AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He cut her a brief glance, but his lowered hat brim once again hid his expression. “A good portion, which you don’t care about. We’ve been naked together. You should be able to discuss the incident that led you there.”
“How do you know I don’t care about your worth?” she shot back, grateful he hadn’t mentioned how she’d begged him to fuck her.
“Because it takes a great deal of money to do what you’re doing.” Holding the steering wheel steady on the dirt road with one hand, he rubbed his jaw with the other. Staring straight ahead, he said, “I was trained as a military sniper and spent two years in Afghanistan. I’ve killed to save others, once to save myself, and yet, guilt and uncertainty still hit me after each one.”
Nicole stepped through the open door he held, oddly receptive to the invitation now that he’d revealed his vulnerability. “How did you get over it?” she asked as the dark-red, white-trimmed ranch buildings came into view.
“It took time to stop questioning whether there was another way. I kept reminding myself I acted in self-defense of others.” Slade parked in front of an enormous stable, the wide doors slid open to reveal a few hired hands moving about inside. Opening his door, he said, “Wait, and I’ll help you down.”
She waited, but only because his touch would distract her from the warm fuzzy she experienced whenever his tone exuded concern for her ordeal, never forgetting his anger on her behalf the first time he noticed the scar. Only her parents and closest friends distressed over her trauma, never blaming her in words or expression. None of Tony’s siblings had asked how she was or expressed remorse for what she’d suffered, too worried about the publicity, what went into the papers, and holding up their good name for both business and social standing.
Slade grasped her waist under her open jacket and lifted her off the seat, holding her long enough to stabilize the rise of unplanned emotions. Then he clasped her hand, tugging her around the side of the stable toward a corral, stirring her libido this time. She sucked in a lungful of chilly air, which helped her regain her perspective.Sexual chemistry, that’s all that’s brewing between them.She spotted only one horse, a striking tan stallion with black mane and tail, tethered and saddled.
“Thanks, Barry,” he told the younger ranch hand. “Sorry you were called in today. I’ll see it doesn’t happen again. Double-time pay.”
“It was no problem, boss, but I appreciate that. Christmas will be here before we know it. Ma’am.” Barry tipped his hat to her before leaving them alone.
Scowling at Slade, she stated, “I’m not old enough to be called ma’am, and why one horse?” She eyed the huge stallion with trepidation.
“Your first time will be easier riding with me.” Taking the reins, he swung into the saddle and reached a hand down. “Trust me if you want to go.”
Put like that, she couldn’t refuse. She’d been looking forward to this outing too much. Taking his hand, she found herself hoisted up and settled in front of him before she could take a breath. She shivered, a combination of cold, anticipation, and awareness, his arms coming around and securing her from toppling off as they started out. To calm her jitters, she stretched an arm to stroke the stallion’s arched, soft neck.
“What’s his name?”
“Bandit.”
“That fits.Oh,” she sighed softly, the view from this height breathtaking. She could see across the vast expanse of fields to the far-off mountain silhouette, enough wooded forest running along both sides to add a touch of green to the landscape.
“I never tire of it. Is this and your shelter worth leaving the big city behind, along with your friends and family?”
He had a way of tossing out a personal inquiry when she least expected it, usually on the heels of a generic statement, but this one she didn’t mind answering. “I don’t regret it yet. And I’ve changed my mind about the shelter and plan to foster instead. The Casper shelter’s director seemed pleased with my offer.”
“Marilyn is good with people and animals. Lean against me and hold on to the pommel or my arms.” He tapped a thumb on the protruding knob between her thighs. Slade wouldn’t admit it, but he was good with people also.
Nicole gripped the pommel with one hand and his forearm with the other, then he nudged Bandit into a trot that swayed her against his chest and arms despite her hold. The stallion’s smooth stride enabled Slade to bend close to her ear when he spoke, pointing out where he and his brothers used to run wild and get into trouble. She enjoyed the tingles from his warm breath as much as riding close to several bison and the graceful swoop of soaring eagles. They halted at a lake where an elk continued to drink as Bandit dipped his head on the opposite side.
Twisting around, she gazed up at him, relishing the warmth of his big body shielding her from the cold breeze. “That was fun. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He turned Bandit around, and she faced forward as they started the trek back. When he spoke, he picked up where he’d left off in the truck, once again catching her off guard. “It took me way too long to realize I couldn’t put my actions in the military behind me until I forgave myself. You won’t be able to, either, until you forgive yourself for taking his life.”
Because he was the only person she’d met who might possibly understand, she told him what she’d never admitted to anyone else. It was easier not facing him, though. “That’s not what I can’t forgive. He loved me. Truly. Deeply. The real deal everyone wants but that I couldn’t return. I mean, I loved him, cared more than I ever had before but wasn’tinlove with him.” She gave him a brief rundown of Tony’s inoperable, malignant tumor then fingered her scar, saying, “He wasn’t in his right mind, and I thought I was doing the right thing ignoring the doctor’s warnings to give him more time at home, surrounded by familiarity. I was wrong.”
He clasped her chin, turned her head around, then thumbed his hat up enough to snag her undivided attention with his direct gray gaze. “Punishing yourself doesn’t change his diagnosis, or the inevitable outcome. I get how you felt about him as it sounds similar to my feelings for Deb, the woman you saw me walk out with last night. We’re not in love but have enjoyed a special friendship that included an occasional hookup for bondage play without either of us expecting or desiring more. Right before you came out, we agreed to take that off the table, her because she’d grown serious about someone, and me because my thoughts are more on you than anyone else lately.”
She should not feel good about that candid revelation and went with her first inclination to defuse the warm fuzzy, pouncing on what else he’d said. “You use the term hookup instead of relationship. What does that say about you?”
“That when I do end up in a relationship, there will be no hookups for either one of us.”
That potent look accompanied his compelling statement, the combination producing a ripple of longing she wasn’t ready to consider. Swiveling forward, she asked, “Can we ride fast?”
“Sure.” Wrapping an arm around her waist, he held her snug against his chest and kicked Bandit into an all-out run, the exhilarating rush robbing her of breath.
More of these euphoric experiences,that’s all Nicole swore she wanted from Slade as the trees and ground sped by in a blur and his muscled strength sheltered her from the cold. Wild rides or wild sex – she would take either if it resulted in such pleasure of the senses as long as her heart remained unaffected.
***
NICOLE TRIED TO HIDEher pleased relief when Slade explained his and Deb’s relationship, but he’d become adept at reading her. As they neared the stables, he reined Bandit to a trot and took advantage of holding her close with no complaint to keep the momentum going his way.
