Page 83 of Forbidden Forget-Me-Not

Ehren offered Corey his arm, and they left.

The trailer door opened just as I glanced down at my watch.

Kaylani stepped out wearing a deep emerald dress that stopped just above her knees. The neckline dipped modestly, fitted, but elegant. She looked dangerous and refined all at once. Her hair flowed around her shoulders in loose waves. The only jewelry she wore was the gold necklace with her wedding band and horse charm.

“You look incredible,” I whispered as she stepped up to me.

“You don’t look half bad yourself,” she teased, smoothing down the lapel on my jacket. She rose onto her toes and kissed my cheek.

Normally, I would have left it at that. But not today. My hand curved around the back of her neck as I kissed her like I had been wanting to all day.

She moaned into my mouth as the world around us faded for a second.

When I moved back, Kaylani’s eyes were glossy and her lips slightly swollen.

“Shall we,” I asked, holding out my arm.

“Why, Goran, this is very public of you.”

I smirked. “I’m trying it on for size.”

“It looks good.”

We stepped into the pavilion, where the banquet hall buzzed with laughter and polished smiles. Riders congratulated one another with effortless grace, but underneath it all was calculation. The unspoken promise of “I’ll beat you next time,” lingered in the air.

I released Kaylani’s arm when I spotted the suits. To anyone else, it would look like I had just been helping her stay steady.

She felt the change immediately and turned her head to me.

“New eyes are watching,” I whispered.

She gave a single nod and continued forward as I followed like an accessory to her outfit.

Corey and Ehren were already seated at our table with two other riders, a groom, and a coach I recognized.

I didn’t like one of the riders, Dylan, who had been hovering around Kaylani the past few shows. Today, he kept finding excuses to come around Atlas’s stall, flashing those golden boy dimples.

He was perfect in that wealthy, annoying way that clung to most of the people in this room. Tall. Blond. Effortlessly charming. Always had something interesting to say. Always leaning a little too close.

He set my teeth on edge.

Right on cue, Dylan stood with an easy smile and leaned in to give Kaylani two air kisses.

“Kaylani, your beauty matches your fierceness in the ring. I’ll have to watch my back tomorrow.”

She played along, laughing politely.

As used to this as I was, tonight, I struggled to keep the rage off my face. It wasn’t her fault. It was this world. But it was clear just how tired of it I had become.

I didn’t bother holding back my glare when Dylan pushed in Kaylani’s chair, then sat down beside her.

Annoyance simmered beneath my skin. Needing a moment to collect myself, I walked over to the bar.

“A whiskey neat and a vodka and cranberry,” I said.

With drinks in hand, I returned to our table and set Kaylani’s glass down in front of her.

“Thank you,” she said, her fingers brushing mine briefly.