Don't Call Me Baby

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Horses and Haystacks

The stables were a five minute walk away from the main house and in that time Joe Jr. had managed to interrogate me on whether I had a boyfriend or not. I conveniently forgot that Julian and I were meant to kind of pretend we were an item, I was still so mad at him, and I think Joe was hinting specifically at Julian. He seemed pleased with my negative response, but I felt slightly anxious. Perhaps I should have said yes. I didn't want him to get the wrong impression - that I was available - well only partially. Joe was an incredibly sexy man and I couldn't help my attraction to him. Like fire to Julian's ice, I thought. Just don't get burnt Lola, I told myself.

"I was impressed with your shooting ability Lola. I've never seen anyone take to guns like you did," he complimented me.

"Thanks, it was fun." He opened the stable door and I could smell the sweet smell of horses' breath and hear the gentle snorting sounds as they stirred in their stalls. There were about fifteen horses in all. Most of them incredibly large and Joe told me this was because they were hunters.

"I bet you'd be a natural at riding too. Horse riding I mean," he added with a sexy grin. "It just needs an empathy with animals and strong legs," he looked up and down at my legs and I blushed and looked away. I could guess what other kind of riding he was implying. This man was the biggest flirt I'd ever come across - he was shameless and yes, I fell for it hook, line and sinker. His stunning good looks would make any woman forgive him for the corniness of his flirting.

We patted some of the horses and I fed them a carrot or two. I loved the feel of their soft velvet noses, but unfortunately most of them thought my hair was hay and tried to eat it. One of them managed to snag a mouthful of my hair and started pulling.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed. It hurt and he wasn't letting go. Joe Jr. laughed and came to my rescue.

"Stay still," he instructed me as he reach for the horse's mouth and began to gently pry my hair from between its teeth. He was standing over me, his arms above my head. My nose was buried in his shoulder and my breasts were pressed against his chest. Was that my heart I could feel thumping or his? As the horse released my hair, his hands dropped to my shoulders and he moved me gently out of the horse's reach, but he didn't let me go.

"You know Lola, you fascinate me," he pressed me closer to him and I started to back away. The thumping in my heart started up again. I was mortified in case he could actually hear it, or even feel it. I kept inching away. "You're like this innocent siren who doesn't know her own powers of attraction," he lowered his voice and his tone become dangerously intimate.

"Why do all you men think I'm some sort of virgin?" I asked him curiously not daring to look directly into his eyes.

"Well, are you?" he asked.

"None of your business," I retorted. I felt trapped. Trapped by his body and by his words. Neither of which were a completely horrible experience, but I was feeling drawn down a path of no return. He was more tempting than a tub of chocolate ice cream during a depression. He was now staring at my mouth and began to pull me gently towards him. Oh Lordy, I should so not be doing this. I wanted him to stop. No, not correct, I won't lie I was hoping he wouldn't stop. I wanted him to kiss me. This was nice. Too nice! I was beginning to feel all gooey now. My small steps backwards were becoming more and more reluctant.

As he reached down towards my lips I closed my eyes and at that moment tripped backwards over a bucket of horse feed and fell. Joe Jr. who was grasping my shoulders and pulling me towards him, was unbalanced and we both went down with a thud. Luckily our fall was broken by a pile of dirty straw. Jeez mum was right to worry about me and hay as Joe was directly on top of me - just that she got the wrong man.