Chapter 15
Shannon
The next morning, Trixie was on fire, clearing one grid after another with fluid speed and precision.
Shannon was in sync with her, anticipating every move as they moved in perfect harmony.
The midday sun hung low in the grey sky, the crisp winter air threatening to turn harsher as thick clouds rolled in.
Shannon was sticky under her feather-filled jacket, her muscles still buzzing from the intense hour-long session.
Harry sat on his usual wooden bench by the gates, his Irish Wolfhound, Jackson, sprawled at his feet. A simple man, Harry preferred spending his money on the animals rather than himself.
His weathered peaked cap and hunter-green jacket showed their age, but it suited him, adding to his easygoing vibe. Where Harry went, Jackson followed .
“Okay, darlin’, give her a long rein and let her cool off. She went well after yesterday.” He lit up a cigarette.
Shannon leaned forward, loosening the girth strap a notch as Trixie slowed to a steady walk. She patted the horse’s strong, sinewy neck, brushing her jet-black mane to the right.
“That’ll do for today. No lessons tomorrow. Just take her out on the bridal paths,” Harry added as she rode past him. “You made me proud yesterday, Shan. I knew you’d win.”
“Trixie did us both proud, Harry.” Shannon nodded toward him, grateful for his constant encouragement.
“You both went well,” he said, scratching under his cap. “You’ve worked hard. It’s a dream to work with you.”
“Aww, Harry, are you getting sentimental on me?” Shannon teased with a playful smirk, the easy banter putting a smile on her face.
A mechanical rumble shattered the Sunday afternoon peace, echoing across the rolling green hills. Harry’s head snapped up, twisting toward the bumpy driveway leading to the main yard.
Shannon’s heart skipped a beat as a sleek, lightning-blue Mustang appeared. The car’s design was immaculate, powerful, and smooth, reminding her of a shark stalking the ocean.
It growled along the curved path, moving to the gravel car park out of view behind the barn. The engine cut out, and for a moment, everything went still.
“Who the hell is that?” Harry asked. “You expectin’ someone, Shan? ”
“I-I didn't think he’d show…”
Crunching footsteps grew louder until he appeared.
Jamie.
He strode towards the paddock, his denim jeans tight to his muscular legs, each step self-assured. A khaki fitted t-shirt peeked from beneath a black leather jacket that added an undeniable edge to his appearance.
He moved towards Harry, yet his eyes locked on her like he was on a mission.
Shannon’s pulse went wild as she watched from the centre of the paddock, her breath catching when he held out his hand to Harry.
The way he walked, the way he commanded the space, was enough to make her entire body tingle.
“Hey, nice to meet you. I’m here to see Shannon. Hope I’m not interrupting?” His voice was low, smooth, and unapologetically confident as he flicked his eyes up to meet hers.
The second he nodded in her direction, Shannon’s stomach flipped. The memory of last night flooded her, fierce and blistering, the heat from their encounter igniting a fire deep within her.
Harry looked back over his shoulder, waving her over. Shannon stayed within earshot, but kept a safe distance, trying to regain control of herself.
“Good timing actually. We’ve just finished. And you are?” Harry asked, taking a drag from his cigarette and adjusting his cap.
“Jamie McGrath.” His sexy, almost smirking smile made Shannon’s pulse thrum. “My dad, George, knows this yard. I’m guessing you must be Harry? It’s a pretty nice setup here.”
“Thanks, Jamie. I thought you looked familiar. How is George?” Harry asked.
Jamie’s chin dipped, the smile faltering.
“He’s got dementia,” he said, his expression tightening.
Harry rubbed his cleft chin. “I see. Does he still know who you are?”
“Yeah, thankfully.” Jamie shoved his hands into his pockets, raising one shoulder in a shrug. “Just gets confused and angry. Forgets shit sometimes, you know?”
A plume of smoke bellowed from Harry’s nostrils. “Well, at least he remembers you. You’re welcome here anytime, Jamie. My doors are always open for you McGrath lads.”
In the distance, Shannon spotted Niall heading toward them before anyone else noticed. He strode with his back straight, his floppy hair flapping with each step, his expression twisted as though he smelled something foul.
“Didn’t know you were having company today, Da,” he said, eyeing Jamie.
“This is my son,” Harry announced. “Niall, this is Jamie McGrath. He’s here to see Shan.”
Niall’s head jerked back, followed by a snarky grunt.
“I’ve heard the name before. Why the hell are you here to see her? She’s no jockey. Barely even a decent rider. I doubt she’s worth your time.”
“That’s enough, Niall,” Harry snapped, shoving his shoulder into him. “Shan’s the best rider in the yard. And everyone knows it.”
