Page 6 of Saddles & Suits

“Molten chocolate pudding,” he announces proudly, and Jack groans.

“Marry me,” he declares.

I laugh. “Taste it first,” I suggest. I don’t think the offer will be retracted, because Dave’s made this before and it’s fucking incredible, but a man should have all the facts before he proposes.

Jack carefully spoons up some of the chocolate cake. The delicate pudding breaks apart, the molten, fudgy center oozing out, and he groans again as he swipes the cake through the sauce and then through the carefully piped whipped cream Dave used to decorate the plate. As the spoon disappears into his mouth, he closes his eyes, and the look on his face has my pants rapidly tightening.Fuck, he’s hot.

There’s nothing like watching a man appreciate chocolate to get my motor running.Wonder if he looks like that when he comes.

Jack opens his eyes and twists to look up at Dave. “So… marriage?”

Dave’s face lights up, and he chuckles. “Sorry, mate. I bat for the other team. Glad you like it, though.”

“Like is not a strong enough word,” Jack assures him. “In a few years, we’ll be saying we knew you when.” He glances at me. “Why aren’t you eating?”

“I didn’t want to miss your reaction,” I say dryly, then pick up my spoon and dig in as Dave leaves, whistling. “You know,” I say between bites, “one time he did this version with caramel in the middle instead of chocolate.”

“Mmmm. Think he’ll do it again?” Jack’s being careful to balance each spoonful with cake, sauce, and cream. I just scoop it in.

“We can ask.” I wouldn’t mind seeing that look on Jack’s face again, that’s for sure.

ChapterFive

Jack

I stretch slowlyas I come awake, feeling absolutely amazing. I’ve always slept particularly well at the Vale, and this time is no exception.

Lying in bed as the early morning light filters around the curtains, I replay the events of last night. With a bit of distance from my idiotic assumption, I can see the humor in it and why Sarah kept her mouth shut instead of correcting my mistake. WhydidI just assume that Sebastian Walker was an older man? I know better—that was a rookie mistake.

No harm done, anyway. Seb might have thought I was an idiot at first, but I’m pretty sure I managed to repair my image by the end of the evening. Dinner was indescribably good, foodwise, but the conversation held its own too. Seb’s an interesting man, no-nonsense, obviously capable—given how he runs the property, the agistment, riding school, and my personal life—but he also has a dry sense of humor, and there’s no denying his attractiveness.

It's so weird we’ve never met before. Thinking back on it, Uncle Warwick mentioned his young protegee a couple of times, but back then I was either a self-absorbed teenager, a self-absorbed and often inebriated uni student, or just getting my feet wet at Tarrant Industries and struggling to stay afloat. My dad’s never believed in special favors for family—I started in an entry-level job and earned every promotion. It was only when I transferred to the foundation that I jumped several rungs on the ladder.

What a shame Seb and I never met while Uncle Warwick was alive. It would have made him so happy to see how well we get on.

At least now I have a better idea of what to get Seb for his birthday. Maybe some kind of organization app—his enthusiasm when he was talking about management, of all things, was both endearing and disturbing. The only thing that had lit him up more was?—

No. You cannot buy him a horse.

It’s a ridiculous idea.

Isn’t it?

Yes. Giving an employee such an expensive gift is absurd.

You gave Sarah diamonds. And she doesn’t buy your underwear.

Groaning, I sit up and bury my face in my hands. The problem is, I’m not sure how much of this sudden, intense urge to buy Seb a horse is because I’m incredibly attracted to him. Yes, Seb’s a long-term family employee. Yes, he’s worth every cent—and more—of the salary he’s paid. Yes, he runs the estate, the stables, and every part of my life outside the office, and he does it all seemingly without any problems. By my usual standard, he’s earned an expensive birthday gift. And since he’s horse mad, a horse isn’t that odd a choice, especially with the stables right here where Seb lives.

But… is there some tiny part of me that’s thinking this would be a great incentive to get Seb into bed? Because that’s not okay. And even if my intentions are completely pure, what if I do decide at some point to make a move on Seb—will he think the horse was some kind of sexual bribe? Because that’s not okay, either. Which means that either I have to permanently say goodbye to any idea of ever hooking up with Seb,orI have to give up the horse idea.

But he’d really love a horse, a tiny voice whispers, and I sigh and reach for my phone.

Sarah answers on the fourth ring.

“Is everything okay?” She sounds sleepy. I glance at the clock and wince.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t see the time. Go back to sleep. It’s not urgent.” I’m the worst person ever.

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