by D'Ann Lindun
“I can’t,” Kyra moaned.
“You can,” January said. “You’re not going to just lay here and die, are you? You’re stronger than that. You already proved it by escaping that madman.” Refusing to remember what she had to do to get free from Dominic, January opened the tent flap. “I’ll be right back.”
Kyra moaned and nodded.
January stepped outside and zipped the tent shut.
The rain had increased until it fell in slanting gray sheets. Seeing through it was difficult, but the sound of the barking dog was clear enough. January peered through the storm, trying to locate the animal. It sounded like it came from a short distance away. With a deep breath, she walked that direction.
The barking became clear.
Rounding a curve in the hillside, January stopped and stared.
A mixed breed mutt stood in front of two dark gold horses barking at them. The saddled horses grazed, seemingly unconcerned about the mutt. January blinked, certain she was seeing things not there. She rubbed her eyes. Still there. She called to the dog. “Hey, puppy. Come here, doggy.”
The dog looked over its shoulder at her, then back to the horses, uncertain.
She held out her hand. “Come here, little dog.” He turned and took two steps. “That’s it. Come on.”
With a happy grin, the mutt bounded to her.
January knelt and petted his wet head. “You smell awful.”
She felt for a collar. Either he’d never had one, or lost it, because he didn’t have one. “Where’s your owner?”
The dog circled at her feet.
“Whose horses are these?” She stepped toward the sleek golden palomino with her hand out. “Hi there, beautiful.”
The golden horse placed his soft muzzle in her palm.
January picked up the muddy reins. “Where did you all come from?”
The second horse came forward, his nose also outstretched, looking for a treat. January grabbed his reins, too. “Gotcha.”
Now what?
Both animals were saddled and had rifle scabbards and saddlebags. Deer and elk season hadn’t come to Colorado quite yet, so the rifles weren’t for hunting big game. Ranchers, maybe? Some of them carried a weapon. Or…could these animals belong to the creep who had killed Kyra’s boyfriend? It seemed unlikely with two horses, but at this point, she didn’t know what to think. Maybe the creep intended to ride one himself and Kyra the other?
She had no idea from which direction the horses had come. The pouring rain obliterated any tracks and the grass stood knee high. Calling out wasn’t an option…what if the killer was nearby?
She could look for the horses’ owner and maybe run into a killer…or she and Kyra could ride them out.
Did they dare?
She could alert the police who would bring the horses back.
January bit her bottom lip. Indecision filled her. Taking the horses felt wrong, but being at the mercy of a cold-blooded killer seemed worse. She knew all too well what a sadistic man could do. A shudder ran down her back.
Her mind made up, she turned back toward her camp, leading both horses, the dog running ahead.
When January came through the flap, Kyra held her hot water defensively, ready to toss it into a predator’s face. Seeing January, she set it down. “Thank God it’s you. Are you all right?”
“Better than all right. We’re getting out of here.” January began packing. “Can you roll that sleeping bag? Make it tight. It’s got to go on top of my backpack.”
“We’re leaving?”
January nodded. “You aren’t going to believe this, but I found two horses. We’re going to ride them.”
Kyra opened and closed her mouth. “What? I don’t understand.”
“I found the dog and he was with two saddled horses. We’re going to ride those horses out of here.” January nudged Kyra’s shoulder. “Roll that bag, please.”
In slow motion, Kyra obeyed. “But where did they come from?”
“I have no idea. There was no way to tell, and I couldn’t shout.” January began tucking items into her backpack. “We’ll go to the sheriff and have someone look for their riders tomorrow.”
“I hope that maniac didn’t get them.” Kyra’s hands shook as she rolled the sleeping bag.
“I’m sure they’re fine,” January lied. Truthfully, worry filled her. Why were a dog and two horses not with their owners? Unless something terrible had happened. She paused. “Do you know how to ride?”
“I’ve been on guided tours a few times.”
“It’s been years, but I rode quite a bit in Jamaica while on an assignment.” January placed everything in a pile. “All that’s left is the tent. But I think we should leave it. If he’s watching us, maybe he’ll think we’re still here.”
Kyra shuddered. “We can’t let him get us again.”
“He won’t. There are rifles on both horses,” January told her. “I don’t know how to use a rifle, but we can probably scare someone off with them. Unless you know how to shoot?”
“No.” Kyra shook her head. “I don’t.”
“That’s okay. If it comes down to it, we’ll bluff. Pretend like we know what we’re doing.” After Dominic, January had signed up for shooting lessons, but with a pistol. She’d never learned how to handle a rifle, although she supposed it wasn’t that different. She’d hate to have to find out in a life or death situation.
“I’ll die before I’ll let that guy take me again,” Kyra vowed. “I’ll bash in his head with a gun barrel before I’ll let him take me anywhere.”
January nodded. She knew exactly how the other girl felt. “Ready?”
“Yeah.” Kyra pushed to her feet. “Let’s do this.”
Carrying the backpack with one hand, January placed it outside the tent and led Kyra to the lighter colored horse. “I have no idea which one is gentler. The stirrups are shorter on this one, so take him and I’ll ride the other one.”
