The Suit (8 page)

Edie chuckles. “See now, I knew you were having truck envy.” She rubs the dashboard gently. “Maybe I’ll let you drive her sometime.”

“So how’s it going drumming up more clients?”

Edie groans. “Slow. I’m down to forty percent, but I have Night Rider as long as his owner doesn’t pull out. If I can get Night Rider to place in his maiden race, I think his owner will bring me some of his other horses.”

“That’s a lot riding on one colt,” I add.

“I’m impressed you knew he’s a colt, Suit. I guess you’re really picking up the lingo.”

“Uh…yeah. Overheard Joey say it or something,” I agree. I know it’s wrong to lie to her, but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. My past is irrelevant to her situation anyway.

“Truth is, this time of year I’m usually out at the racetracks, but the horses I’d normally take are the ones whose owners dropped me. So I have no horses to race. All I have are my horses in training right now.”

“And Night Rider will be your first of the recently trained to race?”

“Yep. It’ll be his maiden race and placing top three is feasible, but if he doesn’t…”

“Might make things more difficult, huh?”

“Yep.” I can feel the tension rolling off of her with that one simple word so I decide to try and quickly change the subject.

“So, that Dierk guy seems friendly.” I toss it out there even though it’s total bullshit. I just want to see what she says.

Edie cuts me a look that says,
You’re full of shit.
Okay…she knows I’m lying.

“Okay. Maybe not with me, but he seemed real friendly with you,” I note. “He acts like he’s interested in dating you.”

“He’s been a good friend for a long time. I’m sure if I offered to date him he would, but we don’t go there,” she explains. “Want to do a quick night check with me?” she asks as she parks the truck.

“Sure,” I agree. It’s not lik
e I have anything better to do.

We head down to the barn and check each stall and make sure the horses have everything they need for the night before we head back up t
o the house.

“Hey, I’m hungry. You like BLTs?”

Little does she know that’s one of my favorite sandwiches. My mother made the best ones always using the best red tomatoes from our garden. I close my eyes and try to will the memories away. “Yeah, that sounds good.” I smile.

Once we’re inside, Edie cooks the bacon while I slice tomatoes and lettuce and toast the bread. We sit down and eat, sharing little bits of info about ourselves. Nothing of any real importance, more like preferences in food, dislikes in music, those kinds of things. And although I really didn’t enjoy going to the party, I’m glad I went because it helped break the ice between us. 

When I climb in bed, I check my cell phone and see a text from Ainsley.

Miss you. Call me.

I groan as I toss the phone back on my nightstand and close my eyes. I’ll deal with Ainsley later.

Five days have passed since the suit arrived and he’s picked up everything really quickly. He’s quiet when he works, and I don’t badger him with useless conversation. I can tell from the look in his eyes he’s somewhere inside his head and he wants to be alone there. He even repaired the screen door on the porch, adding the spring back. I didn’t ask him to, but it was thoughtful and I’m extremely appreciative.

Trish, Monica, and Glen—my staffers who help with the horse
s—get along with him okay. But Joey has been slightly standoffish. I’m not sure why. Suit doesn’t seem to notice so I don’t bother asking Joey about his attitude.

We’ve settled into a nice routine; the day’s work, cooking, and house chores. Although his stay here was something I originally felt dismal about, I’ve actually enjoyed his company.

I’m sitting in Daddy Bud’s recliner, it’s worn and beat up, but it still smells like him and it’s for that reason I’ll never get rid of it. I’m engrossed in my latest romance novel and Suit is looking through papers—his briefcase opened beside him, his brows furrowed in concentration.

“You look like you could use a break.” I laugh when his gaze meets mine. “Maybe we should switch. I know how much you like these books.” I wave my book as I waggle my eyebrows at him.

“What’s today’s read?” he asks as he begins stacking his papers back into his briefcase.

“Damon’s Demon.” I read the title on the cover and look back to him just in time to see him roll his eyes. I can’t help the giggle that escapes my mouth. “Want to read it to me?” I tease him.

“No, thanks,” he grumbles and slams his briefcase shut before running a hand through his hair and sighing loudly. His cell phone chimes indicating he has a text, which he gets a lot of, and he picks it up from the side table. He seems to grimace as he reads it before shoving it in his pocket.

“You okay?”

“Just a little homesick is all.” He rubs the back of his neck before he stands and stretches. His T-shirt rides up exposing a little of his defined torso. Dear sweet mother of God he has the infamous ‘V’ that every woman fantasizes about on a man. How did I miss that when we went swimming? I lick my dry lips as heat flushes my face while I stare at him.

“Like what you see?” he asks, and I jerk my eyes away from that sexy-as-hell V to meet his stare. His mouth is turned up in a smirk. “That’s why those romance novels are bad for you.”

“Excuse me?”

“You get all horny when you read them.”

My mouth falls open. “Horny?” I question with offense.

“Edie, I’m just kidding.” He holds his hands up in mock surrender.

I toss the book on the table beside my chair. “You’re hilarious.”

