Page 68 of Holiday Hire

My pulse pounds between my ears. I've only known her a week, but I'm dying to hear her admit she trusts me. I know she doesn't trust that douchebag, Lance.

She has a boyfriend.

No, she's done with him.

She's not. They're only taking space, whatever that means,I remind myself.

"I guess I trust you," she confesses.

Even though she has a boyfriend, my ego soars. "Good. And I would never put you in danger. So I would never put you on a horse that I didn't trust with my kids."

"Your kids know how to ride though," she points out.

"Yes, because I taught them, and I can teach you too," I declare.

She nervously laughs. "You really want me to ride, don't you?"

I nod. "I do."

"Why?" she questions.

I shrug. "Because I love it and think you will too."

She stares at me.

My chest tightens. I want to know what she's thinking but can't figure it out. I finally question, "So what do you want if you win the bet?"

She tilts her head. "I thought you only make bets you can win."

I grin. "I do. But humor me."

She shrugs. "I don't know. I haven't had time to think about it."

"There must be something you want."

She ponders it for a moment, then snaps her fingers. "Okay, I got it."

"What do you want?"

"You can't be upset with me."

"Why would I be upset with you?"

She bites her lip, hesitating.

"Go on. Whatever it is, you can say it."

"You're not going to be mad at me?" she questions.

"No."

"I'm not going to insult you?"

"I don't know, are you?" I tease.

She arches her eyebrows, biting her lip harder.

"I was kidding. You're not going to insult me. I'm pretty tough," I declare.

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