Arthor: Aris Whittier
Michael stumbled through the door and dropped his duffel bag to the floor; it was after four in the morning, and he had driven all night to get home. Running a hand through his hair, he hauled his stiff body up the stairs to his bedroom. The meeting with Windward Stables had taken a day longer than he had anticipated. However, he had won the contract and that was all that mattered. He would be the official trainer for the majority of their herd for the next five years. His entire body ached from the six-hour drive, but a little smile of satisfaction found its way to his lips.
In his room, he slumped to the cedar chest and began tugging off his boots, tossing them at the closet door. Then he peeled off his socks and left them in a heap by the chest. Standing, he slid out of the snug jeans and dropped the faded material on top of the socks. Finally he pulled the wrinkled T-shirt over his head and looked at the inviting bed before him.
But then a subliminal thought kicked in: he didn’t have time to sleep. Only enough time to shower, change, and get some breakfast before his crew arrived. Wearily, he stepped out of his briefs and went into the bathroom. A cool shower would consume any and all thoughts of sleep.