“I can’t wait to wear them,” I admitted. “Are you going?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I’m leaving tomorrow with the crew driving north.”

  King had told me that the travel for Bloodline would begin this weekend. The trailer they had was more like a stable on wheels. I’d never seen anything that extravagant before. They also didn’t stop overnight. Several drivers would be taking shifts, and they were driving straight through until they reached New York.

  “King said I fly up on Wednesday. Bloodline will be rested from the travel by Tuesday, and Christopher is going as his exercise rider. I’m supposed to take him out Thursday and Friday.”

  Sebastian nodded. “Yeah, Miller will be there as his trainer. He’ll give you the updates once you arrive. I’m taking him out to Christopher now. You wanna come watch?”

  It was why I had come so early. I wanted to be here for Bloodline’s workout and take him around a few times at full speed. Our time had been excellent the last time I took him around, and I wanted to see if we could beat it. If so, then the win was in the bag.

  “Yeah,” I replied.

  He wasn’t treating me as if I’d done something wrong. I was relieved. This week had worn on my emotions with everyone but King acting as if I were a leper. Well, Thatcher had let me ride Zephyr, and that was more interaction than he’d ever had with me.

  Speak of the devil …

  Messy hair and in nothing but a pair of gray joggers, Thatcher walked out of the stables with an unlit cigarette between his lips. My stomach did that weird, funny feeling it normally did at the sight of him, but this time, it was closer to a hawk taking flight than butterflies. Lord have mercy. His nipple was pierced. I needed to stop looking at it, but the tiny barbell had me locked in, unable to tear my eyes away.

  Had he just gotten out of bed? Did he live in the stables? I’d seen him leave before and heard others say he had gone home, but he always seemed to be waking up here.

  “I can’t find my panties,” a female’s voice said.

  I jerked my eyes off his chest to see he was lighting his cigarette while watching me ogle him. Great.

  “Thatcher,” the voice whined.

  My entire body felt flushed from embarrassment at him having seen me gawking at his chest.

  “Not my problem,” he said through his teeth while holding the cigarette between them.

  The blonde from the restaurant yesterday came up beside him, and I turned around to see Sebastian watching the scene.

  His eyes met mine, and he rolled them, then nodded his head toward the track. “Come on.”

  Not wanting to witness the woman who had clearly stayed the night with Thatcher paw all over him, I followed Sebastian as he led Bloodline out to where Christopher and Miller were waiting. My throat had gotten tight, and I didn’t want to accept that I was clearly jealous. Me having any emotions toward Thatcher Shephard was pointless and potentially painful. Like right now. My entire mood had plummeted.

  So what that he’d paid for my meal yesterday? And he might possibly be leaving my favorite cookies on my front porch, but I had no proof it was him leaving the cookies.

  I was his jockey. He’d probably paid for our meal to be nice. That kind of thing. Me making it more than it had been was stupid. Last night, I had spent entirely too much time thinking about Thatcher. I should have been focused on the upcoming race and paying closer attention to the past races I had been watching of horses and jockeys I’d be up against next week.

  Fighting the urge to glance back and see if Thatcher was still there or not was hard. I needed to get a grip. There was nothing about me that was that man’s type.

  “I heard you got to ride Zephyr yesterday,” Sebastian said as we made our way to the track.

  “Yes,” I replied. “He is incredible.”

  “He is something else,” he agreed. “Thatcher hasn’t even let Christopher on him yet. He’s been handling all his exercising.”

  I hadn’t realized that. My chest loosened up, and unable to help myself, I glanced back, but Thatcher and the blonde were both gone. Why had he let me ride him if he wasn’t letting their best exercise rider ride him? Because I was the jockey—that was why. I was trying to read more into it because I was pathetic.

  “Morning,” Miller called out as we approached. “Glad you’re here early, Capri. After Christopher takes him around a few times, I want you to open him up.”

  Miller seemed friendlier than he’d been this week.

  “Okay,” I agreed. That was what I’d been planning on.

  Sebastian patted Bloodline as he unhooked his lead, then stepped back beside me. “Let’s see what he can do.”

  After getting clean, I’d stayed under the hard spray of water in my shower until it turned cold.

  Esther had texted me three times and called once, trying to get me to go on a double date. Although it wasn’t with Haines but some guy from Jaiden’s work, I had said no. She didn’t understand my need to prepare this week. Workouts, eating lean, and sleep. Dating wasn’t on the agenda.

  I slipped on some panties and then continued to towel-dry my hair before walking into the living room. It had been a hot one today, and my air conditioner was struggling to cool down my house. Good thing about living alone, I could walk around naked or just in my panties when I wanted to. I went through the living room and into the kitchen to get my water bottle off the counter and drink some more. My eyes went to the window while I drank my water. The darkness had settled over the backyard, and the view unsettled me since the night I’d thought I’d seen a shadow out there. Refusing to let my fear take control again, I turned and went back to the bedroom and slipped on a tank top before going to the sofa and sitting down.

  I had more studying to do. I turned on the television to watch some more of the races I’d found on YouTube.

