The sequel to Ride Your Luck
A Saturday night out goes sideways when Zane Walker discovers a naked man hiding in the weeds along the side of the road on his way home. Zane doesn’t know how the guy got there, but it’s obvious help is needed. Zane takes him to the Bar RC Ranch, confident his foreman will know what to do.
Weston Allen doesn’t remember much, especially how he ended
up along an empty stretch of highway in the middle of the night. When a pickup
stops and the driver offers help, he’s not at all sure it’s a good idea, but he
gets in the truck with the stranger not knowing if he’ll be left worse off than
before.
Weston’s journey through a dark tunnel isn’t easy, but Zane
is a light to lead him back to a new life he never knew he wanted with a cowboy
at his side.
An excerpt from Riding Against the Wind
How did I explain to Zane I was unsure of what I needed –
wanted – other than to avoid the atmosphere in the bunkhouse? I wanted his
company, but did I want the comfort he could offer me? What if I did ask him to
hold me? Would I freak out if he kissed me again and things between us heated
up?
We strolled across the grounds to the barn as though neither
of us had a care in the world, but we didn’t speak until we’d reached the loft.
Zane took off his hat and ran his fingers through his dark hair.
“Talk to me, Wes. Why are we out here?”
“The hands all feel sorry for me. I can sense it. It’s a
little heavy.”
He pointed at one of the blankets. “Grab a corner and let’s
get this spread out. I’m taking off my pants and I don’t want straw poking me
in the ass.”
We ended up spreading out the two heavier blankets and
keeping the lighter one for a cover even though the night was warm and we
didn’t think we’d need it. Zane promptly sat and pulled off his boots and
pants, and then skimmed out of his shirt. I tried not to gawk at him as he
stretched out with the arms beneath his head.
I tried not to wish he hadn’t worn a t-shirt, too. I’d have
liked to be able to admire the long lines and planes of his torso without the
interference of cotton. I eased down beside him and stripped to my boxers and
t-shirt. When in Rome and all that.
He rubbed my back. “You ready to talk?”
I sighed. “I’m remembering more bits and pieces. Billy tried
to stop those men from taking me. We’d seen them in the nightclub and they were
really out of place. They didn’t drink but they moved in a pack like they were
hunting for someone.”
“Maybe they were.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty obvious they were. Why me? Billy didn’t
know them, and he admitted to me they made him uneasy. He said we weren’t going
to go to that establishment ever again. It’s like he had some sort of
premonition or something. We left early, but they were outside waiting for us.”
My throat closed up making it difficult to speak. “They didn’t have to kill him
but they wanted to. It was sport to them. They held a cloth over my face and I
blacked out.”
“Wes, can you identify them?”
I shook my head. “I don’t seem to have that memory. I hope
the security footage Deputy Clinton spoke of shows their faces but I can’t be
sure enough to identify them.”
“Okay. That’s enough for now. Come here.” He patted the spot
beside him. “Stretch out here and take a couple of deep breaths.”
I twisted around to meet his gaze. “Will you kiss me again?”
His eyes darkened to black. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes.” I swallowed hard and then moved to lie beside him. He
rolled onto his side and rested his hand on my belly.
“Listen, Wes. I’d like nothing more than for us to get naked
and do what comes natural-like, but I’m not sure that would be good for you.
You’ve been through a whirlwind here. Hell, you’re still in it. I found you,
you learned something bad happened to you, and that’s a lot to take in.”
“I hear you. I really do, but I need you, Zane. Just hold me
even if you can’t do more. Please.”
I hated to beg him, but I craved touch. I needed his
reassurance and the comfort of two strong arms around me. The horrible
loneliness and loss of Billy, who had loved me and whom I could never repay,
squeezed my chest and stole my breath. I clutched at Zane and struggled to suck
enough air into my lungs. He put his arms around me and hugged me to his body.
“I’ve got you. I’ve got you, Wes. It’s okay. Do you hear me?
It’s okay.”
He kept saying that, like a mantra, while he stroked my back
and I got my breathing under control. “Wow. Was that a panic attack? I didn’t
like it much.”
Zane snorted. “Me, neither. Then again, it might have been a
good reason to try out some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.”
I choked on a laugh and coughed on him. How romantic was
that? It was a good thing he didn’t seem to mind. I still wanted him. Would he
shoot me down if I made a decisive move on him? I tilted my head back and
pressed my lips to his.
Zane didn’t pull away. I felt him jump as if a shock hit
him, and then he cupped the back of my head and buried his fingers in my hair.
I stopped thinking as his mouth moved over mine in a soft, sweet kiss. He
pulled away, sucked in a breath, and came back to me with intention.
Gone was any tentative softness as he plundered. I opened my lips and he plunged his silky tongue into my mouth. I gathered my wits and licked over his tongue and then followed as he withdrew. He rolled me beneath him and I thrust up, seeking friction. Zane moaned into my mouth and my better judgment deserted me. I had to touch him. I slipped my hand between our bodies, seeking rigid heat. He bucked against me and then quickly withdrew.
“Wes, this might not be a good idea.”
“Bullshit. It’s the best idea I’ve had today.”
“Don’t hold back,” he murmured against my lips.
I did the only thing I could manage to do. I kissed him.
RIDING AGAINST THE WIND
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