✓ WICKED VOWS| JAKE (Book II )

34-Reins To Hold & Lies To Infold

Anna's pov

As we rode, his body pressed intimately against mine, every movement creating friction that heightened the already smoldering tension between us while Acacia was following us wild enough. His hand remained on mine, guiding me, his touch both reassuring and possessive. The rhythm of Aconite's powerful strides beneath us mirrored the wild heartbeat in my chest. I feel wild again and the adrenaline builds up in my system as if I were in a race.

The world around us blurred, the only reality being the heat of his body against mine and the steady cadence of the horse's gallop. His scent—an intoxicating mix of earth and spice—mingled with the crisp air, enveloping me in a heady cloud of desire. Every breath I took seemed to draw me deeper into his orbit, the magnetic pull between us growing stronger with each passing second.

Jake's fingers tightened around my waist, pulling me closer as he whispered in my ear, "Hold the reins."

And I did, I felt the stallion shift a little bit but he went for it and gave me his full speed as I wished. That was it. I feel as if the madness is taking over me again, but it is a beautiful madness that fascinates me in a good way. The next thing I knew, we were speeding like mad horses on Aconite. The adrenaline surged through me, and I couldn't help but revel in the thrill. Jake's hands held my waist, their warmth and strength offering a sense of protection and security. We came to a halt to enjoy the sunset, the sky now ablaze with fiery hues. I finally broke the silence while Acacia danced around us. "Tell me something."

"Something?" he echoed, his voice low and velvety."Something about horses." He seemed to consider that for a moment, his hand dropping from my chin as he pondered my request. "Why?"

"Because I want to know," I replied.

Jake's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. "And here I thought you were a smart woman."

"Well, I am a smart woman, but I've never been on a horse before," I shot back, a hint of defiance in my voice. He chuckled softly, the sound rich and dark, resonating through the quiet of the early evening. "they can sleep while standing."As he spoke, his voice became more than just words; it was a melody of understanding and hidden depths. I could feel the tension between us shift, a subtle change that brought us closer. His fingers traced a path along my arm, his touch both electrifying and tender.

"Tell me more," I urged, my curiosity piqued by the layers of meaning in his words."They embody the spiritual power of independence, freedom, nobleness, endurance, confidence, triumph, heroism, and competition. Its symbol is associated with strength, courage, and freedom. They possess the equivalent intelligence of a 3-year-old child. Meaning most horses can recognize themselves in the mirror, understand some human emotions, and can learn tricks or commands."I nodded, absorbing his words but Jake's presence was overwhelming. The setting sun bathed us in a golden glow, casting long shadows that intertwined like the fates that bound us.

Our eyes met, and in that moment, the world around us seemed to fade away. The connection between us was undeniable, a powerful force that drew us together even as it threatened to tear us apart. The sexual tension was palpable, an undercurrent of desire that simmered beneath the surface, waiting to ignite.

Jake's hand returned to my waist, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. "Shall we ride again?" he asked, his voice low and inviting, filled with promise and challenge. I nodded, unable to find my voice, and we mounted Aconite once more. As we rode into the twilight, the lines between trust and control, desire and restraint, began to blur, until we found ourselves again back at the table, where Jimmy waited for us and helped the horses in their respective places.

Why does the air seem to shift whenever we depart? The sun had long sunk beneath the horizon, leaving behind a silence thick with raw divinity, dripping from the stars above. We walked side by side, a tension brewing between us, a silence so palpable it weighed heavily on my chest. He was the first to shatter the oppressive stillness.

"Has Alex already returned to Russia?" His voice cut through the night, as cold and distant as the place itself.

"He has," I replied, my voice barely more than a whisper, as we made our way to the kitchen. The mention of Russia stirred a deep, aching nostalgia within me. I reached for a glass of water, trying to quench the dryness in my throat, while he busied himself with heating the food the maids had left behind. "I wanted to bid him farewell before he left."

"Do I detect a note of sadness?" My tone was sharp, almost mocking. "You should be relieved that Alexander is out of your life, no longer forcing me to sleep in your room."

He turned to me, his glare sharp enough to cut through the dim light. "That room was designed to be the master bedroom. It is, in fact, our room. The room you've been using, along with the one beside it, is meant for children. Ours, if I may spell it out." He spoke with such casual detachment as if he hadn't just introduced the topic of children into this twisted conversation. My heart twisted painfully in my chest, the implications of his words settling over me like a dark cloud.

"And what exactly are you insinuating?" My voice was edged with venom, each word a dagger aimed at his heart.

"I'm not insinuating anything," he replied with infuriating calm. "But it's only logical to share a room. The maids here, under the royal housemaid's watchful eye, are known for their loose tongues."

"And only now do you care about appearances?" I shot back, my voice rising. "It's been two months, Your Highness."

"I care now," he repeated, his tone laced with annoyance. A heavy silence fell between us, thick with unspoken words and buried emotions. I knew this version of Jake all too well—unconcerned with appearances, indifferent to the whispers of the maids. There was something more sinister at play, something hidden beneath the surface.

"There will be a Royal Ascot meeting tomorrow," he said suddenly, his back to me as he continued to heat his food. "I won't be coming home."

"And why should that matter to me?" I retorted, my voice dripping with scorn.

"At least pretend to be a wife," he whispered, his words cutting through me like a knife, even as he turned away.

"When I see a husband, perhaps I'll act like a wife," I lied, my voice a mixture of bitterness and defiance. "But remember, I'll always be acting." The truth was, he played the role of a husband all too well—everything a husband should do, everything I despised, was embodied in him. Rage bubbled up inside me, hot and uncontrollable, with nowhere to hide from the storm that threatened to consume me. I took myself upstairs to the master bedroom, refusing to hide or cower beneath his shadow any longer, I to the orchid and my toiletries and left.

This was my space, and now I would claim it, just as Alex had done before. The room felt different, haunted by the presence that once occupied it. I placed the plant in her old seat. The autumn wind brushed against my skin, carrying a scent that was woody and harsh, mirroring the twisted ugliness within me. It was a scent that spoke of decay, of something rotting away in the depths of my soul—just like the feelings that began to stir with each venomous word he spat.

I stood there, letting the wind whip through my hair, trying to grasp the truth that evaded me. I wanted to hide my rage but I didn't know where to do it, so I just kept it inside. I looked down at the plant, "Am I a monster, or is this what it means to be human?" 

now let's start some drama- inferno

and i love you guys <3