“Now just listen,” he interrupted. “I know you’re going to say you’re fine. I know you’ll tell me there’s nothing to worry about, but that’s why I’m calling and not your mother. I’ll tell her anything to give her peace of mind, but I want you to be truthful with me. Is this project harder than you thought?”

“The film itself won’t start for another two weeks, so it’s been pretty easy so far.”

“You know I’m not talking about the actual film, son. How are you holding up working around the horses?”

Yeah, unfortunately Grant knew exactly what his father had been referring to, but he’d tried to dodge it...just as he’d been dodging this topic for years.

“Honestly, it’s hard, but not unbearable.”

“Do you think you’ll be able to stick it out?”

For the chance at starting his own production company? Hell yeah, he’d stick it out. Besides, this was the biggest film he’d ever worked on, and there was no way he’d let some minor insecurity form a roadblock on his path to being even more successful.

He’d originally taken on this film because so many key players were involved, and he wanted every layer of career achievement possible.

But he hadn’t planned on Tessa. Hadn’t expected to be blindsided by a feisty, yet innocent vixen who made him face his fears...and his feelings.

“I’ll be fine,” he told his dad. “So now you can tell Mom I am doing great and you won’t be lying.”

“When do you think we’ll be able to see you?”

Grant smiled at an elderly couple that walked by. “I’m not sure. I’ll be on location for a couple of months at least. I may be able to take a brief break right after that.”

“Well, there’s another reason for my call.”

Grant knew it. He’d been waiting on this “other reason.” Spotting a bench along a stone retaining wall, he made his way over and took a seat. He had a sinking feeling he’d need to be sitting when his father asked the next question.

“Since you’re moving on and making progress,” his dad continued, “your mother and I would like it if you would come visit when you’re done filming. Melanie would like to see you.”

Grant closed his eyes, waiting for that stab of guilt and angst that always accompanied his sister’s name. He knew Melanie had asked to see him over the years, but he just couldn’t. And he wouldn’t put her through trying to be kind to him. How the hell could she even stand to say his name, let alone be in the same room with him? He’d nearly killed her...and from the way she was living, he might as well have. He’d murdered her dreams, her promising future.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Dad.”

His father sighed. “You can’t avoid her forever, and you can’t avoid the issue.”

Oh, he could, and he had been for several years. Grant believed he was doing the best thing, letting his sister live without seeing him and being reminded of how he’d stolen the life she’d so loved.

In all honesty he wanted to see her. As twins, they shared a special bond. But he worried that she’d only be reminded of how he’d physically destroyed her.

Even though he hadn’t seen her, he always asked about her, and never missed sending her a Christmas or birthday present.

Wow. What a coward’s way out.

But in some ironic, twisted way, he was making this film as a tribute to her. A small gesture, considering, but he couldn’t turn back time and reverse the damage he’d done.

“When I’m done filming, I’ll fly you and Mom out to see me,” he offered.

“We always come to you,” his father said. “And not that we don’t love seeing where you live and work, but you need to come home, son. It’s been long enough.”

No, it hadn’t. Because Grant knew if he went back home and saw the stables, saw the old farmhouse, saw Melanie, he’d be imprisoned by that damn nightmare he’d worked like hell to stay out of.

He’d actually hoped taking on this film would help him conquer those demons once and for all. Conquer them so much that he could return home on his own terms, without the begging and pleading from his parents.

“Listen, Dad, I’ll call you in a few days. Tell Mom I’m fine and I’d love to see you in L.A. when I’m done filming.”

He extended his love and disconnected before his father’s stern tone could kick in. Even though Grant was an adult, he still respected his parents and didn’t want to disappoint them, but he couldn’t go home.

It had taken him a good amount of time to be able to face even them, let alone his twin sister.

He’d left home only months after the accident and hadn’t looked back since. He’d needed the polar opposite of that small farm community he’d grown up in. L.A. was as far away and as opposite as he could get.

