I input the code into the keypad and wait for the gates to open.
It’s so quiet. Well, it’s always quiet around here, but it seems especially quiet. That could have something to do with it being seven thirty a.m.
It’s Friday, and I’m in early, as promised, so I can leave to make my appointment with Anne.
I haven’t seen Kas at all this week. He hasn’t been here when I have been. I asked Cooper where he was, and he said Kas would do this from time to time, disappearing during the day, which got me wondering where he might go.
Maybe he’s got a girlfriend.
I get this weird feeling in my chest at the thought.
Shaking it off, I walk through the gates and up the drive. I veer off the driveway when I reach the paddocks.
“Hey, Butterscotch.”
Butterscotch is fast becoming one of my favorite horses. She’s a palomino. No, I haven’t suddenly gotten all horsey. Cooper told me.
I’ve been hanging out at the paddocks on my lunch hour.
I met Ellie, Peter, Mack, and Tash. They were all lovely. Ellie, especially so. She seemed really friendly. She invited me to go to the pub for lunch with them the next time they go.
It was nice to be asked. To be included in something so normal as going to the pub for lunch with my work colleagues.
But, in the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but wonder if they would still invite me if they knew I’d just gotten out of prison.
The other thing that’s been bugging me is that, clearly, Kas hasn’t told anyone that I was in prison. If I’m being honest, I thought he would’ve.
But I’m not complaining. It’s nice not to be judged at my place of work. So, if Kas is keeping his mouth zipped about my past, then so am I.
I met Dom, the gardener, as well. He’s a really nice guy. After my little disagreement with Kas on my second day, I was outside, sitting on my favorite bench and having my lunch, when he came over to introduce himself.
“I brought you treats,” I tell Butterscotch. Reaching into my bag, I pull out two of the four apples I brought with me.
Danger, Butterscotch’s paddock pal, spies me with the apples and comes trotting over. He’s a big-ass horse. Black as night. Gorgeous.
“Don’t worry. I didn’t forget about you, Danger.” I reach out and feed him an apple.
As I turn my head, something in my peripheral catches my eye.
And that something has me turning fully around.
Kas is standing on his balcony. And, when I say standing on his balcony, I mean, he’s up on the stone railing.
Standing there, hands on his hips, face turned up to the morning sun.
He’s wearing black running shorts and a black T-shirt.
He looks like a god.
A mean god.
He moves down to sit on the edge of the railing, legs dangling. Then, he slides his butt off, putting his feet on the outer ledge, keeping ahold of the railing with his hands, so he’s standing on the wrong side of it. The not-so-safe side.
My heart starts to beat faster. My eyes are glued to him.
I watch as he casts another glance skyward. Then, without hesitation, he moves down into a crouch. One hand still on the railing, he slightly leans forward.
And jumps.
Noise pops in my ears, and I realize it’s my own voice screaming, “No!”
Then, I’m running toward him, my heart in my throat the whole time.
He’s going to die.
Oh my God, he’s going to die, and I don’t know CPR!
Why didn’t I learn CPR?
And why the hell did he just jump?
My mind is going a million miles a minute as I sprint toward him, my bag banging against my side.
And I watch in fascinated horror as Kas hits the grass, landing on his feet in an almost catlike way. The motion takes him down to a forward roll, and he’s back up on his feet in seconds.
What the…bloody fuck?
And I’m still running.
Kas turns his head, seeing me, and his stare brings my feet skidding to a stop.
There’s about thirty feet between us.
He watches me for a long moment, no hint of emotion on his face.
Then, the fucker grins.
He actually grins. And then he takes off running across the paddocks, heading for the forest at the back of the estate.
Me? I’m shaking like a leaf, my heart going ten to the dozen.
What the hell was that?
Trying to catch my breath, I put my hands on my hips and look up at the balcony. It’s about a twenty-foot drop, and he just jumped it, like it was nothing.
I’m just…I can’t believe he did that.
I need a coffee.
Well, a stiff drink would probably be nice, but as I can’t have that, I’ll go for a hit of caffeine.
Still feeling a little wobbly, I head around the house and let myself in the open front door. I hang my bag and coat up in the coat closet and make my way to the kitchen.
I see an envelope on the counter with my name on it. Picking it up, I open it and see money and my payslip inside.
It’s my wages. Not a full week, as I’ve only worked four days after starting on Tuesday, but it’s my first pay.
Weirdly, I get a little lump in my throat.
My boss might be an arse, but I have a paying job. Later on, I’ll be seeing Anne, and I will be one step closer to getting Jesse back.
Smiling, I fold the envelope up and put it in the pocket of my dress.
I work the fancy coffee machine they have and start brewing coffee, figuring Kas might want some when he gets back.
Because I sure as hell need some after that.
I pour myself a coffee and set about filling the dishwasher with Kas’s dinner plate and pans from last night. I set the dishwasher going and start cleaning down the stove, which he made a mess of, drinking my coffee while I work.
I’ve finished my coffee, and I’m just rinsing out my cup, thinking I’ll tackle Kas’s office while he’s still out. Then, the back door opens, and the man appears, like I conjured him up.
His hair is uncharacteristically ruffled up. A sheen of sweat is covering his skin, his damp T-shirt clinging to his body. The muscles on his arms are…wow, and his legs…sweet Jesus, they’re really toned.
Honestly, he’s never looked hotter.
I have this sudden image of going over to him. Getting down on my knees. Kissing my way up those legs, then pulling his running shorts down, and—
“Coffee?” I squeak out, quickly turning away, so he can’t see that I’m blushing.
What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t even like this guy.
He’s mean, and he jumps off his balcony, nearly giving his employee a heart attack.
“Coffee would be good. Thanks.”
I grab a cup from the cupboard and pour him out a coffee.
“Milk?” I ask.
“No. Just black.”
I hand the cup over to him and step back, leaning against the counter.
“I forgot you were coming in early today.” His voice is low.
Is that why you did your crazy jump? Because you thought you were alone?
Then, I tense up, hoping he’s not going to change his mind about me leaving early.
I meet his steady gaze. “I hope it’s not a problem?”
“It’s not a problem.” He looks away from me to the door. “I’m going to take a shower.” He walks away, taking his coffee with him.
And I just can’t help myself. “What was that before? You jumping off the balcony?”
There, I said it.
I had to, or it would have bugged me all day.
He stops. I can see the clear line of tension across his shoulders.
He stands there for so long that I think he isn’t going to say anything.
“Parkour,” he says without turning around.
Parkour?
Then, he walks away without another word.
The moment he’s out of sight, I get my phone out of my pocket, bring up Google, type in parkour, and hit Search.
