by Aliyah Burke
She was on his mind the whole way back to his home.
* * * *
Sunday morning, Jasira stood before her mirror scanning her attire. He said wear jeans. Well, I’m doing that. She ran her hand down over her shirt.
“Okay. No sense in standing here.”
Giving herself a smile of encouragement, Jasira took a deep breath and headed out of the apartment with her purse and keys. She started her Pathfinder, tossed her coat on the passenger seat, and entered Stone’s address in her navigation system.
As she drove, her mind focused in on the man she was driving to see. Just the thought of him created flutters in her belly, caused her mouth to dry out, a heart rate increase, and her palms to become sweaty. Jasira shifted on the seat and bit back a whimper of desire.
She tensed when she came upon the place she’d encountered her hallucination, but today there was nothing like that. Taking a deep breath of relief, Jasira paid attention to the male Australian voice giving her directions. Turning into Stone’s driveway, Jasira found herself faced with a nice two-story house and large barn with some horses in the paddocks.
“Nice place.”
Jasira parked beside his older truck and the Jeep he’d been in when he pulled her over. The moment she got out, Stone appeared from around the corner of the barn.
Oh mama! That man is just too fine. She lowered her gaze to the ground and worked her way up.
Stone had on cowboy boots and another pair of jeans that molded to his powerful thighs like a lover. She licked her lips and dragged her gaze up farther. His dark charcoal gray long sleeve shirt which did nothing to hide the impressive torso he had. A wave of longing swept through her as she stared at him.
He strode toward her. Stone moved like a predator—powerful, dangerous, and hypnotic. She couldn’t look away. Not that I want to. His hat sat on his head, hiding his eyes, but she could see the splash of white teeth from the smile on his face. The closer he got, the tighter her chest became. Jasira locked her knees so she wouldn’t collapse.
“Morning,” he said still moving toward her and using two fingers to shove back his hat, an action which allowed her to see his eyes.
“Morning.” Her belly wouldn’t cease flipping and flopping.
Stone didn’t stop until he had pinned her between his hard body and her SUV. What a place to be! She nearly whimpered when one arm moved past her head to rest against her Nissan. Breathing became difficult as he lowered his head to hers.
“I’m glad you came, Jasira.” His simple statement fell upon her ears like a thread of dark silken velvet. Strong, seductive, and full of the promise of endless passion. “Ready?”
Man am I oh so ready. Would you kiss me already? And none of that corner of the mouth thing. I want my toes to curl as you bend me backward. This close to him and she could see the chiseled angles of his face and those piercing eyes he had. They moved over her face, slowly, methodically, and possessively. Jasira shivered beneath the intense gaze.
“Yes,” she managed to whisper.
He gave her a half smile which totally turned her to mush. “Great. Did you want to put your things in the house or leave them in your car? Either way, they’ll be safe.”
Glancing past the man who took up a ton of her vision, Jasira scanned the vastness surrounding them. On the air came the intoxicating scent she identified as Stone. But today the smell of leather and horse came with it, and more longing swept her.
“Here’s fine.”
“Did you bring something with sleeves? It may get chilly on the ride.”
“I have a…one in the car.” Great, now I’m babbling like an idiot.
“Great. Let’s go introduce you to your mount.” Stone didn’t step away. In fact he stepped closer and dropped his head again. Jasira bit the inside of her lip when his heat flowed over her. “I’m really glad you’re here.” When he stepped back she almost followed so as to not lose the scent or warmth. He drew down on the brim of his hat and spun around.
What little moisture she had vanished at the sight of his ass in that denim. Oh man, I’m in trouble. Struggling for control, Jasira grabbed her zippered sweatshirt and followed Stone, admiring the view.
He waited at the door of the barn and they entered together. Morning’s light the only illumination yet it was more than enough. The aisle of the barn was clean, and there were some hay bales beside some stall doors.
“Nice barn. How many horses do you have?”
“Thanks.” He stopped to scratch the nose of a horse who stuck its head over. “I have twenty.”
