Shannon glanced up at him from under the peak of her helmet.
“You like this guy, Trix?” She spoke to the horse, still awestruck by Jamie’s closeness. “She doesn’t usually like men.”
Jamie chuckled, the low rumble vibrating through her. “I’m guessing it’s not hard to dislike that prick, Niall? Isn’t that right, girl?”
Trixie nuzzled his leather jacket as he stroked her face.
“Yeah, he’s a certified prick, and she definitely hates him. There’s not much to like about the guy.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I need to hose her down. Might take a while.”
Despite the dull grey sky and mist clinging to the hills, his presence charged everything. His honey-brown eyes brought a warmth that seeped into her.
“Let me help you.” He moved closer, his fingers brushing the reins and drawing their hands together.
Her stomach flipped as she inhaled the scent of his leather jacket mixed with his signature cedarwood cologne.
“There’s a chance you’ll get those nice clothes ruined,” she whispered.
He leaned in a little closer, his lips curling into a smirk. “I don’t mind getting dirty, especially if it means spending more time with you.”
His gaze lingered on her, the heat in his eyes unmistakable. “Besides, I’m not worried about my clothes. I’m more interested in what happens when I get you wet.”
Shannon rolled her eyes, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You had your chance already.”
“Yeah, and you disappeared before I could take you home with me... So I owe you twenty-four pounds, right? That was the bet.”
“Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you split the cash with your twolovelycompanions?” she teased, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“It’s your winnings.” His grip tightened just enough to be noticeable, and he took the reins from her gloved hand, guiding the horse away.
“I spent the night alone, by the way,” he said over his shoulder.
For a racing heartbeat, Shannon stood frozen, her gaze drifting to his perfect, tight ass in navy denim as he walked ahead.
“I’ll hose her legs if you want to hold her,” Jamie suggested when Shannon caught up.
“Okay, but take it slow. She’s a little jumpy with the water.”
A cheeky grin tugged at Jamie’s lips, his dimple appearing as he chuckled. “Is that where you get it from? You left without a goodbye kiss.”
She swallowed hard. “Thought I’d leave you to it.”
“You were my date, Shannon. Not them.”
“And they could give you what every guy wants. The very thing you were hoping for before I showed up,” she said, her voice laced with sarcasm.
He shook his head, a lazy smile tugging at his lips. “I didn’t want that—until you brought up the voyeur thing.That was pretty damn hot, by the way, love. Why did you leave?”
She fiddled with Trixie’s mane, avoiding his gaze. “I’m not that experienced. I guess I just…”
“I didn’t expect you to join in, Shannon.” He reached out, his fingers brushing her jacket. “And just for the record, I sent them packing straight after you left. Nothing else happened. I tried to find you, but you’d vanished by the time I got downstairs.”
His smile scorched through her, a spark of dark desire igniting. With a subtle wink, he moved away, turned the tap and held the hose away, water spraying out in icy bursts.
“Can’t believe I lost the bet.” Jamie’s palm glided over Trixie’s hindquarters.
Shannon smirked. “Yeah, well, you should know I watched a poker tutorial last night.”
He raised a brow. “A tutorial?”
