“Are we going horseback riding?”
“If you’re up to it.We can go for a ride or just visit the horses.”
“I’m a little rusty but I used to love riding when I was a kid.I would spend hours out at Pops’s with the horses.”
“I know,” Wes said as he parked in front of the stables and turned off the truck.
“How did you know that?”
“I was paying attention when you talked about why you’re so close to your grandfather.That last night you stayed with me.”
Heat flooded her cheeks again.At every turn, this man made her blush.Just the memory of them tangled in his sheets, after he’d kissed every inch of her body, had her wanting him more.
“Why does that seem so far away now, like a dream?”
He cupped her face and leaned forward.“A lot has happened since that night, but I assure you it was very real.I’d be happy to refresh your memory when you’re ready.”
Before she could answer, he captured her mouth in a kiss.It started soft and sweet but their kiss quickly unraveled into groping, panting, and lip biting.Until there was a loud bang on the hood of his SUV.
“Damn,” Wes said as he pulled away.“My friend is part owner in the ranch, said we could take a few horses for a spin.”
“Okay,” she said, sucking in a deep breath and moving away from him.She opened her door to let in the cool air and hopped out.
“So you’re the reason my old friend finally came out to visit me again,” a man’s gruff voice said as he smiled at Shelby.
“I guess so,” she said, sticking her hand out.“Shelby Shepherd.”
“Jack Sutton.Nice to meet you, Shelby.”
Wes joined them at the front of the truck and stood close to her, narrowing his eyes on his friend, but he didn’t put his arm around her or hold her hand.She was unsure how familiar Wes wanted to be with her in public.Maybe he would still want to keep things secret, maybe she should too.But for some reason she had an overwhelming desire to claim Wes as her own and every inch of her wanted him to claim her back.Like every hero in every fairy tale, but this wasn’t one of her books and she needed to remember not to get too attached.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Wes
Save a Horse
Wes was tryingnot to be so pissed at Jack for interrupting his kiss with Shelby in the truck.He felt like a thirsty, starving man around her.He wanted nothing more than to drag her back into the truck and find some private area to park so he could take off all her clothes one by one and remind her just how good they were together.But instead he was watching Jack smile and flirt with her, and it was driving him nuts.
“How about those horses, Jack?Can we take them out even in all this snow?”
Jack slid his gaze away from Shelby and looked at him with a smirk.“Oh ya, we keep the paths cleared for the guests.But maybe you two want to stretch your legs, get a hot chocolate in the ranch house before you head out?”
“That sounds perfect,” Shelby said, looking at Wes.Her hands were buried in the pockets of her bright red coat but he wanted to touch her, so he put his hand on her back to guide her toward the ranch house.It was a large farm-style house with tall windows and a covered porch where guests sat in rockers.
“I’ll have the horses ready for you in about thirty minutes, just meet me at the red barn,” Jack called after them.
Shelby turned back with a big smile.“Thank you.”
“Jack’s a real charmer.I’ll have to watch out for him.”
“Watch out for what?”
Wes gripped her upper arm to stop her from walking further along the brick path to the main resort building.“I wouldn’t want anyone to think they could steal you away, especially now when I’ve just found you.”Then he leaned in to kiss her jaw.Nibbling on her tender skin and moving his mouth up to her ear.“You’re mine.”
When she nodded, it was like a thousand fireworks went off at once.He wanted to stake his claim but he wasn’t sure how she’d feel about that.Everything was new and up in the air.So for now he’d have to bide his time.
Recognizing the ranch was busy with families, he had to settle for a quick kiss and then threaded her hand with his before leading her up the rest of the path.They garnered a few looks but no one he recognized.Most people in Sandy Point wouldn’t be spending a vacation so close to home so he thought the ranch might be the perfect first date.A public venue but no prying eyes as they got to know each other, with their clothes on.But if they were going to pursue a relationship, her family would find out and he would have to let her handle that.
