping. All good to know.
“Nikki?”
She must’ve jumped three feet in the air before she spun toward Trace. “God, scare the hell out of me, why don’t you?”
He raised both hands, palms out. “Sorry.”
Okay, for the moment she could appreciate his chest. It was mostly smooth, just a faint dusting of hair between his brown nipples.
“You ready?”
“I guess.” She sucked in as much air as she could manage and wiped her damp palms down the front of her jeans.
“Good. Keep taking deep breaths.”
“If I tell you I have to leave then I’m leaving. Period.”
“Got it.”
“It does not mean I’m opening the subject for negotiation.”
“Glad you cleared that up.”
She swung a look at him. “I’m serious.”
“Me, too. You women seem to think everything requires a discussion.”
Nikki gaped at him, then noticed they’d advanced several feet inside. Bales of hay were stacked in the corner. On a railing three saddles sat in a row. The scent of leather and weirdly, soap, was strong. “Are you purposely being an ass to distract me?”
“Think about it. You ask a guy if he wants to stop for a drink, and he says yes or no. A man asks a woman the same question and what does he get?— ‘Oh, I don’t know, isn’t it too late? What do you think?’” He’d raised his pitch to mimic a feminine voice and Nikki almost laughed.
“That’s not true,” she said. “And it’s sexist.”
He finger-combed back his dark hair, and frowned as if giving the matter serious thought. “You’re probably right about it being sexist, but I swear to God it’s true.”
“Really? Ask me again about going to Kalispell and see what I have to say.”
Trace grinned and caught her hand. “I wish we were at the Sundance. Then I’d know all the horses’ names.”
She slowly looked to her left. They were standing in front of the first stall, but she didn’t remember walking this far in.
The horse looked at her with its ears pricked forward.
Nikki moved closer to Trace. “Is it male or female?”
“She’s a mare. You might hear someone refer to her as a roan. That’s for the color. The paint over there might be referred to as a pinto.”
“I won’t touch her,” Nikki said, watching the mare’s nose strain over the stall door. “Any of them.”
“I wouldn’t let you. I don’t know these horses. We’re just having a look.” He slid his arm around her shoulders and she leaned into him as they kept walking.
Despite the fact that he’d been working in the sun and sweating, he smelled nice. Very masculine. Very different. Whatever combination made up his scent it was a turn-on. She almost forgot they were surrounded by horses. For a second she considered sliding her arm around his waist but didn’t. It would be crazy to let this turn into something else. This was perfect. She had an excuse for the clammy palms and racing heart. No need for Trace to know he was partly responsible. The fiery tingle low in her belly was all him.
He rubbed her arm. “Maybe some day when you’re at the Sundance helping Rachel and Jamie I’ll take you to our stable.”
“You’re never there when I am.” She bit her lip, wishing she hadn’t admitted she’d noticed his absence.
“I figured you were trying to avoid me.”
“I only go over to cover for Rachel when she’s busy with Matt or if Jamie calls.”
“Ah. I won’t take it