Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“I might come around more often now,” he said with those eyes of his still locked on me.
“I doubt that’s possible,” Saxon replied. “What’s up? You don’t normally show up this early. It’s not even noon yet, and you’re awake.”
He finally moved his gaze to meet Saxon’s, but he did it so slowly, as if taking his eyes off me was difficult. I knew guys like him. I’d been exposed to them enough to know how to handle them. The flirting was not something to take seriously. It was in his nature. He enjoyed female attention and knew he was charming. I doubted he’d ever been rejected.
“My dad woke me up at seven. Who the fuck gets up that early? Well, other than you,” he replied.
Saxon found this amusing. “What did he want?”
Trev frowned. “He wanted me to work.”
Saxon raised his eyebrows. “Where?”
Trev shrugged, as if this was a good question. “Got me. What do I know about working with horses? I ride them, I watch them race, I enjoy the alcohol at the track, but that’s the extent of my knowledge.”
Saxon looked back at me, grinning, as if he wanted to laugh. “Trev is a Hughes,” he said, as if that explained this conversation. When I had no response to that, he continued, “Hughes Farm is the biggest racehorse establishment in the South.”
“With the most wins, the best horses, an Olympic-sized pool, and a hot tub big enough for twenty-five people,” Trev added.
I didn’t need to look at him to see the cocky smile on his face. I could feel it. He was too much like my ex. Except my ex, Hank, hadn’t been wealthy. Not even close. He’d just been blessed with looks that got him what he wanted. I decided I would be careful around Trev for that reason alone.
“Khan’s gonna have some competition,” Saxon said as he looked out over the fences toward a horse that seemed much calmer than the one I had been watching. “Firefoot is going to give him his first dose of a real match.”
Trev didn’t seem to care. He shrugged. “Great. Hope he does,” he replied. “I’m not here to talk horses or racing. Not my thing. I thought you might want to come over later for a swim. I’ve invited over some people.” He was looking at me, so I met his gaze. “It would be a good chance for Madeline to meet everyone.”
“Maddy,” I corrected him.
Saxon’s gaze was on me then, and I gave him a small smile.
“I go by Maddy,” I explained.
“Mom knows this?” he asked.
I nodded, and he rolled his eyes.
“She’s got this thing about not shortening names,” he told me, then looked back at Trev. “What time?”
“Around four,” Trev replied.
“We’ll be tired and hot by then. You up for a pool party?” Saxon asked me.
I wanted to say no and go find a place to be alone and read. However, Saxon’s eyes looked hopeful, like he really wanted me to go. Hiding in my room wasn’t going to make this any easier.
I managed to nod. “Sure.”
Saxon’s smile got bigger, and his dimples flashed. “Okay then, we’ll be there at four thirty.”
“Excellent,” Trev replied, sounding pleased. “I’ll see you both later.”
When he finally walked away, I felt relieved. I must have sighed that relief because I heard Saxon chuckle.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s a flirt. It’s how he is wired.”
I gazed out over the ranch and shrugged. “Other than the fact that he’s rich, I’ve dealt with guys like him before. It’s fine.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s something you deal with a lot.”
I turned my attention back to Saxon. “Why would you think that?” I asked, hearing the defensive tone in my voice. I hadn’t meant to sound like he had insulted me.
He almost looked embarrassed, and I found that interesting.
“Well, the way you look … guys notice you.”
I felt certain that was a compliment and only that. There was no flirty gleam in his eyes.
“Oh, um, thanks.” My response sounded awkward, and my cheeks warmed.
Saxon nodded his head toward the stables behind him. “Come on. Let me show you around.”
I fell into step beside him as he started walking. “Your mom mentioned that I needed to pick up some chores. I think you’re the one who’s supposed to give me some. She said I was needed out here more than inside or that I’d like it better. I’m not sure.”
“How do you feel about working around the horses?” he asked me.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m certain I don’t want to ride one or get too close.”
“Why’s that?” he asked.
“Before Trev arrived, I was watching one of these four-legged monsters rear up like he was trying to throw the rider off. It was terrifying.”
Saxon chuckled. “Iron War. He might be great one day. He has some emotional damage, but our best trainers are working with him now. Hopefully, they can turn him around. Don’t judge all horses because of him though.”