Harlequin Desire July 2021--Box Set 1 of 2 by Janice Maynard

Author:Janice Maynard [Maynard, Janice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

NINE

Luke hadn’t known what Cassandra’s reaction would be, but he smiled when he saw her face light up as he turned onto the lane that led to his barn and pasture. He’d called ahead and had his stable hand get two of the stallions ready.

“Who owns all of this?” Cassandra asked as she looked out onto the fields lined with white fencing and horses dotting the horizon.

“I do.”

Her attention jerked to him. “You own all this land?”

Luke pulled up to the stable and killed the engine, then turned to face her. Her shocked expression had him laughing and swelling with pride.

“Did you think I just tended bar and partied all day and night?”

Cassandra stared for a moment before shrugging and turning back to the acreage. “I never thought about it. I mean, I just assumed if you owned all of those businesses, then you were married to those. How do you have time to come out here?”

“It’s just like anything else. I make time. And as much as I love my bars and all the people I meet, there are times when I need to get away.”

That was something that had changed since she’d left. He’d never made time for anything else other than work before that point. But he’d learned the benefit of taking a break, and now, he was taking time for her. Their outing had nothing to do with the fake relationship. There was no one around to care or see.

Cassandra smiled. “You always loved riding.”

“If I recall, so did you.”

She looked back at him with a sweetness in her smile and a softness in her eyes. “We always said we’d have a horse farm outside Beaumont Bay where we could escape. Looks like you did everything you wanted.”

Back then they’d discussed many dreams for the future. But he hadn’t been ready to put that ring on her finger and she’d wanted nothing more. He’d gone on to fulfill his every career goal. Wasn’t that what he’d wanted? He had the social scene and nightlife in Beaumont Bay, he had his businesses, plus a place to go and decompress when needed.

Clearly they hadn’t been on the same page back then. They’d both had dreams, but they’d branched off in different directions. Looking back, maybe that had been the best thing that could have happened to them.

Luke cleared his throat and reached for his door handle. “Let’s go have some fun.”

She was out of the truck before he could come around and get her door. The late-summer breeze surrounded them, sending her hair dancing around her shoulders. Cassandra lifted her face into the wind and closed her eyes. An instant punch of lust to the gut had him catching his breath. He hadn’t thought of the impact bringing her here would have on his mental state. Luke had just wanted to apologize and have a relaxing day.

He hadn’t taken into consideration all they’d discussed so long ago. At one time, this was exactly what Cass had dreamed of and what she’d wanted them to share together.

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