Page 11 of The Texan's Secrets

Riding side by side along the river, Nico worried Emilia wasn’t enjoying herself.

He’d pointed out the sights as they rode, the old windmill, a herd of horses galloping through a field and a distant waterfall in the hills surrounding the ranch. Her answers were polite but generic. There was a tension in her manner he hadn’t seen earlier.

“Ready for a break?” he asked, knowing the shelter was around the next bend.

“I am if you are.”

“I’m ready.” He’d brought along a bottle of wine, and there was a charcuterie box tucked in his saddlebags courtesy of Rafe’s mother.

It had been an unexpected hitch in the plan, discovering Emilia’s roommate was directly acquainted with Rafe. The connection was too close for comfort.

Nico hadn’t told Rafe he was incognito for this date. But Rafe knew now, so Nico’s secret was safe for the time being.

They rode to the shelter—an octagonal log building with a peaked roof and half walls all around. Benches and picnic tables sat on the concrete floor around a circular stone fireplace under a chimney in the middle.

Nico dismounted and clipped a lead rope to Dancer’s bridle.

“Want some help getting down?” he asked Emilia as he tied the lead rope to a hitching rail.

She shifted in her saddle and looked to the ground. “Maybe come watch me, just in case.”

“You got it.” He quickly strode over to assist.

She braced herself on the saddle horn and kicked the opposite foot from the stirrup.

“Oh,” she groaned as she swung her leg over Belle-Blue’s back.

“Takes you by surprise,” he said sympathetically.

As she started to drop, he braced his hands around her hips, slowing her decent. Her hips were warm, slim, flexing slightly under his touch. He inhaled deeply, catching a whiff of a citrus scent.

“I didn’t even feel it while I was riding.”

With her feet on solid ground, he forced himself to let her go. He’d rather have turned her in his arms, gazed into her beautiful eyes and either kissed her or asked her if something was bothering her.

He wanted the kiss. But, more than that, he wanted to know what was going on inside her head.

“Okay?” he asked, ready to support her if her legs were wobbly.

“Good.” She turned. “It’s a little like getting your sea legs.”

“Did it happen the other times you went riding?” He knew he should step back and give her space, but he didn’t want to move. He liked being close to her.

“I think the other rides were shorter. Or maybe—” She seemed to cut herself off.

“Maybe, what?”

“Nothing.” She tucked her rich brown hair behind her ears.

He didn’t want to let it go. There was something going on with her. “Come on. Give.”

“Fine. Okay. I happen to be feeling a little tense right now.”

The answer took him by surprise. “Out here?” He gestured to the serenity around them. “Why?”

“Because...you. That’s why.”

“Me?” He took a half step back, worried he was crowding her. “What did I do?”

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