The Rider's Dangerous Embrace (An Interracial Bad Boy Romance Story) by Nicole Jordan

met his and she had to fight to tear her eyes away.
    “You are just going to have to find out.”
    “We’ll see. So where is this training ground?” She asked again, trying to change the subject.
    It worked.
    “This is your property. Why don’t you know?”
    “I do. I’ve been here a few times. With dad. Haven’t gotten further than the equestrian center. Since…” She cleared her throat, tears welling up in her eyes.
    She tried to look away so that he didn’t see, but it was too late. He spotted the glassy look and the water that followed, she could tell by the look in his eyes.
    When she looked back she could see a new look. Comprehension. Compassion. At least his solid, severe stare was gone.
    “I’m sorry. I- I didn’t think.” He stuttered. Actually stuttered, his jaw slack as he looked at her. He knew he crossed a line.
    She cleared her throat and leveled her stare at him. She had the advantage and she knew it. For the moment.
    “Bull rider’s pen? Please?” She pursed her lips and waited. Business. She needed to keep it business or she was going to lose it.
    “Uh yeah, sure. My truck’s next to the barn. Come on. I’ll take you.” He buried his hands back in his pockets and put his head down, making his way in a straight line.
    She must have really gotten to his confidence. But rather than feeling powerful, she just felt bad. So many people treated her with kid gloves after her father passed. For the first time, in long time, someone had finally called her out for what she was. Entitled. Spoiled. A princess. And she liked it.
    Jayda contemplated the tall, handsome cowboy as she walked over to his truck. Opening the passenger’s side door she slid in, her body sliding across the vinyl and in place. She set her jaw and looked at him with those same-pursed lips.
    “Are we going or what?”
    “Yes my lady. Whatever you command, Princess.” He bowed low before her, in mocking servitude and then hopped in his own side. His joking arrogance was back, acting like it never missed a beat.
    Good.

    ***

    Luke got in the truck and started it up. She roared to life with a push on the gas pedal, her echo coming back at her against the metal barn wall. Being so close to Luke, in the cab of his truck, she couldn’t help but wonder if he had ever made love in it.
    Dammit, get it together.
    She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, trying not to let him notice. He looked ahead but a smile spread wide over his face.
    Don’t let anyone else know your mind until you do.
    He was clearly in possession of the advantage here. By the look on Luke’s face she could tell that he knew. That smirk said it all. And she wanted to wipe it off his face with a hot, wet kiss.
    He backed up his pickup, changed gears and pressed on the gas as the truck lurched forward, up a gravel path that looked like it was no more than a hasty driveway. They climbed the hill, bounding and shifting with each bump and pothole in the makeshift path. Jayda gripped the handle of the truck, trying to steady herself, but it was futile. One large pothole rocked her and she was thrown, flying across the cab. Right into Luke.
    She tried to scramble over to her side of the cabin. Maintain a safe distance from the one thing that made her feel exposed, stay safe. But he was too quick. He grabbed her tight and held her close to his side, steadying her every bounce.
    “Pro tip. When riding through rough terrain it is essential to stick with the most seasoned bull rider you can come across. It’ll keep you safe”
    She was acutely aware of his arms as the words left his mouth.
    Then why don’t I feel very safe?
    They stayed like that for at least a mile, maybe two, clinging to one another, her body being thrown, shifting. All while he kept his balance perfectly, holding her there next to him, an anchor in the rocking vehicle. Finally they hit a solid patch of real road, an area that forked and merged into a dirt road that felt like a grand