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Over the next two hours, everyone ate, drank, and laughed to their heart’s content, relishing their win and basking in each other’s relaxed company. It was a nice change of pace from the hectic months of training and preparation for the day’s race. The stress of the past few weeks began to show as everyone began to sag under the pleasurable weight of tired muscles, full bellies, and the lingering satisfaction of Another Round’s impressive performance.
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but me and Earl are calling it a night,” Frankie said, standing with a groan.
Brooks and Lee stood as well, rounding the large dining room table to assist Earl out of his dining chair and into a standing position. The day’s exertions had worn him out and it showed in his heavy-lidded gaze and slow movements.
“Do you need help getting back to your room?” Brooks asked as he helped Earl take a few steps to stretch his legs.
Earl waved a hand in the air. “No, thanks. I’m good so long as I have Frankie.”
Frankie glanced at the opposite side of the table where Cheyenne sat, the teen’s eyes growing heavy as well. “Come on, Cheyenne. It’s time you turned in, too. We’ll escort you up to your room.”
Cheyenne made a face, glancing at Jo. “But I’m not tired yet and besides, I’m sharing a room with Jo and she’s staying. I could stay with her and come up later.”
“Oh, no.” Jo, seated beside Cheyenne, nudged her gently with her elbow. “You’ve had a long day and need some rest. Plus, I’m feeling a good night’s sleep calling my name, too. It won’t be long before I head back up to our room.”
Cheyenne begged once more to stay in the private dining room but didn’t put up as much resistance as she normally did. Exhaustion got the better of her, provoking a yawn in the middle of her protests.
After Frankie, Earl, and Cheyenne had left to make their way back, Nancy and Lee were next to cry off, offering one more round of congratulatory hugs to Brooks and Jo before saying their good nights and retiring to their separate hotel rooms for the night.
“Are you totally worn out or do you think you have it in you to join me for a short walk?” Brooks asked, smiling at Jo.
She stood, tossed her napkin on the dining table, and held out her hand. “Lead on, sir.”
They made their way outside and strolled across the immaculate grounds of the five-star hotel to a small clearing away from the garish lights of the parking lot and surrounding buildings. It was late but the spring breeze was warm, the stars shined brightly overhead, and the scent of honeysuckle lingered on the air.
A soft murmur of pleasure left Jo’s lips as she squeezed his hand and pressed closer to his side. “It’s a beautiful night.”
“As perfect as they come,” Brooks said. He wove his fingers between hers more tightly, relishing the firm press of her palm against his own, and smiled as pleasure buzzed in his veins. “I have to admit, I feel like a lovestruck teen, standing here with you, fresh off a winning race, snuggling under the stars.”
She faced him, drawing closer as she released his hand and pressed her palms against the center of his chest. “Lovestruck, hmm?” Those gorgeous eyes of hers gazed up at him, a yearning light in them as she studied his mouth. “Are you trying to say you feel something more than neighborly friendship for me?”
Chuckling, he covered her hands with his and lowered his head, skimming a kiss across her forehead. “You could say that.”
She closed her eyes at the feel of his mouth against her skin, then looked up at him again, a hopeful light in her eyes. “So, things have changed?”
He stared down at her, taking time to admire the play of moonlight in her hair, on her pink lips and flushed cheeks. “What do you mean?”
She blinked up at him, expectation in her gaze. “Another Round has won the Derby and our business is done, so I’m hoping we can focus on other things now.” Her palms drifted over his chest, making warm circles that radiated pleasurably over his skin beneath his dress shirt. “Things like each other.”
Need and want flared in his gut. He leaned forward, nudging his leg between hers, cupping her delicate jaw and smoothing his thumbs over her tempting mouth. His blood pounded in his veins, roaring in his ears, raising a heady sense of longing within him to touch, to taste . . .
“Things like going home,” she whispered. “Returning to Lone Oaks Crossing, putting all of this behind us, and starting fresh. Building something new.”
His thumbs stilled against her lips, her warm breath tickling his skin as he blinked, trying to focus on her words. “Put what behind us?”
“This.” She lifted one finger from his chest, gesturing toward the hotel and parking lot in the distance. “The traveling. The competition. The need for retribution.” Her brows rose as she stared up at him. “You’ve won, Brooks. Your plan worked, and Another Round walked away from the Derby a winner. You can relax now. You’ve got all the power and prestige you could want in the racing world. Every door is open to you professionally. You can let the past go now and start over. And I’m hoping you’ll choose to do that”—her fingers stroked the base of his neck—“with me.”
Gut clenching, Brooks closed his eyes, gathered her hands between his, and stepped back. “There’s nothing I want more than to be with you, Jo, but—”
“But what?” Her gaze, wounded, held his. “You said a win at the Derby might change things. That you might be able to let this feud with Spencer go and turn your attention elsewhere.”
He shook his head. “I can’t do that, Jo.” A helpless breath left his lips. “The Derby win means Another Round has a shot at the Triple Crown. All he needs to do is win the Preakness Stakes in two weeks and then the Belmont two weeks after that. As long as we keep his workout routine the same as before and prepare him well, he’s in prime position to take both.”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“He will.”
“There’s no guarantee that once he hits the track, he’ll leave it safely.” She removed her hands from his and stepped back as well. The spring breeze rushed in, rustling her peach dress against her slender form, highlighting the distance between them. “That’s where we lost Sweet Dash, and I’m not willing to risk Another Round’s safety again. Are you? Are you willing to risk his well-being just to prove a point? You’ve earned your place among the elite, and your family name will be well-known now for a positive reason. Why not end it now while you’re ahead? Take Another Round home, let him rest, and give him a new, peaceful retirement to run at ease where he’s happy. You wanted the Derby, and you’ve won it. What more do you need?”
