Chapter 11
Ridge pulled her into his arms and they started to sway to the music. For a long moment they were silent. She was enjoying his arms around her and he had his mind on her in his arms. Her gaze slid up his chest and then to meet his gaze.
"I think we've been set up by my brother." His voice cracked slightly as he spoke.
Smiling, she blushed. "I think you're right." The blush deepened as he pulled her closer.
Leaning down he whispered, causing chills to run up her spine as his breath caressed his ear. "I'm glad he nosed into our business." For once he had to just go with the feel of the moment. Holding her in his arms made him feel like he could conquer the world. Maybe with her in his arms he'd finally heal.
She laid her cheek against his chest and he tightened his arm around her. Closing her eyes she imagined a life with this strong man. He was every woman's dream. How could she avoid falling in love with him? Realizing at that moment it was a fact, she was in love with Ridge Cauthen. A shiver ran through her as it sunk in.
"What're you thinking about?" He'd felt her shiver and saw the grin. His heart was hammering in his chest as she looked up into his eyes. Had he fallen in love with the vet? Was it possible for his heart of stone to actually soften?
"Just thinking about how good your arms feel around me." Then she turned serious. "But I want to know why you've pushed me away over the last couple of weeks."
"I didn't want to hurt you." He leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm still broken Mallory and I don't know how long it'll take to get back right, but I think with a little patience I can be whole again."
Tears formed in her eyes and she spoke from her heart. "Oh Ridge, I'll give you all the patience you need if you'll let me help you." Reaching up she gently caressed his cheek.
Lowering his head toward hers he whispered, "I hope you mean that." Then he kissed her so gently that she almost melted. He cradled her face in his gentle weathered hands as he deepened the kiss. Neither realized they'd stopped moving and the other dancers were smiling at the couple so in love.
Chase clapped his hands together and turned to Beau. "I'm good, so very good."
When Ridge pulled back slightly, he looked down into her beautiful eyes. "Do you want to go back to the ranch for a moonlit ride?" He wanted to get her all to himself without all these eyes on them. He'd developed a second sense when he was in Iraq and he could definitely tell when people were looking at him.
"That sounds fun." She pulled up on him and kissed him quickly on the lips.
He grasped her hand and they walked over to where Chase lounged against the bar looking smug. "I'm hurt that you'd kiss my date on the dance floor in front of me." He feigned hurtful eyes.
Mallory laughed and gave him a hug. "Thank you. You may try to be the cool guy but sometimes you're really sweet." She looked up at Ridge and winked.
"We're heading out. I'll talk with you tomorrow." He gave Chase a look that spoke volumes. Then he shook his hand and walked with Mallory over the table to grab her purse.
Walking hand in hand out to the truck, Mallory was almost giggling she was so happy. When she looked up at Ridge he was smiling a little and that was definite progress. He pulled his keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door. Opening her door he helped her up into his large truck, but he stole a kiss as soon as she was seated.
He reached across and held her hand between them as he drove toward the ranch. Turning he looked at her profile. She was a confident woman and he admired her hard work.
"Have you ever been on a moonlit horseback ride?" He asked just before they turned into the main drive.
"Not for fun. I've been on several rescue missions in the light of the moon, but never just to be out there in nature for the enjoyment." Smiling she looked over at him and took a deep shuddering breath. He was breathtakingly handsome and sometimes when she looked at him, it felt like he wasn't real. A thrill went through her thinking that he wanted to be alone with her.
"Well, you're in for a treat." He leaned forward to check out the moon through the windshield. "It's a great, bright moon tonight so it'll be nice. Before I left for Iraq I did this as often as possible. I have a favorite place that I'd go when the moon was bright like this."
"It's a beautiful night that's for sure." He drove past the house and down to the barn.
When he went by the house he noticed a car in the driveway that he didn't recognize. His parents must have company. He shrugged it off and got out, walking around the front of the truck to help her down.
He saddled one horse and turned to help her up. When she stood looking from the horse to him and back again he laughed. "What's wrong?"
"Where's your horse?" She said as he helped her up onto the horse.
"I'm riding with you." He pulled her foot out of the stirrup and slid up to sit behind her. "Is that alright?" His breath feathered across her cheek as he leaned forward to grasp the reins.
"It's alright with me." For a moment she sat a little forward feeling awkward, but he put his arm around her waist and pulled her closed. Finally she loosened up and settled back against his body.
They rode in silence for a few minutes as they made their way across the first pasture to the wood line. "The place I'm taking you is on the other side of the woods." He turned the horse into the forest that ran along the fence line.
Once they were in the thick part of the forest the darkness surrounded them, but the moonlight filtered through in places so that the horse was able to walk unheeded.
An owl called out overhead, causing her to jump. He grinned and pulled her close, leaning in he nuzzled her neck. "You're safe with me."
She turned her face slightly with a smile. "I know, but it startled me." He took the opportunity to kiss her. Then he stopped the horse for a moment because of the awkward way she turned her body.
"Let's rearrange for a minute." Without missing a beat he put his arms under her arms and lifted her easily off the saddle causing her to gasp as she was unsure of what he was up to. Then he turned her around to sit sideways on the saddle. "Now, that's much better."
