all. After a good night’s sleep, she was ready to push through their initial awkwardness and untangle their past misunderstandings properly.
“ Sounds idyllic,” he began and then paused. “You know, I’ve got plenty of horses. Would you like to go riding today and blow away the city air cobwebs?”
“ Perfect idea,” she replied. “If you can give me an hour or so to make a few phone calls, I’m all yours.”
Getting up from the table, Layla began to place the plates and mugs into the dishwasher. She was curious why Evan had not asked who Bennett was; maybe he recalled Cameron telling him she had a child of that name. Layla hoped to be able to buy enough time to build a positive rapport with Evan, because she was going to need any advantage in her favour once he found out everything. But, if he started questioning the boy’s existence in finer detail, even before she was ready, she would not lie to him. There had already been too many untruths spun by others, affecting them both.
Nodding, Evan picked up some pieces of paper from the counter and made his excuses to go talk to his estate manager, David.
Over an hour later, Layla still had her phone attached to her ear as she scribbled things down on a notepad. Looking up suddenly, she saw Evan leaning up against the doorframe, watching her. She could have sworn she caught a glimpse of longing flash within his sapphire eyes before he concealed it once again.
Layla felt flustered under his intense stare at first, especially since he looked so delicious in his riding outfit of a pair of black riding boots, beige jodhpurs and a pale grey, ribbed jumper, which rippled perfectly against his chest. Mouthing a silent “sorry” to him, she began to wind up her conversation with her designer.
“ Sorry, I didn't realise the time. I’ll be right with you,” she apologised, before rushing upstairs to change her outfit. In her room she pulled on a pair of jet-black leggings with an etched, jacquard pattern printed upon them. Next she chose a cerulean-blue, strappy tunic that hugged her body tightly, skimming over her hips before ending below her shapely behind, and a pair of matching black, knee-high boots. Not quite riding attire, she thought, but it would do.
Evan
As Layla descended the stairs into the hallway, Evan held his breath as he drank in the way in which she could look beautiful even in an ordinary riding outfit. His eyes enjoyed the generous view of her bosom as it bounced with every step. What I would do to be able to touch them again. He had come up with the perfect plan to take her riding out to their special place, hoping to prompt her willingness to talk about their past, although he was not looking forward to her reaction to Caggie’s latest trick.
“ Ready at last,” Layla said, offering an apologetic smile.
“ The stable hand is preparing Molly for you. She’s a beautiful chestnut thoroughbred who is three years old. She’s seventeen hands, but that should be suitable for you,” Evan started to explain as they walked the five hundred metres from the house to the stable and paddock area.
Pointing to a horse that was being rubbed down in the distance, he continued casually, “She’s sired from my horse, Fitz, and Pepper,” while sneaking a sidelong glance at Layla to evaluate her reaction. He had bought the filly for her within a week of them living together.
“ Is Pepper still here?” she asked, surprised.
“ Of course she’s here. I wouldn't sell her for the world,” he said, with more emotion in his voice than he had wanted to show.
“ Would you mind if I rode her instead?”
“ Yes, of course you can. She still belongs to you,” Evan said quietly. “I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable by mentioning her,” he added, not glancing at her.
Layla turned to look at him head-on, placing a hand on his forearm to prevent him from walking for a second. “Evan, I know we need to sit down and talk about
“ Sounds idyllic,” he began and then paused. “You know, I’ve got plenty of horses. Would you like to go riding today and blow away the city air cobwebs?”
“ Perfect idea,” she replied. “If you can give me an hour or so to make a few phone calls, I’m all yours.”
Getting up from the table, Layla began to place the plates and mugs into the dishwasher. She was curious why Evan had not asked who Bennett was; maybe he recalled Cameron telling him she had a child of that name. Layla hoped to be able to buy enough time to build a positive rapport with Evan, because she was going to need any advantage in her favour once he found out everything. But, if he started questioning the boy’s existence in finer detail, even before she was ready, she would not lie to him. There had already been too many untruths spun by others, affecting them both.
Nodding, Evan picked up some pieces of paper from the counter and made his excuses to go talk to his estate manager, David.
Over an hour later, Layla still had her phone attached to her ear as she scribbled things down on a notepad. Looking up suddenly, she saw Evan leaning up against the doorframe, watching her. She could have sworn she caught a glimpse of longing flash within his sapphire eyes before he concealed it once again.
Layla felt flustered under his intense stare at first, especially since he looked so delicious in his riding outfit of a pair of black riding boots, beige jodhpurs and a pale grey, ribbed jumper, which rippled perfectly against his chest. Mouthing a silent “sorry” to him, she began to wind up her conversation with her designer.
“ Sorry, I didn't realise the time. I’ll be right with you,” she apologised, before rushing upstairs to change her outfit. In her room she pulled on a pair of jet-black leggings with an etched, jacquard pattern printed upon them. Next she chose a cerulean-blue, strappy tunic that hugged her body tightly, skimming over her hips before ending below her shapely behind, and a pair of matching black, knee-high boots. Not quite riding attire, she thought, but it would do.
Evan
As Layla descended the stairs into the hallway, Evan held his breath as he drank in the way in which she could look beautiful even in an ordinary riding outfit. His eyes enjoyed the generous view of her bosom as it bounced with every step. What I would do to be able to touch them again. He had come up with the perfect plan to take her riding out to their special place, hoping to prompt her willingness to talk about their past, although he was not looking forward to her reaction to Caggie’s latest trick.
“ Ready at last,” Layla said, offering an apologetic smile.
“ The stable hand is preparing Molly for you. She’s a beautiful chestnut thoroughbred who is three years old. She’s seventeen hands, but that should be suitable for you,” Evan started to explain as they walked the five hundred metres from the house to the stable and paddock area.
Pointing to a horse that was being rubbed down in the distance, he continued casually, “She’s sired from my horse, Fitz, and Pepper,” while sneaking a sidelong glance at Layla to evaluate her reaction. He had bought the filly for her within a week of them living together.
“ Is Pepper still here?” she asked, surprised.
“ Of course she’s here. I wouldn't sell her for the world,” he said, with more emotion in his voice than he had wanted to show.
“ Would you mind if I rode her instead?”
“ Yes, of course you can. She still belongs to you,” Evan said quietly. “I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable by mentioning her,” he added, not glancing at her.
Layla turned to look at him head-on, placing a hand on his forearm to prevent him from walking for a second. “Evan, I know we need to sit down and talk about
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