Save A Horse

by Jennifer Wedmore

  She followed him up the porch steps and into the most comfortable looking living room she had ever seen. The house looked lived in and the atmosphere invited a person to come in and stay awhile. The décor was perfect, and she felt at home here. She hoped the rest of the house matched this room. She had to rush to catch up to Graham as he climbed the stairs.

  “If you walk through the living room you will find the kitchen/dining room. Across from the living room is TC’s office and the downstairs bathroom is under the stairs.” Ryley stopped in her tracks. “You have a bathroom in Harry’s closet?” That was epic! Graham turned to look at her and she could see he was confused. “Never mind, lead on.”

  Graham started up the stairs and when they reached the top of the staircase, Graham gestured to the left. “That is TC’s room. Next door is a guest room, and I'm putting you across the hall in this room. Each room has a bathroom, so no worries about sharing. The house was modernized a few years ago so you should be comfortable here.”

  Graham led the way into the guest room and set the luggage down next to the bed. “If you need anything here is my cell number, call me. I'll be back in a bit, you relax and get unpacked.”

  Ryley watched him walk out the door and pull it shut behind him. She couldn't decide if she should unpack or wait to see what kind of response TC had to her being in his space. Deciding to wait, she called Kat to let her know she arrived. After four rings, she hung up and texted her.

  Ryley: You’re supposed to be at my beck and call. At the very least waiting to hear I landed and did not get murdered by strangers.

  Ryley: Fine wench, I had deets to share, but you have forsaken me. I'll not share with you now!

  Well, there went that distraction, she thought. She decided to explore her room and the house a bit more. Her room was beautiful. Four poster bed, with etched wooden poles, the kind you wanted to pretend to strip on just to have some fun.

  Well, she hoped she wasn’t the only one who thought about doing that. She ran and jumped on the bed and sighed in pleasure. This was heaven, she decided, as she sunk deep down into the mattress. The bed had claimed another victim, and she was happy.

  Ryley laughed at herself and climbed out from under the mountain of comforter that enveloped her whole body. To the right of the room, she saw a door that she presumed led to the bathroom. Like a child in a candy store, she was delighted to see a huge sunken tub.

  That’s it. She was never leaving this house. Forget the bed, the tub was calling her name, and it was a lover’s caress. It was time to unpack because if TC wanted her gone, he would have to drag her away. She may have to pay room and board and invite interviewees here. She was never leaving this oasis! Now she sounded like her mom, each new guy was bigger and better and here she was gushing over a house and claiming it. No way would she really be with a man just to get something. She saw how well that worked out in her teen years.

  She went back into the bedroom and unzipped her suitcases. She realized she forgot to look around for a closet or dressers. On her knees, she spun around and didn't see another door, so she assumed no closet, but there were two dressers on the other side of the bed.

  It took too much effort to stand up, so she dragged her suitcase around the bed on her knees, then went back for the second one. She had just plopped on her back in exhaustion when she heard pounding feet coming up the stairs.

  She sat back on her knees and watched the door, curious to see if the person was coming to her room or not. After a few minutes she didn't hear anything else, so she started unzipping her bag.

  She opened it and let the lid drop to the ground. Of course, her shampoo bottle rolled out of the zipper pouch and rolled under the bed. She must have forgotten to close the pouch. Shoving the bag out of the way she reached under the bed, her fingertips grazed the bottle which pushed it farther away.

  She scooted closer, put her head on the floor and shoved her upper half under the bed. She laughed in success, grabbed hold of the bottle and when she tried to wiggle out, she realized she couldn't move.

  Stuck!

  Ryley didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t reach her phone. No one could hear her yell from under the bed and she couldn't get out. Of course, her phone chimed at that exact moment. Kat probably texting back. A few more chimes and finally the phone started to ring.

  Ryley heard footsteps again. This time they sounded like they stopped outside her door. She cursed as she heard knocking.

  “Come in please.” She hoped whoever it was heard her yelling.