“But you
were
checking me out,” he adds, and his eyes flicker with amusement.

My cheeks flame with heat. He’s right. I was. These books stir up something fierce inside of me and then I have no real way to let it out. Now, I’m checking out a guy I have no business checking out. Quickly, I hop up and head toward my bedroom. “We’re going out Suit. It’s been a long boring week and we need a drink!” The truth is I need to be around other people.

“Sounds good,” he calls after me with a slight chuckle. I try to ignore how heated that sound makes me.

I didn’t bring anything to wear for hanging out in rinky-dink bars. Literally, all I have are beat-up work jeans and T-shirts and suits. Of course I wasn’t planning on socializing much while I was here. The idea was to work all day and study all night, but Edie James has become someone I actually enjoy being around. Opening my closet, I decide to go with the,
it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed,
and wear my gray suit. I also need to wear the suit to remind myself that this place is only temporary. No matter how much I may be enjoying getting to know Edie, this is a temporary stay. I’m on to bigger and better places come the end of August. Besides, I know it eats Edie alive to see me in a suit. Her gaze always gets glossy when she sees me in one. As I’m rounding the doorway to the kitchen, my gaze falls on Edie. Her long brown hair is down, cascading over her shoulders. She’s wearing a black tank top with a short jean skirt and black cowboy boots with red lining. I almost choke on my tongue. The farm girl looks like something straight out of Playboy.

“You look…nice,” I manage to get out.
Smooth, John, real smooth.

Her mouth curves and her cheeks turn a little pink. She tilts her head and her eyes run up and down my body. Glossy gaze in three…two…one. There it is. She stares at me a mome
nt too long before blinking a few times. “Are we heading to a business meeting?”

I stare down at my suit and know I’m extremely overdressed. “I didn’t really bring a lot of down clothing.” I run a hand over my tie.

She takes a step towards me, one hand reaching out, but stops. “May I?” I have no idea what she’s asking, but I nod yes. She glances up at me from under her lashes and my heart pounds like a drum. Her hands fall to my chest and she slides them under my jacket and eases it over my shoulders. After hanging it on the back of the barstool she turns back to me and begins loosening my tie until it’s almost free. She smells like everything a woman should; like beauty and sex and soap. She pulls the length of my red tie from around my neck without undoing the knot, then slowly loops it around her neck and tightens it slightly.

“That’s quite a fashion statement,” I tease. Truth is it looks sexy as hell on her with her tight black tank top and jean skirt.

“I’ll be keeping this until you leave. Now unbutton your top buttons, I’ll be right back.”

I do as she says and when she returns she messes with my collar before rolling up my sleeves to my forearms. She does this slowly and the feel of her fingers against my skin causes a thousand images to cascade through my mind…mostly involving her being naked.
             

When she’s done, she steps back and gives me a good look. “Much better,” she says.

“Are we ready?” I hold my arms out and do a quick spin. “Will I pass?”

“You’ll more than pass,” she laughs and then shakes her head as if embarrassed she said it. “I just meant you look good.”

A little over an hour later, we’re perched at the bar in Earl’s. It’s busy, but it is a Friday night and there’s not much else going on in this town. There’s a young brunette behind the bar tonight that keeps making eyes at me, but Edie doesn’t seem to notice or doesn’t care. Why would she care?

“Can I get you anything else?” she asks as she leans over the bar showing her ample cleavage.

“I think we’re good,” I answer her as I take the beer she just placed on the bar.

“How about you, Edie?” she asks.

“I’ll have another.” Edie holds her glass up.

“Well look at Edie James.” The brunette winks at me. “You better watch it Edie or you’re going to lose that good girl reputation you’ve got going on.”

“Thanks for the advice, Jenn,” Edie says sardonically, but catches herself and perks up. A good Southern girl always keeps her cool. “By the way, this is Miller Lite I’m drinking.” Edie holds her glass up for Jenn to see. I snort with her words and she kicks me in the shin with her heel. Edie was basically telling Jenn to fuck off, but to see the kind smile on her face as the words rolled off her tongue like honey, you might not know it.

“Sure thing,” Jenn says, looking a little put-off by Edie’s response.

“Meow,” I tease as Jenn walks away. “Where were your claws?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Edie smirks as she cuts me a glance.

“Sure you don’t,” I say, before sipping my beer. “Are we a little drunk?”

“A little,” she admits. “But I don’t usually drink this much. I’m sure it’ll be the town gossip tomorrow.”

“Why do you care so much if they think you’re a good girl or not?”

“To the guys in this town, I’m like a virgin princess. To the girls, I’m a prissy stuck-up.”

“Who fucking cares what they think?”

“I don’t,” she replies. “I just don’t feel like having it pointed out constantly.”

“For what it’s worth, Edie James, I think you’re pretty awesome.” I raise my glass toasting my praise of her. She looks up at me from under her long, black lashes and her cheeks go pink. My phone vibrates where it sits on the bar and I pick it up. Of course—
it’s Ainsley
. She’s texted me a picture. I open the text and it’s of her in a black bikini at the pool. Under the picture, it reads:  Missing you lover.

