The Centaur's Bride Page 8

  He slid along her lower lips, easing them open, spreading her legs with his palms at the same time. She blossomed like a flower, and he lowered his face to her folds. Her flesh quivered. He sucked gently, pressing his lips against her and probing his tongue into her heat while he continued the massage of her outer lips. Her fingers wove through his hair and she let out a moan that made his blood sizzle. He plunged his tongue hard into her opening once, twice, three times. She cried out, bucking upward against him, and her heated flesh pulsed and contracted with her orgasm, flooding his tongue with her juices.

  He drank her up until he was sure she was finished, then he reared back up on his knees. Her chest heaved, hands fluttering weakly against the blanket. His cock could wait no longer. Shoving his jeans down around his hips, he freed himself and lifted her hips up and onto his waiting shaft. Again she cried out, calling his name, and he thrust into her, her circles of heat tightening around him in ecstatic embrace. With blinding fury, his release overtook him, and he buried himself inside her, pulsing into her core.

  Shuddering, he dropped to his elbow over her and whispered, “I think I love you.”

  “I think I love you, too.” She murmured.

  HAPTER TEN

  Renee clutched weakly at Black’s shoulders. Had she really just reciprocated the “L” word? Her blood pounded in her ears. It had to be hormones making her stupid. She couldn’t be in love. Love was dangerous. To be avoided at all costs. Especially since she hardly knew the guy. Right?

  Yet she knew more about him than she’d ever imagined possible.

  Love for Black somehow felt empowering. Like acknowledging it would not just free her, it would make her whole. Complete her. And she hadn’t even known she was in pieces. Well, some part of her had. Why else had she been drifting around after Steph, searching for that ever-elusive thrill that would somehow give meaning to her life?

  She opened her mouth against his skin, circling her tongue to taste his earthy scent, scraping her teeth lightly across his flesh. He shuddered and turned his face to nuzzle against her ear, his breath hot. Black was amazing. Heart-throbbingly, knee-meltingly, amazing. Worthy of love.

  No. No! She placed her palms flat against his chest, trying to push him away.

  He rose only far enough to look down into her eyes. “Am I too heavy?”

  “I need to get out of here.” And yet everything important suddenly felt like it was right here, right now, and the thought of leaving made her want to plant her feet and stay.

  Black rolled off her with graceful ease and rose to his feet. The air felt suddenly cold, and she jerked her shirt down over her torso. The small effort seemed to sap her willpower. The beautiful man back-lit by dusky light mesmerized her. She wanted to burrow into his arms. To wrap herself around him and never let him go.

  What if she gave the relationship a go? She risked herself all the time at these stunts Steph arranged. Why not choose a stunt of her own? She might actually be good at this one. Might actually be able to have a white-picket-fence kind of life on the ranch, married to a real-life cowboy stud. She rolled over and reached for her pants. “Did you know Lori asked me to marry you?”

  “No.” He focused unwarranted intensity on fastening the buttons of his fly. “What’d you tell her?” His arms and chest flexed in sexy ripples of muscle. How could anyone think him anything but perfect?

  She thrust her legs into her pants. “That what happens between you and I is our business. She can just get over herself.”

  He jerked his gaze to her, teeth flashing in a grin. “You’d make a fantastic Lead Mare.”

  She scowled and awkwardly scooted off the makeshift bench, looking for her shoes. “Yeah, no. Your herd is not my circus or my monkeys. Why they follow a narcissistic bitch like Lori is beyond me. How does marriage even work in the herd, anyway?”

  Black held out a hand and pulled her to her feet. “There’s a lot of dating around, I guess you’d say. Finding a life-mate is rare.”

  That answer made her chest feel like it had been stepped on. He’d said he loved her, but that apparently didn’t have the same meaning for him as it did for her. Renee felt sick to her stomach. Blinking to keep her burning eyes from spilling tears, she elbowed past him. She would not let him see her cry. No, no, no. She’d wanted to ride a cowboy, and that’s what she’d done. End of story.

