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Clause aside, if he’d slept with her, she would’ve regretted it, and the last thing he wanted her to see when she looked at him was regret. Hurt he could handle, regret...not so much.
He was still going to be leaving, and she deserved so much more than sex from a man who was only passing through.
Today he’d be talking with Damon and Cassie. Thankfully, he could avoid Tessa, and they both could take time to figure out what the hell was going on between them.
Lust, yes. Desire, most definitely. But was there more, only he couldn’t put a definite name on it? The thought worried him, because he had a feeling he could want more with her, but couldn’t let himself face all the pain and regret he’d fought so hard to keep away. And he couldn’t risk getting back into a lifestyle he’d run so fast and far from.
There was a reason he hadn’t visited his sister and saw his parents only when they came to him. He just couldn’t tackle all the crippling emotions that always seemed to chase him.
Grant made his way to the main house and entered through the back door. After he’d been here for over a week, Damon had insisted Grant quit knocking and just walk in.
When he stepped into the kitchen, the sweet aroma of cinnamon rolls assaulted him. A beautiful, middle-aged woman with a cap of short silver hair was bustling around the room and humming. Grant cleared his throat so he didn’t scare her.
She turned and smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Carter.”
“Morning,” he replied. “I’m supposed to meet Damon.”
“Oh, he’ll be down shortly.” She picked up the plate of gooey rolls and extended it toward him over top the granite island. “Fresh rolls from the oven. Would you like one?”
“I can’t turn down anything that smells this good,” he told her, reaching for a warm pastry.
“I’m Linda, by the way.” She pulled out a small saucer and set it in front of him, along with a napkin. “Coffee?”
“Please. Black.”
Soon he was in breakfast heaven. Homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee. He could so get used to this film set. Some he’d worked on had been out in the desert; a few had been in a jungle with no indoor plumbing. But this estate? Yeah, Grant could get used to these amenities...and he wasn’t just thinking of the food.
“I’m happy to see someone sit and actually enjoy my cooking while it’s hot,” Linda told him. “Cassie rarely shows up because she’s busy with Emily, and Tessa is too worried about keeping her weight as a jockey. Damon usually eats, but it’s grabbing and heading out the door.”
“And do you cook every morning, anyway?” Grant asked, sipping the steaming coffee.
“Every morning without fail. One of these days the family may decide to all come in and actually use that dining room.” She smiled. “They’re just too busy, if you ask me.”
“Well, I have good news. Next week more of my crew will be arriving. You’re in luck. They like to eat.”
Linda laughed. “Well, then. Looks like I need to make a trip to the store and throw together some menus.”
Grant polished off the roll and eased back in his chair, in no hurry to leave his present company. He had a feeling this woman might know things about this family that many others didn’t.
“How long have you worked here?” he asked.
Linda placed her palms on the edge of the island. “This summer will be fifteen years.”
Perfect.
“So you knew the late Mrs. Barrington?”
Linda nodded. “I did. She was a beautiful woman. Her girls most definitely take after her. That vibrant red hair, those bright blue eyes. A rare mix, but the Barrington women have a special mark of beauty.”
“Was there ever any rivalry between Tessa and Cassie? Cassie seems very content to stay behind the scenes and be the trainer. Has that always been the case?”
“Cassie has always been a bit shy, but she’d do anything for anyone and sacrifice her own happiness to make others happy.” Linda paused before going on. “I dare to say that’s how she ended up with Emily’s father, that arrogant prick. Pardon my language.”
Grant smiled. “I’m getting a vibe that Cassie’s ex-husband isn’t liked around here very much.”
“He’s not liked at all. How could you leave a woman when she’s just delivered your child? I ask you. He’s no man, he’s a selfish coward.”
“I completely agree,” Grant replied. “What about Tessa? What can you tell me about her?”
