by A. D. Ryan
I was pulled from any lustful feelings I was having when Jensen’s chilled hands touched my ribs, and I recoiled instantly, slamming my right hip into the wooden island counter.
“Madi …” he whispered, dragging out my name when he spoke, his tone smooth like silk against my skin.
I yanked my shirt down and then avoided the area all together as I turned from him and focused on pouring my coffee. “I know what you’re going to say, Jensen. And I’m fine. There’s no time for a trip to the doctor right now.”
With a sigh of defeat, Jensen backed up toward the table, holding his hands up before him in surrender as he sat back down. “Okay. Okay,” he relented. “Just, promise me one thing?” I nodded as I turned to join him at the table. “Be careful. Don’t do anything reckless today.”
“Ugh,” I grunted. “I’m a klutz one day. I fall off my horse—for the first time in years, I might add—and you’ve got me pegged as a walking accident. Fantastic.”
Jensen’s eyes softened and his forehead wrinkled with … worry? “Just be careful. I don’t like the looks of it.”
“What are you, a doctor now?” I scoffed, sipping my coffee slowly.
“No. But, my mother is, and I’ve seen this sort of thing before. Please, just—”
“Fine.” I groaned in exasperation, rolling my eyes. “I’ll be careful.”
Jensen relaxed, standing once again. “We’ve got a bit of time, you hungry?”
“Uh … yeah. Sure.”
As Jensen passed by me for the fridge, my eyes landed on his backside, and I found myself ogling … again. I really was pathetic. Though, I couldn’t really help that it was so fine. This was really his fault. If he didn’t do—well, whatever it was he did to make it look like that—then I wouldn’t even be in this predicament.
I pulled my knees to my chest and continued sipping my coffee while I watched him. My imagination started to run away with me again as I wondered what his ass looked like naked. Would it be just as tan as the rest of his body? Toned? Yeah, probably.
“So, you’ve got eggs and bread,” Jensen said, standing quickly—catching me staring at him with googly eyes. I knew he caught me too, because that damn cocky smirk played at the corners of his mouth, and I was blushing fiercely. Thankfully, he didn’t say anything. “I could make closed Denver sandwiches?”
“Yeah,” I croaked, still terribly embarrassed. “That sounds great.”
Jensen grabbed what he needed from the fridge before closing it and walking over to the counter by the stove so he could begin prepping breakfast. I picked up the paper, even though I had already read it, and kept my eyes trained on the small black font. I couldn’t find it in myself to absorb the words before me, instead my mind kept focusing on the sight of Jensen’s chiseled chest, and how great his jeans fit.
“Here you go,” Jensen announced, sliding my plate in front of me. Had I really been thinking about him so long that he’d had time to prepare a meal? I hope he hadn’t been trying to start up a conversation.
I set the paper down beside me and eyed the toasted sandwich. It looked amazing. The fluffy omelet had an assortment of vegetables in it with shredded cheddar stuffed inside. How it looked was no comparison to how it tasted. They were only eggs, but I had never tasted anything so incredible.
“This is really good. Thank you,” I said after swallowing my first bite.
“It was my pleasure.”
“Where did you learn to cook like this?”
Jensen’s eyebrows furrowed, and he averted his eyes. “I recently worked in a kitchen for a few weeks before we … parted ways. I picked up a few things.”
The way he skirted how he left his last job gave me pause. I wanted to inquire further, but figured it was none of my business.
By the time we finished our breakfast, it was almost six, and I knew we’d have to get to the barn to turn the horses out and clean their stalls. After doing our dishes—I washed while Jensen stood beside me and dried—we put our shoes on.
“Don’t forget to tie those,” Jensen teased. “You did promise to be careful today, after all.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed. Next to my foot was an old work glove, so I picked it up and tossed it at his head. “Shut up.”
Jensen’s eyes narrowed. “If you weren’t already injured, you’d be so dead, Landry.”
“You don’t think I could take you?” I inquired, to which Jensen’s jaw gaped open. It was then that I realized how he took my playful threat. Instead of showing my embarrassment, I winked. It was time to make him squirm for once.
