The Barrington Brothers. Jules Bennett
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around?”
“I’d love to, but since you were late, your time is less now, so we won’t be able to go over as much of the estate.”
“When I got here you weren’t ready, either.”
“Because I thought you were a no-show.”
He stepped even closer, still watching her over the side of the horse. “Not all of us can live by a schedule.”
Tessa stared for a moment, then turned and put the brush away. Grant had a feeling he wasn’t scoring any points with her, but it was fun to get under her skin, and especially fun when she had no comeback.
“Follow me,” she told him as she stepped from the stall and headed toward the front of the stable.
Grant turned and gladly followed those swaying hips. “Which horses are we taking out?” he asked, dreading her response, but refusing to succumb to fear and let his vulnerabilities show.
“No horses,” she called over her shoulder.
Grant released a deep breath. He couldn’t let the fear cripple him, but he was relieved they were leaving the horses in the barn. He followed her into another large, two-story barn on the property and smiled.
“A four-wheeler?” he asked.
“Stick with me, Slick. I’ll show you all the cool country toys.”
Oh, the possibilities of comebacks with that statement. But Grant knew it was probably best to keep his mouth shut.
Tessa threw her leg around the seat and straddled the device, then sent him a saucy look. Damn woman. She was teasing him on purpose, and he was a sucker, falling for her antics.
Maybe separate horses would’ve been safer.
“You don’t have a problem with me driving, do you?” she asked with a grin.
Mercy. With her legs stretched wide over the seat, her body leaning forward to grip the handles, Grant knew he needed to take control, and fast, before this vixen completely made a fool out of him. She was mocking him, taking his attraction and blatantly throwing it back in his face.
And he deserved it. But two could play at this game.
Grant slid on behind her, making sure to tuck in real tight from torso to hips, gripping her thighs with his own. His hands slid around her tiny waist and his mouth came in close to her ear. “I don’t mind this one bit,” he whispered, pleased when she trembled.
Tessa turned her head slightly, enough to meet his gaze, her lips nearly brushing his. “Don’t make this weird, Slick.”
Grant flattened his palms on her taut stomach. “Weird was not the word I was thinking.”
She fired up the four-wheeler, turned her attention toward the opening of the barn and took off. Grant literally had to hold on to her because the force with which she exited nearly threw him off the back...which was probably what she wanted.
Oh, this little excursion was going to be fun.
* * *
Did he have to hold on so damn tight? He was practically wrapped around her, and instead of feeling trapped or confined, Tessa felt...aroused and anxious.
This man kept her on her toes, and she never knew what he’d say or do next. But she did know one thing: she refused to fall for charms or let her hormones control her. After all, what did her hormones know? She’d never fully used them before.
Another city boy who exuded power and intensity would not deter her from what mattered most—winning the upcoming races and making sure Slick didn’t get any ideas about exploiting her family or spreading rumors. Nothing else mattered.
And she had to keep telling herself that, considering the way his hard chest pressed against her back, those strong thighs fit perfectly down the length of hers, and his size made her feel so delicate and protected. She didn’t want to feel any of those things. Tessa was quite happy with the way life was right now, before Grant had stepped into her stable with those heavy-lidded eyes and that day-old stubble that she knew would tickle her palm.
As she headed out beyond the buildings and guesthouses, she frowned at her sister’s cottage and the empty parking space in front. Cassie had texted earlier to say Emily was running a fever and she was running her to the urgent care facility. Hopefully, it was nothing serious.
Cassie had a full plate, being the trainer for Stony Ridge and now a single mother. All the more reason they needed to hire a new groom. The timing couldn’t be worse for being one man short. They’d tried a replacement after Cassie’s ex left, but that groom had ended up moving out of state, so here they were, waiting on their dad to find another.
Tessa sped up, moving down the edge of the property line toward the most beautiful place on the estate. She knew Grant would love it, and she had no doubt at least one part of the film would be shot at this location. So many memories were held here, and she figured he’d want to know the special history of her parents.
Even though her mom had been gone for a while, Tessa felt every day the indescribable void she’d left. There was always an ache, an emptiness in her chest that had settled deep when Rose had passed. Nothing and no one could ever fill that gaping hole.
She and her mother had shared so much. Rose had always stressed the importance of not giving away love or your body to just anyone. Both were too precious to throw around.
Tessa had always promised her mom she’d wait for the right man. He just hadn’t come along yet.
She highly doubted the man molded to her back was “the one,” but he certainly was more tempting than any other guy she’d ever encountered.
Tessa cruised over the rise and came to a stop so Grant could take in the view.
“Oh...that’s...wow. Tessa, that’s beautiful.”
Up ahead lay a valley with a large pond surrounded by evergreens. The water always seemed so vibrant and glistening. A part of her was thrilled that his reaction was all she’d hoped.
“I always ride out here to relax,” she told him. “It’s so peaceful.”
Turning slightly to see his face, she watched as his eyes roamed over the land, as if he’d never seen a more beautiful sight. She wanted to study him, memorize everything about him, but what would be the point? He wasn’t staying, and even if he were, she didn’t have time for a relationship, didn’t want a relationship and certainly didn’t intend to start one.
They’d technically just met, so all either of them was feeling was pure lust. Lust would get her nowhere but on a road to heartache. She was totally out of her element here.
Added to that, she highly doubted she was Grant’s type. He probably wasn’t too keen on virgins. Kissing was her limit until she found someone she truly felt a deep connection with, and if Grant ever knew that... Well, he would never know that, because this whole train of thought was coming to a crashing halt.
Seriously, this whole string of ideas only led down a path to a dead end.
“Want me to take you down there?” she offered.
“Please.”
She revved up the four-wheeler and took off down the slight slope toward the pond. Once at the water’s edge, they couldn’t be seen from the main house in the distance.
Grant slid off the seat first and offered a hand to help her. As much as she wanted to bat it away, she accepted it. Hey, if a sexy man was going to play gentleman, she was going to take full advantage of the situation.
He dropped her hand once she was on her feet, and Tessa smiled as his eyes roamed over the wide pond.
“My father used to bring my mother out here for picnics,” she related. “I remember her telling me and Cassie about them.”
Tessa glanced toward the water and sighed.