Racing For Love

Chapter Two: Everett

I put on my suit, getting ready for the day ahead of me. It's not often I spend all day in my office, I much prefer being out on the yard with the horses but I have interviews to hold today and office work to catch up on. Interviews are the thing I hate most about running a business. I rarely find anyone that is actually skilled enough to work for me and most applicants are young women, only coming to try and seduce me. Gold diggers, the lot of them.

I choose a dark grey suit with a white shirt and brown shoes and decide against a tie, it feels too formal and I'll only be uncomfortable. I head down to the garage and jump into my Jaguar, I don't feel like being driven around today. 

It's 7am when I arrive at the yard. The stable hands are busy mucking out the stables and feeding the horses, working extra fast when they see me. I quickly make my way down the barn to say good morning to my baby "Big". He is one of the best stallions I have ever owned and our most profitable stud at the moment. He stands at 16'4 hands and he is the darkest shade of black but beneath his impressive appearance he is a big baby. He pops his head out of his stable when he hears me whistle, knowing I'll have a treat for him. Pink ladies are his favourite. He gobbles it up and gives me a nudge before returning to his hay. That goof ball will always have a place in my heart. 

Heading up the stairs to the office I can already smell the overpowering perfume of Crystal, it turns my stomach. Crystal is my secretary, she's great at her job, she's never late and she has become a pro at anticipating my needs, but I wish she would stop trying so hard. I've spent the last two years fighting her off but still every day she wears too much make up, too much perfume and clothes that are too sexy for a secretary in a racing yard. 

After quickly saying good morning I head into my office, avoiding the small talk that Crystal tries to make every day. For as smart as she is I'm surprised she hasn't realised by now that I have absolutely no interest in her. My schedule is packed today and I wonder if I'll even make it home for dinner. I should really do the office work more often to avoid these days or hire someone to do it for me, but I don't trust anyone to do it as well as I will. 

The interviews will take me to noon, I have a meeting with a top breeder at 1pm, a staff meeting at 3pm and then piles of paperwork that will take me til 6pm at least to finish. 

I sip on a coffee while I read over the Resume of my first applicant again. Paige Parker has been horse riding since the age of four, has worked for riding schools, saddlery shops and most recently as a groom for a small dressage team. She's definitely more qualified on paper than the other candidates, but she's probably another one of those gold diggers. 

I still have an hour until she is due so I make a start on some paper work. 

"Mr Colt, Paige Parker is here for her interview." Says Crystal through the intercom. 

Shit, the time completely got away from me. I'm not ready and why did Crystal sound so pissed off? I quickly clear my desk and tell Crystal to bring her through. 

In through the door walks a blonde haired, caramel skinned Goddess. s**t, I was not prepared for this. I never get affected my women like this, they have become such pests to me since I made my fortune. I can never know if someone is interested in me or my money so I just don't bother. But Paige, my God Paige. She's wearing a white shirt that is tucked into a skin tight pencil skirt that sits just above her knees. Her body is a work of art with curves in all the right places. I want to feel her body under mine. Her hair flows like waves of golden honey and her eyes look like the warmest Amber. 

"Hello Mr Colt, my name is Paige, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Her voice pulls me out of my fantasy, it's the sweetest sound I have ever heard. How long was I staring at her? 

"Good Morning Paige." I say, shaking her hand. "Please, have a seat."

I linger on the hand shake, her skin is so soft, I want to feel it against mine. 

"Thank you so much for seeing me today Mr Colt. Horses have always been my passion, and even just getting the chance to be interviewed for this job is an honour."

"I was impressed with your Resume Ms Parker. You have experience as a groom, though not in a place as fast paced as a racing yard. Do you think you would be able to keep up here?"

"Absolutely Sir. I always push myself to be better and I'm a quick learner."

"What makes you think you're good enough to work here, for me? My horses are worth millions of dollars Ms Parker, are you able for such a large responsibility?"

I'm being hard on her. Why am I being a prick to this Goddess that I want to touch and taste? She is clearly taken aback by my question and the cutest shade of pink dances on her cheeks. 

"That's a good question Sir, but the truth is you won't know whether I'm good enough unless you give me a chance. Anyone can feed you lies about being the best, even if they're not, but I won't do that. I believe I'm good enough, I'm willing to learn and I'm not afraid of criticism." 

I have to repress a smile when I hear her answer. It's a good one, but most of all I love how much of a little fire cracker she is. I would love to take her on this table, right here, right now. 

I'm hesitant to hire her, no matter how qualified she may be, I don't mix business and pleasure, and I want to pleasure her more than anything. The thought of being able to see her every day is enticing though and probably clouding my judgement. 

"Alright Ms Parker, you're hired. You can start on Monday." I say, trying to remain cold and hide my desire. 

"W...What? Seriously? What about the other applicants waiting?"

"Would you rather I gave one of them the job?"

"Of course not, I'm...I'm just shocked. Thank you Sir, really, thank you."

"You're welcome Ms Parker. I'll see you on Monday, don't be late and don't f**k it up!"

"I won't, I promise. Goodbye then Mr Colt, have a good day."

I stand and shake her hand once more and I can feel her shaking. I watch her leave and commit the image to my memory. Her hair, her skin, her lips and her curvy body. I know I've just made things harder for myself now. How am I going to resist her every day? I can look but I can't touch. I can't afford for a woman to distract me. My horses are my life and nobody comes before them. 

I buzz Crystal on the intercom.

"Cancel the rest of the interviews, the position has been filled."