“I thought you went to college, studied green energy?” Which was why he was our guru in the new plan.
“Yes, but I came back to find Father had been neglecting the business—without the grooms, our horses would have been in a sad state. So, instead of using my degree, I took up the reins. So to speak.”
His life as a young person must have been so hard. All the guilt and a neglectful father as well. “And then you came back here…”
“So, after he was gone, I brought the best of the breeding stock back with me, including your horse, and then one thing led to another…”
“Your mother’s death was not your fault.”
“Isn’t it? If I had done what I was supposed to do, she would not have been out there. She would’ve been alive today.”
Moving to lie against him to give him some kind of comfort, I tried to come up with something that would soothe him. “Every teenager is irresponsible and flaky. There was no way you could’ve known that your action would lead to that. Fate sometimes makes decisions for us.”
He harrumphed. “You believe in Fate, don’t you?”
I nodded and tore my gaze from the brook to take in my mate. “I do. It brought me you. Your contract with my sister was signed when we were babies and yet, here we are. I’m…I’m already falling in love with you.”
He sucked in a breath and wrapped his arms around me. “Say it again. Say it again, my queen, my mate.”
“I’m in love with you already, Arne.” I wondered if his father intended him to fulfill the contract with Jillian then remembered everyone had thought her dead for so many years. They would have considered the deal moot.
He kissed my chin, tickling me with his stubble. “And I’m already in love with you.”
I scanned the area, trying to see how alone we were. “Exactly how much privacy do we have?”
He searched my eyes with his. “Plenty enough for two lovers to go about their business without being bothered or seen.”
A squeal came from my mouth as he lifted me onto his lap. I straddled him as his hands found my ass. “Are you suggesting I mate you right here in the forest, my queen? That I take you right by the water, under the sun?”
“Um, yes?” I said, sounding less sure than I felt inside. Inside, I wanted nothing more in that moment than for him to take me in every way possible right there. I needed it, needed the release of climax, the act that would bring us closer together.
We came close, we really did…kissing and touching and so much sensual play, but just as we got close to the deed, the rustle of brush nearby thrust us apart, but it was still a pretty awesome afternoon with Arne. I’d not had many better days in my life.