She honestly didn’t think Grant would do anything underhanded like Aaron had done, but she had to be cautious. No way would she be blindsided again.
But she also had to be honest with herself and admit Grant pulled emotions from her that Aaron hadn’t even touched on.
Groaning, she shut off the computer and returned to her spacious adjoining bathroom. Her bubble bath was calling to her. She had to be back in the stables by seven, so didn’t have time to waste online...no matter how intriguing the subject.
* * *
After several days at the stables, today they were changing up the precious spreadsheet. Grant couldn’t wait to spend the majority of the day with Tessa away from Stony Ridge. She was taking him around town to show him various locations, such as the old feed store and the church. Grant was banking on shooting a few scenes in the quaint, historic community.
The script already had several locales specified, but Grant wanted to get a good idea of lighting during different times of day, possible angles, and the atmosphere of each place.
Last night he’d been unable to sleep, so had emailed Bronson and Anthony all the notes he’d taken thus far. The grounds and main house were going to be the primary focus, as well as tracks to showcase the actual racing and practicing.
While drafting his email, he’d seen headlights cut through the darkness. When he’d peered out his window, he’d noted Tessa’s Jeep parked next to the stables, and had smiled.
Every part of him had wanted to go to her, had wanted to get her alone in the night. He’d had to conjure up every bit of his strength not to go see her, kiss her and discover just how far they could take this attraction.
But he’d refrained, because he had work to do and only a narrow window of time to get it all done. Besides, he wanted to keep her guessing about his motives, because in all honesty, he had no clue what the hell he was going to do about Tessa. She held too much control over him, and he didn’t like it. Never had a woman posed so much of a challenge and appealed to him all at the same time.
There were moments when she seemed so sultry and sassy, and other moments when his words or actions seemed to take her by surprise in almost an innocent way.
Added to that convoluted mess, that damn clause was going to come back and bite him in the butt if he wasn’t careful.
Was Tessa Barrington worth all this flirting, seducing and sneaking? Seriously, was he willing to risk this film on a roll in the sack with her?
Hell no. But he hadn’t bedded her, and if he did...well, he’d have to make sure no one ever knew.
And bedding her was all he could do. He was already treading a thin line, emotionally, where the beautiful jockey was concerned. Her life revolved around horses, and his...well, it was in the city, far away from the risk of horses and the life he’d once known in a small country house in Kentucky.
Some might say he’d run to one of the biggest cities in America to get away—and they’d be absolutely correct.
Grant left his cottage and made the short walk to the stables. He’d purposely left thirty minutes early to throw Tessa off even more. Damn spreadsheets. He had his lying on the kitchen table, but hadn’t looked at it since he got it. He was always allotted the same time bracket each day: two hours after lunch.
Except for today, when his green column was wider and took the slots from nine to three. Six hours, and he was going to make the most of them...both professionally and personally.
Tessa was heading from the stable to her Jeep as Grant neared. Once again she had her hair tied back in that ponytail—he had yet to see it any other way—and she had on a long-sleeved plaid shirt tucked into well-worn jeans and battered knee boots.
She might be prim and proper, but her wardrobe was nothing new. Tessa wasn’t a spoiled princess who just looked the part of a jockey. She was all jockey, and her appearance proved it. He’d never seen her fuss with her hair or worry about her appearance. Hell, he’d never seen her with makeup on.
And yet she still stole his breath each time he saw her...which just proved his point of how fine an emotional line he was treading.
“Let’s get going, Slick,” she said, not missing a step as she got to the Jeep and hopped in.
Grant bit back a smile at her abrupt tone. She was something. Most people, women especially, would be tripping over themselves to please him because of his celebrity status. Yet somehow, with Tessa, he felt as if he had to work to gain approval.
And that was just another layer of her complexity. She couldn’t care less about his status, and that suited him just fine. Caused more work to get her attention, but still suited him. At least this way he could keep his feelings separated and not go any deeper beneath Tessa’s very arousing surface.
Grant hopped in the passenger’s side and barely got his seat belt clicked in place before Tessa was speeding down the driveway.
Her white-knuckle grip on the steering wheel and her clenched jaw were telltale signs she was agitated. And being angry only made her sexier.
“Want to tell me what’s wrong?”
She spared him a glance before gripping the wheel even tighter and turning onto the two-lane country road taking them toward town.
“That kiss,” she muttered. “It won’t happen again.”
Um...okay. She’d seemed to be a key player in the exchange the other day, but something had ticked her off, and apparently she’d spent a lot of time thinking about this because she’d worked up a nice case of mad. One step forward, two steps back.
“You didn’t enjoy it?” he asked, knowing he was on shaky ground.
“My enjoyment doesn’t matter,” she countered, eyes focused on the road. “I won’t be the one you use to pass the time while you’re working here. I’m too busy, and I’m not into flings.”
Confused, and working up a good bit of irritation himself, Grant shifted in the seat to look at her fully. “I don’t use women to pass the time,” he informed her. “I’m attracted to you, and I acted on it. I wasn’t in that kiss alone, Tessa.”
“You’re ten years older than me.”
Why did that sound like an accusation?
“And?” he asked.
“I’m...you’re...”
She let out an unladylike growl, and Grant again had to bite back a smile. “What does age have to do with attraction, Country?”
“When I started kindergarten you were getting your driver’s license!”
This time he did laugh. “I believe we’re all grown up now.”
“It’s just not right. Your life experiences, they’re levels above mine, and I won’t be played for a fool.”
The word again hovered in the air, and Grant wanted to know what bastard had left her full of doubts and insecurities. But he refused to let himself cross into anything too personal.
Tessa’s shoulders tensed up as silence settled between them. Grant didn’t want her angry. He wasn’t even sure what had spawned this, but he was here to work and there was usually enough drama on sets. He didn’t need this on top of it.
“I read you have a twin,” she told him, breaking the silence. “But I never saw anything else.”
Tension knotted in his belly. “My family isn’t up for discussion.”
“Seriously? You know everything about mine and you—”