April
Leaning low over Steel Knight’s neck, we jumped the small hedge, and I let him have his head again. Clara’s stallion raced forward, his legs making powerful strides as Steel Knight burned off energy. The stallion hadn’t been ridden since Clara’s fall, and he desperately needed to run.
Steel Knight headed across the field with me securely on his back. Unlike most riders, Clara had preferred the English saddle, and I’d been taught to ride using one. A laugh escaped as a sense of freedom washed over me. There was nothing around but Steel Knight and me. The grey loved to gallop, and letting him have his head was satisfying to the powerful horse.
I reined Steel Knight in near a stream and let him drink. As he did, I checked for any burrs or thorns he might have picked up. Steel Knight nuzzled and whinnied. I slowly walked him so he didn’t get any cramps, and his muscles didn’t go cold. After mounting again, Steel Knight was happy at a more leisurely trot.
We’d crested a hill when another rider surprised me, heading towards me. He had a fine seat, I thought critically as I watched, and then I stiffened. That was Stone! What the hell was he doing here? Worse, Stone was riding a horse two days after fracturinghis skull. Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet, but that wouldn’t help the injury he already had. Damn fool!
Chapter Nine.
Harlequin
April didn’t look too amused as I approached her on my horse, Nycteus, named after one of the stallions that pulled Hades’ chariot. April’s eyes narrowed as I reined Nycteus in.
“What the hell are you doing riding?”
“Looking for you,” I offered a charming grin, which faded at the sheer anger on her face.
“Weren’t you warned not to do anything strenuous for a couple of weeks? You’ve a fractured skull, you fuckin’ idiot. Does a skilled doctor’s advice mean nothing?” April cried loudly, and her horse shied.
“Shh, Steel Knight,” April whispered and patted his neck.
“Is he yours? He’s a beauty,” I said in an attempt to distract her from the murderous scowl she was aiming in my direction.
“Clara’s.”
“Sorry, I heard about Clara’s accident. I bet you were worried sick.”
“Yup. What do you want? Stone, you didn’t chase me out here to discuss Clara,” April insisted.
Nycteus settled into a trot next to Steel Knight, and I shrugged. “April, I want to talk to you. Every time I try, you run, or someone interrupts.”
“Stone, did you consider that I don’t wish to see you, let alone have a chat?” April demanded.
I was struggling to keep my eyes on her face. It wouldn’t take much for me to drop my gaze to her breasts bouncing happily away on Steel Knight. Worse, I’d seen her lush ass jiggling in her saddle. April was curvier than when we dated, but shit, it was becoming hard not to get a boner. She captivated me more than ever. I was a moth to her flame.
“Hey, stop thinking of your cock and treat me with respect,” April snapped, and I jolted. “Your thoughts are fuckin’ obvious.”
“Sorry, it’s just you’re still so beautiful.”
April snorted. “Sure.”
“April, there was never a time I wasn’t attracted to you!”
“Stone, enough bullshit. What do you want?”
“To explain. I owe you that,” I said and hoped she’d listen.
April laughed bitterly. “Will the explanation wipe the image of you fuckin’ my best friend?”
“Hey, I didn’t fuck Chelsea.”
“No? You were certainly naked and were sucking on her tits,” April shot back. “Moments later, your cock was in her mouth. You’re denying that happened?”
“No, but there—”
“Stow it, Stone. That can’t ever be forgotten. Not even twenty-four hours had passed! I left at midnight, heartbroken and shattered, and returned the next morning, and there you were. Worse, it was my best friend, Stone! Chelsea and I were like sisters. You took everything. You wanna know how deeply you scarred me? I’ve not dated or trusted a single man since. Hell, I can’t even have one-night stands because I don’t trust anyone.You stabbed me deeper than my mother, and I’m still bleeding and healing!” April shouted.
