by Laura Ann
“What the heck was that?” Kinsley hissed, glaring at the strutting peacock coming her way.
“That was me scaring off your little fan club,” Sawyer said, leaning over the gate.
“Fan club?” Kinsley scoffed. “Tyrone has worked for Coach Ritton for years. He’s super sweet, and he takes a lot of guff from rude, domineering people with a smile on his face.” She shook her head. “He doesn’t need that from you.”
Sawyer leaned in closer. “The guy is already on my suspect list, and now you’re giving me more reason to have him followed.”
“Are you kidding?” Kinsley felt her eyes widen and her jaw flop open. “How in the world can he be a suspect?”
Sawyer glanced down the hallway, then slipped inside the gate, crowding Kinsley’s space. She backed up and Sawyer followed, pinning her in the corner, his hands on the barn wall on either side of her.
Sawyer brought his head down to hers and put his lips right by her ear. A shiver ran down her spine and Kinsley had to lock her knees. Now is NOT the time to swoon!
“Keep your voice down,” Sawyer whispered against her ear. “People keep glancing down at us. We need to look the part of a couple.”
Kinsley pulled back a little so she could look him in the eye. Being this near to him was messing with her equilibrium, and she was struggling to make a coherent sentence. “Right now, I don’t really care about how we look. You hurt one of my friends and I’m not okay with that.”
Sawyer sighed and ran one of his hands through his curls, leaving them in delicious disarray and Kinsley’s fingers twitching with the desire to do the same. “Look, I’ll try to be nice, but he was doing his best to put a wedge between us, and I had to lay down the law.”
Kinsley shook her head to get rid of her hair-touching fantasies and frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Footsteps could be heard on the concrete walkway, heading toward their stall, and Sawyer stiffened. His eyes met hers and Kinsley immediately knew she was in a lot of trouble.
“Guess we’re jumping into the deep end with this one,” he murmured before his mouth came firmly down on hers.
A very small part of Kinsley’s brain wanted to protest. It wanted to beat against Sawyer’s broad, firm chest. It wanted to demand an explanation. However, the other part, the obviously larger part, brought her arms up around his neck and hung on for dear life.
Everything around Kinsley seemed to disappear as Sawyer’s lips played with her own. The smell, sounds, and distractions of the barn were gone, and only the fire and contentment shooting through her veins seemed to exist. Her fingers toyed with the hair on the back of Sawyer’s neck, and when his arms tightened around her and he tilted his head for a deeper kiss, Kinsley was sure she had died and gone to heaven.
It wasn’t until Amadeus snorted and shifted his weight into Kinsley’s shoulder that she was brought out of her kiss-induced haze. Wrenching her mouth away from paradise, she gasped in a large breath and pushed against Sawyer. “Stop,” she said hoarsely.
Sawyer pulled back, his eyes wide, and panicked as they darted around the space.
Kinsley’s anger immediately dissipated and she grew concerned. “Sawyer? Are you okay?”
Sawyer’s eyes finally met hers. “I didn’t...I shouldn’t have...” He blew a strong breath out his lips and brought his forehead down to hers as he deflated. “Sorry, Kins.”
Kinsley sucked in a silent gasp at the use of her nickname. It felt all too perfect coming from his mouth.
“I didn’t mean to take it that far,” he said quietly. “We needed to make it look good for whoever was passing, but I got...” He cleared his throat. “I got carried away, I guess.”
Kinsley stamped down the flutters of excitement that filled her belly at his words. “Well, they’re gone now, and we still need to discuss your behavior with Tyrone.”
“Yeah.” Sawyer stood up straight and backed out of Kinsley’s personal space. “But I’m not changing my mind about him being a suspect.”
Kinsley threw up her hands. “Tyrone is not a suspect.”
Sawyer’s emotion disappeared and his face went stoic.
“I’m serious, Sawyer. That man is a saint. You leave him alone.”
“I can’t do that, Kinsley.” Sawyer shook his head slightly. “He was obviously upset at me being here, and has a crush on you. That puts him at the top of the list.”
“How could having a...” Kinsley looked over Sawyer’s shoulder to make sure no one was listening. “How could having a crush make him a suspect? This place is full of attractive women. he could have a crush on any number of them.”
