16. Savion

SIXTEEN

SAVION

My phone vibrates on the coffee table, pulling me out of the fog that's settled over me. I've been lost in thoughts of Declan for the last half hour, replaying our time together last night, trying to decipher what we are—friends? We both admitted we wanted to have sex with each other, so what does that mean? That we're working our way toward being friends with benefits? Something more? My heart does this stupid little jump when I see his name light up the screen, a familiar thrill that mixes with uncertainty.

I swipe to answer and settle back into the couch, cradling the phone between my ear and shoulder. "Hey."

"Hey," Declan's voice is warm, but there's something off. Usually, he dives into a conversation with this easy confidence, like he's always sure of what to say. Today, though, there's hesitation, almost like he's thinking too hard.

I sit up a little straighter. "What's up?"

"I was thinking…" His voice trails off, and I can practically hear him chewing the inside of his cheek. Declan, hesitant? That's new.

"Thinking about...?" I prompt, trying not to smile too much at the idea of him being unsure. It's weirdly endearing.

"How do you feel about horseback riding?"

I blink, the question so out of left field I almost laugh. "Horseback riding? You mean… like with actual horses?"

He chuckles, low and rough, the kind of sound that settles in my chest and makes me warm all over. "Yeah, with actual horses. On the beach."

On the beach? What kind of movie scene is this? I let out a short laugh, running a hand through my hair. "Declan, I've never even been near a horse. What makes you think this is a good idea?"

There's a pause, then his voice softens. "Neither have I."

That gets my attention. Declan, the guy who's done just about everything under the sun, hasn't tried horseback riding?

"I've always wanted to, though," he continues, a little more relaxed now, like saying it out loud took the pressure off. "But I thought... maybe it's something we could try together."

Together.

That word. It hits a little harder than it should, settling somewhere deep in my gut. I chew on my lip, staring at the wall like it's got all the answers. Horseback riding? On a beach? It sounds like something people do in romance novels, not real life. But then again... this is Declan. And when he asks, it's hard to say no.

Still, my brain tries to resist. "You really want to spend a Saturday afternoon riding horses? You don't think that's a little... I don't know... out there?"

"I think it could be fun." His voice is light, but there's an undercurrent there, like he's not just talking about the horses. "Besides, who says no to a day on the beach?"

There it is. That pull. Declan has this way of making the most random things sound like a good idea. Even when I'm not totally sold, I find myself leaning in, wanting to see where it goes.

"Okay," I say, the word leaving my mouth before I can really think it through. "Let's do it."

Two hours later, we're at the stable. The smell of saltwater hits me first, mingling with something warm and earthy—hay, maybe, or just the general scent of animals. It's unfamiliar, but not unpleasant. As I step out of the car, Declan's beside me, his easy confidence radiating like always. It's like being with him automatically strips away some of the uncertainty that's been building in my chest.

Ahead of us, tucked behind a weathered wooden fence, are the stables. Horses shuffle lazily in the distance, their tails flicking at flies. The low hum of the ocean rumbles in the background, faint but soothing, a reminder that we're just a short ride away from the beach.

"I've got everything set up," Declan says, throwing me a quick grin. It's one of those lopsided smiles that sends a little pulse through me. How does he manage to look so casual while making arrangements for something like this? For someone who's been thrust into the spotlight his whole life, Declan moves through these exclusive circles like he was born into it, but without the arrogance. He just... fits.

I glance around as we walk up to the stable. The place feels too quiet for a celebrity hangout, more like a hidden sanctuary. It's private, out of sight—just like Declan wanted.

"You nervous?" His voice pulls me out of my thoughts, the teasing edge in his tone familiar and comforting.

I shrug, but the truth is I've got that weird knot in my stomach, the one that shows up whenever I'm out of my element. "A little. I mean, I've never been around horses before."

Declan's hand brushes against mine as we walk, just for a second, but it sends a little spark through me. "Don't worry. We'll be figuring it out together."

His words land softly, making my shoulders loosen just a bit. We're in this together. That makes it easier.

As we approach the stable entrance, a woman dressed in worn jeans and a sun-bleached baseball cap greets us with a smile. Her skin is tan, probably from spending every day out here, and her handshake is firm but friendly.

"You must be Declan and Savion." Her voice is warm and welcoming, no trace of the awe or hesitation most people have when they recognize a celebrity. "I'm Kate, your guide today."

Declan and I exchange greetings with her.

"We've got two of our gentlest horses ready for you," Kate says. "I'll be with you the whole time, but I'll keep my distance so you can enjoy yourselves."

