Page 26 of That Fateful Ride

“Yes. I never would have slept with you had I not.”

The door opened behind her, shattering the moment. Hank stood there.

“Sorry Boss, am I interrupting?”

Cy moved an impersonal gaze over her. “Not at all. We’re done here.”

At her dismissal, she pivoted and walked out. It wasn’t supposed to work like that. Was it? Confliction warred within her as she tried to sort out her feelings. In the bunkhouse, she sat on her bed and lay back.

What were you expecting?

She had no answer for her brain’s question. She hadn’t thought of anything but the moment. Being intimate with him had been the right thing to do. Both times. For such a large man he could be exceedingly gentle.

It no longer mattered. She had to stay focused on work and not slip up. She drifted into an uneasy sleep and woke with a jerk. The place was quiet, broken by the occasional grunt or snore.

Awake, she made her way to the door and outside. The moon was almost full and bathed the area in silver light. She walked to the corral and released a low whistle.

Polaris trotted up, greeting her with a whicker. “Hey boy.” She rubbed his head beneath his forelock. “Thank you for keeping me alive, today.” He whickered again and nudged her.

When his ear twitched to the left, she tensed and dropped her right hand to the butt of her gun. The shadows parted and Cy approached.

“Where’d you get him?” he asked settling by her on the fence and patting Polaris as well. “Your brother said from some Indians when he was young.”

“Yes.” She didn’t embellish further.

“How’d you get your hands on one? I mean, why did they give him to you?”

“A gift.”

“Are things going to be difficult between us?”

She tipped her head to the side momentarily thrown by the change in conversation. “Are you going to treat me differently?” He sighed and shifted. She wanted to lean against him. Inhale his masculine scent.

“You know this is hard for me.”

“Why? It’s no different than before.”

“Bullshit!” His response fell harshly.

She frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I knew you were a woman, but everything has changed now.”

A bit of fear penetrated. “How?”

“Because,” he said his voice all deep and graveled. “We’ve slept together. I took your virginity, for God’s sake.”

Ignoring the flutter of passion within her, she narrowed her eyes. “Doesn’t change my capabilities, I’m riding the trail.”

“Damn it, Rebecca! I want to protect you.”

“I don’t need your protection. And you already told me if I was caught I was on my own.”

“I will kill them if they hurt you.” His tone was dagger sharp.

“Kill who?” Bigger question was why did the thought of his protection make her smile so?

“Whoever.”

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