“Yeah, but how many of them are kind to Tyrone?” Sawyer raised an eyebrow.
Kinsley snapped her mouth shut, knowing that a lot of the wealthy owners didn’t even give the poor kid a second look. “Still doesn’t make him a suspect,” she muttered. “Why would he hurt the person he liked?”
“You ever heard of hero syndrome?”
Kinsley frowned and shook her head. When Amadeus shifted again and blew out a breath, she glanced over and realized his saddle was still on and he hadn’t been brushed down. “Ah, crud.” She stepped around Sawyer. “I’m sorry, handsome,” she cooed, quickly removing all the gear from the horse.
“No worries,” Sawyer said with a crooked grin.
Kinsley rolled her eyes. “You know full well I wasn’t speaking to you.”
Sawyer shrugged and leaned one shoulder against the side of the stall. “So you say.”
Kinsley shook her head, but couldn’t help the small grin tugging at her lips. “Don’t listen to him,” she whispered to Amadeus, who nodded and snorted in return. “He’s just jealous.”
This time it was Sawyer who snorted. “That’ll be the day,” he grumbled under his breath.
Ha! Finally! Score one for Kinsley. She grinned as she picked up a brush and began to scrub Amadeus’ sweaty back.
JEALOUS OF A HORSE. I’m jealous of a horse. Sawyer fought the desire to roll his eyes at his own behavior. First, he got completely lost in that amazing kiss, and now he was wishing he was a horse. What the heck is happening to me?
“I’m still waiting,” Kinsley said over her shoulder as she worked.
“For?” Sawyer raised his eyebrows.
“For what hero syndrome is.”
“Oh.” Sawyer stood from his spot on the wall and carefully edged closer to Kinsley so he could keep his voice low. “Hero syndrome is where someone has an uncontrollable urge to be a savior. They want recognition, to actually be the hero. A lot of times, they’ll secretly create a situation that they can come in and solve.”
Kinsley paused and turned back toward Sawyer. “So you think he’s doing things to me so he can come in and be my hero?”
Sawyer shrugged. “I’m not saying he’s doing anything. I’m just saying it’s a possibility, and I plan to keep an eye on him. He obviously wants your attention. Maybe this is his way of getting it.”
Kinsley shook her head, sadness easily read on her face. “I understand what you’re saying, but I just don’t see it. What you’re describing sounds like someone who is mentally ill, and Tyrone is a little awkward, but nothing else is wrong with him.”
Sawyer pointed a finger at her. “That you know of.”
Her shoulders dropped, and Sawyer felt terrible for opening her eyes to a side of the world she’d obviously never experienced before. This is exactly what makes her a princess. She grew up in a bubble, never needing or wanting anything. It’s a far cry from where my life has gone. In the military, he’d been exposed to the worst of humanity, and it made it difficult to have any faith in humankind. He’d met people along the way who were good people, but even in this line of work, he saw far too much of the unsavory.
“I see your point,” she whispered, her eyes on the ground. When she looked up, the unshed tears swimming in her gaze made Sawyer feel like a jerk. “But please, be careful with him. Coach Ritton, who runs things around here, is t
errible to work with. He’s a bully to the full definition and he treats Tyrone worse than anyone else.” Kinsley stepped over and put a hand on Sawyer’s forearm. “Please, promise me you won’t hurt him. He doesn’t need one more man breathing down his neck.”
Sawyer’s tongue wouldn’t work for a minute. The heat radiating from her hand seemed to have paralyzed his body, and he was struggling to remember what she was asking him. He cleared his throat and backed away from her touch. He nearly cursed when he saw the crestfallen expression on her face at his rejection. “I’ll do my best to be discreet and not put any undue pressure on him.”
Kinsley’s smile was obviously forced, but she straightened her shoulders and nodded. “Thank you.”
As she went back to taking care of Amadeus, Sawyer blew out a long breath. I can’t get too close to her. I will NOT fall for my client the way everyone else has. I’m here to protect, not settle down, and her touching me is just too much. We’re going to have to keep the touching restricted to only when necessary. His mind drifted back to their kiss and the overwhelming satisfaction it gave him. Because obviously I can’t be trusted around this woman... at all.
