by Linzi Basset
Rachel screamed as, once again, she was caught in the claws of an orgasm that this time, wouldn’t release its hold on her for as long as Hunter kept pumping his cock against her spread open pussy and clit.
His roar followed soon after. His hot ejaculate spilled over her mons and her stomach, which to her surprise, triggered the hardest climax yet.
It took a long time for their breathing to return to normal. Rachel’s eyes finally fluttered open to look at Hunter who was leaning on his elbow, watching her. His gaze was riveted on her stomach. She followed the direction he was staring at. She heaved in a deep breath as she realized what held his attention, what caused the look of utter possession and satisfaction to be canvassed across his face.
His drying cum splashed all over her.
“You, Rachel Davis, have just sealed your fate.” His eyes caught hers in a heated look. He smiled tenderly as he noticed her eyes droop and leaned closer to brush his lips against hers. “Sleep, baby.”
Rachel’s eyelids fluttered closed and within the next breath, fell into an exhausted slumber, unaware that she was clinging to his arm resting over her chest.
Rachel stretched lazily and rubbed her eyes.
“Good lord, every muscle ache,” she moaned under her breath as she felt pinches in places she never realized she could.
Every cell in her body froze as a deep grunt sounded next to her on the bed. She pried her fingers apart and peeked through them.
“Oh, fuckity fuck,” she whimpered as she found herself in an unfamiliar bedroom. In the bright sunlight, it was stylish and luxurious, but one thing was for certain, it was definitely not her bedroom on Wolf Creek Equestrian Vista. “Oh, no,” she whispered as she finally recognized the decor of Hunter’s bedroom.
Holy shit, Rachel. You slept with him! The entire night in his—oh my.
Her numb brain hijacked her thoughts as she looked sideways. Her hands fell away from her face as she drank in the drool worthy naked body next to her, except for the sheet covering the good parts. She bit back a giggle at the inappropriate thought. Hunter might be a rogue cowboy and a gigolo but there was no denying he was a muscle palace extraordinaire. His skin was naturally tanned all over but darker on his arms and chest where the sun got to play over his gorgeous skin. She swallowed hard as he moved onto his stomach and she watched the well-defined muscles in his arms bulge. Her hands itched to caress his back that moved up and down with every even breath he took. Her eyes hungrily tracked down further.
Good lord, he’s got the most gorgeous ass. Good enough to lick ... or bite.
She clamped her hands into fists, lest she gave in to the desire to trace the perfect Fibonacci curve of his delicious behind. It wouldn’t do to wake him. There was no way she was ready to face him. Not this soon after she’d completely and utterly failed the test last night. She had to get out of the bed and off his land before he woke up.
She kept her eyes on him as she swung her legs to the floor and got up gingerly. She groaned when she realized she was stark naked. A vision of how wildly she’d bucked against his hard cock flashed through her mind. Her cheeks exploded with heat.
“I acted like a sex starved bitch in heat,” she whined sotto voce. She turned to stone when he grunted and turned on his side. Her mouth went dry as she gazed at his face. In his relaxed state, he was even more handsome. A little rough around the edges but mouthwatering, nonetheless.
Stop drooling over the man and get a move on.
She looked around in a frantic search for her clothes. She knew for a fact he took them off in this room but they were nowhere to be seen. She tiptoed to the en suite bathroom and peeked inside. Still no little black dress and lace panties or high heel sandals. Another rustle on the bed spurred her to action. She slipped into a large walk-in closet. She spurned the desire to swoon over the amount of space and luxury surrounding her in search of something to wear. She settled on a blue rugby jersey she found on a bottom shelf. She recalled that he used to play for a local club a couple of years ago. She clamped her hand over her mouth to silence the giggle as she slipped it on and caught her reflection in the full-length mirror against one wall. She looked like a little girl playing grownup. She swam in the jersey, but at least it covered her down to her knees. She rolled up the sleeves as she searched for some footwear.
