“Leaving so soon?”

Hot prickles ran over Emerson as she plastered on a smile and turned. “Finley.” She let out a shaky laugh. “What’re you doing out here?”

He shoved a hand in his pocket as he leaned against the car parked beside her BMW, a casual smile sliding over his lips like he had all the time in the world. “The question is … what’re you doing here?”

Great! Just what she needed! It had been hard enough to get away from her mama’s all-seeing eye. And just when she thought she was in the clear … this! “Oh, you know” … she swallowed “… just headed to visit a friend.” Time was ticking away. She had to get her horse Clover ready for the race.

His eyebrow slid up in amusement. “In the middle of your parents’ barbecue?”

“I figured they were so preoccupied with Graham and his announcement that they wouldn’t miss me.” She hated the resentful tone in her voice. Emerson was proud of Graham and his accomplishments, she really was. Granted, he was taking a totally different path than her, but diversity was what made the world go round. What Emerson couldn’t tolerate was the condescending look Mama flashed her right when the announcement was made, the one that said, Why can’t you be more like your brother? Graham was the golden boy, while she was the pariah. She’d worn the stupid green dress, tried her best to be cordial to Finley. And look where it got her … out here in the parking lot, trying to figure out a diplomatic way to get away from him.

“Your parents might not miss you, but I will,” he said, his soft brown eyes searching her face.

She cringed at his hopeful expression not knowing how to answer. Finley must’ve taken her silence as permission to go a step further because he closed the distance between them. She tensed when he touched her hair.

“Emerson, I don’t have to tell you how I feel about you.” The words came out breathy like he had to push them out before he lost the nerve to say them. “We could ditch the party. I can have the jet fueled and ready to go on my word. There’s this amazing sushi place in Manhattan. We can go there tonight.”

It was irritating how Finley always dropped hints about money. Maybe it was his way of reminding her that his family had achieved billionaire status whereas her family were only millionaires. Or it could be a subtle hint that she’d better toe the line so the merger would go through. Whatever his reasons, she didn’t like it.

She chuckled, a high-pitched sound that was at odds with the light breeze ruffling their clothes. “I have to go or I’ll be late,” she said as kindly as she could. Talk about being backed in a corner. Finley was growing bolder as time wore on, making it harder to evade him.

Hurt flashed in his eyes, but it vanished in the wake of his smile. “To visit your friend?”

“Yeah.”

He brought his lips together in a straight line as he studied her. She wondered if she should tell him straight out that she wasn’t interested in him romantically, save them both the trouble. Finley was all the things her mama listed and Emerson could add a dozen more enticing qualities—kind, funny, smart among them. Why in the heck was she not attracted to him? Maybe she was the problem. She wanted a storybook romance. To be swept off her feet. To fall head-over-heels in love. And she didn’t want money or obligation to be factors.

“Okay,” he finally said. “I won’t keep you from your appointment.”

“Thanks,” she murmured, glad she wouldn’t have to flat-out reject him right now. Things could go on as they had. Her mama would be appeased and Finley would eventually get the message. Maybe by then, he’d find someone else.

“Good luck tonight, Starr.”

“Thanks,” she said automatically, then stopped, her heart lurching. Crap! Her knees suddenly felt weak as she leaned back against the car for support. “You know?” Her mind whirled. “How long have you known?” This was bad.

Finley could do a lot of damage with that information. She’d tried to keep the racing on the down-low, only participating in smaller events that would go under the radar. And she wore a heck of a lot more makeup so she’d look nothing like the high society girl she really was. She figured out of context, she was just another racer.

He shrugged. “Let’s just say, I felt it wise to get to know the person I’m going to marry.”

For a second, she was floored, then her eyes narrowed, indignation burning through her. “Did you have me followed?”

A cocky grin curved his lips. “Maybe.”

She thought about slapping him, but shoved him instead. “I don’t appreciate you keeping tabs on me. I get enough of that from Mama and don’t need it from you.”

He held up his hands. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know it would be such a big deal. Sheesh. There was a time when we were close enough that you would’ve told me yourself.”

She sidestepped his jab. “Well, it’s a big deal to me.” She glared at him. “I’m not your property.”

“I know that.”

“Good,” she shot back, lifting her chin. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a race to get ready for.”

