“No, she’ll be fine. I’ve got this,” he was saying to someone, shaking his head. Then he turned his attention back to her. “Sweetheart, we’ll go back to the house now.”
“Who were you talking to?” She glanced past his shoulders and caught Eduardo gazing at her for a second before he lowered his eyes.
“We can walk, unless you want Eduardo to drive us back to the house?”
“No.” She clung to Juan Carlos tighter, still shocked. She wasn’t ready to let go. “No, we have more to do.”
He ran his hand over her ponytail, like a father would a child. “But not today, Portia.” His voice was gentle. “Not if you’re not up to it.”
She glanced to where Eduardo had been standing. He’d disappeared.
“Just hold me a little longer, please.”
“Of course.” One hand ran comforting circles on her back.
“I...I guess you have your answer.” She spoke into his shirt, still too freaked out to back away.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re my knight in shining armor today.”
“Just today?” There was amusement in his voice and Portia couldn’t deny how safe she felt being in his protective arms.
“Hmm.” To say more would be too revealing. She was vulnerable right now and had let her guard down with him. She didn’t want to let go of him. She needed his strength. He bolstered her courage.
“I guess, I’ll settle for that,” he said.
She tipped her chin up and gazed into his eyes. It would be so easy to kiss him now, to thank him for saving her from that creature.
“Portia,” he whispered. His gaze tumbled down to her lips and the longing in his voice tortured her.
Debating with herself, she closed her eyes.
She heard him sigh deeply as one hand gripped her shoulders. He gave a little shove and she stumbled back and then blinked. He’d set her away deliberately. She focused on the blade he still held in his other hand and the image of that snake’s split body flashed again in her mind.
A tick worked at his jaw, beating an erratic rhythm. “You test my honor, Portia. I made you a promise.”
“I...know.”
He put his head down, not meeting her eyes, and then bent to wipe the blade clean on the grass. One, two, three slashes were all that he needed. Then he stood and sheathed the knife, placing it in his waistband. “Come,” he said, reaching for her gloved hand. “We should go.”
“Yes. I can make it to the other shacks now.”
He nodded and led the way.
* * *
“Here.” Juan Carlos set a glass of whiskey into her hand. “Take a few sips and drink slowly.” She sat on the sofa near the fireplace and kept her eyes focused on the jumping blue-orange flames. They sizzled and popped and brought warmth to the cool evening. “You’ll need it to calm down.”
“I’m calm.” She wasn’t really. Her body still quaked inside even as she sipped the numbing whiskey. The thought of that snake wrapped around her made her stomach curl. Yuck, it was disgusting. And frightening. Juan Carlos had been wonderful. He’d stayed by her side and comforted her, and hadn’t balked when she’d insisted on continuing on their search. Though he’d made a thorough check of the next two buildings for creatures before he allowed her to step foot inside. He’d told her he was proud of her. It hadn’t been courage on her part, but rather sheer stubborn determination that made her put one foot in front of the other and kept her from running back to the house for refuge. They hadn’t found a thing in those other sheds, not one clue as to the whereabouts of the treasure, and she’d been ridiculously happy to return to the house after they’d exhausted their foot search.
“How’s that going down?” he asked.
“Smooth. I’m not usually a hard drinker.”
“But you needed something tonight.”
“I’m not usually such a wimp, either,” she said, smiling awkwardly. She’d felt like an idiot for panicking after Juan Carlos explained that the snake probably wasn’t poisonous or deadly, but her fear was real, and he’d understood that. Rather than take a chance, he’d done the manly thing. He’d killed the culprit. Her knight.
“You were very brave. You kept your cool.”
“You mean I froze in panic?”
He stared at her from his perch atop the sofa arm. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I promise nothing like that will ever happen to you again. I’m very cautious. I’ll take care to secure the site before you go pouncing.”
“I don’t pounce,” she said.
“Don’t you?” He smiled over his glass and sipped whiskey. “I had to stop you from going inside by yourself.”
“I didn’t know there would be snakes.”
He arched his brows. “All the more reason for us to stick closer together.”
“Can’t get much closer than this,” she said, chuckling. Oh, but yes, they could, and Juan Carlos’s arched brow, the amusement in his eyes, said he was thinking the same thing. The thought of sleeping just down the hall from him tonight killed her laughter. The alcohol was already affecting her brain, and her rational thinking. She set her glass down, looking into the amber liquid that remained. She needed her wits about her. It would be too easy to fall into lust with the king. “I think I’ll be okay now. What’s the plan for tomorrow?”
He thought about it a few seconds. “Tomorrow, we go out on horseback. There’s some terrain I want to explore that we can’t get to with the Jeep.”
“Are the horses here?”
He nodded. “They arrived this afternoon. Eduardo and Luis have stabled them.”
“You’ve thought of everything, Your Highness.”
“Juan Carlos.”
She grinned. “I’m sorry. Still can’t get there.”
He shrugged, and it dawned on her that she needed that wall of separation in order to remind herself who he was. She’d do better to think of him as a monarch, rather than a man.
“Are you getting hungry?” he asked, and she was glad he didn’t press the issue.
