Since her vocal cords took another vacation she nodded. He offered his hand and she grasped it, trying to ignore the little tingle that happened every time the man barely touched her. He tugged her to a standing position, pulling her way too close for her comfort. He smelled freshly showered with a hint of spicy aftershave. Addison had the urge to run her fingers through his damp hair just to feel the wet silk between her fingertips. That thought had her taking a quick step backward, nearly stepping on Little John.
“Hey.” Reid shoved his fingers through his hair and gave her a serious look. “I want to apologize again for my behavior at your shop. And, look, I know it’s no excuse, but I watched my clients lose thousands of dollars of hard-earned retirement money when the market crashed. My sister was one of them. Finally, the stocks are coming back. The last thing I wanted to happen is for Sara to lose that money again.”
“I told you that we have that covered. The risk will be minimal, Reid.”
“I know, and I should back off.” He blew out a sigh and Addison was surprised when he continued. “I was against my brother Jeff heading to Nashville to pursue singing. I mean, the odds were stacked against him, right? I encouraged Braden to finish school.” He shook his head. “The truth is that Jeff’s a talented musician who deserves to get his chance. Braden loves farming, so college wasn’t where he belonged. I should keep my damned mouth shut and let people pursue their dreams.” He swung his arm in an arc. “I love this place as much as the rest of my family. Even more than I thought after I came back. In truth, fear of losing it was what kept me away for all these years. And I feel guilty . . . about all of it. But mostly about holding my brothers back. Now here I am, attempting to do the same thing with Sara.” He gave her a resigned smile. “So I am officially backing down. If this doesn’t take off”—he shrugged—“that’s part of going after a dream. But Sara deserves her chance too.”
Addison felt her anger toward him melting. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s evident that you care.”
Reid inhaled a deep breath and blew it out. “There’s one more thing I want to confess.” He paused and then gave her a crooked grin. “Part of my jackass behavior stemmed from . . . jealousy.”
“Jealousy?”
“Seeing that picture of you kissing Rick Ruleman.”
Addison’s heart thumped. “Really?” she finally asked softly.
“I know I have no right. You’re getting over a broken engagement and trying to start your own business. I get it that you don’t like or trust men right now. I don’t want to take advantage of you being vulnerable. I was being honest about that even though I know it pissed you off.”
Addison raised her eyebrows. “I hear a great big
Reid took a step closer and tucked a finger beneath her chin. “But I can’t get you off of my mind.”
“You can’t charm your way back into my good graces.”
“I’m simply telling the truth.”
“You know what?”
“What?”
Addison fisted her hands, steeling herself against the pull of attraction to him. “Nothing. Let’s get going.” She started walking toward the four-wheeler.
“I want to kiss you.”
Addison stopped in her tracks. “Too bad,” she said casually, but her heart thudded when she heard him approach. He came up behind her.
“I think you’re afraid.”
“Oh, don’t even try playing that card. It won’t work. Besides, why would I be afraid of a kiss? I just don’t want to.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t say
“Like what?” Reid stepped around to face her.
“In that tone like you don’t believe me. It’s infuriating.”
He nodded silently and with raised eyebrows.
“Stop!”
Reid raised his arms akimbo. “What now?”
“That was a silent
“If you say so,” he answered airily.
With a little high-pitched, embarrassing growl that she tried to disguise as a sneeze she stomped in her Sperrys over to the four-wheeler. She wanted to shove him. She wanted to smack him! But most of all she wanted to kiss him, and it pissed her off. Royally.
Reid was making her whole “stay away from men” vow go to hell in a handbasket and she had to get her life back on track. Getting involved with him would totally derail everything. No, she would not do it.
“Here. You have to wear this.” He said, and handed her a helmet.
“I need a helmet? What kind of crazy trail is this, anyway?”
“It’s just a precaution,” he said in a tone hinting otherwise.
“How come you’re not wearing one?”
“I have a hard head.”
Addison swallowed. “I . . . I might have a tiny confession to make of my own.”
“What might that be?”
“I’m a big scaredy-cat when it comes to things fast and dangerous.”
“Ah . . .” Reid’s eyes seemed to smolder as he strapped the helmet beneath her chin. “So you prefer slow and easy?”
Addison nodded, waiting for him to reassure her, but he only grinned. “So you’ll go slow, right?”
Reid looped one long leg over the seat and sat down, motioning for her to do the same. “Hell, no. Wrap your arms around me and hold on tight,” he said over his shoulder.
Before she could protest, Reid took off down the middle of the yard, causing dust to fly. Barking, Little John followed them down a well-worn path in between corn fields. Another dog followed, too, but quickly gave up. She didn’t blame him.
Addison squealed when Reid made a sharp turn that took them into the woods. She held on for dear life, but it soon became obvious that he knew the woods like the back of his hand. And maybe it was because he was in such control or because holding on to him was worth the risk, but suddenly instead of being scared Addison laughed and enjoyed the exhilarating ride. When Reid drove through a creek, making water splash up her bare legs, she yelled but then giggled.
“You’re crazy,” she shouted when they seemed to defy gravity, climbing up a steep hill. Reid only laughed in response. Clinging to him, she felt the ripple of muscle and the heat of his skin through his T-shirt. She squeezed her thighs around his hips a bit harder, telling herself it was for safety’s sake. By the time they reached an open field Addison was breathless for more reasons than one. When a weathered barn came into view he did a doughnut that had her begging for mercy and then skidded to a stop.
Weak from laughter and excitement Addison remained glued to his back for a long moment.
Reid looked over his shoulder. “You can let go now,” he said with a chuckle.
Addison peeled herself off of him and scooted back but Reid had to assist her in removing the helmet since her fingers only managed to fumble with the straps.
“Too much for you, City Girl?”
Addison shook her hair free. “I think you just wanted me to have to cling to you, country boy.”
“Guilty,” he admitted, and Addison thought he was going to lean in and kiss her. But a woman shouted, stopping him.
“Reid William Greenfield! Just what in the world do you think you’re doing, driving like a madman?”
Addison looked when a tiny woman stomped over and fisted her hands on her slim hips. She wore a blue baseball cap with a blond ponytail stuck out the back.
“Have you taken leave of your senses?” the woman demanded, and then looked at Sara, who also glared at Reid.
“Sorry, Mom, but Addison said that she wanted me to go as fast as I could.”
“I don’t believe you for one minute,” she said, and then extended her hand to Addison. “I’m Susan Greenfield and I apologize for my son.”
