Nine
How the hell did he cope with this bombshell? He’d never been in this situation before and honestly had no idea how to react, let alone what to say.
Had he said the right thing?
Running a hand down his face, Grant stared out his patio door toward the pasture, where a few horses grazed off in the distance.
For the sake of his career, here he was, in a world he’d sworn off, finding himself drowning in a woman he wanted just sex from, only to find out she was a virgin.
Grant laughed at the irony that was now his life. The damn film hadn’t even started yet, and he was sinking deeper and deeper into worlds that threatened to leave him weak and vulnerable. Way to stay in control of the game.
He glanced at his watch, noted it was time to head to the stables, and sighed. No matter his personal feelings—and he couldn’t deny there were very personal feelings involved now—he had to remain on task and get the job done. This was still his livelihood, still his reputation on the line if he wanted to move on up in the movie industry.
As he headed out the door, his cell phone rang. After shutting the door behind him, Grant stepped off the narrow porch.
“Hey, Bronson,” he said.
“I hope you’re sitting down, man. I’ve got news for you.”
Freezing in his tracks, Grant gripped the phone. “Good news or bad news?”
“Beyond good. Marty Russo has been in contact with me and Anthony. He’s willing to back your production company if this film takes off like we think it will.”
“Are you kidding me?” Grant asked, suddenly seeing his dream spiraling closer toward reality.
On the other end of the connection, Bronson Dane laughed. “Not at all. If this movie is a hit like we all believe it will be, Russo Entertainment wants you to come on board and branch out with your own company.”
Grant could hardly believe this. He’d been a director for years, had worked his ass off to get to the point of producing, and now, before his production debut, he might already have a chance at starting his own company?
He’d been fortunate in the past several years to have some major deals, which set his name on the film map. But his own company would take his career to a whole new level.
“Man, that’s great,” Grant said. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You deserve it,” Bronson replied. “Marty was going to call, but I wanted to be the one to tell you. I’m sure he’ll be calling you later today.”
Grant had worked with the man several times. Being the CEO of Russo Entertainment, Marty often had a direct hand in the company’s films, and was a very hands-on guy. Grant respected the hell out of him and had every intention of not letting him down.
“Anthony and I are wrapping up at Churchill Downs today. Between there, New York and Maryland, we’ve covered the main tracks and have some amazing areas for scenes. We should be arriving at the end of next week.”
Grant continued walking his path again as he and Bronson discussed the church, cemetery and other local places that had meaningful ties to Damon Barrington’s past.
By the time he disconnected the call, he was beaming. The sun had risen, the spring day was beautiful and promised to be warm, and he had the chance of a lifetime right within his reach.
But his smile faded and fear set in when he saw Cassie running alongside the fence and Tessa on a horse, barreling faster than he’d ever seen seen her go.
Fear flooded him, and he had to force himself not to overreact. Another time, another woman flashed in his mind and nausea threatened to overtake him.
Especially when Tessa kept pulling back on the reins and yelling, alarm lacing her voice.
Grant ran to the fence, having no clue how he could help or even what the hell had happened.
The horse seemed to reduce his speed, barely, but then reared up, after which everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Tessa screamed, slicing a new layer of dread straight through Grant. When she fell off the back of the horse, he leaped over the fence, not giving a damn about anything but getting to her.
He crouched down beside her as she was rolling onto her back, gasping—whether in pain or because the wind had been knocked out of her, he didn’t know.
“Tessa, honey.” He ran his hands gently over her, praying for no broken bones, no broken skin. “Talk to me. Are you hurt?”
She groaned and tried to sit up, but he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Just lie here for a minute,” he told her.
“Macduff...where...” Tessa continued to try to catch her breath as she searched the track. “Is he okay?”
Fury bubbled within Grant. Was she seriously more worried about this horse than her own welfare?
Because she wasn’t going to relax until she knew about the animal, Grant glanced back and saw Cassie managing just fine, along with the new groom. They’d taken control of the horse and were leading him into the stables.
“He’s fine,” Grant told her. “Cassie has him.”
Tessa’s shoulders relaxed into the dirt and her eyes closed as she exhaled a shallow breath. The color had left her face and her arm was draped across her ribs.
“I need to know what hurts, so I can tell the squad.” He pulled out his phone and barely hit the 9 before she put her hand over his.
“No, I’m fine.” Her eyes locked on to his. “Don’t fuss with calling anyone.”
“Like hell I’m not, Tessa.”
Bad memories played through his mind like a horror movie...only it had been real life. Internal injuries were by far even more terrifying. He’d done a somewhat good job of keeping these two worlds—caring for Tessa, and her lifestyle—apart. But the two had just collided and blown up in his face.
“You’re white as a ghost, Grant. Are you okay?”
He ran a hand down his face and nodded. “I’m fine. But you’re going to get checked out. Internal injuries may not make their appearance known until it’s too late.”
“Grant—”
“You can either ride in an ambulance or I’m taking you, but this is not up for debate.”
Tessa flinched at his raised voice.
“Is she okay?” Cassie asked, squatting down next to them.
“She’s stubborn,” Grant hissed, coming to his feet. “Talk some sense into her while I call for the medics.”
While he did so, he at least heard Cassie taking his side. No way in hell would he allow Tessa to ignore what had just happened. And knowing her, she’d probably get right back on the damn horse and go another round.
After his call was placed, he returned to Tessa, who was now sitting up with Cassie’s arm supporting her.
“They’re on their way,” he told them.
“I hate to leave her, but I need to tell Nash she’s going to the hospital, and I need to go find Dad.”
“Who’s Nash?” Grant asked.
