Chapter 3
Kat
T he crowd was moving out when Devon walked up beside me. I had been going over my notes from the night and didn’t notice. If I had, I would have walked away as fast as I could before he caught me.
“Fancy seeing you here.” He smiled.
“I’m always here.”
“It’s a joke, Kat.” He laughed. “One of these days you are going to learn to lighten up and have some fun.”
“I have fun.” I scoffed. “I have lots of fun.”
“Really?” His raised eyebrow told me he didn’t believe me.
“Just because I don’t mix business with pleasure doesn’t mean I don’t have fun.” I threw back at him.
“Touche.” He laughed again.
Devon started out as a rider, but quickly caught on that he was better as a trainer. So far, four of his guys had placed in the top ten over the last year. From what I understood, he was really good with horses. Maybe even one of the best, but I didn’t know that much about animals or riding. Everything I learned, I learned writing articles for the Haven Chronicle.
“So what ya doing later?” He also had a reputation that rivaled Beau.
“Dinner.” I kept the details to a minimum. He had been asking me out for over a year, along with half the women who came to these things.
“I was kind of thinking later than that.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
“Um, I figure I’ll probably be asleep.”
“Want some company?”
I smiled over at him. “What makes you think I don’t already have some planned?”
“If you were seeing someone, I would have already heard about it.” He leaned forward onto the railing in front of us.
“Unlike you, I don’t advertise my private life.”
“I don’t advertise.” He laughed. “It’s not my fault folks like to brag.” He said it as if sleeping with him was such a feat. If he had his way, half the circuit would be on that list.
“Either way, I’m not interested.” I wasn’t sure how many more ways I could tell him no.
“Come on, Kat.” He stood back up. “Let your hair down some. Promise I’ll treat you right.”
“I’m good.” I looked around for what had to be the first time, hoping to see Beau. It was his fault I was back here in the first place. I should have suggested we meet out by the entrance. Then I would have avoided Devon all together.
“I know you're good.” He leaned close, and I backed up as far as the rail would let me. “If I had to guess, I’d bet you are damn good.” He reached out and ran his hand up my arm. “All I’m asking is for the chance to find out.”
“If you don’t back up, you’re going to find out what my hand across your face feels like.” My look was hard as nails.
“Kat.”
“Do I sound like I’m joking?” I narrowed my eyes. “I might not be a cowgirl, but you don’t grow up in Bliss Haven and not know how to handle a jackass.”
He held his hands in the air. “I didn’t mean any harm.” He backed up just enough for me to have some breathing room. “How about tomorrow night?” Was he really serious?
“She’ll be busy tomorrow night.” Beau’s voice sounded rougher than sandpaper. I looked over my shoulder to see him coming toward us. His face pinched together in a way I didn’t think I had ever seen before.
“Is that so?” Devon brought his hands down to the top of his belt.
“Yeah, that’s so.” Beau slid his arm around my shoulders.
Devon looked between us before coming back to me. “I guess you can keep a secret.”
“Yep.”
His shoulders shook once, and a gust of laughter floated from his lips. “Let’s see how long this lasts.”
“Excuse you?” Beau removed his hand and squared up with Devon. “Just what are you trying to say?”
“Come on, Wynters. At least I’d show her a good time before bedding her and walking away.” I held onto the gasp that wanted to come out.
“Is that what you were doing when she had to threaten to kick your ass? Showing her a good time?” Beau questioned. “And for the record, you touch her again, and she won’t have to follow through on that threat. I’ll already be too busy handling it myself.”
“And risk more of your already tarnished reputation? I don’t think so.” Devon wasn’t backing down, and I got worried they really were going to come to blows in a moment.
“Some things are more important.” Beau’s jaw twitched.
They stood there staring at each other as if waiting for one of them to actually throw a punch.
“Beau? Everything alright?” I leaned back in relief when I heard Dallas Thorne’s voice.
“Everything’s fine.” Beau backed down. “Just escorting my girl to dinner.”
If the title surprised Dallas, he didn’t give anything away. “I thought you mentioned the two of you had plans.” He looked over at me with a big smile. “How’s my favorite reporter doing?”
“Good.” My smile was tight as I waited. The tension between Beau and Devon was still very palpable.
“How about I walk with you guys as you head out?” Dallas offered.
“That sounds wonderful.” I was glad about the opening.
I took Beau’s hand and turned toward Dallas. Just like his sister Maddie, he was a saving grace. Not only had he gotten us away from Devon, but if they had started fighting, Dallas was big enough that he could step in and break them up.
“What was really going on?” He asked when we rounded a corner and were almost at the door.
“I’m not sure, but I walked up in time to hear Kat here threatening to kick Devon’s ass.” He looked down at me. “What did he do to get you that mad, Kitten?”
I let the name go this time. “Same as always. Not understanding the word no.” I didn’t mention the hand thing.
Beau stopped walking and faced me. He brought his hand that wasn’t holding mine up to the side of my face and brushed his thumb over my cheek. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No.” The words were a struggle to get out. Beau might have his moments, but there wasn’t a soul alive that could argue he wasn’t one of the most attractive men god ever gave breath to. And his touch. He had never focused his attention on me this strongly. Turned out I wasn’t as immune as I thought I was.
“Good.” He put his arm around my shoulders and looked over at Dallas. “What’s Vic doing tomorrow?”
“Probably showing Halle around,” Dallas replied with a laugh. “That’s most of what he did today, and it’s pretty much his agenda every day they are together.”
“That’s the new girlfriend, right?” Beau asked.
Dallas nodded. “Yep. Did you meet her yet?”
“No, but I was wondering if he wouldn’t mind extra company.” He squeezed my shoulder.
“I’m sure Vic and Halle wouldn’t mind Kat tagging along as long as she doesn’t mind being a third wheel.” Dallas’s smile grew. “Nothing personal, Kat. They just have a tendency to get a little caught up in each other. Trust me.” He shook his head.
“I don’t need a babysitter.” I stepped away from Beau. He was taking this fake relationship thing way too seriously. “Besides, I have a job to do, and Devon isn’t going to stop me.”
“Kitten.”
“I told you not to call me that.” All warm thoughts toward Beau were quickly evaporating.
“Kat.”
“Nope.” I shook my head. “I’ll be fine. Now let’s go get this dinner over with before I change my mind.” I stormed off toward the parking lot.
I wasn’t necessarily mad that Beau tried to get me a bodyguard or that he called me kitten. No. I was upset with myself that I actually felt something other than annoyance when he touched me. That was definitely not part of the plan and if I didn’t snap it in the bud right now, there was no telling the damage Beau Wynters could do.