Page 41 of Texas Daze (Texas Montgomery Mavericks)

“Eli, riding will be a snap.Trustme.”

“I do. It’sjustthat—”

“I know. You and horses don’t mix but you will today.” She took a big bite of an almond croissant and moaned. “That woman has the magicaltouch.”

He shoved a remaining end of a croissant into his mouth and nodded. “Uh-huh.”

“Let’s talk about your clothes beforewego.”

He looked down and then up at her with surprise. Spreading his arms, he said, “Jeans, boots andshirt.”

“Yeah but the jeans are allwrong.”

“What’s wrongwiththem?”

“They’renew.”

“So?”

“They’re probably going to rub your innerthighs.”

“Aw, shoot, Marti. I won’t be on a horse long enoughforthat.”

She laughed. “Okay but if you’d rather I try to dig up some old jeans that might fit you,Ican.”

“These are fine.” He sighed. “Let’s just get thisoverwith.”

“Greatattitude.”

“I know. I wish my mouth would sometimes let my brain lead, then I wouldn’t be inthismess.”

* * *

Even if someoneshoved bamboo shoots under his nails, he would never admit how nervous he was. Marti suspected, but she had no idea the depth of his anxiety. He was glad they’d slept together before today’s lesson. Afterward, he was pretty sure she’d look at himdifferently.

At the railing, Marti whistled and a couple horses popped up. “Come on, Ransom. We’ve got worktodo.”

The dark horse—he had no idea if it was male or female—came toward them in a run. He took astepback.

“This is my horse. Ransom is a gelding I’ve had for about seven years. Bikini,” she yelled. A tan horse lifted its head. “That’s Bikini. She’s the perfect oneforyou.”

“Bikini?”

The grin she gave him was pretty much like a solid jab to his gut. The air swooshed from his lungs and he struggled to take abreath.

“Yeah. Bikini. Look at her markings. She’s a little lighter over her flanks, like she was wearing a bikini in the sun. That’s hertanline.”

He snorted. “I can see it now. I’m assuming she was tanningtopless?”

“Whodoesn’t?”

The memory of her full, sweet breasts had his cock rising to the mental vision. He cleared his throat. “Why her?” His voice was a littlethick.

She patted his shoulder. “You’ll love her. She’s gentle and very sweet. Great for abeginner.”

“I’m not exactly a beginner,” he protested, a little embarrassed by her assessment of his abilities. “I’ve have been on ahorse.”

“Right,” she agreed. “Still, let’s use Bikini. She can use theexercise.”

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