Page 38 of The Accidental Wife

“I should have known you were up to no good.” She chides, elbowing me gently in the ribs. “That was mean.”

I chuckle and pull my head to look at her. “Exciting though, no?” Shayla rolls her eyes and leans forward, petting Casper gently.

“Hey Casper, the next time your owner rides you, do me a favour and throw his arse off. Like buckeroo his butt to Timbuctoo, okay? Can you do that for me?” She says, smiling while brushing her fingers through his hair.

I laugh, poking her sides, and she jumps sniggering. “Stop corrupting my stallion, you little minx.”

She grins at me playfully, slapping my hands away when I try and tickle her, “He’s my stallion now.”

‘Oh, baby, your stallion is right here.’I have the urge to whisper in her ear. Instead, I bury my nose into her hair and inhale her exotic scent. “Steady girl. You have a lot to learn still before you can ride him solo.” She pouts and continues to pet him. “We better get back to the shoot. I promised them we’d be back in fifteen minutes.” I explain, and she nods, disappointed. “Hold on tight.” She grips the reins and leans back against me. I whistle, and Casper takes off again, galloping through the trail back to where we left the photographers.

“Hooo,” I say, pulling the reins, and Casper slows as we reach the set for the shoot. I look over at Veronica, the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine. “Are we done with the horse?” I ask, and she shakes her head before she calls the photographer over.

“Not yet. I have a couple more shots in mind now you’re both up there. Shayla, can you turn and face Tristan.” She instructs. Shayla looks at her, then back at me, and shifts to face me. “No, sweetie, I want you to fully face him. In fact, why don’t you go ahead and straddle him.”

“Pardon?” Shayla asks startled. Veronica looks at me bemused as if she said something wrong. I turn my gaze to Shayla and give her a knowing look. She rolls her eyes. “I swear to God, if I fall off this horse, I’m going for her.” She mumbles to me, and I laugh while holding onto her as she shifts awkwardly, throwing her leg over, she turns and faces me, resting her legs over mine. I wrap my arm around her and pull her into my lap, so she was straddling me. “This is so stupid. Who sits on a horse like this? It’s so dangerous. What if he bucks us off?” She grumbles, casting an annoyed look at Veronica, who was instructing the photographer.

“He won’t. Casper is a calm stallion unless he’s provoked. You’re safe, don’t worry.” I assure her, and she nods with a sigh.

“Looking a little stiff over there you two, let’s try relaxing a little,” Veronica says, coming over to us. She reaches up and tugs Shayla’s dress up, exposing her leg. “Tristan, I want you to hold her thigh…” I nod and brush my fingers up her smooth thigh, and she shifts a little, closing her eyes for the briefest second. “Good. Now, I want you to gaze into each other’s eyes. Bring your faces closer…” We lean in close and stare into each other’s eyes. “Shayla, wrap your arm around his neck, your fingers just at the nape of his neck as if you’re about to kiss him. Tristan, head up a tiny bit. Yes, right there.”

As I gaze into Shayla’s green eyes, everything around me fizzles away. The only thing I can concentrate on was the warmth of her breath on my lips and the way her fingers were gently rubbing the nape of my neck, causing every hair on my body to stand on end.

“Great. Now, let’s get a shot of you kissing.” Veronica says, and I bite back the grin and the urge to jump off the horse and hug her. Fuck yes! Shayla looks at me and then at Veronica. Her green eyes widen, and I smile and shrug while she glares back at me.

“Pucker up, princess,” I whisper, and she sighs and shakes her head, licking her lips. She narrows her eyes briefly while she leans in close. The excitement I felt at that moment was inexplicable. I close my eyes, and our lips merely touch when a phone rings, interrupting the moment.

“Oh, that’s me,” Shayla announces, pulling back, looking around for her phone.

“Leave it,” I say, pulling her close again, but she places her hands on my shoulders and pulls back.

“But Honey, it could be important.” She declares and waves one of the assistants over to help her off the horse. She smirks at me and winks before she slides off and rushes over to her phone and answers it in a flurry.

I curse my damn luck and whoever it was on that phone inwardly and jump off of Casper. “Okay, guys, that’s a wrap. I think we have all we need. I’ll send over the photos for approval, and if you can forward me the answers to the questions I gave you?” I nod and shake Veronica’s hand.

“Sure. Thank you for everything. We look forward to reading the article.” I see Shayla over Veronica’s shoulder. She’s watching while she’s on the phone, clearly not listening to whoever was on the other end. “It was nice seeing you again, Veronica,” I say and drop a kiss on her knuckles, and she blushes smiling, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“It’s always nice to see you, Tristan.” She replies coquettishly, swiping her tongue over her lips in a sultry manner—good lord, too easy. I refrain from rolling my eyes and drop her hand just as Shayla walks over to us.

“Honey, can we go? Something has come up.” She states, giving Veronica a side-eyed stare.

“Sure, baby,” I say, lacing my fingers with hers, and we both utter a goodbye to Veronica before we walk towards the car. “So, what’s come up? Everything okay?” I question starting the car, and Shayla nods.

“Yes, everything is fine. I just said that so we can leave.” She admits with a guilty smile, and I chuckle, shaking my head. “A minute longer of hearing that woman’s annoying voice and I would have throttled her.” She complains, brushing her hair away from her face with a sigh. “I don’t know about you, but I am drained and starving.”

I nod and smile, looking at the road. “You literally took the words right out of my mouth. Shall we order in? What would you like to eat?” I ask and glance over at her. Shayla chews on her lip thoughtfully and shakes her head.

“No. I’m tired of eating out.” She looks at me with her brows raised. “I’ll cook something.”

I smile, “Yeah?”

“Yes. In fact, you’re going to cook with me.” She adds with a grin, reaching over and squeezes my cheek. I laugh and pull her hand away from my face and place it on my thigh, covering it with my own to keep it there.

“I mean, I can’t cook to save my life. However, I’ll be happy to learn if you teach me?” I reply, and Shayla smiles brightly.

“What?! Lord Hoult doesn’t know how to cook and wants me to teach him?” She drawls mockingly. “No way.” She places her hand over her heart and fans herself dramatically. “Oh, be still my heart.”

I laugh jovially, reach over, and squeeze her face till her lips pucker up. “You are going to be the death of me.” I tease, and Shayla smacks my hand away while grinning back at me.

---