Page 29 of Wild Rose (Blue River Springs #1)

Rose

My heart is pounding in my chest. It’s so loud, it’s all I hear. Even the muffle of voices behind me has faded out.

It’s pitch black out now, but I know my way back—I think. It doesn’t matter. I’ll just keep going until I see something familiar.

Just as I think I’m screwed because I don’t in fact know where I am, I see my cottage.

Far left, just past the cabins.

The porch lights that Wilder put in for me are on, thankfully, providing enough glow to guide my way.

I pick up on a slow rhythmic crunch of hooves on dirt behind me. It’s not trying to catch up with me as I keep running. It’s not threatening.

I don’t turn back. I’m sure Wilder sent someone to make sure I got back safely. Like I’m some sort of liability.

Just like he ordered someone to put me to work on Sunday.

But that’s just my anger talking. Because I know it’s him .

“Rose, stop.”

My heart twists at the sound of his voice, and I pause for a moment. But I don’t turn around. I sprint for my cottage, racing up the steps.

I don’t need to be yelled at in private too.

“Rose.” It’s an exasperated sigh just before I unlock my door, burst through, and shut it behind me.

Killing all the lights, I run to the sofa and throw myself onto a throw pillow like a broken-hearted teenager and silently sob.

I don’t do it for long. Because I listen to his horse. The crunch of movement on my front porch.

He’s still here.

He doesn’t knock. He doesn’t call.

He’s just here.

Deciding it doesn’t matter what he does, I go to the bathroom and wash my face. Then change into an oversized T-shirt.

I reply to a text from Willow and then set my phone aside.

I was positive he’d have left by now, but I still hear Tuscan lingering outside the small house.

My chest squeezes as I decide to get the one-on-one lecture over with.

Marching over, I twist the knob on the four locks and pull the door open.

Wilder is leaning on the door frame, passing out.

“Sorry to wake you,” I stammer, partially in defense of what’s coming.

He straightens with a groan, instantly towering over me. He blinks a few times, looking into my eyes. “Can I come in?”

“You sure you don’t prefer to yell at me where everyone can hear you?”

He doesn’t answer. His eyes are glued to my face. He moves toward me, and I stand my ground. “Whether you like it or not, I can actually block you from coming in here.”

“You forgot something back at the stables.”

I frown.

His chest rises and falls, dragging in a shaky breath as if he’d been running.

“What?”

“To slap me.”

I shake my head. “What?”

He steps inside. “You warned me. When people yell, you have a habit of slapping them. I’m not leaving here until you do.”

I stare back at him. “I usually get fired after doing that.”

He swallows hard, like he’s afraid of something. “I was under the impression you were going to leave with or without that.”

I narrow my eyes. “And?”

“And I’d let you slap me every day if you stayed.”

“Are you drunk?”

“I’m tired, Rose. I’m tired of hiding from this, tired of avoiding you.”

I step back, skeptical.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry I yelled. The audience, the things I said. All of it.”

Baby.

He grips my wrists. “Do your worst.”

I look at where his hands are. “I can’t.”

“You can, angel. You’ve hit me harder without even trying.”

Something tells me he’s not referring to our run-ins. “Wilder.” It’s almost a whimper as I start to give in.

He dips to look into my eyes. “I want this, too, Rose. Just not—”

“I know—” I cut him off. “I’m not looking for forever, Wilder. One night. The next day, I’ll be on that field picking rocks of some sort—”

And then, as if every ounce of self-control evaporates, his mouth is on mine. Ducking his hands under the hem of my shirt, Wilder grips the back of my thighs and lifts me into his arms.

With my legs securely around him, he twists and presses me against the door, and I’m disappointed he’s not carrying me straight to the bedroom.

With barely a free hand, he twists and pulls the latches on all four locks on my door. “Where should we go?” he asks.

“Bedroom.” I breathe out what I hope will be the only consent he needs.

“What do you want me to do to you in there, Rose?”

“God, everything. Anything. I want to be yours tonight.”

He growls in response and with a few short steps, we’re in my bedroom.

He sets me on my feet. “You still mad?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Good.”

“Are you?”

“Furious.”

I grin. “Good.”

He grins back and kisses me hard. I want this passion. This fury and hunger. Every part of him he wants to give. It’s wild and addictive, the way I want him.

We’re panting as we step apart. He all but rips the shirt off his back and I tug on his belt—half expecting him to stop me so he stays in control.

But he doesn’t.

He watches me as I loosen the pants off his waist and shove them down.

He steps out of them then reaches for my hand, kissing it softly before walking me backwards to sit on the bed. “Give me a minute,” he says, placing a feathery kiss on my lips. “I’m going to get cleaned up before I touch you.”

