The Price of Honor by Emilie Rose

she wanted to prove she was perfect for him.
    Golf carts, some privately owned, some rented from the onsite vendor, zipped past, making their way toward the tent kingdom ahead, which housed owners, exhibitors, dignitaries and upscale vendors selling everything from jewelry to tack to gourmet dog biscuits.
    â€œWhen I was a child I believed the show grounds resembled something from the Arabian Nights, with each stable having its own brightly colored drapes and awnings. But that’s where the fairy tale stopped. I never dreamed of a prince. I always dreamed of the perfect horse.”
    Xavier’s hand enclosed hers and he gave her an indulgent smile. Megan’s pulse skipped. She rested her cheek against his shoulder as she’d done a thousand times before, then she remembered they weren’t on hand-holding terms anymore. Not yet anyway. She straightened and tried to pull free, but he held fast, tugging her against his lean, hard body as a cart passed too close.
    â€œCareful, chérie. ”
    Falling back into their old relationship, into his arms and his bed would be so easy. But that was plan B. “I should probably swing by the exhibitor tent to check on Tim. This is his first big show. He’s probably a nervous wreck.”
    â€œTim is in the capable hands of the stable’s equestrian team. He is fine. You are here as an owner this time, Megan, not an exhibitor. You will stay with me.”
    â€œI’m here as an owner only because you paid the exorbitant entry fees for my horses.”
    â€œAs you have said, you cannot devalue the animals by removing them from competition.”
    â€œBut three thousand per horse—”
    â€œIt is done. We have reached our first event of the evening.” He stopped in front of a massive white-and-cobalt tent. The entrance was an intricately designed flower garden complete with a gurgling water fountain, twinkling lights and a violinist to welcome the new arrivals. “Smile, mon amante. No woman here can possibly be as beautiful as you tonight.”
    When he looked at her like he wanted her— only her—she melted a little and her carefully constructed strategies blurred. “Thank you.”
    He withdrew an embossed ivory invitation from his pocket and handed it to the tuxedoed guard. The man checked his list then waved them through. Megan scanned the crowd, spotting at least four movie stars, a presidential candidate and the TV chef she’d been watching late at night when she couldn’t sleep.
    Their hostess, a blonde beauty who’d recently inherited a world-renowned jewelry company, left a fashion icon behind to greet them.
    â€œXavier, darling, it’s good to see you stateside again. I’m so glad you could come to my little soiree,” she said before kissing him full on the mouth. When she withdrew she lingered over wiping her lipstick from his lips until Xavier adroitly maneuvered out of reach by pulling Megan forward.
    The woman’s gaze chilled substantially when she focused on Megan. “I hear congratulations are in order. Is this your fiancée?”
    An icy splash of humiliation washed over Megan.
    Xavier stiffened almost imperceptibly. If his arm hadn’t been pressed against her she wouldn’t have noticed. “ Non. Renee, may I present Megan Sutherland? She has been riding my horses and her own on the European Circuit. Quite successfully.”
    The woman’s exquisitely made-up eyes reassessed Megan and dismissed her as if a lowly equestrian were beneath her notice. “Are you riding tomorrow?”
    â€œNo. I’m taking the rest of the season off to help my cousin plan her wedding. One of our up-and-coming riders will be competing on the horses.”
    Xavier’s palm branded on Megan’s spine. “Megan has generously agreed to act as trainer and assist him.”
    â€œHow kind of you,” Renee said in a saccharine tone that implied she couldn’t