So, no, when this film wrapped up, he would not be returning to Kentucky to his hometown.

* * *

Late that evening, when Grant knew everyone was either asleep or in for the night, he sneaked down the hall of the hotel to Tessa’s room and tapped lightly.

He hadn’t seen her alone since the night at his cottage. He missed her, missed talking to her.

How had something as common as sexual attraction turned into so much more?

The hotel door cracked slightly as she peered out, but when she recognized him, she pulled it open farther.

“Grant. What are you doing here?”

He took in her hair, slicked back into a low bun, but it was wet, so he knew she’d showered. The leggings and long-sleeved T-shirt she’d donned fit her petite, curvy body beautifully. The woman was never rumpled or disheveled. Ever.

“Can I come in?”

Without a word, she stepped back. To torture himself or to give her something to think about, he brushed against her on his way through the door, and appreciated the swift intake of breath she rewarded him with.

He’d been wandering around for most of the evening. He’d had dinner alone, looking over fresh notes about the race, the atmosphere, comparing them to old ones, emailing Bronson and Anthony. And then he’d been stewing over his father’s call.

But he hadn’t seen Tessa for...too long.

“You did amazing today,” he told her, raking his eyes over her.

She closed the door, leaned back against it and smiled. “Thank you. It’s a relief to have today over with, but now the work and pressure really begin. But this is the part I love. The buildup, the anticipation.”

“Take this win and leave the rest for tomorrow,” he told her.

He glanced around the neat space, noting the perfectly made king-size bed, the single suitcase on the stand.

“I didn’t want to interrupt after the race. You had quite the press surrounding you.” Her fresh-from-the-shower scent and those hip-hugging leggings were killing him. “I had to tell you congratulations.”

Tessa’s smile widened. “Thanks. That means a lot to me.”

Pushing away from the door, she moved through an open doorway to a small living area. When she sank onto the floral sofa, she gestured toward the other end. “Have a seat.”

He sat down on the edge of the couch, rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. “So, we go back to Stony Ridge tomorrow?”

“Yeah. More training awaits,” she told him, tucking a bare foot up onto the couch. “Did you get more useful information today?”

“I did. I’ve touched base with Bronson and Anthony, and we’re excited for next week, when they arrive.”

Tessa stared at him, her gaze never wavering from his. “Want to tell me what’s wrong? I know you came to congratulate me, but there’s more.”

How did she know? She barely knew him, and here she was, so in tune with his emotions, his body language. They were all alone, yet instead of any seducing or flirting, she’d picked up on his emotional state. What was he, a damn woman?

She’d gotten so far beneath his skin, he couldn’t hide anything from her. Especially after she’d witnessed his raw emotions the other night.

“Long day,” he told her. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you if you were getting ready for bed. I just didn’t want to come by earlier when you were busy, and then I was sidetracked.”

By the haunting words of my father’s call, and so many damn emotions.

“You’ve avoided me,” she told him. “For two days, you’ve talked to everyone but me.”

“I’m working,” he retorted, even though he knew where she was going with this. So he beat her to it. “Besides, you were gone the other morning when I got up, so I assumed you were uncomfortable. I wanted to give you space.”

“You were angry.” Tessa traced her finger over a small pink flower on the cushion and shrugged. “Seemed like you were hiding.”

Angry, no. Fighting to earn her trust before taking things to the next level, yes. He’d never worried about getting to know a woman, learning all about her and actually caring for her before taking her to bed. Tessa had woken something in him, something even more primal.

“I don’t hide from anything,” he protested. “Especially a woman.”

Her eyes came up and met his. “No? You’ve made a point to be in my business every day for five days, and the last two you vanish.”

Grant gritted his teeth. “I was working.”

“Me, too. So, do you want to talk about it?”

“What?”

She flattened her hand, smacking the cushion between them. “You have nightmares you refuse to face. Or we could discuss the fact that had you not stopped the other night, I would’ve given myself to you.”