He waits for my nod, then disappears into the bathroom.

I hear the water run for a few short minutes while my mind races. Will this be a mistake? Will things be awkward after?

No. No mistakes if there are no feelings, right?

For Wilder, at least. For me? I’ll be all right. I have to be. Because I want him. I want to give in to .?.?. whatever this is. To this uncontrollable attraction to a man who makes my skin sizzle when he’s near.

And when he’s not.

His face is fresh when he returns, hands too. I haven’t moved. With our gaze still locked, he strides over to me and lifts me off the bed.

“Baby, you might hear some rustling outside in a little while. It’s just Jeff picking up Tuscan for me.”

My heart skips because of what that means.

He’s staying .

I nod and pull him to me.

He doesn’t miss a beat. Cupping my jaw, he kisses me hard, then leaves quick kisses along my jaw and neck.

Before I can tell him to take my shirt off, he drops to his knees and grips my bare thighs, lifting my shirt only slightly for better access to my tingly skin.

Small, barely there moans vibrate from my throat as he kisses and nips the inside of my thigh.

I nearly fall backward with the sensation, but he keeps me firmly in place, slowly kissing his way up my thigh.

“Wilder.”

He swears when his face reaches my center and bites gently against my panties.

I cry out.

“Christ, Rose. You’re going to end me with your sounds.”

I gasp as he nips at me again. “Is—am I too loud?”

He growls and pulls to his feet. “Not loud enough.” He lifts the shirt over my head, leaving me in my white panties and bra.

I flush instantly as his gaze travels up my curves. “You’re goddamn beautiful, Blue.”

I bite my lip. “You going to stare all night or do something about it?”

He chuckles and moves around me to sit on the bed, turning me by my hips. “Always so fresh.”

We’re almost at eye level with him sitting on my bed and me standing between his legs.

“Rose, I have to ask if this would be .?.?.”

“Our only time?” I was expecting as much.

“Your first time,” he corrects.

My lips part. “No, but it’s been a while.”

He smirks and brushes hair away from my face. “What’s a while in your world?”

“Contrary to what you or my brother think, I’m .?.?. barely an intermediate.”

He narrows his eyes, playful with a hint of frustration. “You’re going to have to clarify.”

“I was .?.?. intimate .?.?. with someone. Once. Before .?.?. it happened. Not since.” My sentences are broken and incomplete, but he doesn’t question it.

No ounce of judgement. Or pity. Instead, he lifts my hair to kiss my neck. “As for what you thought I was asking .?.?.” Another kiss to the other side of my neck. “You tell me in the morning if this is our only time.”

“In the morning .?.?.” I mutter lustfully.

“You’re not the kind of girl a sane man would walk away from.” He strokes my hair gently. “Especially if he has permission to hold her all night.”

“Granted.”

He grins. “For now, we’ll go slow.”

I lean into him, kissing his jaw. “Are pep talks your thing, cowboy?”

He groans softly. “Keeping you safe, happy”—he squeezes an ass cheek, increasing my eagerness for him—“and coming for me all night .?.?. is my thing.”

Heat floods my core.

Wrapping me up in his arms, he twists us and lays me flat on the bed, leaning in for a soft kiss before pushing up.

I admire him again from this view. All chiseled, lean, muscular. His body is exquisite. A word I never thought I’d use when it came to describing men.

Especially ones with strength that could overpower me in seconds.

My breath hitches at the invasive thought, and he stops. “Rose? What is it?”

I close my eyes for a moment. Reminding myself to not let my thoughts wander.

I use an elbow to push off the bed. “Can I touch you?”

He smirks. “Anywhere you’d like.”

I slide my hands over his hard muscles, arms, chest .?.?. then his abs. And all the while, he doesn’t seem hard. He seems to relax at my touch. Like I’m the relief his hard-working bones need.

He’s not a threat in any way.

He’s not even guarded right now the way he has been.

He’s totally here with me.

By the time I pull my fingers back, he’s both amused and aroused, watching me with that quirked lip and .?.?. lust.

“You trust me?” he asks, as if he knew what this was about for me.

I hook my fingers around his neck and reach up, giving him a kiss for reassurance. “Yes.”

He smiles against my lips, while running his fingers along my panties. “Good. Because I’d like to take these off now, beautiful.”

I lie back to let him, lifting my hips off the soft sheets.

“Good girl.”

My stomach flips at the praise. At the way he watches me as he slides down my soaked panties. He bends my knees and tugs me to the edge of the bed, making me gasp.

I’m a hot ball of nerves when I see him drop to his knees, his face hovering above my center.