Courting Her Rebel: (Taken by Cowboys: Part 2) A Billionaire Western Romance Read Online Free

cut off your conversation on account of me,” Nate said. A lazy smile overtook his handsome features, his bright green eyes sparkling. The confusing conversation with Spencer from that morning came flooding back to her, and her heart did a little dance in her chest.
    “That’s alright. I was finished anyway,” she managed, waving her hand in a way that she hoped looked casual.
    Nate was still staring at her. She tried to keep the bright smile on her face as she searched for the right thing to say. Somehow all of the small talk had run out of her mind.
    “Ready to go?” he asked finally.
    She knit her brow in confusion. “Ready to go where?”
    “Why, didn’t you sign up for a riding lesson?” he asked.
    “I did, yes,” she said. She had arranged a beginning riding lesson with Caroline the day before, figuring she might as well test out her sense of adventure now that she had the chance. She had come here for an outdoorsy vacation, after all—she hadn’t been counting on any cowboy romances.
    “You’ll love it!” Caroline had said, promising to set her up with an expert riding instructor. “Show up outside the main lodge ten o’clock tomorrow.” So there she was—and the only other person outside the lodge was Nate.
    “Well, meet your teacher,” he said, taking his red baseball cap off with a flourish. “I’ll be your wrangler for the day.”
    Nate would be her riding instructor? Caroline had neglected to mention that part. Not that it mattered. “Well!” she exclaimed. “What a nice surprise.”
    “Let’s head to the pasture,” he said. “This-a-way.”
    They started down the path that led away from the lodge. Her heart began to dance a little faster. Did Nate know about what had transpired between her and Spencer? She hadn’t thought to ask him. It worried her that Spencer might be keeping her quiet, like some dirty little secret. On the other hand, it was none of Nate’s business. But on the other hand, Spencer had given her permission to pursue her interest in Nate.
    This was all far too confusing. She glanced over at him, hoping his face might give her an inkling of what he was thinking and how much he knew. But he was walking with a calm, unperturbed expression on his face. It was impossible to read anything from it.
    “I didn’t see you at movie night,” he said casually, casting her a sidelong glance.
    “Oh!” she said with a start, convinced for a second that Nate had read her mind. But that was ridiculous. It had to be a coincidence. “No, I decided to turn in early. I was feeling a bit worn out.”
    “Pretty exhausting first day?” he asked.
    “You could say so,” she said weakly. “I’m not used to doing so much hiking.”
    Nate gave her a half smile. “The great outdoors can take it out of you.”
    She drew in a deep breath. “You’ve got that right.”
    They were approaching a large fenced-in pasture where beautiful horses of all different colors were grazing. Their sleek silhouettes cut imposing figures in the background of tall mountain peaks.
    “Ever sat on a horse before?” he asked.
    “Never,” she confessed. She was starting to feel a little nervous.
    “Ah, a first-timer,” he said, tossing her a wink. “Well, not to worry. You’re in good hands.” Unable to stop herself, she looked down at his hands. They did indeed look broad, strong, and capable. She felt a surprising shiver run through her body. Now what’s that about?
    They reached the pasture and Nate hopped over the fence with the agility of a born cowboy. He reached his hand out to Jess, who had put her foot on the lower prong of the fence. She took it and immediately felt a current of warm electricity radiating from his strong grip straight through her arm and down the length of her body. She looked at him with a small gasp. His green eyes were riveted to hers. Then, with a brisk motion, he whisked her over the fence.
    Oh, my . . . She followed him over the damp grass, her head swimming.