to be here tomorrow. I wanted to be home in my penthouse and away from all these country bumpkins who couldn’t speak properly and wanted to know everyone’s business, including mine.
“Busy.”
“Tuesday?”
He made a clucking sound with his tongue and shook his head. “Nope. I reckon I’m booked until August or later.”
“Of course you are.” Good looks notwithstanding, this guy was a pain in my ass. “Why are you so resistant to a meeting?”
“Honestly?”
“I’d prefer it over bullshit.”
“I don’t like you.”
I smirked and stepped closer. The horse snorted, and I backed up a step. I eyed the beast warily. I had no trust in animals.
Pulling up my composure, I squared my shoulders and met Easton’s hard eyes. “Funny, do you always go around kissing the guys you don’t like, or was I just that special?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. If I’d known you were a slimy bastard, I’d have never kissed you.”
“Ouch, right to the heart.” I pressed the heel of my palm to my chest as though he’d physically wounded me. “You don’t know a thing about me. You don’t know why I’m here or what I want. You assume. I think you’re too prideful to admit I may be a good bet, and you should probably listen to what I have to say. What if I carry the answers to all your problems? What if talking to me is the best decision you ever made in your life?”
Easton burst out laughing. “Oh, that’s ripe. I ain’t never met a man with a bigger ego than you before. Do you practice in front of a mirror every mornin’? ’Cause you got it down.”
My cheeks burned, and I had to stay my feet because every instinct I had wanted to get right in this wise-ass’s face. But he was on a horse, on a different level than me—and I was ashamed to admit, the horse was unsettling.
A lot.
“Look, I’ve gotta get back to the stables. My staff works hard, but I’ve already had enough days off for my sister’s wedding. If you’ll excuse me.”
He gave a command, and his horse started forward. With her sudden movement, I stumbled back a few steps to get out of the way.
“Easton, one coffee. Hear me out. Come on.” And he’d reduced me to begging. I fucking hated this guy more and more.
“No.”
“All I’m asking for is twenty minutes. If you still want to say no, I’ll go home and you’ll never see me again. I swear it.”
He made a sound in his throat, and his horse stopped walking. I stared at the cowboy’s back, hoping I’d bought myself some time. It was one thing to tell my father the Campbells had declined the offer but a whole other to go back to Edmonton with my tail between my legs without even having had a short meeting with the man. If Fredrick Montgomery ever found out, it would be humiliating. He’d never forget, and it would take years to rebuild my position in his eyes.
Without turning around, Easton asked, “Twenty minutes?”
“That’s all I need.”
“And then if I say no, you’ll go home and never bother me ’bout this again?”
“I swear it.” Sweat gathered along my spine, knowing I couldn’t make that guarantee. Dad could easily decide he wasn’t willing to give this up after one try. And what if he didn’t think I was the person to make it happen? What if he started doubting my abilities? Would he send Christian? Someone else? My stomach knotted at the thought.
“Fine. But I don’t have twenty minutes to spare since you’ve stalled me enough already. I have work to do, but if you want to follow me around and tell me what it is you came to talk about, I’ll listen.”
Was he kidding? I clenched my jaw, visions of what this man might do for a living racing through my mind. Giant dogs, horses, mud, and who knew what else? I shivered. “Fine. Sounds sufficient. This would work better over coffee.”
“Ain’t got time for that. Coffee hour is long past. Some of us don’t work cushy jobs in the city.” Then he made a noise, and his horse headed off down the road again.
I watched him go, hands on my hips, jaw unhinged, and a scowl on my face. This guy was digging under every nerve I had. Peering down at my outfit—my black slacks, five hundred dollar loafers, and Luigi Burrelli dress shirt—I cursed. Why hadn’t I packed something more suitable to wear?