Page 22 of Satisfying the King

He pulled me along behind him. “We’re going on a ride, Giselle. A nice, long ride.” He smirked at me.

“Really?” I squealed.

Loudly.

And I might have bounced up and down.

For a good minute.

Carlo chuckled and gave me a smirk. Then he took me into the stable and showed me around. I was amazed at the sheer size of the stables. And everything was clean—no—immaculate inside.

He guided me through the building, showing off the many stalls. Then he took me to the end where there were bales of hay and other feed for them.

A small office stood in the corner, but Carlo only pointed that out to me. He didn’t take me inside.

After that, he helped me choose a horse to ride—or more like, he suggested one. And I trusted his decision. Carlo would know which horse I’d ride with best.

We spent a short time saddling up the horses—and then Carlo helped me onto Carmen.

It was wonderful. I grinned down at him, and he squeezed my leg with his hand.

Soon, we were off for a long, long ride. Just like Carlo had promised. All over his humongous estate. My horse, Carmen, was an absolute doll. They didn’t come more good-natured than her. She was a joy to ride.

The only other thing I really wanted to do was take her out and—go.

Fast.

Wind in my hair.

Sun on my back.

And just speed through the open meadow.

Oh, well.

I shouldn’t be so greedy. Carlo taking me out was more than wonderful.

And while I appreciated being around everyone else—and I loved each one of them—it was so nice to have this break. Being alone with Carlo was exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

My stomach started to growl, and I hoped Carlo couldn’t hear it. The last thing I wanted to do was cut our ride short.

Carlo waved his hand and motioned me forward. Carmen and I trotted up beside him. “Follow me,” he said with a mysterious smile on his face. Carlo still hadn’t shaved—at my request. And seeing him out here, on a horse—really did fulfill many of my lumberjack fantasies.

“I’m already following you,” I reminded him with a smile.

He and Capo sauntered ahead, and Carmen and I kept up from behind.

They guided us through a pretty narrow, rocky path. Not too far in, I heard the sound of trickling water.

A few minutes later, we came out into a clearing. Right beside a small stream.

It was gorgeous, especially with the rolling hills in the background.

Carlo slid off his horse and left him by the stream. Then he strode over to help me get off my horse.

“This is beautiful,” I said and watched Carmen join her friend at the stream.

“Is the water okay for us to drink, too?” I asked, suddenly feeling as thirsty as the horses.

---