Page 51 of Wild and Wanted

Stevie was so over rules. ‘And you’re not a rule breaker?’

He smiled slowly. ‘I don’t need to follow the rules.’

A shiver skittered across Stevie’s bare arms, raising gooseflesh despite the warm day. Such an arrogant statement. ‘Are we going to be cantering across fields, jumping fences or flying down the sides of mountains?’

‘Nope.’

‘And are you going to be there to guide me?’

‘Yes.’

Folding her arms, she lifted her chin. ‘And will you let anything happen to me?’

Stevie knew she was sounding bratty because that was hardly something anyone could guarantee, but she was dressed to impress, her hair flowing loose; she didn’t want to ruin the look with possibly the least attractive item anyone could wear on their head.

An item that screamed novice, rookie, amateur.

She didn’t want him to think of her in those terms – her virginity was already doing all the heavy lifting on that front.

‘Never.’ His voice was thick with absolute certainty, which ruffled through muscle fibres deep and low.

‘Then I’m going to be fine without.’ She held his gaze defiantly. ‘I’m not going to be wearing a helmet in any music video so I might as well get used to going without.’

He stared her down for long moments before nodding and tipping his chin at Gertie. ‘Hop on.’

They didn’t talk until the cabins, which were placed well clear of the ranch outbuildings, were behind them. Stevie, smug in her helmet victory, was content to hold a slow trotting pace alongside Clay, enjoying the flutter of wind through her hair and the play of sunshine on her shoulders. Even if the intimate rub of the saddle through the thin cotton layer of her skirt was a particularly torturous level of eroticism.

Did he know that would be the case? Yeah… he knew.

When they veered to the left away from the mountains, following well-worn car tracks, Stevie frowned. ‘Aren’t the trail rides in the other direction?’

‘Yes.’ He glanced across at her, as breathtakingly in command on Electra as he’d been that first day. ‘But I thought you might like a more personal tour. To see a part of the ranch that regular guests don’t see.’

Might like a personal tour with this man who had grown up here? Hell yes. She smiled. ‘I’d like that.’

‘You see that tree line over there?’ He pointed at the distant thicket of trees the other side of the pasture. ‘That’s where we’re headed. There’s a creek that runs through the trees and on the other side is probably my favourite spot on the whole ranch.’ He tapped his saddle bags. ‘I packed some food.’

‘You had me at personal tour.’

He grinned, his face lighting, and Stevie’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Right answer.’

Clay slowed the pace as the land gradually rose, following the car tracks in the general direction of their travel and Gertie’s gait adjusting accordingly. ‘So…’

Stevie wasn’t sure if guests were supposed to be quiet and enjoy the scenery on these rides but pretending Clay was just a ranch guide and she one of his clients given she was now pantiless because of him was just too weird. Plus the slower motion of the horse navigating the increased gradient was creating havoc between her legs and she needed a distraction.

‘You and Dev. How long have you known each other?’ There was a cadence to the two men’s interactions that spoke of a long relationship.

‘He joined the RVR twelve years ago. He had ranching experience in Texas and had dropped out of school at sixteen. Came around looking for work. Mom took pity on him and he’s been here ever since.’

‘He and Mags seem… like they might be into each other.’

Clay laughed like it was the funniest thing he’d ever heard. ‘Nah, that’s just them. Mags was fourteen when he first arrived so they’re more like brother and sister. They sure as shit bicker like siblings.’

Or like two people who were one random trigger point away from kissing each other’s lips off. But maybe brothers didn’t want to know that about their sisters.

They rounded a bend that gave way to a sweeping view across pasture land to where they were heading, and Stevie’s breath caught. It was stunning and she could only imagine how amazing it must be to live here. Up ahead, a cluster of tall spruce trees stood sentinel around a rough log cabin situated, she figured, to capture the vista perfectly.

Was it a special guest cabin reserved for people wanting absolute privacy? Honeymooners, maybe? Celebrities?