Husband Fur Hire (Bears Fur Hire #1)(22)

Forcing his mind onto the task at hand, he spent the next two hours fixing the four-wheeler. And when it was finally running again, he filled it with gas and drove around Elyse’s property to familiarize himself with the acreage and outbuildings. Her land was covered in rolling hills and ancient pines. Even when the winter dumped white over the landscape, there would still be plenty of green thanks to the trees that grew here. The beetle infestation had blown through these parts a few years back, but this place hadn’t been hit too badly. And the dead trees left over from the pine beetles would make good firewood now. The ATV paths were overgrown or non-existent, which meant this four-wheeler had been out of commission for a while, but it was powerful enough to handle the sharp inclines of her land. At the highest peak, he could make out a large, jutting rock in the distance. He stood on the four-wheeler, bent at the waist and arms locked on the handles just to take in the place better. She had a beautiful piece of land, and as he stood here, dragging his gaze over the lush wilderness, he understood how she found magic in this place.

A wooden structure in the distance captured his attention, so he revved the little engine and drove toward it. It was a dilapidated cabin, probably long ago abandoned by some of Elyse’s relatives. And when he drove a nearby trail, it led to a second two-room cabin, the roof of which had collapsed. Ian shook off the urge to eye them as possible den sites for winter. He couldn’t hibernate this close to Elyse. Not with Miller hunting him. Still, it was nice to imagine sleeping so close to her.

When he drove the four-wheeler back down the dirt path near the house, Elyse stepped out of the chicken coop and waved, then shielded the sun from her eyes as she waited. Damn, it felt good to have her here when he came home. Chills blasted up the back of his neck at the thought of that word. Home. Was this place home already? It was strange to think so, but that ring she’d accepted from him said he was a part of this place now. And it was a part of him.

“You said you need to eat a lot,” she called over the roar of the little engine.

“You hungry?” he asked.

“Yeah, and I was going to make you lunch, too. What do you want?”

Pleased to the bone she’d been thinking about his constant need for food, he grinned and patted his leg. “I want you up here, woman. Ride with me into the barn, and then I’ll cook you something.”

Her face transformed as her full lips lifted, and she graced him with those straight, white teeth of hers. She approached slowly. “I’m filthy, Ian Silver. Are you sure you want to cuddle me?”

Ian reached for her and tugged her hand until she was standing right beside the ATV. Then he picked her up by the waist and settled her over his lap, hooking her knees around him. Playfully, he nipped her neck as she giggled. God, he loved that sound.

Revving the engine, he said, “Your dirt don’t bother me, Elyse. Hold on.”

Her arms went around his neck as he maneuvered them into the barn. His lips were on her before he even turned the four-wheeler off. He’d been thinking about doing this all day since she’d let him get so close to her this morning. Only this time, she wasn’t letting him lead. The minx bit his bottom lip, hard, and rocked against his erection. Reckless, he gripped the back of her hair and pulled her head back, exposing her neck. He trailed biting kisses down her skin. Fuck, he wanted her. Wanted to be inside of her, claiming her, but he had to take it slow with Elyse. Cole had hurt her, and she was still crying over him. Ian didn’t want to bed her too soon. Elyse needed more time to be ready for all the emotional weight that would come with them sleeping together.

And sure as rain, if Ian slept with Elyse, it wouldn’t be f*cking. It would be loving, and the difference was almost as terrifying as the woman in his arms.

Elyse slipped her hands under the hem of his shirt and ran a smooth touch up his stomach. His abs clenched under her palms as he trailed his kisses to the base of her throat. He pulled her tighter against his erection, so the next time she rocked those sexy little hips of hers, she caught his length and, holy hell, she felt good against him.

When he kissed her lips again, Elyse gave off a pained noise, and instantly, Ian released her hair from his grip. “Did I hurt you?” Dammit, of course he had. He was being too rough. She was human and fragile, and he didn’t know his own strength.

“No.” She touched her chin gingerly. “Yes. I’m not used to kissing a man with a beard.”

“Oh,” he murmured. “Here, let me see.” He pushed her hand gently away and lifted her face in the muted barn light. She was looking red and a little raw, and he felt like grit. He should’ve shaved. With a sigh, he kissed her neck softly, then lifted her off and settled her on her feet. “Come on, let’s go eat.”

“Are you mad?” she asked, sounding confused as she stood her ground.

Ian held out his hand and shook his head. “Not at all. I feel bad for hurting you. We’ll give it a rest, okay?”

Elyse’s face fell as she slipped her palm against Ian’s. “I don’t know if I want that.”

Ian chuckled and pulled her along beside him. “You like kissing me then?”

Bumping his shoulder, she said, “You know I do. Don’t be that guy.”

“What guy?”

“The guy who knows he’s hot but still fishes for compliments.”

“So you think I’m hot?” he asked through a grin.