Page 12 of Tusks & Saddles
“He could come back,” Will exhaled, her gaze roaming the camp around them. It was a scattered, torn apart mess. “Shit.”
“Roger, check the cattle, make sure no one’s hurt or hiding,” Boone slipped away from Will, making sure she didn’t immediately fall apart before he sent his armor away. Back in his disheveled sleep clothes, he looked for the best place to start.
“I’ll make coffee” was all Willamina said before she trudged to the knocked over food sack. Boone stuck to picking up discarded clothes and other things they’d brought with them. Thankfully, his book wasn’t abused, but he’d lost his bookmark in the shuffle. The goddess of knowledge would need to forgive him for dog-earing the book later. It was a good hour later, while coffee brewed and Boone was spreading butter over a slightly burnt piece of bread that he looked over at Willamina…and her gaze was stuck on the bedroll.
He sighed, sliding closer to her so he could whisper. Not that Roger wasn’t half-way across the sands, drinking his coffee with Killer on a lead beside him, inspecting the cattle again. But, just in case, he wasn’t looking to catch the stink eye from the minotaur for what he was about to apologize for. “Will, about this morning-”
“I don’t wanna talk about it,” she snapped, her gaze jerking up to meet his.
“Will, I’m sorry.”
“Why?” She scoffed, swirling her coffee. Boone’s eyebrows shot up on his face.No, that can’t be how she feels about it.There was no waytouch me, and I’ll bite your hand offWillamina Jones was okay with him teasing her nipples as they slept. She took a quick sip before coughing to clear the gritty liquid from her throat. “You didn’t rob the camp.”
Ah, that’ll do it.“Will, I meant, about what happened in the bedroll.”
“What happened…” Her face fell and Boone sat still, studying every emotion that played over her face. Her eyes darted back to the bedroll then returned to him. Red cheeks blistered like he’d put fresh tomatoes to the fire, her blush was gorgeous. And yet, he dreaded what she said next.
“I didn’t mean to be forward with you like that, but that doesn’t excuse what I did.”
“Just shut the fuck up,” she snapped, twisting to face the fire again. “I don’t want to talk aboutthateither.”
“Will—”
“Boone,” she warned, eyes flashing in his direction. But there was something skittish in her gaze. Like she only lashed out because she was backed into a corner. Boone knew better than to press his luck. So, he did the gracious thing and bowed his head, returning to his spot and his toast.
It was almost an eternity before she spoke again. Her voice was soft, and he’d almost missed it over him taking a bite.
“I thought I was still dreaming.”
Boone kept his gaze level with the sand, speaking through a dry throat. “I did too.”
When he finally looked up, just to make sure she wasn’t wings out about to jump him like she did that robber earlier, he found her thoughtfully staring at the fire. Face not twisted up nor was it crestfallen. It was…confused. Eyebrows knitted down but not sharp, not angry. Her lips an inch ajar, only enough for a strangled breath to pass through.
Then, like she’d snapped back to reality, she swallowed loudly and poured out the last gulp of tar into the dying campfire. “You know this means we’re not even anymore.”
Boone snorted, nodding but left speechless as his firecracker stood. He couldn’t help it. Not after that. Not with the ghost feeling of her skin in his palm. Not after seeing the mischievous little curl of her lips as she sauntered away. He hungrily watched her backside sway.
Gods forgive me for what I want to do to you, baby. What I wouldn’t give for you to get even with me, Willamina Jones.
Chapter Seven
Willamina
Shit, that happened.Her dream that was so rudely ripped from her had been so pleasant, she wouldn’t mind returning to it. She imagined Boone holding her under a massive, wooly blanket in the dead of winter. The fire crackling in front of them, her cozy in his lap, head to his chest and listening to the steady thump, thump, thump of his heart. That hand of his was unconsciously traveling up her side, from hip to shoulder, then down her arm to her legs. Only, when his hand traveled back up, it roamed her stomach. Then, cupped her chest and she couldn’t help the sharp intake. His lips brushed the side of her face and the buttons on her shirt fell away. Rough thumbs brushed her nipples and her toes curled.
That’s my girl, let me take care of you.
Then she woke up to the sound of someone ransacking the camp. But the memory of her dream was so crystal clear. The tingling of her chest so real it left her strangely off kilter all day. While riding, she kept getting woozy. Betty would huff and she’d snap back. When they stopped to eat something, she tripped over her own boots and knocked into Roger, who knocked into Boone. Then, trying to get back into her saddle was a fight because her body didn’t want to cooperate.
“Will?” Boone slid up beside Betty, holding the saddle still as Will glared at the traitor.
“I’m fine.” She pushed off the dusty sand again only to spin too hard and nearly throw herself off the saddle. Boone chuckled, earning him a dark glare himself. Instead of hurting herself, she pushed off the saddle. Betty gave her an indignant huff.What is wrong with me!Her head wasn’t on straight and she couldn’t afford that. There was too much at stake.
“Something’s got you tied up in knots, Will.” Boone crossed his arms over his chest.
“I’m. Fine.” She rounded her horse to try it at a different angle only to have Boone follow her. “Boone, get on your own damn horse.”
“After I get you on yours safely. Don’t act like I haven’t seen you drive Betty like a drunk stumbling through the street.”
