A strange, powerful connection settled between them, like an invisible thread tugging them closer. He was opening up about his past, still sitting in her kitchen, sharing bits of his life.
Most guys would’ve made a lame excuse to leave after getting what they wanted, but not Jamie.
Shannon stooped over to grab the sauce from the refrigerator. The hem of her jersey shorts hitched up, exposing the curve of her ass, and she heard him whistle behind her.
She rolled her eyes, suppressing a smile.
“Is that all you’re good for, Jamie?” she teased, but the heat of his attention made her cheeks flush.
“We’re back to the spectacular views again, love.” He chuckled. “So, tell me, what’s your setup? How’d you end up at Meadow Dawn?”
Tossing the tongs onto the counter, she leaned against it, crossing her arms.
“When I was fifteen, I begged my parents for a horse. They contacted Harry and arranged for me to work here instead. I think it was supposed to be a life lesson, or whatever. You know, show a girl hard work, and she’ll run for the hills.”
She rolled her eyes, then continued, “Harry agreed to let me work for the summer, mostly mucking out stables and grooming. At the end, he said I’d shown more dedication than any of his other stable hands, so he kept me on and taught me how to ride in his spare time. Years later, and I’m competing on one of his top horses.”
Jamie folded his arms across his chest, nodding. “Impressive. But why still work at Coffee Kicks if Harry’s paying you?”
“I’m saving to buy Trixie. She’s Harry’s horse, even though he lets me train her. One day, I’ll own her. Sooner rather than later, I hope.”
“I’ll lend you the cash.” He shrugged, like it was nothing. “You could buy her tomorrow.”
Shannon’s head jerked up, her gaze locking onto his.
There it was again. That prickle over her scalp from the ease in his voice, the way he tossed money around like it could fix anything.
“I didn’t ask for your charity.”
Jamie’s eyes narrowed and his jaw ticked.
“It’s not charity,” he said, straightening. “It’s convenience.”
The words hung between them, brittle and loaded.
And just like that, the air cooled.
A warning, maybe. Or a reminder of her past.
20
Shannon
“I’ll never take your cash, or anyone else’s. I’ll earn the money myself and pay for her myself.”
Jamie’s brow lifted, amused more than offended.
“Understood,” he said, sitting back and folding his arms. “Didn’t mean to rattle your pride, love. Just offering a solution. But I admire that fire. Just don’t burn yourself out proving a point when I’m willing to make things easier.”
“I appreciate the offer. Like I said, I’m saving,” she replied, her voice firm, but flustered.
Jamie let the silence stretch for a bear before smiling. “You’re pretty fucking hot when you’re devoted to your cause.”
She looked away. “I don’t know you that well, Jamie. And I’d prefer to take care of things myself. I’ll earn her outright without being indebted to anyone who’d use it against me.”
“Okay, I get it, love,” he said, holding up his hands. “Irespect hard work. I’ve been without money before, so I know what it’s like. The good-looking rich guy you see before you wasn’t always rich. That took years of hard work, too.”
He shifted his weight on the barstool, making it creak.
