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“Tessa, you’re not a virgin.”
“Yes, I am.” She tilted her chin, refusing to be ashamed of what she was just because society felt she should be another way. “I promised my mother I’d wait for love. My body is something I value, Grant. I want my first time to be with someone I truly care about, who I know cares for me.
“I won’t lie,” she went on, when he remained silent. “I’ve never before been kissed in a way that made me forget everything and want to give in to all my desires.” She took a deep, steadying breath, bringing her hands up to grasp his wrists. “But with you, I want more.”
“I value your morals,” he answered. “I probably respect you more for them. But you know there’s something here. This is more than just lust, more than just sex. You need to let yourself live.”
Shifting his hands, causing hers to fall away, he slid the pads of his thumbs over her bottom lip. “A woman with as much passion as you have, as much desire lurking in those eyes, has never fully committed to another man?”
Tessa shook her head, not knowing what to say next. This was the part when a man turned totally weird or ran out the door...not that there had been many men to begin with. Her ex had certainly thought he could persuade her. Now she was even more thankful Aaron hadn’t convinced her.
Since Tessa was at Grant’s house, she figured this was her cue to go. Shoulders back and pride intact, she stepped around him and went toward the door. She’d barely pulled her jacket from the hook before a hand closed over hers, another at her waist.
“Don’t leave.”
With his strong body surrounding her, and those two simple words that held so much meaning, Grant engulfed her.
“I can’t stay, Grant. I’m not ready to give myself, and even if I did, you’d be disappointed.”
“Look at me.”
Forgoing the jacket, she dropped her arm and turned. But instead of seeing confusion or disappointment in his eyes, she saw tenderness, plus a heavy dose of desire. And determination.
“First of all, no matter what you did to or with me would ever be disappointing,” he told her, framing her face between his hands so she had no choice but to face him head-on. “Second, the fact that you’re a virgin doesn’t scare me away, if that’s what you were waiting on. And if it scared other guys before, then they’re jerks and don’t deserve you. Whether we sleep together or not is completely your call, Tessa. I enjoy you, I enjoy talking with you, learning from you and, yes, kissing you. But the ball is in your court. If you don’t want to take the next step with me, I totally respect your decision. But don’t expect me to stop kissing you at every chance I get.”
At his warm smile, Tessa found herself grinning. “I wouldn’t mind you kissing me whenever you want. I can’t promise I’ll ever be ready for more with you. Not that I don’t want it, I just can’t give myself, knowing it would only be a fling.”
Grant’s lips touched hers briefly before he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “You’re the strongest woman I know.”
“I’m not feeling strong,” she retorted with a laugh. “I’m feeling like I want to forget the fact you’re not staying, and throw aside all rationale.”
“Country, you know where to find me.” He stroked her lips once more. “But I’m not giving up. You’re so passionate and I want to be the one to uncover that hunger you’ve kept hidden.”
Well, that declaration certainly wasn’t helping matters. Besides the fact she’d be seeing him every single day, he’d been so understanding, so comfortable with the news that she was a virgin. Which would make him even harder to resist.
But on the flip side, he would try harder, be even more charming and irresistible. Her mother had always told her the right one would accept and understand her values, and try not to push her.
And without hesitation, Grant had accepted her. Which made him all the more tempting, and quite possibly...the one she’d been waiting for?
Nine (#u69b6edb5-ba8e-58d8-8726-83cba9e35667)
How the hell did he cope with this bombshell? He’d never been in this situation before and honestly had no idea how to react, let alone what to say.
Had he said the right thing?
Running a hand down his face, Grant stared out his patio door toward the pasture, where a few horses grazed off in the distance.
For the sake of his career, here he was, in a world he’d sworn off, finding himself drowning in a woman he wanted just sex from, only to find out she was a virgin.
Grant laughed at the irony that was now his life. The damn film hadn’t even started yet, and he was sinking deeper and deeper into worlds that threatened to leave him weak and vulnerable. Way to stay in control of the game.
He glanced at his watch, noted it was time to head to the stables, and sighed. No matter his personal feelings—and he couldn’t deny there were very personal feelings involved now—he had to remain on task and get the job done. This was still his livelihood, still his reputation on the line if he wanted to move on up in the movie industry.
