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)
So this was how it felt? I mused. To find your soulmate.
It was serene.
Peaceful.
Utter bliss.
Saint-Tropez, France
One week later
“What the ever-loving fuck!” Sage’s shrill voice cut through our private section of the arena’s stalls. I smiled, seeing Ben lead Henry toward us. He had been kept at Jean Pierre’s stud here in Saint-Tropez until today. Jasper followed behind them.
Sage snapped her head to me again. “This is your new horse?” Sage slapped my arm. “You bitch! You told me you weren’t sure who you were getting yet!”
Atticus brushed past us and went straight to Henry. He gave the stallion a huge fuss. “Hello, mate. I bet you’re happy to be here again.” It was strange, because Jasper was right; here at the stalls, Henry did seem to have a new aura about him. He was a showman through and through, and he was eager for the stage.
Jasper came to stand beside me. “You ready?” he said.
“Absolutely,” I replied. And I was. In the week between tour stops, I had been training on Henry every day. It didn’t take me long to find our rhythm. Huxley was safely back at Golden Oaks getting treatment, and in the meantime, I had the best horse in the world to ride.
No big deal.
Leon appeared and clapped his hands. “Okay, team. Time for the practice ring.”
Sage gave me a big kiss on my cheek. “You lucky fucking bitch!” she said, then slapped my ass. “You must be a really good fuck if he’s given you his pride and joy to ride.” Sage’s eyebrows danced and I flipped her off. The echo of her cackle followed her as she mounted Fefe.
“You got this,” Atticus said to me, hand on my shoulder. He nodded to Henry. “There’s no safer horse.”
“Thanks, Atticus.” Since our talk on the rooftop in Spain we’d grown closer.
“Doesn’t mean I’m still not going to beat you, though!”
I rolled my eyes. “Would expect nothing less.”
Mila helped Ben get Henry sorted, and I put on my hat. I went to put on my show jacket when Jasper stopped me and said, “Follow me.” Confused, I did as he said and followed him to a tack room. Jasper shut the door behind us and moved to a portable clothes rack where a garment bag hung. He handed it to me. “For you.”
“What is it?”
Jasper folded his arms over his chest. “You’re riding a new horse,” he said. “I thought that occasion deserved a new jacket too.”
I unzipped the suit bag, and gasped. “Jasper . . .” I said, and took out the perfectly tailored and pristine Knighton Equestrian show jacket in Hallie Blue. I had to blink away appreciative tears. “I adore it,” I said, and crossed the tack room to throw my arms around his waist and whisper, “Thank you.” I pulled back and shook my head. “Jasper, you have to stop spoiling me.”
Jasper smirked. “Hallie, I’m a billionaire. If I want to spoil you, I bloody well will.” I always forgot that about him. Not that he was rich, because his property and horses showed that. But he wasn’t arrogant or selfish with his money or love. He was genuinely a lovely man. A bit cold and moody to those not close to him, but never to me anymore.
“Put it on, then,” Jasper said. He took the jacket from me and held it out. I turned and slipped my arms into it, then spun around for Jasper to button up the front.
“It fits perfectly,” I said, then moved to the mirror. I ran my hands down the premium wool fabric. The black velvet collar was a perfectly traditional touch and made the bright color pop more.
“Your eyes,” Jasper said, moving behind me.
For once, I understood what he meant. The oceanic blue of the jacket made my blue eyes blaze. Turning, I looked up at Jasper and said, “I love you.”
Jasper kissed my lips. “I love you too.”
When we broke apart, I asked, “Are you going to watch from Jean Pierre’s box again?”
“No,” he said, surprising me. “I’m walking out with you and Leon and watching from the viewers’ plinth.”
“But . . .” I went to argue.
“I’m not missing my two loves taking center stage.” I melted again and went in for another kiss, then . . .
“I’m not afraid to come in there and interrupt whatever is happening!” Leon said from the tack-room door. “Hallie is needed at the practice ring, now!”
Jasper sighed and dropped his forehead to press against mine. “I’m going to fire him.”
I burst out laughing. “Yeah, like that would ever happen.” I headed for the door, only for Jasper to pull me back and take the promised kiss anyway.
“Ride safe,” he said when we broke apart.
“You got it,” I said and left the tack room. Ben and Mila had Henry ready. Sage and Atticus had already gone. I threw on my hat and mounted Henry.