LITMIR.BIZ

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      Grant turned his attention to Tessa. The ends of her ponytail danced in the breeze, her eyes were focused off in the distance and her arms were crossed over her chest. He knew she was trying to visualize the moment her mother had told her about, knew Tessa was more than likely a romantic at heart.

      “And is that why you’re single?” he asked. “You’re not going to settle?”

      Glancing over to him, Tessa quirked a brow. “No, I’m not. I shouldn’t have to. I’m not looking to marry right now, anyway. I’m a little busy. What about you, Slick?”

      Grant laughed. “I’d love to settle down. My parents aren’t much different from yours. And I agree it’s important for parents to show their love. I plan on having kids and I want them to see how much I love their mother.”

      Tessa’s eyes widened, her mouth dropped.

      “What?” he asked, stepping closer so that he could see the navy specks in her eyes. “Didn’t expect me to have goals in the marriage department?”

      “Actually, no, I didn’t.” She stared at him for another moment before turning back to look at the lake. “I ride Oliver when I need to get away. I get on him and he just automatically comes down here. Recently...”

      She shook her head, and Grant waited for her to continue, but she didn’t. He didn’t like the sadness that slid over her face as she gazed at the water.

      “The racing getting stressful?”

      “No more than usual. But it’s something I love, so the stress is mostly self-induced.”

      Tessa eased down onto the ground, pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. “Go ahead and have a seat, Slick. Unless you’re afraid you’ll get a grass stain on your new designer jeans.”

      He didn’t tell her his jeans weren’t designer or new, but he did plop right down next to her, a little closer than she was probably comfortable with. But she was trying to get under his skin, so he damn well would get beneath hers.

      A smile spread across her face. “Spend much time in the country?” she asked.

      He’d grown up in a modest home surrounded by fields and wildflowers in the heart of Kentucky, but she didn’t need to know that. She already had an opinion of him, and he’d break it down by his actions, not his words.

      “Enough,” Grant told her. “Much more peaceful than the city. But there’s a reason for both, and some people just aren’t cut out for the other.”

      “What about you?” she asked. “You’re all city boy. Are you going to be able to handle the next few weeks here with me?”

      Unable to resist her jab, Grant reached up, slid a stray strand of her hair behind her ear and allowed his hand to gently roam back down her cheek in a featherlight touch. She trembled beneath his fingertips.

      “I think I can handle it,” he whispered, purposely staring at her mouth, waiting for that dimple to make another appearance.

      Her eyes widened before she turned back to the pond. She might be all tough exterior, but Grant had a feeling the lovely, intriguing Tessa Barrington had layers upon layers to her complexity. He wanted to peel each one away and find what she truly had hidden inside.

      “Do you have other special areas on the property?” he asked, circling back to the fact he was indeed here to do a job, and not seduce.

      “All of the estate is beautiful,” she told him. “There’s a wooded spot on the edge of the property that has this old cabin. It was the first home on this land, built long before my dad lived here. He never tore it down, and Cassie and I used to play there when we were kids. It’s also where my dad proposed to my mom.”

      “Show it to me.”

      Grant hopped to his feet and extended his hand to help Tessa up. She resisted for all of a second before slipping her delicate hand into his. Before she could fully catch her balance, Grant tugged her against his chest, causing her to land right where he wanted her.

      What the hell was he doing? He knew better than to play games like this, but damned if his hormones weren’t trying to take over. That whole chat he’d had with himself about compartmentalizing had gone straight to hell.

      But each time he was with Tessa something came over him, something he couldn’t explain, and he was drowning in confusion and...her.

      Tessa’s breath caught, and those bright blue eyes held his. With her body molded against his, Grant had no clue what to do now. Well, he knew, but he was supposed to be a professional and not get tangled up in this world on a personal level. Mentally and emotionally, he couldn’t afford to.

      Besides, the last thing he needed was to get kicked off the set before filming even started.

      Yet, as usual, lust controlled his actions.

      “What about you, Tessa?” he asked, eyeing her lips. “Are you all country girl or could you handle the big city?”

      Something cold flashed through her eyes before she pulled away and glanced at her watch. “You only have twenty minutes left, Slick. Better go see that cabin.”

      Whatever trigger he’d just hit on, Grant had a feeling he would annoy her even more before he figured out what he’d said that upset her. Because he knew their body contact hadn’t gotten her so angry. No, he’d seen desire in her eyes, maybe even confusion—a glimpse of an internal battle, but not anger.

      He followed her back to the four-wheeler and climbed on behind her. This time Grant held on to the back rack instead of Tessa. He was treading on thin ice as it was.

       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.

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