Chapter 4 I'll teach you.
Daphne felt so uncomfortable by Jacob's presence.
Layla pinched her husband's arm hard and whined.
"Why didn't you tell us that Jacob would also be here?This will make it hard for Daphne to ask for Griffin's help."
Layla's husband apologized,profusely."I'm sorry,babe.I didn't know.I swear."
Before Daphne could think of turning away,Griffin already caught sight of her.
She swallowed seeing him dressed in a hat,an expensive looking shirt,a pair of breeches and black boots.
He looked so rich and handsome.He was so tall that he stood out among the crowd.
He walked up to them and suddenly pretended not to know Daphne.He only greeted Layla and her husband.
Griffin stole a secret glance at Daphne.
She had such smooth,supple skin,and she had worn clothes that highlighted her good figure.
The tight fitting white T-shirt made her look energetic,while her light grey shorts showcased her perfect long legs.
Her long,wavy brown hair was tied in a neat bun,which added to her charm.Griffin glanced at her long and slender legs and asked,casually.
"And you are?"
Layla's husband,Fredrick decided to make Daphne's presence seem as natural as possible.
"Mr Reyes,this is my wife's college classmate and friend,Miss Daphne Howard,she's a piano teacher."
Griffin chuckled,knowingly.He knew Daphne had followed him here.
"It's nice to meet you,Miss Howard."
With a faint smile on his face.he stretched out his hand like a real gentleman.
Around them,other elite men looked over curiously.When they saw that the beautiful lady was here for Griffin,they were all green with envy.
Someone even commented.
"She's such a beauty."
Daphne was a little inexperienced and had never been in this situation before.Being talked about so openly,she couldn't help but blush and timidly reach out her small hand.
Griffin's big hand shook hers.Then he let go of her hand and said with a charming smile.
"Miss Howard,would you like to go horse riding with me?"
"I…I don't know how to ride a horse."She replied.
He pretended not to hear that and headed for the horse-riding ring,holding her hand.
It was as though he wasn't going to let her go.
Daphne had no choice but to follow him.
Behind her,Jacob stood in the midst of some other men as he watched Griffin and Daphne with a straight face.
"I really don't know how to ride a horse,Mr Reyes."Daphne said,fearfully.
He finally turned to face her.
"Don't worry.I'll teach you.Wait here for me while I get the horse."
Daphne sighed as she watched him walk a horse to the railing
"See, it's not so bad, I promise you won't fall off"He assured and before she could speak,he reached over and wrapped his arms around her waist, plucking her from the railing and onto the horse.
She gasped."Griffin,I....."
"Just relax"He said as he held her slender body in front of his."Now, swing your leg over the saddle... that's it"He coaxed."Just sit down in front of me"
He gave her the saddle and he slipped onto the rump of the horse.
"This is scary!"She exclaimed.
He wrapped his arms around her rib cage, just under her breasts and her body stirred instantly.God!She was going crazy.
"I want to get down"She said, tensely.
"Daphne,you have to know that I won't let anything happen to you"He whispered against her ear inhaling the clean scent of her hair, feeling her softness against him.
'This has to be flirting 101'She thought.
He patted the horse neck.
"Hey,Rex here is a sweet guy, aren't you, buddy?"
The animal raised his head up and whinnied loudly.Despite herself,she laughed and finally relaxed her back against him.
He took the reins and moved closer to her, cuddling her against his chest.Oh!He was enjoying this.
"This is fun"
"It's more fun if you take the reins"He demonstrated how to hold the leather straps."Now, you're in control"
"What do I do?"
"Rex responds to both touch and voice commands,if you move the reins right or left,he'll go in that direction.Make a clicking sound with your tongue and he walks.Kick your heels into his side and he'll take off.Tug on the reins and he'll stop"
"Cowboy"She said, trying to hide a smile.
He snickered."I'm your cowboy for today"
Daphne swallowed, and mentally warned herself not to get too comfortable around him.
He watched her go through the routine.She seemed pretty pleased with herself once she had circled the corral on her own.
"Pretty good for a greenhorn"He commented.
She sucked in a breath."I'd say it's very good for my first time on a horse"She said and looked over her shoulder.
Their eyes met and sealed for a long moment.
She was so close that all he had to do was move his head forward and kiss that tempting mouth of hers.But he didn't.He was trying to figure out what was so intriguing about her.
Damn!
He didn't like this one bit.
Loud claps exploded around them from people.
"Miss Howard is such a fast learner."
"I'll say Mr Reyes taught her well."
The people continued throwing flattering remarks at them.
Griffin seemed to be used to people talking around him like this but Daphne wasn't.
She was a blushing mess.
"Miss Howard,should we go for one more ride?"
Unable to find her voice,Daphne nodded.
They rode the horse around the ring again and people burst into another round of applause.
Griffin waved at them, confidently,he looked so handsome and energetic.
Daphne felt her heart picking up speed.
Today,she had wanted to try and talk to him, to get him to agree to take her father's case but it was as if he was making her forget her motive of being here.
She was finding it so hard to resist his charm.Hell,she wanted to keep riding on this horse with him over and over again.
They all got a break from horse riding to rest and chat at the relaxation center.
Daphne sat beside Griffin.He didn't talk much.Most of the time,he talked about business with the others and occasionally talked about legal affairs, but he barely spoke to her.
Rubbing her temple,Daphne tried to think of a way to get on his good side.She handed him a bottled drink and fresh towel.She attended to him like a loyal maid while he treated her,politely.
At some point,Daphne was pulled into the bathroom by Layla.Layla wanted to gossip with her.
"I didn't expect Mr Reyes to be that way with you.Teaching you how to ride a horse and all.I never thought he had that soft side,he always looks so cold and serious."
Though,Layla found Griffin gesture extremely sweet and adorable at the horse ring but she didn't want her friend to get any ideas because Griffin has never taken a woman seriously.
Daphne patted her shoulder.
"I know your fears.And I'm not getting any ideas at all.He was just being nice at the horse ring.While I just want to make him happy so I can get his help.I know men like him very well and I will not cross the line."Daphne assured her friend.
Layla smiled at her.
Just as they were about to leave the restroom,the door was suddenly kicked open,Jacob strode in.
Before the girls could say anything,he suddenly pushed Daphne against the wall.
Layla quickly tried to pull him away from her,defensively.
"Let go of her,you bastard!"She thundered.
But Jacob was a lot more stronger than the girls.
He shoved Layla out of the restroom and locked the door from the inside.
Layla pounded on the door, furiously.
"What the hell do you think you're doing,Jacob?!Open the door!Don't you dare hurt her!"
Jacob turned to face Daphne,he was boiling with anger.
He had expected her to succumb to his wishes by now.
Instead she had a man like Griffin all over her!
That was unacceptable.