As he headed out the door, his cell phone rang. After shutting the door behind him, Grant stepped off the narrow porch.
“Hey, Bronson,” he said.
“I hope you’re sitting down, man. I’ve got news for you.”
Freezing in his tracks, Grant gripped the phone. “Good news or bad news?”
“Beyond good. Marty Russo has been in contact with me and Anthony. He’s willing to back your production company if this film takes off like we think it will.”
“Are you kidding me?” Grant asked, suddenly seeing his dream spiraling closer toward reality.
On the other end of the connection, Bronson Dane laughed. “Not at all. If this movie is a hit like we all believe it will be, Russo Entertainment wants you to come on board and branch out with your own company.”
Grant could hardly believe this. He’d been a director for years, had worked his ass off to get to the point of producing, and now, before his production debut, he might already have a chance at starting his own company?
He’d been fortunate in the past several years to have some major deals, which set his name on the film map. But his own company would take his career to a whole new level.
“Man, that’s great,” Grant said. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You deserve it,” Bronson replied. “Marty was going to call, but I wanted to be the one to tell you. I’m sure he’ll be calling you later today.”
Grant had worked with the man several times. Being the CEO of Russo Entertainment, Marty often had a direct hand in the company’s films, and was a very hands-on guy. Grant respected the hell out of him and had every intention of not letting him down.
“Anthony and I are wrapping up at Churchill Downs today. Between there, New York and Maryland, we’ve covered the main tracks and have some amazing areas for scenes. We should be arriving at the end of next week.”
Grant continued walking his path again as he and Bronson discussed the church, cemetery and other local places that had meaningful ties to Damon Barrington’s past.
By the time he disconnected the call, he was beaming. The sun had risen, the spring day was beautiful and promised to be warm, and he had the chance of a lifetime right within his reach.
But his smile faded and fear set in when he saw Cassie running alongside the fence and Tessa on a horse, barreling faster than he’d ever seen seen her go.
Fear flooded him, and he had to force himself not to overreact. Another time, another woman flashed in his mind and nausea threatened to overtake him.
Especially when Tessa kept pulling back on the reins and yelling, alarm lacing her voice.
Grant ran to the fence, having no clue how he could help or even what the hell had happened.
The horse seemed to reduce his speed, barely, but then reared up, after which everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Tessa screamed, slicing a new layer of dread straight through Grant. When she fell off the back of the horse, he leaped over the fence, not giving a damn about anything but getting to her.
He crouched down beside her as she was rolling onto her back, gasping—whether in pain or because the wind had been knocked out of her, he didn’t know.
“Tessa, honey.” He ran his hands gently over her, praying for no broken bones, no broken skin. “Talk to me. Are you hurt?”
She groaned and tried to sit up, but he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Just lie here for a minute,” he told her.
“Macduff...where...” Tessa continued to try to catch her breath as she searched the track. “Is he okay?”
Fury bubbled within Grant. Was she seriously more worried about this horse than her own welfare?
Because she wasn’t going to relax until she knew about the animal, Grant glanced back and saw Cassie managing just fine, along with the new groom. They’d taken control of the horse and were leading him into the stables.
“He’s fine,” Grant told her. “Cassie has him.”
Tessa’s shoulders relaxed into the dirt and her eyes closed as she exhaled a shallow breath. The color had left her face and her arm was draped across her ribs.
“I need to know what hurts, so I can tell the squad.” He pulled out his phone and barely hit the 9 before she put her hand over his.
“No, I’m fine.” Her eyes locked on to his. “Don’t fuss with calling anyone.”
“Like hell I’m not, Tessa.”
Bad memories played through his mind like a horror movie...only it had been real life. Internal injuries were by far even more terrifying. He’d done a somewhat good job of keeping these two worlds—caring for Tessa, and her lifestyle—apart. But the two had just collided and blown up in his face.
“You’re white as a ghost, Grant. Are you okay?”
He ran a hand down his face and nodded. “I’m fine. But you’re going to get checked out. Internal injuries may not make their appearance known until it’s too late.”
“Grant—”
“You can either ride in an ambulance or I’m taking you, but this is not up for debate.”
Tessa flinched at his raised voice.
“Is she okay?” Cassie asked, squatting down next to them.
