Hunter walked up to Sid and gave him a pat on the neck. “Take it easy, big guy,” he said. Sid snorted and tossed his head, as if to say who’ll make me?
Hunter grinned as he stepped back. The big horse pulled on the reins and reared slightly, anxious to get to the track. Once there, Sid and Jet warmed up side by side. Sid’s rider held him back as Jet was urged forward. Hunter leaned on the rail. His arm brushed Kate’s, and a current of lust raced through his arm right to his dick.
Shit.
He was getting a hard-on standing on the rail. He slid down a few steps so he wouldn’t be so close to her, not that it helped. He was already hyperaware of Kate. He wanted nothing more than to drag her back to an empty stall and have a roll in the hay.
He forced his wayward attention back to the track. Sid was raising a ruckus. Instead of running slightly behind Jet, he leaped into the air and twisted, protesting being held back. His rider clung to the horse for all he was worth and managed to stay on top, but Sid was done. Shaking his head, he slowed to a canter and no amount of urging would make him go forward.
He’d been doing this for the past week, according to Mitch. Refusing to challenge the leader and throwing tantrums when he didn’t get his way.
“Shit,” Mitch said from beside them as both horses cantered back to the opening in the rail.
Kate perched her hands on her hips and rounded on Mitch. “Jet needs a horse to push him, not a spoiled animal who wants his way.”
Mitch nodded. “We’ll try a different horse tomorrow.” He shrugged apologetically.
Kate’s eyes blazed. “Your job is to make sure this horse is a Derby contender, not use him to train an ill-mannered, temperamental beast like that.”
“Sid has character. I encourage that,” Hunter spoke up.
“I need a winner.” She whirled back around to Mitch. “Is that clear?”
“Perfectly,” Mitch said.
Hunter frowned, glad of the reminder of whom he was dealing with. And he’d been stupid enough to consider asking this woman out, maybe even having a real relationship with her? What the hell was he thinking?
Or what the hell had he been thinking with?
He knew the answer to that.
* * * *
Kate stalked off. Anger vibrated through every cell of her body, but the farther she got from the track the more her anger turned to shame.
She’d just behaved like the person she’d vowed not to be—a spoiled-rotten rich bitch.
The disgust on Hunter’s face had said it all. He found her desirable but despicable. Good for his bed but not on his arm or by his side.
She didn’t deserve any better. She’d been deplorable. Horrible. And undeserving.
She’d thrown her own tantrum.
Even worse, she’d gotten a measure of smug gratification from Sid’s display of temper, then mirrored it. The horse wouldn’t win the Derby or any other race with an attitude like that.
She, on the other hand, would probably end up in Hunter’s bed. He may not want her, but he’d probably have her just the same.
What did she want? To be with a man who disliked her as a person but desired her body? She’d been with men like that before. Not too many, since most of her life revolved around her horses.
On a whim, she waited by Hunter’s truck, not sure what she was going to say to him until she opened her mouth to say it.
He walked to his truck several minutes later, covered in horsehair. He’d been grooming Sid. He saw her, and his pace slowed. He frowned, his eyes cold as ice.
“I’m sorry,” Kate blurted out.
If she’d expected Hunter’s gaze to soften, she’d been wrong. “Don’t tell me you’re sorry. Tell Mitch and tell Jet. You behaved like a petulant child.”
“I will tell Mitch, but Jet?” There he went again with his horse-talking stuff.
“That’s your problem. Horses are very perceptive creatures. Your horse feels the pressure you’re transmitting to him via your body language and tone. He’s upset that you’re upset.”
She wanted to tell him he was two flakes short of a bale, but she held her tongue. She’d seen him ride her show horse, seen the unbelievable connection between them. What if there was something to what he said? Being stubborn, she refused to concede that point out loud.
“Then, Mr. Expert, tell me why your horse is the one pitching a fit?”
