Page 40 of Resisting Isaac

“You looked like you belonged up there,” I say, my voice low, just for her. “Like you’ve been doing it your whole damn life.”

“Pretty much have. Where I come from, the only way to get a horse was to wrangle a wild one.”

My gaze flicks back to the center ring, where Eli and Willow are now in deep conversation. Her arms are crossed. He’s looking at her like he’s the one who’s starstruck. There’s a definite spark between them, subtle but charged. I can’t help but wonder if anyone sees something similar when they look at Elena and me.

Elena follows my line of sight.

“Oh,” she says with a little smirk. “You noticed that, too?”

“I thought he was hitting on you earlier. But then, there’s that.”

“He hasn’t hit on me at all,” she says, voice teasing. “He’s trying to impress her. Has been for days.”

“Good,” I mutter.

She laughs softly. “Jealous?”

“No,” I snort. Then I look at the literal movie star across the pasture. “Maybe.”

Her smile turns smug. “At least you’re honest.”

“That I am,” I say, stepping closer. “Speaking of, you sure do glare daggers at that assistant that flits around here in those mini-skirts. Got anything to tell me?”

Her eyes tighten and she glances back toward Eli and Willow. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“No need to worry, spitfire. I don’t plan to break any more legally binding agreements with anyone but you.”

Her lips twitch and those dark eyes catch the light as they meet mine.

I want to kiss her here in the middle of the ring, in front of the horses and the crew and every-damn-body.

But I don’t.

We watch as Eli leads a horse toward Willow, trying to pretend he’s not terrified of the beast and my sister.

He’s a good actor. But he’s not that good.

I lean into Elena’s ear. “Twenty bucks says he asks her out by Friday.”

“Fifty says she makes him sweat for a month before saying yes.”

“Deal.” I reach my hand out to shake hers.

When her hand slides against mine as we shake on it, our eyes meet.

The night we spent together flashes in my mind.

I can’t be certain, but I think it’s playing in hers too.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

isaac

The third week of cowboy camp is… challenging. It might not be so bad if the rest of my responsibilities went away while I dealt with a bunch of actors. Or if I didn’t have to spend every second reminding myself to pretend I hadn’t been inside one of them.

By Friday night, I’m contemplating going out and trying to forget my night with Elena. Deep down, I know it’s probably impossible, but it feels like I should try.

The old me would try.