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Her laughter trailed off and she had the grace to look a little contrite. “Sorry...”
“Judging by the glint in your eye,señorita, you’re not the least bit sorry.”
Her grin returned, and the smile punched him hard in the chest with an emotion he didn’t care to examine.
“You have to admit a Porsche isn’t the best vehicle for a trip into rural New York.”
He conceded her point with a shrug. “I didn’t realize how far Fox Vineyards was from the city of Rochester.”
The smile disappeared as her violet eyes sharpened. “Then perhaps it isn’t a good fit for your empire.”
Adrian sighed. Always the winery. He could appreciate a professional with an unwavering focus on business. But with Everleigh, he very much wanted to mix business with pleasure.
“I think—”
An earth-shattering clap of thunder cut him off. Everleigh’s horse whinnied frantically.
“The storm’s almost here!” Everleigh shouted over the rising shriek of the wind.
She guided her horse next to a tree, so the thick trunk would block some of the gusts that barreled over the hills. Another burst of thunder released the rain the clouds had been holding on to.
He rolled the window up and stepped out into the storm.
“What are you doing?” Everleigh yelled as he moved under the tree with her. “Stay inside, where it’s dry.”
“I’m not going to stay dry while you get drenched,” he snapped back.
“I’m going to ride back to the house. I don’t recommend waiting out the storm under a tree—but do what you want. Doesn’t matter to me.”
“Or I could ride back with you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “What?”
“Who knows how long this could last?” He raised his voice to combat the growing intensity of the tempest. “I’d prefer to wait until it dies down to change the tire. I know you despise me, but surely not enough to leave me stranded out here?”
A second passed, then two. Indecision was written all across her face.
He took a gamble and turned back to the car. “Never mind. I’ll—”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Come on.”
He suppressed a triumphant grin as he hit the lock button and walked back to her. She scooted forward in the saddle, her face set in a stony mask. He put his foot in the stirrup and pulled himself up. The lack of space and the rain-slicked leather saddle made him slide flush against her back.
Dios mío...The curves of her backside were pressed against him. Desire flared—more intense than last night, more primal. He hardened in an instant. He tried to keep his lurid thoughts at bay, so the evidence of his want didn’t make her uncomfortable. But, damn, it was difficult.
Especially when she shifted in the saddle and her body rubbed against him...
“Hold on.”
Before he could reply she uttered a command to the horse and they were off. His arms slipped around her slender waist. She stiffened, but he didn’t let go. The flat tire had been embarrassing enough; he wasn’t going to fall off a horse in front of the proud Miss Bradford, too.
Despite the storm’s fury, Everleigh guided her horse with skill. Even when lightning lit the darkened landscape and thunder roared overhead she stayed focused. If he hadn’t admired her before, her control of a situation that many women of his acquaintance would have shied away from made her even more attractive.
Damn it.
The trees lining the drive provided little shelter from the rain. The wind sent sheets of water sideways and drenched them both. His hands rested on her stomach, and he felt the heat of her skin seeping through her soaked sweater.
“Almost there!” Everleigh shouted over her shoulder.
