Before you find your prince, you have to kiss your share of rakes.

 

My Regelence Rake

© 2012 J.L. Langley

 

Sci-Regency, Book 3

With his days occupied with duties as Captain of the Guard, and nights consumed with upholding his reputation as a rake, Lord Sebastian Hastings’s schedule is filled. There’s no extra time to be anyone’s bodyguard, but the royal family’s safety is a task he sees to personally.

Prince Colton Townsend has loved Sebastian for as long as he can remember, but he’s done pining for a man who has vowed never to remarry. So he consoles himself with the second love of his life—horses. Stable building and horse racing consume his every thought, at least until he’s stuck with Sebastian dogging his every step.

While looking over the prospects at an auction, Colton is trying to ignore his sexy, pesky bodyguard when he feels compelled to take on a bully to protect an abused horse. Sebastian is dragged into the fray, and their good deed sparks a string of nasty rumors.

There’s only one way to quell the political storm: marry. But instead of solving everything, Colton realizes his new husband is a bundle of secrets, none of which he’ll give up easily. Unless Colton makes one, last-ditch effort that could break his heart for good.

Warning: Contains an obnoxious filly, a love-struck prince, a meddling king, a matchmaking duke, vicious rumors and hunky ex Special Forces soldiers.

 

Enjoy the following excerpt for My Regelence Rake:

Sebastian closed his eyes for a second and tried to calm his racing heart. Colton was almost at Wentworth Park. Anything could’ve happened to the young man this far out.

Standing on the flat section of land that bordered the wood on the left, Colton hammered a stake into the ground and tied a white piece of cloth around it. He glanced up, spotting Sebastian. Completely ignoring him and without even a flicker of hesitation, Colton mounted Apollo, who had been grazing nearby.

This was the second time within the hour Colton had dismissed him, and Sebastian was beginning to think the incident outside the breakfast room wasn’t a fluke. “Your Highness!”

As Sebastian drew to a halt, Colton turned toward him with a look of annoyance on his handsome face.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“It’s nothing for you to be concerned about. I’m not leaving the grounds.” Colton heeled Apollo and began walking away. Something above his ear sparkled in the sunlight.

“Your safety is my—” Sebastian frowned. What was—? “Is that my earpiece?” He urged Max into stride next to Colton.

One of Colton’s ebony brows rose in a perfect imitation of his sire. “You don’t have to shout. I’m right beside you.”

The superior expression irked Sebastian even further. Not only was Colton planning high-risk ventures and disobeying direct orders when it came to his safety, but now he was stealing? Who the hell was this nearly hostile man, and what had he done with the charming, smiling kid who hung on Sebastian’s every word?

Taking a deep breath, Sebastian lowered his voice. “Answer my question.”

“I need it to speak with Jeffers. We’re taking measurements. Now what do you want, my lord?”

Sebastian gritted his teeth, leaned over in the saddle and grabbed Apollo’s bridle, making Colton pull back on the reins. “I’m out here because you disobeyed me.” Once Apollo halted, Sebastian stopped Max. “Did the front door guard or did he not tell you I said no one was allowed out without an escort? And why did you think it was acceptable to filch my earpiece from my office?”

Colton sighed and rolled his eyes upward. “He did, but since Jeffers can see me…” he pointed to the com-con, “…and hear me, it doesn’t signify. And I didn’t steal your earpiece. I couldn’t find my father’s or Cony’s, and I didn’t think you were going to use yours today because you’ve been at the castle for over an hour now without retrieving it.” Colton swatted at Sebastian’s hand, making him release the bridle. “Now if you’re finished—”

“I am not finished. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for you to be out here by yourself?”

Colton opened his mouth to speak, but Sebastian cut him off.

“Do not give me that nonsense about Jeffers knowing where you are. No one could get to you in time to help you if you were in danger. You’ll turn that horse around right now and head back to the castle.”

“I’m not a child, and I don’t need—”

“Now!” Sebastian’s stomach rolled, and his ears rang. He hadn’t felt this way since Aiden had been kidnapped two years ago. If the feeling was more intense this time, it could only be because he was now aware of their enemies.

Colton gaped at him for about two seconds before glaring. “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“Don’t mess with me. I’m in charge of your safety, and your parents will stand behind me on this. Get your ars— self back to the castle immediately.”

Screwing his face up in anger, Colton turned Apollo, clucked his tongue and leaned over the horse’s neck.

The stallion took off in a canter toward home.

Sebastian followed at a gallop until he caught up to Colton. He could be angry all he wanted as long as he listened.

When the horses were neck and neck, Sebastian slowed Max to match Apollo’s gait. The wind whipped through his hair and over his face. Despite his mood, it actually felt great. The weather was beautiful for riding, and if he didn’t have things to do, he’d love to stay out here all day.

Instead of detouring to the gate, Colton urged Apollo faster toward the fence. The way his trousers pulled tight over his arse as he raised in his stirrups to take the jump was quite fetching. As one, horse and rider cleared the obstacle with such grace it made the feat look effortless.

Pulling himself out of his musing, Sebastian put his heels to Max and sailed over a few seconds after Colton.

Colton could lose him if he wanted—Sebastian didn’t delude himself about which of them was the better rider—but Colton kept pace with him. It was a pleasure to watch Colton ride. He had a magnificent seat and would’ve made a hell of a jockey if he wasn’t so bloody big. Then again, his wide shoulders and lean hips were quite lovely. Much nicer to look at than a jockey’s juvenile physique.

That definitely wasn’t the form of a child. And the way he controlled his mount with such confidence… Sebastian’s cock perked up. He wanted to groan. This attraction he’d been fighting since Colton turned sixteen could amount to nothing. It was clearly time to find a new paramour. And that man could not be Colton Townsend.

As they slowed to a walk, Sebastian got his libido under control. He still needed to talk to Colton about locating a place for his stables, but Sebastian would find some time tomorrow to fit it in.

Denny jogged out of the stables.

Colton swung his leg over and dropped to the ground, handing the boy his reins. “Thank you, Denny.”

“My pleasure, Your Highness.”

Dismounting, Sebastian gave Denny his reins. “Thank you, Denny.” Without waiting for a response, he followed. “Colton.”

Colton stopped but did not turn.

“I want your word you will not go riding again without a guard.”

With a dip of his head, Colton continued toward the castle.

A twitch started at the corner of Sebastian’s right eye. “Turn around,” he gritted out between clenched teeth. He was damned sick of this easy dismissal and near hostility.

With his hands balled into fists by his side, Colton swung to face him. Red tinged his cheeks. He stepped right up to Sebastian, stopping less than a foot away until they were eye to eye. When had he gotten so tall?

“What?” Colton demanded.

No one had challenged Sebastian in a long, long time. The action should inspire disdain, but it didn’t. Sebastian’s erection returned full force despite his fury. Before he’d given it thought, he had Colton by the face.

Prince Pain-in-the-Arse flinched but didn’t back down. His sherry eyes blazed as his hands came up between them, seizing Sebastian’s lapels.

Galaxy help me. Slamming his mouth down across Colton’s pinched lips, Sebastian swept inside with his tongue.