Forbidden Gallop

Chapter 1: Midnight Sparks

Annabel adjusted her sleek black dress in the mirror of her parents’ guest bathroom, the hum of post-dinner laughter still echoing from the dining room. Her mother’s birthday celebration had been a success, but her mind wasn’t on the cake or the toasts. It was on the way Tom, her sister Hollie’s rough-around-the-edges boyfriend, had been eyeing her all night. Those tattooed arms, that cocky smirk—she hated how much she noticed.

‘Get a grip,’ she muttered to herself, smoothing her brunette waves. She was engaged to Hugh, sweet, funny Hugh, who was probably snoring away in the guest room right now. But as she opened the bathroom door, there he was—Tom, leaning against the wall, a beer in hand, looking like trouble wrapped in denim.

‘Lost, princess?’ he drawled, his voice low, gravelly, and far too amused. ‘Or just hiding from your perfect little life?’

Annabel crossed her arms, her large breasts pressing against the fabric of her dress, and shot him a glare. ‘Don’t call me that, Tom. And shouldn’t you be with Hollie? You know, your actual girlfriend?’

He took a slow sip of his beer, eyes raking over her with no shame. ‘Hollie’s out cold. And I’m more interested in why you’ve been staring at me like I’m a damn steak all night.’

Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t back down. ‘You’re delusional. I’ve been staring because I can’t believe my sister puts up with your bullshit. Swearing at the table, acting like you own the place—’

‘Oh, come off it,’ he interrupted, stepping closer, his muscular frame towering over her. ‘You don’t hate me. You hate that you want me. I see it, Annabel. That prissy little act doesn’t fool me.’

She laughed, sharp and biting, but her heart was pounding. ‘You’re full of yourself. I’m engaged, in case you forgot. Happily.’

‘Happily, huh?’ His grin was wicked as he closed the distance, his breath hot against her ear. ‘Then why are you still standing here, letting me get this close?’

Annabel’s resolve wavered as his hand brushed her hip, sending a jolt through her. She should’ve pushed him away, stormed off, but instead, she tilted her chin up, meeting his gaze with fire. ‘You think you’ve got me figured out? You’re just a walking cliché, Tom. All muscle, no brains.’

‘Keep talking, sweetheart,’ he growled, his hand sliding to her lower back, pulling her against him. She could feel how hard he was through his jeans, and damn it, it made her wet just thinking about what he was packing. ‘I’ll show you exactly what these muscles can do.’

Her breath hitched, but she wasn’t about to let him win that easily. ‘You’ve got ten seconds to back off before I scream and wake the whole house.’

‘Ten seconds?’ He chuckled, dark and dangerous, his lips hovering over hers. ‘I only need five to make you forget that fiancé of yours.’

Before she could snap back, his mouth crashed into hers, rough and hungry, and she hated how much she kissed him back. Her hands fisted in his shirt, pulling him closer as he backed her into the bathroom, kicking the door shut. The lock clicked, and her mind screamed at her to stop, but her body was already betraying her, dripping with need as his hands roamed her curves, grabbing her ass with a possessive grip.

‘Fuck, you’re hot when you’re pissed,’ he muttered against her neck, his teeth grazing her skin as he lifted her onto the counter. Her dress rode up, and she gasped as his fingers found her, teasing through the thin fabric of her panties. ‘Tell me you don’t want this, and I’ll stop.’

Annabel’s nails dug into his shoulders, her voice a breathless challenge. ‘Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just curious if you’re all talk.’

His grin was feral as he yanked her panties aside, his fingers sliding into her slick heat. ‘Oh, I’m gonna make you eat those words, princess.’

And as the tension snapped, promising an explosion of raw, forbidden heat, Annabel knew she was in way over her head—but damn if she cared.