On a Gamble by Rose Lange

brush.
    Charlie grasped her own brush, focusing on the task at hand. She took her time with Ginger’s coat, softly talking to the animal, lovingly scratching behind one ear. Smoothing her brush over the brown coat, as the motion soothed jittery nerves. Completely absorbed, she forgot Alex’s presence, until she looked up and their eyes locked from across the horses, his glance, so potent and heavy with desire.
    Hypnotizing and mind teasing, as though he could read her thoughts, and thinking the very same thing. The unwavering gaze sent shivers of stark need up and down her spine, tempting her to forget the horse ride, and walk right over to his side. Lean up, and bite that thatch of skin exposed by the V-neck opening of his button down shirt, his very essence brought out raw, animalistic hunger she couldn’t contain.
    Biting her lower lip with the heat of her thoughts, she immediately lowered her stare, no longer able to look into those devilish pools. She returned her focus back to Ginger, and let’s be honest, how embarrassing to be caught staring like some lovesick buffoon?
    Charlie’s mind drifted to last night. How he’d taken her in his arms, offering comfort when she’d needed it most. Since their first kiss several days ago, and their romantic dance, she longed to put her arms around him. Recalling the sweetness of his lips, his tongue invading her mouth, her senses.
    Good Lord and oh my, but he had fantastic lips.
    Hardly able to look his way, she directed her question to the horse. “Okay, ready for the next step?” Not waiting for a reply, she turned to grab two of everything else needed.
    Charlie saddled up her horse before going to check on Alex’s progress. Hanging back, she watched him, crossing her arms over her breasts. Seeing he hadn’t had one piece on Stallion, he angled his head as though trying to read a foreign language. She smiled, because even in his frustrated state, he looked adorable.
    “Do you need a hand?” she asked.
    He shrugged, straightening. “That would be great, thank you.”
    She picked up a saddle pad, followed by the saddle. He bent to help her reach under his belly, cinching the girth, and making sure it was on just right. Her fingers brushed with his, shooting sparks through her fingers, catapulting to her limbs, settling in her belly, before landing at her core. She felt like a human pinball machine.
    “All set?” His voice snapped her mind back. Back to where it needed to be.
    “Yes. You?”
    “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
    Alex came around next to her, appearing as though he wanted to help her mount Ginger, and she had to smile. Having visited her grandparent’s farm often as a little girl, she’d learned how to mount and dismount horses, but said nothing as he gave her a hand. “Thank you,” she said.
    Amused, she watched from atop her horse, as he tried to mount Stallion. Failing miserably when he landed flat on his ass, she hid a chuckle behind her hand, but it didn’t work. He speared her with a frown, and if looks could kill she’d be dead.
    Although she had to admit, he looked delectable sitting on the barnyard floor. A disgruntled look marring his handsome features, long, denim clad legs sprawled out, hands resting on said legs. God help her, the way he looked made her want to jump down and take full advantage of him.
    Clearing her throat, she tried to keep all hints of sarcasm out of her voice. “Do you need a hand?”
    “No, I’m fine thanks.”
    “Okay,” she said, barely stifling a giggle.
    He brushed off his pants, attempting to get on the horse once more, and this time succeeding. “I’ve never ridden a horse before,” he confessed.
    Charlie smiled. “That’s okay, you’ll learn. Let’s go. It’s the perfect morning for a ride.”
    With this she gently kicked Ginger into a canter, and the horse trotted off.
    She turned to find poor Alex looking ill at ease on his horse. Posture stiff, hands practically death gripping the reins,