ELEMENTAL LOVE: A Second Chance Single Dad Romance Page 7

  My mind was filled with the latest tech that we were going to bring to the island. This wasn’t going to be just any resort; only the best would do. Just thinking about it was enough to have me leaping out of bed in the morning. Now, it had me pulling myself out of the pool, as I wrapped a towel around my waist and went to take a shower.

  Three hours later, I’d just finished a call to Neil when there was a knock at the door of my study, which then opened and Tom’s head popped inside.

  “Why in God’s name are you wearing a dress shirt on a Sunday?” he asked. “Are you going to church?”

  “No,” I said, my eyes flicking up from the computer screen. “I always wear a dress shirt when I work. You know that.”

  “Yeah, but it’s Sunday,” said my brother, and as if to emphasize the point, he walked inside and I saw he was dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, tennis shoes on his feet. “We’re going to the club. Are you coming?”

  “I’ve got too much to do,” I said. “You can help me if you like? The proposal for Portobello Street needs looking over before tomorrow.”

  “Dude, I’m hungover as hell and I need pancakes,” Tom said. “Besides, it’s a day of rest. God’s day, right?”

  “I’m sure He’ll understand when he sees just how much work you need to do before we submit in twenty-four hours.”

  “I take it you’re not joining us, then?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  Tom didn’t seem in a hurry to leave, though, and I looked up at him and sat back in my chair. “Go on,” I said. “What do you want? You’re hovering like a house fly.”

  Grinning, Tom shut the door and made his way over to my desk, practically tiptoeing in case anyone could possibly hear us. “Have you heard who’s back?” he asked.

  I frowned. “Back?”

  “Yeah. Back here.”

  “I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Rachel Evans.”

  My interest peaked, but I kept a poker face and shrugged. “And?”

  “She looks phenomenal. I’m telling you, European women are hot.”

  “She’s not European.”

  “Apparently she’s been in Spain for the last five years. I saw her a couple of minutes ago just as I came back from the pool house. Mom asked her to come over to the house when she heard she’d come home. And damn, whatever she’s been drinking over in Spain, has clearly worked its magic.”

  “Mom asked her to come over to the house?” I asked, incredulous. “She’s a member of staff. She’s not even that. She’s the daughter of a member of staff.”

  But Tom didn’t seem to be listening. I snapped my fingers in front of his face. “Don’t even think about it,” I said, my voice serious. “I swear to God.”

  With faux innocence, his eyes wide, he put his hands on his chest. “Me?” he asked. “What on earth are you talking about?”

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about,” I said and now, whatever it was I’d been working on was forgotten for a moment. I stared into my brother’s eyes, my expression serious. “Your fiancée’s upstairs and we’ve just celebrated your engagement. Don’t forget that.”

  “Forget it? Why would I?” Tom waved a hand and turned around to leave, but I got out of my chair, rushed ahead of him and shut the door.

  “Now you listen to me,” I said. “You’ve found a great girl and you’re settling down. Your days of chasing women are over. The deal’s signed, sealed, and delivered.”

  Tom folded his arms. “And what deal’s that, exactly? My engagement or Halii-Kai?”

  “Both,” I said.

  He rolled his eyes. “What, you think because I’m telling you there’s a siren on-site, I’m going to be unfaithful. That’s ridiculous.”

  I headed back to my chair and sat down again. “I wouldn’t presume to dream you’d do anything so foolish,” I said, calmly. “But just be aware that we’ve both entered into a contract that we’d be stupid to back out of now.”

  He made a noise that sounded very much like he was blowing a raspberry, and he left the study. I spent a few seconds sitting back in my chair, staring at nothing in particular and thinking about what he’d just told me.

  Mom had always had a soft spot for Dennis Evans and his daughter since they’d come to work for us after the accident which left Rachel without a mother. In a few, short moments of recollection, I thought about a girl with a mop of curly hair and an ass that fit very nicely into her jeans. I recalled a night where she’d thought a little too much of herself and forgot her place for a few moments, and I’d shut her up with a kiss.