“A little.” It was after six and up until now, she hadn’t thought about food.
“Wait here, I’ll be right back.”
He rose and entered the kitchen. She heard him rustling around in there, opening the refrigerator door and banging shut the cupboards. The dance of lights in the fireplace mesmerized her for the few minutes he was gone.
Juan Carlos returned with a plate of delicacy cheeses, a bunch of deep red grapes and a loaf of bread. “I hope this will satisfy your hunger. If not, I can cook a few steaks and bake some potatoes.”
“No, this is perfect. I don’t think I could eat much more.”
“Want to sit in front of the fire?”
“Sure.” She grabbed a fringy knit throw blanket hanging over the sofa and fanned it out in front of the fireplace. Juan Carlos waited for her to sit, and then handed her the plates before taking his seat facing her.
“This is nice, thank you.” She arranged the plates in front of them.
The flickering flames cocooned them in a warm halo of light. She nibbled on the cheese and bread. Miles away from the city, she was at peace in this farmhouse.
She reached for a grape, and met with Juan Carlos’s hand as he did the same. Their fingers touched and she lifted her eyes to him. He was staring at her, as if memorizing the way she looked right now. Her heart began to beat faster. Their gazes remained locked for a second, and then she tore a bunch of grapes off and popped one into her mouth.
Outside, breezes blew, making the windows rattle. The distant sound of horses whinnying carried on the wind and she pictured them in their stalls. How long had it been since there was life in those stalls? She hoped the winds wouldn’t frighten the animals.
“What is it
?” he asked.
“I’m just wondering if the horses are okay out there. The stable walls aren’t solid anymore.”
“I was going to check on them after you went to bed.”
“I’d like to see them.”
He pulled air into his lungs and nodded, as if convincing himself of his suggestion. “Then you’ll join me.”
* * *
Juan Carlos held a battery-powered lantern in one hand and Portia’s hand in the other. He hadn’t planned on spending more time with her tonight. Holding her shaking body and consoling her after the snake incident had stirred a possessive streak in him. He’d wanted to protect her from harm and keep her safe, but having her melt into him, her heartbreaking tears soaking his shirt, had sliced him up inside. He could have held her for hours and not tired of it, yet they’d continued on their search and he’d cursed that damn promise he’d made to her. He’d been desperate to get her to stay on in Alma. And he’d had to agree to her terms with a promise he hoped like hell he could uphold.
Tonight, he’d thought to escape her. Maybe he would have had a drink with Eduardo and Luis or taken a late-night ride, or simply waited until Portia was safely ensconced in her bedroom before making it up to his room. Yet he couldn’t refuse Portia her request to join him in the stables.
So here he was, gritting his teeth as she walked beside him under the stars. The stables weren’t far and he’d given the bodyguards strict orders to watch without being seen. They were out there somewhere.
The night air had grown cooler, and Portia wrapped both of her arms around herself despite her coat. She might’ve shivered once or twice.
“Cold?”
“Yes, but I’m okay. I have Scandinavian blood flowing through my veins. Cold weather doesn’t bother me.”
Juan Carlos hunkered down into his jacket. He’d lived in Miami most of his life. Neither Florida nor Alma got down into freezing temperatures very often. He could tolerate cold weather, but it wasn’t his favorite thing. “This is about as cold as it gets here,” he said. “At least that’s what I’m told.”
“It’s mostly the wind I don’t like.”
Right on cue, a howling gust blew from the north. She shivered again and on impulse, he wrapped his free arm over her shoulder and drew her close.
She looked up at him.
“Thanks for keeping me warm,” he said.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Anything for the king.” A teasing smile played at her lips.
He laughed.
Before long they reached the stables.
“Want me to go in and check for snakes?”
She drew a breath and glanced around the property completely encased in darkness. “I have a feeling it’s safer inside than out.”
She had a point. There could be all manner of animals roaming the land. Wolves, wild boars and lynx were indigenous to the area. “Okay, then stick close to me.”
“You still have your knife?”
“Of course.”
“Then you won’t be able to shake me.”
“I wouldn’t even try,” he said, quite honestly.
A hum ran through her body. His subtle compliments did crazy things for her ego. After what she’d been through with Miles, that part of her brain had needed nourishment and was now being fed day in and day out by His Hunkiness the King.
She gasped.
“What is it?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking.” Jasmine would have a good laugh over this one. Portia was resorting to using terms from a romance novel to describe the handsome, honorable Juan Carlos Salazar II, King of Montoro.
He gripped her hand and led her into the stables. The protective way he held her was another turn-on.
The lantern lit up about five feet of the path in front of them. The place was dank and colder than she’d hoped for the animals. Juan Carlos lifted the lantern to his shoulder and illuminated the stalls. There were shuffling sounds, whinnies and snorts as all four horses came into view. Beauties.
They were curious enough to approach their individual gates. Though she’d been here earlier, Portia could see hints of work done today to make the stable more secure for the horses. The stalls had been shored up, and beds of straw had been laid down. Holes in the walls letting in cold air had been hastily boarded up. Juan Carlos knew how to get things done.
Her eyes darted to the animals’ backs. “They’re wearing blankets.”
