The Barrington Brothers. Jules Bennett
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their “allotted” times.
“Does she do anything for fun?” he asked.
“You’re looking at it. She lives for this.”
On one hand Grant admired Tessa’s drive and determination. He had more drive for career than anything himself. But on the other hand he found it sad that this was her whole life.
And from a purely personal level, the thought of her spending more time on her horse than off flat out terrified him.
Her career stirred up so many haunting emotions. Not that they weren’t always there, but having the lifestyle thrust in his face all day only made the memories that much more hellish.
Yet the attraction was something he hadn’t planned on...and couldn’t ignore.
“She doesn’t date?” he found himself asking before he could keep his mouth shut.
Cassie spared him a glance. “She just got out of a relationship, which is another reason she’s pushing herself even more.”
Bad breakup? While Cassie didn’t say it, the message was implied. And there was a story there. Grant never turned away an intriguing story....
“So when will the rest of your crew arrive?” Cassie asked.
“A few weeks.” He caught her smile and laughed. “You seem excited about this.”
She shrugged her free shoulder. “What’s not to be excited about? My father is an amazing man, a prestigious horse owner and winner. A movie about his life will be awesome.”
“You forget you and Tessa are a huge part of his success, and in continuing the Barrington tradition.” Grant glanced at the track as Tessa came flying by again. “I don’t think your sister feels the same.”
Cassie nodded. “Tessa and I don’t always agree on things. Besides, she has her reasons for not being so thrilled about this film.”
“And you aren’t going to share those reasons, are you?”
Cassie laughed. “Nope.”
Emily started to stir on her shoulder, and Cassie patted her back. “I better head back inside and get dinner started. It was nice to officially meet you, Grant.”
“I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of me.”
She walked away, and Grant turned back to watch Tessa, but she was out of sight. He took his boot down from the rung of the fence and headed into the stable.
He found her in the last stall, pulling the saddle off Don Pedro’s back and hanging it up. At some point he’d quiz her on the reason behind the horse’s name, though he had a pretty good idea.
He knew enough Shakespeare to know Don Pedro was a prince in Much Ado About Nothing, and her recreational stallion’s name, Oliver, stemmed from the villain, who later repented, in As You Like It.
Apparently Miss Barrington had a romantic streak. So why was she fighting this obvious attraction?
Straw shuffled beneath his boots as he made his way closer. Oliver shifted in his stall and Grant froze for a half second before he forced himself to keep walking.
He would not revisit that time in his life. Fear was only a state of mind, and he’d be damned if he’d let it overtake him.
“I just met your sister,” he said as he moved in closer.
Tessa didn’t stop her duties, didn’t even spare him a glance as she picked up a brush and started her routine circular brushing.
“Emily is adorable, but she slept through our meeting.” Grant tucked his hands into his pockets. “Cassie seems pretty excited about the film.”
Maybe that comment warranted a grunt, but he wasn’t sure the noise was directed at him or the fact that Tessa was reaching up to brush the horse’s back.
“It’s a beautiful day—”
“What are you doing here?” she asked, tossing the brush into the tack box with so much effort it bounced right back out.
Grant paused. “Working.”
“No, here in the stable. Right now. What do you want?”
Her eyes were practically shooting daggers. Okay, something had pissed her off and he had a sinking feeling that “something” was him. How did women get so fired up, when a man was still left clueless?
“I was watching you train,” he told her honestly. “I’m just amazed at your talent.”
Tessa moved around Don Pedro, coming to stand in front of Grant. Propping her hands on her hips pulled her shirt tighter across her chest, and he had to really concentrate to keep his eyes level with hers and not on those tiny strained buttons.
“Don’t you have a film to be working on instead of ogling my sister?”
For a second he was shocked, then shock quickly turned to a warmth spreading through his body. She was jealous. Best not to laugh or even crack a smile. But damn, he liked knowing he’d sparked some emotion from her other than disdain for his occupation.
He could have fun with this morsel of information, but he was never one to play games...especially with women. He may have dated his fair share of ladies over the years, but they always knew where he stood with their relationship. Besides, he was ready to start settling down, making a home and a family, after this film wrapped up.
For now, he wanted to get to know Tessa on a personal, intimate level, away from her racing lifestyle. He had interest in the woman, not the career.
“Actually, I was watching you and working.” He crossed his arms and met her icy stare. “We’ll be shooting here, and I was watching as the sun moved in the sky, to see where it is at certain times and how the shadows fall across the track. Your sister came up to me to introduce herself, since we hadn’t been formally introduced yet.”
A bit of heat left Tessa’s expression, but Grant couldn’t resist. He stepped closer and bent down until her eyes widened and her warm breath feathered across his face.
“And if you’re not interested in me, Country, then it wouldn’t matter if I was flirting with your sister or not, now would it?”
He turned, walked out of the barn and kept going until he was back in his guest cottage. Damn woman could make a man forget everything but the thought of kissing her senseless and finding a better use for that smart mouth.
* * *
Since she was raised a well-mannered lady, for the most part, Tessa found herself standing outside Grant’s cottage. The sun had long since set, and she’d been in the stable, talking to herself and trying to find a way out of groveling and apologizing.
There was no way out.
After a gentle tap of her knuckles on the mission-style door, Tessa stepped back and waited. If he didn’t hear her knock, she’d leave. At least she could say she’d tried.
A large part of her hoped he didn’t hear.
But a second later the door was flung open and Grant stood there, wearing only a towel, chest hair and water droplets.
“Tessa.” He hooked an arm on the half door, causing his muscles to flex and her mouth to go desert dry. “What are you doing here?”
“I...I came to apologize.” She tried to focus on his face, but dear mercy, all those bare muscles were distracting her. “Um...for earlier.”
Grant smiled and opened the door wider. “Come on in.”
“Are you going to put clothes on?”
Laughing, he stepped back to let her pass. “You want me to?”
She came face-to-face with him and nodded. “I think it’s best.”
He closed the door