“I’m just wondering if you agree to go out with everyone who asks you.” He lifts one eyebrow while peering down at me as if I’ve done something wrong.
I cross my arms over my chest. I’m used to guys saying crappy things to me while I’m at work, but I wasn’t prepared for his about-face or for him to insinuate I’m some kind of slut. “I hadn’t said yes to you,” I retort, even though it was pretty much what I meant when I mentioned The After Party.
“Didn’t you though?” he challenges, calling me out.
My first instinct is to defend myself, but then I realize I don’t owe this guy an explanation. “If Iwasgoing to say yes, that’s not my answer now.”
He tips his chin down a little, and I’m reminded why I thought Jaws was a fitting moniker for him before I knew his name. “That may have come out wrong,” he admits after a few moments of silence. “I was just wondering how much competition I’m going to have. Forgive me, I tend to be very direct.”
I start to think about what he said and how he said it, then I question if I was being overly sensitive. The problem is I’m not sure either way. At least he acknowledged his poor word choice. That’s something, right?
“Let’s forget I was trying to make myself feel better about asking a beautiful woman out, who I’m sure gets asked out very often, and pretend I just inquired where you would like to go instead.” He’s still standing rather close to me. I can smell the musky scent of weed clinging to him, but underneath that is the same cologne I can’t seem to escape lately. Do I really want to go out with him? The butterflies in my stomach when he asked would make me think yes, but those could just be nerves too.
He’s a lot older than me and probably just looking for a good time—the same thing I was worried about for Gwen and that Jay guy—but maybe I’m due for some fun. One date couldn’t hurt, right?
“You would have answered?” he prompts.
I shrug. “Dinner, a movie?”
Rafe grins, but there’s something victorious about it, maybe even something a little dark. “How about tonight?”
“Tonight?” My stomach does another flip. He takes a step closer, and I stand my ground. One thing I learned working at The Dollhouse was never to show fear or uncertainty. The saying ‘fake it until you make it’ became my motto when all I really wanted to do was cower away from everyone and anything. Rafe doesn’t make me want to cower away from him, but I will admit to feeling a little overwhelmed by his presence. He has a confidence I’m not used to, but then again, I haven’t really interacted with many men, and he sure isn’t a high school boy.
“Since you picked dinner and a movie tonight, I get to pick what we do tomorrow.”
I scoff and look away from his intense stare. “How do you know I’ll want to see you again? Let alone tomorrow?”
“Call it a hunch.” He lifts one shoulder just enough that I make note of the movement. He seems so sure, so self-assured. I start to wonder if maybe Gwen had a hand in setting this up. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask, but Isabella starts neighing and stomping around. I’m sure she doesn’t understand why we’ve spent so much time getting her ready but not taken her for a ride, or at least turned her loose in the pasture.
I use the distraction to return my attention to the horse and to give myself a little physical space from Rafe. He’s making it hard to think straight. I unloop the rope from the post, and she walks next to me as I turn to leave the arena.
“Where are you going?” he asks, catching up with me quickly.
“If you’re not here for lessons, I’m going to put her out in the field and take care of the rest of my chores.” Truth is, I just need something else to do other than stare at him.
“It may not have been the reason I called, but I’m here and willing to learn. Use me.” I snap my head to the left to look at his face. Is he purposely saying these things to fluster me? His expression doesn’t give away the answer though, he’s hard to read. Other than when he gets the lopsided grin, which he seems to know exactly when to use, he always seems a little detached. Maybe he smokes too much.
“You ever clean out a horse stall? Never mind. Why am I asking you that?” I shake my head, knowing the answer. “It’s messy.”
“I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty,” Rafe retorts, and he sounds genuine.
“I suppose it’s the least you could do since I thought I was going to be earning a day’s wage, not dinner and a movie.” I’m actually a little surprised at how easily the flirty banter is coming to me.
Rafe tilts his head to the side and examines me. “I wasn’t planning on stiffing you.”
I roll my lips in to keep from smiling. It’s like my head tries to turn everything he says into something dirty. “I am not taking money from you. Will you open that for me?” I nod toward the gate of the front pasture.
Rafe jogs ahead and undoes the chain, allowing me to take the rope off Isabella. She takes off at a fast trot, passing right by Rafe to get into the field. “Why wouldn’t you take my money? I’m here taking up your time. You were teaching me before I told you the real reason I came.”
“It wouldn’t feel right. I can either take your money or go out with you. Which will it be?” I place my elbow on the rail and look up at him. I know how I want him to answer, and I think he will, but it’s probably not the smartest option of the two.
“You know the answer already,” he replies with the same confidence he seems to exude with everything. “But I’m really good at getting what I want.”
I try hard not to fidget as he stares at me. There’s something in his gaze that seems to be giving me a warning.
Chapter 11
When I close the kitchen door behind me, I peer out of the curtain. Rafe is still standing next to his car, having just watched me enter the house.
