Page 14 of Shadow

“Now that we got that out of the way. Let’s chat about the investor that I’ve been in contact with. There’s a place out East called The Mason Center and they’ve got an equine therapy program. Their director, Olivia Phoenix, has been looking to expand and wants to meet with you.” Dad pushes back his plate while he tells me more.

“Hm. I hadn’t really considered a full-service therapy center. And honestly, I’d been hoping to keep it on Addington property if we could. Do we have room for something like that?” I look over at Gramps for an answer.

“Let’s set up a meeting. See what she thinks we’re looking at, space-wise, and go from there. I might be able to find another few acres nearby if we need to.”

“Your Grandfather is right. One step at a time, I say.” Dad chimes in and hands me Olivia’s contact information. “Give her a call or send her an email when you’ve got a chance.”

ChapterEight

Garrett

It’s late evening when I finally make it back to the barn with Domino after repairing part of the fence line along the far end of the property line where a tree had fallen.

I’ve already missed dinner and I’m sure by now Lindsey thinks I’m avoiding her again. In a way, I am, but only because I want to talk with the eldest Addington men before anything else happens between me and Lindsey.Ifanything else happens.

I laid awake all night deciding how I was going to handle everything and praying that Lindsey wouldn’t wake up hating me this morning. Her absence at breakfast made me nervous and when Kevin pulled me to the side to tell me she was having breakfast in town with her dad and grandfather, I didn’t feel any better about my odds.

Moving slowly out of pure exhaustion, I untack Domino and brush him down before putting him in his stall for the night with some freshwater and grain.

By the time I make it to the top of the steps leading to my loft, I’m ready to pass out.

The door is unlocked and the hair on the back of my neck stands. Out of habit I always lock the door even though I know the Addington’s have a master key. They’ve never just let themselves in though. I slowly open the door, more than a little worried about what I might find waiting for me but as soon as it’s all the way open Lindsey’s stunning form fills my line of sight.

“Breaking and entering? Really, Linds?” I tease, hoping that this isn’t a bad sign.

“You missed dinner. Kev said you and Austin were working on the fence and wanted to get done. I figured you still needed to eat when you got back.”

The urge to kiss her is like a magnetic pull. I may be a thousand steps ahead of myself but it would be all too easy for me to get used to the idea of coming home to Lindsey in my space every day.

“I appreciate you thinking of me. I should probably hop in the shower real quick and get all this dirt off.” I tell her while my feet are still planted firmly in place near the door. Over and over again, I remind myself that I want to do the right thing by her even though I want to do all the very inappropriate things right now.

Lindsey grabs the end of her t-shirt and flings it over her head, letting it drop to the floor. “Hm. You look like you could use a little help.”

“Linds,” I groan. She’s not making this easy for me. In fact, she’s making things pretty damn hard.

“Let me go warm up the shower awhile,” she teases before stripping out of her cowboy boots and jeans and sauntering her perfectly shaped ass to my bathroom.

One. Two. Three.I try counting in my head while I debate what to do. I can only be a gentleman for so long and when she sticks one hand out of the bathroom door to ceremoniously drop her bra and panties to the floor, the last of my resolve crumbles.

I toe off my boots and nearly trip trying to get my pants off as I rush through the loft and into the bathroom where she’s waiting for me. Scooping her into my arms, her legs wrap around my waist and I carry us both into the warm shower. As the water cascades down my body, I pin her to the wall and give in to what we both want. Thank fuck she doesn’t seem to mind when I’m all hot and sweaty.

Once I’ve made her come, I pull out and jerk myself until my own release coats her tan stomach. Then I take my time getting her nice and clean. By the time she returns the favor and rubs her magical fingers all over my body, I’m ready to go again. This time, I dry us both off and spread her out in my bed.

Dinner can wait. Right now, I only want dessert.

The next morning my alarm clock buzzes and Lindsey snuggles a little closer, pressing her warm and naked body against mine. I’m caught between sheer panic and absolute happiness with her here by my side. I’ve never let anyone sleepover before. I was always the one crashing at their place when I dated in the past. But that’s not why I’m on edge. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully enjoy being with Lindsey and having her around until I’ve got her father and grandfather’s blessing.

When her hand wanders lower down my chest, over my abs, and wraps around my cock, everything else falls away though.

Almost.

Until my cell phone rings and Neville’s name flashes across the screen. Pushing her hand away, I jump from the bed and answer the phone call, putting as much distance between us as possible as if I’ve just gotten caught.

“Garrett.”

“Morning, Sir.”

“William and I wanted to have a word with you right quick, before breakfast, and before you get started for the day. We’ll be waiting in the office. Come see us before you head to the house.”

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