Saddle Up(75)

“That’s not what I meant,” he said. “I need you to understand that it’s never been anything more than sex for me before you. This is different between you and me. It’s more.”

“What do you mean more?” she asked, warily. “How much more?”

“I don’t know the answer.”

“Then I have to ask if you want to know.”

“I do.”

“Then stay with me, Keith. Let’s just give us some time to figure it all out. It’s the only way we’ll ever know. You don’t have to work for Jo-Jo and me, if that’s what bothers you. Maybe you could just lease the facilities from us and train some of the horses. Give the throwaways another chance. I’m certain the BLM would support you. Maybe they’d even give you a contract, like they’ve done with the prisons. At least think about it, will you?” Her eyes pleaded.

She’d waged a hard campaign, chipping away at him piece by piece with her determined persistence. He’d balked and bucked from the very start, but she was wearing him down. He had little fight left in him when she looked at him like that.

He doffed his hat and raked his hair with a sigh of defeat. “All right. You win. I’ll stay on until spring. If I think by then that I can do anything with these horses, I’ll talk to the BLM.”

The words were barely out of his mouth before she flung her arms around him with a squeal. “You will? I’m so happy, Keith! I can’t even tell you how happy I am.”

He flashed a lecherous grin. “Then maybe you can show me instead?”





Chapter 26


The next two weeks passed quickly as Miranda and Keith fell into an easy routine of rising early to care for the horses, then riding out to work on the fence. Although she hardly knew the front end of a hammer from the back, she loved helping him, even if she wasn’t actually a whole lot of help. Keith was patient and took the time to show her how to pull wire. Working together, they managed to complete the work on the south pasture just barely ahead of the first big snowfall.

On the days they finished before dark, Keith made slow but steady progress with Blue Eye. They were still more or less at a standoff, as the horse still hadn’t approached or let Keith near him, but at least the stallion’s aggression had diminished. Keith marked it as a baby step, but progress nonetheless.

With the long hours they’d put in, they hadn’t had any trouble keeping their promise to be discreet. In truth, they hadn’t had any energy to do anything besides work, eat, and sleep. But now homebound by the snowfall, Miranda was secretly thrilled for the chance to spend some time relaxing together. When he didn’t come to the house for breakfast, she decided to bring it to him…in bed.

She opened the door when he didn’t answer her knock and caught him just stepping out of the shower, wrapped in only a towel. “You didn’t show up for breakfast.”

“Wasn’t real hungry.”

“I brought you some anyway.” She set it down on the counter. Her gaze roved appreciatively over his flexing muscles as he toweled his head dry. “I’m really disappointed that I’m too late to scrub your back.”

“I’m all clean, but I sure wouldn’t mind getting really messy,” he replied with a grin that heated her insides.

“Are you letting your hair grow back?” she asked. She hadn’t noticed before how long it was getting, since he always wore a hat. It had grown a couple of inches in the months since she’d they met in Nevada, and now almost touched his shoulders.

“Yeah.” He smiled self-consciously. “I’ve felt really naked without it.”

“Your nakedness is perfectly fine with me,” she replied, stripping off her coat and toeing off her boots. When she looked up again, he’d dropped his towel. She inhaled a sharp breath to see him in his full natural glory. Her insides clenched with desire as he approached. Her gaze dipped and lingered in awe on his manhood: long, thick, purple-headed, and erect. Very erect.

“Ready so quickly?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ve been fighting this particular state of ‘readiness’ since the moment I opened my eyes. I was half inclined to take care of it myself.”

“But that would have been such a waste.” She reached out and wrapped her hand around him. He shut his eyes on a guttural sound as she stroked his hard, hot length. “I’m more than happy to take care of it for you.”

“I was hoping you’d say that. Two weeks is too damned long just to think about it. My body might be exhausted, but my mind’s been working overtime.”

“Oh yeah?” She cocked her head. “So what has you so preoccupied?”

“Do you remember the first time we were together, when you were afraid to let me kiss you ‘down there’?”

She laughed softly. “Why does that seem like a lifetime ago?”

“Because you’re no longer the shy girl, Aiwattsi. I’m glad you enjoy what happens between us. I enjoy it all the more because you do. I was wondering if you’d come to me. I was hoping you would. I woke up with my head filled with all the things I still want to do to you.”

“Really? Do tell.”

“Tell?” He cupped her face and kissed her deeply, passionately. “How about if I show you instead?”