Arielle Immortal Passion (3 page)

“I’m amazed that I’ve finally found something that you can’t do. But why is that?”

“I’m afraid of horses. Eva and I are more the books and music kind of girls. We left all the athletic activities to Gabrielle.” The three girls exchanged meaningful glances, remembering that after each summer holiday, Gabrielle was the only one that came back with horseback riding stories.

Silence stretched. “What’s going on?” Ian asked, breaking the quiet.

“Nothing,” answered Eva, glancing briefly at Ian.

“Come on, let’s all go,” Sebastian said. He put his finger under Arielle’s chin and lifted it to meet his gaze. “I’ll help you, and show you that horses are a lot of fun.” She opened her mouth to say something, but she changed her mind and her lips tightened. “Come on, there is nothing to be afraid of,” he pressed on, and clasping her hand in his he pulled her towards the door as everyone followed.

In the garage, there were a few very nice cars available for their use. “Take whichever car you like, and follow us,” Sebastian said. “They keys are in the ignition.” They chose a pretty blue four-door Mercedes. Sebastian opened the passenger door to a snappy red sports car and Arielle slipped in. He turned the music on and pulled out of the driveway, and into the country road, followed by the friends in the blue Mercedes.

They rode for a long while in silence. Arielle peeked at Sebastian from the corner of her eye, and she could see a grin teasing his mouth. He looked relaxed, as he settled back contentedly against his seat, keeping his eyes on the road. She felt anxious, feeling the pressure of having to be part of something she considered difficult, unattainable. Despite her desire to please Sebastian, all she was thinking was to turn and go back. Horseback riding was Sebastian’s sport, his true passion. Suddenly she was guarded, fear claiming her thoughts.

Sebastian felt her anxiety. “What’s wrong?” he asked, and squeezed her hand affectionately.

“Sebastian, I’m not sure about horseback riding. I’m really scared of horses,” she said, shifting in her seat uncomfortably.

“I’ll be right next to you, my love. I will not let anything happen to you,” he said, and gave her a reassuring glance. “You might find that you enjoy it.”

She stared at him for a long moment, assessing his words, and started to protest but decided against it. She just shrugged and pressed her hand against her pounding temple. “I am sure I will not,” she muttered sulkily, her doubt palpable.

Sebastian smiled, and leaning over, he pressed a kiss on her cheek. “You might be surprised, you never know,” he insisted. She didn’t reply, just waved her hand indifferently.

When they arrived at the stables, a young man was sitting outside, leaning back with his chair against the wall. He jumped up when he saw Sebastian approaching. “Hello, Mr. Gaulle,” Arielle heard him say, a bright smile on his face.

“Hello, Edward, how are you?”

“Just fine, sir. Are you going to do a little riding today?”

“Yes, can you please get six horses ready for us? Two very mild ones for the two young ladies over here,” he added, pointing at Eva and Arielle with a teasing smile. Then he turned to Ian and Troy. “Let’s go change into riding gear while the girls get familiar with their horses.”

They walked to a small house next to the stable. The girls waited outside for the horses and enjoyed the amazing view of the hills and the ocean. The fresh scent of hay and the crisp fragrance of the morning air made Gabrielle smile.

“Arielle, he must be very wealthy,” Gabrielle said, when the men were out of sight.

“I don’t know. I’ve never asked,” Arielle said truthfully.

Before long the guys came back outside, and the girls nearly swooned. They were outfitted from head to toe in the most elegant riding gear the girls had ever seen. They looked like they had just stepped out of the pages of a Gothic novel. They were tall, stunningly handsome, with smiles that would make any young woman’s heart rate double. They were quite literally a breathtaking sight.

“Girls, your turn,” Sebastian said. “Everything you need is in there. There are various sizes and colors you can choose from,” he said to Gabrielle, knowing that she was an experienced horsewoman. Eva and Arielle had no idea what they would need, so they waited for Gabrielle to guide them. As she helped them dress, she also gave them a short lesson about each item, beginning with the riding helmet. “You need the helmet because there is always a risk when you are riding.”

