Free GRIT: A Spartan Riders Novel by J.C. Valentine

the tender arch of Gabby’s foot.
    She loosed a startled howl, and before she’d even had time to hit the floor, she found herself being scooped into a pair of strong arms.
    “What on earth—”
    “Did I hear someone shout?”
    “Are you okay?”
    That last one was spoken by Blake, and in all the commotion as he carried her across the room and set her down on the harvest gold, flower patterned sofa, his was the only voice she heard.
    “I stepped on a high heel,” she told him, her voice a pained whisper.
    His attention fell to her injured foot, his hands cupping it gently as he assessed the damage.
    “Miss Gabby, are you okay?”
    She looked up to find Ash’s glistening worried stare on her. Without thinking, she held out her hand, injury forgotten, and he rushed straight into her open arm. Curling him into her chest, she gave him a light squeeze.
    “I’m perfectly fine. Just a little clumsy sometimes.”
    His red-rimmed eyes broke her heart, and she looked to her mother for support. Picking up her cue, her mother approached and laid a hand on Ash’s shoulder. “Do you like ice cream? Because my daughter bought so many kinds, I don’t know which one to pick.”
    “My daddy says I’m a ice cream fanic.”
    Gabby laughed at his mispronunciation of fanatic. Ash was something special. She loved having him in her class, and now her home. Which made her wonder. How had Blake known where she lived? And why was he there?
    “Would you mind lending me your expertise?”
    Gabby watched her mother lead Ash from the room before turning her focus on Blake. Who still held her foot between his large hands.
    “I’m going to give you two some privacy,” her father spoke up.
    They waited until he was out of sight, and then spoke at once.
    “You look nice.”
    “How do you know where I live?”
    Blake smiled. “You look nice,” he repeated, taking the lead. “Heading out?”
    “I was,” Gabby replied tightly. “How do you know where I live?”
    “It’s a small town,” he said as explanation. “You said was . Change of plans?”
    “Well, there’s no reason to leave anymore. It seems the mountain has come to Mohammad.”
    He quirked a brow. “You were coming to see me?”
    “Don’t flatter yourself,” she snapped when a giant grin began to spread across his face. “It was just a friendly gesture. We’re having dinner, and I thought Ash might like to hang out.”
    Wow, way to use the kid, Gabs. But from the look on Blake’s face, he wasn’t buying it anyway.
    “Is that right?”
    Her jaw clenched. “No, it’s not. I wanted to see you. To talk maybe?” She posed it as a question, hoping it would take some of the sting out of her confession.
    It didn’t.
    “Good because I wanted to see you too…And talk. Maybe.”
    God, when he smiled like that, she was tempted to grab ahold of his leather jacket and smash her mouth to his. His cocky attitude and those damnable good looks were almost too much to handle.
    “Are you making fun of me?”
    “Me? Never.” His thumb traced her instep. “How’s it feel?”
    “Better. I don’t think I did any lasting damage.”
    Releasing her, Gabby sat back on the sofa. To her shock, Blake followed. “What are you doing?” she asked, her eyes wide on his.
    “Getting comfortable. Now, what did you want to talk about?”
    “We’re getting into this already?”
    “I like to have things out on the table. It makes moving forward a helluva lot easier. So do you want to start, or should I?”
    Well, with him looming over her like he was, she was disinclined to say much of anything really. Her stomach was twisting with so many nerves, she was light-headed. The last time anyone had made her feel anything like it, she was in the tenth grade and facing down a yearlong crush.
    That was a tickle compared to what Blake made her feel.
    Taking her silence as answer, Blake jumped right in. “Okay, my reason for being here then.” He turned to face her, his jacket creaking as he