Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Rancher Buys a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 2] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron

back.”
    She didn’t comment. Nothing was going to change his mind at this point. She’d ride, hating it all the way. Here at home, he looked different and she sensed a change in attitude. His old jeans were faded and clung to his muscled thighs. He wore a brown shirt and wool vest similar to the one Ty had worn last night. A cowboy hat sat on the back of his head. Gone was the polished businessman.
    His heavy-lidded eyes darkened. He sauntered to her side. “You’re staring.”
    “Yes, I am.” Her body reacted to the lusty look he gave her. Heat tingled along her nerves and her body craved his touch.
    He bent close to her mouth. “Seducing me won’t make me relent. You have to learn to ride, and enjoy riding.”
    “Good luck in succeeding,” she said. Drake stepped away just as the cowboy returned with her horse.
    “She looks as tired as I feel,” Janice said.
    “Let me show you how to saddle her. If you’re going to be a horsewoman, you first have to learn how to take care of your ride.”
    “Cowgirl, horsewoman, you’ve lost your mind.” But she listened and followed his instructions. Finally, they were ready to go. She put one foot in the stirrup and threw the other leg over to settle in the saddle.
    “Good girl.”
    Janice frowned at him. Her horse might be old and tired, but she still had Janice high off the ground.
    “Relax. I see your muscles going tense.”
    Drake got on his large, brown stallion and led the way from the barn onto a wide trail. He glanced back to check on her. “You doing all right?” He watched her ride to his side. “You have a good seat. All you need is confidence and practice.”
    “There are no horses in Houston , or near my house.” He gave her what she called his pacifying smile. He started forward, instructing her to follow. Daisy ambled slowly behind. Drake kept a tight rein on his stallion, holding him back.
    “Give your horse a good run. He’s biting at the bit. Daisy and I will mosey along.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yes, go.” She enjoyed watching him and his horse fly across the meadow. He leaned low across the stallion’s neck. Her heartbeat increased and an unfamiliar softness filled her chest. She had it bad. She’d fallen hopelessly in love with him. A man totally different in his ideas, and in his world.
    She nudged Daisy to move her along a little faster. She ought to be insulted with this poor horse he’d given her. Even her grandmother wouldn’t fall off Daisy. Daisy moved at a crawl and had a wide girth. Tomorrow, she’d show him she could ride a horse with a little more life left in her.
     
    * * * *

    Sailing through the air the next morning, her thought from yesterday mocked her. Thump . Her body hit the ground, thankfully cushioned by thick grass and wildflowers. She lay trying to get her breath. Drake’s horse’s hooves pounded on the ground and echoed in her ear, as he rode to her. He flew off and knelt beside her.
    “Don’t move. Do you hurt anywhere?”
    “I’m just learning to breathe again,” she gasped.
    His hands moved over her legs and arms. His fingers felt all over her head. “Does your back hurt, or your belly?”
    The worry had his face drawn, and his eyes filled with remorse. “You don’t have to ride. I’ll buy you a truck. You never have to ride a horse again.”
    She’d have laughed, but he was so worried. Pushing his hands aside, she sat up. “I’m better. I can breathe. Nothing feels broken, although I’ll be sore tomorrow, I’m sure.” He put his arm around her and helped her stand.
    “We’ll go back to the house.”
    “No, we won’t. You had a special place to show me.”
    “It can wait for another time. I want the doctor to check you.”
    “This isn’t necessary,” she protested when he lifted her onto his horse, and then swung up behind her. He rode across to her mare, grabbed the reins, and headed to the house. Snapping the cell phone open, he dialed a number.
    “Mom, ask Doc Turner to stop