She untied the palomino and helped Kyra mount. The girl took hold of the saddlehorn with a death grip. January patted her knee. “That’s it. Just hold onto the reins and follow me.”
She hefted her backpack onto her shoulders before untying and mounting the other horse. He danced a little and she petted his wet neck. “Easy does it, buddy.”
All she needed was to get bucked off and injured. With a gentle tap of her heels, she urged the palomino forward and he headed for the trail. January glanced over her shoulder. The other horse followed right behind. Kyra had her head bent against the pouring rain. She looked miserable, but wet and cold was better than dead.
Where was the dog?
January looked around, but didn’t see him. Maybe he’d gone back to his owner. She couldn’t afford to worry about him right now.
The most important thing was getting them both out alive.
~*~
Whipping wind woke Jamie.
For a minute, she lay in the unfamiliar surroundings and listened to the tent sides flapping like a giant bird’s wings.
The day’s events came pouring over her and she shivered.
“Just relax. I got you.”
Austin.
She was warm. The borrowed bed kept them toasty…or maybe it was just being so close to Austin. His arm lay over her waist, his hand rested near her breast. Her butt pressed against his groin. A vision of the last time they had spent the night together flashed through her head and she squirmed to put a little distance between them.
“Keep wiggling like that and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
She froze. “Sorry.”
“I’m not.”
Had she heard him right? “What?”
“You heard me.”
Turning over so she faced him, she said, “You said when we were in a bed—”
His mouth claimed hers, cutting off what she planned to say.
He sucked her bottom lip, until she opened her mouth and his tongue darted inside. Her arms wrapped around his neck, finge
rs knotted together, as she met each thrust and parry of his tongue with one of her own.
A skillful kisser, Austin teased and tormented her mouth until Jamie’s body sizzled. Her nipples peaked under the borrowed sweatshirt and lower she dampened. He slid a hand under her shirt and bra, but didn’t attempt to touch her nipple. Instead, he brushed the outside swell of her breast with his fingertips, just the lightest touch that made her squirm.
He broke this kiss and looked into her eyes. “Are you sure?
“Yes.” She pulled her top over her head and tossed it aside, then unfastened the middle snap of her bra.
Hooking his fingers through the strap, he slid it over her shoulder, arm and hand. Then repeated the process on the other side. His lips closed around her right nipple, his hand cupping the other breast.
Jamie sighed and closed her eyes.
The sensation of his warm, damp mouth on her electrified her. Goosebumps rose on her skin.
She wanted to touch him.
Opening her eyes, she reached for the hem of his sweatshirt, and together, they peeled it off. She slid her hands over his flat nipples and soft chest hair. His hair was the only soft thing about him. His body screamed hard. Hic chiseled cheeks, his corded biceps, his large hands, his legs…and what rested between them.
Tentatively, she traced the outline of his erection, visible through his too-tight borrowed sweats.
Hot wet heat flooded her.
A shudder shook her and intensified when he took her nipple in his mouth again. The intensity was almost too much to bear, and she threaded her fingers through his short hair in an attempt to pull him away, but instead made him suck deeper.
A cry that sounded like a stranger’s slid out of her mouth.
Her back arched.
He hooked his thumbs in her sweatpants and tugged them over her hips and legs and feet, taking her socks with them.
“I love your long legs.” He stroked a finger down one thigh, making her shiver.
She wanted him naked, too. Mimicking what he had done, she reached for the waistband of the gray pants. He beat her to it, taking them off himself.
Nude, he was magnificent.
Wide shoulders, flat abs, slim hips…and a stunning cock.
Uncertain, she nibbled her bottom lip.
Austin had probably had a lot of girlfriends.
Her experience was limited. Lance had been her first boyfriend and first lover. Since him, there had only been a handful of dates and only one sexual partner. A get-around girl she wasn’t. Would she be able to satisfy a man like him?
His lips covered hers again and any thoughts of inadequacy vanished.
Lying by his side, with his erection pressed against her thigh, Austin teased her nipples with his fingers, pinching lightly, until they stood at attention. Jamie’s hands splayed over his chest, immobile.
Rolling her over on her back, Austin slid a hand down her side, to her thigh, where he spread his hand so it almost touched her pubic area—but not quite.
Again, following his lead, Jamie slid her hand along his amazing abs. At the indentation of his waist, she hesitated, then went for it, circling his cock with both hands. His moan echoing in her mouth gave her courage and she stroked him harder.
He inched his hand toward her center.
She parted her thighs.
Settling his hand squarely between her legs, he slipped his thumb inside her. Jamie froze. No one had ever done that before. The sensation was as startling as it was pleasurable. Pressure began to build deep inside her; she needed more. She lifted her hips to allow him better access. Little mews came from her throat; she barely recognized the sounds as hers.
Taking his hand from her, he removed her hands from his erection. Against her mouth, he said, “Keep doing that and I won’t last another five minutes.”
