Page 1 of Freeing the Wild
CHAPTER ONE
Cassie
Men are the easiest creatures on the planet to distract and conquer.
Flash a little smile, tug the top of my blouse down low enough to show a hint of cleavage and, just like that, I’ve got a fresh-faced cowboy leading me into the most picturesque barn I’ve ever seen, to help me pick out a horse to ride.
Derek?Daniel?I can’t remember his name but I’m fairly certain he said it started with a D when he introduced himself a few minutes ago.He was the first ranch hand I saw when I made my way over to the barn from the cabin my sister Ivy and her boyfriend Wade share.They live in the boss’ cabin, because Wade owns this ranch—Silver Pines—which sits just outside of the quaint little town of Laurel Creek, Kentucky.
My new cowboy friend turns to look at me over his shoulder and smiles, but I don’t miss the way he glances down at the tiny view I’m offering him.I smile back sweetly.Mission accomplished.
As he slides open the faded white barn door, the smell of horses hits me with a pungent, yet oddly comforting familiarity.The midday September heat only enhances the experience, and Silver Pines Ranch is an experience.I’ll say that.
Not only is it a full-service horse boarding facility, they also have a racehorse training division.It’s highly unusual to have both, but leave it to my sister to wind up in a place like this.She’s the head trainer at Silver Pines, but she also just gave birth to the world’s cutest baby girl with the man who pays the bills.Talk about having your cake and eating it too.
“We’ve got Jasper here.He’s an American Morgan.’D-man gestures to a soft and regal deep brown horse in front of us.“Great for beginners, and he’s really calm.”The gravel crunches under my designer boots, the ones I’ve probably just ruined by cruising through the pasture.They’re uncomfortable, but they’ll look awfully good in a few minutes when I record the video teaser my manager wants me to capture.
I toss a toying grin at my host as I push my curtain of blonde curls over my shoulder.
“Good thing I’m not a beginner then.”I wink.“Because I’d like something a little different.”I cross my arms over my chest and tap my lips with my first finger as I take in the pickings.
He eyes me suspiciously.“Not a beginner?”His face breaks out into a big smile before glancing at my very new, very shiny boots.“Is that so?”
“I’ve been riding since I was a kid,” I fire back.“I know what I’m doing.”
He chuckles in response, and I’ll admit, that’s more than likelynottrue.I haven’t ridden a horse in years, but I’m sure I can make it work, just like riding a bike.
“What about that one?”I look over his shoulder at a stunning dark quarter horse.His coat is almost the same shade as my perfectly worn cowboy hat—so aesthetically, this stud will work much better than the one he suggested.
“That’s Outlaw.He’s not really fully broken yet.We’re still working with—”
“He’s perfect,” I tell him, reaching into my fringed, crossbody bag.“Could you please saddle him for me while I get some things set up?I am rusty in that department.”
“Miss—?”
“Cassie,” I offer sweetly.
“Right, Cassie.Well, I think it would be best if you went with a horse that’s a little smaller and tamer.”
I take my bottom lip between my teeth and narrow my eyes.I need to get this cowboy on my side here.My manager has a strict vision for what he wants, and I only have a limited amount of time.
“What’s your name again?”I ask, just to be sure.
“Dusty.”
“Right.Dusty,” I say softly as I straighten out my cutoff shorts.I take some extra time to smooth the fabric over my hips, just to remind him I have them, before turning my eyes up to lock with his.Never breaking eye contact, I make my way over to where he stands just in front of Outlaw’s stall.When I reach him, I place my hand on his bicep and let it slide down slowly to his bare forearm.His skin pebbles under my touch.
“I’m sure safety is of the utmost importance here, and I get what you’re saying about this fella being a little antsy, but Wade—I think he’s your boss?”I play dumb, knowing he is.
Dusty nods.“That’s right.”
“Well, he told me I could chooseanyhorse I want, and I’dreallylike this one.I can handle him, I promise.”I lick my lips and let them curve up into the smile I’ve had fairly good luck with when it comes to getting what I want from the opposite sex.
“Don’t worry, Dusty,” I add, letting my hand slip the rest of the way down his arm.“My daddy was a vet.He raised horses.I’ve been riding since before I could walk.”
He clears his throat as more goosebumps follow my fingertips.
A tiny pang of guilt for manipulating him twinges in my chest, but I try to push it down because Ihaveto get this video done for my manager or I’ll never hear the end of “not trying hard enough.”Some days the pressure and the different directions I’m being pulled in feels like a thousand-pound weight sitting on my chest.
