Chapter Five
"Ready to take a walk?" He asked as she nodded. Reluctantly, he let her go and wearing his shirt, walked close to her, his hand brushing hers every now and then. He couldn't help it, he was lovestruck.
They walked to the barn where he introduced her to the horses. She loved the newborn foal whom they called Thunder. She's only visited uncle Benny's ranch since childhood, but her parents didn't let her help with the ranch work. It was always a short visit as both her parents were professors at a reputed university at Austin. Her mom taught psychology while her dad taught mathematics.
She fed Briar's horse, Rusty, an apple and he stared at Alexia too, just like his owner. She chuckled and Briar quirked an eyebrow at her.
"What's up?" He asked, standing behind her, his hands on the stall fences, trapping her between his arms.
"Nothing," she said smiling.
"No, tell me," he said, his body brushing hers from behind. She could feel his hot breath on her neck.
"Your horse is just like you," she said, as Briar looked down incredulously at her.
"How so?" He asked in confusion.
When she didn't say anything, but just flushed beet red, he leant down and whispered,"Tell me please," his mouth so close to her ear, that he could smell her rose and vanilla scent.
"You both look at me the same way," she mumbled, wanting to escape the torture.
"And what way is that?" He asked, his mouth grazing her neck from behind. He was on fire. He wanted to just kiss her till she could only dream about him.
Her breath hitched. She closed her eyes at the torture his mouth was conducting upon her. He crushed her body close to his, her back moulded into his front. She could feel his solid hard erection against her back. His hand went around her waist pinning her to him. His other hand on the railings kept him steady on his feet.
"Briar, let me go, please. Someone will come," she whispered. That was the first time she said his name. It felt so good to hear it.
"No one comes here at this hour," he said as he turned her around.
She kept her eyes lower, unable to look into his smouldering eyes. He put his forefinger under her chin and made her look at him.
"You're beautiful," he said, taking in her features, her upturned face was so close.
The sound of footsteps and horses hooves had them jump apart. The ranch hand came in leading the mare he was training, as Briar glared at him.
"I've got to go," said an embarrassed and flushed Alexia. Before he could stop her, she ran out the door and away.
Briar felt frustrated and angry at the ranch hand. He held his ears in apology. Briar completed the rest of his work in irritation and went home for lunch.
"Ivory's family is here. Bryce has them staying at old Joe's ranch," said aunt Daisy.
"Alexia's dad didn't come. I heard he's a professor of mathematics in Austin. He'll come a day before the wedding and leave the next day," said grandma.
Briar just listened to the conversation at lunch. His mom said,"Hope he doesn't drag her away with him." Briar's heart clenched at the thought. What if he takes her away with him? What would he do?
"We can't do anything if he does that," said uncle Jamie.
"She's a grown woman, if she puts her foot down, her father can't force her," said his dad.
"I heard she had a fight with him before coming here," said his mom.
"Oh, then it must be bad between them. Her mom expired four years back from cancer," said grandma.
Briar silently sat and listened to their conversation. He just prayed that her dad wouldn't come.
The next two days, Briar didn't see Alexia. Either she was avoiding him or she didn't want to be with him. She didn't come for her morning walks too. He was frustrated, irritated, ready to pounce on anyone. For two nights again he started drinking. Bryce was giving finishing touches at his new house. He spent his nights there.
Next day was the spa bridal shower party. Ivory's wedding coordinator Mrs Madeleine Porter, roped in a few spa massage therapists. They arranged for everything, essential oils, diffusers, flowers, towels as well as the food. The main point was to make the women relax for a day. Brittany's kids as well as Jude's kids were entrusted to their nanny who roped in her sister to help. They were happy at Brittany's house. Lucas and Brian stayed back at the house to oversee.
At grandpa's house, the men sat playing chess or watching a movie. Briar fidgeted about doing nothing in particular. Same with Bryce. He couldn't focus on anything and kept losing at the game. The party was taking place in the empty barn at the back of the house. It was given a fresh coat of paint and a makeover and lights and air conditioning was fixed. Long flowing white curtains were used to create separate massage stations. A buffet table was set up in one corner to accommodate all the food. The men would be invited when the food would be served. There was a nail and hair station too.
Alexia had been busy with her family, taking care of the three kids with Jude. She couldn't meet Briar. The youngest, Paige was down with fever and she had to stay over to look after her along with Jude.
As she rushed to the party venue, a hand shot out and pulled her behind a tree. She collided with a hard wall. "Oof," she said, looking up she was lost in the depths of two blue orbs staring down angrily at her. What have I done now? She thought, racking up her mind to think of a cause.
"Are you avoiding me? Don't you want me near you? Tell me on my face. I'll stay as far away as possible. I won't show you my face, ever. I promise you that," he said with a lot of feelings.
She just put her soft palm over his mouth, to stop him from talking like a maniac. "I'm not avoiding you," she whispered calmly.
"Yes, you are. Why didn't you come for a walk? I waited for you everyday," he said.
"I wasn't here, Briar. Paige, Ivory's four year old niece fell sick. I was staying there at old Joe's ranch to take care of her. I thought you knew," she said as Briar's eyes went wide with realisation that what he thought was wrong. She wasn't avoiding him. Not once did she say that she didn't want him near her. Which only meant one thing, that she wanted him near her.
Grinning like he had won a prize, he whispered,"So, you want to be with me?"
Colour shot up onto her cheeks as she smiled and started moving away to the bridal shower party venue.
"Give me your answer before you go," he yelled but she ran the last stretch and disappeared.
