Chapter 10
Doubt – When temptation begins to override your good sense
Leia
Isla stomps her foot and whines, “Mom!”
“No.”
“I want him to come with.”
But I don’t. Fender may be a sweetheart to her. To me? He’s not so nice.
But he did bring you food and apologize.
I ignore my inner voice.
And he’s pretty to look at.
Apparently, my inner voice doesn’t remember how Fender told me I’m a bad mom and how I work too much.
“I bet Fender’s ridden a horse before. We should probably have someone with us who knows how to ride a horse.”
I groan. This is what I get for giving in to my daughter. I told her I’d maybe get her a pony ride for her birthday and what happens? Her birthday is still five months off and here we are going to ride a pony.
“Brody said I could invite one friend.”
I sigh. Damn Brody. He overheard me arguing with Isla about a pony ride and the next thing I know, I’m getting a bonus in the form of a coupon for three people to attend a trail ride.
“Why don’t you ask one of your friends from the community center?”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I want Fender.”
Crap. Her face screams stubborn. She’s not giving up until she gets what she wants. I make one last ditch effort.
“Fender’s a busy man. You can’t expect him to drop everything to spend the day with us.”
She shrugs. “Let’s go ask him.”
She doesn’t wait for me but barges out of the house and races across the yard to next door. And here I was really excited about this house. No one warned me a sexy rockstar would move in next door.
No, not sexy. Fender isn’t sexy.
He’s sex on a stick and you know it.
Oh, shut up.
By the time I catch up to Isla, she’s already pounding on the door. “Fender! Fender! Fender!”
I check the time and realize it’s barely nine a.m. What time do rockstars wake up?
“Honey, he’s probably still asleep.”
My hopes are dashed when the door opens and Fender appears. His hair is wet. Was he in the shower? Was he naked in the shower? Oh boy. I can imagine how sexy those muscles of his are when he’s all wet with water pouring down on him.
“Fender!” Isla screams and jumps into his arms.
Fender smiles at her and his face transforms from grumpity grump to sexy boy next door with a body made for sin.
“Good morning, Isla,” he greets. “What’s going on?” he asks as he sets her down.
“We’re going on a pony ride!”
“Keep it down, Isla. Fender’s roommates might still be sleeping.”
“Too late,” Jett grumbles. His hair is all disheveled and his eyes are red-rimmed. “What time is it?” he asks as he scratches his jaw.
“Time for a pony ride!” Isla yells.
Jett chuckles. “Good thing Gibson didn’t come home last night. Waking him up early is not a good idea.”
My brow wrinkles. “Gibson didn’t come home last night? Is he okay? He’s not lying dead or injured in a ditch somewhere, is he?”
He shrugs. “I have no idea where he is.”
“Don’t you keep tabs on each other to make sure no one gets in trouble? Or hurt?”
Fender glares at me. “Gibson’s fine.”
“If he’s not, I’m holding you responsible.”
He ignores me to ask Isla, “What’s this about a pony ride?”
“I’ve always wanted a horse but Mom says they’re too much work.”
“We’re going on a trail ride,” I explain as Isla’s answer wasn’t much of an answer. “My boss gave it to me as a bonus for all my hard work.”
“Good.” He nods. “You deserve it.”
I deserve it? Is Fender feeling okay? Does he have a fever? Is this the same man who yelled at me several times for how much I work?
He also apologized.
I blow out a breath. Fine. I won’t attack him for being a hypocrite no matter how much fun it would be.
“And I can bring a friend!” Isla exclaims.
“I’m the friend, aren’t I?” Jett asks. “I’ll get my riding gear on.”
“He has riding gear?” I ask.
Fender frowns. “Don’t ask.”
Isla tugs on Fender’s jeans to get his attention. “You’re my friend. I want you to come with.”
“Me?” Fender asks.
“Don’t you want to come?” She thrusts out her bottom lip in a pout. She’s pulling out the big guns.
“I’d love to join you.”
