My Forbidden Mentor

by Laura Mills

  It was frustrating the way he belittled her and thought to get away with it. Not quite sure how to express herself, she spoke the first thoughts that came to her mind. “I thought you were to teach me of racing horses, Lord Blackburn, not the ways of nature.”

  His expression of surprise was apparent but he was quick, lifting the basket from the blanket. “Shall I fill this basket with water to put out the fire?” he asked in sarcasm, continuing to fuse her.

  Oh, he’s got a lot of nerve, she thought, especially when he started it. “No, there isn’t any fire here,” she said.

  “I was only jesting. I apologize for taking it out of context.”

  There was a moment of silence between them before John offered something to drink. “Champagne?” he asked while holding the bottle in one hand and popping the cork with the other. He was trying to occupy himself with anything to distract him from her slipping sleeves.

  “Oh,” she exclaimed, jumping as the cork popped off. While he poured the champagne, Melissa casually slid both sleeves of her dress back into place, then glanced over at him under dark golden lashes. He was preparing two more glasses of champagne when she couldn’t help wondering if the daring action she took to sun herself made him uncomfortable. When his eyes caught hers staring she turned away and commented on a bluebird fluttering through the branches of a tree.

  Giving her a genuine smile he held out her glass. “Do you like champagne?” he asked.

  “Yes, I suppose so. I’ve only had it one other time. It tasted sweet and had lots of bubbles, which made my nose tickle,” she giggled while touching her nose.

  His white teeth showed between seductive lips as she took the fluted glass from him. His voice was enticing as he stretched out in the same position as she. “Try it and see,” he said.

  “Mm, yes, this is the same, better than I remember and just as bubbly,” she giggled again.

  Laughing with her, she was about to take another sip when he stopped her. “Wait. I think we should make a toast,” he suggested, watching her eyes widened in surprise as she nod in agreement. They held their glasses high and John went on. “To . . . us and our future succeeding accomplishments.”

  Melissa smiled, feeling happy that her dreams were about to come true. “Hear, hear.”

  Their glasses clinked together. For a brief second their eyes met while both sipped some champagne. For a moment longer they held each other’s gaze over the rim of their glasses when the sound of footsteps approached them.

  “Are you two celebrating without us?” Miss Beckett asked playfully as she stood before the blanket they sat on.

  John smiled up at Miss Beckett. “Of course not. Here you are.” He handed Miss Beckett hers and motioned to Jess to join them.

  They both said their thanks and then Miss Beckett requested a toast of her own. With all four glasses in the air, she began. “To . . . friendship. May it be everlasting.” Four glasses of champagne clanged together.

  After a short while both Jess and Miss Beckett excused themselves by clearing the disarray of dishes. They both headed for the carriage to look through and discuss more of Jess’ books.

  Meanwhile John stood, motioning Melissa to follow his lead. They trailed away, spotting two huge rocks to sit upon at the edge of the stream. As they sat across from each other, John opened his journal so they could carry on with business.

  Melissa observed John scrolling through his notes and took the opportunity to linger over his features. He was a handsome man, she couldn’t deny that, but he was a handsome man with a title, money and a charismatic personality, every feature needed to attract any number of women he preferred. Melissa imagined there were many and most, she presumed, were beautiful. She found herself attracted to him as well, to everything but his title.

  Being born and raised in the country had influenced her established opinion of wealthy people with titles. They used their title to gain superiority, but in Melissa’s mind all men and women were created equal. She made an exception for Lord Blackburn, though. There wasn’t any doubt of his passion for the teachings of thoroughbreds.

  “Melissa, would Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays work for you?” John asked, lifting his head to hear a response when instead he found her observing him again. “Melissa, what are you thinking about? Apparently not the schedule.”

  His last question startled her out of her engrossing thoughts. “I, uh, yes, those days you said will suit me.”

  He cast an odd expression her way, wondering what she was thinking about. “Do you not remember the days I asked about?”

  What were they, oh, what were they? Think, think. “Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I believe.” Somewhere in her subconscious echoed the days he’d said.

  A witty smile reflected on his face. “That’s correct. Now tell me what you were really thinking about?”

  He shocked her with his innate awareness. The partial truth would be better than a complete lie. “Your passion for thoroughbreds,” she revealed.

  “Interesting. What made you think of that?”

  “I realized how much we’re alike regarding horses.”

  “Well, you’re right about that, although, I believe we’re alike in more ways than one,” he commented, turning his attention back to his journal.

  Her head tipped to the side, her mouth bearing a teasing smile. “Oh? Observing my qualities, Lord Blackburn, and comparing them with yours?”

  His eyes lifted from the book, his smile mirroring hers. “Observing, yes. It’s crucial when working together.”

  She straightened as his remark had piqued her interest. “So, share with me other ways we are alike.”

  “Are you sure you want to know?” he asked with an arch in his black brow.

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”

  He debated before deciding whether to bring up a subject he knew he shouldn’t. “Let me tell you beforehand Melissa, that I am a very honest person and I don’t sugarcoat anything. Now do you still want to hear my observations?” He felt better giving her a chance to change her mind.

