Page 161 of Scent to the Feral Cowboys

Yet, things were suddenly different.

The second Boone had asked me, every part of me had instantly wanted to say ‘yes’. I had to fight myself to hesitate, to not show eagerness.

“I’d love that,” I found myself saying.

And the smile he gave me…

So Dazzling and surprised…

Shot through my heart.

37

NELLY

“I'm still too nervous to ride Ghost alone.” The words tumbled out of me, rushed and embarrassed, as I watched Boone start walking in the direction of the mare’s stall. “I know she's safe. I mean, she'ssogentle. But riding alone still scares the hell out of me. I just keep picturing the few times I’ve tried. As you know, the attempts didn’t end well.”

In my previous life as a ballerina, I'd prided myself on fearlessness and never giving up. How many times had I launched into the air, trusting my ability, and landed beautifully? How many times had I given myself over to my partner, full of faith that they’d lift and lower me safely? How many times did I push past pain, until my pointe shoes filled with blood, to prepare for a show? But this was different. I hadn't grown up around horses like these men had. To them, mounting a horse was as natural as breathing. In my case, any time I got in a saddle, I was knocked off it almost immediately.

Boone's nonjudgmental, dark eyes held mine. "You could ride with me," he suggested, his deep voice betraying no eagerness. "If you'd be comfortable with that."

Delicious electricity pulsed through me at the thought of being pressed against him, his arms around me. The attraction Ifelt toward him, toward all my Alphas, was becoming harder to ignore.

“Would that be okay with you though?" I asked, though every cell in my body was screaming for me to shut up and just climb onto a damn horse with him.

"That’s like asking if I’m okay to breathe, Nelly,” he spoke slowly, measuring his words. His lovely, dark brown eyes deepened until the irises were imperceptible.

My heart pounded against my ribs. Something about the way he phrased it, like being with me was as essential as air to him, made my knees weak. I'd been around plenty of Alphas at the club who'd said far more explicit things, but this quiet declaration hit differently. Maybe Boone wanted to strip me bare too, maybe he wanted my body just as badly as those willing to pay extra in a private dance room, but I didn’t even mind. In fact, I might even welcome it… free of charge.

"Then yes," I said, trying to sound casual. "I'd like that."

Boone nodded once, his movements economical as always. He turned, heading for bridles and saddles hanging on the wall. He gathered what we needed, and I watched him, captivated by the way his long braid swung between his shoulder blades with each step. The leather cord that bound it today terminated in topaz beads. They were bright teal dots against his dark shirt.

We pushed out of the stables, leaving behind its smell which I’d grown accustomed to, like so many other things about ranch life. Boone moved with purpose toward the stables’ paddock, hopping over the fence and approaching his giant horse Behaichi. The stallion nickered, stomping his front right hoof. Boone curled one arm around Behaichi’s neck in a modified hug, the riding gear supported under the opposite arm.

“Mind taking us for a ride, boy?”

The horse stomped his hoof again, shifting back and forth in anticipation.

I hung back, watching as Boone efficiently saddled and bridled the horse. He operated with practiced ease, checking and double-checking each strap. When he finished, he led the stallion towards the gate. I moved to meet them, undoing the snap clip and pulling the chain away. I pulled the gate outward, creating a pass through. When they’d joined me on my side of the fence, I closed and secured the gate again. For a moment, I faced away from them, hand still on the gate. When I turned, Boone held out his hand to me.

"Ready?"

That one word felt monumental. I nodded, unable to speak. Tentatively, I moved closer to Boone and Behaichi. The glossy stallion was massive compared to Ghost, and standing beside him, I felt tiny. Even the saddle stirrup seemed impossibly high off the ground.

"I'll boost you up," Boone said, interlacing his fingers to create a step for me.

I placed my hand on his shoulder for balance, feeling solid muscle beneath his shirt. His skin radiated heat that seemed to travel up my arm. As I stepped into his makeshift stirrup, he lifted me with ease, as if I weighed nothing.

It was like a Pas de deux lift.

And, without reservation, I trusted this partner to never let me fall.

Once I was settled in the saddle, Boone swung himself up behind me in one fluid motion that made involuntarily let out a small gasp. His chest pressed against my back, and his arms came around me to take the reins. He pulled me even closer to him, and I was enveloped in his earthy, musky scent.

I watched Boone's hands as he shifted the leather reins in front of me, tugging gently and directing Behaichi’s path. His fingers moved with practiced ease, strong and certain. The horse never fought him, letting himself be guided. Boone had long,thick fingers. The waning sunlight hit just right, making his deeply tanned hands glow. The memory of him gently touching my face, resurfaced. The way he’d traced his thumb down my cheek, stealing the tear I’d shed. As if recollection could truly recall the past, my face tingled in exactly the place he’d touched it.

My mind and body and inner Omega began to daydream…