Page 12 of Bred

“Have you ever ridden before, princess?” He placed both my hands on the saddle seat in front of my face, his body flush to my back.

“I actually love to ride, but it’s been a long time.”

“Bosco’s the best out here. I’ll get you up, and then we’ll ride back together.”

I nodded, and without further preamble, powerful hands lifted me so I could put my good foot into the stirrup and swing over my aching one. Bosco stood like a statue, so as soon as my ass was in the saddle, I sent Loren a huge grin and leaned forward to pat the dappled brown coat within reach.

Erik snorted, but Loren shot me a quick grin before swinging up behind me. The saddle wasn’t meant for two, but we managed it, him lifting me until I rested across his thighs some. Erik waited until we were situated before releasing the reins and steering his mount away once more.

“Thank you,” I murmured to the giant man, but he didn’t act like he heard me as he kicked his big gelding back into a lope.

CHAPTER SEVEN

WREN

Iturnedtolookat Loren behind me. “He doesn’t like me very much.”

Loren clucked, pushing Bosco into a sedate walk. For a moment, I didn’t think he was going to answer, so I turned back to the front, enjoying the rhythmic sway of the horse’s movement.

“Erik doesn’t have very much faith in women most days.”

It was my turn to snort this time. “You don’t say.”

A companionable silence slipped between us, and I found myself relaxing back into his chest.

“Erik and I have the same mother. I figured you might have guessed, since you’ve probably noticed how much we look alike.”

I nodded, and Loren continued.

“Our mother slept with his father, a competitor of Thanes, to get back at our dad for ignoring her. Erik was the result, and therefore he grew up a pawn in a disgusting competition for blood. A few years ago, I told him about this place, asked him if he could run it for me. As my brother, but also away from the influence of either of our families.”

“That was very kind.”

“Ranch life isn’t kind. But I appreciate the compliment.” His hands tightened around me, and he dropped his nose to my hair.

I jerked away awkwardly. “Sorry I’m all sweaty and stuff.”

“And I’m covered in horsehair and more than my share of road dust.” He breathed me in. “I still love the way you smell.”

His hand crept across my belly, fingertips lingering over my belly button before going lower so that he could press her pelvis back against his hips. I groaned, my body still keyed up from everything the night before, as well as the night full of dreams of my new husband fulfilling all of my fantasies.

“You didn’t shower.”

“I didn’t shower,” I echoed, acutely aware of the way the horse’s strides made his body roll into mine with every step. His chest rumbled in pleasure, and he pressed a kiss against my neck.

“Good.”

The remainder of the ride is enjoyed in silence. And while my ankle still throbbed from where it dangled at Bosco’s side, that pain was shoved way, way down as my brain focused wholly on the delicious friction of his crotch against my ass.

And when we arrived back at the main house and his hands helped me down from Bosco’s back, I realized I wasn’t the only one. Loren put me down but didn’t release his hold on my hips as we stared at each other.

“He said you were going to distract me, and I didn’t believe him.”

“Erik?” I didn’t need him to confirm. I knew. But also, I didn’t give a single fuck. I slipped my hands up his chest until my fingers were knitted tightly in that silvery blond hair of his.

“But he was right.” Loren drew in a ragged breath. “It is taking every shred of control I have to not strip you down here, take you like an animal in the earth, until you’re filled to the brim with me and screaming my name for the whole fucking ranch to hear you.”

I gasped, my hips arching against his involuntarily, as if begging for the words to be made real.