AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Gabs
I’d never found anything that soothed and calmed me like riding a horse. Whenever I had more than an hour free, I was here with my landlord’s horses. John was happy for me to ride his mares whenever I wanted to, as long as I helped take care of them, which I was more than happy to do. Any excuse to spend more time around these gorgeous animals, I was there.
With a grin, I gave Whiskey a nudge and she sped up into a canter, taking us flying over the trail we were following. Inhaling the fresh air deep into my lungs, I instantly felt lighter. All my troubles floated away with the wind that rushed past my face.
By the time I rode Whiskey up the driveway toward the barn, I was calm and more than ready to face another day of my busy life. At least, I was until I saw the ATV parked outside the building. Whiskey stiffened beneath me, and I reached out to stroke the side of her neck.
“Shh, it’s all right, girl. Ain’t nothing for you to worry about.”
Nope. The man I knew who was waiting for me was no threat to the horses. Realizing there was nothing I could do to avoid Royce, my landlord’s adult son, I kept Whiskey moving until we were in front of the barn. Dismounting, I led her through the open door and into the aisle.
“Hey, Gabriela, have a nice ride?”
Like it always had, Royce’s nasally voice sent a shudder running through me. He’d been trying to get into my panties since we were in our teens. He’d always been creepy as hell, and I hadn’t wanted anything to do with him—then or now. Due to the fact that our parents went to the same church, I’d had to see him way too regularly when I was younger. It was a huge relief when he’d moved away as soon as he graduated college. Even though the little trailer I currently rented from his parents sat on the corner of their ranch, I hadn’t had to deal with him.
That had changed earlier this month when he reappeared like the prodigal son, expecting everyone to be overjoyed at his return. It sure as hell wasn’t joy that I felt. Nope. Especially since he’d taken over running the barn, which included overseeing how I performed chores. I mentally rolled my eyes. Like I needed damn supervision. I’d lived in that trailer for nearly two years now and had been working with these horses that entire time. Sure, in the beginning John had been there each day to help and teach me, but it hadn’t taken long for him to see that I was a natural with the big animals and had a good memory. After that, he’d been content to only pop in occasionally to catch up with me when I was here. He still used them for ranch work, checking the cattle and such, but since he had three horses, there were always at least two here no matter what time I came over.
Giving him a fake smile, I dug deep to remain polite to the slimeball. “It’s a lovely day. You should get out and enjoy it.”
Since I didn’t have to go into Silky Ink tonight, I’d left it until later in the afternoon to come over. The air was just turning crisp, but it wouldn’t get dark for a while yet, so definitely not too late to go out for a ride. I’d much rather he not be around while I finished a few chores before I left, starting with grooming Whiskey, then feeding and watering all three horses. But I knew he wouldn’t go. Not only did he never ride, but I’d also noticed the way he’d flinched whenever one of the mares moved too close to him.
I mentally shook my head. How could anyone not like these gentle animals? Even if he hadn’t been sleazy as hell and constantly under my feet whenever I was here in the barn slowing me down, I would have never given him the time of day because of how the horses reacted to him. Animals knew things we didn’t, and I trusted that.
Basically, even if hell froze over, I wouldn’t go out with the asshole. But he never seemed to get the message.
“Nah, you know me. I’ll stick with the ATV. Easier than a horse. You simply start it up and go, then just park it when you’re done.”
He said that like it was a good thing. I ran my palm over Whiskey’s neck to help calm her before I reached for the curry to start brushing her. As always, I did my best to ignore Royce as I fed and watered the mares. As I was finishing up, he stepped directly into my path, forcing me to stop and focus on him.
“How long are you going to ignore this thing between us, Gabriela?”
Holding in a cringe at him using my full name again, I slammed my hands on my hips and glared straight into his eyes.
“There’s nothing to ignore, Royce. There never has nor will there ever be anything between us. You really need to accept that and move on.”
Anger flashed over his face a moment before it settled back into a smirk. Both expressions had me frowning at what he might do next.
“Only reason you’re allowed to come ride our horses is because I permit it. And I know you’re only here so you can see me. If you don’t want to have a relationship with me? Well, there’s no reason for you to be here now, is there?”
Shock had me stumbling back a step before I could stop myself.
“I’m here because I help your father look after the horses. He knows how much I’ve always loved them, so offered to trade chores for saddle time.”
“Well, now you can pay in other ways.” He reached out toward my arm, but I jerked away before he could get hold of me.
“Don’t you dare touch me. And I’m not ever going to sleep with you! I’m going to go up to the house to see your dad. There’s no way he’d allow you to pull this shit.”
I went to move around him, but he stepped into my path again, forcing me to either stop or physically push past him. Since I didn’t want to touch him at all, I stopped and growled, “Let me by.”
He shook his head and fear crept up my spine.
“No. If you want to keep coming over to ride, you’re going to need to do exactly what I tell you to do.”
Was this really happening? Royce may have always given off a creepy vibe, but he’d never actually directly threatened me before.
“Where’s your dad? He’s the one I made the deal with, so he’s the only one who can change the terms.”
With his reedy arms folded over his chest, he ran his gaze up and down my body.
