Page 34 of Tall, Royal and Grumpy

I picked up pace as she stepped onto the grass behind me. “You won’t like it when it’s pelting you in the face as you ride. And you will be cold if you get wet.” And there was no way was I going to witness her shivering from the cold again. The thought didn’t sit right with me at all.

“But Kai—”

Somewhere in my mind I knew I had no business dictating what she could and couldn’t do. But I couldn’t bring myself to deviate from protecting her. All I cared about was her being warm and dry and safe.

She protested about leaving so soon. But I charged directly to where the horses were tied around the metal poles with a one-track mind of getting us back to the palace.

I let go of her hand to untie Bucky’s reins then turned to help her up. “Come on. Let me—”

There was no one behind me. I was talking to fucking air.

The only trace of Esmeralda was the zip-up hoodie she’d abandoned over Bucky’s saddle.

It took me less than a second to pinpoint her, sneaking her way back towards the middle of the open land as the rain came down harder.

How had she gotten so far already? I clenched my teeth. Why is she wearing a white top?

If the fabric were to get wet like that night in the garden…if it clung to her skin and…

I ground my teeth together harder as every nerve in my body started vibrating, building up a current of static energy that warmed me all over but concentrated most in my lower region.

I had to get her to the palace before my dick reacted in a way that would embarrass me in front of her and give me an uncomfortable ride back on Big Guns.

“Esmeralda,” I called out.

She twirled around on her feet. Her wrists were crossed over and resting atop her head which jutted her breasts forward in that tight, tight top. The buzz in my blood intensified with such a hard jolt it winded me for a second.

It was insane. I had never felt anything like it before. Such a strong pull to a woman that without even having touched her, just the sight of her—fully-clothed—was messing with me.

In the rain too. I hated rain. That alone should have ebbed even a potential hard-on.

Not with Esmeralda apparently.

“Come back,” I said urgently.

With a huge, mischievous grin on her face, she shook her head.

My hair and coat were getting damp. The feeling of the rain of my hands was making my neck prickle in disgust. I’d be having an uncomfortable ride back if her top got any wetter, and she wanted to play games?

I flung Bucky’s reins around the pole again and stepped towards Esmeralda twirling around like I hadn’t just told her to get her fucking arse over to me. “Esmeralda, I’m serious.” She tossed a beautiful, riling laugh over her shoulder. “I’ll leave you here.”

“Okay, bye,” she sang.

I took a few more steps in her direction at the instruction of the raw, provoked feeling emulsifying with the heat in my blood. “Do you think this is funny?”

She nodded. “I do. You should really see the glare on your face right now. It’s honestly the best.”

Why was my mouth twitching?

I was irritated, aroused, and wet. Her lack of cooperation was infuriating. But her teasing and amusement were contagious. The urge to smile along with her was ridiculously strong.

I resisted the feeling because I didn’t want to encourage her. Or maybe I did actually.

“I will come over there and get you myself if you don’t come here right now, Esmeralda.”

Her eyes widened and I worried I’d taken her little game too far. That I’d freaked her out with my tone or creeped her out with my threat. A panicked need to apologise rose inside me.

But then her gaze fell to my feet before flying up to my eyes. Flickered, like she was skittish prey. But her parted mouth curled up in a way that turned my pulse slow and erratic all at once.

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