He smiled slightly, his hand reaching down to smooth along her calf. “But you have to do something for me.” The fabric should have protected her from the intensity of his touch, but actually, the reverse happened. The light touch against the silk and her skin only caused more shivers to race through her body.
And then his words hit her, anger tamping down the desire she’d been feeling. “I’m not sleeping with you.”
He chuckled again. “That is actually a foregone conclusion. It will happen, it is just a matter of when now. But that’s not what I was offering as a challenge.”
“What?” she asked, not answering his assertion about her sleeping with him, deciding the issue of sex should be avoided at all costs with this man.
“You said you were afraid of horses,” he started off.
Uh oh. She definitely didn’t like this topic. “Yes. What of it?” she asked, her chin going up defiantly. “It isn’t a crime to be afraid of horses. And it isn’t like they are important to my job.”
He stood up and crossed his arms over his massive chest. He wasn’t really smiling, but there was a look of satisfaction that made her cringe. “I will take you to your friend as soon as you show me you can ride a horse.”
She gasped, horrified by the mere idea. “Why?”
His hand moved up to caress her cheek. “Because I think you will find that horses are wonderful animals. They are very gentle, very kind and loyal.” He smiled slightly. His eye sending her a message she didn’t completely understand. “Just like me.”
She instantly shook her head. “No,” she told him firmly.
One black eyebrow went up with her adamant reply. “I thought you were willing to do anything to find your friend.”
“Choose something else.”
He chuckled at her stubbornness, but shook his head. “You learn to ride, and I’ll take you to her.”
She shook her head. “I can’t,” she pleaded. “What else can I do? I’ll do anything else.”
His smile was swift in coming and she shivered at what she knew he was thinking. “Not that.”
“You’re going to have to face one of your fears, my love. Either make love with me or learn to ride a horse.”
She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, furious with him for putting her into this kind of a position. “Why can’t you just let both of us go? There’s no reason you need to keep both of us captive like this.”
He chuckled at her defense. “Ah, but there is a very strong reason. Unfortunately, your friend has stumbled onto something dangerous.”
That broke through her anger and that fear over Bri’s safety came rushing back. “Is Brianna okay?”
Instantly his features cleared of his amusement and he was quick to reassure her. “She’s fine. And she’s actually being protected by a good friend of mine.”
Protected? By a friend of his? That didn’t sound…right. Her eyes narrowed. “How do I know that? What proof can you offer me?”
He smiled at her intelligence. “You’re going to have to trust me. And face up to at least one of your fears.”
She huffed with irritation. “I’m not learning to ride a horse,” she said obstinately. His smile was slow and sexy and she shook her head. “I’m not doing that either!”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll just introduce you to my stables? You won’t even have to ride a horse today if you don’t feel brave enough,” he assured her.
She was almost quivering with emotions she didn’t completely understand. “Why are you so intent on…teaching me to ride?”
He stood up and pulled her into his arms, his hands sliding down her waist to rest against her nearly naked hips. She still had her underwear, but the thin straps across each side of her hip gave her no protection from the heat of his hands. “I will answer your unasked question first. I want you. And if you were perfectly honest with me, you would admit that you feel the same towards me.” He put a finger over her lips, effectively silencing her. “No, I don’t want you to lie and deny it any longer.” He waited a moment to ensure that she wouldn’t argue back before he continued.
“I understand you have some trust issues. I know that learning to ride a horse is a bit like learning to trust a man. We’re bigger, stronger and I’m probably more intimidating than what you’re used to,” he said, moving closer to her and holding her hips more firmly so she couldn’t back up any more. “But if you learn to ride, learn that a horse is just like a man,” he explained carefully, looking into her eyes to ensure that she understood his meaning, “then, when the time comes when I can help you with your friend, we will be much better off.”
What he said made sense, but that was probably only because her mind was muddled from his touch and how close he was. And how tall. She sighed and tried to pull her hands out of his. “I can’t think when you’re touching me,” she argued. “Why don’t you give me some space?”
“Because space isn’t what you need. You need to learn to trust me. And how are you going to trust me if you don’t get to know me?” he countered.
She glared up at him. “Would you at least let me get dressed?” she demanded.
He looked down at her figure, looking all warm and sexy and wanted to tell her no. But he had bigger plans for her. “Of course,” he finally said. “I have a few phone calls to make. I will meet you after you’ve eaten something. Will that work?”
She was so surprised by the question, she actually laughed. “Yes. I believe that schedule works with mine at the current time,” she responded, teasing him about his formal question and the fact that he was asking her about something she didn’t think she had much choice in.
He winked down at her before turning and leaving the room.
An hour later, Nikki felt her skin start to tingle and instantly knew that Nazar was approaching. Sure enough, she looked up and he was striding in her direction, his dark eyes assessing her as if she might have been wounded at some point. Or maybe his perusal was more lascivious.
“You look perfect,” he murmured as he took her hands, lifting her out of her chair so he could more fully look at her figure in the tight fitting riding breeches his staff had provided for her. It wasn’t as if she’d had a choice. She’d slipped into the adjoining bathroom of the room where she’d slept and when she’d come out, her tee-shirt, jeans, even her underwear, had disappeared. The only items of clothing she could find were these riding clothes. The clothing was one thing. It was the underwear laid out for her that had widened her eyes with surprise. And secret delight.