* * *
Did he have to hold on so damn tight? He was practically wrapped around her, and instead of feeling trapped or confined, Tessa felt...aroused and anxious.
This man kept her on her toes, and she never knew what he’d say or do next. But she did know one thing: she refused to fall for charms or let her hormones control her. After all, what did her hormones know? She’d never fully used them before.
Another city boy who exuded power and intensity would not deter her from what mattered most—winning the upcoming races and making sure Slick didn’t get any ideas about exploiting her family or spreading rumors. Nothing else mattered.
And she had to keep telling herself that, considering the way his hard chest pressed against her back, those strong thighs fit perfectly down the length of hers, and his size made her feel so delicate and protected. She didn’t want to feel any of those things. Tessa was quite happy with the way life was right now, before Grant had stepped into her stable with those heavy-lidded eyes and that day-old stubble that she knew would tickle her palm.
As she headed out beyond the buildings and guesthouses, she frowned at her sister’s cottage and the empty parking space in front. Cassie had texted earlier to say Emily was running a fever and she was running her to the urgent care facility. Hopefully, it was nothing serious.
Cassie had a full plate, being the trainer for Stony Ridge and now a single mother. All the more reason they needed to hire a new groom. The timing couldn’t be worse for being one man short. They’d tried a replacement after Cassie’s ex left, but that groom had ended up moving out of state, so here they were, waiting on their dad to find another.
Tessa sped up, moving down the edge of the property line toward the most beautiful place on the estate. She knew Grant would love it, and she had no doubt at least one part of the film would be shot at this location. So many memories were held here, and she figured he’d want to know the special history of her parents.
Even though her mom had been gone for a while, Tessa felt every day the indescribable void she’d left. There was always an ache, an emptiness in her chest that had settled deep when Rose had passed. Nothing and no one could ever fill that gaping hole.
She and her mother had shared so much. Rose had always stressed the importance of not giving away love or your body to just anyone. Both were too precious to throw around.
Tessa had always promised her mom she’d wait for the right man. He just hadn’t come along yet.
She highly doubted the man molded to her back was “the one,” but he certainly was more tempting than any other guy she’d ever encountered.
Tessa cruised over the rise and came to a stop so Grant could take in the view.
“Oh...that’s...wow. Tessa, that’s beautiful.”
Up ahead lay a valley with a large pond surrounded by evergreens. The water always seemed so vibrant and glistening. A part of her was thrilled that his reaction was all she’d hoped.
“I always ride out here to relax,” she told him. “It’s so peaceful.”
Turning slightly to see his face, she watched as his eyes roamed over the land, as if he’d never seen a more beautiful sight. She wanted to study him, memorize everything about him, but what would be the point? He wasn’t staying, and even if he were, she didn’t have time for a relationship, didn’t want a relationship and certainly didn’t intend to start one.
They’d technically just met, so all either of them was feeling was pure lust. Lust would get her nowhere but on a road to heartache. She was totally out of her element here.
Added to that, she highly doubted she was Grant’s type. He probably wasn’t too keen on virgins. Kissing was her limit until she found someone she truly felt a deep connection with, and if Grant ever knew that... Well, he would never know that, because this whole train of thought was coming to a crashing halt.
Seriously, this whole string of ideas only led down a path to a dead end.
“Want me to take you down there?” she offered.
“Please.”
She revved up the four-wheeler and took off down the slight slope toward the pond. Once at the water’s edge, they couldn’t be seen from the main house in the distance.
Grant slid off the seat first and offered a hand to help her. As much as she wanted to bat it away, she accepted it. Hey, if a sexy man was going to play gentleman, she was going to take full advantage of the situation.
He dropped her hand once she was on her feet, and Tessa smiled as his eyes roamed over the wide pond.
“My father used to bring my mother out here for picnics,” she related. “I remember her telling me and Cassie about them.”
Tessa glanced toward the water and sighed. “I never got tired of hearing about their romance. I think it’s important for children to see their parents in love, to know what they should look forward to, and not settle for anything less.”
* * *
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. 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.
“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.”
When Opposites Attract... Page 4