Chapter Six

Sunday morning, Jasira stood before her mirror scanning her attire. He said wear jeans. Well, I’m doing that. She ran her hand down over her shirt.

“Okay. No sense in standing here.”

Giving herself a smile of encouragement, Jasira took a deep breath and headed out of the apartment with her purse and keys. She started her Pathfinder, tossed her coat on the passenger seat, and entered Stone’s address in her navigation system.

As she drove, her mind focused in on the man she was driving to see. Just the thought of him created flutters in her belly, caused her mouth to dry out, a heart rate increase, and her palms to become sweaty. Jasira shifted on the seat and bit back a whimper of desire.

She tensed when she came upon the place she’d encountered her hallucination, but today there was nothing like that. Taking a deep breath of relief, Jasira paid attention to the male Australian voice giving her directions. Turning into Stone’s driveway, Jasira found herself faced with a nice two-story house and large barn with some horses in the paddocks.

“Nice place.”

Jasira parked beside his older truck and the Jeep he’d been in when he pulled her over. The moment she got out, Stone appeared from around the corner of the barn.

Oh mama! That man is just too fine. She lowered her gaze to the ground and worked her way up.

Stone had on cowboy boots and another pair of jeans that molded to his powerful thighs like a lover. She licked her lips and dragged her gaze up farther. His dark charcoal gray long sleeve shirt which did nothing to hide the impressive torso he had. A wave of longing swept through her as she stared at him.

He strode toward her. Stone moved like a predator—powerful, dangerous, and hypnotic. She couldn’t look away. Not that I want to. His hat sat on his head, hiding his eyes, but she could see the splash of white teeth from the smile on his face. The closer he got, the tighter her chest became. Jasira locked her knees so she wouldn’t collapse.

“Morning,” he said still moving toward her and using two fingers to shove back his hat, an action which allowed her to see his eyes.

“Morning.” Her belly wouldn’t cease flipping and flopping.

Stone didn’t stop until he had pinned her between his hard body and her SUV. What a place to be! She nearly whimpered when one arm moved past her head to rest against her Nissan. Breathing became difficult as he lowered his head to hers.

“I’m glad you came, Jasira.” His simple statement fell upon her ears like a thread of dark silken velvet. Strong, seductive, and full of the promise of endless passion. “Ready?”

Man am I oh so ready. Would you kiss me already? And none of that corner of the mouth thing. I want my toes to curl as you bend me backward. This close to him and she could see the chiseled angles of his face and those piercing eyes he had. They moved over her face, slowly, methodically, and possessively. Jasira shivered beneath the intense gaze.

“Yes,” she managed to whisper.

He gave her a half smile which totally turned her to mush. “Great. Did you want to put your things in the house or leave them in your car? Either way, they’ll be safe.”

Glancing past the man who took up a ton of her vision, Jasira scanned the vastness surrounding them. On the air came the intoxicating scent she identified as Stone. But today the smell of leather and horse came with it, and more longing swept her.

“Here’s fine.”

“Did you bring something with sleeves? It may get chilly on the ride.”

“I have a…one in the car.” Great, now I’m babbling like an idiot.

“Great. Let’s go introduce you to your mount.” Stone didn’t step away. In fact he stepped closer and dropped his head again. Jasira bit the inside of her lip when his heat flowed over her. “I’m really glad you’re here.” When he stepped back she almost followed so as to not lose the scent or warmth. He drew down on the brim of his hat and spun around.

What little moisture she had vanished at the sight of his ass in that denim. Oh man, I’m in trouble. Struggling for control, Jasira grabbed her zippered sweatshirt and followed Stone, admiring the view.

He waited at the door of the barn and they entered together. Morning’s light the only illumination yet it was more than enough. The aisle of the barn was clean, and there were some hay bales beside some stall doors.

“Nice barn. How many horses do you have?”

“Thanks.” He stopped to scratch the nose of a horse who stuck its head over. “I have twenty.”

“Wow. And who is this?” Jasira gestured to the equine he still stroked.

“This? This is Gypsy. My best mare.”

“She’s beautiful.”

“Thank you.” He murmured something to Gypsy before carefully closing the top of the stall door. “I’d have you ride her normally, but she’s expecting any day now. This way to our rides.”

It’s obvious he cares immensely about his animals. I like that. Says a lot about him.

Jasira trailed him down to the back part of the barn.

“Here we go,” he said.

Stepping up beside him, Jasira stared into the stall and gasped. A large horse stood there looking at her. He was a muddy reddish-brown color with white spots on his muscular rump. There were also some white and dark splotches on his legs along with a small star shape on his forehead.

“He’s gorgeous.”

“This is Snips.”

“Snips?”

“Yeah,” he said chuckling. “Don’t ask. I don’t know; one of the kids named him.” He touched her arm and Jasira pulled her gaze from the horse to meet Stone’s. “Have you saddled a horse before?”

“Umm, no.”

“Let’s start with that then.” Stone opened the stall door and they entered.

A while later, Jasira led Snips through the barn and outside. A few moments later, Stone emerged, leading behind him a massive black horse. The horse was larger than the one she had.

“You have beautiful horses,” she said when he looped his ride’s reins around the post.

“Thank you. This is Tate Sápa, which means Black Wind. I usually call him Tate. Ready to get on?”

“Yes.” She watched him duck back into the barn and come out with a rifle. “What’s that for?”

“We’re going out on the range. I never ride without one.”

“Where’s mine?” If there may be trouble I want a gun too.

“You want one?” He shrugged. “We’ll stop by the house and I’ll get you one. I assume you can shoot.”

“From a pea shooter to a fifty cal, and everything in-between.”

“Well, mount up,” Stone said with a gesture. He held the bridle as she swung awkwardly up. “Stirrups okay?”

Standing, Jasira nodded and patted Snips on the neck. “I’m good. Let’s go.” Excitement flowed through her, she couldn’t wait to get this show on the road. She marveled at how graceful Stone looked swinging onto his horse. With a brief stop at the house, they were soon riding off.