Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
A knock suddenly sounded at my door. “Ssh,” I said to Jasper as I threw on my boots, bouncing on the spot as I tried to zip them up. I quickly grabbed my riding hat. “That’ll be Sage,” I said.
I found my purse and my cell thrown on the floor and gave Jasper a quick kiss. He held on too long, and I hoped this playful side of Jasper would never fade. It was as though he had opened the gates of his heart up to me and, along with it, let in some light. “Get to your meetings. You have businesses to run, Mr. I-run-the-entire-equestrian-world-CEO.”
“Fine,” Jasper said, face stern. “But after the competition, you’re mine again, and I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk for days.”
I rolled my eyes but was immediately on countdown for that time. I loved riding; I never wanted competitions or practices to end. But right now, I was ready to forgo the practice. This was a first for me.
“Hallie!” Sage’s frustrated voice came through the door again. I kissed Jasper one more time, then ran for the door. I opened it and slipped through the small crack I’d created before shutting it behind me. Sage stared at me strangely, and said, “Ready?”
“Yes.” I nodded and quickly moved to the elevator.
Once we were inside, Sage said, “So you’re together now or what? Like, in a relationship?”
Blood drained from my face. I went to open my mouth, to maybe deny it, but I never lied to Sage, and I couldn’t find my voice to do so now. I never kept anything from her.
Sage held up her hand. “Do not even think about lying to me, Ms. Oakley,” she warned.
My shoulders sagged, and I said to her, “Please don’t tell anyone,” I begged. Sage’s pissed-off scowl turned into one of concern. “Please . . . We need to keep this quiet.”
“I won’t,” she said, and seemed to think on things. “Is it because he owns Golden Oaks and Knighton Equestrian? Fuck anyone who accuses you of sleeping your way to the top. Your performance speaks for itself.”
I shook my head. “It’s not just that.” I sighed in exasperation. “I know you’re my best friend, my sister, and I tell you everything, but I really can’t go into why we’ve decided to keep this secret. It’s . . .” I trailed off. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Sage studied me harder, and for a moment I worried she could read my soul. “Okay,” she said, and reached for my hand. Squeezing it, she said, “I’m not going to lie, that worry in your gaze is kinda concerning me, but I trust you to be safe—and if you ever need to talk about anything, you know I’m a vault.”
I kissed Sage on the cheek. “Oh, I know you are.” I raised my eyebrow at her knowingly, and Sage stuck her tongue out at me. But to be fair, she was a vault. After all, she had her own drama concerning another member of the Knighton family, and her rude gesture told me she knew that I was onto her. I was sure there was more to their story than she’d divulged. She didn’t really have a leg to stand on.
Watching the floors descend on the elevator panel, I said, “You ready for this one?”
Sage nodded her head. “As long as there’s no fucking water jump, my queen of darkness will kick ass this weekend.” I laughed. Fefe was quite the drama queen, but when she was on form . . . the world had better watch out.
Sage stepped closer and closer to me, until she said, “Sooo . . .” I turned to her. She put her hands out, palm facing palm, lips pursed, and said, “Just tell me when to stop.” She began moving her hands apart, an inch, two, three . . . and I slapped them down.
“Sage! Can you stop?” But I laughed under my breath.
“For fuck’s sake, Hals. Inquiring minds just wanna know.” She leaned closer. “I’ve seen numerous pictures of Jasper in breeches over the years, and let’s just say they leave nothing to the imagination.”
“Sage,” I said, “I’m warning you. Stop.”
Sage shrugged and leaned back against the elevator wall. She played with her hat and hummed along to an instrumental piano rendition of “Albatross” by Taylor Swift. I stretched out my neck, relaxing my muscles, trying to ignore her, but it was no use. Eventually I sighed and said, “It’s fucking huge.”
“I knew it!” Sage shrilled triumphantly. She cackled, then wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “You go, girl! Get that massive D!” The doors chose that exact moment to open, and Atticus was waiting just outside. I felt my face flame. Atticus covered his smirk with his hand.