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We hadn’t kissed again, but I hadn’t expected us to. During our runs, however, I sometimes found my eyes drifting over Rafael’s body. He looked good in his workout gear, his strong physique gleaming with sweat. His proximity always seemed to overwhelm me and made it hard to concentrate.
I enjoyed the peace of the early morning and the calm that seemed to be in him during this time—he was more relaxed than when he was in full work mode and somehow easier to talk to.
The other aspect I enjoyed of living here was the presence of the horses.
Today I walked up to the stables in the afternoon and had sugar lumps ready in my pockets for the horses. I think I enjoyed feeding them even more than they enjoyed it. They were peaceful creatures, serene and calming. And I needed calm in my life after the last few months.
As soon as I got near, I heard a couple of whinnies from the horses as they sensed my approach. As I entered the stables, I saw Storm’s black ears prick up in delight. I gave a sugar lump to each horse, patting each one as I passed them, finally reaching Storm at the end.
For him, as always, I had saved two sugar lumps. He wolfed down the sugar and I laughed at the feel of his soft nose as he nuzzled against my hand.
“So that’s why Storm’s always fucking snaffling around my pockets now whenever I come to ride him.”
I jumped as I heard a low voice come from behind me and spun around to find Gabriel glaring at me. “I…sorry…I was just giving him a sugar lump.”
“Or three?” he questioned harshly.
“Well, maybe two—but they were only small ones…” My voice trailed off.
Rafael had warned me to stay away from Storm, that he was Gabriel’s favorite, but I hadn’t been able to resist.
“I’m sorry. I’ll stay away from Storm from now on.”
Gabriel regarded me with his cold stare, sending a shiver through me. I quickly looked away, self-conscious under his scrutiny. “No. He likes you. He doesn’t like many people. And I don’t always get down to see him every day when I’m too busy with work.”
“So, y-you don’t mind…?” I tried to stop my voice from shaking but failed miserably. Most men scared me, and Gabriel’s mere presence was enough to send a shard of ice to my chest.
“Why would I?”
Because you’re a cold-hearted control freak, I thought to myself, but I didn’t dare to say those words out loud as I valued my life too much.
Gabriel took a step closer to Storm and me, making me flinch involuntarily.
“You have to stop doing that,” he said in a hard tone.
“Doing what?”
“Flinching and jumping out of your skin every time I come near you.”
“Well, I wouldn’t if you weren’t so scary all the time,” I countered testily, slapping my hand over my mouth when I remembered who I was talking to.
He laughed out loud. “That’s better. Say what you think to me instead of being a quiet little mouse who scurries around the place, afraid of disturbing anyone.”
“I amnota mouse,” I retorted, irritated at his characterization of me.
“Then stop acting like one. You are Rafael's wife now. You need to exude strength and confidence, then people will respect you.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
His voice softened very slightly. “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
“Your family can trust me,” I said quickly. “I would never snoop, and I would never betray you.”
“Not even after what my father did to you?” he asked, his eyebrows raised in question.
My cheeks heated. “Rafael protected me and my reputation after that happened. I won’t ever forget that.”
“Good. Anyhow, I apologize for what I’ve said. I’m not used to having to carefully choose my words. I say what I think.”
