True to my word, I went back to Ashford Equestrian Club the next day. Mrs. Calloway had already arranged for Luca to be there.
The moment I saw him, everything came back with perfect clarity.
I changed and Luca helped me into the saddle, his hands warm against my leg, the heat of them spreading through me before we had even moved. The modified saddle worked on me just as it always had, and when Luca wrapped his arms around me from behind, I was slight enough that I fit entirely within his hold. He held me close and murmured against my ear, "Don't be scared. I'll keep you safe this time."
He guided us into the grove, where there was no one else in sight. What followed burned through us like tinder and flame, consuming everything. I was barely coherent by the end. Luca kept his word, he n
