16. Let's Ride

I sit at the edge of the bed with a glass of whiskey in hand. It's starting to look like my favorite accessory. The lamplight illuminates the papers scattered in front of me.

Each paper contains all the information I could get on the media mogul, whose company I need to seal a deal. Now that Grant has managed to secure the partnership from Jerald Wuinn, all that remains is for me to reel in this final big fish.

The only problem? Very little is known about this man, except that he has never agreed to a partnership between his company and anyone else's. And a lot of people have tried.

But they weren't me. At least that's how confident I was about securing this partnership but now a little doubt creeps in.

“Shit,” I mutter as my mind wanders. Maybe I would have been able to find the crack in the otherwise faultless image of this chess piece if I wasn't so distracted by a certain curvy, golden skinned woman under my roof.

Nova.

Every night for the last week, she left the house on Grant's arms, and each time she returns it's in another designer dress that worships every inch of her body.

She looks tantalizing.

Sleep evading me felt like a curse but now I find myself looking forward to being awake. I stay up waiting, listening, for the sound of her heels against the marble floor.

And each time I think about looking forward to the new look, I remember who she's dressing up for. And it pisses me off. What the fuck do they do together?

Each night has been a lesson in self control. My jaws clench and my fingers tighten around the whiskey glass. I want to tear that fucking dress off her body, chain her in my room and never let her leave.

But the moment I cross that line Grant will reveal the truth. The clause she thinks is keeping her here isn't legal at all.

She'd leave, for good this time.

I run a hand down my face, wondering for a second why I'm going this far to keep her here. The answer is simple. Her presence comforts me. I can't lose another person.

I have even entertained the thought of telling her about the contract myself and begging her to stay, but the look in her eyes since our last conversation tells me the truth. As soon as she finds out, she will leave without looking back. And until the private investigator reaches out to me and I figure out what has her so pissed at me, there's nothing I can do.

For now we're stuck at an impasse. I can't let her go but I can't draw her close either. Instead, fucking Grant gets to have her.

“Fuck!” I snarl, slamming the glass down so hard the whiskey splashes over the paper.

“Daddy?” The small voice pierces through my frustration. Emile is standing in the doorway, clutching the teddy bear she shares with her brother.

.

“Hey baby girl,” I say, softening instantly. I get up from the bed and crouch, letting her run into my hands and I pick up my little princess. “Where's your brother?”

“Playroom!”

“Ok princess, playroom it is.”

As we get closer, the delicate melody of a violin playing ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’ gets louder.

When I push the door open, the sight that awaits me hits like déjà vu.

Nova sits by the window with her eyes closed. She moves the bow with effortless grace, filling the room with a pure, soft sound. Ethan is at her feet utterly entranced.

The morning light surrounds her beautifully. She looks otherworldly. A nymph producing music.

Just like she did when I first saw her.

Only when the final notes die out do I notice how long I have been staring for.

When her eyes flutter open and she sees me staring, a blush forms on her cheeks and I know the same memories that run through my head run through hers too. The moment is broken when her attention to the door makes Ethan turn and he comes running.

“Daddy!” I bend down and pick him up too, holding both my children in my hands.

“You promised to take us horseback riding, today,” Emile says with an exaggerated pout.

“Hmm did I?” I tilt my head, pretending to think. “I can't remember.”

“Yes you did,” Ethan laughs, tugging at my collar.

"Well,if I can't remember then that must mean it didn't happen,” I say seriously.

The screaming protest of the children go on for a moment or two before I give in, defeated. “Alright, alright. Let's go get your breeches.”

I turn to leave but Emile gasps. “No, no, no, Daddy. That's rude! Are you forgetting to invite someone?”

Nova's eyes widen when my gaze returns to her.

“Of course,” I say evenly. “Nova, would you like to join us horseback riding?” The first words I have said to her since our last conversation.

“I-I couldn't possibly…I mean I don't even know how to–”

“Daddy could teach you,” is Emile's quick response. “Please, Miss Nova.”

Ethan joins his sister in pleading, “Please…”

I stare at her, willing her to say yes.

I can see the wary hesitation in her eyes and I can tell it comes from having to spend time with me but thankfully after a moment, she nods.

An hour later, we are at the stables and I am leaning against the fence post, waiting for the children to change into their breeches.

Soon, the twins come running out with the correct safety gears and onto the pastures, weaving in between calves and rolling in the grass.

“Be careful,” I shout but the sound of laughter drowns it out.

“Kids, right,” Nova says behind me.

I turn, ready to reply but the words never leave my lips.

Nova stands a few steps away, dressed in a white blouse and fitted breeches. It clings to all the right places and the sun hits her golden skin perfectly, making it shine. Her hair has been thrown in a messy ponytail.

“It fits beautifully,” I manage to say.

Even as a blush creeps onto her cheek, there is a guardedness in her eyes. So I turn away and walk towards the horses. She might not say it but her body screams out her opinions of me.

And I hate who I am in her eyes.

I pull the most timid horse from the herd and walk it towards her. “This one is gentle, perfect for beginners.”

Her eyes soften as she strokes the chestnut mare. “She's beautiful.”

I show her how to hold the reins, how to stand beside the saddles. Our hands touch briefly and I pretend not to notice, careful not to spook her off.

“Here,” I say after a pause. “Let me help you up.”

Before she can protest, my hands are at her waist. I lift her tense body up easily, feeling her warmth.

Once she's ready, I step back, clenching my fists to keep from reaching for her warmth again.

“Emile, Ethan, let's get on the ponies,” I say loudly.

No answer. They are too by the water troughs, splashing each other gleefully. I stride over there ready to scold them, but before I can even start I am splashed across my shirt.

The twins freeze with wide eyes. “We're sorry, Daddy,” they echo.

“It's fine,” I say and lift them up, placing them on their respective foals.

When I turn back to Nova, water droplets still cling to my shirt so I throw it off with a quick motion, revealing my naked skin.

Her gaze is quickly drawn to my body, involuntarily. I feel it.

She might not say it but her body screams it's opinions of me.

For the first time in a long time, I let myself smile a small, dangerous smile.

“Ready to ride, Miss Nova?” I ask, my voice rougher than before.