Unbridled (Unlikely Lovers) Read Online Free PDF Page A

shrugged. “I think I may have.”
    “Well, good luck —and for goodness sake take care of yourself. I’m pretty sure you’ve got a fever.” Miranda was dying to take him home, give him a nice warm sponge bath, tuck him into her bed, and feed him hot tea and chicken soup until he recovered. And after that…well, that was something she didn’t dare think about.
    Shivering, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Yeah. I feel sort of hot and cold at the same time.”
    “ Take some ibuprofen when you get home,” she advised, slipping into nurse mode. “That is, if you haven’t already.”
    “I’ll do that .” Shoulders still sagging, he went back to work.
    Steeling herself against urges she knew she’d regret if they were ever allowed free rein, Miranda focused her attention on Kira, vigorously brushing the mare’s thick winter coat and trying desperately to avoid staring at Travis.
     
    Travis picked up the bay’s hoof and checked the fit of the shoe. It was a tad narrow, so he set it on his anvil and hammered it a few times. Normally a terrific way of venting his frustrations, this time, it didn’t help at all. He still wasn’t sure what had just happened. He’d actually held Miranda in his arms—too bad he was sick as a dog and they’d both been wearing heavy coats.
    No, he decided, the coats were a good thing; otherwise she would’ve had bruises on her back. He could’ve at least put down his tools and hugged her properly.
    Of course, w ith his hands free, he might’ve done something he’d regret. Miranda was a kind, caring woman. She didn’t deserve to be groped by a guy with the flu who didn’t have sense enough to stay home in bed.
    A fleeting image of Miranda lying naked in that bed assailed him with the force of a horse’s kick. He swallowed painfully, but his cock hurt even more. How could a man possibly feel so bad and so horny at the same time?
    He finished nailing on the shoe and stood up, stretching his back. Miranda had already saddled her mare and had her spurs on.
    Damn. I missed it.
    S electing another shoe from his toolbox, he put it on the anvil and gave it a few whacks with the hammer, keeping an eye on Miranda as she donned her gloves and helmet. He was trying to decide why watching a woman put things on , rather than taking them off was so overwhelmingly erotic when she looked up at him.
    Smiling, she tucked a lock of hair under her helmet. “Just think, Travis. Maybe tomorrow you’ll get a call from a nice single woman whose horse needs shoes, and you’ll fall in love and live happily ever after.”
    He shook his head. “I doubt it. Besides, I don’t date my clients.” On the other hand, if Miranda had been a client—and single—he might’ve made an exception to that rule. In fact, he was sure of it. He wondered if she liked younger men.
    “ Then I guess you’re screwed.”
    Travis somehow managed a chuckle when all he really wanted to do was cry. “I guess I am.”
    * * * *
    Nigel was screeching at a young girl on a bay gelding when Miranda opened the gate to the arena. If his current mood was any indication, her own lesson wasn’t going to be pretty.
    “What is wrong with you?” he shouted. “Why do you keep doing that?”
    Miranda led Kira over to the mounting block and let down the stirrups, trying to see what had Nigel so incensed.
    “Stop that !” he yelled. “Can’t you hear me?”
    Miranda climbed aboard Kira as the girl rode past. She still had no idea what was driving Nigel so crazy, but the poor girl looked like she was about to lose it.
    Nigel let out a long, tortured scream and pulled his knit cap down over his eyes. “Stop!” he yelled. “That’s enough. Get off the horse.”
    The girl d ropped her reins, sobbing.
    “You aren ’t in any shape to ride,” Nigel said sharply. “When you feel like this, you should cancel your lesson and stay home.”
    It was good advice, of course, but Miranda understood why the girl was there. She didn’t