Page 12 of The Rancher’s Ecstasy

That was the last thing he wanted to do and knew it was going to hurt him to do it.

“All right.” He released her and moved a step back only to reach for her again when her legs gave out. Cole chuckled. “I don’t think you’re ready yet, baby.”

Emily tilted her head back against his chest and bit her lip as a flash of color crept onto her cheeks. “This is awkward.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. You said it’s been a while since you’ve been in the saddle.”

Emily nodded and closed her eyes and let Cole take her weight against him. “Still.”

He bent and nuzzled the side of her head some more before moving his mouth to her ear.

“There is no still,” he whispered.

He could feel a giant shiver course through her at the feel of his mouth and breath against her ear. They both groaned as the heat increased between them.

Cole took in several deep breaths and wrapped his arm around her back. The last thing he wanted was to let her go, but he needed to get her moving to prevent her from cramping. “Let’s move around a bit.”

Emily kept her eyes on the ground and nodded. Her arm moved around his waist as they walked around to get the blood running through her veins. After a few minutes, Cole moved her to a large tree and leaned her against it.

“Can you stand okay until I get a blanket?” He could see Emily tighten her leg muscles.

“Yes.” He took a few steps toward his horse when she realized what he’d asked. “Why are you getting a blanket?” She didn’t know her voice had risen with nerves.

He stopped and turned back to her. “Emily, I very much want you to try to trust me. I know we just met, but I will never do anything to hurt you or go farther than you’re willing to go. Right now, I want to get you to lie down for a bit and rest before we head back. That’s it. Just rest. Can I do that for you?”

Emily nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry. It is a good idea to rest for a bit.”

Cole nodded, pleased. When he came back, he had a thick blanket that he spread across the lush grass a few feet from the pond. He walked to her and slid his arm around her waist and guided her toward it before helping her to bend down, so she was sitting on the blanket.

He watched Emily relax, drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around them.

Cole sat down next to her and handed her the bottle of water.

“Drink.”

Both sat silently, drinking and watching the different wildlife move about. The frog at the edge of the pond, the grasshopper that jumped from weed to weed, and a fish that broke the surface for a second.

Cole’s arm curled around her. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you lie back and rest for a bit?”

Emily looked toward him. “You don’t have time to waste watching me take a nap.”

Cole ran his hand over her back, pressing on the tense muscles.

“I’m the boss, remember? If they need me, I have a satellite phone that they can use to get in touch with me.”

“What’s a satellite phone?”

“There is no cell service out here, so we have to communicate through the phone that uses a satellite. You can communicate pretty much anywhere.”

Emily nodded and tightened her arms that clutched her legs.

“That’s good you have that.”

“Yeah, it’s come in handy a few times.” There was a moment of silence between them. “Will you lay down for a bit? I promise to let you rest for just a short time.”

Emily looked at him for a moment before nodding and turning on her side away from him, curling her legs and using one arm to lay her head on. He watched the tension leave her and relaxed on the blanket.

Cole listened to her breath even out and deepen before he relaxed. He laid his arms on his bent knees and let the peace soak into him. Just sitting next to her was calming for him. He couldn’t remember being this at ease with a woman before. Her personality inspired tranquility.