Page 999 of One More Kiss

I was well aware of the fact that this girl, Kate, was staring at my retreating backside. It was like I could feel her eyes on me. My wolf seemed to appreciate her watching us, but the man did not.

“Let’s saddle up, boys,” Thomas said.

“Don’t take it personally, Kate,” Clay said. “He’s just going through some shit.”

“Yeah, that’s Wyatt, the one I told you about on the way over. Just ignore him,” Austin explained, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he’d told her about me.

A mate. That was the absolute last thing I needed in my life right now. I sure hoped she’d catch a clue and disappear soon. I didn’t want her hanging out around us all the time. The faster she got out of Collier territory, the better off I would be.

Unfortunately for me, my wolf strongly disagreed.

Mate!he wailed.

Shut up you stupid beast. You don’t show your face for nineteen years and now you think you can decide my fate? Well too bad. It’s not going to work like that.

Mine!he protested with a growl.

Well she’s not going to be mine,I argued defiantly.

Much to my dismay, she still tagged along with us.

I was in a sour mood now and pissed off at the world.

As we road, I took the lead. I didn’t want to be behind Kate. I didn’t want to look at her or even think about her. As far as I was concerned, she didn’t exist.

I was a good distance ahead of the others when I heard a scream that nearly ripped my heart in two.

“Kate!” Austin yelled.

My heart raced and my head whipped around just in time to see her horse reared up on his hindlegs as a snake slithered away to safety.

Time stood still as I watched the girl I didn’t want fall in slow motion until her head cracked against the ground.

Without thinking I turned my horse and raced back to her. Before he came to a stop I jumped off and fell to the ground next to her.

“Kate?”

I carefully started to examine her for any broken bones.

“Kate.” I said a little louder as her eyes fluttered open.

“It’s you,” she said in a wistful whisper and then she frowned as she stared up at me.

“Kate, are you okay?” Austin asked as he finally made it to her other side.

“I’m fine,” she said with a huff, trying to pull away from me.

“She hit her head pretty hard. You should get it checked,” I told him gruffly.

I hadn’t dared to touch her. I knew who she was supposed to be to me and while I’d acted rashly thinking she was truly hurt. I knew better than to touch her or encourage a bond with her. Plus, I was pretty sure Austin was going to try to kick my ass if he ever found out.

It didn’t matter because I wasn’t in the market for a mate.

“Will you take her back?” Austin asked. “You’re riding Rusty. He’s the biggest and strongest of all the horses and he can handle the two of you easily. We’ll be right behind you, but she needs to get to Doc as quickly as possible.”

There was nothing I wouldn’t do for my fellow six pack, but this was asking too much.

“Take her yourself.”

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