His Tempest by Candice Poarch Read Free Book Online Page A

for anything.”
    â€œBut women like men who have a promising future. And everything for me is up in the air. But I love what I do. If I didn’t, I’d get a regular nine-to-five job so that I could buy you jewels and the biggest house and—”
    â€œI’m not asking for anything. My future is just as iffy as yours. I gave up a great job to drive halfway across the country to start a summer camp that hasn’t been open in twenty years. So I guess we’re starting from the same place.”
    â€œYou’re special, you know that?”
    Oh God, oh God. What have I gotten myself into? After the days they’d spent sightseeing, she thought he’d be ready to move on by now. She’d deceived him and now he was baring his soul to her. She had to come clean.
    â€œColin, when we met, I never expected—”
    â€œI know. I never thought we’d get this far, either. But all this can’t be one-sided. You feel it, too, don’t you?”
    â€œYes, but—”
    â€œGive me a chance, okay? Give us a chance. That’s all I’m asking. I want a chance to see where this leads. I want to get to know you better.”
    Noelle closed her eyes on the emotions lapping over her like the rippling warm waters of a whirlpool. She wanted to move forward with him, too. “Okay,” she whispered.

Chapter 4
    T he workday began early on a thoroughbred farm. At quarter to five Colin was out of bed. A half hour later he was downstairs, where the housekeeper, Leila Nelson, was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast, and looking much too fresh for so early in the morning. Her hair was neatly pinned up and, as usual, she wore a dress, a blue one this morning. Colin couldn’t ever remember seeing her in a pair of slacks.
    The brown-skinned woman glanced up and smiled. “Welcome home,” she said. “I stayed up as long as I could last night, but you got in very late. Left supper in the fridge for you, but you didn’t touch it.”
    â€œAfter unloading the horses, I went straight to bed. How’s George?”
    â€œMoping around. I couldn’t convince him to go to the grief session at church. Maybe he’ll listen to you.”
    Disappointed, Colin said, “I’ll take him with me to the track this morning. We have three yearlings that will start racing soon.”
    â€œGood. He needs to get out,” she said, setting a plate of pancakes before him.
    After the delicious breakfast, Colin made his way to the barn, where they were preparing some of the horses for the practice track.
    Thinking of Noelle, as he always did lately, he dialed her cell number. She’d asked him to call her early, but he wondered if she’d appreciate being awakened this early.
    She cleared her throat before uttering a sleepy, “Hello.”
    â€œHalf the morning’s gone. What’re you still doing in bed?” Colin asked.
    â€œWhat?”
    He grinned. “This is your wake-up call.”
    â€œOh, hi.” She moaned and the sound shot heat right through Colin’s groin. There was something sexy about a woman’s sluggish morning voice. “It’s still dark. It can’t be morning yet.”
    â€œSure it is. Now, if you were home I could ride my horse over there and wake you gently and slowly. You’d only be a mile away. But this is the best I can do from here.”
    â€œYou’re only a mile from my grandparents’ house?”
    â€œLess than that by horseback.” He heard the mattress groan when she moved. He’d give anything to be in that bed snuggled up close with her right now. He felt his body react at the thought. He tightened his hand around the phone.
    â€œIt’ll be late before I can get away to see you. Got a long day ahead of me.”
    â€œYeah, me, too. Thanks for the wake-up.”
    â€œAnytime, sweetheart.” Sighing, he closed his phone, tossed his diposable cup in the trash