“He’s not certain this is what he wants to do when he grows up.” Hunter’s mouth twitched in a smile. “He’s my rebellious teenager. He loves to run but only on his terms.”
“You’re fucking nuts. You know that, don’t you?” She smiled back.
“I’ve been told that a time or two.” His grin spread across his handsome face. “I seem to have an affinity for opinionated horses and women.”
“I seem to have an affinity for fucking crazy men.”
His brows shot up. “There have been multiple crazy men in your life?”
“Only one,” Kate muttered and shook her head. She gazed upward as he stepped closer until he was only a few inches away from her.
His cell rang in his pocket. He blinked several times as if trying to ascertain where the noise was coming from. Finally, he pulled the cell from his pocket and answered it.
“Yeah, I’ll pick up some butter and flour. Text me what you need.” He hung up and looked at Kate.
“Was that Lilli?” She managed with a shaky voice.
“Yeah.”
“Tell her I’ll be in touch. I’d love to see her.”
“Sure.” His eyes narrowed, as if this chemistry between them was all her fault.
The spell was broken. She glared back at him. They were back on familiar ground.
Hating each other. Or disliking each other. Or would that be pretending?
No matter. She moved aside as he got into his truck and drove off. Never once saying good-bye.
She didn’t expect him to, but she wished he cared enough to be cordial.
Even if she was the least cordial person she knew.
Chapter 14—On the Rail
When Hunter first told Lilli he wanted to spend a few months in California, she hadn’t wanted to go, but he’d eventually worn her down by appealing to her love of animals. Sid needs you, he’d said, and she’d realized on some base level he was right. She was Sid’s anchor. They were connected in ways she could never explain.
Hunter rented a midcentury modern—or so the property manager called it—with a private backyard and garden about a half hour from the Santa Anita racetrack. And here they were, three weeks down. California in February was a marked contrast to Seattle in February, though she missed the rainstorms and mountains dotted with green fir trees. She loved the smell of the air after a good rain and the feel of the rain on her face. She loved rain. The crowds and traffic in California weren’t to her taste. The noise interfered with her ability to process data and with her intuitive skills.
Her riding horse remained in Seattle, as there wasn’t a good barn within a decent commute. Since she couldn’t drive, getting to and from the barn would have been too much of a hassle. She missed riding and spent a lot of time on the Santa Anita backstretch with Sid and the other horses in Mitch’s stable, including Jet. Now there was an interesting animal. Obedience had been drummed into the compliant horse by a former trainer with hardhanded ways. Jet didn’t seem to have a mind of his own or a personality, but Lilli knew it was there, just buried deep. Lilli was a great believer in happy animals, which couldn’t occur unless they were allowed to express themselves in a satisfying manner. One of her goals was to help Jet reach his potential, even though Kate might not appreciate her efforts.
Away from the barn, Lilli ramped up her word count and was ahead of schedule on her next Rebecca James book, featuring a mystery surrounding the Kentucky Derby.
Lilli missed Cameron more than she cared to admit, and she missed dancing with him, laughing to his corny jokes, and just talking with him. He’d been in touch a f
ew times, nothing serious, just asking how she was, but he’d given no indication as to when or if he might visit, and she looked forward to seeing him again more than she cared to admit.
He’d become her champion, treating her disability as if it were an opportunity rather than an issue. He anticipated her challenges and assisted where needed. She appreciated his rare quality to know when she had to work things out herself and when she needed his help. He never coddled her, but he didn’t leave her hanging, either.
She’d looked forward to their dance sessions almost as much as she looked forward to riding. Her dance instructors had given her a name of an instructor near their rental home. They’d even gone so far as to call the man, and he’d been looking forward to meeting her, but Lilli hadn’t followed through. Dancing wouldn’t be the same without Cam.
Lilli sank down in a lounge chair at the poolside of their private garden and closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her bones. She picked up her tablet and gave it a few commands and lay back down, listening to the latest novel she’d downloaded. One of the French doors onto the patio opened and closed. Hunter’s heavy footsteps thudded on the clay tiles.
