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CHLOE

6 MONTHS AGO

T his was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help out my aunt.

“Go mingle and have some fun, Chloe,” Aunt Jessie said after I pulled the last of the appetizers from the oven. “Everything’s been prepared, and now it’s the servers’ job to pass around the food. You’re free to enjoy the rest of the evening.”

We were catering food for an equestrian event my aunt’s bosses sponsored. Victoria, another King’s Ranch employee, had organized this portion of the event with my help. Since I was almost finished with my degree in event management, Aunt Jessie had recommended me to Victoria. The event lined up perfectly—it was being held in New York, where I attended NYU. In exchange for my help, Victoria offered to sign off on my class work, using this experience as one of my final projects.

My fingers shook as I slid the apron over my neck. Mingling was the only part of the night I dreaded. I didn’t fit in with this crowd. They were medal-winning equestrians, and they’d just finished one of the Longines show jumping competitions. I knew if I didn’t leave the kitchen soon, Aunt Jessie would drag me out there. I wiped my hands over my black pencil dress, grateful I’d decided to dress up tonight. Victoria had mentioned I might not be stuck in the kitchen.

The wave of voices hit me before I entered the reception area. Glancing around, I noticed an ocean of riders, even in the dim light. They had a natural grace to their movements that was easy to pick out among their trainers, friends, and family. The large windows along the back wall overlooked the competition arena with a beautiful sunset as its backdrop. The delicious aroma from the appetizers wafted through the room as the waiters weaved around, carrying their trays.

The Kingstons did not make this a private event. They had sponsored the competition, and this was their afterparty. I decided to people watch as I made my way to the bar.

A particular gentleman caught my eye. He was talking to a gorgeous woman, and I couldn’t be certain, but I’d bet money she was hoping to invite him to her hotel room tonight. The woman was fully engaged, thrusting her chest to get his attention, running her fingertips down his arm, leaning in and laughing as he spoke. While he seemed to focus everywhere else but at her.

I shook my head and ordered a vodka and cranberry from Gina, the bartender. She and I had clicked the second we met. While I waited for my drink, my gaze was drawn to the same guy. He was still talking to the woman, but now he appeared even more disinterested and annoyed.

I knew I should stop staring, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was young and tall. He had that classically handsome appearance, with a chiseled jaw and dark hair. His slight build was showcased in his tight button-down, but just like all the other riders, he wasn’t overtly built.

He turned and caught me in his gaze. My whole body flushed. If the floor would open and swallow me whole, that’d be great. It would hide the heat blazing across my face and chest.

He smirked, and I gave him a wobbly grin before his attention was drawn to the woman by his side. It was awful, but a tiny part of me was pleased when his face morphed into one of annoyance and his jaw tightened while he clipped out his next sentence. I wished I was close enough to hear what he was saying.

“Do you know anything about those two over there?” I asked Gina.

“The guy in the gray slacks and the woman in the red dress? That’s Hunter Jacobs and Katherine Reynolds. Hunter is an up-and-coming rider. Katherine has every man around here chasing after her. She competes, but she isn’t the best. She just likes to land every top rider. Her eyes have been on Hunter for the past year. Pretty sure they have a thing going on,” she shrugged, pouring a glass of wine for the patron next to me.

“He doesn’t appear like he’s happy with her. He seems ready to bolt.” I spared another glance at the couple.

“True. He’s usually all smiles. Very friendly. Tonight he seems off.” Gina’s eyebrow ticked up. “You taking a fancy to him?”

“Just noticed, that’s all.” The flush that had faded from my cheeks crept back in. “Sure, he’s hot, but I kind of feel bad for him. He seems to get more and more uncomfortable the longer they talk. I swear he’s going to strangle that glass he’s holding.”

Gina wiped at the bar and gave me a devilish grin. “Maybe you should go rescue him. I saw the way he smiled at you.”

My gaze quickly dropped to the glass in my hand to avoid Gina’s.

No way could I go over there and talk to him. He was way out of my league, and I was pretty sure Katherine could chew me up and spit me back out for even thinking about talking to Hunter.

“Oh, come on, Chloe.” My new friend liked to start trouble. “You’re way better looking than her, and I bet he could use a break.”

“I’ll pass. That would just be weird and awkward.” I shook my head.

Gina slid a drink my way.

I frowned. “I didn’t order that.”

“No, but he did.” She winked and slid the glass closer. “Take it to him for me?”

I made a face.

“It’s a rum and Coke, not poison,” she chuckled. “Besides, I’m slammed. I could really use the help.”

She was exaggerating, but not completely. A group had just arrived at the bar and needed her attention. I eyed the glass sitting there, mocking me.

Could I really do this? It’s not like I was going to ask the guy out. And besides, my New Year’s resolution was to step out of my comfort zone. Bringing his drink was easier than trying to come up with a more interesting conversation. Hunter was safe. He was here with Katherine.