  Striding purposefully toward the door, she spoke without looking behind her. “I’m running to town. Text me if you need anything.”

  “Renee, wait. Is something wrong?”

  She walked faster, pleased he was forced to mince across the sharp gravel driveway in his bare feet. Stupid Black. Making her love him when she’d been completely honest at the start that she wasn’t interested in love. She reached the beat up Chevy and jerked the door open. The engine complained when she turned the key, but chugged to an uneven start, rattling her forgotten coffee cup off the hood.

  He reached the garage and stood blocking her way. “Renee!”

  Unable to hear him over the engine, she revved it louder, hoping the growl told him to get out of the way.

  He moved toward the driver’s side door and she threw the pickup into gear.

  Nothing happened.

  Black reached the window, making a rolling motion with one hand. Reluctantly, she rolled down the window. He leaned against the frame. “The transmission went out on this a while back.”

  Well, hell. She thumped the wheel with both hands in frustration, then turned the engine off.

  Black remained leaning on the window frame. “Mind telling me what’s wrong?”

  The burning in her eyes was worse, tears clouding her vision. But she couldn’t escape unless she slid across the bench seat to the other door.

  As if sensing her thought, he looked down and took a step back. Her flight instinct eased a fraction. Taking a breath, she stared at him, this beautiful man who she wanted to punch in the face. Her heart hurt way more than it should. She’d only known him one day, and he was way out of her league. She should have let Steph have him.

  “Renee, I don’t know what I said or did wrong back there, but I wish you’d tell me.”

  “I’m not your wife or your life-mate or whatever. I don’t have to tell you anything.”

  An infuriating smile curved his lips. “You’re cute when you’re jealous.”

  “I’m not jealous. I’m just… I don’t sleep around. You… what we did was kind of special to me. Even if it wasn’t to you.”

  Black’s eyes glittered and he leaned forward, close enough for her to smell his hay and leather scent. “It was—is—special to me. I said life-mates were rare. Not impossible. And when a bond does happen, there is no going back.”

  Renee swallowed, lost in the depths of his gaze. It was like an electric field bound them together as they stared at each other. She wanted to love him more than anything in the world at that moment in time. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m saying I’ve never shared myself with anyone like I’ve shared myself with you. When you saw me in my centaur form, I was terrified, but now I’m glad you did. It’s a relief. I don’t have to hide from you. I finally have someone I can trust.”

  “You trust me?” Her voice came out as a squeak.

  Black reached into the cab and slid his hand around the back of her head, his thumb caressing the cup of her ear. “I showed you my shift. If that’s not trust, I don’t know what is. Plus you’re fun to do naughty things to.”

  She flushed, the butterflies in her stomach sending a giggle up her throat. “But what about life-mates and all that?”

  His teasing smile grew serious. He leaned in to brush his lips against hers, and his breath was warm and sweet. “This centaur’s found his.”

  Black hung a new IV from the barn rafter above Ivy-Jane, feeling the weight of Lori’s gaze on his back. The foal lay with three legs curled beneath her, the fourth, wrapped in a bandage, stuck out straight in front of her. The sprain would be fine in a few
days if he could keep her off her feet. But right now the foal was the least of his worries.

  Renee had returned to the house, needing rest after all she’d learned, and he was glad she wasn’t around to overhear Lori’s hateful words. Black turned to face the herd leader, her heeled boots bringing her to eye level. Saul sat on a nearby straw bale his face an emotionless mask.

  “The deal was I’d marry her. “ Black clenched his fists to keep his anger under control. “And I will. Just give me more than two days to do it, for Christ’s sake.”

  He wanted nothing more than to build a life with Renee. She said she needed time to think, and he could give her that. After all, she’d been hit with a lot of new information in a short period of time. Hell, so had he. Being with her had made him reconsider his life goals. He didn’t need rank in the herd anymore, as long as he could have Renee. The relief he’d felt showing her his shift had almost been as satisfying as the ecstasy he’d felt buried in her pussy. Almost. The idea of having a life-mate, having someone he didn’t have to hide from or pretend to be someone else around, made his blood sing. For the first time since discovering he’d never be able to fully shift, he felt alive. If it took him an entire lifetime, he’d use it to make Renee his.

