Page 26 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘You’re a new team, yes?’ she said.

‘Three years now.’

‘Do you think you have a chance?’

‘Absolutely.’ Elias nodded assuredly. ‘At least that’s what I’m telling the team.’

‘What’s the truth?’ Carmen asked.

Nobody got close to his truth.

But Domitian, for once, was relaxed—so much so that he was simply walking, instead of trying to mount poor Capricorn as he usually would.

There was only the beautiful Malibu night, and surely there was no threat in her question.

‘We haven’t a hope!’ He half laughed. ‘I can’t believe we’ve even made it to the semi-finals. But if we do win, there’s a chance we’ll be playing my old team in the final.’

‘Are there bad feelings?’

‘No, nothing like that... Both my brother and I used to play for them. Mind you, it was more of a hobby for him.’

Elias fell silent then, because there was a deeper truth—one he wouldnotbe sharing—which was that there was a part of him that didn’t even want to make the final.

He still hadn’t told his mother that Seraphina was pregnant, but more than that he loathed the fact that, if the two teams did meet in the finals, thenshewould be there—again—with his family. Needling her way in...giving him that seemingly sweet smile that turned his stomach...batting her eyelashes over innocent blue eyes as if she’d completely forgotten how she’d come on to him...

How shestillcame on to him.

Elias knew it was some sort of perverse and twisted game that she was playing, but he had long since given up attempting to work her out.

Certainly, there was no one he could discuss it with.

He’d always been guarded with his feelings, but since Joel’s death he trusted no one but himself with the truth. In any case, he wouldn’t be discussing such matters with the new stable hand!

With anyone.

‘I’d better get Dom back...’ He nodded in the direction of the yard.

‘Sure,’ Carmen said. ‘See you tomorrow.’

‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m in the office tomorrow.’

She was squinting in the low sun, and as she put her hand over her eyes he registered her frown.

‘LA,’ he said.

‘Oh, you mean your real job?’

‘That’s the one.’

‘Well, good luck... I guess.’

Elias had left by the time she returned to the yard, and Capricorn, tired from her walk, settled easily.

Just as Carmen slipped her bolt and went to leave, she changed her mind and walked down to the last stall in the row.

She looked at all the warnings posted on Dom’s stable—and promptly ignored them.

She did not look directly at the stallion, just spoke gently, quietly pleased when he made his confident way over and snorted at her. And then, just as she’d wanted him to that morning, he sniffed her outstretched hand.

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