"Lift! Lift! From your core!"

I groaned, sweat pricking my upper lip. I was doing basic exercises over and over again, while Clint barked orders at me. Beginner stuff. Kid's stuff, really. He yelled, and I drilled. For hours and hours and hours.

Just like we had every day this week.

He was mostly focused on my stomach for some reason. I pulled my belly button towards my spine like he told me to. He seemed to notice if I lost focus on my form for even a second.

He was that persnickety about the way I held my body.

The man was cruel. Unrelenting. And starting to get on my nerves.

I snorted to myself.

'Starting to get on my nerves' was an understatement.

He was already there, firmly under my skin. And had been since the moment I laid eyes on him. Or rather, since the first time I caught him laying eyes on me.

Clint was leaned casually against the fence, just like he had the first day I met him. But he was not in the sun. In fact, he had an ice cold drink in his hand. And a lawn chair a few feet back.

Sometimes, he sat in it to do his shouting.

Mostly though, he shouted instructions and criticisms from the fence. Every now and then though, he said 'good form' or 'that's it, keep going' or 'good girl', which should have made me angry. It did the first time. But it also made me walk tall for hours after.

I didn't need his damn approval! I knew that. But it didn't change the fact that I was starting to want it.

Crave it, really.

He looked utterly relaxed as my butt chaffed against the saddle. I wasn't used to staying in the seat for this long. I was a trick rider dammit.

I wanted to swoop and soar! I wanted to move!

"Okay Red, take five."

Red! The most unoriginal nickname ever! I hated all of his terms of endearment. Along with 'Darlin' and 'Hellcat'. I slid off Apollo, leading him over to a stablehand. Clint offered me a drink of water, his gorgeous blue eyes crinkling as he looked me over.

I took the water, tipping back my head to gulp it down. I was thirsty as hell. But the truth was I didn't mind being looked over like horsemeat. Not anymore.

Truth be told, I'd done quite a bit of looking him over too this past week. He looked like an old school movie star, not a cowboy. But he was the real deal.

Tall, handsome, and too rough around the edges for Hollywood. I shivered, remembering how his hands felt when he was correcting my form. Big, warm and calloused. Strong.

The way a man's hands should be.

I spent a few nights wondering how they'd feel against my skin. Particularly, my more sensitive places. Of course, I had no idea how a man's hands felt. Or anything else.

I'd never had the time or inclination to let anyone tumble me. Not until now. It irked me that the first man I felt any interest in, only wanted the prize money JJ had promised him if I placed top three in Nationals.

Yep, I wanted Clint McRae. Not that I'd ever tell him that. He'd probably laugh and tell me to leave my schoolgirl crush in the stables.

Beep beep beep.

I looked around.

"Is that my phone?"

Clint had a strict rule about my phone. First thing in the morning, he'd take it. He'd let me have it at lunch and that was it until the end of the day. It was funny how I didn't miss it after the first week. I'd even forgotten to ask for it back a couple times.

"Damn thing keeps beeping. I don't know why you don't leave it at home-"

I blanched, realizing I had people coming. People with cameras. I touched my cheek, knowing I was flushed red and splotchy.

The man had me so tied up in knots I'd forgotten a professional obligation. I shook my head. It was a good thing I'd taken to shaving and primping a bit more in the mornings!

"Oh lord- I forgot!"

He grabbed my arm as I ran for the facilities.

"Where are you going, hellcat?"

"I need to freshen up."

"Fine."

"Fine!"

I ran to my car to grab my bag. Thankfully, I'd stashed the outfit they wanted me to wear in the back last week. My sponsors liked me to do little publicity stunts and photo shoots all the time.

This time, it was a clothing line.

Except, I wasn't going to be wearing much clothing.

When I came out, they were already there. Clint was watching them set up with a frown. And then he saw me.

My stomach did a little back flip when I saw the look on his face.

He went from shock, to looking like he was drooling. The man's mouth was open. His eyes blazed fire across the stable yard.

I ignored him, savoring the look of pure male appreciation on his face. I put a little extra strut in my step as I walked across the yard. Of course, by the time I got closer he was frowning again.

I sighed. At least he looked handsome with a frown. He looked handsome no matter what he did. He did smile now and then. I wondered if I'd ever see him smile in real happiness, instead of looking like a damn shark about to eat a mackerel.

"What the hell are you wearing?"

I looked down at myself and back up at him.

"A bikini, silly."

"You are not getting on that horse in that getup."

I cocked my head, smiling at him.

"You're right. I'm going to wash the horse."

His jaw dropped. Literally dropped. Clint looked as shocked as a Sunday School teacher in a brothel. Good. The blasted man was too calm by half. I tossed my hair as I walked away. I realized I liked making him uncomfortable.

"We have to train."

I shook my head.

"No Clint. Today, for just a few hours, I have to work."