Darn. There goes my chance of avoiding him for the day.
“We”ll leave as soon as I return from the city hall with the car.” Since Winter Falls is anti-car due to their whole environmental thing, there are cars locals can borrow whenever they need to travel further than the town’s limits.
“Don’t bother. We can use Cash’s.”
“I’m ready,” Jett announces as he rushes toward us.
I bite my bottom lip. I only have tickets for three of us to do the trail ride. I guess I can use some of the money in my emergency fund to pay for him.
“Don’t worry. Tweedle Dum will pay for himself.”
I narrow my eyes on Fender. How did he know what I was thinking? He smiles in return. A real one with those dimples on display. I quickly look away. Those dimples are lethal.
“I guess we’re ready.”
Isla jumps in the air. “Yee-haw!”
I ruffle her hair. I will not be the type of mom to shoot her down when she’s having fun no matter how loud or silly she is. In other words, I will not be my mom.
The horse ranch where we’re doing the trail ride is a thirty-minute drive. It’s not a silent journey. Not when my daughter’s around. Jett and Isla sit in the backseat and she jabbers to him the entire way.
When we arrive, I expect Jett to rush out of the car to escape my little chatterbox. But he helps Isla out of the car with a smile on his face. My girl can charm anyone. Fender pushes Jett out of the way to grasp Isla’s hand – even the King of Grumps.
“Hi!” a woman greets. “I’m Tammy. And you must be Leia and Isla.” Her gaze catches on Fender and her eyes flare. “And who might these gentlemen be?”
My stomach cramps and my hands tighten into fists. Who does this hussy think she is? Hitting on Fender while he’s standing next to me holding my daughter’s hand.
Whoa. I sound jealous. Shit. I am jealous. I force my hands to relax. I refuse to be jealous with regard to Fender. He’s not mine to be jealous of.
“I’m Jett. I’m the experienced one of the bunch.” He waggles his eyes to make it clear he’s not referring to experience with a horse.
Tammy rakes her gaze over him. Her eyes widen and her mouth drops open. I’m surprised she doesn’t lick her lips.
“I have some experience with horses,” Fender adds.
Tammy kneels in front of Isla. “What about you? Any experience?” Isla shakes her head.
“Mom neither,” I add.
“Not a problem.” Tammy motions us toward the stables. “We’ll get you kitted out.”
Jett snags Isla and puts her on his shoulders. “I’ll help the little one.” He pretends to gallop away before I have a chance to protest.
We reach the stables and Tammy gives us some tips before showing us to our horses.
“Umm…” This thing – no, not thing, Patty is her name. Patty’s huge. I don’t know how I’m supposed to get on her, let alone ride her.
“Shall I help you?” Fender asks from way too close behind me. I can feel his breath on my neck. Goosebumps arise and I lock my muscles down tight before I shiver.
“T-t-thank you,” I stutter.
“I’m going to touch you now.”
He steps closer until I feel his body surrounding me. His musky scent wraps around me. I can imagine how it would feel to be in his arms. I bet I would feel safe and protected. My knees go weak and I wobble.
“Easy. No reason to be scared.”
Scared of being with him? I’m not scared. I’m excited. My panties are damp just thinking about it. I bet he’s a considerate lover. I bet he wouldn’t come first before rolling off me and starting to snore while his pants are still around his ankles.
“You got this,” he murmurs as he places his hands on my hips and lifts me up to straddle the horse.
Oh my, he’s strong. His muscles didn’t strain to lift me.
“You’re strong.” The words are out before I can stop them.
“And big.”
I can see he’s big. He winks.
Oh, he’s not referring to his complete body. He’s referring to one particular body part. A body part I wouldn’t mind touching with my hands and mouth. And being filled with. Too bad he only wants a one-night stand with me.
But can’t we take him for a ride anyway? It’s been a long time.
It has. My eyes are glued to his body as he mounts his horse. Strong and agile. Maybe I should make an exception to my no one-night stands rule.