Neck & Neck by Elizabeth Bevarly Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t hold up for Finn himself, and that there was no one who said he had to keep a distance between himself and Natalie. In fact, there was no one who said he couldn’t get as close to her as he wanted. Even closer than they already were, with her elbow nearly touching his on the bar. He didn’t even mind if she smelled like Havarti and peppers and garlic later. In fact, if he wanted . . .
    He bit back a mental sigh. Well, that was the problem. Finn couldn’t allow himself to want. Because he wanted things he would never—could never—have. And for that reason, if no other, he really needed to get as far away from Natalie Beckett as possible.
    “Ms. Beckett,” he tried again.
    “Please, call me Natalie,” she said.
    Telling himself that was the last thing he should do, he said, “Natalie.” He hesitated only a moment before telling her, “I’m sure Mr. Mulholland would tell you thanks for the invitation, but no thanks. He’s a very busy man, and his focus for the next two weeks will be on making sure his horse is ready for the race.”
    “But—”
    “Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .” This time he turned to the bartender. “Could I get that Hot Brown to go?”
     
     
    NATALIE WATCHED FINN GUTHRIE’S RETREATING BACKSIDE for the second time in one day, with even more appreciation than she’d had the first time. Boy, that walk of his could start fights and stop traffic. Then she noted the edge of the carelessly folded invitation rising out of his back pocket and remembered that he’d once again refused to even pass it along to his employer. The door closed behind him, removing both the invitation and his backside from view, leaving her feeling doubly let down.
    What was the guy’s problem, anyway? Yeah, okay, as head of Russell Mulholland’s security detail, he was obligated to keep people away from his employer, but still. Mulholland really was going to miss out on a lot of fun if he spent his entire stay in Louisville surrounded by bodyguards and never enjoyed any of the scores of events to be had this time of year. And it wasn’t like Natalie was asking the guy to attend some minor affair where a bunch of yahoos would do nothing but make demands on his time and attention. Only the finest people would be at Clementine’s party making demands on his time and attention. Provided, you know, he accepted the invitation. Otherwise there would be no one at Clementine’s party doing anything.
    The bartender placed her burger on the bar in front of her, and she turned to look at it dispassionately. Just as Finn Guthrie had done a moment ago, she asked the bartender if she could get it to go instead. She enjoyed a few more swallows of her beer as she waited for him to box it up, but left the glass half-full after paying for her purchase.
    Half-full, she repeated to herself at the realization, brightening some. That was the way she always looked at things. It was the reason she kept rebuilding after every disaster she’d created, both in life and in business. Natalie Beckett was not a quitter. Nor was she one to back down from a challenge. If things didn’t go right the first time, then you tried again. And if they didn’t go right the second time, then you tried again . And if they didn’t go right the third time, you—
    Well, anyway, she would just try again. Natalie Beckett had never been one to take no for an answer. Not unless no was the answer she wanted to hear. And certainly not when her livelihood—her entire future—depended on a yes.
    Once again, she followed the same path Finn Guthrie had taken, exiting through the same door as he. But this time, she didn’t follow him. She turned in the opposite direction of the Brown Hotel and strode toward the lot where she’d parked her car. Instead of returning to her Crescent Hill office, however, she opted for her Crescent Hill home, a creekstone Arts and Crafts-style house she’d purchased after graduating from college—okay, okay, with money