“You are not funny, Gabby,” Arielle mumbled, glaring at her, utterly frustrated.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” Gabby said, walking back and standing in front of her two friends. “I was only joking. I truly believe that you’ll enjoy it, if you just give it a chance.” She stared at both of them with a sincere look on her face, then turned and walked out the door. “Cowards,” she said, loud enough for them to hear her and laughed again. And this time she didn’t stop. Turning back, she saw her friends watching her, stunned shock on their faces.
“Oh, my God!” she called out, throwing her hands once again up in the air. “I’m joking!” This time they all laughed, and Gabby let out a sigh of relief.
The guys were standing by their horses, carrying on an inaudible conversation. But the girls could tell that whatever they were discussing was quite amusing because they were laughing ardently. As they approached their beaux, the three stopped and stared in awe at these three astounding specimens of male beauty.
Ian was the first one to look up and notice the girls. “Mmm-mmm, get a load of that,” he said in admiration.
Troy and Sebastian whirled around and found themselves staring at three stunningly beautiful girls—their girls.” Deep smiles curved their lips, and long, low whistles divulged their appreciation of the girls’ beauty. Ian moved toward them slowly, and as he approached Eva, he reached for her. They stood for a moment gazing into each other’s eyes. Then, Ian lowered his gaze and stepped much closer. Reaching out he pulled Eva into his arms. “You look amazing, but a little worried,” he whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll not leave your side, my love.” Eva looked up at him and smiled nervously. Clasping her hand he pulled her toward the horses.
Gabrielle was already standing by her horse, a big male beauty named Rêve de Minuit. With one hand she was holding the reins, and with the other she was petting the horse on his neck with soft sweeping strokes while whispering sweet nothings in his ear. What in the world is she telling that horse? Arielle thought and chuckled at the sight. Gabby looked as if she could feel the joy of her touch emanating from the horse. She noticed Sebastian and Troy exchanging glances. Finally, they both laughed out loud, at one point doubling over with laughter.
She couldn’t hear what Gabby was saying, but of course immortal ears could hear a pin fall in the hay.
Gabrielle looked up, startled, and saw Troy and Sebastian straightening up and winking at each other.
“What in bloody hell is wrong with you two?” she called out.
Troy waved his hand, dismissing her question, and with two long strides she was in his arms and locked in a hot kiss.
Arielle felt the heat of Sebastian’s body before she saw him move. He was suddenly standing close to her. She looked up and their gazes locked. His arms snaked around her waist and he pulled her closer. She wanted to ask about Gabby and what she had said to the horse, but his mouth came down on hers with toe curling passion, wiping away every thought she ever had. His tongue slipped inside the softness of her mouth and pleasure spread like fire. They lost themselves in the moment, forgetting where they were.
A soft cough made them stop and look around. Troy was busy with Gabby, and Ian with Eva, but Edward was still standing close by, trying to look inconspicuous, but clearly uncomfortable with the displays of affection. Sebastian dropped his hands, and Arielle pulled away from his tight embrace. Sebastian cleared his throat, and clasping her hand, he pulled her toward her horse.
“Are you ready to do this?” he asked, grinning.
“I’m not so sure. But I’ll try,” she said honestly.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll be right next to you.”
“Don’t worry,” she said, trying to mimic his calm voice, but she felt anything but confident.
A wide smile spread across Sebastian’s face. “You look a bit pale, darling. Do you feel all right?” he asked, chuckling. Arielle now knew that he was playing with her, not understanding her very real fear.
“She’s fine,” Gabrielle said. “She’s just scared.”
“Oh, gee, thanks, Gabby.” Arielle shot her friend a look of disapproval. Gabrielle just laughed. Arielle could see that in her mind she was thinking warmly of her, and that she was excited to be on a horse again.
Sebastian’s desire to kiss her increased. He cradled her face with his hands, and bending down he captured her lips in a warm kiss. Pulling back from the kiss reluctantly, he smiled and pulled her to stand next to a very large horse.
“Look,” he said. “Eva is already on the horse.”
She looked up, surprised to see that he was right. Eva was sitting on the horse, but she was not looking as confident as the rest of them. Arielle could read her mind and what she saw in Eva’s mind was nothing like the look on Eva’s face. She was clearly scared to death, but wanted to do this for Ian. Arielle looked up at Sebastian and pursed her lips together. His lips curved into a sensual smile.
“Come along!” he said and helped her get into the saddle.
Clutching at the horse’s bridle, she drew in a deep breath. “Oh, God, here I go…” she said, in a low voice, but they all heard her and laughed out loud. She took a deep breath, and shifted on the saddle uncomfortably. She was trembling, face ghostly white, but she was on the horse. Well, she thought to herself, this isn’t so bad. But of course the horse hasn’t moved yet.
Sebastian handed her the reins and quickly showed her what she needed to do. He vaulted onto the horse with ease, and he looked glorious.
They all started to move forward slowly, and Arielle found out that the ride was not as bad as she had feared. Ian stayed close to Eva, and Sebastian close to Arielle. Troy and Gabrielle were very comfortable, and they rode a bit ahead.
“What is the horse’s name?” Arielle asked when she dared to say anything.
“Whisper,” Sebastian answered.
“Why, for heaven’s sake, should I do that?” she asked, glancing at him, puzzled.
“Do what?”
“Why should I whisper?”
Sebastian tried, but failed to suppress laughter that was slowly pulsating through his body. He finally succumbed and exploded into laughter, followed by Ian and Eva. When they finally stopped laughing, they found Arielle watching them all, speechless.
“What in bloody hell is so funny?” she finally asked crisply.
There was an abrupt silence, while Sebastian, Ian, and Eva exchanged amusing looks.
“Well, am I going to be privy to your joke?” she asked. She feigned indifference, but she was really hurt.
Sebastian coughed to clear his voice and kept his lips from turning up into a smile.
“I’m sorry, baby, but this was quite funny. Whisper is the horse’s name,” he explained.
Arielle’s eyes widened and her mouth shaped into an “Oh.” She clapped her hand over her mouth and chuckled quietly.
“He and Shadow, Eva’s horse, are very mild, wonderful horses. You will be fine. Trust in me.”
Arielle looked cautiously over at Eva. She wore a big smile on her face and looked good riding Shadow, right next to Ian.
Anyone who looked at Eva and Arielle would have seen two girls too scared to do anything but trust their horses. They started out at a slow trot and, little by little, Arielle started to relax the topline. The saddle was comfortable and she began to feel a bit more secure. She could see that her friends were all skilled in horsemanship methods. They had great command of their horses. Eva, too, looked as if she was doing well.
After a while, Arielle also began to relax and actually enjoy herself.
Note to Readers
Thank you to my fans. It is the most rewarding and surreal experience to receive your wonderful feedback after reading my books. To the future readers, thank you for loving books and making my book your choice. This is the second novel in my Immortal Rapture Series. I hope you will enjoy it.
About the Author
Lilian Roberts was born in Athens Greece. She is a corporate
engineer and lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, and her golden retriever. She is an avid reader and loves to read novels that feature characters draped in passion, mystery, and adventure. She is especially fascinated with the concept of immortality. Arielle Immortal Awakening is her first volume in the Immortal Rapture series of romance thrillers.
Contact Information
My website: lilianroberts.com
My Twitter: @lilian3roberts
My Blog: lilianroberts.blogspot.com
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Arielle Immortal Seduction (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 2) Page 28
