“I prefer to think realistic,” Cassie said, throwing a smile over her shoulder.
Tessa knew Cass had had a bad time after her ex left, so she could hardly fault her for being so bitter. Poor Macduff, he’d just have to live with the name.
Cassie dropped Tessa off first, so Grant could properly kiss her goodbye without prying eyes.
“See you in my room tonight,” she murmured against his lips.
“Leave the back door unlocked for me,” he told her as he pulled her bag from the trunk.
After grabbing the suitcase and waving them off, Tessa drew her keys from her purse and let herself into her house, smiling as she closed the door behind her.
“When you move on, you really move on.”
She jerked around, heart pounding, to find Aaron comfortable as you please in her living room, sprawled out on her sofa.
“What are you doing here?” she exclaimed, remaining by the door, trying to order her heart rate to calm. The unexpected visitor had scared her to death.
Rising to his feet, Aaron crossed the floor and narrowed the gap between them. At one time she would’ve been excited to see him. At one time she’d thought herself in love and ready to accept his ring.
Right now all she felt was anger and a sense of being violated. He’d already tried to use her, and spread rumors of cheating and using illegal drugs for her horses, a fact that was quickly disputed. Did he honestly believe she’d invite him into her home?
“How did you get in here?” she asked.
“I came to see you,” he told her, as if this was a perfectly normal visit. “You wouldn’t return my texts or calls. Cassie was of no help when I talked to her the other day, and I wasn’t able to get away from the city until now. She told me you’d moved on, but I knew once I came back and explained how wrong I was, and how sorry I am for hurting you, you’d see that we belong together.”
Tessa laughed, crossing her arms over her chest. “Seeing you only makes me hate you more for how you treated me. How the hell did you get in?”
“The spare key you have hidden outside.”
She made a mental note to move the thing the second he was gone. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought he’d use it.
“Get out, Aaron,” she told him with a sigh. “You wasted your time coming here.”
“Because you were locking lips with the famous Grant Carter?”
Damn it. He couldn’t know that. Of all people, he would use that against her, for no other reason than spite.
“Anything in my life, personal or otherwise, is absolutely none of your business. Now get out or I’ll call the cops and have you arrested for trespassing.”
His hand came up and caressed her cheek. Tessa stepped back and swatted it away. “Don’t,” she told him in her lowest tone.
“I made a mistake, Tessa. I know I used you, I know I hurt you, but I want to make this work.”
Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she shook her head and jerked her front door open. “There is no ‘this’ to work on. You treated me badly, I dumped you, it’s over. Now, I have work to do.”
Before she could react, Aaron reached out, wrapped his hand around her arm and jerked her toward his chest.
“You seriously think I’ll just walk out of here? We belong together, Tessa.”
She was too angry to be scared of his strong grip, of his harsh tone. “Get your hand off me.”
“Was I not good enough for the almighty Barrington princess? You claimed you hated city life when I tried to get you to move. What do you think that hotshot will do, huh? Do you think he’ll move here and settle in the country with you?”
Tessa said nothing as she tried to break his strong grasp.
“He has a reputation, you know,” Aaron went on. “He’s a player, Tessa.”
“At least he doesn’t manhandle me.”
Aaron gave her arm a good squeeze as he shoved her away. “You’ll regret leaving me. That’s a promise.”
When he walked out the door, Tessa’s level of fear spiked. She didn’t take well to threats, especially just before her biggest season.
What had he wanted from her? Did he not get the message the first time, when she’d told him she never wanted to see him again?
He’d been with her for her family’s name, for their wealth. She’d been gullible once, and she sure as hell wasn’t going to be that way again.
No matter what Grant’s reputation was in the past, Tessa knew better now. He’d told her he loved her, and she fully believed him.
Rubbing the tender skin on her arm, where bruises were already forming, Tessa closed the front door and locked it. A car flashed by the side window and sped down her driveway. Obviously, he’d parked behind the garage, where she couldn’t see it. Jerk.
Nothing could get in the way of her racing season or her new relationship with Grant.
But he needed to know about this unexpected visit. If Aaron let this secret slip, it could destroy Grant’s future, damage his career.
She needed to focus solely on the race, but right now she had to shift focus to Grant and keeping him safe.
Twenty-One
Grant turned the knob on the back door, surprised to find it locked. He knew it was later than usual, but he’d promised he’d come over. Had she gone to bed? Surely she wouldn’t just forget.
Just as he was pulling his cell phone out to call her, Tessa flipped on the kitchen light and came rushing to the door to unlock it.
“Sorry. I was trying to watch for you, but with your black ninja gear it was kind of hard to see.”
“I assumed it would be unlocked,” he told her as he came in and shut the door behind him.
“I prefer it to stay locked while the movie is being filmed. Never know what crazies will go traipsing around.”
When she crossed her arms over her chest and glanced around the room, Grant stepped forward. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
Meeting his gaze and attempting—and failing—to smile, she shrugged. “Just trying to stay cautious.”
