Jake barely managed to suppress his frustrated groan. He seriously doubted she realized just how pretty she looked with soft curls escaping her ponytail and her creamy cheeks flushed from the early summer heat.
But it was her coral lips that fascinated the hell out of him. Since kissing her outside of Mandy’s room two days ago, all he’d been able to think about was doing it again and a whole lot more. And it was the “whole lot more” that was about to drive him over the edge.
“Jake, did you hear what I asked?”
“Uh…sorry.” Lost in his own misery, he hadn’t realized that she’d been talking to him. “What was that again?”
“I asked if you needed something,” she said patiently.
Oh, yeah, he needed something all right. But she didn’t want to hear what that was.
“As a matter of fact, there is something I need your help with.” That was an understatement, he thought sardonically. Forcing himself to focus, he sat down in the chair in front of her desk. “I have a million receptions and a couple of balls over the next two weeks.”
She 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
