I am about to slap him, but he has moved away fast. Shaking my head, I pull Charlie along. “Come on, Charlie, at least you have some manners.”
We finally remount and ride the horses back around the lake. As we do, we talk about riding, horses, and life.
It is nice to relax, and for the first time, the grump is almost human.
Maybe he puts up walls. Walls to help him focus on business. Or maybe he just gets in the zone, then closes everything else out.
That I can get. Cooking fast and without mistakes in large, high-end kitchens like the ones in Miami, Rome, Paris, and London required extreme focus. There is no room for mistakes, and time is critical.
I start to get what he may be doing, but he is still an arrogant, grumpy, sexy bastard with very few social skills. Or a lack of desire to fit into the norm.
Or care to.
Seeing Harry in his hot black boots, tight black riding pants, and black polo-riding gear is distracting. I also notice him check out my butt a few times.
I don’t mind it, but I’d rather him not just look at it. I’d rather he eat it. Or devour me. Devour me like I’ma juicy peach.
As I’m distracted, imagining Harry eating me, he trots away fast. “Come on.”
I follow him cautiously,and we ride towards a high mesh fence. Sensing something dangerous, I slow. As we walk on, a savage roar cuts through the air. I jump, but the horses don’t for some reason.
As we reach a wooden building on the side of the high-caged area, Harry leaps down.
“Stay up, you’ll see more.”
I watch Harry unlock several gates, then he walks behind the fence.
As I ride closer, I peer through the strong mesh fence. I expect ostriches to trot out when Harry runs towards a huge tiger lying near a tree.
Suddenly, it roars and runs his way.
“Oh God,” I say, holding the fence with my fingers.
Just before the tiger leaps on Harry, he dives to the side. Then, he and the tiger roll in the grass and wrestle.
My heart pumps as I watch on, amazed. “Are you crazy?” I yell.
“He likes it.”
“No, I mean, won’t he eat you?”
As Harry rolls around with the maneater, he yells my way, “You saying you don’t want to be eaten?”
I shake my head and mumble low, “Crazy lunatic.”
Finally, Harry stands and walks my way. “Come on, boy.”
The old tiger follows him and waddles towards me. My heart pounds, and I drop slowly off the horse, my eyes wide.
Harry crouches on the other side of the fence, and he is now feet from me. The tiger
watches me closely, and I gulp. I force myself to relax and then to start breathing again.
“Can, can I get in?”
“Do you trust him with your life?”
“I don’t know, but I trust you.”
