CHAPTER FOUR - CAROLINE
Dean worked on Fridays, so I knew exactly where I was going to be that day. We’d only seen each other in passing since our almost-kiss in the barn. I tried to talk to him but his boss always appeared at his side or my mother popped up behind me. It felt like the universe was conspiring to keep us apart but I didn’t care. Today was Friday and I was going to see him.
As I parked in the club’s parking lot, I immediately began to scan the area for Dean. I’d never felt so excited about a guy before. Usually, I was desperate to just get away from them. With Dean, I longed to be near him, to see his blue eyes lock on mine. There was something about him that drew me in like a magnet, and it was both incredibly exciting and frightening all at once.
“Miss Michaelson!” I spun around at the sound of my name. Trevor, the manager of the barn and grounds, was hurrying toward me.
“Hello, Trevor,” I said with a polite smile. “How are you today?”
“I’m doing just fine, Miss Michaelson,” Trevor said. “I saw you coming and realized I didn’t have your name down for a ride today. Was that an oversight?”
“Oh no,” I said, waving my hand. “I’m not here to ride. Just to enjoy the nice weather.”
“Very good,” Trevor said with a nod. “Well, I’ll leave you to it.”
“Thank you.” I smiled again and watched as Trevor hurried away.
I sighed and slowly followed him toward the barn. The last thing I needed was for word to get back to my parents that I was hanging around the stables for no reason. If Trevor suspected anything, he would be sure to whisper in my father’s ear with the hope of getting a nice handout for his trouble. I rolled my eyes at the thought as I rounded the corner and stepped in front of the barn.
My eyes immediately fell on Dean. He was spraying down a horse, the water ricocheting off the animal and hitting his face and shirt. I swallowed hard as I watched. Dean’s shirt was white and now, completely transparent. From where I stood, I could see the outline of every single one of his muscles. My mouth was dry and I felt my stomach clench with desire.
Shaking myself, I slowly walked over to him.
“Hey there,” I said.
Dean looked around and when his eyes fell on my face, he grinned widely and turned off the water hose.
“Miss Caroline,” he said with a sarcastic bow. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“Just going for a walk,” I said, shrugging. “Thought I’d stop in to see the horses.”
“The horses?” Dean raised his eyebrows.
“Among other things,” I said playfully, my eyes scanning his chest.
“Well, since you’re here…” he said, trailing off. He looked down at the water hose in his hands and held it out to me.
“You want me to help?” I asked with a laugh.
“Unless you don’t want to mess up your flawless outfit,” Dean said, glancing down at my body. I felt my cheeks flush from his attention.
His eyes contained a challenge that I refused to back down from. I grabbed the hose from him and turned toward the animal with authority. This wouldn’t be the first time I’d cooled down a horse, nor would it be the last. Still, I enjoyed the impressed look that crossed Dean’s face when I showed that I knew what I was doing.
“You’re a natural,” Dean said. “You’ve got this handled. I think I’ll go take my break now.”
I spun around and pointed the hose right at Dean. The water washed over his face, soaking his hair and dripping over his already wet shirt. He laughed and lunged for me, grabbing the hose from my hand and quickly turning it off.
“Not funny,” Dean said, though he was fighting back laughter as he spoke.
“On the contrary,” I said. “Very funny.”
Dean shook his hair, spraying me with water and making me giggle. I jumped away from him to avoid getting sprayed. Just then we’d been joined by someone I knew all too well.
“What’s this?” Eric Vanderwalt asked as he stepped purposefully between Dean and me.
“Hello, Eric,” I said with a sigh. “This is Dean. Dean, this Eric Vanderwalt.”
“Hey,” Dean said with a nod. Eric just eyed him with poorly masked disdain before turning his attention to me.
“Can I escort you to the dining room, Caroline?” Eric asked.
“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not here for lunch.”
“I see,” Eric said, glancing at Dean. “Well, I’m heading along the trail in a few minutes. Would you care to join me?”
