Wild Fire (The Fairy Tale Match Series) by Danielle Rose-West Page B

was give him the
false impression that she was interested in him. From what she’d seen, Walter
was interested in all women. She had no desire to become one of his conquests
whose name he probably forgot in moments or maybe never even knew.
    “Do you ride?” he asked,  running his
eyes all over her in a caressing sweep she assumed was meant to make her weak
at the knees, but didn’t. Unfortunately, her hint seemed to have fallen on deaf
ears or he was deliberately ignoring it.
    “No, but it is something I want to
learn,” she replied to his question. “Actually, Bill is giving me a lesson
later today.”
    “Why bother him? I’d be happy to
teach you. I’m always available for a little……private tutoring.” He gave her a
lopsided grin, his eyes full of an invitation she had no intention of taking
him up on.
    “That’s very kind of you, Walter but
I really don’t think I could take a member of the Carters workforce away from
his regular duties.” Laura decided a more direct turndown might be in order.
“I’m more than happy to learn with Bill.” She began to climb back over the
fence, when Walter snagged her arm, sliding his hand down her arm and gently
rubbing his thumb along the sensitive flesh of her inner wrist.
    “It would be no trouble at all, I
assure you, lovely Laura. Jake would probably be happy for me to teach you. He
relies on Bill heavily, especially when there are horses near foaling. We’d be
doing him a favour.” He smiled persuasively at her, tugging on her arm. “We
could start now if you want? My next class isn’t for an hour.” His eyes took on
a heavy gleam of desire as he looked her over again. Boy, this man had the hide
of a rhino serous. What did it take to get him to quit? Laura was about to
firmly pull her arm out of Walters grip, when a hand clamped down onto his wrist
and yanked it off for her.
    Jake stood over Walter, looking
furious. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Nobel?” he demanded. Laura
thought he’d looked angry yesterday, but it was nothing to how he looked now.
    “Calm down, Carter. What is your
problem? I was only offering a riding lesson to your lovely guest. Thought I’d
save Bill the job.” Walter calmly rubbed his wrist where Jake had gripped him,
looking remarkably unruffled by Jakes anger.
    “I know exactly what kind of riding
lesson you were offering and I doubt it was the one Laura was after. I’ll thank
you to treat our guest with respect. While we’re on the subject, I don’t like
the way you push yourself at our female clients. Rein it in or I’ll be speaking
to Kerry about finding a new instructor. Got it?” Jake’s voice was deadly, his
expression hard.
    Walter shrugged, laughing softly but
it didn’t quite reach his eyes. The charming air dropped away and his face took
on a harder edge. “I never push myself on women, Jake. Quite the opposite if
you must know. Can I help it if women love me?” he asked, spreading his hands
wide with an innocent expression. “Come on, Carter,” he continued in a friendly
voice, winking at Jake in a conspiratorial way. “You knew what that was like
once, didn’t you. Before….” He gestured to the left side of his face.
    Jake froze at the implication of
Walter’s statement. Rage boiled in his veins and his fists balled at his sides.
He was on the verge of punching Walter Nobel’s overly pretty face, the desire
to break his perfect nose overriding his better judgement, when a small hand clamped
down on his arm. He looked down to see Laura standing next to him. She shook
her head slightly as she twinned her arms through his, effectively stopping him
from his murderous intentions.
    “Jake, did you come to get me for
that tour you promised?” she asked, smiling sweetly at him. “Please excuse us,
Walter. I’m sure I’ve kept you from your work long enough.”
    “I have enjoyed our chat immensely,
lovely Laura. Meeting you has been the highlight of my dreary day.”