Page 84 of A False Start
Mira looks like she could cry as I stare back at her. Having a baby softened my sister-in-law, and I’m not mad at it. I’m happy to soak up any motherly attention that comes my way. Sometimes, I think about the fact we almost lost her. My life would be a lot less bright without her in it. Which is why I wrap her up in a hug and whisper in her ear, “I love you so much.”
She squeezes me tight. “Love you, too.”
When I pull away, Griffin’s scowl has washed away, swapped with an expression I can’t quite place.
“Later, Sinclaire,” I mutter as I turn to leave.
“Who are you riding with?” he bites out as soon as I’ve taken a few steps away.
“No one. I like my space.”
“Not safe.”
I peek over my shoulder because I don’t want to miss this reaction from him. “Thanks, Dad.”
I almost laugh when that one spot on his jaw pops. I’m sure he’s grinding that cinnamon gum to absolute shit between his molars.
“Meet me at my house. You can ride Spot. I’ll take one of the young ones that I have over there right now.”
I stop, turning back to them, not missing the ways Mira’s eyes move between us, no longer sparkling with emotion. Now it’s amusement.
“I just said I like my space.” My tongue swipes against the back of my teeth, trying so hard not to crack a smile.
“Heard. Just don’t care.” He shrugs, horse in hand, and walks away with the last word, annoyed masculine energy radiating from his shoulders.
But me? I’m not annoyed, I’m grinning because I just won myself some alone time with Griffin Sinclaire.
Mira brushes past me, doing a poor job of smothering the smile that’s playing across her face. She puts a good chunk of space between us before she mutters just loud enough for me to hear, “My God, Little Dalca. I daresay that man has it bad for you.”
And all I can think isgood.Now we can have it bad for each other. I hope he’s as fucked up over me as I am over him.
* * *
“You saddled my horse for me.”Griffin gives me an impassive look as he stares at the paddocks behind his house.
“Do you want to check that I did it properly?” I lean up against the fence and quirk an eyebrow at him. “Ruin my alone timeandboss me around?”
His lips twitch but he doesn’t smile, just dusts his hands together and heads toward the leggy bay thoroughbred in the paddock beside Spot. “No. I taught you how. I know you did it right. Ready?” he asks, tossing his cap on the ground and pulling a helmet on.
I nod and turn away, because if I don’t, I will seriously fucking throw myself at the guy, climb him, tackle him to the ground, and have my way with him right here and now.
Save a horse, ride a cowboy and all that.
“Yup.” I chicken out on that and bridle Spot before lining him up with the fence and hopping on. I urge him forward with a gentle squeeze without looking behind me and head down the driveway. The only way I know Griffin is following is because I can hear his horse’s hooves clopping behind me.
“This way.” He gestures down a wide path that winds between the trees, pulling up beside me as we head out for a leisurely walk. Spot’s head is slung low, swaying back and forth in a relaxed fashion. Griffin’s young colt is clearly nervous, his head held high, eyes bugging out of his skull, ears swiveling all over the place.
“Your horse is tripping balls, Sinclaire.”
“Stop calling me Sinclaire. That’s what the guys on my team called me.”
“So?” I shrug.
“I’ve been inside of you. You’re not one of the guys.”
I shrug again. “Might as well be. You’ve been treating me like one.”
“Nadia.” His tone is warning, but I don’t care. “Don’t say that.”
