Free Outbid by the Boss by Stephanie Browning Page B

stirrup, “to tease a naïve seventeen-year-old. That would be me.”
    Sam didn’t know what to say. She opened her mouth, then closed it again, and sat there feeling like the fool that she was while Chas fiddled with the leathers. Her flash of anger had died down, giving way to empathy for that eager, humiliated boy.
    “Try that.” Sam dutifully slid her boot into the stirrup. He buckled the straps into place and then mounted up.
    Sam snuck a peek at Chas’ near-perfect physique. No surprise, he mounted Damien with ease. The stallion pranced and reared playfully. Chas’ muscles rippled beneath his tight-fitting clothes as he controlled the magnificent creature with ease. The sight of the sun gleaming on the velvety coat of the horse and the interplay of two magnificent specimens made the breath catch in Sam’s throat.
    “That’s enough now,” Chas murmured.
    The big horse snorted in response and Max’s head shot up.
    Sam loosened the reins. Max crossed the yard and fell into step with Damien, their hooves clopping contentedly as Chas took the lead from the stable yard across a swath of grass.
    “How do you keep them exercised when you’re in London?” Sam asked. She knew animals like this needed more than a comfortable box stall and paddock.
    “They’re stabled at a horse farm a few miles from here,” he explained, “but when I’m home, they’re with me. Which, unfortunately, is not often enough…” he added. “Horses were by far the best part of my boyhood.”
    Remembering her own losses, buffered by the sure protection of her grandparents, Sam gazed at Chas with new understanding. He could have gone the route of his father and grandfather, but instead he had thrown himself into rebuilding the business, rebuilding the name he had inherited.
    Chas swung towards Sam. “How are you feeling?”
    “Apologetic.”
    “You weren’t to know,” said Chas. “At least it will help you understand why I might want to catalogue the estate.” He shifted in the saddle. “In fact, your little escapade yesterday solved a major problem for me. I now have an expert who is not connected to the Hall, and whose judgment I trust.”
    “Really?” Sam glanced over at him.
    “Really.” Chas smiled wryly. “I might keep my distance at Burton-Porter, but it doesn’t mean I don’t know you are both discreet and professional.”
    They walked on in silence. The gentle sway of the horse beneath her became more and more soothing. Chas Porter was a complex man with a complicated history, Sam realized. There must not be any more intimacies for both their sakes. But perhaps they could become friends.
    “How are you feeling now?” asked Chas.
    When she saw how blue his eyes were, the answer was easy. “Great.” And, suddenly she was. She was on a horse somewhere in Derbyshire with a man who she knew would look after her. Bruise her heart in the process, maybe, but he would ensure she came to no harm while she was in his care.
    Chas kept the pace at a slow walk until they were well beyond the stables.
    Burton Park unfolded in front of them, its formal lawns giving way to a soft green meadow which sloped away from the manor house. Sam gave herself permission to enjoy the day and raised her face to the wind.
    “Shall we pick up the pace a bit?”
    Sam smiled. “Yes, please.”
    As they crossed the meadow at a slow canter, Sam knew she’d made the right decision to follow the threads of her childhood back to England.
    No matter where she ended up. 
     
     
    If only life were always this simple, thought Chas, as he watched Sam’s beautifully rounded bottom rise and fall in the saddle ahead of him. He had purposely dropped back to give her a bit of space, but the sight of her perfect curves held him in thrall. Ever since she had melted so wonderfully into his arms the night before he’d been unable to focus on anything else. This ride was supposed fix that, to clear their heads, and create a companionable distance. But