He rested his hands on her slender shoulders. “I live in a land where people get paid to lie. You, my darling, are terrible at it. Now, what’s going on?”
“Aaron was inside my house when Cassie dropped me off.”
“What? Why didn’t you call me right then?”
Tessa shrugged. “Honestly, I was trying to figure out how to protect you. I didn’t want you rushing over here. What if he stayed behind? What if he was waiting for you? He could’ve snapped pictures and held them over you for blackmail, or he could’ve started an altercation. I couldn’t chance it.”
“I don’t give a damn about me, Tessa. You’re obviously shaken up. I should’ve been here.” Rage boiled within Grant at some bastard who thought it was okay to toy with her. “What the hell was he doing in your house?”
“He apparently used the hidden key, which I have since removed.”
She stepped away from Grant and started toward the living room. After turning on the lamp on the end table, she took a seat in the corner of the floral sofa. When she crossed her arms around her waist and stared up at him, Grant settled directly in front of her on the squat coffee table.
“What did he say?” he asked, trying to keep his anger under control, when in reality he was ready to punch this Aaron jerk in the face.
“Just that he wanted me back, that he made a mistake.” Tessa’s eyes met his. “He also saw us kissing.”
Grant cursed, raking a hand over his head. “Well, we can’t change that now. If he says anything we can just call him a jealous ex who didn’t like a Hollywood type staying here.”
“I’m sorry,” she told him. “I don’t want to come between you and this film. I just wanted to make sure he was gone, and I knew you’d be discreet coming
out tonight.”
Grant reached for her hands. “Nothing will come between me and the film...or me and you.”
He would go to Bronson and Anthony and just explain, he decided. At this point, he needed to tell them, because he was falling deeper and deeper in love with Tessa and couldn’t avoid the truth any longer.
Besides, he wanted to stop hiding. It wasn’t fair to the relationship they’d developed, and it wasn’t fair to her. What they had was special and couldn’t be kept behind closed doors.
Glancing down at their joined hands, Grant zeroed in on the bruises on her forearm.
“What the hell is this?” he asked, gently stroking her skin. His eyes came back up to hers. “Tessa?”
“Aaron was pretty upset when I refused him and demanded he leave. Nothing I couldn’t take care of.”
Grant came to his feet. “He assaulted you.”
Tessa leaned her head back on the sofa and laughed. Actually laughed, while he was fuming with rage.
“He didn’t assault me,” she corrected. “He grabbed me, I threatened to call the cops, he left. End of story.”
“This is not something to blow off.” Grant sank onto the cushion next to her. With a sigh, he reached up to stroke her cheek. “Why do I find your independence so appealing?”
Shrugging, she smiled and nestled her face against his palm. “Same reason I find your arrogance and white knight routine appealing.”
“I wish you would’ve called me. I’d gladly accept an altercation and an opportunity to punch him in his face.”
“I was fine. Besides, you’d just been here and I knew you needed to talk to Bronson and Anthony about the film. You coming right back would only confirm Aaron’s allegations. Right now he has no proof and just sounds like a jealous ex.”
“Nothing is more important than you, Tessa.” Grant cupped his other hand over her cheek and forced her to look him in the eye. “Nothing.”
“I’m fine,” she repeated.
“I hate seeing you hurt, knowing some bastard put his hands on you.”
“He’s not coming back, and if he tries to blackmail me, we’ll face this together.”
Grant shook his head. “Yes, we will. But I worry—”
She placed a fingertip over his lips as her gaze held his. Their conversation from a few nights ago kept replaying in his mind, and she knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Slick, you can’t keep me down. I know you are scared of the horses, I know me riding them bothers you, but it’s who I am. I might get hurt, but I’ll get over it and move on. And I hope I do all of that with you.” Her other hand slid up his chest and around his neck. “Now are we going to talk all night or are you going to take me to bed?”
Grant laughed. “I’ve created a monster.”
“And you love every minute of it.”
True. He did. But if he ever got a hold of this Aaron jerk, he’d pummel his face for the marks he’d put on Tessa. No man should ever lay his hands on a woman in such a manner.
And Grant might just have to look the guy up to remind him of that.
* * *
The Kentucky Derby was the most prestigious horse race known to man—and there was so much more to it than oversize hats and mint juleps. The buildup, the anticipation, the glamour all centered around a few short moments on the track and a lifetime of praise for one lucky winner.
And Tessa was going to be that winner. She’d trained her whole life for this. Waited to follow in her father’s footsteps, knowing she’d be the first female jockey to win.
Nerves danced in her belly. She knew Grant and his crew were here taping, but she didn’t have time to worry about their job...she had her own job to do.
Once the race was over, she’d see Grant—hopefully in the winner’s circle. So far Aaron had kept away, and hopefully, he would stay that way. Right now, she didn’t have space in her mind for him.
“You’ve got this,” Cassie said, holding on to the lead line and taking Don Pedro toward the gates. “It’s a beautiful day for a race.”