  “It’s too late for that.” Lori stood wide, hands on hips.

  He blinked, coming back to reality. “She’s not going to expose us.”

  “Oh, after two sweaty interludes you know her so well?” Lori cocked one manicured eyebrow.

  Black glared at the barn wall where he pictured Millie on the other side, skulking like a little rat. The mare had obviously told Lori about this morning. “I do—”

  “She’s here to sell the place,” Lori interrupted. “She told me so the first day she arrived.”

  Refusing to back down, Black stalked past her and Saul toward the cubbies where spare boots and clothes were kept. “She might’ve intended to sell when she first got here, but I bet she doesn’t now.”

  “That girl is out for money. I’ve seen her kind before. If she doesn’t sell the place, she’ll certainly exploit us.”

  “Just because you would, doesn’t mean Renee will.” He could trust Renee—the herd could trust her—just as his grandma had trusted Toliman.

  “We’re out of time, soldier. And protecting the herd is paramount. We’ve got enough witnesses to forge the marriage documents.” Lori’s voice dropped to a threatening purr. “And once we get her to sign them, we’ll take her out for one last ride.”

  Shock froze Black in place. Lori hadn’t said it directly, but the meaning was clear. The words reminded him of the way she’d pretended to grieve her predecessor’s death. Gloryanna died giving her human one last ride. Lori was proposing murder. The murder of his mate. Slowly, Black turned to face the herd leader, mind still trying to accept the truth.

  Saul rose ponderously, shaking his head. “Her family will protest. We’d likely lose the ranch in probate.”

  Lori rolled her eyes. “The only family she has left is her religious-fanatic father, and he thinks this place is cursed. Believe me, I’ve thought this through.”

  Saul scrubbed both hands through his wild, black hair. “Killing her seems a little extreme.”

  “No one’s killing anyone.” Black’s voice was a low growl, as if his animal nature was more bear-like than equine.

  “Keep your voice down,” Lori warned. “It’s the perfect plan. And I don’t care which one of you is the groom. I just need an extra witness signature on the papers. Saul, you on board?”

  Saul hesitated a moment, then asked, “Millie and Su are in agreement?”

  Black stiffened. “You can’t be considering this?”

  Saul refused to meet his gaze. “She’s just a human.”

  “She’s not just a human. She’s my mate. And she’s Toliman’s granddaughter,” Black gestured toward the direction of the house. “Is this how you repay him for years of protecting the herd? By murdering his only grandchild and stealing his ranch?”

  At least Saul had the grace to blush. Lori stepped between Black and his uncle, shimmering as if on the verge of a shift. “Don’t be stupid. Humans can’t be mates. The herd comes first. I should’ve known better than to expect you to understand that.”

  Her words stung like the lash of a whip. But Black’d had enough. Shifter magic tingled across his skin. “I look out for this herd just as much or more than you do. My grandmother was Lead Mare, and one thing I know is Renee is my life-mate. I’m calling a herd meeting.”

  She scowled. “You can’t call a herd meeting. You barely even have rank.”

  Saul’s gaze shifted between Lori and Black. “Any shifter can call a herd meeting.”

  “Like they’ll listen to a centaur.” She snorted derisively. “Besides, it’s almost daylight. You might be seen.”

  The tingle subsided as Black realized she was right. He couldn’t go out as a centaur.

  Crackling tires on gravel cut short the conversation. Lori bared her teeth. “Fuck. She said she had a realtor coming today. We need to get rid of him.”

  She spun toward the door and stalked out. Black and Saul followed close behind. In the heavy sunshine, a shiny new Dodge Ram with a Wright Minerals Co. logo on the door was rolling to a stop in front of the house, heat waves warping the air over its hood.

  Lori slowed her pace, and Black spared her a glance as he passed her. Usually she insisted on being the face of the ranch, but maybe she was too angry and flustered to deal with it right now.

