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“What I do with Fox is none of your concern. Stay out of it!” he’d snapped, before he’d turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
A minute later she’d heard his car accelerate down the drive, leaving her alone in the house, with its once comforting walls pressing in on her like a prison.
Her dad had never spoken to her like that before. They’d always been partners. Or at least she’d thought they had.
Sadness tugged at her heart, but she shoved it away. Anger was easier.
Dad might think the discussion was closed, but she wouldn’t let go so easily. She’d fight tooth and nail to keep Fox in the family, where it belonged. Keeping it out of the hands of a man as smug and entitled as Adrian Cabrera would merely be an added bonus.
The thought of her newfound nemesis conjured memories of the previous night. The feel of his body against hers as they’d danced...the woodsy scent that had clung to her dress...
Stop!She didn’t need an unwanted attraction muddying the waters.
Paris’s ears perked up. A second later a low rumble of thunder rolled across the countryside.
Everleigh sighed. “Time to go home.”
She reached the driveway and nudged Paris into a brisk canter. Another rumble broke through the air—but not thunder. This one was steady and low, like the purr of an engine.
Her shoulders tensed. Maybe her dad was already back.
She glanced behind her, then did a double take. A black Porsche, sleek and elegant, raced up the drive. Behind the wheel sat Adrian Cabrera.
Everleigh uttered a word that would have made her mother cringe. What the hell was he doing here?
Adrian pulled alongside her, keeping pace with Paris, and rolled the window down.
“Miss Bradford.”
“Mr. Cabrera.” She inwardly winced at the rudeness in her voice. It wasn’t fair to focus her anger on Adrian. By all accounts her dad was the one behind this whole mess. Knowing this, however, didn’t dispel her antagonism.
Adrian was still a snobby elitist who had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Plus, this ride had been her time to gather her thoughts, to relax before attempting to talk to her dad again. How the hell was she supposed to calm down with Adrian’s dark gaze piercing through the armor she’d spent all morning piecing back together after their erotic dance?
“Are you lost?” she asked.
His lips quirked. “I came to see you.”
Shock rendered her speechless, followed by a warmth that spread from her chest to her limbs and left her feeling a little lightheaded.
She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Why?”
“And your father.”
Her eyes narrowed.Of course.“To tell him you’ll be canceling your purchase of Fox since there’s another interested buyer?”
A scowl marred his chiseled features. “Forget it, Miss Bradford. You do not want to come between me and something I want.”
Before she could retort, a loud bang rent the air and sent Paris skittering several paces to the left. Adrian slammed on the brakes as Everleigh pulled Paris to a halt, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up, but no rain fell.
A string of fiery Spanish drew her attention back to the Porsche and the rapidly deflating front tire.
Everleigh couldn’t stop herself. She threw her head back and laughed.
Adrian glared at Everleigh as she doubled over on top of her horse. Her mirth brought a rosy glow to her cheeks. The wind caught her hair and tossed it in wild blonde disarray. The stubborn woman was laughing at him, and he couldn’t stop staring at her.
Today she sported blue jeans and a threadbare violet sweater with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Barely a hint of make-up, no jewelry, no bewitching gown...
She was beautiful. And even though the flat tire was a nuisance he could have done without he enjoyed the result—seeing her uninhibited and happy.
