Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Adrian moved to stand beside me, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body. He reached out to pat Stella’s neck, his arm brushing against mine. I flinched away from the contact. I didn’t want to be close to him, I couldn’t bear it… not after…
The mare made a sound and I jumped back in surprise.
“Skittish, aren’t you?” he observed, his voice low and amused.
I glared up in response.
“How adorable,” he purred.
“I’m not skittish,” I retorted, straightening my spine. “I just don’t appreciate being ambushed at every turn by you and I am especially cautious around people who have given me reason to be.”
“And what reason have I given you, Princess?” His voice dropped lower, more intimate. “Our little moment in the garden? Or what you witnessed in the wine cellar?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Don’t,” I warned, stepping back. The mare nickered softly behind me. “That’s not something decent people mention.”
“I never claimed to be decent.” His eyes glittered with amusement. “And you didn’t look away. Not immediately. You were curious.”
I hated how easily he could unsettle me, how he seemed to delight in my discomfort. God, he was so loathsome.
I straightened my spine, determined not to let him see how his words affected me. “I came to see the horse Matteo got me, not to be harassed by you.”
Adrian chuckled, the sound dark and rich. “Harassment? Is that what we’re calling conversation now?” He reached past me to stroke Stella’s muzzle, his arm nearly brushing mine. “My brother doesn’t know the first thing about you, does he? Buying you a horse when you’ve never ridden one in your life.”
My eyes widened. “How did you—"
“Your posture, your hesitation. The way you approached her.” His gaze traveled over me, assessing. “You’re afraid of them.”
“I’m not afraid,” I said automatically, though it wasn’t entirely true. These animals were beautiful but intimidating in their size and power. “I’m just... inexperienced.”
“Inexperienced,” he repeated, testing the word like it amused him. “Yes, I imagine that applies to many areas of your life, doesn’t it, Serafina?”
The way he said my name sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine. I crossed my arms over my chest, a futile barrier between us. “That’s none of your business.”
“No?” His voice dropped lower, becoming a dangerous purr. “Tell me, has my brother kissed you the way I have?”
My heart hammered against my ribs. I took a step back, hands in front of me as if to ward him off. The evil in my life.
“Don’t,” I warned, my voice barely a whisper. What if Mason could hear us? “That was a mistake.”
“Was it?” Adrian pushed off the stall and moved toward me with the fluid grace of a predator. Damn him. “You didn’t seem to think so at the time. In fact, I distinctly remember a little whimper—”
“Stop it,” I hissed, my hands trembling. My whole body was hyperaware of his presence, his words… the memories of him. “What happened that night was wrong and it won’t happen again. It will never happen again.”
Why did I stupidly sound like I was trying to convince myself more than him?
Adrian caught my wrist, his touch sending an electric current up my arm. His thumb traced slow circles against my pulse point, which betrayed me by quickening beneath his touch.
“Your mouth says one thing,” he purred. “But your body says something else.”
I tried to pull my hand away, but his hold tightened. Adrian tugged me closer, our chests almost touching and my breath stuttered. My mouth opened, but I couldn’t find any word to reprimand him. My voice betrayed me and I started to find it hard to breathe again.
His presence.
His words echoing in my ears.
It was all so suffocating.
Adrian suddenly released my wrist and stepped back, his eyes still locked on mine. My chest heaved with shallow breaths. The intensity of his gaze made me feel like I was being trapped under water for too long, my lungs burning for oxygen.
“You need to learn how to breathe, Princess.” I waited for it, but there was no mockery in his voice this time.
He turned away and moved toward the massive black stallion, Azrael. With practiced ease, he opened the stall door and led the horse out.
The animal was enormous up close, with muscles rippling beneath its gleaming coat. Adrian ran his hand along its neck, murmuring something too low for me to hear.
Before I could collect my thoughts, Adrian moved with lightning speed. His hands gripped my waist, and suddenly I was airborne.
“What—” The word dissolved into a terrified yelp as Adrian hoisted me onto Azrael’s back. I plopped down on the saddle.
The stallion shifted beneath me, and panic clawed up my throat. No, no, no.
Absolute-fucking-not.
I was too high, too unsteady, and I didn’t know what to hold on to. “Let me down!” I yelped, clutching desperately at the horse’s mane.