  After a moment the door opened, and she could see from her viewpoint two pairs of legs and boots. “Ryley are you in the bathroom? TC is here, and I brought him up to meet you.” She could see Graham’s feet walking toward the bathroom to better hear her response she assumed.

  “Um, no. Not in the bathroom,” she replied quietly. She quietly groaned, this was not fair.

  “Where are you, then?”

  She heard a deep laugh from behind her. “Graham I found her, well not the part of her I expected but it’s still quite a view. Forgive me, ma’am, if I don't reach out to shake anything.”

  Ryley groaned and turned her head so her voice projected easier. The cool floor was helping her heated cheek. What a great first impression, at least he laughed!

  “You must be TC. I’m glad our first meeting is giving you a laugh. Do you think you could help me out and I'll promptly shake your hand? I would rather not shake my ass at you anymore than I already have.” Ryley was going to kick Graham when she got out of here. She could hear him laughing, and it sounded like he sat on the floor. At least he sounded like he was still over by the bathroom so he wasn’t staring at her ass.

  “Graham, I hate you right now. Someone please help me. I think my bra strap got stuck on a spring or something.” Ryley closed her eyes, this was so embarrassing. Kat wouldn’t believe it when she told her. This was not the best impression to make on someone.

  “Excuse me.”

  Ryley opened her eyes to see the most gorgeous brown eyes staring at her.

  “Hi,” she breathed at him. Good lord she had to thank Gerri after all. His eyes alone were making her squirm… well if she could squirm in the position she was in.

  TC gave her a smile and said, “Introductions later. Let me see if I can unhook you without taking the bed apart, okay?”

  Ryley nodded and closed her eyes. She was so mortified, there was no way she could face him, but in the hope of staying and actually using that bathtub and of course getting a better look at him she had to try.

  She wasn't ready to say goodbye to a tub like that though, it was a priority. If she was being truthful she wanted to see all of TC, it was only fair after getting a peek at those beautiful eyes. He’d checked her out, so she should be allowed to do the same. A moment later, she felt a tug, a jiggle and she was free.

  Thankfully he couldn’t see what the tug and jiggle did to her chest. Ryley could imagine that would have been an eyeful. She started scooting out then realized she didn't grab her shampoo, so she scooted back under and grabbed the bottle again. She could hear laughter and knew they thought she must be crazy. She jumped up and held the bottle up with a triumphant yell!

  “We would have bought you a new bottle. No reason to get stuck over that.” Ryley stuck her tongue out at Graham and turned to TC. “Well, I guess I should show my better side. Hi, I'm Ryley Stewart, and I'm pleased to meet you.”

  Ryley finally got a good look at TC and she was not disappointed. He was every woman’s wet dream come to life. Tall, lean but muscular, he made her mouth water just looking at him.

  “I don't know about better side since I did enjoy that view. Hi, Ryley, I'm TC. I admit I came up here to kick you out, but that is the most laughs I’ve had in a while, so I'll give you a chance.”

  Ryley relaxed as she realized he was not as mean as she was told, and those eyes up close... She was going to have to change her underwear if he kept looking at her.

  “Let
’s head down to the living room and chat a bit. I want to set up some ground rules and explain the ranch to you. I'm sure you would prefer not to have this chat sitting on the bed.”

  Ryley didn’t want to chat sitting on her bed for sure, bad enough they started off this meet and greet with her ass in the air. Way to show her professional side, Grahams constant laughter didn’t help much either. She was lucky TC didn’t toss her out on her ass. She also knew she would probably throw herself at him if they sat on the bed. She had never been so hot for guy so fast in her life.

  Five

  God damn it, TC thought, this was not what he wanted or needed. Not just an interview but to meet his mate. He knew as soon as that son of a bitch Graham mentioned Gerri Wilder there was more going on. There was not a shifter alive who didn't know who she was and what she did. He hadn’t planned on needing her services ever. He was content with his life, and if he met his mate, then that was fine. He had hoped she would be someone who would fit in his world, not a city girl who wouldn't want to live on a ranch. He couldn’t give up his way of life, and he didn't think it fair to ask anyone to move on his behalf.

