The Ride

ANNA

Gavin woke me up the next morning with a soft kiss to my temple.

“Hey baby,” he murmured.

I turned and wrapped my arms around his neck. I frowned when I realized he was already dressed.

“What time is it?” I asked groggily.

“It’s early,” he chuckled. “I was going to start on breakfast, and then I thought I might show you the stables if you were up for it.”

I shot up in bed.

“We can go see the horses?”

“Of course,” he said, sounding amused. “They’re ours.”

I didn’t bother correcting him by saying they were actually ~his~. Especially since I had been dreaming about having a horse since I was a little girl.

“Have you ridden before?” he asked, standing up from the edge of the bed.

“Umm, do the ponies at the fair count?”

He chuckled. “Close enough. I’ll give you some pointers.”

Internally, I was screaming in excitement. Outwardly, I just nodded and bounded out of bed.

“I’ll be downstairs!” Gavin called as I ducked into the closet.

A few minutes later, I was sprinting down the stairs. Gavin must’ve heard me because he came around the corner holding a plate of fruit and scrambled eggs.

I groaned but took the food.

He smiled and shook his head. “They aren’t going anywhere.”

“I’m just excited,” I whined, stuffing a bite in my mouth.

“Nutrition is important,” he pointed out. “Aside from the junk food on the way here, you haven’t eaten hardly anything the last few days.”

I waved him off. “I don’t tend to eat much when I’m stressed.”

“Why are you stressed?”

I laughed because I thought he was joking, but he just continued to stare at me blankly.

“You’re not serious, are you?” I pointed at the giant diamond on my finger. “This week has been—I dunno, life-altering?”

“Oh, got it.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “The wedding planner is already getting some samples together. You’ll feel better after everything is in place.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded. “It’s not just the wedding. Are you not at all concerned about what comes afterward?”

“You mean being married?” he asked with a frown. “No. We have an agreement.”

“That doesn’t guarantee either of us will be happy.”

“I’m committed to making you happy,” he said, crossing his arms.

“Okay,” I sighed in defeat. It was clear the conversation was bound to go nowhere. Frankly, I wanted to enjoy the rest of our weekend together.

“I’m planning on leaving for my parents’ house on Thursday.”

I looked up to find him watching me closely.

“You’re going to visit them?”

“We,” he corrected. “We will spend a long weekend at their place. My brother and sister will join, also.”

I felt my eyes open a little wider. “You want me to meet your entire family? Next weekend?”

“On Thursday.” He nodded. “Yeah.”

I swallowed. “Is now a good time? You know, with the article and everything…”

He lifted a shoulder. “They don’t care what the media has to say.”

I bit my lip. “What are we going to tell them about—you know—us?”

“That we are getting married,” he said slowly, his stare gauging my reaction.

“Right.” I nodded. “But are we going to be honest about why or how?”

“No.” His answer left no room for discussion, and he seemed annoyed.

I wondered what would happen if word got out about the truth of our relationship. Would Gavin be angry with me? Would he blame me? I supposed he would just deny the rumors, but there would probably be some fallout.

“I can hear your wheels spinning from over here.” His voice pulled me from my thoughts, and he let out a deep breath. “I just don’t want my family to think our marriage isn’t genuine. It’s not that big of a deal.”

I begged to differ, but he still seemed tense. The last thing I wanted was to fight a losing battle.

“Are you finished?” He gestured to my empty plate.

“Umm, yeah.”

Gavin grinned. “Ready to go see the horses?”

Despite my concerns, I was immediately reminded of my earlier excitement. With a massive smile, I grabbed my jacket and hurried toward the back door.

“Hold up there, killer.” Gavin grabbed my hand and laughed. “It’s a half mile down the road.”

He led me to the garage where a souped-up-looking golf cart was parked next to a shiny pickup truck.

“This makes it easier to get around the property,” he explained and ushered me to the passenger seat.

“It’s been a while since I’ve lived anywhere other than the city,” I admitted. “This reminds me of when I was growing up.”

“Oh, yeah?” he asked, climbing into the driver’s side.

I nodded. “We were in the suburbs. Everything was farther away, so we had to drive a lot. I walk most places in New York.”

“That’s true,” he said lightly. “Do you miss driving?”

“Oh.” I winced. “I never learned. I’d just gotten my permit when my mom passed away. My dad wasn’t in a place to teach me. Then my stepmonster decided I couldn’t be trusted with my license.”

Deep frown lines appeared on Gavin’s face. “Did something happen that caused her to be so terrible to you?”

“I don’t think so,” I said, staring out at the never-ending trees through the open garage door. “I was in a pretty dark place, though. It’s hard to remember how things were in the beginning.”

I laughed. “One time, she actually stole my math textbook.”

Gavin gave me a strange look and waited for me to continue.

I shook my head. “It was so dumb. I came home one day to study and do my homework, and it was just gone. I looked everywhere, but I couldn’t find it. When I brought it up at dinner, she made a huge deal about how irresponsible I was and how much money it was going to cost to replace.”

I paused, remembering how hurt I was that my dad took her side. “I found it tucked under her bed a few days later. She looked pissed when I was sitting at the kitchen counter with it. But obviously, she couldn’t say anything without implicating herself.

“I ended up putting a lock on my closet door. She accused me of hiding drugs. Really, it was so I didn’t fail my classes.”

When Gavin didn’t laugh, I realized my story might be as funny as I thought it was. I squirmed under the pity in his eyes.