“Wow. And who is this?” Jasira gestured to the equine he still stroked.
“This? This is Gypsy. My best mare.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.” He murmured something to Gypsy before carefully closing the top of the stall door. “I’d have you ride her normally, but she’s expecting any day now. This way to our rides.”
It’s obvious he cares immensely about his animals. I like that. Says a lot about him.
Jasira trailed him down to the back part of the barn.
“Here we go,” he said.
Stepping up beside him, Jasira stared into the stall and gasped. A large horse stood there looking at her. He was a muddy reddish-brown color with white spots on his muscular rump. There were also some white and dark splotches on his legs along with a small star shape on his forehead.
“He’s gorgeous.”
“This is Snips.”
“Snips?”
“Yeah,” he said chuckling. “Don’t ask. I don’t know; one of the kids named him.” He touched her arm and Jasira pulled her gaze from the horse to meet Stone’s. “Have you saddled a horse before?”
“Umm, no.”
“Let’s start with that then.” Stone opened the stall door and they entered.
A while later, Jasira led Snips through the barn and outside. A few moments later, Stone emerged, leading behind him a massive black horse. The horse was larger than the one she had.
“You have beautiful horses,” she said when he looped his ride’s reins around the post.
“Thank you. This is Tate Sápa, which means Black Wind. I usually call him Tate. Ready to get on?”
“Yes.” She watched him duck back into the barn and come out with a rifle. “What’s that for?”
“We’re going out on the range. I never ride without one.”
“Where’s mine?” If there may be trouble I want a gun too.
“You want one?” He shrugged. “We’ll stop by the house and I’ll get you one. I assume you can shoot.”
“From a pea shooter to a fifty cal, and everything in-between.”
“Well, mount up,” Stone said with a gesture. He held the bridle as she swung awkwardly up. “Stirrups okay?”
Standing, Jasira nodded and patted Snips on the neck. “I’m good. Let’s go.” Excitement flowed through her, she couldn’t wait to get this show on the road. She marveled at how graceful Stone looked swinging onto his horse. With a brief stop at the house, they were soon riding off.
Chapter Three
I’m jealous of a horse. A horse!
Stone couldn’t believe it. His gaze was glued to the way Jasira’s body moved with Snips’ motion. Never before had he been aroused by watching someone ride a horse. Jasira changed all that. He took them deeper into the Reservation. A snort from Tate snapped his eyes from the firm derriere of Jasira. Scanning the area, Stone couldn’t see anything, but when he glanced back at Jasira, he knew something was wrong. The relaxed way she’d been riding was gone. Her entire body sat stiffly upon Snips.
“Jasira?” he asked, moving closer to her. Her fingers gripped the reins like they were a lifeline. Her lifeline. “Jasira, what’s wrong?” There was no answer from her. “Jasira!”
Reaching toward her, he frowned when powerful shudders racked her lithe body. Stone drew her off into his lap and slowly dismounted, carrying her shaking body to the shade of a large rock. The horses were
n’t a concern, for he knew they wouldn’t leave.
A low moan slipped through her lips. Whistling for Tate, Stone took his water from the saddle and sank back down by her pale form which stared off into the distance. He patted her cheek and put a small amount of water on her lips.
“Come on, baby, look at me.”
It took a bit, but her eyes lost their glaze and focused on him. “Stone?” Her voice was faint and tired, but he’d never been so happy to hear anything in his life.
“Easy, Jasira, easy. Stay still. Do you have a medical condition I should know about?” His heart pounded almost out of control.
Her brow furrowed. “Medical…medical condition? No. This is what happened to me the day you stopped me. Just not so intense.” Jasira’s hand latched onto his forearm and squeezed. “Don’t you hear it? Can’t you feel it?”
Panic lodged in his chest. “I don’t hear anything. Look at me,” he ordered when her eyes closed. When they slowly opened, he praised her. “Good girl. Focus on me, Jasira. Hear only my voice. Listen to my voice, waštelakapi.” It seemed only natural for him to call her his beloved. For that’s what she was and he knew it from the day they’d met.
