Читать книгу The Barrington Brothers: When Opposites Attract... / Single Man Meets Single Mom / Carrying the Lost Heir's Child - Jules Bennett - Страница 14

Five

She rode effortlessly, with captivating beauty. The way her body controlled the stallion, the strength she possessed, the determination on her flushed face... Grant could watch Tessa Barrington for hours, and was well on his way to doing just that.

Tessa turned the corner and headed toward him. With all the laps she’d made, there was no way she could’ve missed him standing here. They’d already spent the past two days together, and he had no time scheduled with her today. But that didn’t stop him from wanting to see her, to learn more. And this sexual pull was dragging him into this damn world he’d worked so hard to put behind him.

“She’s amazing, isn’t she?”

Grant turned at the sound of a voice and found himself looking into another set of bright blue eyes. “Yes, she is. You must be Cassie.” He glanced to the baby asleep on her shoulder. “And who is this?”

Cassie’s smile widened. “This is Emily.”

Grant took in the pale blond curls peeking beneath a bright green hat, and wondered if the little girl had those Barrington blue eyes.

“How old is she?”

“Just turned one last month.”

Cassie turned to watch Tessa round another curve, and Grant studied the woman’s profile. She was beautiful just like her sister, with her blue eyes and bright red hair. But there was something more fragile, almost sad about Cassie. He’d learned enough about this family to know Cassie’s ex used to work in the stables but had left shortly after the baby was born. Anger bubbled within Grant at the thought of a deadbeat dad ignoring his kid.

But as he watched her, Grant realized there was another layer of emotions in Cassie’s eyes as she focused on her sister. Concern.

“You worry about her,” he said, not bothering to ask.

“I do.” Cassie shifted the sleeping toddler to her other shoulder. “She pushes too hard at times. Strange coming from me, since I’m her trainer. We already practiced today, but she and Don Pedro are made for each other. They’re happiest in the ring. Of course, that passion is what makes winners, but her biggest competitor is herself.”

Grant could see that. In the few days he’d been here he’d seen Tessa out of the stables only during 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 behind her and went toward one of the two bedrooms. Tessa hadn’t been in this cottage forever, but it had the same layout as her sister’s. Open floor plan, with the kitchen and living area in front. Grant had thrown a shirt over the back of the sofa, running shoes sat by the door and the smell of a fresh, masculine shower permeated the air.

Between that clean scent and those muscles he’d had on display, Tessa was having a hard time remembering the reason for her visit.

Grant strolled back into the room, wearing knit shorts and pulling a T-shirt over his head. “Care for a drink?”

“No, thanks.” She twisted her hands and remained in the doorway, because if she moved any farther into his temporary home, she feared she’d want to move further into the world she’d sworn off. “I just wanted to apologize for being rude earlier.”

“Rude? I didn’t think you were rude.” He leaned a hip on the edge of the sofa and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “You were honest. I’m flattered that you were jealous.”

Flattered? He might as well pat her on the head like a good little girl and send her off to play with her toys.

“I wasn’t jealous.” She would go to hell for lying. “I’m just protective of Cassie, and I know your type.”

The corners of his mouth threatened to curve into a smile. If he was mocking her she’d beat him with her whip. No, wait...he’d probably enjoy an aggressive woman.

He’d been so playful when they’d first met, so quick with his wit and his smiles. Her instant attraction had worried her, but now her feelings for him were growing.

Which begged the question, what did Grant like in a woman?

“What is my type, Country?”

“You think your city charm will win you any lady you want,” she told him. “Cassie has her hands full. I realize she was introducing herself, but I just didn’t want you getting any ideas.”

He straightened, then slowly crossed the room until he stood directly in front of her. “Oh, I have ideas. None of them involve Cassie, though.”

Tessa tried to ignore the shiver of excitement that crept over her...tried and failed. She didn’t want to find him appealing, didn’t want to spend any more time with him than necessary. She didn’t trust him. He oozed charm, and in her experience, that led to lying and deceit.

Backing up, hoping to make an escape, she reached blindly for the handle on the door. But as she retreated, Grant stepped forward. His fresh-from-the-shower aroma enveloped her, and his damp hair, hanging in a tousled mess over his forehead, practically begged for her to run her fingers through it.

“You could’ve apologized when you saw me tomorrow,” he murmured as he came within an inch of her face. “Why did you need to stop by now?”

Because she was a glutton for punishment. There was no other excuse.

“I wanted to clear the air before I saw you again. I didn’t want anything to be uncomfortable.”

One hand came up to rest on the door beside her head as a grin spread across his tanned, stubbled face. “I prefer to clear the air, too.”

In one swift motion, his head dipped down to hers and his free hand came up to cup the side of her face. Tessa’s back was firmly against the door, and she had nowhere to go...not that she wanted to go anywhere, because Grant’s mouth was so gentle, so amazingly perfect. Instead of pushing him away, she kept her arms at her sides and tried to remain in control of her emotions. But she did open her lips at his invitation, She was human and couldn’t resist temptation, after all.

Slowly, his tongue danced with hers and chills spread from her head to her toes in a flash. Before she could get too wrapped up in the moment, Grant stepped back. Tessa lifted her eyelids, meeting his dark gaze.

“Since we don’t want things to be uncomfortable,” he told her, his hand still framing her face, “you should know I plan on doing that again.”

Tessa couldn’t speak, could barely think. How in the world did she end up with zero control here? She’d just wanted to apologize, and instead she’d gotten the most tender, yet toe-curling kiss of her life, and an amazing view of Grant’s bare chest.

“What about—”

“The clause?” he asked, intercepting her thoughts. “Seeing as how you’re attracted, too, I don’t see why we can’t pursue more. Behind closed doors, of course. No one would have to know, Tessa.”

“I’m not interested,” she told him, lying through her still tingling lips. “Save your attraction for another woman.”

Grant dropped his hand. “Then it’s my turn to apologize. I assumed by the way you look at me, the way your pulse beats at the base of your neck, the way you catch your breath when I touch you, that you were interested in me, too. And the way you participated in that kiss... But apparently, I was mistaken.”

He leaned right next to her ear, so close his lips brushed against her lobe when he whispered, “Or you’re lying.”

Tessa tugged on the door and moved out of his grasp. “Good night, Grant.”

Like the coward she was, she ran away. Nobody made her feel more out of control, more internally restless than this infuriating man.

Surely that didn’t mean...

Tessa sighed as she climbed into her Jeep. She had a sinking feeling that Grant Carter was the man her mother had told her about. The man who would come along and make her question how she’d gotten along without him in her life.

The one man she’d been saving herself for.