Page 38 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

I pushed to my feet and spent the next hour sitting down by the water, talking with the girls.

“River’s a little worried about King. He hasn’t been himself lately at all. He seems really tense, which is so unlike him,” Ruby said.

“Yeah. Romeo said he’s been working a lot and is definitely more stressed than usual.” Demi leaned back in her chair and smiled at me. “I’m so glad you convinced him to come ride with us last weekend. I’ve been trying for a while, and he finally agreed when you asked him. There’s something about riding a horse that just helps you find your peace, you know?”

“I’m guessing it’s kind of like riding a man, huh? That’s where I always find my peace,” Peyton said, as loud laughter filled the air around us.

“You have the crudest mind.” Demi shook her head.

“I think he enjoyed himself. He said it’s been a while since he’s been on a horse. And I think the pressure of getting this bookstore open and the renovation at Brighton Ranch has been weighing on him, so things will slow down now.” I crossed my cowboy boot-clad feet at the ankles.

“I haven’t seen him out much in the last few weeks, which is also very unlike King. You know he’s Mr. Social,” Ruby said.

“Maybe he’s been spending nights at home with Selena,” I said, taking a sip of my beer as my gaze found him sitting in a chair by the firepit, talking to the guys. His broad shoulders strained against his black tee, and his long legs were stretched out in front of him as he tipped his cup to his lips. I’d noticed he’d poured himself a hefty glass of whiskey after dinner. Maybe he just really needed to relax.

“Oh, I think that’s done. River said that ended shortly after the party at our house that night he got stung by the bee,” Ruby said, and I was surprised to hear that. He hadn’t mentioned it to me, but maybe he didn’t think it was any of my business.

“You never did tell us,” Peyton asked, leaning in and waggling her brows. “When you pulled that stinger out, did you get a look at the goods?”

I rolled my eyes as Ruby and Demi both groaned while trying to hide their laughter.

“Of course not. Everything was covered up just fine.” I shook my head. “I’m going to go grab another beer. Does anyone want one?”

“Hell yes,” they all said at the same time, and I chuckled as I looked back at the firepit and noticed how tense Kingston’s shoulders looked. He didn’t appear to see me, and it was getting dark outside now, so I came up with the perfect plan.

I quickly moved toward the house and hurried to the side yard, where I knew there was a patch of dandelions. I picked the brightest flower, glancing over to make sure he wasn’t looking, but he had his back to me now.

I dropped my empty bottle into the recycling bin and pulled out four new beer bottles, leaving them there on the counter before jogging down the hallway toward his bedroom.

I was going to hide this somewhere he’d least expect it. I made my way into his bathroom and glanced around.

We’d never hidden one in the other’s shower before. I stepped in behind the curtain, looking around for the perfect spot. I tucked it between the shampoo bottle and the body wash. Damn. It smelled minty like Kingston, and I breathed in his body wash.

“I’ll be right out!” a voice shouted from the distance, and I pushed the shower curtain all the way closed and stayed perfectly still. It was Kingston’s voice. Maybe he was just grabbing something from his bedroom.

Shit.

This was a bad idea.

Say something.

Get out of his shower.

Footsteps moved closer, and I heard the click of the bathroom door closing.

It’s now or never.

Oh my gosh. This is bad. Really bad.

My hand reached for the curtain just as a groan sounded from the other side, and I completely froze.

His breaths were coming fast.

Labored.

“Mmmm…so fucking good,” he whispered, and I squeezed my thighs together, because there was no question what was happening on the other side of this shower curtain.

There was nothing I could do now.

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