branches of the surrounding trees. After a few more minutes—and those felt like forever—Vermillion slowed down to a bouncy trot and then to a walk. Kai began to breathe again. He considered sliding off, but then he would lose the horse. The horse knew where he lived; Kai’s smartest option was to stay mounted and hope for the best.
In not too long, the four-beat cadence of a gallop echoed down the forest path. Vermillion tensed.
“Shhh….” His left hand still holding the mane, Kai stroked the horse’s neck. “It’s okay… it’s okay.”
A white horse burst into the open with Attila on top, bareback, intense eyes scanning the clearing. Kai saw relief wash over the other man’s face. Both he and Vermillion sat still, waiting for the other horse and rider to slow down and circle around to them.
“Hello, Mr. Keleman! I thought Vermillion would give me a ride up the hill, but I guess he got a bit excited.”
Attila nudged Sen with his leg, circling toward Kai. The younger man soaked up every single thing Attila did with his curious eyes. He straightened up to a perfect, poised posture, copying what he saw, imitating Attila without even thinking about it.
T HE gesture did not escape Attila’s attention, though, and a thrill of excitement skittered up his spine. This guy was a natural, sitting a wild and untrained horse with balance and ease in just a pair of borrowed riding breeches—no experience, no bridle, no tack. He cut quite a figure, sitting tall, his skin bronze and bare. The bridge of his nose and cheekbones were sprinkled with freckles Attila had seen up close earlier. The sinuous pattern of his tattoo was echoed by the wind-tangled hair that spilled down his broad shoulders.
Kai and Vermillion complemented each other down to their wild nature, red hair, and warm brown eyes. Their chemistry was almost palpable.
Attila swallowed at the sight, and the thought of Kai staying crossed his mind for the very first time. He would teach him all he knew. He would help him train Vermillion, provide his comfort, and show him how the business was run. Finally, after all these years of family either dying or moving into other professions, there might finally be someone….
He let out a deep breath, cutting off his ruminations. Having the man around meant sharing space with him. They would drive each other crazy, sooner or later. Attila preferred horses to people most of the time, yet here was a human who apparently got along with his latest and most problematic acquisition. Attila’s own misanthropic tendencies had driven his family out of the business. There was no way he could get along with this man, this perfect stranger, this lovely thief. A sense of panic suffused him at the thought of his silent peace being wrecked by another person. Vermillion’s whicker interrupted his thoughts, though, almost exorcising the anxious feeling.
But Vermillion liked him….
Attila cleared his throat. “What did you need up the hill, Kai?”
The younger man’s expression softened at the use of his given name and he met Attila’s eyes for the first time. He seemed riveted by something he saw, almost compelling Attila to look away, before the older man spotted a blush blooming up Kai’s neck and cheeks and relaxed with the realization that his unexpected guest was feeling even more awkward than he was.
“I need my shoes, and… an’ I wanted to apologize….” Kai’s breath hitched and he fought to speak, his gaze still held captive by the sudden warmth in Attila Keleman’s eyes. “So… I wanted t’know what work needs doin’. If your offer still stands, that is. Mr. Keleman,” he finished, breathless. Their gazes were still locked as their horses shifted under them, signaling their impatience.
“Yes, the offer still stands. Just follow me,” Attila said, his heart inexplicably light as he faced the westering sun. “The horses know the way.”
Chapter 1
T HE buzzing of flies and
In not too long, the four-beat cadence of a gallop echoed down the forest path. Vermillion tensed.
“Shhh….” His left hand still holding the mane, Kai stroked the horse’s neck. “It’s okay… it’s okay.”
A white horse burst into the open with Attila on top, bareback, intense eyes scanning the clearing. Kai saw relief wash over the other man’s face. Both he and Vermillion sat still, waiting for the other horse and rider to slow down and circle around to them.
“Hello, Mr. Keleman! I thought Vermillion would give me a ride up the hill, but I guess he got a bit excited.”
Attila nudged Sen with his leg, circling toward Kai. The younger man soaked up every single thing Attila did with his curious eyes. He straightened up to a perfect, poised posture, copying what he saw, imitating Attila without even thinking about it.
T HE gesture did not escape Attila’s attention, though, and a thrill of excitement skittered up his spine. This guy was a natural, sitting a wild and untrained horse with balance and ease in just a pair of borrowed riding breeches—no experience, no bridle, no tack. He cut quite a figure, sitting tall, his skin bronze and bare. The bridge of his nose and cheekbones were sprinkled with freckles Attila had seen up close earlier. The sinuous pattern of his tattoo was echoed by the wind-tangled hair that spilled down his broad shoulders.
Kai and Vermillion complemented each other down to their wild nature, red hair, and warm brown eyes. Their chemistry was almost palpable.
Attila swallowed at the sight, and the thought of Kai staying crossed his mind for the very first time. He would teach him all he knew. He would help him train Vermillion, provide his comfort, and show him how the business was run. Finally, after all these years of family either dying or moving into other professions, there might finally be someone….
He let out a deep breath, cutting off his ruminations. Having the man around meant sharing space with him. They would drive each other crazy, sooner or later. Attila preferred horses to people most of the time, yet here was a human who apparently got along with his latest and most problematic acquisition. Attila’s own misanthropic tendencies had driven his family out of the business. There was no way he could get along with this man, this perfect stranger, this lovely thief. A sense of panic suffused him at the thought of his silent peace being wrecked by another person. Vermillion’s whicker interrupted his thoughts, though, almost exorcising the anxious feeling.
But Vermillion liked him….
Attila cleared his throat. “What did you need up the hill, Kai?”
The younger man’s expression softened at the use of his given name and he met Attila’s eyes for the first time. He seemed riveted by something he saw, almost compelling Attila to look away, before the older man spotted a blush blooming up Kai’s neck and cheeks and relaxed with the realization that his unexpected guest was feeling even more awkward than he was.
“I need my shoes, and… an’ I wanted to apologize….” Kai’s breath hitched and he fought to speak, his gaze still held captive by the sudden warmth in Attila Keleman’s eyes. “So… I wanted t’know what work needs doin’. If your offer still stands, that is. Mr. Keleman,” he finished, breathless. Their gazes were still locked as their horses shifted under them, signaling their impatience.
“Yes, the offer still stands. Just follow me,” Attila said, his heart inexplicably light as he faced the westering sun. “The horses know the way.”
Chapter 1
T HE buzzing of flies and
Similar Books
Winter's Wonder: Pine Point, Book 2
Allie Boniface
The Ming and I
Tamar Myers
Rough Rider
Victoria Vane
Pretty Little Liars #14
Sara Shepard
Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Katherine Boo
The Blackcollar
Timothy Zahn
Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd
Alan Bradley
Cynthia Hamilton - Madeline Dawkins 02 - A High Price to Pay
Cynthia Hamilton
Three Hours (Seven Series Book 5)
Dannika Dark
His Reason, Her Choice
Teona Bell