  My gaze swung over to the window across from me. I already knew there was no one out there, yet I’d gone and put on a tank anyway. I debated on getting up and closing the curtains, but decided against it. I wasn’t going to let my thoughts even cater to my imagination because I’d get all worked up again and not sleep well. I needed sleep.

  I focused on the race I had just turned on and the two jockeys who would be at the invitational with me. This was where my attention should be. Not on some phantom that didn’t exist in my backyard.

  • Nine •

  Whatever fucker had taught her how to do that, I was going to kill them.

  Thatcher

  I couldn’t decide if I was pissed off that she walked around topless with her curtains open. It wasn’t like anyone could see her unless they were in her backyard. It still annoyed me.

  Her tits weren’t as small as the sports bras she wore had made them seem. In fact, they were a solid handful with pretty little pink nipples. I adjusted my cock, which had thickened at the sight of her sweet, little, naked body until the zipper was cutting into it.

  The tank top she’d slipped on after looking out here wasn’t helping. At least she’d sat down. Her ass was as perfectly round and toned as it looked in jeans and riding pants. I hadn’t expected the pink lace thong when she turned around and walked away. I’d thought she would choose a comfortable, more boring pair of panties. Those didn’t check either box. She didn’t need to leave her curtains open if she was going to strut around like that.

  She pulled her legs up onto the sofa and crossed them, giving me a clear view of her cunt. Fuck, I needed a smoke. But with her eyes darting this way every once in a while, I couldn’t light one up. I wasn’t leaving until she covered her ass up or turned out the lights and went to bed. She was too exposed. I was sure no one else was planning on stalking her backyard tonight, but I still couldn’t bring myself to just walk away.

  From here, it looked like her pussy was bare. At least the smooth lips that the pink lace wasn’t covering completely. I wondered if she was waxed. A grin tugged at my mouth. I doubted my little doll would let someone touch her there. If she was waxed, she did it herself. The inner war inside me—that wanted to keep her pure and wholesome, but also fantasized about shoving my cock in her mouth or pulling her hair while I slammed into her from behind—was ongoing.

  Those fantasies would stay just that. I’d never touch her. I was pretty fucking sure I’d break her. She was too tiny, and the things I wanted weren’t for a little thing like her. Lately, she’d been the reason I closed my eyes when I got off inside a female. Thinking about her face made the orgasm more powerful. Another thing I couldn’t quite figure out the reason behind. It wasn’t like I wanted an inexperienced cunt, but, damn, the thought of fucking her worked me up.

  She picked up the remote and turned off the television. Hopefully, she was going to get up or at least close her fucking legs. My dick needed to go down, and I needed to leave. I watched her as she looked out the window again. Then, she sighed heavily, causing her tits to rise and fall underneath that snug tank top she had on. I dropped my gaze back to her cunt and saw her hand moving, and then her fingertips slid down between her lips, shoving the strip of fabric that had been wedged in them to the side.

  Jesus Christ. Was she about to get herself off? All the times I’d watched her, and not once had she even come close to doing this.

  Her middle finger sank inside her tight hole, and my hands were at the button on my jeans immediately. When I glanced up at her face, she laid her head back on the sofa and closed her eyes. Those plump lips of hers were slightly parted.

  I jerked my zipper down and pulled out my fully erect dick. Probably should leave, but I wasn’t going to. Her body shifted, and I dropped my gaze to see she’d uncrossed her legs and had them wide open now with her feet up on the sofa and knees bent. I squeezed my dick, then began to pump as I watched, completely fascinated. Moving closer to the house but staying out of her view, I could hear my own heavy breathing.

  I wanted to hear hers. Listen to the sounds she made when she got off.

  I could see the thin patch of hair now. She wasn’t completely bare. Just shaved.

  She licked her lips.

  “You’re playing with fire, little doll,” I whispered.

  She didn’t need to let me see this, but then again, she didn’t realize I was out here. Her small hand began to work faster, then slid out and moved to her clit.

  Ah, fuck, yeah, play with that little hot spot. Show me how you look when you come.

  Anger stirred in my chest as the thought taunted me that she might not be as pure as I’d thought. Had a man touched her there? Had one seen her like this? I’d made sure to keep them away from her. She dated until I thought they were going in that direction. Then, I got rid of them.

  Her body jerked then, and my eyes shot back up to her face. That pretty mouth was open now, and although I couldn’t hear her, I knew she was crying out. Another twitch, and then she relaxed and let out a sigh.

  She had better be the only one touching her pussy.

  Clenching my jaw, I slowed my fist. I wasn’t going to finish this here. I’d finish later in a hot mouth.

  Dropping my gaze to her pussy one more time, I caught her hand as she lifted it up, and my eyes followed her movement. She looked at the wetness on her finger, and I squeezed my cock again, not able to release it. Then, she slipped her finger between her lips and sucked.

  My body tensed and then shook as I shot a load onto the grass. Groaning, I pumped three more thick spurts of cum out. My knees felt weak, so I leaned back on the tree as I watched her finger pop out of her mouth, and then she stood up, giving me one last view of her perfect, compact little body.

  Whatever fucker had taught her how to do that, I was going to kill them.