“She’s stubborn,” Grant hissed, coming to his feet. “Talk some sense into her while I call for the medics.”
While he did so, he at least heard Cassie taking his side. No way in hell would he allow Tessa to ignore what had just happened. And knowing her, she’d probably get right back on the damn horse and go another round.
After his call was placed, he returned to Tessa, who was now sitting up with Cassie’s arm supporting her.
“They’re on their way,” he told them.
“I hate to leave her, but I need to tell Nash she’s going to the hospital, and I need to go find Dad.”
“Who’s Nash?” Grant asked.
“The new groom,” Tessa told him. “Go, Cass, I’m fine.”
Cassie shot Grant a look, but he nodded, giving her the silent go-ahead. There was no way he would be leaving Tessa’s side.
“I’m sure Dad will be at the hospital as soon as I let him know,” Cassie said.
“That’s fine. I’ve got my cell, so he can call me, too.”
As soon as the squad arrived and loaded Tessa—carefully, as per Grant’s demands—he went to get his rental car to follow. As much as he wanted to ride with her, he needed his vehicle, because when they left, he sure as hell would be the one bringing her back.
* * *
“This is all really silly,” Tessa complained as Grant eased his car into the drive, passing beneath the arched sign for the estate. “I can stay at my house just fine, Slick.”
“We already went over this. You can stay at your house with me or at my house with me. Since you only huffed when I gave you your options, I decided we’d stay here so your dad and sister are closer.”
Tessa rolled her eyes as he parked in front of the cottage. “I only live one property over.”
He turned, offered her that killer smile complete with dimples and said, “Yes, but there are several acres separating the two. Your father and I agreed this was best.”
“My father probably has no clue you have the hots for his daughter, either,” she mumbled.
Grant barked a laugh and came around to help her out. She wasn’t some invalid. She’d fallen off Macduff because she’d not been paying attention, and the once-abused horse was still skittish.
Cassie had bought the horse from an auction, and they all knew he’d been mistreated. But Cassie was a softy for any animal, especially ones not properly cared for. Tessa was confident she could keep him under control...and she had, until she’d seen Grant walking toward the stables, phone to his ear and wearing the most brilliant smile. He’d stolen her breath, and she’d lost her concentration. Macduff was nervous, anyway, but the accident was totally her fault.
Grant slid his arm around her as she started to climb from the car. “Really, I can walk,” she protested. “I won’t fall over.”
“The doctor said you had a concussion, and you admitted you were dizzy.” He tightened his grip. “You’re not going down on my watch.”
Okay, so a bit of her was thrilled at the fact he wanted to care for her, but she seriously could’ve taken care of herself. Did he think she was sharing his bed tonight? Surely that wasn’t a reason behind his insistence to keep her at his place.
Once inside the cottage, Grant gave her no option but to sit on the sofa with her feet propped up. Her protests were completely ignored as he removed her boots.
“Now, what can I get you to eat? You haven’t had dinner.”
Tessa hadn’t given food a thought. “What do you have? Just something light. I’m still queasy.”
“I’m pretty sure there are some cans of soup in the cabinet.”
Laying her head against the back of the sofa, she nodded. “That will be fine. Any flavor, I’m not too picky.”
Even as tired as she was, she couldn’t close her eyes. Watching Grant bustle around the kitchen, getting her dinner ready, really hit her hard. Aaron had never taken this much care of her. He’d never tried to put her needs first. Of course, hindsight was a real eye-opener, because the man had been only out for himself to begin with.
But there was something special about Grant. He obviously loved his family, which was a huge indicator that he was a nurturer. The fact he was so easy to talk to also proved to her that he wasn’t the self-centered city slicker she’d first thought him to be.
When he brought her dinner on a tray, Tessa smiled. “You’re so good to me, Slick. I could get used to this.”
He took a seat on the coffee table across from her and smiled. “I could get used to you lying on my couch watching me.”
After taking a few mouthfuls of chicken soup, she glanced back over at him and sighed. His eyelids were heavy, his hair all messed from running his fingers through it. Normally he looked so polished, the picture of perfection. Now he looked...exhausted.
“I’m sorry, Grant.”
“What for?”
“This. Being a burden, scaring you.”
