Page 39 of Power
“Are you bribing me with sex?”
“Is it working?”
The hint of orgasms was the only thing that made Jace pause. He eyed the horse warily, then the gloves in his hands, and finally me.
“Fine. But if I die, I’m coming back to haunt you, Trouble.”
“Deal.” I grinned. “And I promise to say nice things at your funeral.”
After packing a blanket and snacks the barn manager let us have, we set out on a ride through the trails. With every rhythmic hoofbeat, every breath of wind through my hair,every whiff of lilacs and warmth of sun on my face, I found myself looking over at him.
Sometimes, I caught myself swooning. He looked like he belonged on the cover of a romance novel, with his fitted shirt pulling against the broad planes of his chest and those powerful shoulders on full display as he handled the reins. The midday light caught his dark hair, highlighting traces of gold I hadn’t noticed before, and his strong thighs gripped his horse’s gait. Sinfully attractive didn’t begin to cover it. Women everywhere would swoon if they had the view I had right now.
But other times, I found myself smirking. Jace wasn’t what I’d call a natural. He’d try to guide the horse forward, and she’d step to the right. I heard him cursing on more than one occasion, and even his horse seemed annoyed by his presence. I swear, horses sensed people who didn’t know what the hell they were doing. To his credit though, he didn’t complain. Not once.
But most of the time, I found myself staring at him with something dangerous blooming in my heart: longing. I’d never brought anyone out here before, but now that I had, it struck me how much his presence heightened this experience rather than detracting from it.
“Can I ask you a question?” Jace’s voice broke through my thoughts as we got off our horses at the bluff over Lake Michigan. The water was a deep blue, crashing against the rocky shore beneath us, stretching out until it touched the horizon like it was reaching for its dreams. “What is it about horses that you love?”
“Everything,” I said, the word carrying more weight than I intended.
“Name the biggest reason.” His voice held genuine curiosity, not the casual interest people feigned when they were just waiting for their turn to speak.
I stood beside Buttercup, my fingers finding that sweet spot beneath her mane that always made her lean into my touch. The familiar warmth of her pressed against my palm centered me.
“Horses don’t hurt you the way that people do. And they see right through you, you know? No games, no hidden agendas. When a horse trusts you, it’s because you’ve earned it, not because you manipulated them into it.” I scratched her side, finding comfort in the familiar motion. “Humans can use love as a weapon, but animals never do. They’re pure. All they want is your heart, and they give theirs right back. No scorekeeping. No power plays. Just …” I swallowed hard. “Just love. Feed them, shelter them, show them kindness, and they’re yours forever. They don’t wake up one day and decide to use that love against you.”
Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever said that out loud before.
Jace was quiet for a long moment. When I finally gathered the courage to look at him, I found his eyes not on the breathtaking vista, but fixed entirely on me. There was something in his gaze—not pity, which I would have hated, but a clear, unwavering understanding that made my chest tighten.
He stepped closer, close enough that I could smell the subtle notes of his cologne mingling with leather and pine. His voice, when it came, was low and intimate, meant only for me. “She’s not just your horse,” he realized, reaching out to brush his fingertips against Buttercup’s neck, inches from my own hand. “She’s your safe harbor. She’s the only one you allow to love you back, isn’t she?”
Something fluttered in my stomach. With anyone else, I’d be guarded about revealing anything personal. I’d be worried they could take this information and use it against me, use it to control me someday. But knowing that I would never see Jace again, it crumbled all those pretenses and worries and just let me be … me.
“Someone hurt you,” Jace continued, his eyes never leaving mine. “And whatever they did went deeper than whatever sparked that revenge list.”
His perception sliced through my shields like they were nothing but morning mist. But instead of feeling exposed, I felt … seen. Truly seen, maybe for the first time.
But I wasn’t going to talk about that. Not ever. It was in the past, where it belonged.
“Come on.” I cleared my throat and grabbed the contents for the picnic I’d assembled from the barn, setting it up in the gorgeous meadow. You know, the one I’d mentioned when I’d hinted at romantic things …
18
SCARLETT
The picnic I’d procured from the barn manager in advance was perfect in its simplicity: fresh bread, cheese, and fruit, all spread out on the worn plaid wool blanket. Everything about the day felt beautiful: the sweeping view, the golden sunlight, the easy way conversation flowed between us.
With the horses secured nearby, contentedly grazing in the shade, we gravitated toward each other. The first brush of Jace’s lips against mine sent a buzz of electricity over me.
Oh. My. God.Had kissing him always felt like this? No. This … this was not the same as before.
Everything felt different right now, which both thrilled and terrified me. I knew it wasn’t just my imagination or the scenic backdrop doing the heavy lifting either. Because something had shifted for Jace too. I could feel it in the way his movements had slowed, become more deliberate. The tender press of his lips as he traced my collarbone, the intensity in those emerald eyes as he carefully undressed me. But mostly, it was the way he looked at me.
This was more than just desire. As he trailed kisses down my stomach, his gaze never leaving mine, it felt like he wasn’t just looking at me like a lover. It was like he was looking at my soul.
Danger, Scarlett. Danger, danger, danger.
