Page 12 of Her Protective Cowboy

I swallow hard, not trusting myself to speak. Truthfully, there's no place I'd rather be than right here, wrapped up in Wyatt Clayton's arms.

With a click of his tongue, he urges Lady forward - and we set off at a leisurely trot towards the sprawling fields and hills that surround the ranch.

I lean back against his solid chest. “What was it like growing up here?”

His chuckle rumbles through me. “An adventure. Lots of early mornings and long days, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

As we ride deeper into the property, the trail opens up to vast, rolling pastures dotted with wildflowers. The crisp morning air fills my lungs, and the sun warms my face.

“It’s so beautiful out here,” I breathe, taking in the picturesque scenery. “I can see why you love it.”

Wyatt’s arms tighten around me slightly as he guides Lady around a bend. “It’s in my blood. This land, this life... It’s all I’ve ever known. All I’ve ever wanted.”

There’s a wistful note in his voice that tugs at my heart. I twist in the saddle to look back at him. “You never wanted to leave? See the world?”

“I did some traveling when I was younger. Saw the bright lights of the big city. But it never felt like home. Not like this does.” His eyes roam over the landscape before settling on me again. “Guess I’m just a country boy at heart.”

I smile softly. “There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a special thing, to know where you belong.”

We ride in comfortable silence for a while, the only sounds the steady clip-clop of Lady’s hooves and the occasional bird call. I feel utterly at peace as all my worries fade into the background. Out here, with the sun on my face and Wyatt’s arms around me, everything else just melts away.

When we reach a clearing at the top of a hill, Wyatt brings Lady to a stop. I gaze out over the sprawling valley, the green pastures and rolling hills stretching as far as the eye can see. Ican make out the glittering ribbon of a river snaking through the landscape in the distance. It’s breathtaking.

Wyatt dismounts and offers me a hand down. His touch lingers, his calloused palm rough against my skin. He doesn’t let go once I’m on the ground, instead interlacing our fingers.

“I come up here a lot,” he says, his gaze still on the horizon. “It helps me think. Clear my head.”

I understand completely. The tranquility of this place is already working its magic on me, quieting the anxious thoughts that have plagued me for months.

“I can see why. It’s peaceful here. Like the rest of the world just falls away.”

Wyatt turns to me then, his blue eyes intense as they search mine. “I’ve never brought anyone else up here before. It’s always just been my place. But something about you, Melody...” He trails off, shaking his head as if in wonder.

My breath catches at the rawness in his voice. “What about me?” I whisper.

He reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re special. Different. From the moment I saw you in that wedding dress, looking lost and scared but so damn beautiful... I haven’t been able to get you out of my head.”

My pulse pounds at his confession. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you either,” I admit breathlessly. “Which is crazy because we barely know each other. But I just feel this connection to you. Like it was meant to be.”

Wyatt smiles, slow and sexy, his dimple flashing. “Guess fate had a plan for us, sweetheart.”

And the next thing I know he cups my face in his strong hands and kisses me.

The first brush of his lips is soft, almost tentative. But it quickly deepens into something hungry and urgent. His tongue teases the seam of my lips, and I open for him with a soft moan.I slide my hands into his thick hair, reveling in the silky strands between my fingers as he plunders my mouth. He tastes like mint and coffee and pure, masculine temptation.

Wyatt’s large hands skim down my back to grip my hips and haul me closer. I can feel every hard inch of him pressed against me. Need pulses between my thighs, hot and achy.

I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want Wyatt. It’s an almost primal urge to have him inside me, completing me.

As if reading my mind, Wyatt tears his mouth from mine. We’re both panting. His eyes are dark with lust. “We should head back,” he rasps.

I nod, even as disappointment floods through me. “Yeah,” I agree reluctantly, my voice husky. “We should.”

Wyatt rests his forehead against mine for a long moment, his breath mingling with my own. Then he steps back, putting some much-needed distance between us.

Chapter Five

WYATT

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