As we sat there, bantering back and forth playfully, I let all of my preconceived notions about Jensen slip away. It was nice to let go of the animosity I felt toward him yesterday, having caught a glimpse of how genuine he was. Maybe his attitude yesterday was due to nerves or was a way of protecting himself, while I suspected mine was due to my past blinding me and turning me into this jaded person who saw everyone as the enemy.
Jensen and I walked to the barn, and when we arrived, Jeff, Tom, and my dad were already busy leading a few of the horses out.
“Good mornin’, kids. Sleep well?” Dad asked as he passed by with Oscar. I reached out and ran my hand down my first horse’s back as I continued past him.
“Like rocks,” Jensen snickered, elbowing my arm as he passed by and headed to Ransom’s stall.
I shook my head and laughed, which caused Dad’s eyes to brighten at seeing Jensen and me getting along. “I see you’ve made nice?”
“For now,” I joked, opening Halley’s stall. I grabbed her halter and slipped inside to find her waiting for me. “Good morning, girl.” She huffed softly, pushing her head into the open halter. “We’ll go for a ride later, okay?”
I led Halley out of her stall and toward her paddock. I gave her a kiss on her muzzle before releasing her and watched her trot off toward the trough in the far corner. When I exited the pen, locking it behind me, I saw Jensen walking my way with Ransom. Watching him interact with one of the more ornery horses we owned was fascinating. I was able to bond with Ransom, but he still pulled the strings some days, making my job tough. But the way Jensen was able to catch him with no trouble the day before, and how he was able to walk calmly next to him, whispering to him as he stroked the length of his face was … well, it was mind-blowing.
Jensen raised his eyes to meet mine, offering me a warm smile, and I returned the gesture, smiling twice as wide. A flurry of butterfly-rific activity flourished in my stomach again, and I had to mentally kick my own ass to remind myself that I vowed to never get involved with an employee again.
There was so much to get done around the ranch that morning, so Jensen and I never spoke again. It definitely made it easier for me to stop wondering just how soft his lips might be.
Once all the stalls were empty, we got rid of the old straw so we could lay fresh stuff down. It didn’t occur to me at first, but every stall I cleaned, Jensen was directly across, watching me closely; it didn’t take me long to figure out why. Every time I would maneuver my pitchfork, pain would explode through my body. There were a couple of times he would straighten up and move to run for me, but I assured him I was fine with just a look. The way he seemed concerned was sweet, but also a little overwhelming and foreign.
With the five of us working in the barn, it didn’t take more than an hour to get all the stalls cleaned and re-watered. There was still a little time before Jillian’s first lesson started, so I grabbed a few halters for the lesson horses she would need.
“Mind if I tag along?” Jensen asked, jogging to catch up.
I wasn’t stupid. I knew it wasn’t just him “tagging along.” He was keeping an eye on me.
“Sure. We have to go to the paddock past the new barn to collect the lesson horses for Jillian’s first class,” I informed him, handing him one of the halters I had grabbed. We caught two of four horses before heading back for the last couple.
We had just tethered the last two lesson pon
ies in the barn, when I heard footsteps approaching. I turned around to see Tom strolling through the barn.
“Hey kids,” he greeted enthusiastically. “Madison, your dad’s looking for you. Jillian called in sick. She can’t teach her lessons. Your dad was wondering if you could handle her classes today?”
“What about training with Starla and Ransom? Plus, Glory still has a long way to go before we can use her in lessons,” I said. I preferred to be riding than training. It’s where I felt more myself.
“Madi,” Jensen interjected, focusing his smoldering gaze on me. “I think after your day yesterday, that maybe taking it easy isn’t such a bad idea.”
Even though we’d been getting along, being told what to do—by someone who I barely knew, at that—grated on my nerves. I was annoyed with him all over again. And just when I thought we were making progress.
“Look, I told you—I don’t know how many times—I’m fine.” My rage bubbled just below the surface.