Giving one last, gentle squeeze, Jamie released him. “I want—”
“This?” He rolled over her, the head of his penis probing her opening before he pulled back and looked into her half-lidded eyes. “I don’t have a condom. I can use my mouth—”
“I take birth control pills.” Heat splashed across her face. “For my job.” At his confused look, she added. “If something bad happened…you know…if a rape occurred—”
“That will never happen,” he said fiercely.
A little startled by the vehemence in his voice, Jamie opened her mouth to say he wouldn’t always be around to safeguard her, but before she could get the words out, he positioned himself above her and eased his cock inside her willing body.
She gasped.
Straddling him with clothing between them had impressed her; having him inside her was a whole other matter. He filled her. Completely.
Body. Soul. Heart.
Living without him was going to be really tough.
He rocked his hips, and all thought vanished.
Jamie grabbed hold of his hips and held on as he slid into her, one slow, torturous inch at a time, then back out the same way. Gradually he increased his speed until he pumped in and out of her at a thunderous pace that had her crying his name in an endless chant. “AustinAustinAustin.”
Slowing a bit, he reached between them and flicked his thumb across her slick clit. A scream ripped from her throat as she convulsed around him. The orgasm rocked her from head to toe.
When he pushed deep and exploded in his own release, she cried out again.
He clasped her close, holding her against him as their breathing slowed. She buried her face in the crook of his elbow. Never in her life had she screamed out while making love. She’d never had a reason to before.
“Hey.” Austin tipped her chin up with his finger. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She felt her face color again. “I just never ...did that.”
“Did what?” He sounded like a man very satisfied with himself.
She looked away. “You know. Made noise.”
Austin rolled over, taking her with him. He pulled her into his arms so she rested across his chest. Under her ear, his heart pounded a fast, steady rhythm. He brushed a kiss across the top of her head so light she wondered if she imagined it. “Darlin’, you need to quit dating boys and find yourself a man. One who knows how to treat a lady.”
She agreed wholeheartedly.
A blast of cold air blew across her flushed skin and she shivered. Austin pulled the sleeping bag over them. “Better?”
“Mmmm,” she murmured. Visions of their lunch—presumably still in Nugget’s saddlebags—danced through her head. “I’m starving though.”
“I think I saw trail mix and jerky earlier.” He reached across the tiny tent and grabbed a plastic bag. “Yup. Here we go.” He placed a baggie in her hand. “That’s the trail mix. I have the jerky.”
Too hungry to care what food she had, Jamie sat up, ripped open the package, and grabbed a handful of nuts, cranberries and carob, popping them in her mouth. Nothing had ever tasted better.
“Here’s a water bottle.” He rustled around. “I think I’ll light a lantern.”
Sudden fear skittered up Jamie’s back. What if the killer was watching them? She placed the food aside and began rummaging for her clothes. “Wait. I want to get my clothes on first.”
They dressed in the dark.
“You good?”
She put a hand on his pistol for reassurance. “Uh-huh.”
He made little noise as he lit a lantern. Light filled the little tent, illuminating the interior.
Shy now, Jamie looked for the food. Anywhere but at Austin. God, she had been so…wanton. What must he think of her?
“Jamie.” He placed a hand over hers. “Look at me.”
She raised her gaze to meet his. In his silvery eyes she saw no mockery. “Yes?”
“Come here.” He held out his hand. She took it and he tugged her close. “Let’s get back under the covers before you get chilled.”
They slid into the makeshift bed again and Jamie lay stiffly staring at th
e ceiling.
“You warm?”
“Yes.”
“How’s your ankle?”
She had forgotten all about it. “Good.”
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No.” She glanced at his profile. “How’s your head?”
“Okay.”
“I bet it hurts like hell,” she said.
“About the same as your ankle,” he countered.
What were they doing? They were both hurt, but they were warm, fed and safe for the moment. This had to be the clumsiest pillow talk ever. Austin must have felt the same way, because he turned on his side, facing her. “Roll over.”
Puzzled, she rolled away from him.
He reached down and lifted her injured ankle so it rested across his lower legs, then scooted close so they were ass to groin again. His hand slid around her waist as naturally as if they’d been sleeping together for years. “You okay?”
“I’m good,” Jamie said.
Just before she drifted off, she thought she heard him say yes, you are.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Night had fallen, the rain hadn’t let up for a moment. January had largely let the horse have his head and he’d carried her here, to what she presumed was his owner’s vehicle. By the time they reined in at the pickup and horse trailer, exhaustion filled her.
“What do we do now?” Kyra wobbled as she slid from the other horse she’d taken to calling Blondie. She leaned against the horse trailer, then sank onto the wheel well.
“I don’t know.” January was so tired she could hardly move, much less think. Still, she untied the saddlebags from behind her saddle and handed them to Kyra. “We’d be too lucky to find a key in the ignition.” After tying the horses, she tried both doors on the truck. Locked. “Damn.”
Adrenaline had pushed them this far, but they hadn’t eaten all day. “Let’s eat and try to figure something out.”
Kyra looked ready to collapse. “Okay.”
January sat beside the other girl and pulled items from the leather bags. Sandwiches. Apples. Cookies. And a thermos of coffee. “This is probably way cold by now, but I don’t care.”
