Page 12 of Illicit Heir

"Why'd ya stop riding?" I inquire.

"Ya mean competing. She competed," Emily corrects.

"Sorry. Why'd ya stop competing in show jumping? That sounds scary," I admit.

Lauren's lips twitch for the first time. "You're scared of horses?"

"I'm not scared of horses," I claim.

"Ya just said show jumping sounds scary."

"Well, getting on a horse and jumping sounds a little intimidating if ya don't know what you're doing," I confirm, even though I don't like confessing any of my fears.

She turns a shocked expression on me. "I didn't think ya'd be such a baby."

"I'm not a baby," I declare.

"Aren't ya? It's just a horse," she chirps, smirking.

I ignore her remark and push, "So ya didn't tell me why ya stopped competing."

Lauren's expression turns into a mix of nostalgia with a possible hint of regret, along with some sadness. She shrugs, finally stating quietly, "It was time."

Jessica rambles, "She was so good. Ya should have seen her. Everybody in town loved to watch her."

"Wow. Sounds like you were amazing at it. I don't understand why ya would let it go," I add, wanting to know why she quit.

"Let's change the subject," Lauren says, looking at me with pleading eyes.

I decide to show her some mercy and let it go for now. Then I slide my hand under the table and onto her thigh.

She freezes but doesn't swipe at it.

That's my girl, warming up to me, I think and down the rest of my pint while slowly caressing the inside of her thigh.

She remains frozen.

I point at the table, ordering the women, "Drink up. We're about to start pint two."

Tynan passes out more shots.

After everyone finishes them and Lauren forces the rest of her first stout down, I question, "Got any cards, lass?"

Her forehead wrinkles. "Why?"

"So we can play a game," I state.

She points out, "You're only here for two rounds. Why would we get started on a game?"

"Are ya scared to play? A horse-jumping world equestrian champion is fearful of some cards?"

"I wasn't a world champion," she states.

I shrug. "Ya are in my book. I don't know any other horse jumpers. And your cousin said ya were a champion. Is that true or not?"

Embarrassment fills her face.

Jessica insists, "No, she was. She really was!"

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