“I ditched it. With the physical therapist’s okay,” he added.
“So does that mean you’re going to be back to work soon?”
“Not as soon as I’d like. Still have a lot of rehab.”
She did not want to examine the relief that came with his answer. She should be happy that he was closer to going back on the circuit, but she wasn’t. “Don’t try to go back too soon.”
“Worried about me, Ella?”
“No more than I would be about Damaris if she was the one who’d broken her shoulder.”
There was a glint in his eyes as he smiled at her and stepped closer. “But I’m not Damaris, am I?”
She stood her ground though she wanted to back up. “No. Trying to intimidate me, Chase?”
His smile widened. “Is that what I’m doing?”
“You’re trying. And it’s not working.”
“No shock there. I don’t think you intimidate that easily, Ella. How was your date?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Fine. How did you know I had a date?”
“Saw you kissing a man just now. Figured it was a date.”
“Yousawme? What were you doing watching me?”
“I happened to look that way when I was checking on the horses. Hell, Ella, don’t stand under your porch light if you don’t want people to see what you’re doing.”
“It’s none of your business who I kiss. Or go out with. Or do whatever I want to with.”
“No, it’s not. But wasn’t that Nate Kershaw?”
“Yes. Why?”
“You know he’s a player, right?”
“Again, none of your business. Besides, he was very nice.”
“He must be. From what I hear he nails damn near every woman he dates.”
“You sound like you’re jealous.”
He shrugged, then winced. Clearly his shoulder still gave him trouble. “Just sayin’.”
She’d left her hair down to go on her date. He reached for her but instead of touching her, he only toyed with the ends of her hair. “Such pretty hair. You never wear it down.”
“It gets in my way at work.”
“But not at other times.” He tugged her closer, sliding his hand around to the back of her neck, close enough to kiss.
She remembered, as she was sure he’d intended, the ‘other time’ he was specifically referring to. His hands on her breasts, her hair flowing over them as she rode him.“You look like a pagan goddess,” he’d said. “With every shade of blonde in your hair…and better yet, naked.” She’d smiled, leaned down and kissed him, wet and deep as she spun closer to paradise with every twist of her hips, every thrust of his.
Damn it!“Don’t.”
He didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Why?”
“There’s no point when we both know…it’s impossible.”