“You look like you could use a tropical drink,” he said.
She heard him plunk one down on the glass table next to her.
“What is it?” She grinned with anticipation.
“A strawberry margarita.”
“Ohhh. Thank you so much.” She reached for it, feeling around the table until she touched the cold glass. She wrapped her fingers around it and brought it to her lips. “Heaven, absolute heaven. I hope I’m not drinking alone.”
“You aren’t.” She heard the smile in his voice.
“How’d the workout go?”
“The one I did or Sid did?”
“Sid, of course. How’s he running?”
“He’s in one of his sulking moods. I think he was pissed you weren’t there to coddle him.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow and have to have a talk with him.” She took another sip of her margarita.
“I wish you would. He doesn’t listen to me.”
“He never has. You’re too much alike. Stubborn and opinionated.”
“Can’t deny the truth.” Hunter chuckled. “You have the touch. I don’t. I have a hammer.”
“But you wield that hammer well.”
“Not always.”
She sensed something was wrong. “Hunter? What is it?”
He didn’t answer.
“Hunter? What are you pissed about? Sid?” She knew it wasn’t Sid. Animals didn’t make Hunter angry. People did. “You saw Kate, didn’t you?”
He made a grunting sound. She’d guessed correctly. Lilli turned her face away from him to hide her smile. “Hunter, there’s something between the two of you.”
“Yeah, stupidity. Mine,” he muttered. “Every time I see her, I want— Ah, fuck, forget what I want. It’s TMI, especially to my sister.”
Lilli laughed. She loved it when Hunter was flustered. It happened so rarely.
“Why are you fighting this? You’re usually a go-with-the-flow guy.”
“She’s so wrong for me.”
“So? No one says you have to marry her.” Lilli turned back toward him. She waited, imagining his expression as he thought long and hard about his response. His attraction to Kate troubled him as much as her attraction to Cameron. But Hunter didn’t know about Cam. And he wouldn’t, because he wouldn’t like it one bit.
“I’m not a fan of casual relationships.”
“She’s a beautiful woman, and she keeps you on your toes. Your chemistry together is off the charts. Maybe this relationship isn’t as casual as you claim.” Lilli treaded lightly. Hunter hated to have truths pointed out to him when he was still in his denial phase.
“There is no relationship. She’s superficial, selfish, and obnoxious. Nothing like the woman I want in my life.”
“She’s also lonely, afraid, and struggling to make sense of where she fits in the world. She’s insecure because she was an unwanted child growing up.”
Hunter’s surprise came to her in waves. “You get all that from her?”
“I’m perceptive, remember?”
“Of course, I remember.” His deep sigh made her smile.
“To be honest, she’s told me some, and Google did the rest. Did you know her family calls her Duck because she’s the ugly duckling of the family?”
“I didn’t know that.” Guilt ran through Hunter’s voice. “I know so little about her.”
“And why would you care if you don’t want a relationship?”
Hunter didn’t say anything. She hated it when he did that. Since she couldn’t read his expression, she had to read his silence. She waited patiently, one of those hard-won virtues she’d embraced since she’d lost her sight. This time her stubborn brother wasn’t going to respond. Other than the tapping of his toe on the concrete of the patio, she heard nothing.
Fine, she’d push the issue. “Are you in love with her?” She held her breath and waited for his inevitable protest. Hunter still carried a torch for Talia. He’d put her so high on a pedestal, no other woman could reach her.
“Of course not,” he scoffed, as if she’d said the most ridiculous thing ever.
“It’s time to let Talia go. I never liked her much anyway.”
“You didn’t?” Disbelief rang in his tone. “Nana told me the same thing on Christmas.”
