“And you’re taking care of yourself...just in case?” He eased the horse’s foot down to the ground again. A handful of flies buzzed around. Abacus swished his dark tail, shooing them away. The last flick of the tail smacked Trystan’s shoulder as he moved to the right rear leg.
“Absolutely,” she said without hesitation. “How did things go?”
He sighed, pleased with the cleanliness of the back hoof. “We’re calling it a controlled disaster. No one was hurt, and nothing toxic happened to the land. So that’s a win. But our major competitor is running with the story to push our stock value down.”
“That’s unfortunate, but not unrecoverable,” she said as he moved quickly to the other two hooves, removing the dirt as she spoke. “You have some major positive events coming up with the fund-raiser and Jack and Jeannie’s wedding. Those will generate great airtime.”
Setting aside the hoof pick, he dramatically gestured to his neck, faux gagging. “I can already feel the tuxedo bow tie choking me.”
A sparkling laugh fell from her lips as she shook her head from side to side.
Damn.
The way the sun caught the bronzed hues in her hair made her seem like a mystical princess. She was so damn beautiful, generous.
As if she could hear his thoughts, a shy smile erupted as their eyes locked. Everything about her called to him. Closing the distance, the memory of how worried he’d been at the pipeline flooded him.
Trystan pushed those racing worries away, choosing instead to focus on the impossible blue of her eyes. Those lips parting slightly as he cupped her head...
And surrendered to the need to kiss her.
Nine
Isabeau couldn’t deny Trystan’s kiss moved her, always, and in ways no one else’s kisses had before. Their connection was special, unique. She’d decided to take a risk, and here she was, forging ahead.
He backed her against the stall, the planked wall a welcome brace to keep her wobbly knees from giving out from under her. The weight of his body against hers anchored her, the heat of him warmed her inside and out. The scent of his aftershave mingled with the earthy musk of hay and animals around them. Combing her fingers through his thick hair, she wanted more of him. All of him. She couldn’t hold out against his appeal much longer.
All the reasons they should stay apart felt elusive at the moment, only whispery thoughts about the way they grew up, of her need for self-reliance after an unhealthy relationship. Except nothing seemed to matter except the rightness of his arms around her. His mouth on hers.
A loud thud sounded through the barn, breaking apart their kiss, causing Isabeau to remember herself. Reverberations skittered in the air, and Trystan’s protective arms seemed to shield her from the yet to be determined noise.
His gaze, which had been scanning sharply, softened as they realized the culprit. Jupiter—one of the draft horses—knocked into his stall’s gate. An accompanying whinny following.
From across the way, his brother Mars peaked his head from the stall, neck stretching long as he bleated a response.
Isabeau’s nervous heart stopped galloping, calmed as she took in the scene. Relieved, she glanced at Trystan, their easy laughs tangling as they relaxed, looking at each other.
Trystan pulled her close, a deep sigh forcing the breath from his lungs, causing his chest to dip in as she rested against him. He stroked her hair, his other hand low on her waist. “Why is it we never seem to find an extended private moment?”
“I’m enjoying myself here.” She didn’t want to go back. Back to the real world with worries about if she’d done her job well enough.
“I agree, but I would like the time to linger over you and this place is too public. Anyone could burst in. While the media has us partnered up, I do not want risqué photos of you out there. I would never expose you to that.”
His words warmed her, especially after having been with a man who was so untrustworthy. “I know. I do trust you to be an honorable man.” And as the words came out of her mouth, she realized they were true. He was different from her father. He would never leave her and a child vulnerable.
Although trustworthiness wasn’t the same as commitment.
“Things are moving fast. I get that, and you have to know that while I respect your wishes, I want more.”
She appreciated his willingness to protect her from the media attention his family garnered, to give her space. Maybe it was time for her to give back, to take a risk.
Before she could second-guess herself, she plunged right in. “Between two brushes with the press, the world already sees us as a couple. Why should we deny the chance to see what’s going on between us? Life could well force our hands soon enough.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“I’m asking you out on a date.” The moment she said it, she wondered if it sounded silly at this point. They’d gone everywhere together these past few weeks, spent nearly every waking moment together. But still. Was it so wrong to want a romance? A chance to really get to know him beyond their work relationship? The heated evening in the boathouse had happened with such fast intensity, they’d skipped over the milestones that usually came with dating.
“A date?” he echoed, his eyes intrigued, his knee brushing hers as he shifted.
“Just the two of us in a place away from the media, a chance to be together before the fund-raiser and your mother’s wedding.” She watched him process the invitation while her pulse picked up speed.
Anticipating.
His gaze dipped to her mouth. Lingered. “I like the way you think.” His voice did wicked things to her insides. “Did you have somewhere special in mind?”
“Surprise me.” And she trusted that he would.
If only she could trust herself to keep her wits around him.
* * *
Royce wondered how a mansion
