The Biker's Fate Chapter 206

One week later, I walked a very healthy and well-guarded Fozzie to the mounting block outside the covered arena, settled myself in the saddle, and then guided him inside. Knight stood in the middle of the arena, his arms crossed, studying me.

"Posting trot, Kim," he directed. "Pull your feet out of the stirrups first."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it."

"I'm not six, Knight."

He smiled. "I know, but I want to see how many bad habits you've collected since you were."

I rolled my eyes, slipped my feet out of the stirrups, and crossed them over the saddle. "Why are we doing this again?"

"Humor me." He closed the distance between us and ran his hand up my leg. "I'll make it worth your while tonight."

"Oh, really?"

"Definitely."

Because he was so tall, I was able to lean down for a quick kiss before he made his way back to the center of the arena and I guided Fozzie into a posting trot. Good God, I forgot how hard this was.

"Heels down, Kim."

"I know, Aidan. I'm working on it." I gripped the saddle harder with my thighs, relaxed my calves and lowered my heels.

"That's it," he encouraged. "Canter, right lead."

Fozzie slid seamlessly into the canter and we moved as one. I always believed he was the greatest horse on the planet and right then it was confirmed.

"Cross through the center on the diagonal and switch leads," Aidan continued.

This was where things got a little hairy. Fozzie did not like his left lead and, as much as he loved me and worked hard for me, he tended to get a little stubborn when he was on that side.

"Kim, bring him to a stop."

I sat back, exhaled, and Fozzie stopped immediately. Knight walked toward us and lowered the stirrups. "I get those back now, huh?" I said.

He smiled and helped me slide my feet in. "I want you to approach those two jumps on his left lead, then we'll do it again on his right, okay?"

"Do I get to ask why now?" I challenged.

"Nope."

I cocked my head. "What are you up to?"

"I'll tell you after you take those jumps," he promised.

I rolled my eyes and did as he demanded, then walked Fozzie for a few minutes since Knight was on his phone. I couldn't imagine who he'd be talking to, considering this whole exercise had been for him, but whatever. I was just happy my horse was back to fighting form.

"You're such a good boy," I crooned as I continued to walk Fozzie around the arena.

"Kim?"

I turned toward Knight who was now off the phone. "Yeah?"

"You can be done now."

"I thought we were going to ride."

"We can if you still want to." Knight had moved one of his horses to my barn so that we could spend more time together.

I raised an eyebrow. "Can you keep up with us?"

"You haven't met Apollo yet... I'll let you figure that out on your own."

"You're on."

"I'll meet you back here in five minutes," he said.

"I'm timing you."

I continued to walk Fozzie until Knight rode in on a huge black Friesian. Admittedly, I was a snob, considering I rode English and felt Western was somewhat barbaric, but to see my man riding in on the beautiful horse in understated Western tack, I was figuratively brought to my knees. "Wow."

"Yeah, he's a good boy," Knight said.

"Is he your stallion?"

Knight owned a stallion and two geldings. He'd left two of his horses in Wilsonville with two of his students, and if this was the level of his horses, he was an excellent judge of equine flesh.

"Yeah."

"He's so chill," I mused.

"Yeah, he is... not so much near a mare in heat, but right now, he's good."

"Is he going to be okay on an unfamiliar trail?"

Knight chuckled. "Yeah, sugar, he'll be great."

"Follow me." I led him out of the arena and to the entrance of the protected greenspace that bordered the barn. Knight pulled Apollo up beside me and I studied him for a second or two. "Are you going to tell me who was on the phone?"

"Depends. Do you want to try out for the Olympic team?"

"I'm sorry?"

"We need an alternate for the Olympic team. You and Fozzie would be perfect."

I pulled to a stop. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah. It would require focus and training, you'd have to quit your job, but—"

"Why would I have to quit my job?" I challenged.

"Because you'll burn yourself out if you don't."

"You obviously don't know me."

He chuckled. "Baby, you don't have to work. I get why you want to, sort of, but you have more money than you can spend in a lifetime, so why don't you use it to focus on riding for a while. You can get a dead-end waitressing job anytime."

I rolled my eyes. "I get that I've competed a lot, but I haven't competed at Rolex or Badminton. Those are generally the competitions that help decide the team. How would we get around that?"

"You can compete in Rolex in April and if you do well, we'll hit the Badminton in May."

"Aidan, I don't know if any of this is even possible."

He smiled. "Sugar, you are, by far, the most gifted rider I've ever worked with. You have some bad habits, granted, and your horse isn't considered a pedigree, but I don't actually give a shit, because he'll work harder for you than any of these million-dollar horses the Team's riders are on. Once I correct your vices, I think you could win the whole fucking thing."

I bit my lip. "Am I that bad?"

He shook his head. "You're amazing, Kim. You just have a couple of issues, which are easy to fix."

"I'm really the most gifted rider you've worked with? You're not just saying that because I like to suck you off?"

Knight roared with laughter, spooking our horses a bit, but we got them under control even as he continued to laugh.

"God, I love you," he said as we began our ride again. "And, no... you sucking me off just happens to be a bonus."

I grinned. "Good to know."

"I really do think you can make it all the way, sugar. The powers that be are on board as well."

"That's who was on the phone," I deduced.

"Yep."

"Can I think about it?"

"Yeah." He smiled. "But ask questions, Kim. I'll answer any I can, but I don't want you decidin' you're not doin' it because you have questions you've answered, incorrectly, in your head."

"Don't talk to me like you know me." He pulled Apollo to a stop and I did as well, turning in my saddle to face him. "What?"

He reached out and pulled me close. "Love you." He kissed me gently and smiled.

"Love you, too," I whispered.

"Ready to show me what Fozzie can do?"

"Ready to keep up?" I challenged.

"Bring it, sugar."

I grinned and guided Fozzie away from Apollo, setting him toward the most open part of the trail. As soon as we cleared the trees, we took off. I could almost feel Fozzie's smile as we ran at a controlled gallop through the trail, rounding trees and jumping anything that might have been in our way.

We'd been going for nearly fifteen minutes by the time I pulled Fozzie into a trot, then a walk. I glanced behind me and found Knight and Apollo pulling to a walk. "You kept up. I'm impressed."

Knight smiled. "I was enjoying the view."

I giggled. "Yeah?"

"You got a great ass, sugar. Not gonna lie."

"You can tap it later," I promised.

"Countin' on it."

We walked the horses back to the barn, enjoying the rare warm, dry day and talking about everything but the possible Olympics.

I honestly couldn't have asked for a better day.