  Thankfully, nothing happened that I would have regretted. I don’t believe I’d seen her since that evening but, to be honest, I’d be lying if I said what happened that night had never crossed my mind since then.

  But now it appeared she’d come back for a visit, and from what Tom was saying, she looked good.

  Well, good for her. As long as she stays out of the way and doesn’t think she can turn my brother’s head.

  There was too much at risk by having her show up now, fluttering her eyelashes after so many years. How long had it been? A decade? Maybe more? I didn’t care how good my brother thought she looked. I just hoped that she was over for a flying visit and would be gone soon. I didn’t need her throwing a wrench in the works now.

  It might have been overkill, but I wasn’t about to take any chances. I left the study and went to look for Mom. As always, I found her in the kitchen. I mentioned that Tom had informed me that Rachel had returned from Spain.

  Mom smiled. “Yes, that’s right,” she said. “She looked amazing. I’m so happy to see how well she’s doing.”

  “And why is she here?” I asked.

  Mom blinked at me in surprise. “She’s decided to come home,” she said. “She was homesick. Why do you care?”

  “I don’t,” I said. “She means nothing to me, and I’m a little confused as to why she means anything to you if I’m being honest.”

  “Alexander, she’s been with the family her whole life,” Mom said. “Dennis means a lot to the household, and he’s been a fine employee over the years.”

  “That’s just it, Mom,” I said. “An employee. And Rachel is the daughter of an employee. She’s not family. She doesn’t need to come into the house. She certainly doesn’t need to think she can turn up and influence Tom.”

  “Is that what this is about?” Mom laughed, shaking her head. “Oh Alex, don’t be silly. There’s nothing to worry about there. Your brother’s in love with Sienna.”

  “And I intend for it to stay that way,” I said. “You and I both know what he’s like when there’s an attractive woman in the room. From what you’re saying, Rachel Evans could be just the thing to have him acting like a horny teenager again, breaking hearts as he goes along. Including mine, if this deal doesn’t go through.”

  “Don’t you think you might be overreacting just a little?” Mom asked.

  I shook my head. “We both know what he’s like,” I replied. “And the last thing I need is a schoolgirl crush rearing its ugly head like a damn zit on a pig’s ass and bulldozing an investment.”

  Mom sighed. “I don’t think there’s going to be any problem of the sort,” she said. “Anyway, we’re going to the club for brunch. The nurse is just helping your father upstairs. Are you coming?”

  “No,” I replied. “I have to work.”

  “But it’s Sunday,” Mom protested.

  “You’re the second person to remind me of that,” I said, and I left the kitchen and went back to my study.

  Chapter 11

  ________

  RACHEL

  Breakfast was, as always, a real treat, and after I was finished, I brought the tray back to the kitchen and stacked the dishes in the empty dishwasher. Dad was already out on the estate, and even though I knew he wouldn’t really be upset if I stayed in and relaxed, I knew that he was right about working through my jet lag.

  I opene
d a drawer in my room and found a pair of cream jodhpurs I hadn’t worn in years. I pulled them on and was surprised to see how baggy they were. Despite all the beautiful Spanish food, I’d lost several pounds in the last ten years.

  Over the pants, I wore a light polo shirt, the collar neatly starched. Even when doing the dirtiest work in the yard outside, I’d been trained to look as neat and presentable as if I was stepping into an office. An office, of course, which required a pair of sturdy black boots.

  Downstairs, the cobbled stones on the ground felt familiar under my feet and I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with the well-known, delicious smell of horses. In the yard, I saw Martin on his knees, lifting up the leg of a beautiful chestnut brown mare and inspecting her hoof. As always, there was a pipe hanging from his mouth, but it was unlit.

  He put the mare’s foot down again and patted her long, shiny neck. “Healing nicely, girl,” he said, and when he heard me walking behind him, he turned around and grinned. Tears pricked my eyes when I saw his old, weather-beaten face, now carrying a few more wrinkles than it used to. He held open his arms and wrapped me in a huge hug.

