Hidden Knights (Knights of the Realm #3) - Jennifer Anne Davis Page 0,28
over the fence and exiting the sparring area.
Grabbing her cap, she returned to where they’d left the horses. She wished Knox would have flown feet over head and landed on his back. That would have been more satisfying than the weak punch she’d delivered, barely making a mark while injuring her own hand in the process.
“Reid,” Dexter called from behind her.
Instead of facing him, she untied her horse, pretending she hadn’t heard him.
He caught up to her, grabbing her hand. “Are you all right?” He examined her knuckles.
“I’m fine.” She pulled her hand free, then mounted. “Where are the others?”
“They’re going to head back to the castle in a moment.” He climbed on his horse. “I was hoping you’d show me more of the town.”
“I’m just going to go home, too.”
He steered his horse in front of hers, blocking the path. “I’d like to spend some time alone with you.”
Reid adjusted the sheathes on either side of her legs. There was one place she wanted to visit before they left. “I’ll take you somewhere I spent countless hours throughout the years.” She led the way out of town, to the east, bypassing the castle and heading to the narrow pathway hidden between the trees. Since no one had been there recently, leaves covered the path, and the rain made it slightly muddy. At the top of the rise, she steered her horse toward the lake. Pausing at the shore, she scanned the area. Although it hadn’t changed a bit, it seemed smaller than before.
After tying her horse to a tree, she removed her boots and socks, wadding into the frigid water.
“This is your favorite place?” Dexter asked, removing his footgear as well.
“It is.”
He stood beside her. “It’s nice you have someplace so close to your home.”
She closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of the pine trees. “Do you have a favorite spot?”
When he chuckled, she peered at him.
“I have a new favorite spot now.” He moved to stand before her.
“You like my lake?”
He shook his head. “The sparring area.”
“At your military compound back home?”
“No, the one we were just at.”
“Why?” It was nothing compared to his sparring area. That place had grass instead of mud, and it was a lot bigger.
A dubious smile spread across Dexter’s face. He took a step closer to Reid, his hands settling on her hips. “Seeing you with those twin swords will be something I never forget.”
He’d seen her fight before. She didn’t know why today was any different.
“There’s something about you wielding a sword in each hand that has me all riled up.” His fingers dug into her hips, and he leaned his forehead against hers. “If I had known that was your weapon of choice, I would have gotten you twin swords back home.”
She had no idea what to say. His presence was intoxicating, and she couldn’t think clearly.
His lips moved to her left ear. “I’m not sure which was sexier…you making Knox yield or watching the fire in you flare to life, which led to that delightful punch.”
Her face flamed red. While she knew how to punch, had done so numerous times during sparring matches, she’d never done so out of anger before.
Dexter chuckled, the sound deep and throaty. He unlatched the belt holding her sheathes, tossing it on the ground.
“What are you doing?” she squeaked, her heart pounding.
He plucked the cap from her head, chucking it behind her. “You’re covered with mud.”
She rolled her eyes.
“And I’m still picturing you with those swords.” He fingered the edge of her tunic, then pulled it over her head, leaving her in only a thin undershirt. His hands slid around her, then he delicately pressed his lips to her neck.
She gasped, not expecting him to be so gentle. Then she felt him tilt backward, pulling her with him. She squealed as they fell into the water. When he released her, she stood, the water coming up to her waist.
“I didn’t expect it to be so cold,” he said, laughing. He removed his wet tunic, tossing it on the shore. Then he removed his undershirt.
All thoughts left Reid as she watched him ball up his shirt, tossing it alongside his tunic.
“Thought we’d rinse the mud off.”
Reaching up, she felt mud still caked on the back of her head. She ducked under the water, trying to get it off. When she resurfaced, Dexter was swimming about twenty feet away. Since it was hard to swim with pants on, she removed them, knowing he couldn’t see her