Page 62 of Holiday Hire

He moves his leg, and I adjust my foot over a row. I stare at his tattoo, then blurt out, "Stallion!"

His body tenses, which makes his abs even more appealing.

"Yellow!" Ace says.

We try to adjust our bodies, but we end up falling. He lands over me, catching his body weight so he doesn't crush me. His face and hot breath come inches from mine. Heat flares in his expression and his gaze darts to my lips.

I inhale sharply.

He slowly redirects his eyes to mine.

Snap out of it.

"You tattooed the word stallion on your V?"

His heated look morphs to one of mortification, and he once again tenses up.

Willow teases, "He didn't tell you about his tattoo?"

Ava smirks, adding, “It’s his pride and joy!”

He groans, then snaps, "Quiet, Willow," before he carefully rolls off me.

I get off the ground and repeat, "You tattooed the word stallion on your stomach? Is that your favorite horse?"

The Cartwright siblings erupt into laughter.

"What am I missing here?" I question.

Alexander's face reddens. He declares, "It was a long time ago. I was young."

Evelyn interjects, "Phoebe, did you see the arrow at the end of the rope?"

He turns his head, and says in warning, "Evelyn!"

I bite my lip, not taking my eyes off a humiliated Alexander.

Willow laughs, announcing, "He claims the bull riders are cocky, but he has no room to talk."

"Too bad he's not as big of a stallion as I am," Jagger claims.

"Shut up," Alexander mutters, clenching his jaw.

I try not to laugh, but I can't help it. I put my hand over my mouth.

"You should tell her how you got it," Evelyn adds.

Sebastian chimes in, "Yep. That was a brilliant day in decision-making."

Alexander puts his hand over his face and groans. "All of you need to stop."

Ace tries to protect him, claiming, "He loves horses that are winners! Don't you, Dad?"

Alexander quickly looks at him. "Yeah, that's right."

The adults snicker.

Mason urges, "Why don't you tell Phoebe the story?"

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