Saddle Up(54)

“I enjoyed it too,” she said, then added with a grimace, “except for the mountain lions.”

“That was unusual,” he replied. “I’ve never had such a close encounter with one before.”

“Just my luck then.” She gave a dry laugh. “But it didn’t scare me off for good.”

“You’d do it again?” he asked, as if surprised.

“Yes. I would. As crazy as it sounds, I’d do it all over again. Maybe I’d even try your roasted rattlesnake.”

“Would you now?” His lips curved at the corners.

“Yes. I think I would. I can’t explain it very well, but that short trip into the desert was life-changing for me. I found the whole experience liberating. Then again, I suppose that might have a lot to do with my two near-death experiences,” she added with a laugh. “I liked the solitude and being away from it all. Even with the discomforts, I think I’d enjoy doing it again.”

“If that’s the case, there are a number of places I’d like to show you,” he said, “beautiful places—awe-inspiring canyons and breathtaking waterfalls—that few people even know about. But these sights are off the beaten track and not easy to get to.”

“I’m not daunted. Not with you as my guide.”

Their gazes met and held. “I’d gladly be your guide anywhere you choose to go, Aiwattsi.”

The look in his eyes made his double meaning clear. Her nipples tightened and mouth grew dry. “How much farther?” she asked.

“Three hours, but if nature’s calling, we can stop in Pocatello,” he said, apparently misreading her impatience. “It’s the halfway point. We need gas soon anyway.”

A few miles later they pulled off the highway. While Keith filled the tank, Miranda climbed out of the truck, glad for the chance to stretch her cramped legs and relieve her bladder.

“Hungry?” he asked after paying for the gas.

“Ravenous,” she replied, but food wasn’t going to satisfy her real hunger. Did he feel it too? She’d thought so earlier, but he seemed so restrained now.

“There’s a good diner nearby called Elmer’s,” he said. “I’ll take you there.”

As Keith promised, the food was both good and plentiful, but by the time they walked back to the truck, Miranda didn’t even remember what she’d eaten. Her mind was too full of Keith, of the night to come. She didn’t understand her physical reaction to him. She’d never felt like this with anyone. He reached behind her to open her door, enveloping her in his musky, masculine scent, a scent that had teased her the entire drive. “Three more hours?” she whispered.

Her remark snagged his full attention. “So impatient, Aiwattsi?” His expression confirmed that he really could read her mind. “Don’t think I haven’t also been counting down the hours. My thoughts have been filled with what I want to do with you…to you…from the moment you climbed into this truck.”

Her pulse fluttered. “Then why haven’t you?”

“Because I have responsibilities. I’m already a day late due to my detour to Montana. I’d planned for us to drive through to Provo and then spend the night together. It was a sensible plan.”

“Yes,” she agreed, “very sensible.”

“It was,” he said, stepping into her space. “But I’m liking it less every passing minute.” The look in his eyes made her breath hitch. If she’d wondered about his interest, there was no doubt now.

“Is there any alternative to that plan?” she asked.

“There is if you don’t mind getting up before the crack of dawn to drive to Gunnison.”

“I don’t mind,” she said. “What do you want to do?” she countered, her eyes searching his.

“What do I want?” His arms caged her on either side, his body pressing hot and hard against hers. “You, Aiwattsi. Only you.”

*

They barely made it into their room before his mouth claimed hers, hot, aggressive, and devouring. Mindlessly she flung herself into it. Mouths melding, tongues thrusting and retreating, moans mixing and mingling. Dizzying, devastating, drugging kisses. Searching hands peeled away clothes. Touching, teasing. Sucking and stroking. Agonizing emptiness. Merciless need. Their limbs tangled and entwined.

Restless and writhing, he reached out. Gazes locking. He probed, then pierced hard and deep, shock and pleasure surging, senses swimming. Primal, pulsating pleasure.

Blissful friction. Rasping, ragged breaths. Erotic echoes of slapping flesh.

He plunged and pummeled in a ruthless, relentless rhythm.

Frantic and feverish. Edging them toward ecstasy.

Aching, quaking, quivering. Surging swells and sinuous spasms. Clutching, clawing, clenching, convulsing. Two voices cried out in ravaging release.

*

Sweating and spent, Keith lay watching Miranda. She opened her eyes to his. Her sleepy gray pools stared back at him and a sated smile gave a soft lift to her mouth. “I don’t understand what you do to me,” she said. “I’ve never felt this way with anyone.”

Neither had he. He was more comfortable with Miranda than he’d been with anyone in a very long time—maybe ever. He’d hidden himself from others, but he hadn’t hidden from her. He didn’t want to hold anything back. He wanted her to see him clearly, not as a romantic hero, but exactly as he was, with all his flaws and foibles, to know and accept and trust him as a friend as well as a lover. He reached out to trace her lips with a finger. “Are you content?”