Taming Angelina: The Temptation Saga: Book Four by Helen Hardt Page A

bit on Belle the first few times, but reins cause horses a lot of pain. I don’t like to use them at all.”
    “But that’s how I rode before, with reins.”
    “I figured as much. So I’m not going to teach you to ride without reins. We’ll still use them, but we won’t use the bit once you can control the horse with your legs. Belle will thank you for it.”
    Angie stood, her bottom numb. She rubbed her butt cheeks. “Can we try it now?”
    Rafe smiled . God, his lips are so kissable.
    “Nope. Our hour’s up, honey.”
    “Well…I didn’t get the whole hour yesterday.”
    “Which is why I’m not charging you for yesterday. I do an honest day’s work or I don’t get paid. That’s my philosophy.”
    Fine enough. Now he’ll kiss me and we’ll go to bed for another amazing romp. She closed her eyes in expectation.
    Nothing happened.
    She opened her eyes to see him tip his hat and walk toward the barn with a cheery “see you tomorrow.”
    He left her with hard nipples and a breathless sigh.
    Damn.
----
    J efferson Bay studied the document in front of him. He was no lawyer, but the language seemed clear enough. His grandfather had been one big male chauvinist pig. And that sad fact was going to work in Jeff’s favor.
    His big brother, Wayne, was dying. According to a PI Jeff had hired, Wayne had an inoperable brain tumor that was growing in size every day, and his heart was weak. He needed a quadruple bypass, but the docs were afraid he wouldn’t survive the surgery. Basically, he’d been sent home to die.
    He was a ticking time bomb that could explode at any time. Damn shame, wasn’t it? Wayne, Grandpa’s pride and joy, would die, and Jeff would finally be vindicated.
    He smiled to himself and downed a shot of Jack Daniels. The whiskey burned and soothed his throat simultaneously. He’d missed ol’ Jack most of all while he’d been locked up.
    Well, almost most of all. He’d missed something—someone—else more. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t shake that woman from his heart.
    Didn’t matter though. He’d learned to live without her long ago, despite his searing need. He’d continue to do so.
    He poured himself another shot.
    Yeah, life would be good again.

Chapter Six
    T here she stood again , those pink-as-a-rose hands on those round hips, looking as indignant as ever. Her emerald eyes glared at him.
    “You have some explaining to do, Mr. Grayhawk.”
    “I do?”
    “You certainly do.”
    “And just what would that be about?”
    “We were”—Angie cleared her throat—“ intimate the other day.”
    Why was she so damn gorgeous? She wore her hair down today, and those silky waves tumbled over her bare shoulders clad in nothing but a pink tank top. He wanted to bury his nose in those tresses and inhale.
    Rafe nodded. “I remember. I was there.”
    “We haven’t talked about it.”
    “So?” What was it with women and talking?
    He sighed. He did owe her an explanation. He had overstepped his boundaries with her twice, and it wasn’t going to happen again.
    “So? That’s all you have to say?”
    His turn to clear his throat. “No. I do need to say something.” He paused. “I’m sorry.”
    Her lips curled into a snarl. “Sorry?”
    Clearly not what she thought she’d hear.
    “Yes, I’m very sorry, Angelina. I won’t deny that I’m attracted to you, but I’m a professional, and I violated my work ethic. If you want to find another riding instructor, I understand.”
    “Find another instructor? Are you serious?” She paced back and forth. “Chad handpicked you for my father. He’s insisting I learn to ride, and so far all I’ve learned is how to clench my butt in a chair.”
    And what a finely-shaped butt it was. He itched to caress the contours of that perfect feature.
    “You’ve learned how to sit on a horse. You’ll see the value of that tomorrow when we have our lesson.”
    “What if—” She stopped abruptly.
    “What if what?”
    “Oh never mind!”