Page 57 of Wild and Wanted

A laugh burst from his mouth, getting instantly lost in the vastness of the landscape. ‘Come on.’ He tipped his head in the direction he’d taken his saddle bags. ‘Come see my favourite spot.’

Stevie sighed, torn between demanding he finish what he started and her curiosity about this man. About what made him tick outside riding horses and tempting virgins.

He turned away then, heading to where he’d laid the saddle bags, and for a reckless beat or two, Stevie had a good mind to strip out of her clothes and frolic in the stream. See how his resolve held up. Because yes, while it was true she desperately wanted him, the way he’d kissed her and teased her and that erection he was sporting told her she wasn’t alone in her desires.

But her sensible Stephanie side appreciated that Clay Calhoun wasn’t all about ripping her out of her clothes and having his way. He knew she hadn’t been with a guy before and he wanted to take it slowly, wanted to introduce her to all the things – not just the main event.

Resigned to playing it his way – for now – and determined to enjoy the ride, Stevie joined him at the spot where he’d laid the picnic blanket, sitting pretty in the dabbled light.

‘Wow.’ She sat, crossing her legs lotus style and removed her hat. ‘Did you raid your mother’s fridge?’

Stevie could see Theresa’s potato salad and coleslaw as well as slabs of ham, some mustard and fat slices of fresh bread.

‘No, they’re from my fridge. I just always happen to score cookout leftovers.’ Sitting on the blanket opposite her, he mimicked her cross-legged position before passing her a plate. ‘Help yourself.’

Stevie constructed a sandwich she could barely wrap her lips around, but it tasted amazing. After her first bite, Clay passed her a bottle of pop and she swallowed it half down in one hit. With the wind on her face and ruffling her hair during the ride, she hadn’t really registered how warm it was today so the cool drink was appreciated.

‘You know these trees,’ Clay said after he finished his first mouthful of sandwich, ‘will turn a stunning golden yellow in a few months’ time.’ He peered up at them momentarily. ‘This whole tree line will be ablaze with gold. I can see it from my cabin.’

Stevie could imagine how pretty it must be here during that time. ‘I think fall is my favourite time of year.’

He nodded as their gazes met. ‘Mine too.’

Clay went on to talk about the ranch in all the different seasons as they ate and drank, his love for this place obvious. It was in the fondness in his voice and the affectionate sweep of his gaze and the wry tilt of his mouth as he told stories about snow drifts in winter and wildflowers in spring and Fourth of July fireworks and Halloween ghost stories around the camp fire under clear starry skies.

Stevie finished eating and eased backwards, propping herself up on her elbows. ‘You’re lucky to live here. It’s a beautiful part of the world.’ She glanced around. ‘Why is this spot your favourite?’

‘The way the trees clump together and how the stream cuts through them so it’s always shady and kinda secret. We’ve got the river on the eastern boundary, but this place…’ He breathed deeply. ‘You have to know it’s here.’

Remembering how shallow the water was, Stevie said, ‘Doesn’t look like you can swim here though?’

‘Not now, no, but earlier in the year, after the snowmelt, it becomes much deeper and faster. I can float on my back through the trees and for a couple of miles downstream.’

The snowmelt? From the mountains? ‘Isn’t it freezing?’

He chuckled at the look on her face. ‘It’s invigorating.’

Stevie shivered. The man really did like to live dangerously. ‘Nope. No way would you catch me doing that.’

‘Not even if we were playing truth or dare and I dared you?’

‘We’re not playing truth or dare.’

His eyes lit with speculation. ‘Ooh, but we should.’ Settling himself on his stomach, Clay propped his chin with his hand, his shoulder level with her knees. ‘I’ll go first. Truth or dare?’

17

STEVIE

Stevie blinked, not quite sure how it had happened, but apparently they were playing truth or dare. Once again she thought about Clay’s similarity to Yolly. It had been her favourite thing to play and Stevie’s least favourite. Her sister had always chosen dare.

‘Truth or dare?’

Rolling her eyes, Stevie said, ‘Truth.’

He chuckled. ‘You always chose truth, right?’

‘Pretty much.’