She in turn, closed her eyes and memorized every sensation. The softness of his hair in her fingers, the strength of his arms, the gentle smell of manly cedar, even the slight scratch of his five-o'clock shadow. Everything was committed to memory.
His phone buzzed against her leg, reminding them that he couldn't stay. Slowly, regretfully, they both pulled away.
“I'll see you tomorrow,” Jace said. It wasn't a question. He was going to see her tomorrow.
“I wouldn't miss it for the world,” Ella replied, still breathless from the kiss.
She almost added, I love you, but that felt too soon. She'd only known him for a couple of days, and he was on vacation after all. Better to just stay quiet than risk freaking him out with saying the L-word too soon.
“Bye,” he whispered. He kissed her forehead one last time before walking away. She could see in the set of his shoulders how hard it was for him. They were up around his ears and his feet dragged as he walked.
She watched him for a moment, appreciating how wonderful his ass looked in his dark blue pants. She didn't mean to bite her lip, but she couldn't stop herself from chewing on it. He just looked so damn good.
With a sigh, she turned and headed into the barn. Captain's head popped over the stall first, followed quickly by Commander's.
“Hello, handsomes,” she greeted them. They both huffed a hello and flicked their tails. “Who wants to go first?”
She didn't really expect an answer as she picked up the curry comb. She would work on Captain first and then move onto Commander. When she was done, she knew there were a couple of apples stashed away that both horses would enjoy as a treat.
Captain pushed his head against her chest in greeting as she entered the stall. She pat him on the neck twice before moving to start the brushing. The motion was soothing and mindless, allowing her thoughts to run free.
I love him. Her stomach fluttered at the thought. Three days and I'm head over heels for this guy. Good lord, what would happen if I spent a full week with him?
She shook her head, but smiled. The thought of a full week with Jace made her heart pump and her insides heat. She knew it wasn't just the sex that excited her. It was him. It was the way he looked at her like she mattered. It was how his eyes followed her across the room, even when she wasn't doing anything important.
He was everything she could ever want in a man. She had to tell him that tomorrow. That she didn't want this to end. That just the few days meant the world to her. She wasn't about to just let him leave without telling him that she was falling hard.
She didn't have to tell him that she thought she was falling in love. She could just tell him that she had to see him again. That she'd come to New York City to see him, her work schedule be damned. He was someone she was willing to make time for. Tomorrow, she would tell him that the two of them had a future together.
“So, you and the billionaire.” Delores's voice cut through Ella's pleasant thoughts like a saw.
“Stepmother....” Ella turned, startled. She nearly dropped the curry comb. Delores never came into the barn. Ever. She said that the smell of animals made her sick. This was the first time that Ella could ever remember the woman invading the space. It felt wrong. This was Ella's sanctuary and Delores had no right to be here.
“I hope you've enjoyed your little dalliance,” Delores continued. Her heels clicked on the floorboards as her eyes flicked disdainfully across the well worn surfaces. “Because it's over now.”
“I don't know what you're talking about,” Ella said, hoping she sounded more sure of herself than she felt. She had no idea how much her stepmother knew, but playing dumb was always a good first defense.
“I saw you kissing just now. I saw you using your feminine charms.” The way Delores said the words made them sound dirty and insulting. “But it's over now.”
Ella raised her chin, but said nothing. Delores could say whatever she wanted, but it was up to Ella and Jace if it was over. “What do you want, Delores?”
“It's time for you to get back to work,” Delores snapped at her.
“It's still my day off.” Ella's hands shook and she was glad she was holding the comb. It gave her something to concentrate on.
“Of course it is.” A slow, cruel smile spread over Delores's face. “But tomorrow, you're back in my employ again. Back following my rules. Tomorrow, expect things to change. You've had it too easy. Your father coddled you, and in his memory I've been kind. But no longer. Tomorrow, you finally earn your keep around here.”
“My father was a good man,” Ella replied, her heart defiant.
“Your father was a liar,” Delores spat. “He promised me the moon and left me here with this monstrosity of an inn and a horrible child like you. He deserved a worse death than what he got.”