She was his mate. He’d heard enough stories to know the reaction he had to her was more than just physical. He’d had enough women to know she was different.
She wiggled behind him, trying to get more comfortable. Her movements were making him anything but comfortable, but it was the kind of discomfort he liked, as long as it ended with his bringing her pouty mouth to cover his cock. If he didn’t do something soon, his zipper would carve its tracks into his dick.
“Wrap your arms around me and hold on.” When she didn’t do as he’d told her, he craned his neck around and gave her a questioning look.
She darted her gaze from his. “That’s okay. I’m fine.”
Why did their mate have to be so damn stubborn? “Suit yourself. But don’t blame me when you fall off the back and crack your skull open.”
“I’m sure I’ll be—”
He gave the horse a quick prod with his heels. The horse burst forward, cutting her sentence off as she yelped. She clung to him, closing her arms around his chest and pushing her breasts against his back.
He had to admit he’d enjoyed scaring her. He clucked to the horse again once they were away from the pond and in the middle of the pasture. Pointing the horse toward his ranch, he urged it into a gallop and smiled as she let out another frightened squeak.
Traveling under the bright sun and the blue skies with his future mate was a joy he wanted to last a while. Instead of taking the direct path to his house, he took the longer way home, skirting the edge of their property. She began to relax her death grip on him as they neared the ranch.
Giving the horse free rein, he leaned back, pressing his body harder against hers. He could feel her nipples against his back even through his shirt as the hard buds rubbed up and down with the movement of the horse. Her crotch against his butt was warm and inviting, making him think of long nights lying between her legs and drinking her cream.
The horse took them straight toward the barn. She straightened up, her fingers splayed across his chest as she got her first look at her new home. “Hey, wait a sec. This isn’t my rental house.”
“Relax. I’ll get you there.”
Reining the horse to a stop, he lifted his leg over the neck of the animal and slid off. Rupert, the boy he’d hired to clean the stables and feed the horses, came running out of the barn then slid to a stop when he saw the woman.
“Mr. Rawlins, is this who I think it is?”
Reese shot him a warning look. “This lady’s pickup broke down, and I’m giving her a ride. Her name’s Candy Cane.”
Rupert’s bemused expression told it all. No one in their right mind would believe her name was Candy Cane, but he wasn’t ready to let on that he knew who she really was. He gave Rupert another pointed look, warning him again to keep his mouth closed.
He turned toward her, and, once again, he had to stop and admire her. She was breathtaking, stunning even with her wild hair and no makeup. Or maybe it was because of her wild hair and lack of makeup.
Reaching out his arms, he offered to help her dismount, but he wasn’t surprised when she waved away his offer and slid off the horse. She hit the ground hard and stumbled forward. He caught her and pulled her into his arms.
To his delight, she didn’t pull away. She lifted her face to his, her full lips parted as if to say “oh,” her big eyes alive with need. “You all right?”
She held onto his arms as she took a step back. “Of course I am.”
He fought back a grin. “Just asking.”
She pulled away then pivoted toward the house. “Do you have a land line I could use?”
“What for?”
Her mouth turned down. “A tow truck.” She started toward the house. “I like your home.”
He tilted his head, loving the way her hips swayed from side to side. Catching Rupert watching her, he growled and smacked the young man in the arm. “Keep your eyes in your head until your own mate comes around.”
“But, boss. Candy Cane? Is she for real?”
He chuckled and started after her. “She’s for real, all right. Real and hot as hell.”
She stopped at the front door and waited for him to catch up. “Do you live here alone?”
He opened the door and strode inside, guessing she’d think it rude for him to go before her. He wanted to try and rile her. “Blane lives here.”
“Your older brother, right?” She followed him, her gaze scanning the interior filled with modest furnishings.
“Older by three minutes.” He’d never thought about the way his home looked before, but suddenly he wanted her to like it. The furniture wasn’t expensive, but the small living room led into a bright kitchen. Much like most of the homes in the area, including her sister Shannon’s, the bedrooms were upstairs and a wraparound porch complete with rocking chairs beckoned visitors to sit and stay a while. Still, any changes she wanted to make would be fine with him. As long as he had his easy chair, a table to eat at, and a bed to put her in, he’d think himself a lucky man.