“Look, I understand your need to let your hair down, sow a few wild oats before you settle down.”

She let out an incredulous laugh. In that one sentence, she understood why she could never be with Finley Landers or anyone like him. “Is that what you think this is? A last hurrah before I become the dutiful debutante my mama’s determined to pigeonhole me into?” Her voice rose but she didn’t care.

Uncertainly clouded his eyes. “What else could it be?” He shook his head. “You’re a Stein, born to privilege. You have a reputation to uphold.” He lowered his voice. “Think about how it will look for Graham if word gets out that you’ve been traipsing around some rodeo. Is that what you want? To embarrass your family? You should at least tell your parents what you’re doing so they hear it from you.”

“Seriously? You make it sound like I’m a streetwalker. Well, I’ve got news for you, buddy. There’s nothing wrong with barrel racing. And the fact that you think there is … well, that’s the very reason the two of us will never be together.”

His face drained. “What’re you saying?”

She looked him in the eye. “Do I have to spell it out for you?”

His eyes hardened. “No, I think I got the message loud and clear.”

“So, what now? Are you gonna run to my parents and tell them everything you know?”

“Do you really have so little faith in me? I’ve always had your best interest at heart. I love you,” he uttered.

She wasn’t sure how to answer. Regret pinged through her. She didn’t want to ostracize Finley. They were friends, after all. Her shoulders sagged. “Look, I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”

He just looked at her. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he nodded. “I know.”

“Does that mean you’re not going to tell my parents about the racing?”

A peculiar light came into his eyes. “On one condition.”

She stiffened. “What’s that?”

“You give me a kiss.”

Her insides recoiled. “You’re joking, right?”

“Nope, I’m dead serious.”

“But I just told you I don’t care about you that way.” When his face fell, she realized she’d not said it in those exact words. But that was the inference.

He hitched his smile back up. “I know what you said, but things can change.”

She rubbed a hand across her forehead. “Not likely, Finley.” She hated to dash his last hopes, but was tired of pretending. Merger or no merger, she had to be above-board. At the end of the day, her daddy and Finley’s would have to separate business from personal matters. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if the merger didn’t take place. So what if they didn’t become billionaires? Most people could only dream of achieving the wealth and status Emerson’s family had. Her mama would have to be happy with her millions … and her barrel racing daughter.

He stepped closer, his eyes going to her lips. “One kiss is all I ask. That’s the price of my silence,” he said firmly.

Eventually, it would all hit the fan and her parents would find out about the racing and stage name. But she didn’t want that to happen tonight. “Fine,” she said rolling her eyes.

He slid his arms around her, pressing his lips to hers.

She’d thought she might feel something as she forced her mouth to respond to his. His lips were warm and smooth, patient even. The kiss wasn’t unpleasant. Finley seemed to know what he was doing.

When the kiss was over, he flashed a confident smile. “Thanks.”

She nodded.

“Good luck tonight. I’ll see ya around.” He winked. “I’m sure our families will find lots of excuses to keep putting us together.”

“I just told you that I’m not interested in you that way,” she grumbled. Geez. Couldn’t the guy get a hint?

“Yeah, that’s what you said, but your lips spoke otherwise.”

She had to keep from laughing in his face. Had they shared the same kiss?

“I’m not giving up on you, Emerson. You’ll come around, I know it.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” she retorted, but he only laughed.

She got in her car, shaking her head. There was persistence and then there was crazy. At this point she wasn’t sure which of those two Finley Landers was. At least he wouldn’t divulge her secret … for now. Sheesh. Things were getting more complicated by the minute. She didn’t like the fact that Finley had her followed, certainly didn’t like that he’d blackmailed her into kissing him. Maybe she’d underestimated Finley Landers, assumed he was still the guileless friend from her youth. But there was a reason the Landers were such a formidable family. They hadn’t gotten where they were by taking no for an answer. Well, Finley would just have to get used to disappointment. There was no way under the sun she was ending up with him.

When she drove out the ranch entrance, she breathed a sigh of relief, putting the unpleasantness behind her. The setting sun streaked long pink and orange ribbons across the deep blue sky. Tonight was a night for riding. A night for freedom! She’d be darned if she let Finley Landers or anyone else keep her from becoming the person she wanted to be.

This was her life, and she was determined to live it her way! On her terms!