Blackmailing the Billionaire(5)

To her surprise he laughed, his arms crossing over his broad shoulders. “Kind of assuming that I don’t ride, aren’t you?”, her eyes widening in surprise, “YOU... You ride?”, her cheeks dimpling, “Horses... Not just sports cars?”, her look flitting to the one parked in front of the house, his brows rising in mock indignation. “As it happens yes... Is that so hard to believe?” Grabbing the reins, Joy began to walk to another field, her eyes squinting to him playfully. “It is just that I cannot imagine you creasing your suit, to be honest”, his loud laugh pleasant to her ears as he joined her.

Carig slanted a look at the small woman beside him. When had anybody teased him so openly? In the office, he was admired and feared, his employees treating him with reverence and respect, his adversaries even more so. His dates were generally not chosen for their thinking ability, but more by their looks and ability to pleasure him in bed, these women usually totally in awe at his impressive wealth. Joy however, seemed not to care one little bit about his money, he finding her openness strangely enjoyable.

As she moved around the horse, stripping the saddle from him in minutes, he allowed his eyes to trail over her. The previous day, dressed in a baggy suit, her figure was hidden from him, but today in jodhpurs which could have been sprayed on, he admired the way her shape softly curved in all of the right places. Her pert bottom and well-toned legs caught his attention, a sensual smile spreading over his face. Perhaps having her around might not be so arduous after all.

Finished with Blaze, Joy shooed the horse into the field, ensuring the gate was well-secured, before taking a deep breath, she turned to Carig, surprised at the strange expression on his face. Once more she was aware of what a sight she must make, dressed in working clothes, her hands dirty, she sweaty from the exertion of jumping. Fidgeting, she looked back at the house.

“Let me get you some coffee... Then jump in the shower”, another smile lifting the corners of his mouth as he chuckled, “Well that is very kind of you... But just coffee would be fine for me” Joy felt her cheeks burn as her mouth flapped open and shut. “I... I meant me... not together!”, her eyes narrowing as he began to laugh, before she too giggled. Moving towards the house she looked at the CEO over her shoulder, “A sense of humour... Who knew?” Carig followed behind her, his eyebrows wiggling, “Yeah, well don’t tell anybody... Stock prices might never recover”

She led him in the kitchen, her attempts to make him coffee shooed away, his loud snort bringing another laugh to her lips as he filled the kettle, “I think even I can manage making a coffee”, Joy pointing to the cupboards where he would find what he needed, before she slipped into the bathroom. As the water cleansed her, she thought about Carig Calle. The day before, he had been everything she believed the spoilt arrogant CEO to be, however, today he seemed different... More human.

A chuckle slipped from her lips as she rinsed the soap from her body. ‘Human’? Really? Poor man, she had villainised him before even getting to know him, a trait she usually loathed in others. With a grimace, she stepped from the shower. She of all people should know that often the persona someone exuded did not always reflect how they truly were, her brow furrowing as she determined to give him another chance.

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Carig sipped on his coffee, his eyes scanning the small yet comfortable kitchen. The oak cupboards were a million miles from those in his own home. Here they were aged, beaten up with years of loving use, instinctively knowing that they had been handmade, the colour richer than their newer counterparts.

Small personal touches filled the area, a plaque declaring, ‘I only have a kitchen because it came with the house’, making his lips curl. The sentiment would fit in well with his lifestyle, but from the array of pans and cooking trays hidden behind the cupboards he had looked in, forgetting where she pointed for cups, this kitchen was not underused. It was the heart of the home, and for some reason, sitting in it felt comfortable.

When driving to her farm that morning, the land the last piece of the development puzzle he needed, he had been determined to be aloof, make her think twice before having her drag him around as her boyfriend. However, the whole scene outside unsettled him. He enjoyed talking to her, a long weary sigh leaving him. Why did she have to be so damn likable?

Lost in his thoughts, his head snapped up as he heard the footsteps entering the kitchen. Joy moved into the area, a shy smile on her face, her hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing yet another bland suit. Frowning, he watched her features become more concerned as she took in his look, his eyes rolling as he stood. “Seriously... Is that what you plan on wearing?”