The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(39)

He grabs me around the waist and sinks his face into my neck, mauling me, making me shriek with a mixture of shock and undeniable enjoyment. “Very funny.”

I smile like mad, turning my face to his, being blinded by the sparkle that greets me. Eyes locked, breaths suddenly strained, we stare at each other, my smile slowly falling away. It’s a game, Adeline. Josh plays games. But my thoughts wobble when Josh starts to lower his mouth to mine, and suddenly, the only thought running rampant in my mind is how amazing it is going to feel with his lips on mine again, to taste him, savor him. His flesh has barely brushed mine when a loud clatter sounds, snapping me from my carelessness. I withdraw and scan our surroundings for peeking eyes. We’re alone.

Goodness, how stupid of me. But Josh makes being stupid easy. Almost … right. Grabbing a hat, I hand it to him, but he doesn’t take it. “This looks like it will fit.”

“I want you to put it on,” he declares quietly, closing the distance I’ve put between us.

I try not to let his request faze me, handing him my own hat to hold so I can follow his request. He takes it and dips a fraction, allowing me to rest the hat on his head. “Lift your chin,” I order softly, having to bat down my admiration when his throat stretches, presenting me with the challenge of not licking his taut, stubbled skin. My fingers work fast adjusting the straps, that wretched tremble returning and making my task trickier than it should be. My eyes jump up to his, finding him watching me closely.

“Concentrate,” he commands on a small smile. “It’ll hurt like a motherfucker if you pinch my skin in that clip.”

“Please, do not tempt me,” I warn, pursing my lips playfully. It will be a small price for him to pay for the torture he put me through last night. And I don’t mean the pain.

“Does it suit me?” he asks.

“Very much so.”

“How come your hat has a fancy red cover with a gold emblem, and mine’s plain, boring black?”

“Because I am a princess.” I step back and take my hat from his hands, putting it on. “The emblem is the British Monarchy’s coat of arms. The cloth is a silk.”

“Silk, leather …”

I grin and reclaim Stan’s reins. “Come on.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I lead Stan on, bringing him to a stop by the giant mounting block, while Josh tails me, faffing with the strap under his chin, constantly stretching his neck, as if realizing my battle not to stare. Or touch. Or lick. “Climb up,” I order, shaking my thoughts away.

“Onto that?” he asks, eyeing the huge lump of concrete.

“Yes.”

“I see something better I’d like to climb,” he mumbles, going around the back of Stan.

It is terribly hard, especially after that almost smoldering kiss, but I disregard his cheeky wit. “Always give a horse a wide berth if you are behind them.”

Josh moves away speedily, eyeballing Stan with caution. “He’s a big dude, isn’t he?” He plods up the steps to the top of the mounting block.

“Seventeen hands.”

“You’re enjoying all this talking in code, aren’t you?”

“Not at all. Slip your foot into the stirrup,” I say, pointing to it.

“I know what that is.”

“Then do it.”

“Are you telling me what to do?”

“Yes, and I’m enjoying it. Don’t spoil my fun and do as you are told.” I smile a sweet smile. “Please, sir.”

His eyes narrow to warning slits, and I can literally see him mentally plotting his revenge. A revenge I will no doubt enjoy. Slipping the toe of his shoe into the stirrup, he searches for somewhere to hold.

“Here.” I take his left hand and place it on the pommel. “Use that to pull yourself up and throw your leg over the saddle.”

Josh does it with surprising grace. “Okay?” he asks.

“Okay. Just keep hold of the pommel.” I walk Stan a few steps away from the block so I can access both sides.

“Pommel?”

“Yes, and there is no sexual spin you can put on that.” I flip him a small smirk.

“Oh, I don’t know. Let me think about that one.”

I find myself laughing again. He’s just too cheeky for his own good. And handsome. And talented. “Drop your legs.”

“What?” Josh gives me surprised look. It is so totally false.

“Take your feet out of the stirrups and drop your legs. Your knees are too high. I need to adjust the stirrup leathers.”

Josh follows my order, and I push his leg back so I can flip the saddle flap. “Are you trying to spread my legs, Your Highness?”

I smile as I work, unbuckling the leathers to release them a few notches before taking his foot and placing it back in the stirrup. “Better?”

“Much.”

“Good.” I walk around to the other side and match it, and then stand at the front of Stan to make sure Josh’s legs are even. “Perfect.” Claiming the reins, I look up. “Ready?”

Josh smiles down at me. “Are you?”

I prepare to fire some smart counter, I’m not sure what, just something that will shut him up, but I am interrupted mid-thought when I hear the clip-clop of hooves from behind. I turn and find Senator Jameson leading Bob, one of our resident horses, out to the field by his reins.