Seventeen
FRIEDRICH
Aurelia letsout a delighted squeal when we approach the stables near the edge of the forest. There are two horses tied and waiting for us, and Aurelia is practically vibrating as we approach them.
“I hope you like to ride.” I mentally cross my fingers, hoping her childhood in the southern part of the United States involved some experience with horses. Or perhaps that’s an unfounded generalization based on Hollywood’s representation.
“I do, but I haven’t ridden in a long time,” she replies breathlessly as she runs a reverent hand down the neck of the grey.
“How long is a long time?”
“I took a few lessons as a child and went on a few trail rides with friends. I rode a little in college, but that was at least three years ago.”
I feel a wave of relief. “That’s not so long, but we can walk if you want.”
She giggles as the horse nudges her hand for more pats. “No, I would love to ride.”
“Good,” I say with a smile. “Because Merry seems quite taken with you.” I gesture at the horse she’s still petting. “He’s fairly gentle, so you should be okay even having not ridden in a few years.”
“Merry, huh?” she asks, stroking the horse’s round cheek, not its nose like many inexperienced people tend to do.
“Yes, and this one is Pippin,” I say of the bay next to him.
She laughs that throaty melodic laugh that makes my chest ache. “Merry and Pippin.”
I shrug. “What can I say, I’m a Tolkien fan.”
She smiles at that. “Really? I would have never pegged you for a fantasy geek.”
I chuckle. “Geek?”
“Well, you know?—”
“No, no, it’s okay. My mother read them to me as a child.” Until I was sent to boarding school when Father’s cancer was diagnosed the first time. “I still reread the series when I need a little escape.”
“Well, Prince Friedrich, there’s more to you than meets the eye. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
I shoot her the wink I’d seen Claus use to his advantage on numerous occasions. “I’m more than just a pretty face, princess.”
I hold out a hand to help her onto her horse, butshe waves me off. She runs a hand down the horse’s neck and whispers something to him before fitting her foot into the stirrup. Aurelia pushes herself up and over to settle into the saddle and pats Merry the horse one more time as she adjusts to her new mount. She straightens and takes the reins in her hand, not a shake or tremor or even a touch of uncertainty. The tight fabric around her legs reveals every twitch and flexion of her thick thighs. I try to shut out images of those thighs wrapped around me before the blood starts rushing to the last place a guy wants it while trying to ride a horse. I mount my own horse and lead us to a trail at the edge of the woods, wide enough for us to ride side by side.
“So, tell me more about this nerdy side no one knows,” she teases.
“Not much else to tell. I like a good adventure novel, the occasional escape into a different world.”
“Definitely feel you on the escapism.”
“What are you escaping into, mi’ lady?”
Her cheeks are rosy, but perhaps it’s the cold. Maybe horseback riding in December wasn’t the best idea, but I couldn’t come up with a better excuse to get her out to Whitewood alone. It’s a still, peaceful day, no biting wind or rain; perfection at this time of year.
Aurelia clears her throat, and her cheeks go a little redder.Okay, not from the cold then.
“Miss Aurelia.” I shoot her a sly grin. “By that look, I’d say you’re one of those smut girls.”
She squirms in the saddle. “I pleadthe fifth.”
“I don’t know what that means,” I chuckle.