“Don’t remind us, please, Gabby,” Eva said.

“Next we need boots,” Gabrielle said. “These are great. They’re paddock boots, specially designed to prevent your foot from getting caught in the stirrup if you’re thrown from your horse.” Arielle looked at Eva, who wasn’t looking so good. “Next, the vest.”

Arielle was fighting nausea as she listened to Gabby explain that the vest was designed to protect their vital organs if they fell. She wasn’t sure that this was something she wanted to be doing today, and she knew that Eva was feeling the same. Gabrielle looked at both of them, at their grim expressions, and laughed out loud.

“The pants aren’t essential, but they make the ride much more comfortable,” she said. That was somewhat comforting, until she added that they were designed to protect the lower leg from irritation or bruising due to rubbing against the stirrup straps.

“My God!” Arielle exclaimed, in a voice full of anxiety. “Is there anything safe about being on a horse?”

“It’s a lot of fun, but you need to be protected,” Gabrielle said with a chuckle.

“I’m not sure I want to do this,” Eva said.

“Oh, come on you guys, get over yourselves. We’ll all be with you, nothing is going to happen.” Gabrielle turned around and walked toward the door followed by Eva and Arielle.

“Oh boy, here we go,” Arielle said quietly, glancing at Eva. Eva opened her mouth to say something, but she was interrupted by the sound of laughter. Both Eva and Arielle turned as one, and found Gabrielle looking at them, hands on her hips, shaking her head at them. Finally, she threw her hands up in the air, in an over-the-top movement. “You both look like you are going to the guillotine.”

“You are not funny, Gabby,” Arielle mumbled, glaring at her, utterly frustrated.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” Gabby said, walking back and standing in front of her two friends. “I was only joking. I truly believe that you’ll enjoy it, if you just give it a chance.” She stared at both of them with a sincere look on her face, then turned and walked out the door. “Cowards,” she said, loud enough for them to hear her, and laughed again. And this time she didn’t stop. Turning back, she saw her friends watching her, stunned shock on their faces.

“Oh, my God!” she called out, throwing her hands once again up in the air. “I’m
joking!
” This time they all laughed, and Gabby let out a sigh of relief.

The guys were standing by their horses, carrying on an inaudible conversation. But the girls could tell that whatever they were discussing was quite amusing because they were laughing ardently. As they approached their beaux, the three stopped and stared in awe at these three astounding specimens of male beauty.

Ian was the first one to look up and notice the girls. “Mmm-mmm, get a load of that,” he said, in admiration.

Troy and Sebastian whirled around and found themselves staring at three stunningly beautiful girls—
their
girls.” Deep smiles curved their lips, and long, low whistles divulged their appreciation of the girls’ beauty. Ian moved toward them slowly, and as he approached Eva, he reached for her. They stood for a moment gazing into each other’s eyes. Then, Ian lowered his gaze and stepped much closer. Reaching out he pulled Eva into his arms. “You look amazing, but a little worried,” he whispered, “Don’t worry, I’ll not leave your side, my love.” Eva looked up at him and smiled nervously. Clasping her hand he pulled her toward the horses.

Gabrielle was already standing by her horse, a big male beauty named Rêve de Minuit. With one hand she was holding the reins, and with the other she was petting the horse on his neck with soft sweeping strokes, while whispering sweet nothings in his ear.
What in the world is she telling that horse?
Arielle thought, and chuckled at the sight. Gabby looked as if she could feel the joy of her touch emanating from the horse. She noticed Sebastian and Troy exchanging glances. Finally, they both laughed out loud, at one point doubling over with laughter.

She couldn’t hear what Gabby was saying, but of course immortal ears could hear a pin fall in the hay.

Gabrielle looked up, startled, and saw Troy and Sebastian straightening up and winking at each other.

“What in bloody hell is wrong with you two?” she called out.

Troy waved his hand, dismissing her question, and with two long strides she was in his arms and locked into a hot kiss.