Linda smiled again, her eyes softening. “Sweet Tessa. She wants to be the best at everything, and she’ll push herself until she becomes that way. I’ve never seen anyone more in competition with themselves than she is. To be honest, after her mama died, she completely submersed herself in the horses. She loved them before and competed heavily, but she had a life. Now she’s in those stables all day and sometimes all night.”
Not last night. Last night she’d been trembling beneath his hands, silently begging for things she couldn’t possibly be ready for.
“I’ve heard her ex isn’t too popular around here, either,” Grant said, mentally moving on from last night’s interludes.
Linda rolled her eyes and grabbed a pot holder as she made her way to the stove built into the wall. “That man wanted Tessa for two reasons—her name and her money. And then...”
Grant waited while she pulled another pan from the oven, but when she didn’t continue he rested his elbows on the counter and asked, “Then what?”
Shaking her head, Linda turned back toward him. “I’d best not say. You’ll have to talk to Tessa.”
“Did she love him?”
The woman smiled, cocked her head to the side. “I’m thinking I like where this line of questioning is going.”
“It’s all pertinent to the film.”
She laughed. “That may be, but it’s also important to you on a personal level, yes?”
“I’m not here for personal reasons,” he replied.
No matter what was or wasn’t happening between him and Tessa, he couldn’t let anything slip. That clause hung over his head, and if he and Tessa decided to...whatever, then that would be in private and kept between them. Period. He had no other option if he wanted to take his career to the next level. And he needed this film and Russo Entertainment to get him there.
Some might say advancing his career was just another leg of this race he ran to stay as far away from his family and past life as possible. Grant liked to believe he was just securing his future.
“Grant.”
He turned and came to his feet when Tessa’s father stepped into the room. “Morning, Damon.”
“Hope you weren’t waiting too long.”
“Not at all,” Grant replied. “A cinnamon roll, coffee and wonderful company is never a bad thing.”
Damon smiled and reached for a roll. “Linda’s specialty. She’s a whiz in the kitchen.”
“Not that anyone in this family sticks around long enough to really enjoy my talents,” she muttered with a slight grin.
“Are you ready to get started?” Damon asked. “I’ve arranged a tee time for ten o’clock.”
“We’re golfing?” Grant asked.
“I am. You can play caddie if you want.”
Grant laughed. “I suck at golf, but let me run to the cottage and change, and I’ll be back.”
“I’ll be here.”
Grant rushed back to his house, barely glancing toward the stables, because he feared he’d see Tessa and that hurt in her eyes again. Female laughter rippled from the open doors and his heart flipped. She was in there with her sister, and they were fine. She probably hadn’t given him another thought.
So while he was on the golf course with her father today, Grant would try his damnedest to not let her consume his every single thought.
Eleven (#u69b6edb5-ba8e-58d8-8726-83cba9e35667)
Tessa ignored the buzzing of her phone and pulled Don Pedro out of his stall. No way in hell was she answering, or even acknowledging another text from Aaron. What the hell was he thinking, texting her? He’d also called, but thankfully, she’d missed that and he hadn’t left a voice mail.
Stupid jerk. Did he honestly think she’d want to have any contact with him after what he’d put her through?
She had the Arkansas Derby in a few days, and she had to qualify to move on to Kentucky. And she would qualify, as soon as she got distractions out of her life. Aaron would not be a distraction because she refused to allow him the mind space.
But there was another man, a more dangerous man, consuming her thoughts. Even though she’d tried all morning, she couldn’t exorcise him from her mind.
Unfortunately she could still feel Grant’s hands on her body, his lips on hers, the strength of him pressing her against the door. The way he’d forced her to relinquish control and completely come apart.
She had so many emotions swirling around in her, she didn’t know where to put them all. On one hand she wanted more. She wanted to know how else Grant and she could pleasure each other, because she had a feeling she’d gotten only a meager sampling.
On the other hand she was embarrassed for her actions. She’d come to console him, and ended up practically clawing him and writhing in his arms.
And she was still tingling from the experience.
