The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty Read Online Free PDF Page A

no.” She turned to face him, forcing herself to hold his gaze steadily, despite what it did to the butterflies in her stomach. And the painfully tight points of her nipples. “I apologize if I seem rude in any way—I really do. I didn’t mean to. I guess I’m just trying to understand the dynamics here. You and your partners have power at Dalton Downs, and a strong connection to my boss. I haven’t been here long enough to learn the politics of who’s who and what’s what. I like my position here—I’d like to keep it. I have no problem fitting in some lessons for you. But if there really is anything else on the table here, then I’d appreciate it if you’d say so, so I don’t inadvertently step on anyone’s toes. Or jeopardize my job.”
    He seemed to ponder that, and she braced herself for his response, already mentally kicking herself for being so outspoken. But she had a horse to protect, and herself to protect, and she couldn’t afford to sit back and find out too late that there was something going on she wasn’t aware of. Call her paranoid, but better paranoid and safe than paranoid and—she didn’t want to go there.
    â€œYour job doesn’t rest on you giving me lessons, if that’s what you’re asking.”
    â€œAnd the personal interest?”
    The twitch of the lips was more of a real smile now, one that made it all the way to his eyes. And wasn’t that just lethal. She swore it made her knees go wobbly.
    â€œDon’t worry,” he said. “I can handle rejection.”
    She 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.”
    â€œYou 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?”
    â€œI 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.
    â€œI’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.”
    â€œIf I’m going to learn to ride, then I’d like someone who is very comfortable with horses.”
    â€œEveryone who works out here—”
    â€œI’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.
    â€œAnd 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.
    â€œI’ve never seen anyone as comfortable and in command with horses as you.”
    â€œSays the guy with no horse