  • Ten •

  I never knew if he was going to acknowledge me or not.

  Capri

  I should have left early and dealt with my parents’ wrath. I was a grown woman, and allowing them to have any control over me was ridiculous. Unfortunately, I was a people pleaser by nature, and I had stayed at church until the service was over. I’d spoken to my parents, other members of the congregation, Esther, and not gotten out of there fast enough. Without even looking, I could feel my mother’s eyes on me as Haines stepped in my path.

  Honestly, he wasn’t a bad-looking man. He had that clean-cut look. His hair was always styled perfectly; his face was smooth, as if it had been freshly shaven; no bloodshot eyes from too much drinking the night before; and of course, straight pearly-white teeth that I swore had to be veneers. No one’s teeth looked that perfect.

  “It’s good to see you, Capri,” he said with his blinding smile.

  I needed to add too happy and full of joy to the list of things about him that should be positive, but I found annoying.

  “If it wasn’t for Sunday morning service, I’d never get a chance to talk to you.”

  And you wouldn’t be doing so now if I’d left early, like I wanted to, I thought to myself.

  Instead of being rude, I smiled back at him. “I’ve been busy.”

  “Yeah, Esther was telling me that you’re going to New York for one of those horse races,” he replied. “I’m sure your parents are concerned.”

  The way his voice had dropped when he said the last bit irked me. Haines had never met or spoken to one of the Shephards, yet like the rest of the people around here, he assumed the worst.

  “Seeing as I am twenty-seven, I don’t reckon my parents have any say or cause for worry. I can handle myself just fine.” My voice held an edge to it even if I was maintaining the smile on my face. That was mostly for my momma’s sake. I knew she couldn’t hear us from this distance, but she could see just fine.

  “I didn’t mean that as an insult,” he said, looking concerned. “I was just saying … well, you’re traveling with those people.”

  He was making this worse.

  “Those people own this town. They are also champion horse breeders who win races. I am lucky to get the chance to sit on the back of one of their horses. This takes my career as a jockey to a whole new level.” Which he would never understand because he was not a horse person.

  The only thing he knew about horse racing was that folks wore flashy hats at the Kentucky Derby and drank mint juleps. His words, not mine.

  “Yes, I am sure it does. Look, I didn’t mean to upset you. I apologize. My plan had been to charm you into having lunch with me.” His smile was back.

  I opened my mouth to decline the invitation with a lie that I had to go to the ranch, but Esther grabbed my arm before I could say anything.

  “Let’s all do lunch together!” she exclaimed, grinning. “Jaiden and I are going to The Doghouse. I’m craving a bacon cheeseburger from there. Come with us!”

  “Their bacon cheeseburger does sound good. Thank you, Esther,” Haines replied, sounding pleased with this turn of events.

  Esther knew that Bloodline had left for New York, and she would more than likely call me out on it if I said I had to go to the ranch. This was what she’d been wanting. Me to double date with her. Looked like I was going to get it over with today. After this, I would be sure she knew it would never happen again. I had tried it and did not want to date Haines.

  “We will meet y’all there!” Esther said with a little wave of her hand, then hurried off to get Jaiden.

  I might have been backed into a corner, but I wasn’t riding with him. “My car is this way,” I told him. “I’ll, uh, see you there.”

  Before he could say more, I hurried away, taking long strides and not glancing back. Esther meant well, and I knew that, but I was still pissed at her. Next time, I was leaving the service early.

  When I had been a teenager, I’d stayed clear of this place. The Doghouse was where the popular kids at the high school always ate on Friday and Saturdays.

  Sebastian Shephard was the only reason I’d even stepped foot in here back then. That was only once too. My friend he’d dated begged me to go with her. The entire experience had been overwhelming, and I’d ended up quietly leaving when they were busy making out.

  Sunday after church, it was a place where churchgoers had lunch. There were few restaurants in Madison, so they all filled up when services let out. It had been at least a year since I’d eaten here, and stepping inside still felt like going back in time to when this was intimidating. I was aware of how silly that sounded since I was a grown adult, but some things marked you and didn’t shake loose.

  Esther hadn’t been homeschooled. She’d been a part of the crowd. Maybe not the popular one, but she had a group of friends on the inside. I did not.

  A hand touched my back, and I jumped, startled. Haines’s chuckle grated on my nerves as I realized he’d walked in behind me.

  “There they are.” He nodded his head toward Esther, who was standing up from a booth, waving at us like she couldn’t be seen.

  I nodded and started in that direction, wanting to walk fast enough that Haines had to move his hand off my body. I hadn’t said he could touch me, and the way he had assumed it was welcome added to the ongoing list of things I did not like about Haines. Unfortunately, he was taller than me—most people were—and his strides easily kept up with my hurried ones, leaving his hand on my lower back.

  After today, Esther might want to hide from me for a while.

  She was beaming like an idiot when we arrived at the booth. I’d have prepared a table with chairs so I wasn’t stuck so close to Haines, but leave it to Esther to get a booth. I should have gotten here first. My sitting in the parking lot, trying to think of a way to get out of this, had been wasted time. Now, I had to sit in the damn booth.