Declan nods, giving her that easy smile of his. "Thanks, Kate. Appreciate it."

"I just need to get the horses ready," Kate says with a bright, genuine smile on her lips, "and then you can meet me over there." She gestures toward where two horses stand.

"Sure," Declan says.

I watch as Kate strolls toward the animals, speaking to them in a language only they can understand. Then I catch Declan's eye. "You pulled some strings for all this?"

He laughs, and it's a real laugh, the kind that comes from deep in his chest. "I wanted it to be just us. Thought you'd appreciate the privacy."

Just us. That phrase lingers in the air, making my heart skip. It's not only about the horses or the beach—it's about Declan making sure we can do this without the rest of the world watching. He thought about that, about how I'd feel.

"I do," I admit, my voice quieter than I intended. But I mean it. Being with Declan like this, away from the noise of everything else... It feels right. Intimate.

"Come on," he says, nudging me lightly with his shoulder. "Let's go meet our new friends."

We walk toward the corral where two chestnut horses stand, calm and steady. They're bigger up close, their muscular bodies shifting with quiet power. I've never been this close to a horse before, and it's kind of surreal. There's this... presence about them, something strong. I reach out hesitantly, my fingers brushing over the velvety-soft nose of the nearest one. The horse snorts, making me jump back a step, but Declan steps up next to me.

"They're gentle. See?" He strokes the horse's neck with a calm, sure hand, and the horse responds with an easy flick of its ear. "You've got nothing to worry about."

I can't help but smile a little at how easily Declan takes to this. He might've never done it before, but he's acting like he belongs here. It's comforting in a way I didn't expect.

Kate finishes adjusting the saddles and hands Declan the reins to one horse and me the other. "Declan, you'll be riding Jake, and Savion, you'll be riding Benny. Take your time, guys. We'll start slow."

I grip the leather reins, my hands a little shaky, but Declan's next to me, calm as ever. His steady presence makes it easier to ignore the anxious flutter in my chest.

"You ready for this?" he asks, giving me a sidelong glance.

"My stomach flips. "What if I fall?" I mumble, glancing over at Kate, who's smiling patiently.

"Just follow my lead, and take it slow," she says, stepping closer to help me. "It's all about balance. You'll be fine."

Declan stands nearby, watching me with that easy confidence of his. "You've got this, Savion."

Right. I give him a skeptical look, but the warmth in his voice eases some of my tension. Still, the idea of climbing onto this massive animal sends a shiver of nerves through me.

"Okay," I say, swallowing hard. I step closer to the horse, my heart racing as I run a hand down his side. His coat is warm, and I can feel the muscle under his skin. "Here goes nothing."

"Put your left foot in the stirrup, and swing your leg over," Kate says, guiding me through the mounting process. I do my best to follow her cues, but as I lift my foot, it feels like it's miles away from the stirrup.

"Need a hand?" Declan asks, stepping in close. He reaches out, placing a hand on my back, his touch warm and steady.

With a deep breath, I manage to swing my leg over, landing awkwardly but safely in the saddle. I let out a shaky laugh. "I can't believe I actually did it."

The horse shifts beneath me, its muscles rolling like waves under my legs, and my grip tightens on the reins, like they're the only things keeping me alive. My heart feels like it's trying to pound its way out of my chest.

"You're fine, Savion," Kate says. "Just loosen your grip a little—Benny can feel your tension."

Benny , right. I can't believe I forgot the horse's name. I give the reins a little slack, and I can feel his muscles relaxing as well.

Kate turns to Declan. "Your turn."

He climbs onto his own horse next to me, fumbling slightly but managing to settle in.

And then we're off.

The steady clop of the horses' hooves on the sandy trail mixes with the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore, and it's kind of... soothing. I can feel Benny's power under me, but there's a gentleness, too.

I take a deep breath, letting the salt air fill my lungs. The ocean's right there beside us, its deep blue stretching out into forever. The wind picks up, cool and salty, ruffling my hair. If I weren't holding the reins I would have been smoothing those wayward strands into place to hide my scars, but there's something freeing about just letting my hair do what it wants to do. It's a liberating feeling, to just let go without a care in the world except for the man who went out of his way to give me this unforgettable experience.

I glance over at him, his posture relaxed, one hand resting casually on the reins.

He catches my eye and grins. "See? Told you you'd be fine. You're a natural."

"Natural, huh?" I can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. My hands are still somewhat stiff on the reins, but his confidence is contagious. I focus on the rhythm of Benny's steps, the steady sway of his body beneath me.