  “So, it wasn’t just a rumor,” he said, as he held me at arm’s length and inspected me. “When your dad told me what a beautiful young lady you’d become, I thought he was just biased. But I can see he was absolutely right.”

  “Oh, stop it,” I said, swatting him playfully. “You’ll make me blush.”

  “What happened to the gangly teen who used to beg me to let her sleep in the barn with the horses?”

  “In my defense, I only asked you one time, and it was for my birthday!”

  He shook his head and chuckled. “Well, it looks like you’re dressed appropriately right now. What can I do for you?”

  “It’s more of a case of what I can do for you,” I said, holding out my arms. “I’m here to work.”

  I’d always thought Martin to be a huge, imposing bear of a man, but now he looked smaller than he used to. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d changed but it seemed I had. Everywhere seemed less imposing, less terrifying, than it used to. I guess it came from being out in the big wide world, from seeing things outside the confines of what I’d grown up in.

  “You can do me a favor by riding this lady, here,” Martin said, and he pointed to the chestnut mare he’d been tending to as I came into the yard.

  I laughed. “Martin, I’m happy getting a shovel and mucking out a stable,” I said. “I didn’t come down here to have a leisurely ride.”

  “All the same, you’d be helping me out,” he said. “She had a bad foot a few months back, on account of her shoe becoming dislodged. By the time we’d caught it, it was already too late and we were concerned she’d go lame. She’s been out of action for a while, but I’m planning on teaching little Noah Maitland to ride on her.”

  I walked over to the beautiful horse, and her placid brown eyes rested on mine. I reached out and patted her long neck. “Hello,” I muttered, bringing my nose close to her face and breathing in her beautiful scent. “You’re a lovely girl, aren’t you?”

  She nuzzled into my arm, and I saw how her nostrils were soft and relaxed, a sure sign that she was content and not at all perturbed by my presence. I hadn’t ridden in so long, and it was a real treat to have Martin come and bring me all the tack and to slowly put on each piece as I’d been taught since the age of five.

  My new friend was an eight-year-old mare called Bonnie, although her official name was Bounteous Beauty. Since the injury to her hoof, it wouldn’t have been fair to put her back into competitive riding; causing a horse to go lame could result in not just their careers coming to an end, but possibly their lives, too. Keeping her as a pony on which a child could learn to ride was the best idea.

  She seemed to show no sign of distress as I mounted her, though, and with the slightest squeeze of my heels against her abdomen she walked with docile steps through the yard as Martin guided us out. Her tail swished and she seemed to walk with pride, as though she was once again doing what she loved to do.

  Once on the path, I gave Bonnie a little more of the reins and took her into a rising trot. She handled it easily, and we made our way down the path toward the wide, open fields. I rose up in the saddle and came down again with her rhythm, my muscle memory kicking in with ease as though it hadn’t been several years since I’d last ridden.

  There was a huge, sprawling piece of land that seemed like the perfect place to take Bonnie out and really stretch her legs. She was an absolute dream to ride, and she seemed to get as much of a thrill at being let out as I did. I didn’t want to push her too long, so I headed back to the stables in a leisurely walk.

  I swung my leg over Bonnie’s back and jumped down to the ground, patting her flanks as Martin came over. “How was that?” he asked.

  “Amazing. I could have stayed on her all day.”

  “Well, feel free to take her out whenever you like,” Martin said. “She starts her lessons with Noah at the end of the week, and I want her to be on her best behavior, of course.”

  We began walking slowly along the side of the stables, as I stopped to stroke the long muzzles of the stunning horses who were poking their heads out of the doors. “Isn’t she a little big for a five-year-old?” I asked the stable manager. “Sitting up there made me a little nervous at first, and I’ve been riding all my life.”

  “That’s what his father wants,” Martin said, with a shrug. “You know how it works. The big house speaks and we obey.”

  “What’s it been like, since Beau got sick?”

  “Not bad at all, to be honest,” Martin replied. “We didn’t notice much of a difference. Alex runs the place similar to the way his father did, and we even got a bit of a raise. I’ve got nothing bad to say about the man.”

