The Tycoon's Tender Triumph Page 0,16
her through one of the side doors and instantly, the cold air was replaced by the warmer, humid air of the stable-like structure. There were about thirty or forty horses in this building, each with their own stall and names on the doors in brass.
“The horses your father is caring for are over here. But you don’t need to do anything. I’ve got my men taking care of them.”
“I’ll do it,” she snapped, irritated by any help from him. “My father, my responsibility.”
He shrugged and soothed the muzzle of the horse that instantly poked its head over the door at the sound of his voice. “Your choice, but I’m not going to let you kill yourself by doing all the work.”
She didn’t have a response to that since she wasn’t exactly sure how much work it would be to take care of a few horses.
He talked her through the daily routines of their care
, showed her where the supplies were and all the tack.
“Don’t you have work to do? Can’t one of your ranch hands show me all this?” she asked as she looked down the hallway where there were several men working. Granted, they all seemed to be very industrious, but she wondered if perhaps they knew the big boss was around and were just looking extra diligent.
He stopped and looked down at her, that wicked grin back on his face. “Why? Are you afraid of me? Does my presence bother you?”
She backed up a step, but made sure to maintain her angry glare. “Not to be rude, but yes. You do bother me.” She was going to leave it at that but she saw the glint in his eyes and shook her head. “Not in the way that you’re thinking though so just pretend I’m your sister, Sam.”
He let loose one of those deep, soul melting chuckles and pulled her close. “Chloe, there is absolutely no way I could ever mistake you for my sister.”
She assumed he meant because she was so much shorter, evidenced by the length of the sleeves on the coat she’d borrowed which hung down to her fingertips. “Well, you know what I mean.”
“I do, but it’s not going to work.”
He continued to show her what to do until she finally stopped him. “Sam, I think I got it. I appreciate your help and I’ll do my best to get these guys out of your way and back to my father’s place.”
“You don’t need to do that. They aren’t taking up any space that would be allotted to another animal so there’s no rush.”
He finally walked away and Chloe felt as if she could breathe a bit easier. That man really was a force to be reckoned with, she thought as she hauled the food to the horses’ bins, made sure they had enough water and then got to know them a bit better. They were all beautiful horses, she thought, patting their necks and sides as they ate their oats.
She saddled up Cinnamon, a sweet mare that nuzzled against her shoulder each time Chloe passed by. As she climbed up on the horse, she had to smile with excitement at being back in the saddle. It had been much too long, she thought as she trotted out of the stable and into the bright afternoon sunshine.
Sam stepped up to the fence and leaned against a pole, thoroughly enjoying the view of Chloe exercising Cinnamon. The horse and rider were like one, Chloe seeming to anticipate whatever Cinnamon was about to do and either allowing it or countering the horse’s ornery nature. And Cinnamon loved it, almost falling into her commands before Chloe even gave them. It was hard enough watching Chloe’s cute little bottom as it moved against the saddle, bouncing with the rhythm of the ride, or the desire that he was the horse instead. But watching as Chloe rode with such perfection, it was almost painful as his lust burst into flames within his body.
Why that woman was so stubborn about this attraction that was constantly around the two of them, he couldn’t understand. But he wasn’t going to let it go on much longer. He wanted her and he was going to have her, as soon as he figured out why or what this little filly needed reassurance about.
Chapter 3
Chloe rolled over, the air outside of her bed covers actually misting when her breath hit it. The air was so cold, she could barely think, much less move her muscles.