I allowed myself to mull it over for one more second before I straightened my shoulders. “Okay, fine, but I’ll blame you if this all goes wrong,” I called to Gina where she was mixing a round of drinks for her newest guests.

“You can credit me when it all goes right,” she grinned as she shook her drink tin.

I grabbed the glass and turned toward Hunter and Katherine, who were still deep in conversation.

I can do this.

He was only going to take the drink, ignore me, and continue his conversation. It was no big deal. This would be a great way for me to practice approaching guys in the future. Determination propelled me forward.

As I got closer, I could make out some of their words.

“Come on, Hunter. What’s wrong with you? You never act like this. We always have a little fun after a show. Why is tonight any different?” Katherine whined.

I cringed. Her voice went right through me.

“I don’t want to say it again. We’re over. I shouldn’t have dragged it out as long as I have.” Hunter’s deep voice was rough, with a hint of exhaustion. He ran his hand over his tired face. I had to wonder if it was because of the long day of competing or as a result of this conversation.

“But, baby, I want it hard and fast tonight, and I know you’re the one who can give it to me. Why do you have to be so mean? You know you want it too. Don’t deny us both.” Katherine continued to pout while seductively brushing her fingers up and down his arm.

Oh God. I wanted to block my ears.

“Kat, I said no. Find someone else tonight.” Hunter kept his voice low, and I respected that he was trying not to make a scene, even though Katherine seemed to have other ideas.

She crossed her arms over her chest, and her voice rose. “You couldn’t wait to rip my clothes off last time. Why not tonight?”

Hunter took a step back, creating distance between them. He ran a hand over the nape of his neck. “We were never serious. You and I both agreed it would be fun while it lasted, but it’s not fun now.”

“I can’t believe you, Hunter.” Her eyes shined with tears that were probably as fake as she was.

He drew in a long-suffering sigh. “Don’t do this here.”

“Do what? Get upset that you were stringing me along?” She grabbed at his arm.

His eyes flashed with anger just before he tempered it. “I’m not getting into this with you. I told you we are over.” He gently removed her hand.

She immediately wrapped her arm around his.

Hunter shifted. “Please let go, Kat.”

My stomach churned. This woman would not take no for an answer. Hunter was trying to be reasonable and respectful, and she was creating a scene. If what Gina said was correct and Hunter was an up-and-coming rider, he didn’t need this kind of negative attention. Katherine needed to be taught that no means no.

Stepping in between them, I faced Katherine. “He’s with me.” I couldn’t stop the words from pouring out of my mouth, but now that they had, I had to roll with it. My knees shook as Katherine turned her glare toward me.

Gina had said Hunter needed saving, and that was what I would do. He didn’t need to be hounded by a woman who was borderline obsessive.

An arm snaked around my middle and turned me away from the woman. “Where have you been, sugar?” Hunter beamed. His gray eyes took my breath away. I hadn’t seen them from across the room, but now that I was close enough, I could drown in them and never surface.

“I’ve been waiting for you. It seems you got distracted, so I brought your rum and Coke, just how you like it.” I surprised myself with how smoothly my words dropped from my shaky lips. It was like my inner woman had taken over.

“Just what I wanted.” Hunter took the glass from my hands and set it on the table. “Which makes me want you even more,” he said, brushing his hand over my cheek and gently tugging my face closer. Our lips touched, softly at first, then he deepened the kiss.

Oh… my…

The taste of rum tantalized my tongue as his dipped between the crease of my lips. My stomach flipped, and I couldn’t help but grapple at his navy button-down and tug him closer.

Hunter’s hands slid to my lower back, pinning me against him. My knees felt like they were going to give out any minute when the harsh clearing of a throat behind me broke us apart.

“Who are you?” Katherine refused to take the hint. Her nostrils flared and her eyes narrowed as her hands pinched at her waist.

I extracted myself from Hunter’s hold, but he didn’t let me go far. His arm banded around my hip, holding me close to him.

“I’m Chloe. Hunter’s date for tonight,” I addressed Katherine before turning back to Hunter. “I’m sorry I’m late. I saw you ride, but then I had to take a call.”

“It’s okay, kitten. You’re here now. That’s all that matters.” He brushed his lips along my cheekbone, and heat seared my ears. “Excuse us, Kat. I want to introduce Chloe to a few people.” Hunter’s fingers gripped my side as he steered us in the opposite direction.

When we were a safe distance away, he let out a huge sigh, and the tension in his shoulders eased with each step.

“Thank you,” he said, holding my gaze.

“No problem.” I smiled. “It looked like you could use an out and maybe a drink.”

His eyes darkened, turning a stormy gray. “That was exactly what I needed. That’ll teach me not to get involved with another rider. You can’t avoid them very well when they are at every show.”