  “Does Thomas still ride?” I asked, as innocently as possible.

  Martin nodded. “He’s still a great polo player. He could have been one of the greats if he’d just put his mind to it. But he always seemed more interested in girls than sports.”

  I don’t know why, but I felt a little sad when Martin said that, because I recalled that all I wanted when I was young was for Thomas to notice me, and yet he never once made me feel as though he even knew I existed. It was ridiculous to still feel sad about it, but the sickening feeling in my stomach that I hadn’t felt for many years was now returning, and all at the thought of Thomas Maitland. Now, of course, he was engaged to be married, as I recalled Dad telling me the previous night. I was going to have to get used to the idea and, if I was being completely honest with myself, I’d have to admit that I’d been excited about seeing Thomas once more. But I was too late. That ship had sailed.

  I spent the rest of the morning at the stables, and at lunchtime I went back up to the apartment and found Dad there, busy making me a sandwich for lunch.

  “I’ve just spoken to Martin downstairs,” he said. “He seems to think you should be the one to teach Noah.”

  “Me?” I asked. “I don’t know the kid at all. I’ve never even met him. He won’t want lessons with me.”

  “Well, Martin’s happy with the way you handled Bonnie, and I agree that you’re a good teacher. Think about the times in the summer that you gave lessons to the working kids.”

  “I know, but that was different.”

  “Why? Noah’s just a kid like all the rest.”

  An unwelcome image of Alex flashed through my mind. One of strong hands pressing me to his hard body, lips that tasted like anger and lust all mixed into one delicious cocktail, and a set of grey eyes that made me want to forget all good reason.

  I shrugged. “Well, I’ll see how my appointment with Elemental Design goes on Thursday,” I said. “And then I’ll see if I’m free.”

  Chapter 12

  ________

  ALEX

  “Will you come with me, Daddy?”

  “I’ve got a very important call to make, I’m afraid,” I said, and I poured myself another cup of c
offee as Noah swung his legs underneath the table, moving his spoon around in his cereal.

  “All right,” he said, and his face looked so crestfallen I had to laugh.

  “Don’t go giving me the bottom-lip-of-shame,” I said, wagging my finger at him. “It doesn’t work as well as it used to.”

  But that only meant that Noah stuck his lip out even further, looking up at me with his wide eyes. I looked at him and once again thought about how beautiful my son was. He had long eyelashes that he now blinked at me, and even though I knew I was being played by a five-year-old, I couldn’t help but give in.

  “I’ll make you a deal. Lucinda will take you down to the stables for your first ride, and as soon as I’m done with my call, then I’ll come down and get you, and we’ll go into town for some burgers. It’s Friday, after all. How about that?”

  He grinned and nodded. “Can we take the jet?”

  “No, we can’t take the jet,” I said. “The jet’s for Daddy’s important business.”

  “What about the chopper?”

  “And where exactly would I land the chopper?” I asked. “Do you think the owner of Burgertown will let me put it down on the roof?”

  He nodded fervently at this. “You’re the boss, remember? That’s what the lady said to you the last time we went. When she gave us the big booth.”

  I chuckled; surprised that he remembered that.

  “Well, it’s one thing to get a good seat, and it’s another thing entirely to land a helicopter on their roof,” I said. “Now, eat your cereal so Lucinda can take you to the stables.”

  Noah had never shown any interest in wanting to ride until we’d gone to watch one of Tom’s polo matches. Once he saw his uncle on the back of a beautiful black stallion, he was hooked. He’d pestered me for the last two months to have riding lessons until I ran out of reasons to deny him.

  It was my mother who’d ended up convincing me that it wouldn’t be such a terrible idea. “You can’t wrap him up in cotton wool forever,” she’d said, reading my mind although I hadn’t told her the real reason I didn’t want Noah to get on a horse. “I lost count of the number of times you and your brother made me panic. But little boys will always climb things and ride things, and maybe even fall off things. And you can’t stop him forever.”