Page 19 of A False Start
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“What are you doing here?”
Nadia sounds about as happy as I do about this situation. But I also know I’m the best man for the job. The only one with the time for the job. Time I could have spent getting lost in Natasha or someone else. Honestly, anyone other than the tempting blonde standing in front of me.
“Billie is at the hospital. So, c-call me…” I trail off, rubbing a hand over my face. You’d think by now I could work my way around the words that trip me up. But I’m just dumb enough to run into them full throttle.
At least I’m consistent in my life choices.
When I remove my hand, I can see Nadia’s tilted head, glittering eyes regarding me curiously as she leans up against the fence. “Call you coach?” she finishes the sentence.
A nod is all I offer her. I’m already tired of talking. Missing the peace of my time alone.
“I’ve heard you do that before.”
“Yup.” I bark the word more harshly than I intended and don’t miss the way she flinches.
“Do you have a stutter?” She just asks it. Straight out. No shame, no treading lightly, no backing down. Just out with it.
I like that about her. The way she just says what she’s thinking. Wears her heart on her sleeve. It’s why I was so pissed off watching her around that douchebag the other night, all demure and accommodating. I wanted her to tell him to go fuck himself. Because that’s what he deserved.
Even if I barely know her, I know deep downthat’swho she is. And spending time with a person who you can’t be yourself around is a tragic waste of time. So, I don’t bother lying to her. This is who I am now.
“Yes,” I mumble, turning toward the gate. “Let’s get started.”
“Is Billie okay?” Her eyes are pinched with concern.
I sigh because I have little comfort to offer her. “I don’t really know.”
She nods with a bigger sigh than mine and then forges ahead. “Okay.” Her tone is back to light and happy. “Just tell me what to do.”
I almost groan out loud at her saying shit like that to me, andI have to remind myself that she’s fourteen years younger. Just starting her life. She doesn’t need someone like me—reclusive and damaged—and I can’t betray Stefan’s trust by pulling anything with his little sister.
“How much do you know? Have you ridden at all?”
“Nope.” She sidles up beside me, eyes trailing over Spot appreciatively. He is a good-looking horse. I can’t blame her. “What’s his name?” Her chin juts out in his direction.
“Spot.” I unlatch the gate and hand the leather halter over to her. “Go get him.”
“Spot?”
I bulge my eyes at her. Silently asking,Yeah, and?
“It’s just not a very creative name. What with all the spots on him.” She marches into the paddock confidently and holds the halter out for the horse to drop his head into it. “It would be like calling me Blondie instead of Wildflower.”
My molars clamp down at the mention of the pet name I called her, and it’s obvious to me that making little comments like that amuses her. Her lips are rolling together in a pathetic attempt to keep her smile concealed.
“Nadia,” I say her name like a warning, silently thanking the universe that her name doesn’t start with akor at. Scolding her while stumbling over the letter wouldn’t pack quite the same punch.
“Yes?” She shoots me the most innocent look, caramel eyes all wide behind the flutter of her thick lashes.Brat.
“Bring him into the barn and get him in the cross ties. Think you can manage that?”
“Yes, Coach.” Her voice overflows with amusement as she saunters past me toward the pristine facility.
If she weren’t completely off-limits, I’d take her over my knee. Age difference be damned.
I stare at her ass as she leads Spot into the barn. The way her jeans crease under the round globes is almost hypnotic. They curve up into a tight, narrow waist, before flaring back out into her ample tits.
