The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty. Donna Kauffman

couldn’t help it—she smiled back. “Not something that happens all that often, I’m guessing.”

      He lifted a shoulder, but didn’t respond.

      She still didn’t believe the interest wasn’t just a cover for something else, so she called him on it. “If you’d like, I can find you another trainer.”

      “You said you could teach me to ride.”

      Pit bull. “I can. But my job here is to train horses, not people. Kate has a whole crew whose job it is to teach people. If you’re still interested in riding lessons, that is.”

      He studied her for a prolonged moment. “You don’t make anything easy, do you?”

      “I don’t intentionally make things hard, if that’s what you mean.”

      And there it was, a real smile. Enough of one to show a flash of white teeth and crinkle the corners of his eyes. It…humanized him. And did things to her body that she really didn’t need to know about.

      “I’m not a natural,” he said. “With horses.”

      Honestly, it was a good thing she knew he was just messing with her and not serious about all that “because I want you” stuff, but she sure as hell wished her body would get the memo. “I still don’t see what that has to do with me.”

      “If I’m going to learn to ride, then I’d like someone who is very comfortable with horses.”

      “Everyone who works out here—”

      “I’ve watched everyone out here.”

      He kept his gaze on hers with such ease, but also with a directness that was unnerving. Okay, a lot unnerving. And then there was that hint of a smile, always hovering now, making her foolishly wish he was serious about this verbal foreplay, even if just for the briefest of moments.

      “And I’ve watched you.”

      She swallowed, again, and folded her arms across her chest, even though she knew he couldn’t possibly see how deeply he was affecting her. He probably flirted like this the same way some men breathed. It was second nature to a man who looked like him, when he wanted something. She just wished she knew what he really wanted so she could stop wishing that what he really wanted was her.

      “I’ve never seen anyone as comfortable and in command with horses as you.”

      “Says the guy with no horse experience.”

      “I asked you. Would you like me to ask someone else?”

      She wondered what he’d say, or do, if she said yes. She wondered why she wasn’t jumping at the offer to get out of this situation entirely. “Despite your earlier reassurances, I’m thinking turning down a personal friend of the boss isn’t going to do me any favors.”

      “Kate has nothing to do with this. In fact, she doesn’t even know I’m asking.”

      That tidbit surprised her. Of course, he could be lying. But she didn’t think he was.

      The twinkle resurfaced, as did the eye crinkling. He was intensity personified, which she was clearly struggling to resist. She really didn’t need him to be charming, to boot.

      “In fact,” he went on, “what with the double duty you’re already pulling with the new horse, she might not be all that happy with me for asking at all.”

      It was his voice, she decided, as if he was hypnotizing her or something. She was looking straight at him—like she could look anywhere else, even if she wanted to—and she could swear he was telling the truth. Maybe she was paranoid. Maybe he really just wanted lessons and to kill some down time flirting with the new girl. Hell, for all she knew, maybe he nailed every female who came to work there as a matter of course.

      But being paranoid was what had kept her and Springer safe this long. She couldn’t afford to be any other way. Which certainly didn’t explain why, every time she opened her mouth around this man, she couldn’t seem to help but continue the verbal foreplay he’d so effortlessly begun. Like, even if she didn’t have bigger things to worry about, she’d want the attentions of a guy who was more interested in racking up notches on his bedpost than caring who he notched them with. He’d all but admitted she wasn’t even his type.

      Her forehead began to throb. What she really needed was to go lie down somewhere and give this pheromone fog presently poisoning her every chance to dissipate and leave her the hell alone.

      But, instead, she smiled right back at him, and said, “So, you’re essentially trying to get both of us in trouble.”

      His lips curved. There was a flash of white teeth. “It looks that way, yes.”

      Poisoned, surely that was it. “So, now I either say yes or I say no, and you go bother one of my staff and distract them from their duties, which will just get me in trouble anyway.”

      His grin was brief, but downright lethal. “Interesting how that works.”

      So, he was even more dangerous when amused. She’d have to remember that. “When did you want to begin?”

      He looked briefly surprised. Hunh. Well, it was good to know she could get him off balance. At least she had some leverage, slender thread though it may be. Then she had another thought that had her swallowing a grin of her own.

      If it was leverage she needed, well, maybe she just needed to get him up on the back of a horse first.

      Chapter 3

      “Riding lessons? You?” Donovan MacLeod laughed. Hard. “Don’t start. I’m actually doing this for you and your significant other.”

      “Right. So when you get thrown on your ass, it’s all my fault.”

      “You learned to ride. How hard can it be?”

      “Very funny.” Mac stood at the edge of the patio, staring down the sloping back hill to where the stables were. “But why don’t you just come out and admit that what this is really about is you wanting to get her naked?” He turned and grinned. “Which, when you think about it, is also a form of riding lessons. Just without the crop.” His gray eyes gleamed. “I assume, anyway.”

      Rafe didn’t take the bait. “I’m serious about this. I think there is something else going on where she’s concerned. Or I sure as hell wouldn’t be getting on the back of some damn horse.”

      “Oh yeah, spending time with her will be a real sacrifice. She might not be your usual fare of perfectly put-together arm candy with a law degree. But she’s got thoroughbred legs and an incredibly fine—”

      “Hey,” Kate said, as she stepped out onto the porch. “The only ass you’re allowed to make Neanderthal comments about is mine.” She glanced at Rafe. “Although he’s right. I’ve seen her in riding pants. I’d kill for her ass.”

      Mac put his hand proprietarily on Kate’s backside. “Your ass is spectacular.”

      She grinned at him. “You just want to get laid.”

      “Well, yeah, but I could probably manage that without lying, so you know I mean it.”

      “Men and their logic.” When Mac went to take his hand away, she immediately pulled it around her shoulder. “But I’ll take it, I’ll take it.” Tucked under Mac’s arm, she looked at Rafe. “When Elena told me you’d asked for lessons, I almost choked. You hate horses. What’s going on?”

      He’d known this was coming since the moment three days ago when he’d apparently lost what was left of his mind and propositioned Elena. In more ways than one. Which hadn’t remotely been his intent when he’d walked out to that barn. He’d been regretting it ever since. Never more so than right this second. “I don’t hate horses. They’re beautiful animals. I just don’t see the need to climb up on the back of one. But that’s not