  Why does he sound so serious? “Yes. You have me curious, please share with me.”

  “Well, first of all, we’re both determined. We’re both driven by the adrenaline of the race. We have a unique fondness for horses, as you pointed out,” he began saying and then hesitated, knowing his next words would impact their relationship, but he believed in being straightforward from the beginning. “Second, we’re mutually attracted to each other.”

  “And why wouldn’t we be with all that in common?”

  “By mutually attracted, I meant, physically.” He studied her reaction, her mouth opening and closing without a sound.

  Breathless, she couldn’t speak because she knew he was right. They did seem to have an inescapable attraction to each other, and it unnerved her at how easily she weakened around him. They stared for moments longer until Melissa got the courage to move. She stood and stepped away. She was stunned after he spoke such blatant words, even though he had warned her of his honesty. Would they be able to work together, she wondered, after what he had just announced? But she couldn’t jeopardize her chance because of some initial physical attraction. They would find some way of clearing this up and move on like they devised to do. Finding her voice, she tried moving on, “Please, I’d prefer to discuss the schedule like we had planned.”

  He wasn’t about to let the subject drop without freeing the tension between them. “Not yet.” She swung around to face him. “I also believe you’re curious about men and women . . . together, and I have to admit that your curiosity intrigues me.” When her eyes widened in disbelief, he concluded, “Melissa, I’m sorry if I’ve shocked you, but I believe it to be true.”

  Jolted from her happy mood, she could barely choke out a reply but managed in defense, “Is this the real reason you’re participating in our arrangement? To be intimate together?”

  Perturbed that she assumed wrong and took his whole statement out of context, he
hadn’t replied yet when she ventured on.

  “I would have preferred you told me from the beginning so you wouldn’t have wasted so much of your precious time, Lord Blackburn.” Frustration poured out of her being while standing a few feet away, and she went from a state of distress to anger. “I for one have other intentions, like our original arrangement, so please tell me now if I am wasting my time?”

  He stood also, towering over her small frame with his hands on his hips. “I cannot help but speak the truth no matter what it is. Obviously you can’t handle it and that’s why you’re acting accordingly. And no, lovemaking is not the reason I’m participating in our arrangement. Anything else I can answer for you?”

  Oh, how accurate he could be, but continuing their battle of words would get them angry and nowhere with their schedule, so she conceded and asked about the schedule again. “Can we continue with the schedule, then?”

  “First let’s resolve this matter,” he replied in a demanding tone.

  She could feel his hold on her full force now. She had to cooperate if they were to work together. Through a tightened jaw, she responded. “Yes, I am attracted to you. Is that what you want to hear?”

  “Good enough. Now let’s finish the schedule.”

  His nonchalant attitude annoyed her. Somehow she would find a way to curb his authoritative position. To prove their physical attraction would not stand in the way of progress she made a suggestion with eagerness. “Can we begin today? After all, it is Friday.”

  Bending over to pick up his journal, he decided after today’s frank conversation they both needed a couple of days to recover. “I had planned to start on Monday as I have business to take care of before then,” he answered, shifting to stand before her, clutching his book with one hand.

  They stood there staring at each other in contemplation. John was wondering if he’d made a mistake taking on this endeavor and Melissa was questioning her judgment in character.

  John’s doubts lingered as his gaze drifted over the sheer summer dress flowing along the shape of her body. Sunlight spilling through tree branches from above didn’t help to conceal a perfect figure of ample proportions, giving the teacher the wrong ideas about his student.

  Melissa grew conscious that their relationship of mentor and student could take the wrong course if they exchanged any more ardent looks like the present one. The palms of her hands began sweating, her heartbeat accelerated, and stirring in her belly was a kindling of intoxicating heat. The boldness of his heavy lidded eyes roaming over her body caused these sensations to form. Damn him, she would not be another prey for him to pounce on, their relationship should reflect only business. Gaining control of her senses she stood tall and proceeded to step closer to him. The necessity to put her training into effect took precedence. “It’s early yet. Can you spare some time so we can get started at least?”

  Her determination matched his, he noted. To be honest he could work with her today, there was plenty of time left, but her nearness was suffocating him. Strange sensations were taking over, making him feel out of control. “I can’t,” he regretfully told her.

  “Other business, I know,” she voiced in a selfish manner, assuming the lust he exposed in his eyes a moment ago was a seductive scheme that failed with her but would be successful with one of his paramours. Yes, that had to be why he rejected her suggestion. Wasn’t it just like a lord, a philandering horseman, to always have seduction on his mind? Before he could answer, she let her assumptions take over. “I see you have different kinds of business this afternoon and that is why you hesitated in answering.” Her eyes were downcast, glancing at her fumbling fingers, and then she raised them back to his steadied gaze. “Presumably a lady suitor awaiting your presence?” she guessed, amazing herself by talking to him in such a manner but she didn’t feel he was better than she, regardless of his status.

  Surprised by her speculation he wavered, searching for a reasonable excuse, but it wasn’t necessary with her accusation. With narrowing eyes, he made himself plain, “First of all, it’s none of your concern what kind of plans I have and with whom. Second, I can’t work with you today and that’s the end of it. We start on Monday. This conversation is over.”

