Page 103

Trevor whinnied as they walked into the stables.

‘I’m really not sure about this.’ Tilly studied his horse cautiously.

Alex noted her flushed gleam. ‘I won’t let anything bad happen.’

Her apprehensive gaze slid to his. He saw the moment she chose to trust him and smiled at her. She blinked and dropped her gaze to consider the step stool in position by Trevor’s side.

‘Go on. Up. Swing your leg over.’ He felt a hit of pride as she awkwardly mounted. ‘You got it.’

‘Yes, and now I’m up very high,’ she said overbrightly.

Chuckling, he hopped onto the step and swung into position behind her.

‘Oh.’ She beamed for real. ‘We’re not too much for him?’

‘No.’ He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her to rest against his chest, and lifted the reins in his other hand. ‘We’ll go slowly.’

He clicked his tongue and Trevor started along the usual slow perimeter sweep of the island. Alex had ridden the narrow track many times, but this morning was particularly fresh. The sun was still rising, its full heat yet to hit, but its rays causing the calm water to sparkle. Tilly pressed her hands tightly over his arm, but he felt her gradually relax as Trevor carried them right to the edge of the island.

‘You okay there?’ he finally broke the silence to say.

‘It’s beautiful,’ she whispered.

He bent and breathed in her scent, enjoying the soft tickle of her hair on his lips. ‘Trevor? The sea? The view?’

‘All of it.’

‘As beautiful as your paintings and stuffy antiques?’

‘It’s experiences like these that inspire those.’

Good point. He couldn’t resist kissing her temple. She turned to catch his mouth. Drawing back, he saw the glow in her eyes.

‘You might be stiff tomorrow,’ he warned huskily.

‘If I am, you can massage out the kinks.’

‘Oh, no, I like your kinks.’

The second they got back to the stables, Alex helped her down and left Trevor with the waiting groom. He kept hold of Tilly’s hand and backed her into the tack room. That glow in her eyes built into a conflagration as he sat on his new favourite chair and pulled her onto his lap.

‘There are people out there,’ she whispered.

‘I don’t care, you’re still not going to be quiet.’ He laughed at her scandalised expression. ‘There’s only one and he’s taken Trevor to the other end of the stables.’

‘Still.’ With a playful spark she linked her ankles together, which made his access tricky, but Alex wasn’t afraid of persevering in challenging terrain. The challenge in her eyes lit his fire. Unfettered Tilly was a sight to behold. Her undulating body heated and softened, killing his—indulging her was the greatest pleasure ever.

As she recovered, he toyed with the loose ringlets tumbling about her face.

‘No need to look so smug.’ Her flush deepened.

‘But you look so relaxed.’ She looked happy. ‘Admit it, you loved riding him.’

She choked on a laugh. ‘I love being here—free to just be me.’

She should be free to be herself any place and any time. He would ensure it.

* * *