I feel Kas’s eyes burn through me. I bring my gaze to his. There’s something simmering in his eyes that I can’t quite decipher.
He yanks his stare away before I get a chance to try.
“Yes, he, um…said if I wanted to learn, he’d take me out. On my lunch hour, of course.”
“I’ll teach you to ride.”
What?
“What?”
“You want to learn to ride. I’ll teach you.”
Wow…um…
“What about Cooper?”
I see his hands tighten around the steering wheel.
His eyes slide to mine, and he pins me with a look that makes me want to turn invisible.
“What about Cooper?” His tone screams pissed off.
Welp…
“Just…” I clear my suddenly dry throat. “Cooper offered first, is all, and I, um…” I trail off, licking my dry lips.
Kas’s eyes flash to my mouth and then off me completely, going back to the road.
“Cooper can’t ride for shit.” His voice is low.
He seems angry. For the life of me, I don’t know why.
But then when does Kas ever need a reason?
“Isn’t he your stable manager?”
“My parents hired him, not me.” He frowns.
Okay then…
“Be ready at one, and I’ll take you for a good ride.”
I laugh. I can’t help it.
I’m sorry, but it sounded dirty.
Or maybe I just have a dirty mind.
Kas’s confused gaze swings to mine, his brow lifting in question.
“Nothing,” I mutter, fluttering my hands, as I feel heat rise in my cheeks.
Kas must replay his words in his mind because, a second later, I see a light go on in his eyes.
“Horse ride,” he clarifies.
I can hear a touch of humor in his voice, and it lifts my lips.
“I know. Sorry, it just sounded—”
“Pervy,” he finishes.
“I was gonna say dirty, but pervy works.”
I grin. His eyes come to mine, and he smiles.
Warmth erupts in my belly.
I really like it when he smiles at me. Every time he does, I feel like I’ve won something really special.
Jesus Christ, Daisy. Remember the last time you got all gooey-eyed over a man? It landed you in prison.
“There’s some spare riding gear in the utility room,” he tells me, his eyes back on the road. “It should fit you.”
“Okay, thanks. Should I come to your office, or—”
“Meet me at the stables. One p.m.,” he says.
“One p.m. Got it.”
Kas pulls up to the gates of the estate. He presses a button on the dash, and the gates start to open.
We ride the rest of the way to his house in silence.
My stupid stomach is doing cartwheels at the thought of going out riding with Kas. My head is suffering with severe confusion as to why my stomach is so happy about it. It must be the excitement about riding a horse for the first time. It can’t be anything else.
Right?
Also, I’m trying to figure out why he offered to take me riding. Why not just let Cooper take me?
I know Kas and I hit some sort of truce yesterday, but he still dislikes me.
And I still dislike him.
Right?
Seventeen
Dressed in jodhpurs, a white Matis Estate polo shirt, and riding boots, I walk toward the stables.
Outside the stables, I see Kas with Butterscotch. He’s putting her saddle on.
He’s wearing a white polo shirt, similar to mine but without the logo, and these dark brown fitted trousers, not quite jodhpurs. They’re tucked into black riding boots.
The guy even looks hot in riding gear. It’s seriously annoying.
“Hey,” I say as I approach. “Where’s everyone?”
I was worried about bumping into Cooper and him seeing me getting a lesson from Kas after he already offered.
“They’re on lunch,” he says as he fastens the straps on Butterscotch’s saddle.
I’m a little relieved to hear that.
“Am I riding Butterscotch?” I ask him.
“Yeah. She’s an easy ride. Good for a first-timer.”
“Hey, girl.” I stroke her face. “No apples today, I’m afraid. But I’ll bring you some tomorrow. The good ones since you’re letting me ride you.”
Kas finishes up with the saddle and looks at me. “I need to fit you up with a riding helmet.”
“Okay.” I follow him into the empty stable at the end where they keep all of their tack.
Look at me, getting down with the horsey lingo.
Kas pulls a helmet down from the shelf. I expect him to pass it to me to put on, but instead, he steps directly in front of me and places the helmet on my head. He’s so close that I can smell the mint on his breath and the aftershave on his skin. It’s distinctly spicy with a hint of cedarwood in it.