talking about living, right? Not Liv. She ignored that, until his dancing gaze shot up to hers and he said her name again. “Liv makes it fun to live.”
Now she knew he was messing with her. “River!” she exclaimed.
He winked. “Wasn’t sure you were paying attention.”
How could she not? Her insides had melted into warm marshmallows with his music. He had every arsenal to win her over, from his deep voice, to those strong, muscular fingers gliding gently over that guitar. And was that a dimple creasing his rugged cheek as his achingly tender eyes lifted to hers? He was subconsciously using every trick he had on her. Still, there was no way he could mean any of this. He was just naturally charming. Good thing, because it made her job easier. The whole world would fall in love with him through her lenses. She just had to make sure she didn’t too.
She cleared her throat. “How about we get you outside to work on your good ol’ country boy image?”
He tipped his ball cap. “What did you have in mind, little lady?”
She bit her lip. “We’ll pretend you can ride a horse, for starters.”
River burst out into a laugh and set the guitar aside. “You must like a challenge.” He led the way outside, catching the reins on Bartleby. The mare’s alert ears sprang upward curiously, and Liv let loose a giggle when he hesitated to get on the animal. River wasn’t afraid, exactly, he just didn’t know how to get on. His foot scraped uselessly against the stirrup. Liv stepped back and took a picture of his attempts.
River cocked an eyebrow at her, laughing under his breath. “Just what I need, more blackmail pictures.”
“Oh, the girls will think it’s cute,” she retorted.
“Do they?” The meaningful look he shot at her made her blush.
She swatted at him. “Not me!”
“Of course not, you’re the Pumpkin Princess.” She straightened at the flirtatious edge in his voice. He had a nickname for her now, did he? His eyes didn’t leave hers. A spark of mischief ran through his expression. “Now help me get on this horse.”
“Me?” She approached warily, trying to figure out how to go about that. Maybe if she lent him her shoulder… but no, she wasn’t ready for him to touch her yet. “Get up by the stirrup.” She tried to direct him from afar and when that didn’t work, stepped closer. “Hold on by the saddle.” Her hand went to his back. Okay, she was touching him. She felt the muscle contract in response.
He circled, his hands catching her arm as if to steady himself. “Maybe just get up there and show me how it’s done,” he said with a laugh. She hesitated, not sure if he was being serious. Her fingers tightened over her camera. Before she could make an excuse, he held out his hand. “Here, I’ll hold your camera.”
Grunting out in surrender, she handed him her camera and pushed her boot into the stirrup to easily clamber atop the lively mare. Oh, her son had a beauty of a horse, a strong back and a glossy mane. “Like this—” She barely got the words out before he reached over her leg and grasped the saddle horn to easily climb onto the horse behind her. She let out a nervous laugh. He inched her forward with his warm chest against her back. No man had held her this close since West.
“Like this?” he asked. His chin was in her hair as he reached around her. He pressed her camera into her hands as he expertly grabbed at the reins. “Just trying to figure this all out.”
Somehow, she doubted that. The fact that she wanted to snuggle closer to River sent bells of alarm through her. She bit down a smile. “I’m pretty sure you don’t need me anymore.”
“Aren’t you going to show me the rest of your tricks?” he asked.
“Oh, I think you have enough of your own, cowboy. Someone has to get off the horse and take the pictures.” She twisted around to give him a saucy look, only for her nose to brush against the rough bristle of his neck. She let out a sharp intake of breath, pulling back from his woodsy scent of musk and citrus.
His eyes snapped to hers. “I know the perfect background for those pictures. It’s a short ride from here.”
Liv didn’t fight him; no, she felt herself nodding like that same wild teenager she’d been in high school.