  The engine silenced, and a man slid from the cab, adjusting a black Stetson over his balding head. He gave Black a thousand-watt smile. “Afternoon. I’m looking for Lori Sandvur.”

  “Lori?” Black glanced at her, confused.

  Lori had her hands on her hips, glowering. “You’re not supposed to be here until next week.”

  “I’m in the area and thought I’d take a quick look,” the guy said.

  She stepped forward, stopping abreast of Black. “Turn around and leave. Now.”

  The man held his palms up, looking from Lori to Black to Saul. Uncle Saul just stood there, thumbs in the loops of his jeans. Black narrowed his eyes at Lori. Why’d she contacted a mining company?

  “I apologize, ma’am.” The man backed to his truck. “I’ll be in contact next week.”

  Quick as an arrow, Black was at the truck door, hand flat against the window frame to keep it closed. He wanted this story straight from the source, not Lori’s convoluted version. “Why don’t you tell us what you’ll be in contact about?”

  Scratching the back of his neck, the man glanced at Lori, then back to Black. “Ms. Sandvur sent in a rock sample several months back. Seems there’s gold on the property, and she has some questions about getting it out of the ground.”

  Black dropped his hand and spun toward the lead mare. Gold? When had that happened? News of gold would bring a lot of attention to the ranch. Human attention. What was the lead mare thinking? Behind her, Saul’s mouth hung open.

  Lori crossed her arms and settled her weight on one leg, gaze still on the visitor. “I told you to leave, mister.”

  The guy shook his head and jerked open the truck door. “Next time I’m bringing backup,” he muttered as he slammed the door shut. The engine rumbled to life and the man gunned the truck into reverse down the driveway.

  Black let him go. The man wasn’t the issue. In silence, he watched the truck round the base of the hill before speaking again. This time he turned to Saul. “You said the buried treasure was the herd.”

  Saul shook his head. “It was. At least as far as I understood.” He moved up to stand next to Lori, his brows drawn into a frown. “What’s this about gold?”

  Lori shot a look toward the house and spun, boots crunching over the gravel as she bee-lined toward the barn. “The ranch can’t sustain itself without income. I’m trying to see to the herd’s future.”

  “Wait, there really is gold?” Black lengthened his stride to keep up, a t
witch irritating his left eye. Why hadn’t Lori mentioned the find before?

  Inside the barn, Lori entered the nearest stall. She spun to face the men, her voice a whisper. “In the canyon where Toliman died.”

  “Did he know about it?” Black didn’t bother to keep quiet.

  She bared her teeth at him and focused on Saul, as if Black didn’t matter. “The gold will give us freedom like the herd’s never known, not since before the settlers fenced everything off. Once we’ve secured the land deed—”

  The soft tread of feet outside was followed by, “Black?”

  Lori hissed, her fingernails biting into his arm. “Don’t you dare say a thing, Black.”

  “It’s her land. Her gold.” He jerked free, Lori’s nails leaving long welts on his skin. Turning, he strode toward the bay door.

  Within three steps, he felt the air behind him swirl and condense with shifter magic. Lori’s pale palomino form bowled past him, knocking him to the side. He tripped over a stall rake leaning against the wall, the handle tangling his legs. He fell to his hands and knees, palms jarring against the gravel. Saul’s bulky equine shape followed close behind Lori, disappearing out the barn door.

  Black struggled to his feet, his shift grabbing hold of every muscle in his body, straining the seams of his clothing and boots as he shouted, “Renee, look out!”

  HAPTER ELEVEN

  A sleek blonde palomino careened out of the barn toward Renee, a terrifying scream issuing from between its bared teeth. Startled, Renee fell backward, landing with a painful thump on her backside. Head lowered, the horse churned up bits of gravel, charging straight at her. Renee rolled, flinging herself out of the way. Hooves streaked within a hair’s breadth of her shoulder. The beast’s momentum slowed as it rounded the driveway. It then faced her again, ears pinned, and reared.