  Still facing him with a look of astonishment, a finger came up, poking at his chest as she spoke through tense and tightened lips. “Fine then, if that’s the way you want it,” she told him, feeling angrier than usual and not understanding why.

  She turned to leave after her childish remark but John grabbed her arm. No woman was going to get away with talking to him like that. Time for her first lesson. Swinging her around, instead of quarreling with words, his lips found hers. He wanted to shock her, he supposed, but instead shocked himself.

  Taken back, Melissa resisted at first with tightened lips, but then gradually gave in as his mouth moved sensually over hers. Softer and warmer than she imagined, her eyes were closing and her lips were softening to his rhythm of movement. His tongue skillfully probed between her easing lips, expanding them so his tongue could fully engage hers with a light sucking motion. Becoming absorbed in his exploration, there was minimal awareness of his hand gripping the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her silky hair, pressuring her mouth harder against his. Without realizing her voluntary response, her lips pressed with greater force against his, her tongue freely venturing. She heard a groan emerge from John which sent her racing thoughts into a dizzying state. Astounded by the distinct feelings of arousal she was experiencing, in an instant her hands nudged against his chest to stop him.

  With reluctance he ended the kiss that was meant as a warning, a kiss that had been impulsive, and blooming hell one that had turned into a pleasurable initiation. His lips stayed close to hers. Their foreheads touched as the heaviness of their breathing intermingled. His voice, velvet and husky, spoke against her trembling lips, “Lord, you taste sweet,” he whispered. Just as he had suspected she would.

  Confused and frustrated, Melissa pushed against his chest, harder this time, causing John to balance himself as she spit back, “Is this one of your spontaneous notions?” And not waiting for an answer, she headed back for the carriage.

  John sighed in deep conflict, deciding to wait before returning back to the carriage for his current predicament was quite visibly evident. He sat on the rock again, pondering about the kiss. What had just taken place? That kiss wasn’t supposed to happen. Puzzled by his lustful mind and by her method of producing these reckless reactions from him, he was grateful for the next couple of days away from her. At least by Monday things should be back to normal. By then he would have a clear mind and be able to treat their relationship with proper authority. It was just one kiss, after all, and it didn’t mean anything.

  On the journey back, John and Melissa stayed silent toward each other, letting Miss Beckett do all the talking, which she joyfully did.

  Chapter Seven

  Monday morning finally arrived and so did Lord Blackburn. Melissa caught a glimpse of him through the barn doorway as she readied her gelding. He looked magnificent atop a thoroughbred, masculine sleekness and naturally at ease. His expression remained neutral. She had expected a scowl of some sort after Friday’s incident, but when she led her gelding outside the barn he appeared calm and even gave her a smile as he rode up to her. She returned his smile, feeling relieved from the nervous tension she’d dealt with the past couple of days. Not only was this her first lesson in racing, it was also starting under awkward circumstances all because of that burning kiss.

  “Good morning,” John said, sliding off his mare.

  “Good morning,” Melissa replied, wondering what he was searching for amid the saddle on his mare. “What are you looking for?”

  “Ah, here it is. I was afraid I had left my timepiece at home.” In his hand, lay a miniature clock nestled within a thin rope of gold chain. He turned toward her, showing her the item. “We wouldn’t get far without this today. Shall we get started?”

  Mel
issa gazed at the beautiful timepiece and then toward him. He hadn’t made any mention of Friday’s episode. Did she worry herself to death over the last two days for nothing? She nodded in agreement and watched him while he went over each characteristic of her gelding. “Is everything all right?” she asked.

  “Everything is fine. I always check over the horses each time before training,” he informed her, his hand sweeping along Thunder’s long silvery tail.

  “That seems like a good practice,” she commented.

  “It is, and I’ll expect you to do the same in time,” he replied.

  Melissa carefully watched his procedure, studying the motions of his hands as they skimmed along her gelding’s form.

  “Why don’t you go on and warm up Thunder while I put Clara in the corral?” he suggested while he straightened.

  She climbed atop her gelding and was situating herself in the saddle when she heard his voice from behind, “Off you go,” he said, and she experienced a stinging sensation on the left cheek of her behind.

  Melissa expected him to slap Thunder on the rump but didn’t expect to be the one receiving the smack of his hand on her own behind. There wasn’t any time to make a remark because Thunder jumped forward into a trot. Melissa’s mouth hung open, at the same time reaching her hand back to rub her stinging behind. Thankfully father wasn’t around to see that, she winced. I suppose I shall have to confront Lord Blackburn about that kiss and how things like that should never happen again.

  As Thunder trotted to the outskirts of her family’s land Melissa turned to see John’s progress and found a giant grin on his face just as he locked the corral gate. Her focus switched to a field of wild flowers she loved so much. Yes, she thought, it’s crucial that I deal with this now before he gets any wrong ideas.

  As the morning hours flew by John introduced basic instructions that Melissa soared through. The position of her body while riding needed work, but that was to be expected. John had his own inventive ways for effective positioning and Melissa would be the first student he tested them on.