Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
I smiled when the radio came on and my favorite country music station was playing. Lainey Wilson sang about whirlwinds as we cut through the busy roads. It wasn’t until we made our way out of the city that I turned to Jasper. “Okay, this is getting ominous,” I joked.
Jasper smirked and put his hand on my thigh. It was a little thing, a small sign of affection, but it was one of my favorites. “You’re onto me, Angel. I’m taking you to my secret château that has a sex dungeon, where I’m going to tie you up and have my wicked way with you.”
I squeezed my thighs together. “Don’t promise me a good time and not deliver, baby.”
Jasper laughed, and when city limits gave way to rolling fields, we made a right turn. We were entering a horse farm—an expensive one, if the outbuildings were anything to go by. “I have literally no idea what’s happening,” I said, but Jasper, maddeningly, kept silent.
When we stopped, Leon was waiting for us outside of an arena. I waved at my trainer. I looked to Jasper for answers, but he was getting out of the car, then opened the passenger door for me.
“Hallie,” he said, offering his hand. It was clear he wasn’t going to tell me what was happening either, so I just kept my mouth closed and waited for it all to be revealed.
“Jasper, Hallie,” Leon greeted. There was a playfulness to his expression too, and nerves began building within me. “Let’s go,” Leon said, leading us through the pedestrian door of a truly impressive indoor arena. I flinched under the bright overhead lights after having been inside the dark car for so long; as my vision cleared, I could see the arena filled with a Grand Prix–level jumping course. It was expertly designed and, judging by Leon’s smug expression, I knew it was he who had set this up.
“Okaaaay,” I said, “I’m suitably confused, so can you please . . .” My words trailed off to nothing when a large door at the end of the ring slid open to reveal Golden Oaks’ Benjamin leading a huge, bright-gray stallion. My heart leapt to my throat as they approached.
“Henry,” I whispered.
I whipped my head to Jasper and said, “You’re joining the circuit?” To say I was excited was an understatement. He was going to ride with us, by our side?
Jasper stood in front of me and cupped my cheeks. I searched his face for an answer, but he shook his head, making me more perplexed than ever. “I’m not joining the circuit.” Jasper pointed to Henry, who was now standing behind him. Every time I saw this stallion, I was awestruck. Jasper nodded in the direction of his prize horse. “Henry is.”
“I . . . I . . .” I went to ask what the hell that meant, when some light bulb went off inside my head. I glanced down at my riding gear, and my hat in my hand. “No,” I whispered.
“Hallie Oakley,” Jasper said, holding my hand tightly in his. “Will you do me the honor of riding my horse?”
I was having an out-of-body experience, I was sure of it. No, I’d fallen asleep in the tub and was drowning, hallucinating as I did. They could be the only explanation for what was happening right now.
“This isn’t real,” I said, meeting Henry’s dark eyes over Jasper’s shoulder. He stood still and proud, like the king of horses he was.
Jasper chuckled at my reaction. Leon and Ben led Henry toward the mounting block, giving Jasper and me some privacy.
I met Jasper’s eyes that were already locked on mine. “I can’t ride Henry, Jasper. He’s yours.”
“Hallie,” he said, but I was still shaking my head. I couldn’t ride Henry. I wasn’t good enough, hadn’t enough experience. “Hallie,” Jasper repeated, with firmness this time. When he had my full attention, he said, “There is no one else, and I mean no one, who I would trust with my boy more than you.”
Butterflies fluttered through every inch of me. “Why?” I whispered.
Jasper smiled but then stepped closer until our chests met. He cupped my cheeks, making sure our gazes were glued together, when he said, “Because I’m madly in love with you, Hallie. That’s why.”
His words hit me like raindrops, gently sinking into my soul. “Jasper,” I said, and I pressed my lips to his. “I love you too,” I returned against his mouth, kissing him until the smile spreading on my face made it impossible.
Jasper hesitated just a moment, and said, “The rumors about us have died down amongst the other riders.” He let those words dance around us, and I knew what he was saying. If I rode Henry, they would come back tenfold. “There would be no proof of our relationship, but it’s common knowledge that no one rides Henry but me.” He ran his finger down my face. “And now you.”