He cupped her face in his hands, his palms warm against her soft cheeks. "You don't have to do this if you don't want to," he murmured.
His voice was so gentle, so achingly tender, she felt as though she could dissolve into it and never want for anything again.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she whispered, her voice trembling. His dark eyes softened, their intensity ebbing into a stormy gray that seemed to glow faintly.
She guessed that's what pupil dilation looked like.
But why?
He was the one who hurt her.
Had he forgotten what he did?
"If you want me to stop, I will." His voice was a quiet promise, his warmth seeping into her trembling body.
Her body betrayed her heart. Her heart betrayed her mind. And her mind seemed to shut down entirely as the words tumbled out: "Teach me how to ride."
His smirk curved slowly, wickedly, his gaze a seductive caress.