“Annalise…she sounds like a monster. You had just lost your mom—”

“Maybe.” I shrugged, regretting even bringing it up. “It doesn’t really matter anymore.”

He reached over and gave my knee a gentle squeeze. “It matters to me.”

I forced a small smile, but Gavin didn’t seem convinced. He gave me a long look before finally breaking eye contact to put the key in the ignition. I leaned back and buckled my seat belt, thankful to end the awkward moment.

The ATV rolled slowly down the gravel drive and onto the dirt road that cut through the property.

“It’s so peaceful here,” I shouted over the roar of the engine.

He merely nodded and kissed the back of my hand.

It took only a couple of minutes before the large, red barn came into view.

As we neared, I realized I’d greatly underestimated Gavin’s outfit.

The barn was almost as big as the mansion.

There were horses and people all over the place, working in varying capacities.

“How many do you have?” I asked, looking around in awe.

“A few,” he said noncommittally. “I’m not really sure at the moment. I have people who sort of manage the day-to-day. It’s a business, but as far as profitability, it’s more of a hobby.”

“Got it.”

These animals were much different from the ones I’d been around as a child.

Their coats gleamed as their muscled bodies flexed with each step.

“I’m going to check in with Charlie real quick. Okay?” he said as we stepped into the barn door.

I nodded and looked around awkwardly for a moment as he strode away.

My eyes fell on a black horse with a white streak on its face, standing calmly in a stall.

I walked over and reached out a hand.

It placed its velvety nose against my palm and blew out a breath of warm air.

I giggled and stroked his neck.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” A sharp voice made me jump.

I turned to find a tall woman dressed in a polo and riding boots, with black hair braided down the middle of her back.

“Oh,” I gasped before gathering my bearings. “Gavin and I—”

“I don’t care who you think you are,” she snapped. “Get away from that horse.”

I took a step back with a frown.

“Is he dangerous or something?” I asked. “He seems gentle.”

She scoffed. “He’s a half-million-dollar show jumper from champion lines. He’s not gentle.”

She looked me up and down and crossed her arms.

“I didn’t realize,” I tried to explain. “Like I was saying, Gavin brought me—”

“I don’t give two shits who you are,” she spat. “In my barn, you don’t fuck with my horses.”

My spine stiffened, and I felt anger boil hot in my chest.

Suddenly, her face shifted into a bright smile.

“Gavin!” she called with a wave. “I didn’t realize you were stopping by today.”

I turned to watch Gavin look up from his phone as he drew closer.

“Oh, good.” He smiled before placing a kiss on my forehead. “You two met.”

Her face fell, and her eyes snapped to me.

“Anna Miller,” I said, holding her gaze with a hard one of my own.

I offered her my hand and gripped hers tightly when she took it. “Gavin’s fiancée.”

“Right.”

I didn’t miss the way she flared her nostrils.

“This is Charlie,” Gavin explained and put an arm around the devil woman’s shoulders. “She’s our lead trainer and barn manager.”

“Sure.” I tilted my head and stared at the way she leaned into his side. “We were just discussing whether sleeping with you meant I was allowed to touch this very expensive horse.”

I watched as Charlie tensed, and Gavin shifted away from her.

He quirked an eyebrow at me in question.

“Please excuse me,” Charlie said nervously. “I misspoke.”

I raised my chin slightly. “For the record, this is closer to being ~my~ barn than it is yours.”

She flinched and glanced up at Gavin hopefully.

He stared at her with a detached coolness that sharply contrasted the warm way he had greeted her.

She turned back toward me, now somewhat deflated.

“I apologize. I tend to be rather protective of the horses.”

“~My~ horses,” I corrected her, feeling uncharacteristically brave.

She pursed her lips before muttering, “Right.”

Gavin stepped up next to me and casually slid a hand into my back pocket.

I could feel tension rolling off of him, but he kept his expression impassive.

“I was hoping you might help me pick a horse for Annalise,” he said casually. “It seems George might be better suited for the job. Can you find him for me?”

Charlie’s eyes widened. “I can help—”

“Get George.” His tone left no room for discussion.

Her shoulders slumped before she turned to head out the barn door.

I watched her and felt a twinge of sympathy, despite the nasty way she treated me.

“What happened?” he asked. “Don’t say ‘nothing’ because I’ve never seen you look as angry as you did just now.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Fine,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets and rocking back on his heels. “I’ll just fire her, then.”

“No,” I protested as he tried to walk away. “It’s not that serious.”

His eyes darted between me and the barn door Charlie had walked through.

“The only reason I’m hesitant is that she is undeniably talented with horses,” he conceded. “Plus, she runs this place with military precision.”

Even from the little I’d seen, I could only imagine what he said was true.

I could practically see my reflection on the concrete floor.

“Keep her,” I assured him. “You need someone you trust since you’re only here on the weekends, right?”

He nodded begrudgingly. “But one step out of line—”

“You can kick her to the curb.” I winked and wrapped my arms around his neck.

He took my chin in his hand and pressed a kiss against my lips.

I pulled back. “You’re really sexy when you’re all protective.”

He grinned, and I leaned in.

When we got close, I took his bottom lip between my teeth.

His hands tightened on my ass just as someone cleared their throat.

We both turned to find a grinning, middle-aged man standing just behind Charlie, who looked like her head was about to explode.

“Found George,” she said tightly.

The man chuckled before shouldering past her with an outstretched hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Miller,” he said kindly. “Let’s get you saddled up.”

Gavin smirked. “Oh, yes, let’s.”