Page 20 of The Billionaire's Housekeeper

A cute grin curled his sexy soft lips. The kissable lips that she’d fantasized about tasting again. Abbi’s insides felt giddy being around him.

"Good," he said.

Chad and Abbi walked towards one of the stalls and she saw a gorgeous brown horse with the softest mane she'd ever seen.

"Okay, so the first step is safety first and happiness," he said.

"Safety and happiness?" Abbi was dubious.

"Yes, I know it sounds a little strange but you keep both yourself and your horse safe and happy because they are sensitive creatures. They sense things you know."

"Right, let's do this," she said.

“Okay, so we’re going to move the horse into position.”

Excitement swirled inside Abbi as Chad guided her to stroke the lovely horse. Abbi felt so brave and secure around him. She stepped to the side slightly and watched as he gently stroked the horse then moved the creature out from its stable.

"Come on, beautiful," he said to the horse.

The horse seemed to respond lovingly toward Chad. Abbi could tell he was great with animals. That was a major plus in her book. She loved a man who loved animals.

"Later when we have more time I’ll teach you how to mount from both sides. But for now we’ll just mount from the left side."

"You sound as if we’re going to be doing this often," she said.

"Don’t you want to do this often?"

"Maybe. Were you thinking of taking me on tons of horse rides?"

He gave her a sexy grin. And her insides turned giddy again. Oh boy, there was that fluttery feeling. Abbi felt heat rush to her cheeks.

"Maybe," he said.

She could just imagine them riding off into the distance into the sunset with a view of the mountains on the horizon. It all seemed so romantic just like out of a romance novel.

As the wind swept her hair she could not believe she was really there. This would be her very first time riding a horse … or learning how to ride a horse.

"You're not nervous, are you?"

"No. You make it all seem so easy."

He gave her a knowing look. "Don't worry, I’ll take care of you. I won’t let anything happen to you."

She really felt Chad's words just then. There was something in the way he said that made her feel so reassured. He had some sort of a defiant protection over her. What was it about this guy?

Chad told her to make sure the horse was in position. She followed Chad as he walked the horse out to a level area for mounting.

“You’ve gotta make sure the horses aren’t too cramped because they can get claustrophobic. And that’ll make it almost impossible to mount them.”

“I see. I never thought of them getting claustrophobic.” Abbi was impressed with his knowledge and care of the horses.

“They sure can. Now, mounting usually happens on the left side but you can mount from either side.”

“I’ve got a silly question. Why would I need to learn how to mount from both sides, then?”

“Just in case you’re ever in danger or in a hurry and have to mount wherever you are. You just want to be able to mount from any side if necessary.”

“Okay, that makes sense. You seem as if you own a ranch or maybe were a cowboy in a previous life. I’m totally clueless about all of this.”

His lips twitched with amusement. “I just know a lot of stuff, that’s all.”

He really did seem to know quite a lot. Abbi was impressed and intrigued by this wonderful maintenance guy who seemed so educated and knowledgeable about everything in life—especially the finer things in life.

During the past few weeks, she noticed that he’d frequent the gym a lot. Not that she’d been stalking him. But she had fantasized about his firm, strong body holding hers again, just as they’d done when they’d watched the moon and stars at night a few weeks ago.

"Make sure it’s not too tight. You need to be able to slip two fingers between the girth and the horse."

"Oh, I see," she said.

"Yeah, some riders make that mistake. Riding with a loose or too tight girth can actually be dangerous for the horse and for you. And you got to make sure that you don't mount a horse with a loose girth or you might end up on the ground."

"Thank you for telling me. I wouldn't want to end up on the ground my first attempt at riding."

He grinned. "Before you mount make sure you adjust the length of the stirrups, too."

She really appreciated the way Chad was showing her the proper way to mount a horse and showing her all the safety precautions she needed. He really seemed to take great care in teaching her new things. Abbi’s mind slid in to some naughty areas. Why on earth would she be thinking about Chad teaching her some new positions in the bedroom? This was so unlike Abbi. But she could not get over Chad's sexiness. He was just so charming in each and every way.

