Burning Desire

Chapter Four

{ A/N - Please vote, comment and enjoy }

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Punctuality, it seemed, was something Callum took great care of. The doorbell's piercing chime resounded throughout my apartment the instant my digital alarm clock blinked 7:55am. I gulped down the final few sips of my coffee hastily and scraped my hair back into a messy ponytail before thrusting the door open.

"I thought I'd give you a lift, considering you don't have your own car," he greeted matter-of-factly. He was dressed in crisp white jodhpurs, black showing boots and a green polo shirt that embraced his masculine figure.

"Thanks," I smiled at him. In the soft light of the early morning with caffeine flooding through my veins, I felt more positive about the attractive new addition to Belmont's team of riders. Although first impressions count, I was willing to erase the monochrome stains of dislike we'd painted when we first met yesterday and restart with a blank canvas.

Grabbing my phone and my keys, I trailed behind Callum as he led me out of the building, and hopped into his plush Land Rover. The drive to Belmont was silent; the journey filled only with the low purr of the engine. Despite the fresh, fragrant scent of the countryside drifting in from the open window, the atmosphere in the car was disconcertingly cool and quiet. It seemed that first impressions had left a stain on our canvas that wasn't as easy to erase as I had hoped.

Callum glided the car into Belmont Equestrian Centre like he had been there his whole life. I jumped out of the vehicle, relieved to escape the tension that had been brimming in the tight space between Callum and I. Automatically, I headed for the barn, but Callum cleared his throat loudly and I spun around.

"What about that yard tour?"

I bit my lip, suddenly remembering my promise. "Oh...yeah. Just a minute, I need to ask Avery to give Milo his feed then I'll show you around."

Callum waited impatiently by the car, drumming his fingers on the bonnet, whilst I darted into the barn in search of my best friend. Only the top of her golden head was visible as she buried herself in a feed bucket.

"Ave," I breathed, grabbing Milo's food bucket. She looked up, chaff staining her golden curls.

"This might be a state of the art equestrian centre, but they're yet to find an efficient and clean way to mix the feed," she panted, frowning slightly. I couldn't help but chuckle in reply.

"I know how much you hate it...but could you make Milo's feed for me? Please? I've got to look after Callum."

Avery perked up at the mention of Callum, a sly grin playing on her lips. "The Newbie, huh? How are things going with him?"

I paused. "He's...grumpy. I'm not sure we're going to get on."

"Have you even tried, Madison? It's not like you to be mean to someone without even getting to know them first. Or, like, mean to anyone."

"I'll try to make an effort..." I muttered, glancing down sheepishly.

"And he's hot. You can't deny that," Avery reasoned, winking at me. I shoved the feed bucket at her in reply.

"Gotta go!" I chirped, heading for the door.

Callum was still waiting by the car, smudging invisible mud off the windscreen. I got the aura that he felt strongly about his precious car.

"So. That tour," I announced firmly, offering him a small smile. Callum looked up and nodded in acknowledgement, but didn't return my token of friendliness.