Page 19 of Beat of Love
Her eyes turned frosty, and she slapped at his hand. “Go to hell.” She pivoted and stepped away. Swaying, the color drained from her face, her freckles stark against pale skin.
“Fuck,” he muttered, moving fast, effortlessly lifting her into his arms. He scanned their surroundings, looking for a suitable place to set her down.
She stirred. “Put me down,” she mumbled.
“You might have concussion.”
“I did not knock my head.”
“Red, you whacked that ground something awful.” Brandy-Lyn lurched again, and fearing she would tumble from his hold, he loosened his grip and set her on her feet, keeping his hands on her waist.
Her eyes narrowed to green slits. “Are you insinuating I’m fat?”
Brandy-Lyn sounded so vexed, he couldn’t help grinning. “No, ma’am.” He dared not tell her exactly what he thought of her shapely form. And what he’d like todowith that form.
She was off-limits, his brother’s ex-girlfriend.
“And don’t call me Red. That’s so … clichéd,” she spat, twisting from his hold.
He kept one arm stretched out. Just in case.
She glared at his offending limb. “I’m not gonna fall over.”
Rafferty gave her a quick once-over. The color was back in her face and she seemed stable on her feet. He dropped his arm “What are you doing here, Brandy-Lyn?”
A frown creased her forehead. “What do you mean?”
“Think my meaning was clear. What the fuck are you doing on Lawson’s Landing?” he expanded, enunciating each word.
“I live here.”
“The fuck you say?”
“I. Live. Here.”
“You live here?”
“Seriously? Have the drugs addled your brain?”
He reared back, his jaw falling open.
A red hue flooded her cheeks. “My bad. That was extremely insensitive.” She reached for him, her fingers touching his arm.
He flinched.
She dropped her arm and inclined her head to the assortment of buildings a short distance away. “I part-own Blaze Canyon Stables.”
He viewed the equine breeding and training centre.LawsonStables, not— “Blaze Canyon Stables?”
“We changed the name, rebranded, after I bought in.”
“You own a business with my brother?”
“I do.”
He squinted at her. “What game are you playing?”
Brandy-Lyn cocked her head, frowning again. “What do you mean?”