The pain in her eyes was that of one who’d lost everything. Stone felt helpless. He began murmuring in Lakota and she glared at him, and yet, it was as if she didn’t see him but something else entirely.
“Stop. I still can’t understand. Please. Please tell me in English. What can I do to ease your pain?”
Stone stopped talking. She’s hearing Lakota? Without thinking of ramifications, he eliminated the distance and kissed her. It was the only way he could think of sharing his strength with her. He groaned as her soft lips parted beneath his. Stone slid his tongue into the warmth of her mouth. Slowly he swept through, exploring everywhere, learning her taste, imprinting it upon his soul.
Jasira’s body stiffened then relaxed under his kiss. He wanted to take it all, but he kept himself in check. Stone coaxed her tongue to dance with his. They slid along one another and he grew harder and harder. With a possessive rumble, Stone pulled her closer. His skin flamed when her hands slid up his arms, over his shoulders, and sank deep into his hair. Shifting, Stone winced as his hip hit a jagged point on the rock they were beside.
Reluctantly, he ended the kiss. Jasira’s eyes were hazy with untapped desire as they stared wide, back at him. Brushing some strands of her hair behind her ear, Stone smiled lazily, drowning in her eyes. His heart rate slowed as he realized she was okay and not upset over what just occurred.
“Did you feel that?” she questioned, remaining in his arms.
As much as masculine arrogance wanted to pretend Jasira spoke about the explosive kiss they just shared, he knew that’s not what she meant. “No. Can you describe it?”
A look of slight disappointment filled her face. Slowly, she sat up and got to her feet. “Can we keep riding? I feel a bit restless here.”
“Sure.”
Within moments they were continuing on. Stone kept his stallion even closer to where Jasira rode on Snips. After a short stretch of silence, Jasira glanced at him, the haunted expression no longer on her face.
“It was like before—the continuing wave of emotional distress. Like something huge crying out in overwhelming agony.”
Stone’s hand tightened on the reins. Tate snorted and sidestepped, sharing his displeasure. I need to talk to Red Eagle. Suddenly she stopped and glanced over to her right. “Jasira?”
“Can we go over there?”
Stone peered toward the base of one of the buttes. “Of course.”
Silence fell as they moved, broken up by the clip-clop of their horses. Something made him cast a peek behind him. On the top of another butte, Stone could make out the silhouette of a figure on a horse. Staring ahead again, he saw Jasira still in front of him, riding easily along with Snips’ gait. Tate was asking for his head and Stone gave it to him, bringing him up to Jasira in not time. With minimal pressure, Tate settled into his own easy jogtrot.
He rode quietly, allowing her to pick where she wanted to go. He could hear her noncommittal murmurs as she figured it out. Jasira went partway up the butte then stopped and slid off Snips.
“Wait a sec there. What are you doing?” He jumped off Tate and grabbed her arm.
Her eyes flicked to where his hand enclosed around her flesh and widened as they met his gaze. “Oh. I’m sorry. Am I not allowed off the horse? Is that sacred?”
Stone followed her line of sight. All I see is a boulder. “Sacred? What do you want to explore?” He released her arm but stepped closer.
“The cave. But I don’t want to go where I’m not welcome.”
Looking again, Stone frowned and put his eyes back on Jasira. She stared up at him and he could see the excitement in her eyes. I don’t see a cave. Reaching behind him, he pulled his rifle from its scabbard. “You can lead the way to the cave, but wait before you enter.”
“Okay.” Jasira moved past him with Snips in tow. When she got to the boulder, she moved around it.
How the hell did she know that was there? I’ve been here numerous times and I never knew.
“Wait, Jasira.”
“I’m waiting.” Her voice filtered back to him.
Stopping beside Snips, Stone was presented with the sight of Jasira holding her rifle. Her eyes met his and she smiled. “This is like an adventure,” her soft whisper reached him.