Arielle felt the heat of Sebastian’s body before she saw him move. He was suddenly standing close to her. She looked up and their gaze locked. His arms snaked around her waist and he pulled her closer. She wanted to ask about Gabby and what she had said to the horse, when his mouth came down on hers with toe curling passion, wiping away every thought she ever had. His tongue slipped inside the softness of her mouth and pleasure spread like fire. They lost themselves in the moment, forgetting where they were.

A soft cough made them stop and look around. Troy was busy with Gabby, and Ian with Eva, but Edward was still standing close by, trying to look inconspicuous, but clearly uncomfortable with the displays of affection. Sebastian dropped his hands, and Arielle pulled away from his tight embrace. Sebastian cleared his throat, and clasping her hand, he pulled her toward her horse.

“Are you ready to do this?” he asked, grinning.

“I’m not so sure. But I’ll try,” she said honestly.

“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll be right next to you.”

“Don’t worry,” she said, trying to mimic his calm voice, but she felt anything but confident.

A wide smile spread across Sebastian’s face. “You look a bit pale, darling. Do you feel all right?” he asked, chuckling. Arielle now knew that he was playing with her, not understanding her very real fear.

“She’s fine,” Gabrielle said. “She’s just scared.”

“Oh, gee, thanks, Gabby.” Arielle shot her friend a look of disapproval. Gabrielle just laughed. Arielle could see that in her mind she was thinking warmly of her, and that she was excited to be on a horse again.

Sebastian’s desire to kiss her increased. He cradled her face with his hands, and bending down he captured her lips in a warm kiss. Pulling back from the kiss reluctantly, he smiled and pulled her to stand next to a very large horse.

“Look,” he said. “Eva is already on the horse.”

She looked up, surprised to see that he was right. Eva was sitting on the horse, but she was not looking as confident as the rest of them. Arielle could read her mind and what she saw in Eva’s mind was nothing like the look on Eva’s face. She was clearly scared to death, but wanted to do this for Ian. Arielle looked up at Sebastian and pursed her lips together. His lips curved into a sensual smile.

“Come along!” he said, and helped her get into the saddle.

Clutching at the horse’s bridle, she drew in a deep breath. “Oh, God, here I go…” she said, in a low voice, but they all heard her and laughed out loud. She took a deep breath, and shifted on the saddle uncomfortably. She was trembling, face ghostly white, but she was on the horse.
Well,
she thought to herself,
this isn’t so bad. But of course the horse hasn’t moved yet.

Sebastian handed her the reins and quickly showed her what she needed to do. He vaulted onto the horse with ease, and he looked glorious.

They all started to move forward slowly, and Arielle found out that the ride was not as bad as she had feared. Ian stayed close to Eva, and Sebastian close to Arielle. Troy and Gabrielle were very comfortable, and they rode a bit ahead.

“What is the horse’s name?” Arielle asked, when she dared to say anything.

“Whisper,” Sebastian answered.

“Why, for heaven’s sake, should I do that?” she asked, glancing at him, puzzled.

“Do what?”

“Why should I whisper?”

Sebastian tried, but failed to suppress laughter that was slowly pulsating through his body. He finally succumbed and exploded into laughter, followed by Ian and Eva. When they finally stopped laughing, they found Arielle watching them all, speechless.

“What in bloody hell is so funny?” she finally asked, crisply.

There was an abrupt silence, while Sebastian, Ian, and Eva exchanged amusing looks.

“Well, am I going to be privy to your joke?” she asked. She feigned indifference, but she was really hurt.

Sebastian coughed to clear his voice and kept his lips from turning up into a smile.

“I’m sorry, baby, but this was quite funny. Whisper is the horse’s name,” he explained.

Arielle’s eyes widened and her mouth shaped into an “O.” She clapped her hand over her mouth and chuckled quietly.

“He and Shadow, Eva’s horse, are very mild, wonderful horses. You will be fine. Trust in me.”

Arielle looked cautiously over at Eva. She wore a big smile on her face and looked good riding Shadow, right next to Ian.