Page 30 of Virgin's Stolen Nights with the Boss

‘I’d better go,’ she said to her brother in Spanish.

‘He has no idea of the fire he’s playing with,’ Alejandro said, and laughed, clearly enjoying the exchange.‘Luego.’

Carmen didn’t respond—not to Alejandro nor to Elias—but she pocketed her phone at least.

Elias, however, had not finished.

‘What does that even mean?’ he demanded. ‘Donkeys kick?’

‘It was a joke.’ She shrugged, barely looking up as she checked Capricorn over.

‘Not a very funny one,’ Elias said. ‘Winnie’s not some little pony at a riding school. You need to be more aware.’

‘I am always aware.’

Carmen knew her retort was a little smart, but she was doing her level best not to blush. In truth, she was far too aware of Elias Henley, but determined not to show it.

She did not like playboys, and had already guessed that Elias was one—even before Alejandro had rather crudely confirmed it.

The last thing she wanted was to be blushing around Elias, because he would sense it, she knew...

‘I don’t want any of my staff injured through carelessness.’

She felt her lips become almost pinched, and it was as though lemon juice had pooled in her mouth, as she laboured to restrain herself from giving a smart answer.

‘I am never careless, sir,’ she said. ‘But I take your warning. Thank you.’

‘Good. I’m bringing out Dom in a moment.’

‘Sure,’ Carmen said, and then poked her tongue out as he walked off.

She saw his back stiffen, as if he knew what she had just done.

He turned back, and she gave him a butter-wouldn’t-melt smile.

Elias didn’t return it. ‘Is there a problem, Carmen?’

‘Not really.’ She shrugged. ‘Maybe a bit...’

She pinched her lips again, reminding herself that Elias was the owner and she was but a lowly stable hand. But Carmen was very used to asserting herself and not having to justify her actions—especially around horses.

‘I was just speaking with my—’ She snapped her mouth closed, remembering she was supposed to be refusing to explain herself to him, but then she found she couldn’t help herself. ‘It feels a lot like...’

Seeing his features tighten, she was sensible enough to stop then.

‘Go on,’ he invited, his dark eyes still holding hers.

Though she could not be certain, she felt as if he was daring her to continue.

‘Say what you were going to say.’

Very well!

‘Am I at school?’ Carmen asked, and watched his eyebrows rise. ‘Because that was the last time I was told off for using my cell phone. Idoknow my way around horses, and I’m confident—’

She did not get to finish.

‘There’s a difference between confidence and arrogance,’ he told her.

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