Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
isaac
There’s a faint mist rising off the river, clinging low to the grass like a secret.
I slow my steps when I see her—Elena.
Alone. Focused.
She moves in sharp, fluid patterns near the water’s edge. Controlled strikes and pivots like she’s battling an invisible enemy.
Not doing calm yoga stretches like Ivy does.
I cross my arms and lean against the nearest cottonwood. “Damn. Should I be concerned for whoever pissed you off?”
She doesn’t startle. Just finishes a sequence, turns, and blinks like she’s only now aware I’m here.
“Krav Maga,” she says, slightly out of breath but steady. “It’s good to run through techniques when I’ve got open space.”
I lift a brow. “Someone out here you’re planning to take down?”
“Only if you can’t behave.” She smirks. “I train at a studio in LA. By my apartment. Three times a week when I’m not filming.”
My brain short-circuits for a second at the visual. Elena in leggings and a sports bra, breaking someone in half on a mat.
“I, too, enjoy practicing technique,” I say with the slowest, most innocent voice I can muster. “Form. Rhythm. Repetition.”
She shakes her head. Not even a smile. Just mutters, “Cool it, cowboy.”
But there’s a flicker at the corner of her mouth she’s trying to suppress, and it’s enough to make my morning.
Then I notice her shirt clinging damp to her sides. Her breath is still shallow. Her cheeks flushed beneath the glow of sunrise.
“Speaking of cooling it, you’re awfully worked up for this early in the morning. You feeling okay?”
She side-eyes me. “I just got back from a run. Found a trail behind the cabin, over to a smaller hay barn. Ran there and back.”
I don’t try to hide how impressed I am. “That trail is nearly five miles if you looped around and ended up here.”
She nods like it’s no big deal. “I run five miles every morning. Keeps my body conditioned.”
“Every morning?”
She uses her shirt to wipe the sweat from her eyes and I see the toned, tanned expanse of her stomach. My body goes on high alert.
I glance at my watch. Not even seven. “So your day starts with running and learning how to disarm an attacker?”
Her gaze flicks toward the water. “My day starts with coffee. But yeah.”
“That tells me just about everything I need to know about you.”
She raises a brow. “Does it?”
“Yeah.” I nod, stepping closer but not too close. “Anyone ever tell you, you’re kind of terrifying?”
Her mouth lifts, barely. “Only if they’re dumb enough to underestimate me.”
I grin. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Before I leave, I make an offer I’ll probably regret, but I can’t stop myself. “If you need a sparring partner, let me know.”
She laughs softly. “You’d practice Krav Maga with me?”
I shake my head. “Hell no. But I bet some ranch hands would be willing to get their asses kicked by a beautiful woman first thing in the morning.” I wink to let her know I’m teasing.
I make a mental note to watch a YouTube video on Krav Maga in case she takes me up on the sparring offer.
She shakes her head and goes back into a stance. I head toward the stables, letting her get back to it.
By the second week of training camp, I’ve learned that I’m not a fan of mornings that start with directors barking instructions and people pretending they know what ranch life looks like.
But I do my job anyway. I get to the stables early every morning. Mostly to see her. To sneak a few minutes of alone time before the rest of the world intrudes.
She’s the first one to the stables every single morning.
This morning, I had to run Champ since he’s been neglected. So, I missed our morning teasing session.
When I arrive at the arena, Elena’s astride a dapple-gray mare, spine straight, hands steady, her legs in perfect position. She’s riding. Confident. Controlled. At ease in the saddle, seated beautifully.
She leans into the turn around the barrels like she’s been doing it her whole life, her braid flying out behind her, eyes sharp with focus.
She’s gorgeous.
And she’s killing it.
I’m pretty sure I forget to breathe until she comes to a smooth stop and tips her hat at the hands nearby.
“You see that?” Eli James says beside me, sunglasses pushed up in his hair, arms crossed as he watches her. “She’s a natural.”
I glance at him.
America’s favorite misunderstood bad boy, with his perfect hair and too-white teeth. Wearing jeans that are more fashion than function, and a shirt that makes it clear he spends every free second at the gym.
“Yeah,” I say coolly. “I noticed. Aren’t you supposed to be at the equestrian center? Willow scare you off already?”
“Yeah. I mean, no. She had to check on something here so we’re just stopping in for a minute before heading back to the center.” He doesn’t look away from the ring. “I wish I had her confidence on a horse. You must be one hell of a trainer.”
“I didn’t do that,” I mutter. “She was that good when she got here.”
I narrow my eyes, a little too aware of the way he’s still watching her.
Until I notice something else.
His attention shifts.
A slight turn of his head.
Just enough to track someone walking across the arena.
Willow.
My sister’s wearing riding breeches and boots, her hair in a messy bun, her posture straight and no-nonsense as she checks a clipboard.
She doesn’t even glance at Eli. But he can’t stop staring at her.
Interesting.
Elena rides over and swings down from the saddle, landing light on her feet. She flushes when she sees me watching.
“Was that okay?” she asks, brushing her hands on her thighs.
I walk over, taking the reins from her gently and giving the horse a quick once-over before turning to her.
“That was more than okay.”
Her brows lift.
“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.