Read The Riding Master for Free Online Page A

chest. “You blended in, or eavesdropped?”
    “Both,” he admitted with a slight nod. “The best way to find out what kind of instructor you are is to listen to the parents of those you teach. If they are happy with you, then their kids are happy with you.”
    She could not decide if she should be enraged or inspired by his method.
    “All the parents there gave you glowing recommendations. They all agreed that you were firm, patient, encouraging, and had a way with children.”
    Rayne shook her head. “I know I should be mad at you for pulling such a stunt, but somehow I’m relieved, like I passed some kind of test.”
    “Who said you passed?”
    She stared at him, trying to decipher exactly what was going on behind his captivating gray eyes. “Well, I assume if I had not passed, we wouldn’t be here, having dinner together.”
    “Why we are having dinner together has nothing to do with your skill as a riding instructor. I want to get to know you outside of the stables, but that doesn’t mean I won’t ride your ass if you’re screwing up with your students.”
    She smirked at him. “Gee, and I was just beginning to like you, Mr. Newbury.”
    His rumbling chuckle made a few of the other diners look their way.
    Bothered by the extra attention, Rayne leaned in closer to the table. “Why are we having dinner together? I thought this was about the stables.”
    “Really? And I thought my intentions for you were pretty obvious.”
    Her face fell and she shifted uneasily on her bench. 
    Trent rested his arms on the table, intently observing her. “Why do you always look so scared as soon as I even hint at any intimacy between us?”
    Rayne’s eyes flew to his and she pushed down the rise of panic in her throat. “I wish you wouldn’t use that word.”
    “What word?”
    “Intimacy. It sounds so…personal.”
    He broke out in a fit of loud laughter, making Rayne squirm even more.
    “Are you always this uncomfortable with men?” Trent probed after his laughter had abated. “You act like you’ve never been with a man.”
    “I’ve been with a man,” she obstinately defended. “I just don’t like…discussing such things.”
    “By ‘things’ do you mean sex?” His grin widened.
    Rayne ran her hands up and down her bare arms, remaining quiet.
    Trent paused, taking in her obvious discomfort. “Rayne, I want to ask you something, and I don’t want you to get offended or upset, all right?”
    She hesitated, leery about his intentions. “What is it?”
    “What was your marriage like?”
    “My marriage?”
    “Yes.” His eyes stayed locked on her. “How was it? How did Foster treat you?”
    She sighed as she mulled over the question. “Okay, I guess. I mean, Foster worked a great deal, and when we did have time together it was usually attending those parties or benefits I told you about. In the beginning, I was kind of disappointed there wasn’t more time for us; after a while, I began to enjoy my time apart from him.”
    “Why did you enjoy your time apart?”
    She placed her hands on the table. “After the first three years, Foster changed. Nothing big, but it was the little things I began to notice. We didn’t talk as much, he spent more time at home on the phone or watching television, and was always distracted with business. He still bought me anything I wanted, but the personal attention was less. Does that make any sense?”
    Trent eased back on his bench. “And the sex?”
    Rayne was dumbfounded by the question. Her eyes darted about the restaurant as she tried to come up with some kind of answer.
    “Was the sex the same or worse?” he pressed.
    “I…I really don’t think that is something…I hardly know you and I—”
    “Was it better or worse? That’s all you have to say, Rayne. Usually when a marriage begins to fall apart, the sex is the first thing to go.”
    “And how would you know that? Rebecca told me you’ve never been married.” Instantly regretting her words, Rayne