nodded. “That’s part of the Southern Oaks Cup celebration and as Dancer’s owner, you’re expected to make an appearance.”
“From the number of invitations I’ve received, I’m beginning to realize just what a big deal this is,” he said, choosing his words carefully. Over the course of the past several years, he’d gotten into the habit of attending parties without a date. Now, he couldn’t believe how out of practice he had become at asking a woman out. “And I’d really like for you to go with me.”
He watched her open and close her mouth several times before she found her voice. “You can’t be serious.”
He smiled. “I’m very serious. I wouldn’t have asked you to be my date if I weren’t.”
“I…um, appreciate it, but I can’t,” she said, her eyes still wide with disbelief.
That wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. “Why not?”
“I’m going to be far too busy overseeing Dancer and preparing for the race to be able to attend.” Her smile looked suspiciously relieved when she added, “I’m sorry, but you’ll have to go without me.”
It was perfectly clear to him why she was turning him down. The more time they spent together, the bigger the possibility she could no longer deny the pull between them. And that was the very reason he was going to insist that she go with him.
“But you would attend the various functions with me if not for your job, right?”
“Well… I…uh…since I’m not about to quit, it’s not an issue,” she hedged.
He knew he had her and if the look on her pretty face was any indication, she knew it, too.
Rising from the chair, he walked over and called for Tony to come to the office. When the man walked to the door, Jake smiled. “From now until the race is over, you’re in charge of the stables. I want Heather free to concentrate on overseeing Dancer’s training, preparations for the race and attending social functions.”
The man looked as if he thought Jake might be joking. “Me?”
“Yes,” Jake answered decisively. “Do you think you can handle the job?”
He watched the man’s gaze cut to Heather, then back to him. “Sure. I can handle it, but—”
“Then it’s settled.” Jake shook Tony’s hand. “If anything comes up, you’re still to consult with Heather.”
When he turned to walk back and lower himself into the chair in front of Heather’s desk, she looked as if she might blow a gasket. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m relieving you of your other duties until after the race is over.” He smiled. “This way you’ll be able to focus on Dancer and the race and attend the social side of this thing with me.”
“You can’t do that to me,” she said, standing up to pace back and forth behind the desk.
“Sure I can.”
She stopped to glare at him. “I have a signed contract that says otherwise. You may own this place, but I run it. I’m in charge and I call the shots.”
“You’re still in charge, Heather.” He hadn’t anticipated that she’d get this upset.
“At least running this farm will look good on my résumé,” she muttered.
He narrowed his eyes. “You haven’t been looking for a position elsewhere, have you?”
“Not yet,” she admitted belligerently. “But you just made the decision to start the search a lot easier.”
Rising to his feet, he walked around the desk and took her into his arms. “Look, you’re still in charge. You’re still overseeing Dancer’s racing career. That hasn’t changed. I’m just making it easier for you to concentrate your efforts on him.”
“Get real, Jake. We both know the reason you relieved me of the majority of my responsibilities was purely self-serving. You want me to attend the social events with you. That’s the only reason you did this.”
He took a deep breath. “That’s the way it started out. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense for Dancer to be your top priority now.”
“I can’t argue that,” she grudgingly agreed.
“And won’t it make the next two weeks easier if you can turn your sole attention to that goal?”
She slowly nodded.
“I’m sorry I usurped your authority, but I’m used to being the one in charge.” He kissed the top of her head. “From now on, I’ll consult with you before I make a decision about the stables.”
She leaned back to look him square in the eyes and he could tell she was only slightly less furious with him. “You’d better, because if you interfere again, I’m out of here.”
If he’d doubted how seriously she took her job before, he didn’t now. “Understood. Now, will you please consider attending events with me. It would be nice to have someone I know at my side.”
“There isn’t a shy bone in your body. You’ll do just fine without me.”
He smiled as he brushed an errant strand of golden brown hair from her soft cheek. “Yes, but I want you with me.”
“I told you, I’m not one of your diversions while you’re here,” she stated flatly.
She wasn’t going to give in easily. But then he wasn’t, either. “Would you at least think about going with me?” he whispered close to her ear.
Staring at him for what seemed an eternity, she finally nodded. “I’ll consider it, but I’m not promising anything.”
Satisfied that his plan to spend more time with her had a chance, Jake lowered his mouth to hers to seal the deal with a kiss. His blood pressure skyrocketed as he slowly caressed her lips with his, and he decided he could easily become addicted to her sweetness as he savored the taste of her.
When he traced the seam of her mouth to deepen the kiss, he took advantage of her soft sigh and slipped inside to stroke her tongue with his. Teasing and coaxing, he encouraged her to explore him, as well, and when she tentatively acquainted herself with him, Jake felt as if a fire had been ignited in the pit of his belly.
But it was the feel of her breasts pressed to his chest, her nipples scoring his skin through the layers of their clothing, that caused his body to harden so fast it left him feeling lightheaded. He moved his hands down her back to the flare of her hips. Pulling her forward allowed her to feel the effect she had on him, how she made him want her. She whimpered softly and sagged against him, letting him know without words that she desired him as much as he did her.
Unfortunately, his timing was lousy. They were in her office in the stable with several people close by. And going back to the mansion was out of the question.
Reluctantly easing away from the kiss, Jake took a deep breath as he leaned back to stare down at her. He didn’t
