Page 82 of Entwined

“I’m not helping you with that. Haven’t you done enough?”

“I know. I’m not a good person. I get that. But she made me want to be better.”

“I know. She did the same for me.”

“You’ll help me?”

“No. I love her too much to help you—El Diablo.”

“Fuck. I’m glad she found you.”

“So am I, Heathcliff. She’s not here anyway. She’s at the barn.”

Heathcliff? Of course! Jane Austen!I laugh as Jecca ends our call giving me a huge clue. So, my Jessie enjoys Wuthering Heights? She’s about to get a first edition. I’ve been going about this all wrong. Romancing Jessie—isdifferent.

She’s different. And I’ve had my head up my own arse, too focused on the end game. But I can’t win without scoring some points. I can’t wait to cheer on my dove as she and Simone compete.

I immediately call my solicitor asking him to find me the earliest editions of every Jane Austen book. Then I finish my coffee and get dressed. Bypassing rows of impeccably pressed suits, I opt for a pair of designer jeans and a short-sleeved Henley. My fingers grab the brim of a baseball hat. I keep it for paparazzi emergencies, when I need to move around the city freely without being recognized. I decide to let it hang on the hook and grab a pair of sunglasses instead. The sun finally showed its face. I can’t wait to see its light shine down on my dove.

Whistling as I lock up, I get behind the wheel of my new Audi and drive to King’s campus. I find a spot outside the barn and walk in silently. I hear her soft voice talking to a horse and walk past stalls until I find her stroking a mare’s nose.

“Stop petting my horse and clean out her stall. I thought I told Sally I didn’t want you around her anyway.”

“Is there a problem?” I walk forward towards the girl belittling my Jessie. Both of them turn, wide-eyed at me. Jessie recovers quickly while the other girl continues to boldly stare at me. Ignoring her I turn to Jessie, “I’d like to take you to lunch when you’re done here.”

“I’m not hungry. Besides, I’m not dressed properly to lunch anywhere you would probably want to take me.”

I walk forward, plucking a piece of hay from her hair, “You’re perfect all the time. I’m not accepting a “no.” Not anymore.”

“As if you ever did.” She retorts, picking up the pitchfork to continue mucking the stall.

“Did you need something?” I pointedly ask the girl still hanging around. Red covers her cheeks, her eyes gloss over and her riding gloves fist, as she stares at me and Jessie. “My horse. I’d like to ride. If this stable girl would move, I could get her out.”

I move forward, with every intention to defend my dove from this society brat. But Jessie puts a hand on my forearm. “It’s okay. I can handle myself. I’ve been doing it for a while now.”

“Yes, you have. I’m proud of you. It should’ve been the first thing I said to you… I’m sorry. For everything.”

“Are you kidding me? Here? Now? You’re apologizing to me here… at the barn at nine in the morning on a Saturday?”

“Better late than never,” I quip.

She rolls her eyes at me, moving to the next stall.

“Did you just roll your eyes at me?”

“I did. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

“Not yet… but I won’t forget about it either. Someday…someday I will punish you,”I murmur.

She turns getting in my face, whispering against my lips, “Don’t bet on it.”

My cock stirs. I love it when she fights. This tug-of-war between us heats my blood. I groan, closing my eyes. Visions of her bent over, while I take her from behind fill my head. I’d slap that ass, pump in, then do it all over again.

“Stop. I know what you’re thinking about. It’s all over your face.”

I lean in closer, bracing my hands on the top of the stall door. “Make me.”

She finishes putting the halter on the horse then clips the lead line on. “Careful. This one bites.”

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