He gently held on to the horse.

"You've got to make sure to keep the horse still. And make sure she's paying attention to you. You would not want her to try walking off now."

Abbi giggled at the thought. She was beginning to feel more at ease and lighthearted. The butterflies still exploded in her belly haphazardly. She was a bit nervous about mounting for the first time, yet she felt confident around Chad. After all, this was the man who’d saved her life a few weeks ago.

"I'm so glad you're here with me, Chad."

"You sure wouldn't want to be mounting alone for your first time anyway."

Keep your mind clean and clear, Abbi. She couldn't believe that this would be her first time mounting a horse with Chad. She wished it was her first time to do many things with Chad.

Okay, Abbi. Focus on the activity at hand.

"If you're a beginner you should always have someone with you while you mount, at the least they can hold your horse for you."

"What's her name?" Abbi asked.

"Beauty."

"Beauty?" Abbi smiled.

"Yeah, don't you think it suits her?

"I do.” Abbi gently stroked the side of the horse.

Chad moved the mounting block to make it easier for her to reach the stirrups. He told her how important it was to not put any strain on the horse’s back so a mounting block was actually quite good for the horse as well as the rider. He put the mounting block just underneath the left stirrup and she got up there.

"Now, when you hold the reins it's important not to hold too tight, okay?"

She nodded. She was beginning to feel breathless again. Her heartbeat was escalating in her chest. For a moment, Abbi froze.

"You okay?"

"Actually," she said, with hesitation. "I'm starting to feel a bit…um… nervous again."

"We don’t have to do this today if you don't want."

"No, I really want to do this. It means a lot to me. I never told you this before but I was always afraid of riding bikes and doing certain things when I was growing up after I had an accident. And the kids at school used to tease me and say that I was a fraidy cat. I've always played it safe. Well today, I'm taking back my courage. I really want to do this! I don't want to be a fraidy cat, anymore. I've dreamed of riding horses and bikes and what have you. And for the first time in a long while I'm feeling like my old self again. Renewed and adventurous. This is a great opportunity. I really want to do this. But can I ask you a question?"

"Sure you can."

Abbi loved the way Chad was reassuring.

"Can you ride with me?"

"Ride with you?"

"Yes. Can two people mount and ride a horse?"

"Of course they can. But you'll be the only one actually sitting on the saddle. I can ride behind you if you’d like."

"I would really appreciate that. I really want to do this. But you know me and being accident prone…" Abbi tried to make light of the situation referring to the first day when they met and she almost fell over the steps.

He grinned. And she loved that boyish grin and that cute dimple on his cheek. What was it about Chad that she found so mesmerizing?

Whatever it was she was overwhelmed by his aura. She'd never felt so much more secure than being around him.

He showed her how to put her left foot in the stirrup and then how to mount from there by putting her left foot in and swinging her right leg over. She was nervous but Chad held her and when he touched her she felt sparks zing through her body. Her belly tickled inside. A sense of urgency drove through her to really do this and to make it a success. But she could also feel the sexual magnetism between them. It was undeniable. And every time his gaze met hers, her heart turned over in response. A quick surge of delight raced through her veins as Chad gently stroked her arm to reassure her. But it was much more than merely reassurance. Waves of excitement washed over Abbi.

Chad didn't need the mounting board, as he was already very tall. After Abbi got on the horse safely with his help, he got on himself swinging his right leg over effortlessly. The man was clearly athletic. Before long, he was behind her holding her firmly, his sexiness captivating her.

A delicious shudder heated her body. Abbi’s heart hammered in her chest. She had to remind herself that this was just a horse riding lesson and nothing more. She did not want to get her hopes up too high. But all the intensity of heat burned inside her. She wanted to be closer to him. She felt the warmth swirl through her body as he held her firmly. The scent of his musky cologne soothed her senses. She was more shaken than she cared to admit. But she didn't want to disappoint Chad, and she didn't want to disappoint herself. I can do this, she said to herself. She found his nearness both exciting and frightening at the same time, because she was afraid of falling too deeply for him.

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