Page 16 of Stockman's Showdown

Unquenched desire briefly coated her tongue as she tried to fight the rush in her bloodstream that competed with the buzz in her brain.

He pulled back, his eyes crawling over her as if admiring all her curves and bumps. But then he gripped the rock ledge above her and leaned towards her, stretching that beautiful body in an arch, showing off the ridges of his perfectly defined abs, where somehow the air got heavier and thicker that she struggled to breathe.

He dipped his head closer. Her lips parted as she leaned towards him like he was a magnet. One kiss. She could do one kiss. Right?

Somehow that magical cord snapped, pushing her towards him. Or was it his hand on her hip pulling her closer? But when his fingers cupped her head, and his lips met hers—it was as if her entire world had zoomed in on this one moment, where time had stilled.

With a groan, he gathered her closer, sweeping his tongue across her lower lip. While she responded with a tiny sigh of surrender, allowing her tongue to slide against his while melting against his naked torso.

Her hands skimmed hungrily over his muscular arms that were warm, wet marble that ignited a primal appreciation, that soon started a scorching blaze in her lower belly, especially when his thick thighs pressed against hers.

A breathy, choked cry emanated from her throat, it echoed in the cave to come back and haunt her, followed by the neigh of her horses.

That’s when reality hit her. That’s when she pushed back. Her breath was ragged as he grunted in her ear. Oh, hellfire, it was a harsh and sexy sound that had her struggling to get away.

‘I have to go.’ She couldn’t look at him, even if her lips tasted of him. She quickly dressed and saddled her horse for the ride back to camp.

In her time, she’d kissed plenty of men. At one time, she’d thought the only man who could kiss her properly was her ex-husband, Finn.

At no time had any man ever kissed her like Ryder Riggs. The delicious high he’d elicited from her with the power of his lips from just one kiss had her shivering with temptation.

That’s when she knew she was in trouble.

She may crave the closeness of Ryder—but he was the type of man who’d want to own you. He may own her home, her property, and all she held dear, but he would never own her soul.

Seven

That kiss had surpassed anything he’d ever imagined. Now Ryder wanted more.

Following Bree back from The Veil to their stock camp, it was like landing back into a land of chaos, reminding him of how home used to be when he was growing up. All his brothers and their partners were gathered around the campfire where the aroma of fried onions had his stomach grumbling.

Pity the rest of the feed wasn’t up to snuff. The damper was dry and burnt. The spuds were crispy on the outside and raw on the inside. And he couldn’t decipher what they’d done to the other vegetables.

‘Bree, help us. Please?’ begged Ash.

‘What did you do now?’ Bree, all clean from her dip beneath the waterfall, peered at the mess.

‘We’ve stuffed up somehow.’ Harper held up the egg flip, wearing white flour on her cheek with her hands covered in clumps of glue. ‘I followed the recipe, but a campfire doesn’t come with a temperature dial to control the flame.’

Bree giggled. It was a sweet one.

She had so many laughs and spoke differently to each family member, as if curving to their personalities.

Charlie waved his hand at his granddaughter. ‘Have a gecko’s gander at saving dinner, or we’ll all be havin’ a dingo’s dinner, kid.’

‘What did he say?’ Harper gathered the dirty dishes together. ‘I need a dictionary just for your sayings, Charlie.’

In a matter of minutes, Bree had something cooking on the campfire where they’d gathered around as the sun left tangerine-coloured streaks across the sky, before it sank deep beyond the plum-coloured horizon.

This is what Ryder loved about being a stockman, the great outdoors where the views were better than anything money could buy. For a billionaire, it was humbling to enjoy moments like these that didn’t revolve around wealth, just time spent with family and friends, and for the rarity when his mind became still, as he watched Bree effortlessly prepare their meals. The entire moment felt like a slice of heaven under the stars.

Of course, Bree ignored him as she bantered with his brothers. But he preferred to sit back and watch over them. Ryder didn’t need to talk. They talked enough that he didn’t need to add to their fray of nonsense. But they were all having a good time.

Maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea bringing the other girls along after all, it was rare they all got together like this.

‘I’m thinking of going for a walk under the stars later,’ said Sophie. ‘To take some photos.’

‘I wouldn’t do that, girlie.’ Charlie pushed up the brim of his stockman’s hat that had seen many Sundays under the sun. ‘We’re in Travellers’ country. Home to the Mimih spirits.’

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