Free Nacho Figueras Presents by Jessica Whitman Page A

and thoughts of Georgia. That woman exerted a terrible influence on him. An entire year of abstinence had been broken in one night. He hadn’t been able to help himself. He’d been so twisted up over MacKenzie and the terrible memories of Olivia’s accident, and then so grateful for Georgia’s sweet, steady company, that he’d become sloppy and careless. She’d talked him into wine, though he didn’t need much convincing, and they’d been sitting so close that when she had turned her bright face up toward him like some night-blooming flower, the moonlight reflecting in her hazel eyes, her red lips parted just so…he’d been overtaken by an absolutely unstoppable need to find out what she tasted like.
    He stretched in his bed, thinking about that kiss, and felt himself getting achingly aroused all over again. Perhaps it was the fact he hadn’t touched a woman in such a long time, but from the second his lips met hers, his body had been throbbing with a strength that shook him still.
    He groaned and rolled out of bed. He did not have time for this. They had forfeited the game yesterday, so they were that much farther from the Del Campo Cup. He had to get to practice. The last thing he needed right now was to lose his focus. Thank God, he told himself as he pulled on his riding gear, that she’d had a cooler head than his, that she’d stopped things before they’d gone too far. Their return to the clinic had been excruciatingly awkward but at least professionalism had been restored. He pulled on his shirt, and the memory of her hands on the base of his neck, pulling him into an ever deeper kiss, welled up again. He felt his entire body tense and go hard. He shook his head violently, attempting to dislodge the vision. Damn it. This would not do. He needed to ride.
    *  *  *
    Alejandro drove to the barn and put himself through the paces for a good four-hour stretch, until he was soaked in sweat and felt barely able to walk. Still, no matter how hard he pushed himself, every time he closed his eyes, Georgia appeared before him—her mouth, her curls, her eyes, the curve of her breasts, the swell of her hips, her hands, her smile—it was maddening.
    He was relieved to have a real distraction when Hendy showed up, waving him over to the side of the field.
    “We need to talk,” said Hendy. Alejandro swung off his horse and started to lead the mare back to the stables. Hendy walked alongside him. “Considering what happened last night, I assume you have no objections to the fact that I fired Dr. Evan this morning, and I damn near fired Gustavo, too. They were both stinking drunk and totally incapacitated. It was a serious breach of their responsibilities.”
    Alejandro fought a wave of irritation. He’d been preparing to do the same thing, but he’d hoped to find another vet first. Dr. Gustavo followed them up from Argentina every year and did not have a license to practice in the United States, so they needed an American vet to prescribe medications.
    “It’s late in the season to find a replacement,” said Alejandro.
    “I know, but by God, we could hardly keep him on after we almost lost our best pony. We were just lucky that lady vet was there—what was her name again?”
    “Georgia,” said Alejandro. “Georgia Fellowes.”
    “Yes, that’s right. A bit odd, eh? But obviously knows her stuff. You know anything else about her?”
    I know that her mouth tastes like wine and plums. I know that when her skin touches mine, we burn together…
    He shrugged. “I believe she’s returning to New York in a few days.”
    Hendy nodded. “Ah, too bad. Well, we’ll have to put the call out. I swear, it was only out of respect for your father that I kept Gustavo on, but damned if I’ll let him choose the next vet. We need to find someone capable, and we need to find them fast, my friend.”
    “Agreed.”
    *  *  *
    Georgia dove into the pool. She and Billy had laughed about her adventures that morning, but