Silence settled between them, joining the already crackling sexual tension.

Her eyes narrowed. “Pick one.”

Grant came to his feet, resting his hands on his hips. “Fine. Why were you ready to throw away your virginity on me the other night? You’ve held on to it this long, why not wait for someone who might actually stick around? Someone who is more compatible with you? Because, as you’ve established, we’re too different.”

For the first time since he’d stepped foot inside her room, he saw doubt flash across her face. Good. He wanted to make her think, make her really want him. Because he wanted her with a force he could barely control.

“We are different, Slick.” Her blue eyes traveled up the length of him as she tilted her head and smirked. “And maybe you were right, stopping the other night.”

“I was.” Hard as it had been to put the brakes on, he’d known the decision was the right one, and he was the only one who’d been thinking beyond that point. But they would get there...when they were both ready.

Tessa came to her feet, crossed her arms over her chest and sighed. “I know we’re different. I know all the reasons we shouldn’t be together intimately, but there’s a part of me that doesn’t care. A part of me that just wants to let you do anything you want.”

Grant had to really fight himself to stand still, to let her speak. But her words—her honest, raw words—were killing him.

“You do things to me,” she went on. “The way I feel when I’m with you is...different. That may only be one-sided, but I’m finding the attraction harder and harder to fight.”

No, this spark of something beyond physical was most definitely not one-sided. He’d found it harder than hell to stay away from her for two days, while trying to focus on the job.

“Why are you fighting it?” he asked.

“Because...well, what if I’m a disappointment to you? What if I’m disappointed myself in all of it? I mean, I’ve gone this long, and if I give in, what if I’m let down?”

Grant’s control snapped as he snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her flush against his chest. Her hands came up to his shoulders as she caught herself.

With his lips a breath away from hers, he whispered, “I guarantee when I get you in my bed, nobody will be disappointed, Tessa.”

Her eyes widened. “When? You mean, you don’t plan on stopping again?”

“I’m not taking you here,” he told her. “I want you to be trembling with want. I want you to think about me, about us, when you’re training, and I want your fantasies to override anything else.”

“Why?” she whispered.

He nipped at her lips. “Because you’re so self-contained, and I can’t wait to see you out of control and knowing I caused it.”

Her fingertips curled into his shoulders as he slid his mouth over hers. The brief, powerful kiss nearly had him dropping to his knees before her. But he had to remain in control here, because he was damn determined to get her to loosen up.

He tore his mouth from hers and stepped back. “Lock that door behind me, Country, and I’ll see you back at Stony Ridge.”

Once again, he left her when they both were nearly shaking with desire. But he wanted more than lust, more than just sex. And damned if that didn’t scare the hell out of him.

Thirteen

Things were starting to progress at Stony Ridge. Trailers were set up for the actors and other producers and directors, who should be arriving in just a few days. This film was about to get under way, and for once Tessa was glad.

Now maybe Grant would have other things to do besides tempt her, tease her, then walk away. How dare he do that to her twice? What game was he playing?

She might be a virgin, but she wasn’t that naive. He wanted her, yet he kept denying himself. Did he think he was being gallant? Chivalrous? Well, in her opinion he was being a player, and she would put a stop to that as soon as her training for the day was over.

She’d had enough of being pulled around. And honestly, she cared for him and knew he cared for her, or he would’ve already taken her or moved on. Grant had self-control, and he was holding on to every last shred for her.

Well, enough was enough. Tessa wanted him, and she would be the one to decide what was best for her body...not him.

She leaned down, patted Don Pedro and set out at a trot. Today she’d keep it easy, especially since Cassie had to take Emily to the doctor for shots.

“Care if I ride with you?”

Tessa turned to see her father coming from the stables, leading Cassie’s newest problem child, Macduff.

“Not at all. You sure you want to get on him?”

Damon shrugged. “He’ll be fine. I’m bigger than you, so you were easier to buck. And Cassie’s been working with him.”

