Page 21 of The Billionaire and the Maid

“I do too,” I admit, shoving my hands into my pockets as I continue to watch her.

She pauses and glances over at me. “You do? I thought you liked lions? Oh, wait, doesn’t your grandfather own some horses?” She frowns as if remembering something.

“He does. I once had a horse, but it was years ago,” I reply, remembering my childhood horse, Gilbert, and how we’d go off riding in the way back of the estate where we couldn’t be found. I’d disappear for hours and hours. It was my escape.

“I used to have a horse,” she says quietly. Her eyes glaze over slightly and she looks away.

Something inside me snaps. I raise a hand to her cheek and wipe a stray tear. “You must have loved her very much.”

“Him…and I did. Gunther was the best,” she says.

In the back of my mind, I begin to remember something, but it leaves as quickly as it came. “When did you have a horse?” I ask as I pull my hand back.

She looks back at me. “Once upon a time.” She clears her throat and wipes her eyes. “That was before…anyhow, it doesn’t matter. It was a long time ago.” She pats Snuggles on the side. “Later, alligator,” she says as she kisses the horse’s soft nose and turns to walk toward the car. She manages three steps before she slides in some mud and goes flying. I manage to grab her coat and pull her back against me, my arms wrapping tightly around her. I can smell her shampoo and feel her shapely body beneath her clothes, and for a split second, I don’t want to let go. Shit, I can’t get attached. I have to let her go after our arrangement ends. Why do I feel like that is going to be harder than I think it will be?

CHAPTERNINE

Ella

“Damn!” I whisper as I lean against his chest trying to get my footing. He steadies me and then very slowly lets go.

“You alright?” he asks, his voice hoarse against my ear, his breath blowing against my cheek. Why does he have to smell so good? Wait, do I like having his arms wrapped tightly around me?

“Yeah,” I manage as I take a step forward. I glance down and see the mud on my shoes. That sucks. “Why isn’t it easier to clean shoes? There has to be material that’s easier to clean than this!” I say loudly, mostly to myself.

I start to walk toward the car and realize that Chase isn’t behind me. I turn and he’s staring at my feet.

“What?” I ask, giving him an annoyed look.

“You make a good point,” he states, his gaze not leaving my shoes.

“Well, you’re a shoe guy, right? Maybe you can figure that one out someday,” I add as I continue walking. He finally starts to move, and a beep tells me he just unlocked the car. His hand comes out and opens my door before I can do it myself. He waits until I’m safely inside before shutting it and walking around to his side. He’s typing on his phone as he opens his door and takes a seat.

He steers us out of the parking lot but not back toward town. I turn to him. “Where are we going?”

He smiles at me. “Somewhere,” he says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. “Where’s somewhere?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” he replies as he taps a screen in his car. “Pick out a song.”

I scroll through his music as he drives. I hate admitting that I like his selection. It’s eclectic and that surprises me. I finally choose a song that I think he won’t be into. I hit play and REO Speedwagon’sKeep on Loving Youcomes spilling out of the speakers.

There’s no way he actually knows this song. It’s super old and I only know it because my dad used to listen to it sometimes.

I’m surprised when Chase’s voice begins singing along to the lyrics. I glance over at him and his eyes dart to mine. I grin and join him in the chorus. By the time he pulls off onto a private drive, we’re belting out the song at full volume.

I’m not sure where we are, but I know it’s near where my family’s property was. I don’t recognize the buildings that appear at the end of the drive. There are stables that look well cared for with their freshly lacquered wood beams and doors. Horses frolic in nearby fields. A horse weathervane sits prominently on top of the largest building which I assume is the main stable.

Chase parks the car and gets out before I can ask a question. I open my door and he’s there, holding out his hand. I tentatively take it and he pulls me to my feet.

“Where are we?” I whisper, our faces close together. I can see a few freckles on his suntanned skin. How is he so tan in the middle of December?

“My grandfather’s stables,” he says warmly. “Come on.” He places a hand on the small of my back and urges me forward. I start walking toward the large building where he’s leading us. Inside, there are two beautiful black horses all saddled up and ready to be ridden.

“Hi there,” I say as I step forward, letting the horse on the right sniff my outstretched hand.

“That’s Velvet and this is Rook,” he introduces. He pulls some sugar cubes out of a pouch on the wall and hands me one. We give them to the horses. “Shall we?”

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