Page 7 of Jonathan

She was so absorbed in the miracle, that she failed to hear or notice the man mounted on his horse a few feet away.

Jon sat astride his horse as he watched the woman standing at the water’s edge. He knew who she was of course, had heard the whispers from his men, the description of the stunning African American celebrity in their midst and had dismissed it immediately.

The moon was full and bright, the sun having disappeared only an hour ago. Pale moonlight glided over the tall, slender frame clad in tight jeans and ankle length boots.

Hands were tucked into smooth brown leather jacket and her head was tilted to one side, making her profile visible. He had an impression of smooth skin and a small face topped by short cropped dark brown curls threaded through with gold.

His grip tightened on the reins, causing his horse to shift slightly before settling. As if sensing that she was not alone, the woman turned around, one hand going to her throat. To her credit, she did not appear to be afraid but actually lifted her head to give him a frank stare.

The full effect of her hit him like a ton of bricks and had him stiffening. She was stunning! Flawless complexion and mahogany eyes that seemed to stare right into his very soul.

His eyes flew to lips that curved provocatively and had his body tightening in response. Ignoring the hammering of his overburdened heart, he vaulted from the saddle and looped the reins around his horse’s neck.

“You’re trespassing.”

Instead of being offended at his abruptness, she seemed amused by it. Eyes dancing, she took a step closer, studying him from the face down to the well-worn boots he was wearing and then back up to his face. “I take it I am face to face with the owner of this establishment?”

Her voice was husky and cultured and curled around him like smoke. Her sophistication made him feel like a country bumpkin and brought back memories, unpleasant ones of another out-of-towner who had thought she could wrap him around her little finger and lead him by the nose.

Anger poured through him, but did not quite manage to douse the heat that was taking place inside him.

“I am, yes.” His eyes turned to flint and his voice was clipped. “It’s late and for someone who’s not familiar with the area…“

“I was just admiring your land.” Tilting her head to one side, she studied him curiously. He was tall, perhaps over six feet, definitely over. And he was tanned, lean, and incredibly attractive.

She felt something stirred inside her as she continued to study him. His nose was slightly crooked, but aside from that, he was definitely a looker. “This is my first time meeting a cowboy and that’s what you are, right?”

Her voice had taken on a seductive note that had him shifting from one foot to the other. He was a goddamned adult who just turned thirty-five and he was used to beautiful women. There was absolutely no reason for him to be tongue-tied and nervous around one, but damn if his stomach was not tied into knots and his armpits sweating.

“I will escort you back.” Without responding to the question, he turned and vaulted into the saddle with an ease that had her almost gasping with admiration.

Retrieving the reins from the sapling, she swung herself up andnudged her horse forward. Slowing his pace, he waited for her to come alongside him.

“I am Kamilah by the way. You must be Jonathan McCarthy.”

“Yes.” He clipped. He could smell her perfume – some sort of subtle scent that suited her. He stared straight ahead even though he was aware of her with every fiber of his being.

“Not very talkative, are you?”

He whipped his head around and the comment he had been about to make died on his lips as his eyes met hers. They were amused and sparking with humor as if she was laughing at him.

“You should not be wandering out on your own so late. It gets dark around this area and there are animals around that you would not want to come in contact with. And you were trespassing.”

“Then perhaps you should put a no trespassing sign where it’s easily seen,” she suggested.

“Perhaps I will,” he muttered.

“Why aren’t there fences?”

“Pardon?”

“Shouldn’t there be fences to ward off trespassers?”

“This area is where the horses are trained.”

“You train horses?” Her fascination had him turning his head to look at her.

“Yes.” Damn if he did not want to kiss her. The heat inside him was increasing with every mile. “I have some work to get back to.” Nudging his horse, he sent the animal cantering away, forcing her to try and keep up.

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