Free Point of Contention (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Louisa Neil Page A

cock, to learn the texture of his skin, his length and girth.
    Looking at her reflection in the window over the kitchen sink, she
    said, “Back to the toys tonight,” laughing at the absurd notion he’d
    been sexually interested in her.
    55
    Louisa Neil

    Chapter Eight

    Hearing the horse from behind gave her time to take a few
    cleansing breaths as she slowed her running pace. When the rider
    approached, he expertly maneuvered the large beast to within a foot
    of her, walking the animal beside her.
    “Stuart, how are you?” she asked.
    “Fine, Kadence, and you?”
    “Fine.” She followed the path toward the staff quarters, and he
    continued beside her. “What can I do for you?”
    “I was wondering if I could pick your brain for a few minutes.”
    “Depends on how deep and what the topic is. What’s on your
    mind?” For an instant, she gazed at him with a twinkle in her eye.
    Was she fantasizing he’d come to tell her he made a mistake and
    wanted to explore a relationship with her? He dismissed it quickly,
    reminding himself Stuart Drake didn’t change his mind often.
    Stuart knew what was on his mind, but verbalizing it was not his
    goal, although if he didn’t keep a tight check on himself, he was
    bound to do just that. She had her hair pulled back in a long tail and a baseball-style cap shielded her eyes. He didn’t stop himself from
    watching how she moved. Smooth and graceful, he acknowledged.
    That was what he liked about her. Even for her size, she seemed to
    float almost. He groaned aloud at his thought, and she glanced up at
    him. If she’d just started her run, it would have been better timing, he decided. Now she was soaked with sweat, the moisture molding her
    damp T-shirt to her curves. The stretch pants she had on left nothing
    to his imagination in regard to her strong thighs and long legs. Even
    in sneakers, she stood a sleek line.
    Point of Contention
    56
    “Stuart?”
    “Yeah, ah, has anybody mentioned that I’m building my private
    residence, or am about to start?”
    “Yes, it’s been mentioned, and I’ve assumed the north corner of
    the property is the site. It’s the only one cleared.”
    “Yes, well. I noticed the other night that you seemed to be
    hunched over at the counters. Are they uncomfortable for you to work
    at?”
    “You get used to it, I guess.” She stopped to retie her shoelace and
    continued after she was finished. She paused as if she’d lost her train
    of thought, glancing up at him, her hat shielding her eyes and most of
    her face. Being so high up on horseback, it all seemed a little surreal
    to him. Finally, she spoke. “You’re what, six two or three?”
    “Six four,” he corrected.
    She began walking again and the horse seemed to follow along at
    her pace effortlessly.
    “I’m five ten. Most kitchens are designed for the average person,
    five four to five ten. That’s why the thirty-six inch height. If I ever
    have a home and get to design the kitchen, I’ll make mine four inches
    higher. I usually wear clogs when I’m cooking, so an extra inch or
    two would help. It wouldn’t be great for your resale value, although I
    don’t think you’re building with the idea of selling anytime soon.”
    “The architect wants some final decisions about the layout and
    cabinetry, and I’m stalling him. I’m not sure what direction to go.”
    “You should ask Travis.” Her gaze met his as she looked up to
    him and he smiled.
    “I have. He said basically the same thing as you. Raise the base
    cabinets four to six inches and ask Kadence for her opinion.” This
    time he laughed out loud.
    “Great minds thinking alike and all that.”
    “Kadence, why did you give up your legal career? Even if you
    were divorcing your husband, I can’t imagine going through all that
    schooling and walking away.”
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    Louisa Neil
    She stopped short, and even the horse was confused. Tugging the
    cap off her head, she pulled the elastic band from her hair and ran