“We need to quit meeting this way,” a voice rumbled under Cassandra’s ear. She opened her eyes to see a rippling sky behind the leonine head of her captor. Matthew Shaughnessy.

She groaned. “What happened?”

His teeth flashed and she had a sudden image of gigantic yellow teeth about to bite her head off. Startled, her heart pounded like the monster’s hooves. Matt’s arms tightened, holding her against his very fine chest, the woody essence of sandalwood a visceral reminder of their times together.

“Hold still before I drop you. Why didn’t you say you were scared of horses?” He set her down on a cushioned swing hanging from the eaves on the wide front porch of the home.

Cass searched wide-eyed, praying the killer animal had run off into the wide blue yonder, but no, he stood guard at the bottom of the stairs while Sophia rubbed his satiny neck and fed him the apple.

“See? He’s gentle as a lamb.”

Some lamb. The sheep in her dreams didn’t blow smoke out their nostrils.

Matt brushed the hair from her sticky forehead, his touch gentle. “I wouldn’t let him hurt you. He was just reacting to your banshee scream.” He laughed and jumped back when she raised a hand to swat him.

From a safe distance away, Cass did feel silly for her outburst. Now that the animal had his treat he even seemed docile, one hoof tilted and tail swishing lazily as he accepted Sophia’s ministrations.

She smiled uncertainly. “I guess I did overreact. We don’t have many horses in Toronto.” She stood and straightened her spine. “I want to try again.”

Matt looked surprised. No more than she was. If she let this… irrational fear get to her, it won. And that was something she couldn’t allow.

“We can try another day. You don’t have to do this,” Matt said, his brows lowering over chocolate brown eyes.

His words just made her more determined. He had judged her weak, unable to handle a stressful situation. It was the same mistake her father had made. And she was going to prove it.

She blew out a silent prayer for strength and strode determinedly down the stairs and across the short distance to Matt’s horse, her heart in her throat.

Sophia tightened her grip on the reins and smiled encouragement. “I’ve got him, don’t worry. Besides, he’s a gentleman.”

The horse’s brown eyes, the same shade as his owner’s, stared at her inquisitively, his nostrils flaring to take in her scent. He had eyelashes any woman would die for, long and lustrous, with a perfect curl. He really was quite beautiful.

“What’s his name?” she asked, tentatively reaching out to run her fingers down his neck. His skin quivered as though he enjoyed her touch. Emboldened, she flattened her hand and rubbed under his gorgeous mane the color of a moonbeam.

“It’s Goliath,” Matt said from behind her, his hands a warm anchor resting on her hips. She appreciated his support more than she cared to admit. “He likes you.” He stretched over her shoulder, his chest brushing her back, and rubbed his horse’s long, elegant nose. Goliath nickered and closed his eyes in enjoyment.

Cass wanted to do the same.

The feel of his chest rubbing her back induced all sorts of reactions she didn’t know how to deal with. It didn’t help to tell herself it was natural; he was a specimen in his prime, like the animal in front of her. He was handsome, intelligent, and maybe most of all, he cared deeply for his family. Everything she looked for in a man. But he was also annoying, aggravating, and… her enemy.

She’d better not forget that.

Cassandra shifted, suddenly anxious for some breathing room, but she was caught between a horse and a hard place—literally.

“Want to give it a shot?” he whispered, his breath fanning across her neck and causing little earthquakes to shake her composure.

She twisted and shot a startled glance over her shoulder. Did he mean…?

He looked at her quizzically. “Well? Ready to take her for a ride?” He nodded to the Palomino standing quietly beside the big black.

Oh. He meant the horses.

Cass stomped on the seed of disappointment and gave a determined nod. “Sure. Let’s do this. I’ve always wanted to ride a horse.”

Both Shaughnessys gave her the yeah, right eyebrow tilt, but kept their thoughts to themselves. Matt moved over and checked buckles and straps, all the while giving a running commentary on how to steer the animal, and then it was her turn.

Time to pony up, as they say.

She wiped nervous hands down the front of her borrowed blue jeans, then shuffled toward the horse who seemed to be eyeing her like she was lunch. Oh man, oh, man, please don’t let me die today.

Matt cupped his hands down by his knees and tipped his head to indicate… what, exactly?

“Put your foot in there and he’ll give you a boost into the saddle,” Sophia said helpfully.

Sure, she knew that.

Feeling like she was going to pass out for the third time in so many days, Cassandra lifted her boot and carefully placed it in Matt’s palms. He gave a little grunt and she flew through the air, landing squarely on the leather seat six feet up in the air. Frantic, she grabbed for whatever was nearby, which turned out to be Matt’s head and a round ball between her thighs.

Sophia giggled, the imp.

Matt reached up, dislodged her claw-hold on his hair, and set her palms together on the ball before giving them a reassuring pat. “You did great, other than scalping me. That’s a pommel, hold on and you won’t fall off.”

So he says.

“Lift your leg.” He tapped her knee, his eyes betraying his humor. When she didn’t move, he added, “I need to fix your stirrups.”

Embarrassed, she did as he asked and watched as he readjusted the length on the footrest. When he had it to his satisfaction he patted her leg and went around to the other side. Cass tried not to be self-conscious, but the man’s head was uncomfortably close to her thigh. If he turned just a little…

He glanced up and stilled, his pupils ringed in rich caramel—addictive.

“Quit making googly eyes and get going. I want you to take me to town later,” Sophia said, her smile teasing.

Matt jerked as though stung, then dropped his head to finish buckling the strap before fitting her boot into the rest. “Squeeze your left knee and tug lightly on the left rein to go left, and same for right. Squeeze both knees and cluck to go. Pull up both reins gently to stop. Got it?”

He waited for her uncertain nod, then strode over to Goliath and swung into the saddle like a big cat, all smooth motion.

“Okay, we’re off.”

The horses, excited to be finally under way, needed little persuasion. Matt clicked and turned Goliath toward the hills they could see in the distance and Cleopatra trotted along behind. Cass hung on for dear life, her teeth rattling, her butt bouncing, and her heart pounding.

And people did this for fun.