She’d lived alone for years. That’s how things hadworked since she’d moved into the loft at the Meadow Dawn stables, and she was fine with it.
But then there were moments like this one when her body betrayed her. The heat, the tension, the hunger that twisted deep inside her.
She didn’t want to acknowledge the flutters, but they were undeniable. A wave of unstoppable desire had awakened within her.
And the thought of using someone like Jamie to satisfy the ache was tempting. Despite her urges, there weren’t enough hours in the day for fun.
If Niall rode Trixie, he’d set back their training by weeks. Maybe months. The ride would turn into nothing more than a punishment for the horse because Niall couldn’t ride for shit.
Jamie’s grin widened. “I don’t think. Iknow.”
Shannon let out a small, breathy laugh, looking away to regain her composure.
Ignoring the glowing screen of her phone, she focused on the mammoth-sized burgers that arrived at the table.
The sight of them gave her the perfect excuse to create an invisible boundary around herself.
“It’s huge!” Shannon gasped. “I can’t wait to tuck into this bad boy.”
Jamie laughed, a quick, genuine burst of amusement. “All the girls say that.”
“You’re so full of yourself.”
He shrugged, unbothered. “It’s not my fault, if that’s what they all say.”
“Ah, but do they mean it?” she teased, her voice dripping with mock sweetness.
He leaned in, voice low. “How about you decide for yourself?”
Her mouth quirked as she lifted the burger to her lips. “It’s okay, Jamie. I’ll take the word of the hundreds of women who’ve already seen it.”
He flashed that blistering smile, the heat from it sizzling across her skin. “I’m always happy for you to make your own assessment.”
Shannon opened her mouth and sank her teeth into the fresh brioche bun. A soft moan hummed in the back of her throat as the savoury, beefy flavours exploded in her mouth.
She chewed, savouring the bite, then licked her lips and flicked her gaze up to his.
He wasn’t eating. His back was ramrod straight and his hands rested at either side of his plate, clenched into fists.
His dark eyes seemed to shadow something darker, as if his thoughts had drifted into dangerous territory.
“Not hungry?” She dabbed the corners of her mouth with a napkin.
He cleared his throat, eyes still locked on her. “I didn’t realise I could get so turned on by watching someone eat a burger.”
Shannon’s mouth snapped shut. Her stomach fluttered, but she couldn’t let him see that.
He grinned, the cheeky dimple on his right cheek deepening. “Please…do continue.”
She set the napkin back on her thighs, smoothing it across her lap.
“I wasn’t trying to put on a show,” she murmured, though she couldn’t stop the smile tugging at her lips.
He leaned forward. “Sorry, love. I asked you to lunch so we could get to know each other. Please finish your meal. I’ll keep myself in check. For now.”
He collected his burger with his long fingers, a wicked grin spreading across his face when Shannon dared to peek up.
A soft laugh bubbled in her throat. “I thought you invited me to lunch as a thank you?”
