After the Fall

to posting in a single lesson—and God, the way his thighs flexed through his jeans as he rose and sat in time with the horse’s gait made my head spin.
    It was just as well he had a clue what he was doing. The lessons I’d promised were turning out to be half-assed at best. I’d genuinely set out to give him proper instructions, and each day I told myself I would do exactly that, but what could I say? It was hard to concentrate when he was in the saddle. I was supposed to be shouting “Heels down !” and “Shoulders back !” and all those things trainers barked at their students, but I kept catching myself staring at his shoulders and not giving a damn if they were back or slouched. God help me if the summer got any hotter and he started taking off his shirt while he rode.
    Before my pulse went haywire again, I called out, “That’s enough for today.” Is it ever. “Let’s put her away so she can rest a bit before she eats.” And so I can catch my breath.
    He eased her down from a trot to a walk. When we’d first started, he’d bounced awkwardly during transitions like that, but he was so much better now. Just a few lessons, and he could already sit easily while she downshifted. Once she was walking, he loosened his reins, and as she stretched her neck, he leaned down to pat her shoulder. His hips twisted slightly, and Tsarina obediently turned and started toward me.
    He brought her to a gentle halt beside the bleachers. She lowered her head over the rail, nuzzling my hand and no doubt searching for yet another treat.
    “I’m impressed.” I stroked her face as Ryan dismounted. “You really are a natural.”
    He landed beside her, tiny clouds of dust jumping up beside his boots. “Thanks.” He carefully pulled the reins over her head. “By the way, I figured out why she keeps spooking over there.” He nodded toward the southeast corner of the arena.
    “Oh, yeah?”
    “There’s a bird’s nest behind the post. You can barely see it, but I think she can hear it.”
    I sighed heavily and eyed Tsarina. “A bird’s nest? Really?”
    Ryan laughed. “She’s going to be thrilled when the chicks start trying to leave the nest.”
    “You big baby.” I patted her neck. “They’re only birds.”
    Tsarina just snorted.
    “So.” Ryan grinned. “Should we do this again tomorrow?”
    “Oh, yes.” I gulped. “Yes. Definitely.”
    Ryan winked. “Looking forward to it.”
    So am I, my friend. So am I.

    After another incredibly fun climb up the six flights of stairs to my apartment, Ryan and I stopped outside my door.
    “Thanks for helping me up again,” I said.
    “Anytime. And, as always, if you need anything else, let me know. Even if it’s just to get out of the house once in a while so you don’t get stir-crazy.”
    “Thanks.” I smiled, and he returned it.
    “Well, um.” He cleared his throat. “I guess I should get going. Another early morning.”
    “Yeah, I have to get up too.” Our eyes met. Lingered. My heart sped up.
    “Anyway.” He broke eye contact and took a step back, inching toward the stairs. “Have a good night.”
    “Yeah, you too.” I started toward the door but hesitated. “Oh. By the way, just so we’re clear, you’re not obligated to do any of the rest of this stuff. Just keeping Tsarina exercised is way more than I could ask for.”
    A smile I couldn’t quite decipher—sort of shy, but sort of not—spread across his lips. “You really think I’m doing any of this out of obligation?”
    “I . . .” I don’t know. “Why are you doing it?”
    The smile remained. So did the eye contact. With a subtle shrug, he said, “Why wouldn’t I?”
    “Well, I coldcocked you across the face the day we met, for one thing.”
    Ryan laughed, dropping his gaze. “And my face broke your hand, so we’re square.”
    Our eyes met again.
    I cleared my throat. “Then . . . why . . .”
    He stepped a little closer, chasing away all the oxygen in the hallway. “Isn’t it obvious?”
    “Um . . .” I tried not to choke on my own breath. “You might have to break it down for me. Tell me like I’m stupid.”
    He laughed again, quietly, and I felt it this time, warm and soft across my lips, because he was moving in closer. And before I could fit all that together in my head, he pressed his lips to mine.
    I couldn’t move. At all. If not for the crutch and the cast, I had no idea if or how I’d have stayed upright.
    Was this happening?
    Ryan tilted his head a