apparently her priorities have changed.” Jessica did not even give him a glance, but there was no mistaking the amusement in her voice.
His annoyance soared. He understood the possible appearance of impropriety of him staying alone at the house, with Brianna being a single woman, but Americans were usually more open-minded about such things. Besides, Brianna was just a child.
As she got closer, the light breeze molded her blouse to her breasts and something stirred deep in his belly. Feeling the weight of her stare, he looked at Jessica. Her rapt attention was focused on him, the speculation in her eyes most disquieting.
Slowly she dragged her gaze away. “Hey, Bri.”
“Hello, Jessie.” Brianna stopped at the foot of the risers and squinted up at them. Even with the sun directly in her face, her pale skin was flawless. “I didn’t know you were still in town. I thought you went back to Dallas. Is Nick with you?”
Jessica sighed. “No, he had Coleman-Grayson business in Houston and I have some here. I’ll see him this weekend. Maybe we could get together…” Jessica cast a curious glance at Rafe. “If you have time.”
Brianna, on the other hand, carefully avoided his eyes. “Of course I do. You name the time and I’ll be ready.”
And then she finally looked at him and blushed. He directed his attention to the arena. No sense in pointing out she had adamantly claimed to have no time for him. He still did not understand why she had gotten so angry at the stables. Perhaps that Chuck fellow meant more to her than she had admitted.
The possibility chafed. Even though Rafe knew it had nothing to with him.
His jaw clenched as she climbed the risers to join them, her hair, uncharacteristically out of her ponytail, was caught by the breeze and fanned out like a silken sail. Her worn jeans hugged her hips and thighs, showing off her lean curves.
The hell her relationship with the hired hand had nothing to with Rafe! he thought. He wanted her. He had from the first moment he saw her. He could deny it to others but not to himself. In effect, he had denied it during the past few days. Heavily denied it when Cord had asked him to look out for her. But he could no longer ignore the attraction.
She was perfection. Her hair, her face, the clear blue of her eyes, the shy way she looked at him. He liked her cool reserve that reminded him of the blond American actress who had married the prince of Monaco.
Yet despite her timidity, Brianna was intelligent and business-minded, with enough fire to tempt him. Perhaps even challenge him.
Upon returning to Munir after Harvard, he was often chided for having developed a taste for American women. He had dismissed the taunts. But they were true. That he had known all along. And, Brianna, Aliah’s new sister-in-law, the woman he had vowed to watch over, embodied his ultimate fantasy.
Damn, he had obviously gone too long without a woman.
Perhaps in Dallas he could remedy the situation. His gaze drew back to Brianna. Maybe he should go to Dallas early. Possibly tonight.
“Check out Rising Star,” Jessica told her with a nudge of her chin toward the arena. “He’s a beauty, all right. No wonder Mac has a soft touch for that one.”
“Is he already sold?” Brianna settled down next to Jessica, away from Rafe.
“I don’t think so. Why? You interested?”
Brianna blinked at her friend. “Me?” And then her longing gaze went back to Rising Star. “What would I do with such a fine horse?”
“Uh, ride him?”
Brianna slid her a wry look. And then her eyes met Rafe’s. She quickly glanced away. “Rising Star is a show horse. Everyone should be allowed to see him.”
Rafe smiled to himself, watching the way her worshipful gaze followed the colt. “I agree. An animal of such beauty should be shared. However, someone who appreciates his value must be his patron.”
Brianna and Jessica both gave him odd looks.
“So, anyway, what brings you by?” Jessica asked her friend.
Brianna put a hand to her mouth. “Oh my God.” Her gaze flew to Rafe. “You had a phone call.”
“From Dallas?”
“Munir.”
Frowning, he checked his cell phone. It was on. No messages. “They said it was urgent?”
Brianna’s face colored and her gaze skittered toward Jessica. “I assumed it was.”
Jessica grinned. “How nice of you to come all this way to get him.”
Brianna’s color deepened and she got to her feet. “I’d better get back to work.”
Rafe stood, as well. “I will go with you.”
“You can’t. I mean, I brought Cord’s truck.”
He knew he did not have to hurry back. If the call had been urgent, they would have tried his cell phone first. But he was also pleased that Brianna had come for him. “Perhaps I can ride back with you and get my horse later.”
“Sure,” Jessica interjected. “I’ll make sure he’s taken to the stable and fed.”
Brianna stuffed her hands into the pockets of her jeans and shrugged. “Going on horseback is just as fast.”
“True.” Rafe bowed slightly. “But then I would not have the pleasure of your company,”
Her lips parted in surprise. The color had begun to fade from her face but blossomed once more. She cast a helpless glance at Jessica.
The other woman laughed with glee. “Go ahead, Rafe. I’ll arrange to have someone take care of your horse.”
“Thank you. Please tell Mac I will see him later.”
“This doesn’t make sense,” Brianna murmured as she took the lead down the risers.
Most pleased to follow, Rafe’s gaze stayed on the tempting swell of her backside. It had taken him a while to become accustomed to women wearing pants, but when he realized the advantage jeans provided, he had quickly grown to like the attire.
“Bye, you two.” Jessica waved, grinning, making it a point that they had left without saying goodbye.
They stepped off the risers and exchanged a glance. With a sheepish wince, Brianna quickly looked away.
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