Possession(20)

“You’re welcome.” He completely pulls away, and I wonder for a moment if I’ve done something wrong, but I have no time to dwell on this. “Do you want to go for a ride with me?”

My smile returns. “Do I ever?!” I scream.

He starts laughing again. “Okay, come on. Let’s get you and your horse ready. Do you know what you’re going to call her?”

Walking up to her, I stroke around her brown patch and notice how much it looks like the map of Ireland. “I think I’ll call her Ireland.”

“Ireland?” he asks with a frown.

“Yeah. Look,” I urge, trailing my finger around her patch.

He squints, getting a closer look before it dawns on him. “Oh, yeah.” He strokes my hair, making me blush. “Ireland it is, then. I think it’s perfect.”





Age Seventeen – Present Day


I gallop through the fields with the wind in my hair. Today is a warm spring day which brings with it the aroma of blossoming flowers. There’s no one here but me and Ireland as I ride her into the forest and circle back round towards the house. Before taking a trot back, I take in the immense size of the house. Unless something drastic happens, I will be living there very soon. I sigh knowing that a lot of women would give their right arms to live in a house like that.

As I near the stables, I notice Drake is standing by his horse like he’s waiting for me. It’s been another three weeks since that incident at the bar and the subsequent outburst from him.

I hadn’t seen him since.

We’d exchanged text messages, and I could tell his men were following me. Like this morning when I went out for a walk, Kane was snooping, but wasn’t doing a very good job of it. I caught him and we got to talking.

“Kane told me you were here.”

He looks good again today, and I hate the fact that he does. I was happy staying mad at him for three weeks. Happy that—for a little while—I was able to breathe without this constant pull I get from him weighing me down. Now that he’s here, looking every bit the strong, brooding male I have come to love and hate in equal measure, however, I find myself drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

“I caught him following me, so I asked him to bring me here so I could see Ireland. It’s been a while.”

“How is she?”

Leaning over, I lovingly stroke her neck. “She’s doing great.”

“Ride with me?”

Biting my lip, I want to say no, but my body calls out to him. “I want to, but I’m a little tired. Can I ride with you on Max?”

He looks taken aback by my request, but nods his head. “Come on. I’ll help you with Ireland, and then you can help me with Max.” He offers me his hand, and I take it. Pretty soon, he has me off the horse and in his arms.

Our eyes lock as I slide down, and for a moment, we can’t move or breathe. He searches my face with those luscious brown eyes of his, and it hits me right between my legs. My belly dances and my cheeks flame as he draws me in, little by little, bit by bit.

“You know it’s there; you feel it. Yet, you continue to defy me.”

“You’ve been gone again,” I reply breathlessly.

“I can tell you want me to kiss you, but I can’t. If I do, I won’t hesitate in taking you up to my bedroom and finally making you mine. I made a promise, and so far, I’ve kept it, but I only have so much control. Why do you think I’ve been away? It’s not because I want to stay away from you. It’s because I can’t control myself around you.”

I still, shocked at the vulnerability of his words. Does he say I make him weak? “What is it about you?” I wonder out loud.

Drake silently laughs. “I’m not sure what that’s supposed to mean.”

“You’re like Jekyll and Hyde,” I observe. “You can be nice and gentle one moment, but then mean and nasty the next.”

Pulling away from me, he grabs Ireland’s reins and clicks his tongue for her to move. I guess that’s the end of the discussion then.

In silence, we put Ireland back and proceed to get Max ready for his ride. Once Drake is on, he motions for my hand and pulls me up. I snake my legs around him, and then wrap my arms around his waist—equally hating and loving how good he feels.

He sucks in a breath. “Ready?”

Placing my chin on his right shoulder, I nod. “Ready.”

“Come on, boy,” Drake urges and Max suddenly flies into action. In an instant, we’re galloping through the fields again, but this time I can close my eyes and relish the sensation. With one sense shut down, my other two kick into gear. I can smell the spring air, listen to the birds sing, and I can feel the warmth of Drake’s body on mine. For a brief moment, I wonder what it would be like to wake up like this with him, feeling the heat from his back pressed into my breasts. But then, all too soon, I realise that it’s not something I have a choice in. It’s not something I have been asked. It’s something that will be forced upon me whether I like it or not. And now, as with every other time, I feel the urge to run rather than to embrace. I don’t want to be a prisoner. At times, like today, I wonder how he can seem so normal. He’s not, though. I see what lies within him. I know it’s there, waiting to get out.