Now he wasn’t just in all her thoughts, he was nowhere near her and still causing goose bumps to pop up.
“Everything okay?” Cassie asked, stepping into the stable from the ring. “You seem distracted.”
“Aaron has been texting me.”
No way could Tessa explain what she’d experienced last night...or hadn’t experienced, since Grant put on the brakes. She’d wanted him, would’ve probably given in to her desires, but he’d given her an orgasm and sent her back to bed. What was that? The adult equivalent to milk and cookies? Why did he call the shots?
“What does he want?” Cassie asked, sliding her hands into her pockets.
Pulling herself back to the present, Tessa shrugged. “I have no idea. He’s just asked if we can talk. I refuse to answer him.”
“Jerk,” Cassie muttered. “Well, we need to get going, because I’m supposed to meet with Grant this afternoon.”
Tessa stilled. “What for?”
“He wanted to interview me and ask questions about my perspective regarding the movie. He’s meeting with Dad this morning.”
Tessa’s grip on the reins tightened. She wondered what he thought about discovering her gone this morning. There was no way she could wake up and see his face, not after their raw, emotional—and physical—connection last night.
“Well, this is interesting,” her sister said, a smile spreading across her face. “Has a certain producer caught your eye?”
Tessa laughed. “More like I’ve caught his.”
“Even better,” Cassie squealed, clasping her hands together. “You can’t keep things like this from me.”
Leading Don Pedro toward the ring, Tessa fell into step beside her. “I don’t even know what there is to tell,” she began. “He’s made it clear he’s attracted to me, but I don’t have time for this, and we’re so different.... I can’t even name all the reasons.”
“What’s the main one?”
Tessa squinted against the bright spring sun. “His life is in the city. He’s not a dirt-and-boots type of man.”
“So? A sexy guy like Grant can be anything he wants. What else bothers you?”
“Our age. He’s ten years older than me.”
Cassie sighed. “You mean he’s experienced?”
“Well, there’s that, but he’s just... I don’t know. Out of my league.”
Cassie gripped her arm and shook her. “Don’t ever say things like that. Nobody is out of your league. If Grant is interested, why not see what happens? Age won’t matter, and as far as him being a city boy, that’s just geography. Unless you’re not interested in him.”
“I’d have to be dead not to notice him on a physical level, but when he kisses me—”
“Wait,” Cassie interrupted, holding up her hand. “Kisses? As in plural? Why didn’t you start there when I asked about him? Why start with all that’s wrong instead of what’s putting that dreamy smile on your face?”
“Because I’m scared,” Tessa said honestly. “I want him too much and I just... I’m afraid to give in.”
“Mama made us promise to hold out for love. I truly loved Em’s dad, even though he didn’t love me. I still do in some ways, even though he’s gone.” Cassie shook her head and smiled. “I’ve never seen you even question putting aside your fears for a man. That should tell you something, Tess.”
Nodding, she returned her sister’s grin. “I know. But I need time to think, and I can’t do that and work on qualifying, too. So, let’s get our day started.”
“Fine, but this conversation is far from over.”
Tessa laughed. “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
* * *
Grant’s meeting with Damon was insightful. They’d talked quite a bit already, but today Grant was able to get more personal, detailed information from the man. They’d gone over the script with a finer lens, as well.
He wanted Damon to have a hands-on experience. As coproducer, Grant wished to showcase not only the racing legend, but the man behind the Barrington dynasty.
And now Grant was headed to Cassie’s cottage to talk to the shiest Barrington sister. He was very interested in getting her angle on being not only Damon’s daughter and growing up with a famous father, but also as a trainer for the mogul.
Grant had barely knocked on Cassie’s door before she answered it. “Hey, come on in.”
He stepped over the threshold, taking in the spacious cottage that mimicked his. Of course, his wasn’t littered with a Pack ’N Play, a high chair and various kid toys.
“Emily is lying down for her afternoon nap,” she told him, closing the door behind him. “We should have a few uninterrupted hours.”
