Page 28 of The Runaway and the Rugged
“You upset about that?” He rose to a standing position, keeping one hand holding my dress in place while the other went to the curve of my waist.
All the while keeping his head turned and eyes focused elsewhere.
God, I’ve been more intimate with this man in the past five minutes than I have with Nathaniel our entire relationship. Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but it sure felt like it with the way his hands had yet to leave my body.
“Of course not.” I snorted, my gaze getting lost in tracking the contours and bends on his face.
Even his profile was rugged perfection.
Ugh.
Tearing my eyes away, frustrated at the fact I was so easily distracted by him, I focused on the task at hand.
“All right, what do you want me to do next?”
The weight of his palm resting on my waist became heavier. More noticeable. His entire hand engulfed nearly one whole side of my hip, and just when I thought it couldn’t get any more uncomfortable, his fingers shifted.
“Gonna apologize firsthand for what I’m about to do.” He cleared his throat, obvious discomfort heavy in his tone as my heart began to flop around like a fish.
“What are you going to do? Why can’t you…” I started to argue, but before I could finish, the hand he had on my dress lifted high and found the fold between my ass and thigh.
“Swing your leg over,” Garth ordered, hindering any plans I had of responding. Shock pulsed through me, but my reaction was quick and my leg was hoisted over the saddle with the assistance from Garth.
Just as quick as his hand was on the curve of my ass, it was gone.
“Whoa,” I whispered as my eyes adjusted to the fact I was mounted on Ella. Bunched up dress and all.
Ella shifted forward, sending my hands grappling in a panic to steady myself.
“What do I hold on to!?” I screeched, laying both palms onto her mane, not realizing Garth’s hand was still propped on my hip.
“Relax, Outlaw, you’re fine.” He chuckled. “Just grab onto those straps right there.”
My body was stiff, unmoving, but I managed to shift my hands to the side and grab onto the leather straps.
A long, relieved breath fell past my lips.
“See, you’re all right,” Garth reassured. “Ella won’t let you fall off.”
I wasn’t sure if I believed him or not, but I didn’t have much of a choice now. Moments later, I felt Garth hoist himself onto the back of Ella. His movements were flawless, practiced as if he had done it a million times prior.
Of course he has, Emelia, he’s a cowboy.
Once he settled in behind me, his hard front pressed against my back, I suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
To find any air.
The man radiated heat, so much heat that a bead of sweat began to pool down the center of my back. I hoped to God he couldn’t feel how sweaty I was.
“You good?” His drawl danced over my shoulder like a delicate caress, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.
Was I good?
In a physical sense, yes. I was safe, I was in good hands, but as my stare fell downward onto the pair of large, muscular thighs that were hugging my hips, I realized I may have been in more trouble than I thought.
“Can I… Is there some way I can ride a different way?” I asked, knowing I looked as ridiculous as I felt. My underwear felt seconds away from making an appearance and the last thing I wanted was to flash Garth.
“If you swing your left leg back over, you can ride sidesaddle.”
