Chompin' at the Bit (Horse Play #2) Read Online Free PDF

my attention back to him.
    “No, it’s okay. Honestly, I figured as much. I get it,” I assured him.
    When the bartender finally approached us, Jensen leaned in and asked for two glasses of champagne as I surveyed the room again. Paranoia had set in since meeting Lilah, and I had to wonder if any of these women were Kaylie. There were a few that I could have seen Jensen with; tall and gorgeous, some blond, some brunette.
    A champagne flute appeared in front of me as Jensen leaned up against my back and whispered in my ear. “She’s not here. I honestly don’t think she’ll show tonight.”
    “I wasn’t—” I cut myself off as I turned around and met Jensen’s knowing eyes. “Okay, so maybe I was. Can you really blame me, though?”
    Chuckling he leaned down and kissed me. “No, I suppose not. Come on,” he said, looking over my head. “My parents are waving us over.”
    “One more drink first,” I said, bringing my glass to my lips.
    “One more? You haven’t even—” I tipped the glass in a very unladylike fashion and downed it, hoping to drown my nerves after the way Lilah greeted me. “Okay then.” Laughing as I polished off my drink, Jensen turned back to the bartender and asked for one more. When I had it in my possession, he replaced his hand on my lower back and led me toward the far end of the large restaurant where his parents stood amongst a sea of people.
    “Jensen!” his mother exclaimed, hugging her son. “And Madison. Oh, you look stunning.” She pulled me into her arms and held me, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes and absorb this moment. I could feel a slight burn in my eyes as I fought back tears, and I clenched them tighter to keep them from falling. The way she embraced me was overwhelming emotionally; it was how a mother would hug.
    My mother died when I was two, so I didn’t remember much about her. There were a few things that came to me in flashes, but I can’t really be sure if they’re memories or dreams. Throughout my childhood, I was close with Willow’s mom, and she always treated me like a daughter. But for some reason this just felt different.
    Her hand came up and smoothed my hair, almost knowing what affect this had on me. Thankfully, it helped and I was able to gather my composure and release her. “Dr. Davis, it’s great to see you again.”
    “Madison, please, call me Janet,” she encouraged, slipping her arm through mine and ushering me away from Jensen. I panicked, but only briefly until I turned and saw him and his father flanking us as we made our way to a large nearby table with ten chairs around it. “How was your drive in?”
    “Um, it was good. It seemed to go by quick enough,” I said, taking my seat to her left as Jensen sat on my other side, and his dad on Janet’s right.
    “How is your room?” she asked, sipping her champagne.
    “It’s great, Mom. Thanks again. Let me know if I can offer anything toward it,” Jensen said from behind me.
    Janet dismissed his offer by waving her hand. “Nonsense, darling.”
    As we sat and spoke, I hadn’t realized my second drink had disappeared, but Jensen made sure I had another waiting. I could feel the dull tingle in my arms and legs as the alcohol started to take effect, and I found myself a little more social, always contributing something to the conversation. Occasionally, I’d glance over at Jensen and he would be smiling from ear to ear at me before leaning in and pressing his lips to my temple. Of course, just like every time his lips touched any part of my body, my mind went elsewhere.
    I turned my body to him and smiled lazily. “Hey,” I whispered, placing my hand on his knee.
    “Hello,” he responded with a smile of his own. “How are you feeling?”
    “Ummm,” I contemplated for far too long—a sure indication that I was well on my way to drunksville. “Pretty good, actually.” I was trying really hard to annunciate every syllable that tumbled out of my mouth. “Though