“One reason I refuse to date any of my classmates.”

“You’re still in school?” Hunter cocked his head.

“I’m just finishing my master’s at NYU. I graduate in December.”

“That’s impressive. I never went to college.” Hunter’s mouth twisted with what could have been regret.

“Really? Why not?”

“I was recruited to a riding team right after high school graduation.”

“Now that’s impressive.”

He shrugged. I enjoyed his modesty. I knew enough about the riding world to know that getting recruited that young was a huge accomplishment.

“Are you regretting your decision after having to fend off unwanted advances from needy women?” I teased, and Hunter’s face broke into a grin.

“Every now and then I think about what could’ve been if I’d gone to college, but I don’t regret my decision right at this moment.” Hunter lifted his hand and brushed a stray lock of hair that had fallen from my braid. “I wouldn’t have met you.”

S woon.

“I bet you say that to all the girls.” My cheeks burned from his words. I glanced around the room. His intensity was too much for me.

His thumb and forefinger lifted my chin and forced me to meet his eyes. “I don’t think I’ve ever said that to anyone else.” This time, the heat spread all the way to my ears.

I swallowed hard.

“Tell me about yourself, Chloe.” His thumb brushed against my bottom lip, and I shivered at the light touch. When he let go, disappointment surged through me.

I cleared my throat. “Oh, there isn’t much else to say. I’m in New York for college, but after I graduate, I have no idea where I’ll be in the next year.” I gave a small chuckle. “My past will only bore you to tears.” What accomplished guy like him would want to hear about my small-town life? The most exciting thing was the neighbor’s cows getting out and creating havoc around the neighborhood.

“That can’t be true. I want to know everything about you.” Hunter stepped closer. The heat of his body seeped into mine, making me want to clutch the front of his shirt to stay upright. “I want to know all about the woman who saved me tonight.” A genuine smile stretched across his face.

I lightly shoved at his chest. “That’s me. Saving men from clingy women.”

“How about we make this more fun? Let’s play twenty questions.” Hunter’s eyes grew dark. Why did I have a feeling things were going to get personal by question two? And why was I looking forward to it?

Goosebumps spread like wildfire across my skin. “Okay. Sure.”

“Ladies first.”

I started with a basic question. “Where are you from?”

“Born and raised in Richmond, Kentucky. My turn.” He licked his lower lip and pulled it between his teeth. Heat shot to my core.

“You don’t have a New York accent, which means you’re not from around here,” he started. “What brought you to New York? And don’t say college. There has to be a reason you came all this way to the big city.”

My heart skipped a beat. I had honestly expected him to ask me the same question I’d asked him, but he surprised me with such a deep one. “I had to escape my hometown. Being overshadowed by my family was hard. I wanted to prove I could be my own person.” I let out a deep breath. God, he was so beautiful. The warm smile on his face melted my insides.

“If you had gone to college, what would your degree have been?” I asked, noticing my voice had grown breathy.

He pursed his lips. “Finance, maybe. I’m really good with numbers, and I always helped my mom with bookkeeping while growing up.”

I grinned. How sweet he mentioned his mom. “Noble profession. You can do a lot with a finance degree.”

My smile slipped as Hunter’s eyes took on a hungry gleam.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

My heart leapt in my chest. “No.”

“Have you ever felt this intense attraction to someone so fast before?” His gaze traveled to my lips and back to my eyes.

“No.” I licked my parched lips drawing his attention back to my mouth.

“Has anyone told you how delectable you look tonight?” He took a loose curl draped over my shoulder and wrapped it around his finger.

“I don’t think anyone has ever used that word to describe me.”

“Let me be the first.” His finger tipped my chin up to meet his eyes. “Absolutely delectable.”

I hummed as heat raced through my veins.

Hunter leaned in. “Can I kiss you?”

“Please,” I breathed.

His hand cupped my jaw before his soft lips brushed against mine. Sparks raced along my skin as he deepened the kiss. My fingers clutched the front of his shirt. My knees grew weak when his tongue dipped inside to dance with mine.

When he pulled back, his eyes were hooded and his heartbeat raced under my palm.

He gently pushed my hair back over my shoulder and leaned down. “Join me in my room, kitten?” Hunter whispered in my ear.

His question wasn’t completely unexpected, but I searched his face for any sign that he was joking.

His eyes were unwavering, like he was staring into my soul.

My heart beat frantically. He wanted me to go back to his room where we would be alone. Where maybe he would kiss me again, but if I said yes, I was possibly agreeing to more. Was I ready for that? For a one-night stand with a guy I just met and was insanely attracted to? With every glance from him, with each slight touch, my insides melted, and my core ignited.

I held his gaze and licked my parched lips. “Yes.”