“His shoes won’t fit, so barefoot it’ll have to be. Now, get the hell out of here, Rachel.”
She didn’t need further prodding but made sure to tiptoe out of the room with a final regretful look over her shoulder at the Adonis sleeping soundly on the bed. It was truly a pity they weren’t compatible, especially since he completely shattered her world when it came to sex.
“Ah, well, you win some and you lose some. No use crying over spilled milk. Just get your ass home.”
She found her keys and purse on the table in the entrance hall and quickly ran to her truck. The sigh of relief married with the engine purring to life.
“Hey!” she cried out as the door suddenly opened and she was faced with a dark and fierce cowboy.
“Running away again, Rachel?”
“I … er …” She did her best not to allow her eyes to wander and kept them glued on his scowling face. “I’m going home, Hunter. There’s a difference.”
“Without saying goodbye?”
“Well.” Her hand fluttered in the air. She gulped as her eyes dropped lower. “You were still sleeping,” she ended in a lame voice.
“The proper thing to do would’ve been to wake me.”
“I’d say the proper thing to do would’ve been to put on some pants before you came chasing after me. For heaven’s sake, Hunter, you’re stark naked! Out here in full view of everyone.”
His eyes dropped to verify the truth of her claim. The darkening of his cheeks told her he’d not even realized it when he came running out of the house.
“So I am.” He planted his hands low on his hips.
Rachel’s breath got stuck in her throat.
“This is my ranch and if I choose to run around buck naked, I’ll do so.” His brows drew together in one line as he glared at her. “I’m not going to allow you to run away from us again, Rachel. Not a second time.”
“There is no us, Hunter Scott. I made that clear last night and your little test …” she stumbled over another stuck breath as his chest bulged out and his cock, that was hardening with each passing moment, bobbed in a pendulous arch, “well, it didn’t change anything,” she managed to choke out forcing her eyes to return to his.
“You’re naive if you believe that. Last time I stayed away out of respect of you mourning your parents. This time, you won’t be so lucky.”
“You what?”
“You heard me.”
“And you heard me. Nothing’s changed.” She put the truck in gear and with a sassy grin, released the clutch. The truck surged forward and she giggled as Hunter jumped out of the way when the door slammed shut. She swerved to the right, delighting in covering him in a film of red dust as she sped off.
“Take that, you Neanderthal!”
The smile turned to a full-on laugh as she looked in the rearview mirror to notice him watching her with his hands on his hips and his legs spread wide.
“Lord, he’s even more formidable in his naked glory.”
Chapter Five
Rachel was in her element. She always had been on the back of the pitch-black Arabian stallion her father had given her for her birthday two months before his death.
There was no better way to relax than riding through the open fields with Lucifer. That's what she loved about horseback riding; she always had the best of companionship. The steady beat of hooves, the gentle tail swishes, and snorting of the air managed to bring her closer to nature. It was beauty beyond measure.
It was also the first thing she’d done after showering and getting dressed upon returning home from Hunter’s place that morning. Now, two hours later, she was calm and relaxed enough to start her day.
>
“What do you say, Lucifer? Shall we head home and see how the new foals are doing?”
The large stallion responded with a whinny, tossed his head, and swished his tail. She laughed gaily as she kicked him into a fast trot. By the time they approached the stables, Lucifer was at full speed and Rachel’s enjoyment was evident in the red blush on her cheeks and the laughter floating through the air. She pulled on the reins to slow him down. Lucifer came to a halt next to the three men waiting in front of the stables. He trotted and stomped his feet but quieted when Rachel patted him against the neck.
She frowned as she noticed the concerned expression on the faces of the ranch manager and two of his ranch hands. She jumped to the ground and handed the reins to Stephen, who came to fetch Lucifer for his rubdown. He walked off with the horse, chatting nonstop.
