Page 80 of At First Flight
“Rowan,” I call out as I head out of the barn toward the gate. “I’ll be right back.”
“Sounds good,” he hollers in return as he begins walking Evelyn around the large enclosed circle. Once I step outside the metal fence, I pull my phone free to snap a few pictures.
“She’s a natural.” Turning I find Lila standing next to me, one of her bare legs propped up on the steel rod encased in a pair of well-worn cowboy boots.
Chuckling, I return my gaze to Evelyn. “Don’t let her hear you say that. She’s liable to get a pony for Christmas.”
“My lips are sealed,” Lila jokes.
The thought of her lips send me back to the night in the kitchen where she let me have her in ways I never expected…and wish to have again.
Fuck, she’s all I’ve been thinking about.
“Ashvi up to no good again?” I ask as Lila’s strawberry and vanilla scent swirls around me. My cock instantly stiffens.
“It’s what she’s best at. You’d think she’d feel bad about the blind date, but no…she wants to set me up on another one.”
That news doesn’t shock me. From what I’ve learned of Lila’s best friend and the few times she’s come to the house, when she has her mind set on something—she’s going to make it happen come hell or high water.
“What if you went out on a date with me? A real one… not just as friends.” I’m not sure where the idea came from, but now that it’s rooted, I’m even more sure it’s what I want.
“What?”
Lila’s hand lands on my bare shoulder, scalding my skin. I’d thought the sun today was blistering, but it’s nothing compared to the feeling of her uncovered contact.
My gaze collides with her, heat and desire flaming with each blink of my eye.
“Baby, if you don’t remove your hand, I’m liable to take you right here in front of your family and my kids. And we don’t want to traumatize them,” I say through clenched teeth.
Quickly, she withdraws her hand as if I’d burned her and tucks it behind her back. My eyes flick down to find that hernipples have puckered through the white material of her shirt. Rowan walks past us, holding the horse’s reins, eyes narrowed and flicked back and forth between the two of us.
A few farmhands walk by, carrying crates of their own, not paying us any mind.
I watch her cheeks redden as her chin tilts toward her chest. “Don’t worry. I’m not one for sharing. Especially not where you’re involved.”
“Dean,” she whines, her eyes darting around, looking everywhere but at me. Probably to make sure no one is listening.
She hasn’t realized how persistent a billionaire can be apparently. “Lila, look at me,” I demand, waiting patiently. The long wisps of her hair whirl in the breeze, brushing against my arm and chest, a few sticking to the sticky sweat on my skin.
Finally, she meets my eyes again, softening. “Go on an actual date with me. Tell Ashvi you’re done with blind dates, and you have something else in mind.”
“Out in the open?” she inquires, biting that plump bottom lip I yearn to taste again.
“Yes, out in public with an audience. Don’t overthink it. It’s really no different than last time.”
The pause stretches, masking the neighs of the horses and squeals of the kids.
“Okay.”
My eyebrows shoot up my forehead.
“I’m sorry, repeat that please,” I urge, twisting to face her, crossing my arms against my chest like a shield. There is only so much devastation a man can take.
“I said, okay. I’d like to go on a date with you. A real one.” Her eyes twinkle beneath dark lashes.
The breeze picks up more wisps of her hair and without thinking I reach out and tuck it behind her ear.
“What changed your mind?”
