Page 11 of Her Protective Cowboy

Wyatt beams with pride. "Thanks. We try to keep things ship-shape around here. Come on, there's someone I want you to meet."

He leads me over to a stall with a beautiful chestnut mare inside. Her coat gleams in the sunlight streaming through the barn windows.

"This here is Lady," Wyatt pats the horse's neck affectionately. "She's just about the sweetest horse you'll ever meet. Go on and give her a pet."

I hesitate for a second, then slowly reach out my hand. Lady turns her head and nuzzles her velvety nose against my palm.

"She likes you," Wyatt remarks, sounding pleased.

I can’t help the little giggle that escapes me. "I feel like a real cowgirl now."

Wyatt chuckles and reaches up to pluck the cowboy hat off his head. He settles it on mine instead. “There.” His fingertips graze my jaw as he does. “Now you’re a real cowgirl."

Our eyes lock and the air between us suddenly feels charged with electricity. My breath catches in my throat. The way he's looking at me, like he wants to eat me alive... It's thrilling and nerve-wracking all at once.

He grabs a saddle off the rack and hoists it onto Lady's back, making quick work of the buckles and straps. Then he holds out a hand to me. “Alright, sweetheart. You ready to climb on up?"

Nerves flutter in my stomach. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Wyatt's hands settle firmly on my hips as he boosts me up. I swing my leg over Lady's back and settle into the seat.

Wyatt makes a few adjustments to the stirrups to make sure they're the right length for my legs. "How's that feel?" he asks.

I lick my lips, my mouth gone dry. "Good. So, um... what now?"

"Now we ride.”

He clicks his tongue and Lady starts to walk. I grip the saddle horn tightly, my body tense. But Wyatt stays right beside us, one hand resting lightly on my knee.

"Relax, baby. I've got you," he murmurs. "Loosen up on the reins a bit. Lady knows what she's doing."

I take a shaky breath and force myself to ease up. Bit by bit, I start to get used to the unfamiliar rhythm of the horse's gait. Wyatt guides me through the basics - how to turn and how to stop. Before long, I'm steering Lady in looping circles around the barn with growing confidence. A huge smile stretches across my face. This is actually fun.

Wyatt grins up at me, pride shining in his eyes. "Look at my girl go! You're doing great, Melody."

I beam back at him. I can't remember the last time someone had so much faith in me. Believed I could do something I'd never tried before.

We complete a full lap around the barn and come to a stop.

"That was amazing," I gush, still buzzing with exhilaration.

Wyatt's mouth curves into a lopsided smile. "You're a natural. Took to it like a duck to water."

My cheeks heat up under the intensity of his blue-eyed gaze. "Thanks for being such a good teacher."

"My pleasure." He rubs his thumb on my calf. "So what do you say? Ready to hit the trails now?"

The idea of leaving the barn and venturing out onto the trails still makes me a little nervous. But I trust Wyatt. I know he won't let anything happen to me. I nod. “Ready.”

I expect him to go saddle up his own horse. But instead, he swings up into the saddle behind me in one fluid motion.

Every nerve ending in my body sparks to life. I was not prepared for this.

His hard chest presses against my back, his muscular thighs bracketing my hips. It's all I can do not to squirm against him. Wyatt reaches around me to gather the reins, his arms forming a protective cage around me.

“Y-you didn’t want to take your own horse?” My voice comes out like a squeak.

"I promised to keep you safe and it’s safer this way." His breath is hot on my neck. "And don't worry about Lady. She’s an experienced trail horse and has done this a thousand times. She can handle us both just fine."

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