“What’s the matter, Sam?” she asked the manager. Her frown slashed deeper as he shifted his feet and glanced at the two men by his side.
“I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
Her eyes darted to the infancy stable. “Is it one of the foals?”
“No, they’re all fine.” He cleared his throat. “I just received a radio call from Fred. He’s been checking the south border fences. He found two of our three-year-old mares. I’m afraid … they’re dead, Rachel.”
“They’re what?” Rachel stared at him with her heart in her throat. She loved every horse she owned or stabled for clients. “How? I don’t … we have to get out there. I need to see if I can help them.”
“It’s too late, Rachel. Fred wouldn’t make such a mistake.”
“I’m still going. I want to know what happened. Get the truck, Sam. I’m fetching my bag.”
Rachel didn’t wait for a response and ran to the house. Within minutes she returned carrying a large black medical bag filled with the necessary items to treat an injured or sick horse in the field. Sam and the ranch hands were already waiting in his truck when she got in. The ride to the south border fence took ten minutes. It was the longest ten minutes of her life. In all the years her parents had the ranch, they had never lost a horse in the field. They ran an equestrian ranch for heaven’s sake, there was no logical explanation why all of a sudden two horses would die at the same time.
Fred was pacing next to the fence when they arrived. He stormed closer and caught Rachel as she tried to run to where the two white mares were lying on the ground. They looked at peace in the shade of a large white oak tree.
“Rachel, hold on. It’s … maybe you should let Sam check.”
Her eyes moved to him, dread filling every fiber of her being. The tone of his voice, the rigidity of his jaw, all spoke of tension. The flash in his eyes was fury and it increased her alarm exponentially.
“I’m an equine vet, Sam. Believe me, I’ve seen it all.”
“Rachel, please. I really think you should—”
“They’re my horses, Fred. My responsibility and I want to know how they died.”
“Just be prepared. It wasn’t natural causes,” he cautioned as he released her arm but stayed by her side as she ran closer.
“No! Oh, my god, no! Who would do something like this?” Her hoarse croak echoed in the air as she stumbled to a halt and stared in horror at the scene. Tears blinded her, but even through the blur, there was no mistaking that the red stains covering their gorgeous white mane was blood—or the terror at recognizing the deep slashes from where their life force had left them.
Their throats had been slit and they’d been left to bleed out.
She sank down on her knees next to them, unaware that her jeans immediately soaked up the blood on the ground. Grief overwhelmed her, like waves from the ocean, engulfing and overwhelming her as darkness unfolded. It threatened to strangle her as the implication of the violent act registered.
It had been deliberate and by the look of the slashes, with a lack of precision. Someone wanted to hurt her where she would feel it the most. She heaved in a deep breath, desperate to calm herself.
“Sam, get my gloves and a hemostat from my bag, please. I want to see if I can ascertain what kind of instrument was used to cut their throats.” Her insides were quivering in a mixture of rage and grief.
Rachel had also furthered her career by studying equine pathology. The last four years before she’d moved to the ranch, she’d managed a mixed practice. She had every intention of personally performing a proper postmortem examination. If there were any clues to help find who had been responsible for these innocent animals’ deaths, she’d find them.
“At first glance, I’d say time of death to be around midnight,” she murmured as she pulled on the surgical gloves. She noticed how badly her hands trembled. “I’ll have a better idea once I do a proper autopsy.” She prodded the wound with the hemostat. “There’s a milky substance around the cuts.”
“What could that be?” Sam asked as he peered over her shoulder.
“I’m not sure. Maybe poison.” Her voice quivered. “If it is, someone wanted to make sure they died, in case they didn’t bleed out, I suppose.” She got to her feet. “Get them to the medical stable asap, please, Fred.” With one final teary glance at the slaughtered horses, she walked to Sam’s truck. “Sam, please take me back to the house and then arrange to have the hoist and the small low bed truck brought out here. I want to start the postmortem immediately.”
On the way back, her mind swirled with questions.
