Will and Matt came in from the field through the back door. Cindy sat up and watched him. He quirked an eyebrow at her then grinned but went to wash his hands in the kitchen sink. Will grabbed his sandwich and stood at the counter beside his pups. “Where’s mom?”
“Eating in the room.” Kelly offered without looking at him. He took his plate and left the kitchen.
“Put your trash away and let’s take that walk.” Ryder murmured in her ear sending delicious shivers across her skin. Harper hurried to the trash, she felt him behind her. When she turned he was there taking her hand. He led her out through the living room and onto the front porch. “Where shall we walk?” He asked. She shrugged.
“I’ve explored the yard, what’s out there?” She pointed at the tree line.
“There’s a small pond full of turtles and there are trees, want to see?” She nibbled her lip and nodded. “I suspect you only asked me out here to distract me from Nicole but I’m going to walk with you anyway. I’m hoping that once we are away from the house I can steal a kiss.” He grinned down at her and she felt her skin flush.
“She’s manipulating you, even Lucy knows it, and she’s what five? Don’t let Nicole do that to you. I don’t want to speak out of turn because I’m new here but that woman is…” She huffed, disgusted.
“I know.” He grinned down at her. “But we all love the kids and we all love Will. He’s a good man so we tolerate her to keep him around.”
“Okay. Maybe someone should speak to her about her behavior.”
“As soon as there is an Alpha female, someone will.” He steered her around a fallen tree branch. They were nearing the trees.
“Me?” She squeaked. “You want me to talk to her? I…no. I’m no Alpha and that woman is more than a little intimidating.”
“It’s a show. She thinks she’s beautiful and that it entitles her to something. She needs brought down a peg or five. The Alpha female disciplines, you need to let her know that you are not pleased with her behavior and that you expect more out of her and her pups.” She scented water and other animals. They stepped between two small cedars and she spotted the pond. The water was green with algae and turtles poked their heads up through it while others lounged on the bank.
“What are they doing? Why are there so many?” He shrugged. “How do you feel about turtle soup?” He shrugged again. “I’ll call Uncle Bobby and get the recipe. He used to make it when I was a child but we may have to give up some turtles in the process.
“No problem, we have plenty.” He pointed and she followed his finger. Moving so slowly that it looked like a statue; a heron was on the other side of the pond. It stepped so slowly and carefully that the water didn’t ripple when it moved. It was staring down into the water watching something. Its long beak was a pointer at its prey, and his neck a piston when he finally decided to strike. His head bobbed down through the water and he came up with a silver fish that wriggled in its mouth. Two gulps and the fish disappeared down its long graceful throat.
Harper watched, fascinated, and then felt Ryder watching her. She looked up and suddenly felt like the fish, like prey. He moved slowly, like the heron, like a predator stalking her. His hands trailed up her arms until they landed on her face. His large hands gripped her head gently and tilted her face up to his. He had such beautiful deep dark eyes. She could get lost in those eyes. They glittered, the toffee flecks around his pupils, almost like gold.
He stepped closer then dipped his head to press his mouth to hers. Harper opened when his tongue sought entrance. She wanted this, needed it. All of the muscles deep in her belly clenched sweetly sending dark desire through her. His tongue darted in to taste her and she relaxed against him. Her arms found their way around his waist and her fingers explored the muscles of his back. He was so strong, like chiseled granite under her fingertips. “Soon.” He murmured against her mouth and she leaned against him letting him hold her. His kiss ended too soon but she’d felt him harden against her. He wanted her. There was no doubt that he wanted her. By the way her body throbbed, clenched and moistened she wanted him too.
They walked in easy silence back to the house. He had her hand gripped firmly but gently. She felt comfortable with him and safe. That was a foreign feeling. She’d not felt safe since she was a small girl and didn’t realize it until now. She scowled. Her only hope was that Bronson’s hell was as horrific as her life had been for the past ten years. Maybe it was her who died and this was heaven. She stole a glance up at Ryder. He moved with such easy grace that she felt clumsy next to him. Harper stumbled then over an uneven clod. Ryder caught her as she cussed and kept her from falling.