Page 33 of River Legacy
“Your brother?” she whispered, turning away from the bright light.
“Yep.” The light had the same effect as a bucket of ice water thrown on him. It was just the reminder he’d needed—but sure as the devil hadn’t wanted. “I need to go check one of our mares that is about to foal,” he said, stepping away from her. “I had a great time tonight.”
“Me too,” she whispered, looking as disappointed as he felt. Maybe a little relieved too. Saying goodbye would be much harder if they were lovers. In fact, it could be near impossible.
“Good night.” He turned and walked away, mentally kicking himself as he thought about literally stomping his brother’s ass.
Chapter Ten
Victoria felt the same disappointment she’d seen on Ryder’s face when the light had come on. Neither of them had wanted to stop what they were doing. But at the same time, the kiss had been so dreamy and wonderful, she felt as if she was floating as she climbed the stairs to Tilly’s room. The whole day had been like out of a dream, and tonight...
As she lay down on top of the covers and stared up at the ceiling, she thought about the horseback ride, learning to drive the truck, dancing almost every dance, all of the slow ones in Ryder’s arms. She hugged herself at the memory, then forced herself to rise and get ready for bed. It was late, and life on a ranch started with the sun, and she only had one more day here, she told herself as she climbed between the sheets.
She didn’t think she would be able to sleep, her mind too busy as if trying to avoid thinking the one scary thought. She was falling for the cowboy. She thought of this latest kiss. It put the first one to shame, she thought with a chuckle, yet that first one had set a fire in her. This one tonight... If that light hadn’t come on when it did, she’d be curled up nextto Ryder in his bed down in the wing where he and his brother lived.
Rolling over, she thought about her friends back home. They’d understand the attraction—who wouldn’t if they met Ryder Stafford?—but other than a roll or two in the hay...
She moved to lie on her back, telling herself that her friends would be right. This was fun, but it wasn’t her life. She was no ranchwoman. She closed her eyes, reminding herself that she was going home tomorrow. But all she could see was Ryder as they waded together in the middle of the Powder River side by side, the sun warming them along with their closeness. Had she ever felt that comfortable with a man she was attracted to? Other men paled next to Ryder. She could almost imagine herself living here with him.
Her eyes flew open. She could imagine herself having his children, raising them here on this ranch, teaching them to ride and drive trucks and feed cattle. She’d never imagined herself married living in one city or another. Was that because it had never been her dream?
The long day finally caught up with her. Her eyes closed and she fell asleep, dropping into the waiting darkness.
It seemed like only moments had gone by when Victoria was startled awake by a clap of thunder. She looked to the window. A flash of lightning blinded her for a moment as the glass seemed to rattle. Rain began to pour from Montana’s big sky,pelting the glass as the wind picked up. A tree limb groaned as it scraped against the house. At least that was what she thought it was.
She hated thunderstorms. They terrified her. This one was louder than any she’d ever heard. It felt as if the house was going to come apart. She was reminded that she was the only one sleeping in this section of the house. The brothers had their own wing on the other side of the kitchen. The house had begun to make all kinds of noises she hadn’t heard before. Suddenly, she couldn’t stand to be alone in this part of the big house for another second.
Throwing herself from the bed, she raced for the door. Not even bothering to grab something to cover her shortie pj’s, she tore down the stairs. Flashes of light and huge booms of thunder followed her down to the first floor as if the storm had settled right over the house. As rain beat at the windows harder, she ran down the hall past the kitchen.
Ryder had pointed out the other wing where he and Brand stayed. She threw open the door and saw a covered area that connected the separate part of the house. It should have been dry beneath the roof, but the wind blew the rain sideways, drenching her to her skin before she reached Ryder’s room.
She trembled hard from fear and cold as she pounded on his door, hoping it was the right one. When he opened the door a few moments later, she was so relieved she threw herself into his arms.
“Vicky, what in the—”
“I hate thunderstorms,” she cried against his shoulder. “I got so scared.”
“It’s all right.” He closed the door. “You’re soaking wet. Come on, let’s get you into some dry clothes.” He led her deeper into what was more like an apartment than a bedroom. “Take those off and I’ll get—”
But before he could walk away, she drew him back and kissed him.
“Vicky?” he whispered as he pulled back to look at her questioningly. Lightning lit the sky outside the window. She could see the desire in his eyes. He wanted this as much as she did.
She pulled her wet pajama top up over her head and dropped it on the floor. His eyes widened as he took in her naked breasts in the next flash of lightning. Then his gaze met hers as she dropped the bottoms to her feet.
Warning bells clanged in his head, but Ryder ignored them as he lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the bed. He quickly stripped off the boxers he’d been sleeping in and crawled up on the bed to join her.
He held her chilled body until it grew warm, until they both became aware of their bodies’ attraction to the other.You still have time to back out. Ignoring that annoying voice, he bent to kiss her dark nipples, cupping her full breasts. She cradled his head as she opened her body to him, and he no longer heard warnings or paid anyattention to his doubts as he trailed his tongue down over her flat stomach to her center.
Her body responded to his touch like an expensive car. She arched against his mouth, as she buried her hands in his hair. He felt her shudder against his mouth and lifted his head. Her hands drew him to her, pressing the flats of her palms to his chest, kissing his already taut nipples.
They explored each other’s bodies until they were breathing hard and grasping for each other with a need that he, for one, had never felt before. Vicky drew him down on her. Her eyes widened, and he slowly entered her. Her body was beautiful, ripe and throbbing. She moved with him to the pounding beat of the rain as they rode out the storm until she shuddered under him, and he let himself climax in a final burst of lightning.
Thunder rumbled in the distance as they collapsed on the bed. He spooned her against him, holding her, never wanting to let her go.
“You rescued me,” she whispered once they’d both caught their breath.
“You didn’t need rescuing. Not to mention that my motives were suspect at best,” he said with a chuckle. “I couldn’t stand Claude, and I was angry at your father.”