He smiled, unable to be unaffected by her joy and excitement. Dropping Tate’s reins around his neck, Stone reached out and skimmed his thumb down Jasira’s cheek. “Yes it is,” he agreed. With a quick motion, he took care of Snips’ reins, hooking them on the saddle horn, and he moved to the entrance with Jasira slightly behind him. The daylight barely penetrated the darkness of the cave. “Hang on a second,” he said. Reaching into his pocket, Stone pulled out his Zippo and lit it.
Stepping in he scanned around, noticing how big it was. The horses followed them in and Stone looked around and gasped.
* * * *
Jasira couldn’t believe it. From the bit of light given off by Stone’s lighter she could make out drawings on the wall. One in particular caught her eye, a circle made up of equal portions of red, yellow, white, and black. The man on the horse had this exact symbol around his neck.
Glancing over to where Stone stood a bit further in, Jasira gulped as her heart stuttered. Immediately she relived the passionate kiss they’d shared. The way he’d held her in his arms made her weak-kneed just thinking about it. It didn’t matter if his main intention had been to snap her out of the fog she’d been in or not. The feeling changed in seconds and became so much more. It had been like being in a dream and waking to his kiss.
“Stone,” she called in a hushed voice, not wanting to yell.
The coolness of the cave banished the second he stood near. “Yes?” his low husky voice asked.
Jasira pointed to the wall. “Look at these. They’re amazing. Are you sure we should be in here?”
He met her gaze in the flickering light and shrugged. “I’ve never been in here before, but I think we should leave.”
“Okay.” Jasira was disappointed but she kept that to herself. In no way did she wish to disrespect his heritage. Stealing one last look at the four-colored circle, she moved to the mouth of the cave. I need to do some research on what that is. Jasira patted Snips and led him out of the cave. Once out in the light, she replaced the rifle and swung up, wincing from the soreness in her legs.
As they rode along a creek bed, Jasira glanced over to him. Stone pushed his hat back and met her gaze. A sexy smile crossed his face, softening the hard angles.
“Something on your mind?” he asked, his deep voice doing unspeakable things to her insides.
Will you kiss me again? Jasira licked her lips. “No, not really. Just admiring how well you ride.” Way to go, Jasira. Lie to the man, and on a Sunday. While her curiosity of the cave ran rampart, he hadn’t been in there before and she h
ad the feeling he didn’t want to discuss it. At least not with her.
Heat flared in the depths of his gaze. “You’re a good rider yourself. Up for a little more speed?”
With a smile she nodded. “Lead the way.” Excitement flowed through her.
Soon they were galloping across the plains. Jasira held onto the saddle horn with the hand not gripping the reins and kept her eyes ahead.
“Relax,” Stone hollered over the pounding of hooves.
Looking over at him, Jasira envied the way he sat a horse. The man truly was one with the stallion. “I don’t want to fall off,” she insisted.
“Hold up,” he ordered, slowing his mount.
Jasira followed suit and waited for him to say something else. He maneuvered right up to Snips. She watched in silence as he hooked Tate’s reins over the saddle horn then dismounted.
“Everything okay?” she asked, suddenly unsure.
“Scoot up,” he said.
“What?” Did I hear him right?
“Slide forward,” he repeated, taking her foot out of a stirrup.
Jasira did and the saddle rocked as Stone lifted himself up and settled behind her. “Wh…what are you doing?” Her breathless question slipped from her lips.
“Trust me, waštelakapi. Put your foot back in.”
What’d he call me? She fumbled to slip her foot back in the stirrup. It was hard to concentrate with the heat from Stone’s hard body cocooning her. Her belly tightened with desire as his rugged scent filled her nose. There wasn’t anything soft on him. He reached around and readjusted her hold on the reins.
“Let’s go,” he murmured, capturing the hand she would have held onto the saddle horn with. She whimpered when he placed it on her upper thigh and kept his hand on hers.
“What are we doing?” she asked, nearly breathless from his hard physique, sliding against hers.
“Shhh. Relax. Sink into me, waštelakapi. Ride with the rhythm, not against.” His words were whispered in her ear.
