Bound by Lust

The wind whipped through Esme's hair as she urged the stallion forward, her pulse quickening as she tried to catch up to Kael. He was effortlessly ahead, his form steady and controlled as his horse thundered across the open field.

She gritted her teeth. He was toying with her.

Determined not to let him win, she tightened her grip on the reins and leaned forward, pressing her legs into the horse's sides. The powerful creature responded instantly, picking up speed, closing the distance between them.

Kael glanced back over his shoulder, smirking. "Not bad, princess."

"Stop calling me that!" she shouted, but he only laughed and urged his horse faster.

Esme growled in frustration, pushing herself harder. The chase became exhilarating—the sound of pounding hooves, the rush of the wind, the fierce competition. She wasn't just keeping up now. She was gaining on him.

Just as she thought she might pass him, Kael suddenly yanked his reins, bringing his horse to a sharp stop. Esme barely had time to react. She pulled hard on her own reins, and her stallion reared slightly before coming to a shaky halt.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, both from the exertion and the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "What the hell was that for?!" she snapped.

Kael slid off his horse with his usual effortless grace, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. The way he looked at her made her stomach flip—his eyes dark, unreadable, yet burning with something intense.

"You think you can outrun me?" he murmured.

Esme swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of how alone they were. No mansion, no Lucan, no Maria. Just the vast open field and the tension crackling between them.

"I almost did," she said breathlessly, still seated on the horse.

Kael stopped beside her, reaching up without hesitation. His hands closed around her waist as he lifted her off the horse in one swift motion.

Esme gasped, her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders as her feet barely touched the ground. His grip was firm, possessive, as if he was making a point.

"You were only ahead because I let you be," he said, his voice low, laced with something dangerous.

Her heart pounded against her ribs. He was too close—close enough that she could feel the heat radiating off him, close enough that she could see the sharpness in his jaw, the flicker of something almost predatory in his eyes.

"You really think you control everything, don't you?" she whispered.

Kael's lips curved slightly. "I do."

Esme's fingers twitched against his shoulders. She wanted to shove him away, but at the same time, she was trapped in his presence, unable to look away.

"You don't control me," she said, her voice softer than she intended.

Kael exhaled a quiet laugh, his fingers still resting at her waist. "Don't I?"

For a second—just a second—Esme thought he might kiss her. The air between them grew thick, charged with unspoken tension.

Then, just as quickly, Kael let her go, stepping back as if nothing had happened.

"Let's head back," he said casually, as though he hadn't just unsettled every nerve in her body.

Esme clenched her fists. She hated how easily he could pull her in, play with her, and then walk away like it was nothing.

But if he thought she would be another pawn in whatever game he was playing, he was wrong.

She was going to make sure of it.

To Be Continued…

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