“I’m gonna take a little walk around the barn,” Sawyer said, stepping toward the gate.
Kinsley looked over in surprise. “You don’t want to wait for a tour?”
He shook his head. Nope. I need some space to get my self-control back together. “I’d rather wander. Sometimes I can see things better if I’m not running someone else’s schedule.”
“Okay.” She gave him a small wave. “I’ll see you later, then.”
Sawyer nodded. He glanced up and down the walkway, noting the people in his vision. He then leaned back over the gate. “Be sure to let me know if anything else happens.”
Kinsley nodded but didn’t verbally respond, and Sawyer took off in the same direction Tyrone had. There’s probably an office or something down this way. That might be a good place to start.
Holding his head high like he belonged, Sawyer worked his way down the massive barn. Most of the stalls to the right and left of him were filled with horses. Their stomping and snorting made them difficult to ignore, and Sawyer nearly jumped out of his skin when one sneezed.
Geez...chill, he reminded himself. These are well-trained animals. They won’t hurt you.
A shout from outside caught his attention and Sawyer moved quickly in order to see the problem. When he finally got to a window, an older man, holding an antsy horse in one hand, was bellowing at someone that was out of Sawyer’s vision. Curious as to what had happened, Sawyer looked around to discover an outside entrance, then rushed through it.
Turning left toward the spectacle, he slowed at the corner and leaned around just enough to see what was going on.
“You never learn,” the older man growled. “I took you on as a favor to your mother, and I’ve regretted it every day since.”
Sawyer’s eyes widened when he realized Tyrone was the one being yelled at. The young man’s head hung low and his shoulders were hunched. He was the epitome of a victim. Sawyer nearly growled himself as he listened to the older man continue to berate the stable worker. That has to be Coach Ritton. Kinsley said he was a bully. No wonder she wants me to go easy on Tyrone.
He ground his teeth, hating the way the older man put down the younger one. Knowing there was nothing Sawyer could do at this point in time, he slipped back into the barn, mentally adding Coach Ritton to his list of suspects.
But what would be his motives? Sawyer scrunched his nose as he walked around examining everything. Why would a coach sabotage his own protegé? It didn’t make any sense, but if anyone had a villainous personality, it was definitely the coach.
Sawyer sighed and pushed a hand through his hair. “Guess I’ll just have to keep digging,” he murmured. “We’ve got a show in a few days. Hopefully, something will come up then.”
CHAPTER 7
Kinsley murmured to herself as she triple-checked all her gear. They were leaving for a show in the morning and she was determined that this one would go smoother than the last couple. Despite the fact that she and her father had brought in their own security, she was starting to have second thoughts.
Absolutely nothing untoward had happened during the last two weeks, and she was sure Sawyer was getting annoyed. He’d been around the barn nearly every day and the staff was starting to know him by name.
Especially the women, Kinsley growled in her mind. Her teeth clenched as she locked the tack box. Once the other women had taken a look at the handsome bodyguard, they’d swarmed like bees on honey. Not a single one had cared that Sawyer and Kinsley were dating. I mean, fake dating, Kinsley reminded herself. “But they don’t know that,” she grumbled.
“Talking to yourself again?” a snarky voice came from behind Kinsley and she spun.
“Mary Ann,” Kinsley said, forcing a cheery tone into her voice. “How are you today?”
Mary Ann raised an imperial eyebrow and cocked her hip. “Just what were you grumbling about?”
Kinsley kept the smile in place despite the fact that it felt brittle. “If I wanted anyone to know my internal thoughts, I would have spoken them louder,” she said sweetly.
“Whatever.” Mary Ann glanced around. “Where’s your boy toy?”
The heat of jealousy hit Kinsley like a wrecking ball and she nearly lost her breath. “He’s not my boy toy. He’s a man, and he’s my boyfriend.”
Mary Ann waved a hand in the air in dismissal. “Doesn’t matter. Where is he?”
“Not here.”
The other rider sniffed. “Figured he’d be here to give you a send-off.”
“I’m not leaving until the morning,” Kinsley explained, although why she felt compelled to defend herself against the spoiled daddy’s girl in front of her, she couldn’t say.