Benny's hooves sink slightly into the wet sand with each step, the sound blending into the hiss of the surf. It's just us out here—no people, no noise, just the ocean and the horses and... him.

"I was surprised when you said that you'd never done this before."

Declan nods, his eyes on the horizon. "Always wanted to; I just never had the time. Between touring, recording, interviews… there was always something."

"And now?"

He turns to meet my eyes, and for a second, the world feels like it's slowed down. "Now..." He pauses, like he's searching for the right words. "Now, I'm glad I waited. Feels right sharing this with you."

The warmth in his voice hits me in a way I didn't expect. There's a weight to what he's saying, something that's more than just this moment. I feel it in my chest, a slow, steady warmth spreading through me. He's not just talking about the horses or the ride.

I glance down at Benny's mane, trying to focus on the steady rhythm of the ride, but Declan's words keep echoing in my head. Feels right sharing this with you.

I chance another look at him. He's watching me now, his expression softer than I've ever seen. Just him, open and real, in this quiet space we've carved out away from everything.

"Thanks," I say, my voice a little quieter. "For this. It's... different. In a good way."

He smiles, but there's something deeper behind it, something that says he knows exactly what I mean. "Different can be good," he replies. "Sometimes it's exactly what you need."

For a while, we ride in silence, the horses moving in time with the ebb and flow of the tide. My grip on the reins relaxes somewhat as I start to trust Benny more, the gentle sway of his movements becoming familiar. I'm still a little tense, but the fear I had at the start is fading, replaced by something else—a sense of calm.

The scenery around us is breathtaking, but what really holds my attention is Declan. There's something about the way he's handling all of this, how at ease he is, how he seems to know exactly when to push and when to pull back. He's giving me space, but he's right there, steady as ever.

As we ride along the shoreline, the waves catch the light just right, glittering as they roll in, and I steal a glance at Declan, who's staring out at the ocean, his profile outlined in the fading sunlight. For a second, everything feels... perfect. Like this moment, this ride, this day—it's exactly where I'm supposed to be.

"Hey." Declan's voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn to find him watching me with a soft smile. "You doing okay?"

I nod, surprised at how true it feels. "Yeah. Actually, I am."

He chuckles, his eyes warm. "Told you. You've got this."

We ride a little further, the silence between us comfortable now. There's something about being out here, just the two of us, Kate somewhere behind us, that feels... right.

The sunset spills across the sky in a wash of oranges and purples, the colors melting together like a dream. I shift in my saddle, feeling the weight of everything—the ride, the ocean, Declan.

Especially Declan.

We stop the horses, and the world feels still. Peaceful. But my heart's racing like I've just run a marathon. I glance at him, and it hits me that this moment is bigger than just watching a sunset.

"This..." I say, words catching in my throat. "This is all so new. Not just the horses, but... us."

Declan turns to me, and the look in his eyes is soft, but there's something else—something that makes my chest tighten in the best way. "Yeah," he murmurs, his voice quiet. "It scares me too."

I blink. He's scared? That's not what I expected. The guy who stands on stage in front of thousands, who handles everything with that effortless confidence... he's scared?

"But," Declan adds, his voice steady even though I can see his fingers fidgeting with the reins, "I'm sure about one thing."

I hold my breath, waiting.

"I want to be with you," he says, just like that. No hesitation, no drama. Simple and honest.

The words land heavy between us, but not in a bad way. It's more like they're settling into place, like this is what's supposed to happen. Still, there's that little part of me—the doubter—who's been lurking in the background, whispering, What if this isn't real? What if you screw it up?

But when I look at Declan, really look at him, that doubt fades. The way he's looking at me right now, it's like... like I'm the only thing in the world that matters.

I exhale, a laugh bubbling up because this feels so damn intense, and yet, so right. "You really mean that?"

Declan nods, his lips quirking into that smile that always knocks me off balance. "Yeah, I do. I'm all in if you are."

"All in," I repeat, letting the words sink in. It feels like a weight is lifting off my chest. No more guessing, no more holding back. Just... us. I nod, smiling a little because suddenly everything seems so clear. "Yeah. I want that too."

The tension between us shifts, and it's like the whole world just... clicks into place. We're still sitting on these horses, watching the sun sink lower, but it feels like everything's changing in the best way possible.

Declan reaches over, brushing his fingers against mine, and it's such a small gesture, but it means everything. I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding and squeeze his hand back.

"We've got this," he says softly, his eyes locked on mine.

As the sun sinks beneath the horizon, painting the sky with its final brushstrokes, it feels like nature itself is celebrating the start of something new for us.