Lilli chuckled. “No, I didn’t. Most of the family feels the same. You wanted different things from her, and she continually made you feel inferior because you didn’t choose the same noble path as her. Pursuing football didn’t decrease your value to society. You use your fame as an example to kids, especially Native Americans. In a few short years, you’ve changed as many, if not more, lives than she has by setting a stellar example and tirelessly working to address tribal issues.”
Hunter appeared to be absorbing this information and was quiet for a long while. “I never thought of it that way. I do try.”
“You succeed. You’re a good man, Hunter. Don’t ever let anyone convince you differently.”
Hunter chuckled and squeezed her hand. “You’re an okay sister, and you’re lucky to have me.”
“Conceited much?”
“Just honest.”
Lilli shook her head and laughed. “I’m going for a swim.”
Hunter took her arm and helped her to the edge of the pool. She sat down and lowered her body into the warm water. She heard the beeps indicating Hunter had turned on the beacons in each corner of the pool so she could judge her distance.
She let the warm water wash away her concerns and swam for the pure joy of it.
* * * *
When no one answered the front door, Cameron walked around to the back. He recalled Hunter’s saying the home had a big backyard, pool, and garden area. Hunter’s truck sat in the driveway, so they must be around. Cam would be outside, too, in weather like this.
He should’ve called or texted first, but he’d secretly been worried Hunter or Lilli might tell him not to come. He wasn’t sure why he was worried. He’d always been welcome in Hunter’s home, even invited to Hunter’s family’s home for the holidays when Hunter had discovered he didn’t go home when he could avoid it.
A tall wooden fence surrounded the yard. Cameron found a gate, but it was locked from the inside. He rapped on it. “Hey, anyone home?”
A few seconds later, he heard the stomping of feet and a latch being slid.
“Holy fuck, look what the cat dragged in once he mutilated its head.” Hunter grinned and pounded him on the back.
Cameron winced. Hunter had a good fifty pounds and five inches on him. The guy was built like a rock and didn’t know his strength.
“Come on in.” Hunter opened the gate wide, and Cameron entered.
Cameron’s gaze swept the tiled pool area and manicured garden with all sorts of exotic-looking tropical plants. Then his eyes snapped to the most jaw
-dropping, cock-hardening sight of all.
Shit. Damn. Fuck.
Hands on the tile ledge, Lilli was lifting herself out of the pool, inch by delicious inch, like a mermaid emerging from the ocean. Her perfect breasts were barely covered by a small bikini top, and her nipples made hard points under the fabric. Water trickled down her smooth skin. One rivulet slid down the cleavage of her bikini top. Several more disappeared into her skimpy bottoms. His throat went dry while his eyes bugged out of his head. He’d never seen her with so few clothes on, even though he’d imagined it many nights over. The reality was far better than his fantasies, and those fantasies had been fucking good.
Hunter glared at him, one of his famous death glares, and Cameron pried his gaze away from Lilli.
“Lill, guess who’s here?” Hunter shouted a little too loudly.
“Cam? Did I hear his voice?” Lilli asked with a slow smile.
“Yup, it’s me. Your Dancing with the Stars partner.”
She giggled and clapped her hands together like a happy child. Hunter strode over and helped her out of the pool. He handed her a towel and a cover-up. She toweled off and shrugged into the cover-up, which didn’t cover up much.
“Have a seat.” Hunter gestured toward the L-shaped cushy outdoor couch. “I’ll get you a drink.”
Lilli snapped her fingers, and Charlie ran to her and led her to the couch. He lay down dutifully on her feet. She ran her hands over the table until she found her drink and took a sip.
“How’ve you been? Dancing up a storm?” Cameron asked, making small talk.
“I’ve been good. I haven’t been dancing since our last class.”
“You haven’t?” He couldn’t help feeling pleased, and he didn’t know why. In fact, he didn’t understand much about his last-minute visit to see Hunter and Lilli. One second he’d been sitting on a Hawaiian beach surrounded by hotties, the next he’d been booking a flight to LA.
Game Changer: Seattle Steelheads Football (Game On in Seattle Book 7) Page 13