“Maybe another time,” I said.
I tried to keep my voice light and polite but Eric was already wearing on my nerves. It was obvious his only reason for extending the invitation was to get me away from Dean. I knew my parents had been talking with the Vanderwalts about pairing Eric and me for the summer, but I had no interest in indulging their wish.
“You know,” Eric said, taking a step toward me. “It wouldn’t do any good if anyone sees you hanging around here, Caroline. People will talk.”
“Oh?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “And what will they say?”
“That Caroline Michaelson was seen fraternizing with the help,” Eric said boldly. Dean was standing right behind him and heard every word Eric spoke.
I felt my face flush with rage. Dean, however, stood stoically, his expression betraying nothing.
“Well, Eric,” I said firmly. “I think I can handle myself, but I appreciate your concern.”
“You deserve much more, Caroline,” Eric said loudly.
“I’m not interested,” I said, staring Eric down. “At all.”
Eric’s cheeks burned red and his eyes narrowed darkly. He considered me for a few seconds before he stepped around me.
“You’d do well to rethink that decision,” Eric said. “Otherwise, you might regret it one day.”
“I think I’ll be okay,” I said without looking at him.
“I’ll give you a few days to change your mind,” Eric said with an arrogant tone. I shook my head and listened to his receding footsteps.
When I raised my eyes to meet Dean’s calm gaze, the sight took me by surprise. I was so angry with Eric for insulting Dean that I was ready to slap him across his cocky face but Dean barely seemed to notice.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said softly.
“That guy is an insecure fuckwad. I know his type. I normally would have taught him a good lesson, but I’ve got more important things to focus my energy on,” Dean said as he looked at me with the sexiest smile. He then motioned for me to follow him inside the barn. I walked slowly behind him until we reached a small alcove behind the stables. He gestured for me to sit down while he grabbed a towel to dry himself off.
My head was still full of Eric’s harsh words. I was ashamed that I associated with people like him. I wanted to make sure Dean knew I wasn’t anything like Eric, that I was different.
“He shouldn’t have said those things,” I said. “I’m sorry he—”
“Caroline,” Dean said firmly. “People like him don’t bother me.”
“They don’t?” I asked.
“Not at all.” Dean shrugged.
I smiled. Dean was right for not losing his cool. People like Eric meant nothing. They were just insecure, arrogant assholes who didn’t deserve the time of day. Knowing Dean didn’t care what Eric thought eased my mind and soon, I was back to simply enjoying my time with him.
We sat together for a few minutes while Dean took a much-needed break. When I looked at his face, I saw bags under his eyes that looked to be days old. His eyes themselves were rimmed bright red and every few minutes, he stifled a yawn.
“So,” I said. “My parents are leaving tonight around seven and they’ll be gone the entire weekend.”
“Oh?” Dean asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “It’s my first weekend all alone, so I thought—”
“I’ll be there when I get off work,” Dean said without pause.
I grinned. “Perfect.”
We wasted a little time talking about different things. Dean told me how he heard about the job at the club and I told him about my plans for college. By the time his break ended, I knew it was time for me to get home. If Dean was going to come over later, I wanted to be prepared.
My heart was pounding at the thought of being completely alone with him. I gave him my address, and we said goodbye.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he said.
He winked and slowly walked away. I shook myself and hurried toward my car, my legs shaking with desire. When I finally made it back home, I couldn’t think of anything other than how badly I wanted Dean’s lips on mine. There was a streak in my panties that told me just how badly I wanted him.
As I took my shower that evening, I imagined how it would feel to be with Dean. I’d never been with anyone before and I could feel my nerves flare up. I decided that I should probably try and relieve some of my own tension so I wasn’t so damn nervous.
I reached into my nightstand drawer and pulled out my vibrator. I lay on my bed and spread my legs wide, imagining what it would feel like to have Dean between them.