Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
He stroked the mare’s snout, and she calmed instantly. “I’m not as heartless as you think. You’re the fucking assassin.”
“Like you don’t have a high body count yourself. I hear you’re well known for your marksmanship.”
“I have fucking standards.”
I locked my hand around his arm. He tried to jerk away, but I held on too tightly. “I’ve told you before. You have no idea who I really am, what my life is like, or who I kill or don’t kill.”
“You kill who your father orders you to. That’s how it fucking works.”
“Is that how it worked for you?”
Color rose in his cheeks. “I wasn’t in the fucking mob.”
“Your father was. Are you telling me he didn’t ever ask for your help?”
“No, he asked Grant, and Grant did what he had to protect me and Rogue. And that’s all I’m going to say about it.”
I saw the pain in his eyes. I could tell how much he hated that Grant had carried that burden for him. He was right about how things worked. My father gave orders, and I followed them—except on the rare occasions when I didn’t. “I’ve killed plenty, and I’ve killed without remorse, but those men were in the business just like I am. They knew the score, and many of them… Let’s just say no one was mourning their deaths.”
“Fine. I hate what you do, but there are worse men than you out there.”
“Aww, Angel, that’s almost sweet.”
Rhys flipped me off.
“Why are you here if you hate my kind so much? It really can’t be healthy to despise all your customers.”
Rhys blew out a long breath. “I’m here for Grant and the horses. Running a breeding program like this is what I’ve dreamed of doing since I was sixteen.”
I grinned. “I could make so many dirty jokes about that, but I won’t.”
“No, you won’t.”
I smiled for the first time since my aunt had called. “After last night, you still think I’ll take orders from you?”
Rhys scowled. “Forget last night ever happened.”
“Can you do that?”
“I already have.” He was lying. He was breathing hard, and it had nothing to do with the work he was doing. I was well aware he was in peak physical condition, but he was susceptible as hell to the chemistry between us.
I jumped down from the fence so I was standing right in front of him. The horse eyed me like she was considering the best angle of attack.
Rhys glanced back at her. “This isn’t the time, TJ. I can’t predict how she’ll behave with you this close to her.”
“I told you. I’m not fucking afraid of horses.”
“Right. That’s why you’re eyeing her like she’s a grizzly bear who thinks you’re after her cubs.”
“I am not.”
Rhys turned to the animal and petted her muzzle. “You’re going to be a sweet girl one day, aren’t you?”
“But are you ever going to be a sweet boy?”
“There. That’s the kind of shit I expect you to say.”
I shrugged. “I can’t spend all my time entertaining you.”
“I don’t need your entertainment. I’ve told you to stay away from the barn. I have work to do.”
“I worked you hard last night.”
“Stop talking about it. I don’t want to think about it.”
I glanced around. “Are you afraid someone’s going to see us together? Are you afraid they might get the wrong impression if you stopped long enough to talk to me?”
“No. Everyone’s used to you hanging around and making a nuisance of yourself.”
“So give me some work to do. Or tell me another way I can help you.”
Rhys dropped his gaze, pretending to inspect the mare’s hoof. “Last night was a one-off. I was drunk, and it was stupid.”
“Do you really regret it? Because I seem to remember you enjoying yourself very much.”
“You can regret things you enjoyed. I have the sense to know when I made a bad decision.”
“And you’re implying I don’t?”
He closed his eyes for a moment as if trying to find the control he needed not to hit me or yell at me with the horse waiting impatiently behind him. “Do we have to do this now? Do you have to keep playing these games with me? I thought you finally got what you wanted.”
“Oh, baby. I didn’t get anywhere near as much as I wanted.” My world might be falling apart, but this—flirting with this man, especially now that I knew just how hot things could be between us when he let go—was pure joy. “What would you do if I kissed you right here?”
“I wouldn’t have to do anything. Pumpkin would bite your face off. I’m the only one she lets get close.”
I chuckled. “You’re using a horse as protection now? I thought you weren’t scared of me.”
“I’m not.”
He didn’t sound nearly as confident as he had the day before. He wasn’t scared of me like most people were, but he was scared of what I made him feel, and that only made me want him more.