  She looked so cute under that bed though, that his anger at the situation melted away and another feeling overtook him. He wanted to show Graham right out the door and cop a feel of Ryley. That would have gone over well.

  ‘Excuse me, ma’am, while you're under the bed, I'm going to rub your ass. You don't mind, right?’ Sure, she would have said, ‘yes, sir, have fun with that.’ He laughed at himself and continued down the stairs. Graham was right though she could bring in so much needed exposure to the work they did. They could have more funding, expand the operations and reach more people. He didn’t want her to think he was using her though.

  He inspected his house as he walked, worried about what she would see and if she would be disgusted with it. It wasn’t anything special, but it was his home, and he loved it. Who was he kidding, he needed her to want to stay and everything was worrying him now. How could his house and ranch compare to place to live in the city?

  He continued into the kitchen and put the coffee pot on. “Please have a seat. My momma always said the kitchen was the heart of the home, so I like to relax in here. Graham, go away. I'm sure you have work to do. Ryley will be fine with me.” Please go away Graham, he needed to be alone with her. Talk with her, just be with her. He never expected the attraction to be this strong. He had seen mates together before but nothing prepared you for the instant attraction. Of course he was attracted to her ass when he saw it up in the air, but one look into her eye and he fell ass over tea kettle in love.

  He turned around to see Graham glance over at Ryley as if asking for permission. He wasn’t sure if he should be annoyed or happy his best friend was protective of his mate. Especially since she didn't know she was his mate yet. Mate, that was a word he never expected to use. Maybe he should explain about the ranch, the rules, that way keep this meeting platonic. He was itching to grab her and pull her close. He wasn’t sure she would be receptive to that.

  “This ranch is my sanctuary and I'm protective of the people here and especially the animals. Your interview could bring down a lot of trouble on us.” He wished Graham had talked to him before giving Gerri the go ahead, while he agreed this could be great, he worried.

  “We take in animals that are abused, neglected or forgotten. Not everyone wants to give up their animals. We get threats from them all the time. There are also people who hate what we do here and think the animals should be allowed to roam free and not penned up in fences or as they call them cages.” TC grabbed two mugs from the cabinet, filled them with coffee and walked over to the table. “I'll do the interview, but the location of the ranch must be kept out of the story. I ask that you don’t give my full name. I'll provide you with a contact to use if someone needs to reach out to us. It’s a lawyer in New York and he will relay the information and keep our anonymity.”

  TC watched Ryley look around the kitchen. “Would you like some cream and sugar for your coffee?” Ryley smiled “I didn’t want to interrupt you, but yes please. I use both.” TC smiled back at her and got up to grab creamer from the fridge and the sugar container from the counter. As he walked back to the table he continued. “The rules are nonnegotiable. Never go near a horse unless Graham or I'm there with you.” He counted off each point with a finger. “don't wander around at night away from the house. There are all kinds of snakes and other creatures that roam a ranch. That is all I have. Do you have any questions?” His irrational fear just kicked in when he thought about the dangers she could find on a ranch. He couldn’t lose his mate after finding her. It was a like a switch in his brain just flipped. He went all this time, not thinking about having a mate, not looking for her. Then one look and he was ready to plastic wrap everything, wrap the furniture in foam... Not that he would do that, but yeah he wanted to protect what was his. Who cared if he looked certifiable, his mate was the most important thing.

  “That all makes sense and I'm good with it. Do you want a formal sit down where I ask interview questions or just chat and get to know each other?” TC let out a breath as he realized she wasn’t aware of his inner turmoil and took the rules at face value.

  TC didn't have to think about that, he wanted—no, he needed to know everything he could about his mate. “Informal chat would be good. I think the more relaxed I'm, the more information you will get. If we are focusing on the ranch, I want to show you around and give you a better idea of what we do here.” TC really wanted to show her around, show her off and claim her as his own.