“Have there been reports of any kind of vandalism or killings like this at surrounding ranches?” Rachel glanced at Sam as he brought the truck to a halt in front of the house.
“Not that I’ve heard but I’ll phone around and find out.”
“We need to contact the sheriff's department.” She opened the door. “Tell them to get out here immediately. We can’t move the horses until they’ve been there and I don’t want to delay it longer than necessary.” She rubbed her eyes. “I don’t understand, Sam. Who would do this? Why my horses? My ranch?”
“What I don’t understand is what the horses were doing in that field. I checked with their handlers. They were inside the enclosed pasture by sunset.”
“Are you saying someone led them out there?”
“I don’t know. Our horses are used to strangers but I find it hard to believe they would just follow anyone in the dark.” Sam scratched his beard. “Whoever it was, was sloppy. The fence was cut and Fred pointed out tire tracks which could help identify the kind of truck used. I’m sure the police will find clues to trace those responsible. My cousin is in the local police force. If anything has been reported, he’ll know.”
“Good. Just get them here pronto, please, Sam.” Her voice quivered with sorrow as she got out. Her legs felt like lead as she ascended the stairs to the porch. They crumbled at the top and she sat down to stare out over the fields with empty eyes.
“My poor babies. How could anyone be so cruel?”
The tears came then, followed by hollow, gulping sobs that shook her body. She had brought the two mares into the world. Both of them had required special care and she’d spend the first week sleeping in the stables. A very special bond had formed between them, one that had flourished ever since. It had broken her heart to look down on them; her mind swam with visions of the crimson blood staining their perfect white coats. She lowered her head and pressed her face against her legs.
“Rachel? What’s the matter, darling?”
The voice sounded from afar and she started as a hard body suddenly pressed against hers.
“Hey, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
She relaxed as the gruff tones of Will Jones penetrated her tear drenched mind. She’d met Will four years ago. Since then, he’d become a very good friend. A friend with benefits, as Anna referred to him. Their friendship had morphed into a mutually agreed, no strings attached, sexual relationship. It worked for Rachel as it offered her the sexual relief she needed without having to worry about falling in love or hurting him with the expectation of more. H
e’d always been a shoulder for her to lean on.
She did so now, physically, as she laid her head against his arm. Her body jerked with a forlorn sob as he gently used a handkerchief to dry her tears.
“I’ve never seen you this distressed. Well, not since the funeral. What happened?” Will cupped her cheeks and placed a soft kiss against her lips. “Talk to me, darling.”
“I lost two of my babies this morning.”
His eyes darted to the infancy stable. He’d been there when they were born and even assisted her with the one who had breached.
“The two foals? But they were in such good health.”
She shook her head and tears once again filled her eyes. “Not them.” The words tumbled from her lips as she told him about the horrific act from which the mares had succumbed.
He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her against his chest. It was a natural reaction to circle his waist and lean into the warmth and comfort he offered.
“I’m so sorry, Rachel.” He patted her on the back. “Did anyone threaten you in any way? Or want something from you?”
“We haven't received any threats. In fact, we’ve never had anyone trespass on the ranch. I just don’t understand why anyone would do something like that.”
“Didn’t you tell me you had some offers to buy the ranch?”
Rachel straightened and stared at Will. Apart from Rick Griffin hounding her for the past six months on behalf of Hunter to sell the ranch, she’d also received two other offers from corporations looking to invest in equestrian in the area.
“Are you saying it could be one of them terrorizing me to force me to sell?”
He shrugged and brushed back her hair from her face. “It might be something to investigate, don’t you think?”
“Sam called the sheriff. I’ll be sure to mention it to him.” The more Rachel thought about what Will had said, the angrier she became. The agents for the corporations after her ranch only bothered her once a month. The only one who continuously hounded her to sell, was Hunter Scott. She jumped up and stomped inside the house with Will hot on her heels.
