“Lee,” my father warned. “Go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Being as snarky as possible, I smiled and said, “I’d be happy to show them around for you. I’m sure they’d love to see the stables and check out the horses, or are they here for some other reason?”
I knew I was walking on thin ice. These men were most likely dangerous, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. It was like I’d been possessed by a crazy person, and she was determined to ruin whatever business they had together. I probably would’ve kept at it if one of the bikers hadn’t taken it upon himself to get involved. As soon as he stepped forward, I realized he was the man from the bar, and it was all I could do to keep my wits about me. With his leather jacket and ass-hugging jeans, he had a rugged look about him, but that didn’t make him any less attractive. In fact, just like the night before, I found it sexy as hell. My interest in him took me by complete surprise. He and his buddies were more than likely criminals, doing God-knows-what to God-knows-who. I knew I had no business finding him or anyone like him appealing, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. I was trying to pull myself together when he removed his sunglasses and his blue eyes locked on mine. Damn, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t think. I was a complete mess. Thankfully, the spell was broken as soon as he opened his mouth.
“Hey, Lee. Why don’t you do us all a favor and just go inside like your father said?”
I was equally hurt and appalled by his unwarranted suggestion, and while I would’ve loved to tell him where to stick it, I wasn’t stupid. I knew I was up against a grizzly bear of a man. Choosing to play it safe, I replied, “I was just trying to be helpful.”
“I think we both know that isn’t true.” The look on his face left me as breathless as it did enraged. Damn. I had no idea why he got to me the way he did. His voice was low and menacing as he growled, “Now, if you don’t mind … we have business to discuss.”
Again, I had to fight the urge to snap back at him. Trying to play it cool, I took off my baseball cap and ran my fingers through my hair. With sarcasm dripping off of every word, I gave him a forced smile and replied, “Certainly. I wouldn’t want to interrupt.”
When I started for the barn, my father shouted, “Where are you going?”
I removed my sunglasses and turned towards him. “I’m taking Anna Belle for a ride. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“Are you going alone?”
“Yep.” I continued forward, and when I strolled by the biker, I gave him a disapproving scowl. “It was a real pleasure.”