“To keep warm. I put Luis on it tonight. They seem comfortable enough, don’t they?”
She smiled, relieved. “Yes, I feel better now. They are amazing creatures. Are they yours? I mean do they belong to the palace?”
“We haven’t had time to build a remuda of horses for the palace. The transition takes time, but we will have a royal guard on horseback one day soon. These horses belong to me personally, as of two days ago. I have it on good authority they are gentle and trustworthy. I’ve yet to ride any of them. Tomorrow will be a good test.”
“For them or for you?”
His brow arched. “Maybe for all of us.”
“Maybe,” she agreed. “I’ve never claimed to be an expert, but I do love animals. What are their names?”
“Come. Let me introduce you.” Straw crunched underfoot as they made their way to the first stall. “This is Julio. He’s a two-year-old gelding,” Juan Carlos said. The sleek charcoal-colored horse had a thick black mane and tail. “He’s an Andalusian.”
“The horse of kings,” she said.
“Yes, I’ve heard them referred to that way.”
“Because they’re powerful and sturdy?”
“Because they’re intelligent and docile.”
She eyed the commanding animal in front of her. He was gorgeous. “Docile?”
“Not as hot-blooded as a thoroughbred. He’ll be my mount.”
Julio was tall and grand. His curious ink-black eyes watched her. She lifted her hand to him cautiously and he edged closer. She took that as an invitation to stroke the side of his face. “That’s it, boy. You and I are going to be good friends,” she crooned. Back in Los Angeles, she volunteered at an animal rescue when she wasn’t working. Her lifestyle and schedule didn’t allow having a pet of her own and she enjoyed donating her time to animals in need.
“You’re good with him.”
She touched her cheek to Julio’s cold nose and he nuzzled her throat eagerly. The force pushed her back a step and she righted herself and giggled. “Oh, he is sweet.”
Juan Carlos’s gaze touched upon her. Something flickered in his eyes. He swallowed and stroked his hand over his chin. He hadn’t shaved today, and his stubble only added to his good looks.
With an inward sigh, she focused back on Julio, giving his mane a solid but loving stroke. She sensed that she had indeed made a new friend today.
Juan Carlos tugged her along to the next stall. “This is Sugar. She’s an Arabian. Quick, sharp and good-natured. You’ll ride her tomorrow.”
“Hello, Sugar. You’re a pretty one.”
Sugar wasn’t as tall or commanding as Julio, but was equally as stately. She had sensitive eyes and seemed friendly. Her chestnut coat glistened under the lantern light. “I’ll see you in the morning, girl.”
Juan Carlos showed her the other two horses, Arabians named Estrella and Manzana, who were presumably for Eduardo and Luis. Were the king’s bodyguards good riders? Was that part of their job description?
New feedbags hung from nails in the walls, replacing the shredded ones from this morning, and a bag of carrots sat on a splintered bench. “Can we give them a treat?”
“Good idea.” Juan Carlos went to retrieve the carrots. He dipped his hand inside the bag and came up with four. “One for each.”
“Only one?”
“We don�
�t want to spoil them.”
“I bet you’d be a tough disciplinarian with your children.”
At the mention of children his eyes twinkled and somehow the mischief seemed aimed directly at her. “I’m ready to find out.”
Her blood warmed. She hadn’t thought along those lines for herself. Parenthood was a long way off for her. But Juan Carlos seemed to know exactly what he wanted. He was resolute, an action taker and at times, he intimated her with his decisiveness. “You want a family one day?”
“Of course...I’ve lived my life without my parents. I have no brothers or sisters, although I have my cousins and we have been on good terms. But to have a child of my own, to share that bond with someone I love...it’s a dream of mine.”
He handed her all four carrots and she walked the stalls, allowing Sugar to nibble at hers first.
“I would think being king would be your dream.”
“It’s my duty and a role I’m proud to uphold. But a man can have more than one dream, can’t he?”
His eyes darkened, his gaze boring into her like a nail being hammered into the wall. He was too close, his expression telling her too much. She couldn’t look at him and not see his life all planned out...with her beside him. Were the limited lighting and her silly imagination playing tricks on her?
She turned away from him, taking interest in the horses again. “I suppose.” Three beggars were vying for her attention, shuffling their feet, bobbing their heads back and forth. She walked over to Julio next. “Here you go, boy.”
Juan Carlos shadowed her to the next two stalls and watched her feed the other Arabians. “Do I make you nervous, Princess?”
Her eyes crinkled as she squeezed them closed. Why did he have to ask her that? She took a breath to steady her nerves and pivoted around. Her back to the stall door, the lie was ready to fall from her lips. Her one eye fluttered, like a wink, but certainly not a wink. Oh, boy. She wanted to sink into a black hole. “Y-yes.” Damn her honesty. So much for pretending disinterest in him.
Juan Carlos gave her an approving smile as if he’d expected her answer. As if he was pleased with her honesty. “I promised not to pursue you, Portia. But I didn’t say I would back off if you came to me. If you decided you wanted me, craved my body as I do yours, I would claim you in an instant and not feel I’d betrayed my vow to you.”
A Royal Temptation Page 6