Off to the Races (Gold Rush Ranch, #1)

by Elsie Silver

I want Billie Black.

Watching her fall apart all around me must be the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Months of build up, months of feelings, all toppling over into the single most satisfying sexual encounter of my life. I am so fucked.

I feel heat flourish across my cheeks and my heartbeat in my ears. How the hell did she go from writhing beneath me, begging me to fuck her, to having ‘plans’ in a matter of five days?

Shes probably lying since you waited 5 days to ask if she has plans???

But she’s too late. If I am the predator, she is my prey, and I already had a taste I can’t forget. I’m coming back for more, whether or not she realizes it. I’m not tiptoeing around her anymore.

I’m an idiot. Why did I say that? Of course, I don’t have any plans. All I do is fucking work at Vaughn-Fucking-Harding’s fucking farm. I have no social life to speak of.

Knew it

I secretly want him to drive up to my front door, press me against a wall and kiss me breathless. I want to see that manicured facade slip. I want all that testosterone lurking beneath the surface to spill over. I want him to choose me. I want him to work for it.

“Let me redefine that line you keep talking about: you are more than my employee and I am more than your boss. I’m done giving you space that we both don’t want. It’s not at all complicated. You’ll work with me during the day and underneath me at night. Every night. There will be no tiptoeing. There will be no running. There will be no one else.”

Damn daddy

He’s chosen me, and I don’t think that anyone in my entire life has truly chosen me or gone after me when I ran away. And here he is, invading my space in the most delicious way, demanding that I choose him back.

“We’re together, Billie. I don’t care what you name it. It’s like I told you last night.” I look up to her striking face. “You’re what I want.”

Stefan Dalca would have to make me one hell of an offer for me to ever even consider taking that horse away from her.

Yeah not going to happen, she would never forgive you if you sold DD

Vaughn fucked my brains out, but not all of them. So, I didn’t miss the fact that he didn’t actually confirm that DD isn’t for sale. Which is exactly why I held myself from jumping into the deep end with the man.

“When you make shitty fucking decisions, you’ll probably end up in a shitty fucking situation, and you don’t force the people you love to sacrifice themselves for your reputation. It’s unforgivable.”

We sink into each other. Ravenous. Two broken people, damaged by the ones meant to love them the most, finding solace in each other’s arms.

A no-name jockey, a freshman trainer, and a horse that no one wanted to handle. We fucking did it.

Vaughn nods his head tersely and says, “Send me the paperwork.”

You need an assbeat

“Don’t you dare interrupt me. I have some choice words to share with you as well, but I can only handle one spoiled asshole at a time, so you just wait your fucking turn.”

Go tf off sis

All I can see is the utterly broken look on Billie’s face when she heard me accept his offer.

“You really don’t get it, do you? It’s not about selling the horse. It’s about why. This horse just ran his heart out for us and qualified for one of the most prestigious races in the world. He came out of nowhere and overcame a lot of shit to put your beloved farm on the map. But that’s not enough, is it? Because this isn’t about the farm’s reputation. He just put you back on the map, and in return you traded him away on a shady deal.”

Rip him a new one billie

“Hope that knowledge keeps you warm at night because I definitely won’t be.” Her voice is cold as ice when she finishes by saying, “I’m not going to sit pretty on the arm of someone whose dubious decision-making skills are based solely on public perception again. I deserve someone who will choose me. We’re done.”

Woahhh

I put him up on some sort of moral pedestal, so not only did he rip my heart out, but he also added insult to injury by stomping all over it.

Girl he broke my hert too, im literally crying i didnt expect him to take him up on his offer

I drop my hands and look up at the ceiling. “Not the job. This is the best job I’ve ever had. I mean Vaughn. What is it about me that is so undesirable? Why does no one ever choose me? Like really choose me. Even when there’s nothing in it for them. Even when it’s not convenient.”

“I chose you, Billie. And I’d choose you again and again. You’re like a daughter to me. I’m so proud of you. And I can’t speak to your family, and the choices they’ve made. To be frank, they sound like a bunch of assholes.”

I love hers and hanks relationship

“That’s your prerogative, Billie girl. But don’t forget that if you want people to choose you, you’ll have to give them the opportunity. I know you’ve been burned, and I know you don’t trust easily, but you’ll never find what you’re seeking if you’re not at least open to being chosen.”

There’s only one Billie. I love Billie, and I lost her by my actions. She spilled her guts to me about her family. About her feelings. She told me flat out what kind of behavior she couldn’t abide. And then I turned around and did just that.

Asshat

“Hey,” I call out. “Hank, come back for a sec.” A moment later, he pops his head into my office, looking downright grim. “What’s up, Boss?” His hand taps the doorframe. “I… ” My resolve falters. What do I even say here? “I need some advice.”

He grunts in response and narrows his eyes at me. “Let me stop you right there.” He takes a few steps into the room and closes the door behind himself before pinning me with a downright frightening look. “Billie is the closest thing I’ve ever had to a daughter. And she’s out there right now sobbing in that horse’s stall. I know horses move on. Billie does too. But this isn’t about the horse, it’s about you.”

“Listen, Vaughn. I’m proud to work here at Gold Rush Ranch. I respect you. But I love Billie. So right now, watching my girl’s heart break, I can’t say that I like you very much. I’ll get over it. So will she. But you…” He shakes his head solemnly and, “Well, I’m afraid that it’ll be too late when you finally come to your senses, and then she’ll be the one you never get over. All you’ll have left is more money that you don’t need and the memory of a dead man who wanted nothing but the best for you.”

Cole must miss the shell-shocked look on my face because he just carries on berating me, “You’re going to blow the most genuine relationship you’ve had in your entire adult life to stage a coverup?”

“Billie Black might be the most insane and annoying woman I’ve ever met in my life, but at least her moral compass is intact.”

“You tear that contract up and you beg.”

Good brotherly advice cole

“Please note in your programs that number eight is now registered under the name Mister Black.” My mouth goes dry, my tongue like sandpaper. That’s what I’d jokingly told Vaughn I’d name him months ago.

“And the colt is now both owned and trained by Miss Billie Black.”

“I sold him to you,” he says, stepping closer. Like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “I don’t have that kind of money, Vaughn.” He smirks at me, looking cocky. “I found a dollar in your grooming stall. I took that in trade.”

“I love you, Billie. And I’m an idiot. I obviously don’t know much, but I know that both of those statements are true.”

He barks out a disbelieving laugh. “Yes. I love you. I’m pretty sure I’ve loved you since that day you marched onto my farm, dressed me down, and then demanded extra pay for having a great ass.”

“I’ll always choose you, Billie.”