Page 6 of A Billionaire's Secret

“Well, I did come over for Desert Rose.” I made it abundantly clear.

We followed a path along one of the fields until a familiar scent of horses filled the air, indicating that we were getting closer to the stables, and my excitement grew with every step. I walked alongside him, feeling small and insignificant amidst everything I saw. It didn’t help that I barely came up to Christian’s shoulders in height, and I had to look up at him every time he spoke.

Finally, we arrived at a building that looked like it had seen centuries pass. Its weathered walls and rustic charm told a story of years gone by. I peered over the metal gate bearing the ‘Desert Rose’ name tag, gazing at the magnificent animal before me. Her coat was a glossy chestnut, her muscles rippling under her sleek frame. As I entered the enclosure, I patted her gently, feeling her temperature. I could usually tell if a horse had higher than average temperature, which might indicate the use of drugs for speed. She felt normal. I reached into a small box and pulled out a carrot, offering it to her as a token of appreciation. Her velvety muzzle nuzzled against my hand.

“May I?” I looked at Christian with uncertainty.

“Please!” He encouraged me. “She’s all yours.”

With a gentle nudge, I urged Desert Rose forward, and she followed my lead toward the rink, just outside the stables. I grabbed her saddle and threw it over her strong back. I stepped on the mount, swung my legs over her, and held the reins.

Christian walked away, leaned his back on the stable wall, and stared at me with his hands in his pockets as I began galloping slowly around the rink. The moon shone over him, exposing his white teeth under a genuine smile he wasn’t trying to hide.

I looked away from him and petted Desert Rose. She moved with fluid grace, her powerful muscles rippling under my legs. I let out a laugh and urged her into a faster gallop, feeling her surge forward, her hooves pounding the ground with a rhythmic beat.

It was undeniable. She was in great shape. I sped her up along the lawn, and she didn’t flinch. I listened for her pulse. Normal. I examined her eyes, ears, and face—no sign of lethargy or confusion. I realized I might be reaching, and it was all in my head. It was time to let Diana have her win and accept my loss.

As we slowed to a stop, I looked up at the moon and let out a contented sigh. I had forgotten about Christian’s presence and jumped up with surprise when I heard his voice.

“I wish I could do what you just did so effortlessly,” he beamed and extended his hand to help me.

“Wanna try?” I offered, not entirely sure if I could be of any help.

“And make a fool of myself? Not at all. Not tonight, at least.” He smiled shyly.

“Oh, what a shame. Christian Forbes is not good at everything he does.” I joked as I led the horse toward the stables and turned to look at his expression.

He was trying to conceal a genuine smile.

I walked Desert Rose back to her enclosure, but as I left, my foot caught on something, and I stumbled forward. Before I could hit the ground, Christian's strong arms wrapped around me, catching me in a tender embrace.

Our eyes locked. My knees buckled. All my suspicions and resentment toward him and his daughter faded at that moment. Forgetting why I had come here in the first place, I closed my eyes and welcomed the warmth of his breath as he towered over me and leaned closer.

“You’re a natural beauty, Victoria,” Christian whispered instead of kissing me and peeled away a stray lock of hair from my face.

I opened my eyes and felt the hot blood rush to my cheeks as I realized he’d seen me anticipate a kiss that he never planned on giving me.

I’m such an idiot.

And as soon as I thought that, his hand slipped behind my back, under my T-shirt, and pulled me closer to him. The coolness of his masculine hand on my skin sent a chill up my spine and made my nipples perk up through my flimsy sports bra.

I kept my eyes open this time and examined his gorgeous face as his lips finally touched mine, his hot breath setting my insides on fire. His tongue gently grazed mine before he pulled away to search my eyes for confirmation. My arms, frozen at my sides until now, wrapped around his lower back and gently squeezed his toned butt. That was all the confirmation he needed. He pressed his lips on mine, his tongue gushing into my mouth.

His lips escaped mine for a brief moment and moved to my neck. I rolled my eyes back in ecstasy and caught a glimpse of my surroundings. My sixth sense had brought me here to investigate my suspicions about Desert Rose and Diana’s unexpected win. And there I was, examining Christian’s body instead, under Desert Rose’s scornful stare. I looked away from her and gave in to his kisses again.

Maybe it was the fact that I was so short, and it had become uncomfortable for him to lean over me, or perhaps the smell of the stable didn’t sit well with him, but he picked me up, wrapped my legs around his waist and carried me like that toward the house.

“Will you come inside with me?” He pleaded through kisses and heavy breathing as he propped me down near the front of the house.

“I think we both know the answer to that.” I smiled and stared into his bright eyes.

With that, he led me through the grand foyer, up the massive staircase, through a wide hallway lit by a few dim lights, and into a bedroom the size of my entire living room. My pulse raced faster than ever as I realized what would happen. Suddenly panic and despair washed over me. I lost all connection with reality, and my plan to get under Christian’s skin and discover the truth about Desert Rose became a distant speck of dust.

But then I felt his gentle pull and landed back in his arms. And it all felt right again. We walked toward the bed. He sat me down and knelt in front of me. He reached for my muddy Converses and pulled them off. Seeing this powerful man at my feet sent me spiraling with desire.

Christian’s veiny hands slid up my legs to my waist, where his fingers played with the button of my jeans. His eyes locked with mine as if to watch my reaction. I bit my lip and lifted my butt as he peeled the tight jeans down my thighs, exposing my white panties. He spread my legs and caressed the insides of my thighs. I watched his eyes widen and darken at the sight of my bruised skin.

“Victoria—” he whispered.

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