Tessa glanced over to the beautiful women in their delicate, colorful hats, the men in pale suits. The laughter, the drinking, the betting—she loved the whole ambience. There was something magical about the Derby and she wanted to take a piece of that magic home with her—the same way her father had done.
“I’m proud of my girls.” Damon walked on the other side of the horse and escorted them to the gate. “Both of you have done me proud no matter how today turns out. Your mother would be proud, too.”
Tessa didn’t want to get choked up, didn’t want to even think of the fact that her mother wasn’t here to share in this monumental moment.
Eyes straight ahead, Tessa focused on the beauty of the sunshine, the soft gentle breeze. Seriously, the day couldn’t be more perfect.
As she lined up amid the other jockeys, she didn’t speak and barely threw a smile to those on either side of her. While the horse racing industry was a close-knit community, Tessa had never been one to be too chummy just before a race. Everyone had their own little quirks, and hers was that she got into the zone by focusing and having chitchats with herself in peace and quiet.
The crowd cheered, creating a roar over the entire track. Nothing mattered but the end.
Tessa gripped the reins with one hand and reached down to pat Don Pedro with the other. It was showtime.
* * *
Tessa and Don Pedro were immediately swallowed up by press, cameras and family in the winner’s circle. Grant wanted to go to her, tell her that he’d decided to come clean with Bronson and Anthony. He wanted her to know that she came first in his life.
But he remained where he was near the grandstands. He wanted to talk to her in private, wanted to be able to have her undivided attention and let her know that she was the most important part of his life.
He also wanted to get to Bronson and Anthony soon, because he didn’t want them hearing it from an outside source.
No way in hell would he let Aaron get any pleasure from grade-school-level tattling.
Grant hated lying, and he thought for sure Anthony and Bronson would understand. But they’d have to tell Marty, and he wasn’t so understanding.
* * *
Hours later, when Tessa was back in her Louisville home, because most jockeys and owners kept a place in the area, Grant knocked on her door, ready to come clean, to tell her what he’d decided. Excitement and nervousness flooded him.
When she opened her door, her red hair was down, free from the tight bun she’d had it in while racing. Her face was void of any makeup and she’d put on an oversize denim shirt and black leggings.
“Grant.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought I would’ve seen you after the race.”
Yeah, he knew she’d be upset about that, but he honestly couldn’t go to her just then. He’d needed to be alone with her, to tell her what had transpired while she’d been fulfilling her dreams. He had some dreams of his own...and every single one of them included her.
“I couldn’t get down to you.” Mentally, he hadn’t been able to, he added silently as he stepped over the threshold. “We need to talk.”
Her eyes widened, but she nodded as she moved toward the open living room. When she picked up a large bag of ice and eased down onto the sofa, Grant eyed her.
“What happened?”
She lifted her shirt and shifted the ice pack beneath it, wincing as she did. “I was careless.”
That sliver of fear slid through him, gliding right over the excitement he’d felt only seconds ago.
“What happened?” he repeated.
Settling back against the cushions, Tessa closed her eyes and sighed. “We were in the barns, and Nash was brushing Don Pedro. I stepped behind another horse and got kicked.
Rookie mistake, but my mind was elsewhere.”
Grant rested his hip on the edge of the couch and started unbuttoning her shirt from the bottom. “Let me see.”
“It’s not a big deal, Grant.”
Ignoring her protest, he got four buttons undone and slid the material aside before removing the ice pack.
The giant bruise covered her entire side, and it sickened him to see her delicate skin so marred. But so much more could’ve happened to her. There was no guarantee that because she was a professional she was exempt from injuries.
“Tell me you went to the hospital to have this checked out,” he exclaimed, eyeing her.
“Gee, thanks for the congratulations on my win, Slick.”
He met her gaze, knowing her victory was the most important moment of her life so far. “I’ve never been more proud. We got some good shots of you, by the way.”
“Really?” she asked, her smile beaming. “That’s awesome.”
“Now, please tell me you had this looked at.”
Rolling her eyes, she nodded. “The on-site doctor actually had a portable X-ray machine. I have two cracked ribs, but I’m fine.”
Cracked ribs? The countless possibilities of what could’ve happened filled his mind and made his stomach clench.
“Fine?” Grant sighed, gently replacing the ice and leaving her shirt undone. “This isn’t fine, Tessa. That careless mistake could’ve cost you more than just a few cracked ribs.”
Brows drawn together, she stared up at him. “What is wrong with you? I said I’m fine. They will heal.”
He got to his feet, paced the spacious living area, trying to find the words. He’d had his mind made up when he’d come. He was ready to drop the film for her, ready to give this a try, but how could he when she reminded him of that painful time in his past? How could he be with her knowing she lived the life that had crippled his sister and held a choke hold on him, as well?
Damn it. He hated how quickly he could be reduced to being so vulnerable where Tessa was concerned. Tears burned his eyes and he gave himself a minute before he spoke.
“I can’t do this anymore,” he whispered as he turned back to look at her. “We can’t do this anymore.”
When Opposites Attract... Page 17