Read Online Borderland Beauty by Samantha Holt - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Samantha Holt
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hope, Lord Dominic,” she told him as she thrust her heels into her horse, “I do not bestow my smiles easily,” she called out with a laugh as her horse raced away.
Pausing to watch her fair hair streaming out behind her and the ease in which she rode, Dominic sighed before urging his mount to catch up with her. I’ll have to get her on a horse more often , he decided. He’d caught glimpses of the real Lucy since yesterday, but this was the first time she’d revealed herself openly to him. He gritted his teeth as she flicked a glance at him, her teasing expression still in place. Lucy Montgomery was certainly a handful. What he wouldn’t give to make her his handful.
Chapter Five
Lucy was out of breath and cold by the time they ducked through the gatehouse and directed the horses to the stables. The streets had been relatively quiet now that everyone had returned to their homes for dinner, and she had ridden Misty hard. She stroked the horse with a smile, knowing she probably enjoyed it as much.
Peeking over at Dominic as he slid from his saddle, she fought the smile that seemed to linger ever since he’d chased after her. She realised she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help but feel pleased at having riled the gregarious lord. While she was constantly aware of everything, terrified of making the wrong move, nothing ever seemed to bother him. She watched with twisting envy as he strolled around with absolute assurance.
She expected him to come and aid her down but he didn’t, instead moving to unsaddle his mount. Frowning at his sudden lack of concern for her, she dismounted, muttering to herself. Foolish lass, you should be glad.
Watching the easy movement of his lithe body, Lucy gulped as her knees trembled slightly. Her lips prickled as her gaze settled on his own firm ones. He was right, of course. She would struggle to forget their kiss. Of all the men, she had to kiss him. She doubted he really gave much consideration to it, whatever he said. Lord Dominic had likely kissed more women than he could care to remember and, soon enough, she would simply be another in that long list. No doubt she wouldn’t fare too well compared to the great beauties he’d been with.
The thought stole away her smile as he came around to her horse and helped her with her saddle. His fingertips brushed briefly over hers and she darted back.
“Your hands are cold,” he murmured, turning his full attention on her as he motioned to a stable hand to take Misty.
“I—”
He cut her off as he snatched her hands and enclosed them in his. The sudden warmth sent a tingle through her and she froze as his blazing eyes locked onto hers.
“You have that look in your eyes again, Luce.”
“W-What look?”
“The one that says you do not trust me.”
“Will you not let the matter be? You know well enough my opinions. We need not go over them again.”
“Not when it steals the light from your eyes.”
Ack, who spoke like that? His every word was like poetry, plucking at her weak heart. Feeling the breath stick in her throat as she followed the lines of his strong jaw, she wrenched her hands from his, only to stumble as she struggled to turn away.
Strong hands came around her waist and pulled her upright, sending the tingling racing through her entire body. Lucy felt the heat of embarrassment rise and she cursed her clumsiness inwardly. Why was it she was perfectly composed on the back of a horse, but put her on her feet and she could barely stay upright? Dominic’s past words ran through her mind and she shook her head as she pushed his hands from her. Whether he meant them or not, she was as he’d said. A woman with ill grace and little going for her.
He stepped back as she stiffened, sweeping his gaze over her with a barely veiled look of concern. It unnerved her how he could sense the changes in her mood so easily. She should never have softened to him in the first place. If only he were not so charming.
Pausing to watch her fair hair streaming out behind her and the ease in which she rode, Dominic sighed before urging his mount to catch up with her. I’ll have to get her on a horse more often , he decided. He’d caught glimpses of the real Lucy since yesterday, but this was the first time she’d revealed herself openly to him. He gritted his teeth as she flicked a glance at him, her teasing expression still in place. Lucy Montgomery was certainly a handful. What he wouldn’t give to make her his handful.
Chapter Five
Lucy was out of breath and cold by the time they ducked through the gatehouse and directed the horses to the stables. The streets had been relatively quiet now that everyone had returned to their homes for dinner, and she had ridden Misty hard. She stroked the horse with a smile, knowing she probably enjoyed it as much.
Peeking over at Dominic as he slid from his saddle, she fought the smile that seemed to linger ever since he’d chased after her. She realised she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help but feel pleased at having riled the gregarious lord. While she was constantly aware of everything, terrified of making the wrong move, nothing ever seemed to bother him. She watched with twisting envy as he strolled around with absolute assurance.
She expected him to come and aid her down but he didn’t, instead moving to unsaddle his mount. Frowning at his sudden lack of concern for her, she dismounted, muttering to herself. Foolish lass, you should be glad.
Watching the easy movement of his lithe body, Lucy gulped as her knees trembled slightly. Her lips prickled as her gaze settled on his own firm ones. He was right, of course. She would struggle to forget their kiss. Of all the men, she had to kiss him. She doubted he really gave much consideration to it, whatever he said. Lord Dominic had likely kissed more women than he could care to remember and, soon enough, she would simply be another in that long list. No doubt she wouldn’t fare too well compared to the great beauties he’d been with.
The thought stole away her smile as he came around to her horse and helped her with her saddle. His fingertips brushed briefly over hers and she darted back.
“Your hands are cold,” he murmured, turning his full attention on her as he motioned to a stable hand to take Misty.
“I—”
He cut her off as he snatched her hands and enclosed them in his. The sudden warmth sent a tingle through her and she froze as his blazing eyes locked onto hers.
“You have that look in your eyes again, Luce.”
“W-What look?”
“The one that says you do not trust me.”
“Will you not let the matter be? You know well enough my opinions. We need not go over them again.”
“Not when it steals the light from your eyes.”
Ack, who spoke like that? His every word was like poetry, plucking at her weak heart. Feeling the breath stick in her throat as she followed the lines of his strong jaw, she wrenched her hands from his, only to stumble as she struggled to turn away.
Strong hands came around her waist and pulled her upright, sending the tingling racing through her entire body. Lucy felt the heat of embarrassment rise and she cursed her clumsiness inwardly. Why was it she was perfectly composed on the back of a horse, but put her on her feet and she could barely stay upright? Dominic’s past words ran through her mind and she shook her head as she pushed his hands from her. Whether he meant them or not, she was as he’d said. A woman with ill grace and little going for her.
He stepped back as she stiffened, sweeping his gaze over her with a barely veiled look of concern. It unnerved her how he could sense the changes in her mood so easily. She should never have softened to him in the first place. If only he were not so charming.
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