Shannon’s cheeks flushed. All the riders at Meadow Dawn knew Niall was too stiff and cranky in the saddle. However, Harry had never…ever put her above his son like that before.
Niall widened his stance like he was ready for a fight. “Bullshit, Da.”
Jamie folded his arms across his chest, stepping closer. “I heard she qualified for the Championships. She must be one hell of a rider to get that far.”
“Sit on the right horse, and it’ll take you places. She just has to hold on.” Niall laughed under his breath.
If she could have cut him open right then, Shannon was sure poison would have spilled from his veins.
“Will you be competing in the Championships?” Jamie raised an eyebrow, the look on his face making it clear what he thought of Niall.
Before he could respond, Harry cut in, aware that Niall hadn’t qualified and never would.
“Niall, let’s head up to the house and grab a coffee. It was great to meet you, Jamie.” Harry nudged his son in the ribs, giving him a curt nod to follow.
Shannon gathered the reins and squeezed her legs, nudging Trixie closer to the fence. She leaned forward and swung her leg over the horse’s back, dismounting.
Her hands trembled as she rolled up the stirrups. How could she be so fearless on an unpredictable animal, and with Jamie only a few feet away, her heart raced and her body tingled with nerves ?
Last night spiralled in ways she hadn’t expected. It brought her back to her teenage years, when she never quite fit in.
Jamie was the popular, good-looking guy who moved between the pretty girls, so stopping his fun would’ve made her the boring, nerdy girl all over again.
They’d worked him over like pros, both getting him off, while his dark gaze made her realise she was way out of her depth.
Just watching him, having his eyes on her, hearing him tease her, it lit something deep inside, heat pooling between her thighs, her clit throbbing.
But competing with other women wasn’t her thing. So, she bailed before it went too far.
With her back to him, Shannon pulled the reins over Trixie’s ears, nuzzling her cheek into the horse’s warm neck.
She inhaled deep into her lungs, unsure how to act around him now, before letting the breath out.
“So, this is the love of your life, huh?” His voice slipped over her shoulder.
Her belly flipped when she turned to face him, and the corners of her mouth pulled into an unstoppable smile. “Venatrix Meadow Dawn, meet Jamie.”
Jamie’s hand drifted closer. His long fingers brushed the white star between Trixie’s brown eyes, swirling his nails over the patch of white fur.
Trixie lowered her head in response, at ease under his touch .
Shannon glanced up at him from under the peak of her helmet.
“You like this guy, Trix?” She spoke to the horse, still awestruck by Jamie’s closeness. “She doesn’t usually like men.”
Jamie chuckled, the low rumble vibrating through her. “I’m guessing it’s not hard to dislike that prick, Niall? Isn’t that right, girl?”
Trixie nuzzled his leather jacket as he stroked her face.
“Yeah, he’s a certified prick, and she definitely hates him. There’s not much to like about the guy.” She rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I need to hose her down. Might take a while.”
Despite the dull grey sky and mist clinging to the hills, his presence charged everything. His honey-brown eyes brought a warmth that seeped into her.
“Let me help you.” He moved closer, his fingers brushing the reins and drawing their hands together.
Her stomach flipped as she inhaled the scent of his leather jacket mixed with his signature cedarwood cologne.
“There’s a chance you’ll get those nice clothes ruined,” she whispered.
He leaned in a little closer, his lips curling into a smirk. “I don’t mind getting dirty, especially if it means spending more time with you.”
His gaze lingered on her, the heat in his eyes unmistakable. “Besides, I’m not worried about my clothes. I’m more interested in what happens when I get you wet. ”
Shannon rolled her eyes, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “You had your chance already.”
“Yeah, and you disappeared before I could take you home with me... So I owe you twenty-four pounds, right? That was the bet.”
“Don’t worry about it. Why don’t you split the cash with your two lovely companions?” she teased, her tone dripping with sarcasm.
“It’s your winnings.” His grip tightened just enough to be noticeable, and he took the reins from her gloved hand, guiding the horse away.
“I spent the night alone, by the way,” he said over his shoulder.
For a racing heartbeat, Shannon stood frozen, her gaze drifting to his perfect, tight ass in navy denim as he walked ahead.
“I’ll hose her legs if you want to hold her,” Jamie suggested when Shannon caught up.
“Okay, but take it slow. She’s a little jumpy with the water.”
A cheeky grin tugged at Jamie’s lips, his dimple appearing as he chuckled. “Is that where you get it from? You left without a goodbye kiss.”
She swallowed hard. “Thought I’d leave you to it.”
“You were my date, Shannon. Not them.”