“You keep saying that, and yet I don’t seem to believe you. You promised,” Jensen continued, his voice dropping into a low whisper and his eyes pleading with me.
“Madison, I have to agree. You can’t be feeling completely up to par after falling off twice yesterday. I’d probably be hurting after the first,” Tom told me. “Take it easy today, and if you’re still feeling antsy tomorrow, we’ll train all day.”
As soon as I started to consider his offer Jensen opened his mouth. “I don’t kn—”
“Zip it, Davis,” I said through clenched teeth, my eyes narrowing. He instantly backed off, and I turned to Tom. “Okay. I’ll take today off. If you see Dad before I do, let him know I’ll teach the lessons.”
Tom gave my arm a squeeze as he passed by, leaving me and Jensen alone in the barn. I turned for the lesson schedule to see who all I was expecting first, and Jensen followed. As I stood, looking up at the white board above my head, Jensen nudged my right arm lightly until I looked up at him.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
“I didn’t do it for you. So, don’t flatter yourself.” I nudged him with my elbow and shot him a little smirk.
He chuckled. “If you say so.”
We exited the small room together, and I slid open the large arena door to make sure all the jump standards and poles were properly stored so we didn’t have any early morning mishaps.
Jillian’s first lesson of the day was an intermediate jumping class, so I would need to arrange a few jumps. I headed to the far corner where the standards were and placed my hands on either side, ready to pull it across the arena.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Jensen shrieked. Yes, shrieked. I may have giggled a little.
“Um, setting up for my class?” I retorted.
“Tell me what you need. You’re going to do more damage to yourself if you go around lifting heavy shit all the time.”
I exhaled heavily, admitting my defeat. “I’ll need six standards moved down the center of the arena. I want it set up so I can do a single and an oxer combination. Two full strides between each obstacle. Think you can handle that, superstar?” I teased.
Something challenging flashed in his eyes. “You’d be surprised just how much I can handle, sweetheart.”
“Irk.” Yeah, I had no idea what that was supposed to mean. All I knew was that it was a high and squeaky sound that escaped my strained vocal chords as he continued to stare into my eyes.
“What’s the matter, Madi?” he inquired, moving behind me until his right hand rested on my right hip and squeezed as he leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Still think I’m not up for it?”
Honestly? I had no idea … but I really fucking hoped he was. No, not for the set up for the lesson … but for other things. Lots and lots and lots of other, much dirtier things.
“I … um … I …” I stammered unintelligently.
“I’m waiting.”
The door to the arena suddenly flew open, and I flung myself away from Jensen as his breath continued to waft over the exposed skin of my neck. Dad stepped down onto the dirt floor, and in a sure sign of my guilt, I kept my eyes averted from Jensen’s as I turned to face him and give him instructions on what I needed. “So, yeah. I need that combination set up before my class starts. Just, lay the poles on the ground between the standards, I’ll warm everyone up over them before I raise them,” I said, my heart beating so painfully loud that it was all I could hear in my own ears.
Through my periphery, I noticed Jensen give a nod, and I think he said something along the lines of “Yes, of course,” but I still couldn’t hear anything. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes before turning to Dad with an insanely wide smile on my face. I felt like The Joker.
“Getting down to it, I see?”
“What?” I squeaked, and I heard Jensen curse as a pole fell on his foot. Clearly, he had understood my dad’s words to mean the same thing I had.
Dad looked between us for a minute, eyebrow raised and suspicious. I could almost hear the gears in his brain turning and coming up with a theory and knew I had to cut it off at the pass.
“Yeah, totally. My side is still a little sore, so I asked Jensen to help me set up a combination for my lessons. I don’t know exactly what Jill had planned for today, but being intermediate I figured a combination would be good to start,” I rambled without taking a breath. Smooth, Madi. Real smooth.
Dad still seemed uneasy regarding what exactly he walked in on, but he went with it. “Good to hear. Jensen, when you’re finished with my daughter …” I choked on my own saliva, coughing and sputtering to clear my air passage “… I’d like your help in the new barn.”