  And he didn't want her to run, he wanted her to know him and his home. He had to hope there was a chance she would accept him and be his mate. She’s interviewed enough shifters, so she must know about mates. Would it be weird to ask her outright?

  He didn't know what to do. His social skills sucked since he spent most of his time with wounded animals. He needed Graham to help him navigate through his awkwardness, but he sent him away so he would be alone with his mate. Fuck it, he thought, I'm going to ask.

  “Have you met a lot of shifters and their mates?” He waited for her to reply, he could barely breathe he was so nervous to hear her response. He felt like a teenage boy on a first date. In his head he chanted silently: I believe in forever mates, I believe in forever mates.

  When Ryley cocked her head at him as if asking a question, he had to stop and check if he had said that out load after all.

  “Yes, I'm aware of ‘mates’ and have met quite a few who claim to have met theirs. I’m not sure I believe in it. It seems too good to be true that shifters just know who their soulmate is.” He could understand where she was coming from, it was a facet of who they were that didn’t make sense unless you witnessed it firsthand. That connection that was so evident between mates, the love that shined through. Ryley continued, “why do you get to know that but us regular humans have to struggle through dating and not knowing? I’m not sure if I’m jealous or envious.” Ryley paused for a moment, “I guess both, I want that all-knowing, all-consuming love but it will always be out of my reach. Oh damn, I have no idea why I told you that.” TC watched Ryley, her face was expressive and he could see the confusion. “I guess you’re so easy to talk with and not at all what Gerri described you as. Well, Graham's description either, if I thought about it.” Ryley shook her head, and TC could only laugh, he knew what Graham would say about him. As for Gerri... That was a bit worrisome.

  “I find you much easier to talk with than I expected. I'm an asshole, I deal with sick and injured animals. All mistreated by humans, so it tends to make me a dick.” TC shook his head when he thought of the things he had seen done to animals over the year. “I have seen and see every day the worst of humanity, those who hurt an animal just because they can, or neglect a beautiful creature just because it's too much work, and that sickens me.” TC could hear the anger in his voice and hoped he didn't scare her off with his passion. “My priority is these animal
s. I'll do everything in my power to save as many as I can and to heal each one of them. Your interview will help us reach people all over the world, and hopefully, it will save a few animals, maybe even get people to step up and be more involved in their communities.” A priority yes, but now a second priority. She comes before anything else in his life.

  Ryley sat across from him with tears in her eyes.

  “Oh, shit.” TC dropped to his knees in front of her. “I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to upset you or scare you. I get so carried away I forget about who I'm talking to. Are you okay?” He grabbed her hands and leaned down and kissed the back of one. He had no idea what he did wrong but he would fix it and never let it happen again.

  “I'm so sorry, you didn’t scare me. Your passion is a beautiful thing, and I’m sorry you have had to see that. I can’t wait to share your work with the world. We can make a difference together.” TC liked the sound of together. Hopefully she meant more than just the newspaper and her interview.

  TC looked up at Ryley and waited to see what she would do next. He didn't want to scare her, but this attraction was undeniable. He hoped she felt a fraction of what he did. He leaned toward her just a bit to see if she would pull away or bend into him. His need to kiss her outweighed his desire to take it slow.

  With a quiet inhale, he saw her lean toward him just enough to show intent. He didn't wait and leaned in the rest of the way to place a chaste kiss on her lips. He wasn't sure who groaned or moved, but he became aware of their position a few minutes later. He was now on his ass, and she was straddling him.

  Their kiss turned into a war of tongues. Foreplay went out the window and passion rode them hard.

  “Ryley, love. I'm sorry I didn't mean to go that fast.” He couldn't believe she tumbled down the rabbit hole with him.

  “No, don't apologize, I’m pretty sure I pushed you down and climbed up on you.”