Wyneth shot a look at Paxton’s back, and then gave her horse a gentle kick forward. Aerity slid down from Doll and kept her reins in her hand, sidling up next to Paxton. He kept up his pace without looking her way but there was a buzz of energy between them.
The princess worked up her nerve and whispered, “Ride with me.”
His response was swift. “I won’t.”
Aerity felt as if she’d been kicked in the gut, but the pain was followed by an exasperated anger that fired her tongue. “Of all the insolent, childish, stubborn things, Paxton Seabolt! You’re obviously weary. I don’t know what happened last night, but there is no good reason for you to refuse help except your own foolish pride!”
She watched the joint of his strong jaw clamp and release.
“I accepted your food, thank you, and now I’m feeling much better to walk.”
Unfortunately for him, his stubbornness was matched by her own. “If you shall walk, then I shall walk.”
The guard gave a low rumble of disapproval behind her.
Paxton lifted his eyes to the sky and spoke in a low whisper for her ears only. “Is it so hard to believe I’d prefer to bealone? I’m certain every eligible man in the kingdom would fall over his boot strings for a chance to ride behind your royal arse, but I am not one of them.”
Aerity sucked in a breath of shock. She saw him take in the rise of her chest from the corner of his eye before looking ahead again.
Well, that settled it, the swine. Now Aerity would walk at his side for the simple pleasure of not giving him what he wanted. If he thought he could frighten her away with his words and intimidate her, he was wrong. She’d never wanted to bombard anyone with a series of smacks so badly, but she refused to show him how coarsely he affected her.
Aerity stood taller and looked straight ahead, walking as casually as he. She fought back a smile when, after five minutes passed, he turned his head to stare at her incredulously. When she didn’t acknowledge him in any way, he shook his head and looked forward again.
Her guard had taken to trotting his horse from side to side, making a twenty- to thirty-foot zag behind them.
After half an hour, Paxton finally said, “You’re truly not going to leave me alone?”
“Truly.” She was quite chipper.
“You won’t ride unless I ride with you?”
“Exactly.”
He let out a growling huff and mumbled, “This will be the longest day of my life if I have to continue like this.” He stopped and jutted his chin up at Doll. “Get on the damned horse.”
Aerity bristled and gave a tight smile. “Well, since you asked so charmingly.”
She hooked a foot in the stirrup and pulled herself up, positioning her skirts higher around her thighs so her legs could hang down comfortably. Then she scooted up and looked at Paxton’s handsome, albeit dirty, face near her knee. He glowered up at her and she patted the spot behind her.
Aerity could not have prepared herself for the feel of Paxton’s solid, male body as he easily settled his weight behind her. She was momentarily stunned into inaction, the air halting in her lungs as her body reacted. Her skin had never felt more sensitive—her torso, bottom, and thighs heating to nearly unbearable temperatures. Even the folds of fabric around her hips seemed to caress her in a sensuous way. Aerity had ridden horseback many times with others, but this could not be compared. Their bodies were forced together, him being heavier, naturally pushing her up so she was practically in his lap.
When she made no move, Paxton’s rugged arms came around her waist and took the reins. Her lungs came alive again, sputtering in shallow bursts.
What in Eurona’s name was wrong with her?My lands above. . . Aerity hoped her sister wasn’t experiencing this same sensation.
Paxton’s stubbed cheek scratched up against her softer one as he whispered in her ear. “I assume you want to return to royal lands sometime today. Allow me.”
His voice jolted her back into reality as his hands tightenedon the reins. She cleared her throat. Paxton hitched his heels into Doll’s sides and they took off with the guard behind them. Aerity urged the horse faster to make good on her promise to get home before dark. The princess felt the solid mass of Paxton behind her, pressing against her back as he leaned them both forward to gain speed. For once, she felt no fear about the galloping animal beneath her, welcoming the wind on her face.
At one point she felt his nose against her neck, and when she pulled to the side to peer at him, his head jerked up, and he stared straight ahead.
“You . . . smell nice,” he said with seeming reluctance. The princess faced ahead again so he wouldn’t see her smile.
Despite the breeze that cooled as the day wore on, Aerity found herself warm the entire ride back. When they finally arrived at the commons, Paxton slid deftly off Doll’s back. He strode away from her without a word, leaving her abruptly cold in the dusk air. Aerity frowned at his retreating form, wondering why he hated her, and why she couldn’t bring herself to hate him back.
Chapter
31