Tessa nodded. “Then saddle up and let’s go.”

She waited, actually finding herself eager to ride with her father. So much in life got in the way of their time together. Between her training and preparing for the movie, Tessa figured this would be the last time for quite a while that they would have alone, with no added pressure.

She gripped the reins and fell in behind her dad. When he set out toward the back of the estate, she kicked her horse into gear and eased up beside him. She knew exactly where he was heading.

The early-morning sun beat down, promising another beautiful, yet unpredictable spring day. As always, she’d checked the forecast when she’d woken, and seen possible thunderstorms later in the afternoon.

“Won’t be long, this place will be overrun with famous actors and the threat of paparazzi,” her dad told her as he took in the new on-site trailers.

“I hope whatever security they have will be able to keep the crazies away.” Tessa hated the thought of strangers around her horses. “I just hope they respect my privacy.”

Damon laughed. “You may find you like the behind-the-scenes view. If not, you can always hide over at your house. No one will come there.”

“Not unless it’s reporters or crazed fans,” she muttered as they passed the last of the trailers.

Damon laughed. “We have security for your property, too.”

Tessa smiled, but her eyes were on the man talking to some workers who’d brought the trailers. Grant had on well-worn jeans, aviator sunglasses and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up his muscular forearms. He might be trying to look as if he belonged in the country, but the man was still polished, still citified and damn sexy. Even his sporty rental car stood out next to the full-size trucks on the estate.

“Your producer is working hard to make sure everything is perfect for his crew,” her father commented as they neared the pond.

“He’s not my producer,” she retorted.

Damon pulled back on his reins at the edge of the water and glanced over. “Honey, I know I’m an old man, and your father to boot, but anyone can see the way you look at him. And, more importantly, the way he looks at you.”

Tessa groaned. She did not want to be discussing this with her dad. Cassie was about the only person Tessa ever confided her secrets to. Maybe if their mother had lived...

“I miss her, too,” he told her in a low voice. “I know you miss her, especially now. I can tell you’re confused, but if you want advice, I’d be happy to give it.”

Tessa laughed. “I’m not discussing the birds and the bees with you.”

Damon’s own robust laughter rippled through the air. “Please, I don’t plan on getting that in-depth here. I was talking more about your heart, Tessa.”

When she glanced over to him, she saw he was serious. He wanted to offer his thoughts from a parenting standpoint. Considering he was the only parent she had, she valued his opinion and the special bond they had.

“What about it?” she asked, almost afraid of his response.

“Risks have to happen. If you want anything out of life, you have to take a risk. Standing on the sideline, watching as chances go by, will only leave you with regrets.”

She swallowed and looked back out onto the glistening pond.

“You take a risk every time you compete,” he went on. “You take a risk of getting hurt, of hurting someone else or your horse.”

Tessa whipped her head back around. “I never even consider that a possibility.”

His smiled warmed her. “Because you’ve learned to take the risk and lead by faith. You let your heart guide you each time you get on that horse and head toward the finish line. Love is no different.”

“I never said anything about love.” Even to her, the defense sounded weak. “He just...he confuses me.”

“Your mother used to confuse the hell out of me,” Damon said with a soft chuckle. “I started asking her out when she was sixteen, and she didn’t say yes until she was eighteen. I knew she was the one, but I was older than her, and to be honest, I think that scared her. In some crazy way, she worried she wouldn’t measure up to standards I’d set for the woman I wanted.”

Tessa swallowed, unable to admit that was one of her main fears. Was it that easy to just let go?

“What worries you about Grant?”

With a shrug, she pulled on the reins when Don Pedro started to shift. “We’re so different, Dad. He’s not a country boy, but practically drips big city.”

“And?”

“What do you mean, and? I hate the city. That was one of the reasons I broke it off with Aaron.”

Her father’s face turned to stone. “That man isn’t even worthy of mentioning, and he is nothing like Grant. Aaron didn’t care about you. If he’d looked at you even remotely the way Grant does, then things may have been different. But Aaron was using you and trying to steer you away from your career. Has Grant done any of those things?”