“The new groom,” Tessa told him. “Go, Cass, I’m fine.”
Cassie shot Grant a look, but he nodded, giving her the silent go-ahead. There was no way he would be leaving Tessa’s side.
“I’m sure Dad will be at the hospital as soon as I let him know,” Cassie said.
“That’s fine. I’ve got my cell, so he can call me, too.”
As soon as the squad arrived and loaded Tessa—carefully, as per Grant’s demands—he went to get his rental car to follow. As much as he wanted to ride with her, he needed his vehicle, because when they left, he sure as hell would be the one bringing her back.
* * *
“This is all really silly,” Tessa complained as Grant eased his car into the drive, passing beneath the arched sign for the estate. “I can stay at my house just fine, Slick.”
“We already went over this. You can stay at your house with me or at my house with me. Since you only huffed when I gave you your options, I decided we’d stay here so your dad and sister are closer.”
Tessa rolled her eyes as he parked in front of the cottage. “I only live one property over.”
He turned, offered her that killer smile complete with dimples and said, “Yes, but there are several acres separating the two. Your father and I agreed this was best.”
“My father probably has no clue you have the hots for his daughter, either,” she mumbled.
Grant barked a laugh and came around to help her out. She wasn’t some invalid. She’d fallen off Macduff because she’d not been paying attention, and the once-abused horse was still skittish.
Cassie had bought the horse from an auction, and they all knew he’d been mistreated. But Cassie was a softy for any animal, especially ones not properly cared for. Tessa was confident she could keep him under control...and she had, until she’d seen Grant walking toward the stables, phone to his ear and wearing the most brilliant smile. He’d stolen her breath, and she’d lost her concentration. Macduff was nervous, anyway, but the accident was totally her fault.
Grant slid his arm around her as she started to climb from the car. “Really, I can walk,” she protested. “I won’t fall over.”
“The doctor said you had a concussion, and you admitted you were dizzy.” He tightened his grip. “You’re not going down on my watch.”
Okay, so a bit of her was thrilled at the fact he wanted to care for her, but she seriously could’ve taken care of herself. Did he think she was sharing his bed tonight? Surely that wasn’t a reason behind his insistence to keep her at his place.
Once inside the cottage, Grant gave her no option but to sit on the sofa with her feet propped up. Her protests were completely ignored as he removed her boots.
“Now, what can I get you to eat? You haven’t had dinner.”
Tessa hadn’t given food a thought. “What do you have? Just something light. I’m still queasy.”
“I’m pretty sure there are some cans of soup in the cabinet.”
Laying her head against the back of the sofa, she nodded. “That will be fine. Any flavor, I’m not too picky.”
Even as tired as she was, she couldn’t close her eyes. Watching Grant bustle around the kitchen, getting her dinner ready, really hit her hard. Aaron had never taken this much care of her. He’d never tried to put her needs first. Of course, hindsight was a real eye-opener, because the man had been only out for himself to begin with.
But there was something special about Grant. He obviously loved his family, which was a huge indicator that he was a nurturer. The fact he was so easy to talk to also proved to her that he wasn’t the self-centered city slicker she’d first thought him to be.
When he brought her dinner on a tray, Tessa smiled. “You’re so good to me, Slick. I could get used to this.”
He took a seat on the coffee table across from her and smiled. “I could get used to you lying on my couch watching me.”
After taking a few mouthfuls of chicken soup, she glanced back over at him and sighed. His eyelids were heavy, his hair all messed from running his fingers through it. Normally he looked so polished, the picture of perfection. Now he looked...exhausted.
“I’m sorry, Grant.”
“What for?”
“This. Being a burden, scaring you.”
He blinked and eased forward, cupping her face with one strong, warm hand. “You could never be a burden to me, Tessa. If I didn’t want you here I could’ve taken you to the main house, to Cassie’s or back to your own home. I want you here so I can watch over you, and I want you here because something is building between us and I refuse to ignore it.”
Inching forward, Grant placed his lips softly on hers. “As for scaring me, if you ever do that again I’m going to hack into your computer and delete all your saved spreadsheets.”
Tessa laughed, reaching over to smack his shoulder. “You wouldn’t dare.”
He eased back with a half grin. “Maybe not, but when you fell...there are no words, but I’ll never forget that feeling.”
He glanced aside, almost as if he was trying to compose himself. Had he truly been that scared, that worried for her? This wasn’t the first time she’d seen the stark fear in his eyes when it came to horses. That first day they’d met he’d acted concerned for her safety.
“Hey,” she said, waiting for him to turn back to her. “I’ve been riding since I got out of diapers, Slick. That wasn’t my first fall and it won’t be my last. Yes, it sucks, but sometimes it just happens.”
Raking a hand down his face, Grant sighed and came to his feet. “Why don’t you finish your dinner, and I’ll go find you some more comfortable clothes to sleep in.”
“What about you?” she asked. “You haven’t had dinner.”
“Honestly, my nerves are shot. I couldn’t eat if I wanted to.”
With that revelation, he walked away. Obviously, her fall had torn him up in ways she never would’ve imagined. When she’d been lying on the ground and he’d been at her side, his face had been so pale, his eyes so wide as he’d tried to take in her entire body at once, assessing the damage.
At the E.R., he’d been forceful and matter-of-fact with the staff, almost demanding that she stay overnight for observation. The doctor had assured Grant that since she’d never lost consciousness, she would be fine to go home as long as someone watched her.
So here she was, being watched by a man who made her tingle with a simple touch, who kissed her as if she was the only desirable woman in the world, and who had her rethinking her reasons for remaining innocent.
This should be an interesting night.