“Come on, you’ll be fine.” With his arm around her shoulders, he guided her into the nearest stall. She could hear the sound of the horse’s teeth, chewing and grinding as it munched the oats in its feeder. “This is Chip. He’s just a big baby, and he loves his rubdown. Here. Take the towel like this.” He guided the towel in her hand over the horse’s back. She felt a shudder of pleasure beneath her palm.

“Oh . . .” Megan breathed.

“See, he likes it,” Conner said. “We have to dry the horses off when we put them away, or they might get sick. Now try it alone . . . See, you’re doing great. Go ahead and rub him down while I take care of his brother. If you get nervous, or have any questions, call me. I’ll be right in the next stall.”

Trying not to shake, Megan continued rubbing the moisture from the horse’s satiny coat. “There, Chip . . . Take it easy . . .” She murmured the words to the horse, but she was really talking to herself. Every time the huge animal snorted or flinched, she wanted to leap out of the stall. But as she worked, the task became easy, even pleasant.

“Good job.” Conner stood at the entrance of the stall, watching her. “I was almost getting jealous of the horse.”

Megan was grateful that the shadows hid the blush that crept into her face. “Are we finished?”

“We are. Hand me that towel, and we’ll call it a good day.”

“So I can go?” She passed him the damp towel as she left the stall. He tossed it into a nearby laundry basket and closed the stall gate behind her.

“You could’ve gone anytime, Megan. But I was hoping you’d stay. I’m glad you did. Come here.”

Reaching out, he caught her hand and pulled her toward him. Megan went without resisting. She knew that he meant to kiss her, and she knew that she’d wanted it to happen. Wasn’t that why she’d stayed for so long?

“Take a chance. ”

His arms claimed her, pulling her close. He’d kissed her once before—a chaste and gentlemanly kiss that had burned like a slow flame through her senses. This kiss was as different as a sweeping storm from an afternoon breeze—dizzying in its power, opening floodgates of response. With a low whimper of need, she molded her body to his. Her fingers raked his hair, pulling him down to her, deepening the intimacy between them.

“Damn it, Megan . . .” His lips nibbled hers, his voice rough in his throat. “I’ve been wanting to do this all day. It’s been driving me crazy.”