“That your girlfriend?” Edie asks. She can’t see the picture from where she sits, so she’s just asking. Although we’ve touched on the subject of her love life, she’s never come right out and asked me about mine. I’m guessing this is her way of trying to be casual about it.

“No,” I answer honestly. Ainsley isn’t my girlfriend. A small part of me feels like I should explain, but I don’t. It’s not like Edie and I are together or anything.

“There’s no lady lawyer waiting at home for you?” she asks, and I laugh.

“Lady lawyer? Nice. And no. No girlfriend at home.” She bites her lip and our eyes meet. Damn, she’s sexy. And her biting that lip is driving me crazy. She tears her gaze away and clears her throat.

“There’s some pretty ladies here tonight.” Edie changes the subject. “Why don’t you ask one to dance?”

“I’m not interested in meeting any girls, especially when I’m leaving in a couple of months.” Edie sips her beer without responding so I add, “What about you? Why don’t you get your nose out of those romance novels and make some guy’s night? Or is the good and wholesome Edie James too worried what everyone will think?” I’m teasing her, but she doesn’t smile or laugh.

She rolls her eyes. “You don’t think I can?” Her words don’t sound so much like a question as they do a challenge.

“Think you can what?”

“Meet a guy? Do you think all I am is some goody two-shoes farm girl?” My heart thunders in my chest with her words. It’s exactly what I think, but I’d never tell her that. Especially knowing how much she hates it. I quickly try to count how many drinks we’ve had realizing her answer seemed heated. Is she drunk?

“I was just kidding with you. It was a bad joke. I think you’re a good girl, Edie, but that’s not a bad thing,” I answer her honestly before sipping my own beer, finding any excuse to break the tense moment. “Like I said, I think you’re awesome.”

“Well, let me prove you wrong, Suit.” With a wink, she slides off of her stool and my heart drops to my stomach. I quickly grab her arm.

“You don’t have to prove anything to me, Edie.” I’m suddenly aware of how desperate I sound. The last thing I want is her to do something with a guy because she feels she has something to prove. She pulls her arm from my grip and smiles at me before wandering away. I turn back to Jenn who has been watching us and ask, “How many beers has she had?”

“Five,” she answers simply.

What the fuck? We’ve only been here like an hour and she hasn’t eaten dinner. When I turn back around, I see Edie pulling that douche bag, Dierk to the dance floor. He’s smirking at her…he knows she’s drunk. When they get on the dance floor, she presses her body into his and my fists clench at my sides. Why do I care if she’s dancing with another guy?
Because you like her, dick
. Yeah, I like her, but I could never be with her. She’s from a world I want nothing to do with. I have plans, a future a simple farm girl could never be a part of.

Her arms are draped over his shoulders and she’s laughing. I want to kill this guy. I stare at her, and if she asks me why later I’ll say it was because I knew she had a lot to drink and I wanted to make sure nobody took advantage of her. But that’s not the only reason. The other reason has to do with me being some sick fuck that likes being tortured because that’s exactly what’s happening right now. I’m being tortured. One song turns to another and I can see Derrick or Durk or Dick, whatever the fuck his name is, wants
more
than dancing.

When his hand reaches her ass, I’m off the barstool before my brain can register what is happening. I’m standing beside them when Edie notices me and her expression becomes confused. “You okay, Suit?” she asks innocently. What am I doing coming over here acting like a jealous bastard? Yes, the girl has gotten under my skin, but I don’t want her that way. I mean, sex, of course, yes, but she’s not like that and I could never give her more than that.

Playing it cool I hold out a hand and say, “Just wanted to see if I could cut in.”

“Oh,” she sounds surprised and I’m cursing myself for this. “Sure.” She smiles and pats douchewad’s shoulder. “Thanks, Dierk.”

Dierk gives me a death glare and I wink back, my way of saying
fuck you
. I may not be the one for her, but he sure as hell isn’t either. He quickly pecks Edie on the cheek and says, “Anytime beautiful.” After he juts his chin at me, which I gather is his silent warning to me, he’s gone. Edie and I stand awkward, not really sure where to begin, but I take her in my arms and press her to me. Her breasts press against my chest and my dick twitches. She feels dainty in my arms, but as we begin to move in rhythm with the music, we feel natural together.

“That guy wants you bad.” I can’t help saying. As much as I know I can never go there with Edie, I have to know where she stands with Dierk.

“You think?” she asks surprised. “Maybe he just wants to hookup.”

“And you’re not that kind of girl?”

“No…or I haven’t been, but things change.” My fingers dig into her back a little as the image of her naked consumes my thought process.

“What does that mean?” I ask, my tone husky.

“Well, a woman has needs, Suit. I’m not a mutant. I know it sounds pathetic, but if I can’t find Mr. Right, maybe I can find Mr. Right-Now to help me…deal with my pent-up…frustration.”