Page 15 of Holding The Reins

I snicker because yes, I did that. I was home to visit when CeCe was fifteen and Cole heard Michael was bragging that he was going to take CeCe’s v-card, but Wyatt strictly forbade Wade and me—who were grown ass men of twenty-three—from knocking out a seventeen-year-old, so we had to get creative to stop that date from happening.

She’s still rambling reasons as to why I annoy her so I let her finish.

“And lastly, Avery is a really nice girl and if you treat her the way you treated every girl you dated in high school and college, I’m gonna have a bone to pick with you. Be nice to her or find someone else to romp with.”

Whoa. What the fuck?

I move closer to her. I have one shot here to make her understand so I just go for it.

“First, Avery is my employee only. I would never get involved with an employee, ever. It’s my cardinal rule. We’re really lucky to have her. Secondly, I was a dumb kid when I picked on you with your brothers. I never meant anything by it and if I offended you I apologize. Thirdly, I’m not the same person I was back then.”

“So you don’t sleep around with women for sport anymore?”

It’s at this moment I notice the look in her eyes—a look that has absolutely nothing to do with me, it’s about the person I used to be that reminds her of the person that just hurt her.

She’s not wrong, I used to sleep with women. A lot of them. When you play hockey, women are everywhere—puck bunnies at every turn. But that was a different time in my life. The man CeCe remembers has left the building.

I heard from Wade what a piece of shit this Andrew is, and I’m nothing like him. He filled me in while we set up for the four-level riding class this morning and it made me clench my fists at my sides to imagine someone ever hurting CeCe Rae.

“I’m not like you think, at least not anymore. I get why you’d remember me that way.”

She scoffs at me. “Yeah… you had a no-longer-than-three-times rule.”

Again, she’s not wrong, but now I just want to fuck with her and her smug little attitude.

“I have to say, CeCe, I never pegged you for the judgy type.” I cross my arms over my chest, doing my best to look insulted.

She looks up at me, trying to appear very non-judgy and failing. She pulls her plush bottom lip between her teeth and thinks for a second before answering.

“I’m not judgy, Nash. It’s just, people rarely change.”

“Maybe not, but people do grow up, CeCe. You haven’t lived here, in what? Seven, eight years?”

Something in her eyes softens. She paces the space, picking up a stack of invoices and carrying them to her new desk. She stands there for a second tapping her baby pink nails on it.

“You really do need me here; this is the most unorganized accounting system I’ve ever seen.”

I smile wide at her. I can taste the victory.

“I know I do. Sonny is amazing, but she’s old school. We need to streamline this place. I don’t want anything slipping through the cracks, but I haven’t been able to find any more qualified help. Is the pay fair for you?” I ask.

I know it is—it’s twenty percent a year higher than the going rate.

She nods in response. “Yes, it is.”

“Your hours are yours to choose, whatever works for you. I’m sure you want to spend some time with Mama Jo. Cole told me it’s important to you, now that you’re home. You can work remotely whenever you want. The choice is yours.”

Her eyes narrow, like she doesn’t believe me.

“You smiling at me like that is making me nervous. When did you get so nice and accommodating? What’s the catch?” she asks as she twirls a piece of her hair between her fingers.

“I’m not nice and accommodating, I’m a hard-ass, remember?”

She smirks in spite of herself.

“Does that mean you’re in?” I ask.

She stops twirling her hair and eyes me up.

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