Mary Ann studied her nails. “So you’ll see him, then?”
Kinsley narrowed her gaze. “Why do you care? When or where I see him has nothing to do with you. At all.”
There went that eyebrow again.
Geez. How long did she practice to get that so perfect?
“You’re misunderstanding me,” Mary Ann explained with a fake smile. “I’m just curious about your relationship. We hardly ever have girl talk.”
We never have girl talk, and if I did, I wouldn’t have it with you. “Uh...thanks, but no thanks.” Kinsley turned her back on her competition and pretended to be busy with packing her gear, despite the fact that it was done.
“Heard you’ve been having troubles lately,” Mary Ann said casually.
Kinsley spun so fast, she nearly fell on her backside. “Excuse me?”
Mary Ann shrugged one delicate shoulder. If there was anything that Kinsley found herself jealous about with Mary Ann, it was her petite and feminine build. When the two women were standing next to each other, Kinsley often felt like the Jolly Green Giant, though she did her best not to let it bother her.
“Just rumors running around the barn.” Mary Ann smirked. “How’re your feet?”
Kinsley stepped out of her stall and into Mary Ann’s space, crowding the smaller woman and causing her to step back a little. “What have you done?” Kinsley said, her jaw clenched so tight, it ached.
Mary Ann’s face was unimpressed, but Kinsley could see her hands shaking slightly. “I haven’t done anything. I’ve just been hearing little...tidbits.” She cocked her head. “It sounds to me like Ritton’s star pupil is going to lose her spot if she doesn’t get her head on straight.” She tapped her lips with a red manicured nail. “Does Sawyer know that you’re such a klutz?”
Kinsley clenched her fists. “Go away, Mary Ann, unless you have something useful to say.”
Mary Ann laughed, but it sounded forced. “I’m going, I’m going.” She began to sashay down the walkway. “See you tomorrow!” She looked over her shoulder with a smirk.
Kinsley watched her club competitor go, her fingernails cutting into her palms. Once Mary
Ann was gone, Kinsley forced herself to release her hands. She shook them out, trying to bring feeling back to her fingers. “Stupid...spoiled...brat,” she muttered.
Kinsley checked one more time to make sure everything looked okay, then headed out to her car. The conversation with Mary Ann was stewing in her brain. I didn’t think she had it in her, Kinsley thought. Is she really the one messing with my stuff or was she honestly just repeating gossip? She chewed her lip as she drove before finally punching the button for her Bluetooth.
“Sawyer.” His deep voice echoed through her car and Kinsley had to stiffen to her spine to stay upright. “Hello?”
“Hey,” she finally sputtered. “Sorry.” Kinsley cleared her throat. “I, uh...just wanted to fill you in on some information.”
There was some shuffling on the other side of the line before Sawyer spoke. “Where are you?”
“Driving home from the club.”
“I’ll meet you there.” The line went dead and Kinsley frowned.
“Thanks! See you soon! Drive safe!” She scrunched her nose. “Or how about a good old-fashioned, ‘Goodbye’?” Kinsley blew a raspberry with her lips. “Manners still matter.”
SAWYER PULLED INTO the Storm family driveway and quickly walked up to the door. He knocked and then waited. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he rocked back on his heels. What information could she have gained? I thought she was supposed to be packing her tack.
“Mr. Lockwood.” Garrett Storm smiled as he opened the door to their grand home. “Good to see you.” He held out his hand and Sawyer shook it as he stepped into the foyer.
“Good to see you, too, sir.” Sawyer nodded. “I need to talk with Kinsley. Is she home?”
Garrett nodded. “She ran upstairs to shower.” He smirked. “Probably didn’t want to meet you smelling like the barn.”
Sawyer nodded again, ignoring Mr. Storm’s insinuation. He knew exactly what smell Kinsley’s father was talking about, though. The smell of horse was very distinct and had been present during the last couple of weeks while Sawyer had hung around the barn. In fact, the smell was practically seared into his brain, since Kinsley had smelled strongly of it when they’d kissed. Horse, leather, and sweat had mingled with other smells, and Sawyer had been surprised to find he wasn’t as opposed to it as he thought he would be.