"That's good to hear." Something passed between them as she held his gaze. "I really don't have much experience with animals."
"I kind of figured that when you were saddling up."
"You knew I had never been on a horse?"
He nodded. "It's not hard to spot a beginner. But you did really well on the way up here." He stood. "Speaking of, I'm going to check on the two right now before I turn in. It's been a while since we used the barn, and if there's a weak spot, they'll have found it by now."
Ellie peered out into the dark. "I thought you said that we shouldn't go outside after dark."
"No, I said that you shouldn't go outside after dark." He laughed as she stepped back. "You can go on to bed if you want. I'll be right back."
She paced in front of the fireplace as she waited. She knew she was being ridiculous and that he knew what he was doing, but she couldn't turn her mind off. After what seemed like forever, he stomped his boots off at the door before he came back in. He was surprised to see her standing there.
She resisted the urge to run and throw her arms around him. Trying to figure out this fascination with him was going to take some time. "I just wanted to be sure you were okay."
"Horses are fine. The barn is secure. Everything is good."
"Okay then. I'm going to bed." She backed toward the bedroom feeling silly for waiting up for him. "I'm happy the horses are safe." She turned and fled into the room and shut the door. She felt like a teenager again.
She laughed as she got ready for bed. Wearing a thermal underwear shirt to sleep in was a far cry from her usual satin and lace. She had kicked the pants off because she didn't like sleeping hot or with anything wrapped around her legs. She hadn't expected to sleep at all, but her head barely had time to hit the pillow before she was out.
Somewhere in the middle of dreaming, a loud wail suddenly had her bolting straight up in the bed. She pulled the blanket up tight around her neck and stared into the darkness. There was nothing but silence, and she finally relaxed. No sooner had she dropped the blanket to lay back down, and another wail cut through the night.
Wolves!
Panic kept her in place as she listened to the long, sorrowful sounding howl. Every movie she had ever seen that incorporated wolves of any sort ran through her mind, and none of them ended well. She covered her ears and tried to drown out the noise, but when a second wolf joined in, her fear won over and she bolted off the bed.
In the light of the fireplace, she could see Colton on the couch. He was laying on his back with his arm over his face. Without hesitating, she pulled his blanket back and pushed on him until she could cuddle next to him. With her body trembling, she stared at the door and waited for the wolves to come in.
After a while, the howls diminished. She lay there as she tried to rationalize that they weren't circling the cabin seeking a weak spot where they could make entry and have their own dinner. She knew that she was letting her head exaggerate the circumstances, but she couldn't stop her imagination from going to all the dark places.
She felt her eyes getting heavy as she watched the flames dancing in the fireplace. She should go back to her bed. If she left now, Colton would never know that she had used him or invaded his personal space. But he had shifted just right, and his arm now fell across her. She felt safe and protected, and he was so warm. The thought of freezing until the bed warmed up again really didn't sound like very much fun.
But, to do the right thing, she started to roll off the couch. It was their first night together on what she hoped was a fourteen-day trip at the minimum. Him knowing that she crawled into his bed, or couch as the case was, at the first opportunity wasn't going to bode well. She'd be screwed if he got mad.
Colton suddenly rolled and wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close. She sighed and waited for him to settle so she could start leaving again. She watched the flames as peace fell around her. She never knew when her eyes closed.
Chapter Eleven: Primal Urges
Colton Hale
Colton tossed and turned on the couch, not able to find that comfortable spot. While he worked hard, he also slept hard, and he had never had any problems before. The cabin had always provided him the best sleep because of the silence, and he was frustrated that it was failing him now.
But he knew it was her. He hadn't heard her move in a while, so he imagined her sound asleep while cocooned in her comforter. The bedroom would be cooler than the rest of the cabin, especially with the door closed. He got up and walked over to listen. Hearing nothing, he quietly pushed the door open. It was the only way she would get any of the heat from the fireplace.
He couldn't see her on the bed. All he could see was a dark hump, but then he heard her quiet breathing. He smiled. Hopefully she didn't snore, but she seemed to be sleeping peacefully. He shivered slightly as the cold emanated from the room. She'd thank him in the morning for opening the door.
He went and threw an extra log on the fire before he laid back down on the couch. For not the first time, he was thankful that they had chosen that particular piece of furniture for the cabin. It had been a pain hauling it up, but it was long enough and wide enough to serve as a bed for whichever of the brothers ended up sleeping there. Not many guests wanted the primitive experience anymore, but as he laid there listening to the crackle of the fire, he couldn't figure out why.
Colton pulled off his shirt and tossed it in the chair. After a glance at the bedroom, he slipped out of his jeans. He was usually an early riser, so he'd be up before she came out. One thing he couldn't do was sleep while fully dressed, especially when he had the fire built up so he was overly warm in order for the heat to reach Ellie.
He pulled the blanket over him and settled down to sleep. He finally dozed off, and his subconscious immediately took over. As an avid dreamer in the first place, the pure rest that he got in the cabin always enhanced his dreams. He sensed the woman move in next to him, and his dreams took over from there. He wasn't awake enough to identify her, but in his dream state, he didn't care.
She was beautiful as she cuddled close to him. Her hair was like silk as it fanned across his arm, and she smelled amazing. She was so soft as he rubbed his hand across her shoulder and then down to cup her breast. Her hand ran through the hair on his chest, and she made a little mewling sound as she leaned over and kissed his shoulder.
Primal urges took over, and he rolled enough that she was under him, looking up with those blue eyes that saw but didn't see. She reached up and traced his face, all the while the same desire he felt reflected in her eyes. His hand fondled her breast, and he felt the nipple harden under his thumb. Passion flared, and he lowered his mouth, suddenly anxious to taste her. Her mouth was warm and needy, and she returned his kisses with the same urgency and need that he felt. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in closer. Their kiss deepened, and he lost himself in the need he felt even in his subconsciousness.
Her legs wrapped around him and pulled their bodies together without breaking contact. He was already hard against her, and instinct took over at her insistence. He impatiently slid his underwear off and then pushed her panties aside so he could plunge into her. This was a dream. He didn't have to bother with all the foreplay and slower pace. He could just get what he wanted. She was hot and wet as he entered her, and he didn't waste a second. She moaned as he thrust in and out, and she bucked her hips to give greater access.
