Page 12 of Waiting for Devon
Devon’s first experience atop a horse created an exhilarating mixture of fear and excitement. As she clung to Reed, his fresh, clean scent assailed her senses. Conscious of her breasts pressing against his hard back, sparks of flame shot through her entire body. She felt as though she were flying as they galloped across the land.
When they reached a thick grove of trees, Reed brought the stallion to a halt and dismounted. As he helped Devon off the horse, her body slid down the length of his. Feeling her tremble, Reed held her steady for a moment while she regained her balance.
“I can tell you’ve never ridden a horse,” he remarked with a soft grin.
Devon rubbed the velvety nose of the stallion. “No, I haven’t. I do admire them, though. There’s something inherently beautiful and majestic about horses. This one is especially handsome. What’s his name?”
“Prince. Look, Miss Brooks, I didn’t bring you out here to discuss horses.”
“What am I doing here, then?” She didn’t like the cold suspicion she perceived in Reed’s eyes.
“I thought it best if we spoke privately.”
“About?”
“About what you’re really after. There’s no doubt in my mind you’re a fraud. I believe you’re just another opportunist ready to make a fool of my brother and cheat my family out of as much money as you can get your greedy hands on. Admit it.”
Devon hoped her eyes wouldn’t reveal her inner fear as she tossed a challenge. “I don’t need to admit anything. You seem to have it all figured out. If you think I’m a fraud, then prove it.”
Without warning, Reed crushed Devon against his lean body. His lips devoured hers in a bold, fiery kiss. His tongue slipped into her open mouth, tasting and exploring. Unable to resist this exquisite assault upon her senses, Devon surrendered to the heady emotions spiraling through her body and spinning her into a passionate abyss. Nothing mattered except for the delightful pressure of his mouth slanting across hers and the warmth of his hands as they caressed her back. No one had ever kissed Devon like this before, not even her ex-husband, who often boasted of his prowess as a lover. Rendered helpless in Reed’s arms, she gave him kiss for kiss. Her tongue swirled in a timeless dance with his.
When he felt her under his control, Reed released her. Triumph gleamed in his brilliant eyes. “You’re not too particular about which Barrington brother you kiss.”
The cold cruelty of his words struck Devon with the intensity of a summer bolt of lightning as she realized she’d been duped. Shaking now from fury rather than desire, Devon hissed, “How dare you! You deliberately planned this. I’m going to tell Shane. I doubt he’ll be pleased when he learns what you’ve done.”
“You’re damn right he won’t be pleased,” Reed snapped. “I doubt he’ll be too happy to find out how easily you can be seduced. You’ll be gone within the hour.”
Devon had never felt such raw anger toward anyone in all her life until she met Reed Barrington. He appeared so cool, so confident, as he faced her like a predatory lion while she trembled from head to foot and wanted to scream in frustration. How could he be unaffected by the wild, wanton kiss they shared? Her stomach still churned with excitement, and her lips ached for more. Gathering her wits, Devon took a deep, cleansing breath and composed herself.
“Take me back to the house,” she demanded with suppressed fury. “Now.”
“As you wish,” he flung, mocking her.
Reed swung himself into the saddle behind her this time, forcing Devon to endure the pressure of his strong arm resting beneath her breasts. Even in her anger, shivers of delight ran up and down her spine.
Jasper, Shane, and Blair had already gathered in the dining room by the time Reed and Devon reached the house. As Jasper took note of the smug expression on his eldest son’s face, he announced, “Well, we were about to send a search party for you. Where have you been?”
“I was showing Miss Brooks the horses,” Reed replied with a shrug. “Right?”
Devon offered a tight smile. “Don’t you meanDr. Brooks? I hope we haven’t kept you waiting too long.”
Everyone felt the tension between Reed and Devon as he baited her throughout breakfast. To no avail, Shane attempted to divert his brother’s attention away from his fiancée. Disgusted by Reed’s antics, he threw down his napkin and grabbed Devon’s hand.
“I have to get to work. Come on, Dev. Walk with me to the car.”
When they were alone, Shane whirled on her and exclaimed, “What the hell is going on between you and Reed?”
“Your brother believes I’m a fraud, and this morning he wanted proof. He took me for a ride on Prince and kissed me.”
Shane’s brows lifted in surprise a moment before he laughed. “Reed kissed you? Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Shane, this isn’t funny. He thinks you’re going to send me packing.”
“Did you kiss him in return?”
She made a face. “Of course, I kissed him back. He is, after all, an extremely attractive man.”
Shane chuckled. “Well, don’t worry. I’ll have a little talk with Reed tonight and make it clear he can’t go around taking advantage of my woman.”