“Oh, sure, Wayne.” While I really didn’t want Jensen to go off and do other things, in case I needed him, I knew that he had a job to do, too.
Dad pulled me aside and looked down at me. “How are you feeling, Madison? I noticed you moving like your side was bothering you more than just a little.”
I shook my head and smiled. “I’ll be okay. I’ll refrain from riding today, and Tom said if I’m feeling better tomorrow I can get back in the saddle.”
“Good. Well, take it easy. I don’t need you hurting yourself any more, all right?”
“Yeah, yeah. I can’t really get into too much trouble here, now can I?” I asked sarcastically.
With a laugh, Dad rolled his eyes. “If it were anyone but you, Madison, I’d probably agree.” I couldn’t argue; the man had a very valid point. “Okay, I’ll leave you two to it. Jensen? I’ll see you out at the new barn when you finish up here.”
I turned to watch Jensen nod his compliance as he positioned the last standard in place before going back and retrieving the poles I would need. The air in the arena after Dad left us alone was thick. And, not just with the dust that had been stirred up from moving the standards and poles through the loose dirt. The sexual tension that we had encouraged between one another was heavy.
Once Jensen finished double checking the distance between the obstacles I asked him to set up, he walked over to me, his forehead still furrowed with worry. “Okay, I’m going off to see your dad … in an empty barn … with tons of tools and places to hide a body. Does it go without saying that I’m so sorry? The things I said … they were borderline harassment. I was only joking around with you because you … well, not to sound like a first-grader, but you started it.”
My mouth fell slack, and my eyes went wide as I gaped at him. “I started it? What about you? With the smolder and … and the sex-voice?”
That seemed to erase the lines of worry from Jensen’s face. Now the corners of his eyes were crinkled as he grinned at me. Yeah, it was pretty sexy. “Sex-voice?”
“Oh, don’t even pretend you don’t know exactly what I’m talking about, mister.”
“I assure you, I have no idea. Please, enlighten me,” he prodded, taking a step toward me.
Laughing hysterically, I shook my head, backing away from him with every step he took. “Forget
it! Now, go. My father’s probably waiting to castrate you.” Jensen actually whimpered, and I couldn’t help but laugh harder when he hung his head and left me alone in the middle of the arena.
The hour-long lesson went great. I actually forgot just how much I enjoyed teaching. April, sixteen, and her thirteen-year-old brother, Carl had so much promise. April even got pretty excited when she realized I was teaching their class today. She assured me she loved Jillian as an instructor, but to have someone who had competed internationally was “beyond awesome.” It was quite flattering, and made me promise to maybe do a little more of it. April did have an amazing grace about her when she rode, and I knew that in the next few years, she could probably compete internationally, too. We’d just need to work with her a little more to hone her skills and find the perfect horse for her.
As the lesson wore on, I was definitely grateful for Jensen setting up my jumps for me. Even just lifting the poles into their cups caused me more pain than I’d have liked. I was glad I only had a couple of jumper classes today, and that they were all in the same level; it definitely saved me from having to set up an entire course and move things around. I had barely seen Jensen, and I knew that Jeff was probably busy with them as they did whatever needed to be done in the new barn. I was able to handle rolling more poles over, using my feet, for a beginner class to use as trotting poles, so that wasn’t so bad.
As I stood in the center of the arena during the last fifteen minutes of my final lesson of the day, I could feel my exhaustion settling in. My side started to throb, and I was really looking forward to another nice, hot bath.
“Okay, guys,” I said to Maria and Lucy as they trotted their horses around the arena. “One more lap and then slow to a walk and let Oscar and Gwen cool down. While they do, we’ll do a few stretches.”
The two young girls giggled and chatted for a bit before I started instructing them on how to properly stretch while they cooled down their mounts. As they leaned diagonally across and reached for their right toes with their left hands, I took the opportunity to lift my arms above my head to stretch my good side, hoping to not upset the left. The pull felt good, until it reached across my back.