Then his lips were on hers again. One of his hands held around her waist as the other tangled its way into her long hair. She smelled heavenly and it made him light headed.
When he pulled back only a mere inch from her lips, he leaned his forehead against hers. "What have you done to me lady? I can't seem to get you out of my mind." Closing his eyes he pulled her to his chest and held her as though she were the most precious treasure.
"It's hard to read you Ridge Cauthen. By the way you've acted lately I thought you couldn't stand the sight of me." She felt the rumbles of humor in his chest as her head laid on it lightly.
"I'm sorry for that. I guess my siblings have told you I'm not the easiest person to get along with. When we shared that first kiss in the tent the night Blaze was injured, well, it scared me." He looked up toward the moon shining through the tree limbs.
She leaned back and looked up toward his face, but the darkness cast shadows on his face so that she couldn't make out his expression. "Why did it scare you?" Curiosity took over.
For a moment he didn't answer her. Could he open up to her yet? Would it make her run screaming away from him? "Let's just say I'm a broken man. I came home barely sane and I'm having a hard time dealing with my emotions. I guess I was afraid to care. Actually I'm still afraid." When he looked down at her the moonlight sparkled from his watery eyes.
It tore at her heart that he'd suffered so much for her freedom. The things he'd been through were horrible and no man should have to go through it. Slowly she reached up to stroke his cheek. She was surprised to find wetness on his cheeks.
She felt suddenly like she needed to do something to take away the obvious pain he was feeling. The only thing she could do was to get his mind off the past. Winding her hand up and around his neck, she pulled him slowly to her. The kiss she bestowed on him was mind blowing. Her plan worked because he w
as lost in the kiss.
Groaning he pulled her as closed as physically possible. Then thinking better of it, he gently pulled back from her questing lips. "Let's get to the place I wanted to show you before we do something that we'll both regret." He kissed the tip of her nose and nudged the horse forward as she leaned her head against his chest.
The clearing was visible just ahead of them. As they left the forest and started across the open pasture she saw a large old oak just ahead. The tall old tree was massive and the closer they got the larger it seemed. Once they made it to the old tree he stopped the horse and climbed down.
"Stay right where you are for a moment." He reached behind the saddle and grabbed a rolled blanket she hadn't noticed before. Quickly he spread it out just under the branches of the tree.
"What are you doing Ridge?" She laughed as he reached up to help her down.
"I'm helping you experience the moonlight. This is the only way to enjoy a beautiful clear night." They walked over to the blanket and he dropped down on one side of it, patting the empty space beside him. "Come on down, I won't bite." He winked at her and she almost missed it in the darkness.
She lay down beside him and looked up at the night sky. It was simply gorgeous. The stars seemed to be brighter and the moon looked larger. "Why do the stars seem brighter here than at the barn?"
"Out here there's no light contamination. It's all nature." He turned to look at her. "I told you it was amazing."
Turning her head she smiled. "It's amazing and I'm glad you brought me out here to see this."
"I have to be honest Mallory, this isn't the only reason I brought you out here." His heart was hammering in his chest as he wondered where he needed to start.
"What's the other reason?" She turned on her side and propped on one arm.
"I've made it obvious that I've been struggling, but I haven't spoken with anyone about it. I did see a therapist, but it wasn't working." He turned on his side and faced her. "I don't know exactly what this is between us, but I want you to know that I'd never do anything to harm you. You know that, right?"
"I know you wouldn't hurt me Ridge. If I was afraid of you I wouldn't come out here to the middle of nowhere with you." She reached out and grasped his hand.
"I sometimes have bouts of temper and when memories cloud my mind I'm down right hard edged. Please don't run away if I act like an idiot and say things wrong." He squeezed her hand. "I promise to try hard to do better."
"Ridge I want you to be comfortable talking to me. Don't shut me out." She moved closer knowing it wasn't a good idea, but not able to stop. "Please let me into your world."
Reaching out her touched her cheek, "I want to let you in badly, but right now I don't know if I can. The memories are still too raw. One day I promise to tell you everything if you'll be patient with me."
"I'm a patient woman if you haven't noticed yet." Tears formed in her eyes as she felt the pain in his heart through his words.
He felt a tear slip over his finger. "Please don't shed any tears for me. I'm not worth your precious tears." With that he closed the distance between them and pulled her into his warm embrace. He held her for a long while. Right now all he needed was the comfort only she could provide.
They held one another for over an hour. It was the most intimate, precious moment she'd ever shared with a man, or anyone for that matter and all they did was hold one another.
Before he left for Iraq, just holding a woman close wouldn't be enough, but with Mallory it was more than that. It was life itself and it made him feel almost whole again.
He'd felt his phone vibrate earlier, but he ignored it. When it vibrated again he decided it might be urgent. The text was from Oakley. 'You're needed back at the house.'
Ridge sat up and pulled Mallory with him. "I'm sorry, but something is going on at the house."
"Let's get back then." They folded the blanket together and made the ride back.
Ridge Page 11
