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“I just wanted to see you,” he answered softly.
“So you come over here and lurk around so that you can scare the shit out of me? How'd you get in my cottage?'
“I did not go inside Tylar,” he stated, flatly. “I wanted to talk to you so I came here. I saw you peeking in your own window so I figured maybe you were locked out."
“As a matter of fact, my door is unlocked and lights are on that weren’t on when I left,” I stated sharply.
His brows furrowed with concern. “Let me make sure you get settled inside safely,” he offered. As much as I didn’t need his constant oversight into my safety and protection, I was a bit creeped out by the current situation. I nodded my head. He opened the door and went in first. I followed closely behind him. I stayed in the living area while he went on into the bedroom then the bathroom. I heard him open the closet doors, then swing the bathroom door shut making sure no one was lurking. He came back out, giving me a sheepish smile.
“Everything’s clear,” he said, “no one’s hiding in the closet or behind the shower curtain. Only things under your bed were a couple of dust bunnies.”
“Very funny,” I replied sarcastically.
His charming manner wasn't going to melt me so easily this time. For all I knew, he might have staged the whole thing to create a damsel-in-distress fantasy to feed his bottomless ego.
He came over to where I was standing. Despite my skepticism, I couldn't help being attracted to him. He had his dress pants on, a white shirt with french cuffs, and a gorgeous tie that very closely matched his eyes. His sleeves were rolled back a bit and he smelled great.
I didn’t want to look up at him because I knew my eyes were red and my face was splotchy from crying. He pulled me into his strong arms. I didn’t push back this time. He held me close and I melted. He put one of his hands behind my neck, capturing my ponytail and twisting it around his fingers gently. His other hand was on my back, gently rubbing and pressing me close to his heart.
“Tylar,” his voice was gentle but a little husky, and I knew he was going to say something that would stir up my emotions. I wasn't real sure that I wanted him to, but I needed to figure out what this man was to me. “I’m sorry that I had to scratch Jezebel from the race this evening. But I'll tell you this, if I had it to do over again, I'd do nothing differently.”
Huh? What kind of a half-ass apology is that?
I looked up at him confused.
“Come here,” he said, softly, as he moved over to the small sofa and sat down, stretching his long, well-muscled legs. He pulled me down next to him. I didn’t object; I didn’t want to look at him while he explained his whole weirdness and over-protectiveness to me. I knew that was what this was about.
“I have a legal and fiduciary responsibility to this business we call Sinclair Stables,” he started.
Okay, this is not sounding romantic whatsoever.
“You were injured a little more than a week ago, and it was significant. As your employer, I have a responsibility to make sure that your working environment is safe and relatively risk-free. There is a matter of liability involved.”
Objection: Confusion of issues!
“Apart from that,” he continued, “I can’t get you out of my mind for whatever reason. I guess this overwhelming concern that I have for your safety has been causing me to behave in a sort of over-protective way.”
“So why did you scratch me from the race?” I questioned.
He shifted me around a little, so that I was forced to look at his gorgeous face. “Out of concern. What if you'd fallen or been thrown? Jockey helmets offer very little protection. Please agree to pacify me when I make these requests that are only meant to keep you safe. It won’t be forever, I promise.”
“Okay, so what do I get in return?” I asked, smiling devilishly.
He grinned, dimpling me. “Hmm, let me think about that…how about you stay on my good side?”
“And why is that important?” I countered.
“Oh Ms. Preston, or is it T.J.?” he grinned, “Being on my good side has all kinds of rewards.”
“Show me,” I dared.
Did I really just say that?
I felt myself blush.
He pulled me into his lap; God I remembered how that had felt to have his arms around me the night at the pull. This was better. He rested his chin on the top of my head.
“I’ve missed you for some reason," he replied. "God knows why that is with your being so damn stubborn and willful most of the time. You make me crazy, you know that right?"