Tessa shook her head and sighed. “He’s amazing.”

“Well, you’re an adult and you make your own decisions, but please, don’t get so caught up in racing and this image of a perfect world you’ve built for yourself that you don’t stop to take a risk...and enjoy the benefits.”

Tessa closed her eyes, relishing the soft breeze, wondering what risk she should be taking. Maybe admit to Grant that she had developed feelings for him? Go to his cottage tonight and seduce him?

She nearly laughed. She wouldn’t know the first thing about seducing a man, and certainly not one as sexy as Grant Carter.

But one thing was for sure. She was done waiting and playing his game.

* * *

Grant was completely worn-out. There had been a mix-up with the number of trailers and they were still one short, but after some calls he’d gotten everything straightened out.

He’d sent a text to his coproducers, informing them they were good to go whenever they wanted to come. He figured they’d arrive earlier than stars Max Ford and Lily Beaumont.

The two headliners of the film were going to help him catapult to a whole new level, and Grant could hardly contain himself at the thought of his own production company. Marty had sent an email outlining the prospect, and Grant was glad no one had been around to see him read it, because he’d been smiling like a kid with a new puppy. And he may have read it through twice. Okay, three times.

He had just unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it from his jeans when someone knocked on his door.

Please, don’t let it be another issue with the trailers.

When he jerked open the door, Tessa stood there, her hair flying loose around her shoulders. A fitted tank, with a long-sleeved plaid shirt over top, unbuttoned, showcased her flat stomach. Her jeans hugged her hips, and the punch of lust to his gut nearly made his knees give out.

She’d never looked this...relaxed. Seeing that massive amount of red hair dancing about in the wind, he nearly groaned, because he could practically feel it sliding along his bare body.

Which meant she couldn’t come inside. The emotional impact she kept hitting him with was targeting closer and closer to his heart.

Grant stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind him.

“I’m sorry,” she told him. “Is this a bad time?”

Her eyes raked over his bare chest and Grant clenched his fists. “No.”

Those bright blue eyes darted around, as if she was suddenly insecure about something...or was reconsidering coming here.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

With a sigh, she shook her head. “Actually, no. I can’t handle this tension between us anymore.”

Damn. She was about to get aggressive, and he wasn’t sure he could turn her down if she started showing signs of power and control. He’d witnessed this only in her schedules, never with attraction. And damn if that wasn’t a whole new level of sexy. He was already turned on as it was, and his zipper was growing exceedingly tighter.

Taking her hand, he led her off the porch.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

He kept walking, heading toward the back of the estate, away from his cottage and the closest bed. Although he was about to his breaking point, so even the grass was looking pretty inviting right about now.

“Let’s go for a walk,” he told her. “Things are about to get crazy around here, and maybe I want to just do nothing. Not work and not talk about us. Maybe I just want to walk and hold your hand.”

Tessa groaned. “It’s going to storm soon,” she told him. “And I need to talk about us. I need to know where I stand with you.”

Grant kept walking, knowing his silence was driving her insane. But honestly, he had no clue what to say to her. He wanted her, plain and simple, but he really didn’t think she was ready, and the last thing he wanted for her was regrets. He wanted so, so much more. But since he couldn’t identify those wants, how could he express them to her? Life had been much simpler when this was only sexual attraction.

Tessa’s delicate hand remained in his as they walked through the pasture. In the near distance, frogs croaked from the pond. Grant was starting to really settle in here, but he knew in his heart he couldn’t get too attached to this place...this woman.

But that didn’t stop him from wanting her, from aching for her and waking every night fantasizing about her.

“If you’ve decided I’m not worth your time, I get that,” she finally said.

Grant smiled. He’d known she wouldn’t be able to just relax and take a walk. He remained silent, because he also knew she wasn’t finished saying whatever was on her mind that had caused her to show up at his cottage.

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