Flex’s eyes widened. “You’ve got to be kidding. You’re a virgin? No way. Not in this day and age.”
“I need to use your bathroom. I feel rotten.”
Keeping an eye on her, Flex led her to the bathroom door. When Ellie came out, she felt a lot more sober and a whole lot sicker, her head throbbing with the force of consecutive hammer blows.
“You’re not getting off this easy,” Flex said. “I want to hear the story. There has to be one.”
Ellie released a soft, resigned sigh. She told Flex about her seeing disorder, the years before her surgery, how hard it was to adjust afterward. She told him about her love of show jumping and how much she’d wanted to compete.
When she finished, Flex just stared. “Wow, that’s some story, all right. And of all the people you could have fallen for, you had to pick Clay.”
“I told you I wasn’t very smart.” Ellie fell back on the bed. “My head hurts. God, how will I ever face Prissy and Shep, let alone Clay?”
“They’ve all done as bad or worse. Come on, I’ll walk you to your room.”
Outside her door, Ellie looked up at Flex. “Tomorrow I’m going to apologize and tell Clay the truth.”
“The hell you are. You’ve gone this far you’re going to see it through. Clay’s never once shown an interest in a woman the way he has you. He went crazy when he saw you up on that table. He feels something for you, Ellie. Give him a chance to sort it out. I know him a hell of a lot better than you do. Let me do my part and you do yours.”
“Whatismy part?”
“Just be yourself. You’re not in love with me. You just wanted a little fun. I felt the same way. Got it?”
“Whatever you say.” Ellie opened the door to her room. Prissy Knowles was fast asleep beneath the covers. Ellie said a prayer of thanks. She wasn’t ready to face Prissy or anyone else.
“Good night, Flex, and thanks for being a friend.”
“No problem. You just get some sleep.”
Ellie nodded, walked in and closed the door. Lord, what a fool she’d made of herself. And all because of Clay Whitfield. How would she ever be able to face him?
“How could you do it?” Clay said to Flex the next morning at the show grounds. Dressed in boots and breeches and leading Max toward the practice ring, Clay’s temper remained on edge.
Why shouldn’t it be? He’d sent Gabriella packing while one of his best friends slept with Ellie Fletcher. Unconsciously, his grip tightened on the horse’s reins.
“How could I do what?” Flex asked innocently.
“Get her drunk and take advantage of her.”
“And you wouldn’t?”
“I’m a bastard. You’re supposed to be a nice guy.”
“You mean I’m the nice guy who got in her knickers and you’re the bastard who didn’t.”
Clay made a noise in his throat that sounded like a growl.
“You heard her yourself,” Flex said. “She’s a grown woman.”
“She’s naïve. Any fool can see that.”
“Look, if it’ll make you feel any better, she’s been sleeping with Gerry Winslow all along.”
“Her groom?” Clay stopped short, his expression incredulous.
“Don’t look so surprised. You sleep with Linda Gibbons, don’t you?”
“Yes, but that’s different.”
