Expecting the Rancher's Heir by Kathie DeNosky Read Free Book Online Page A

fine. He knew differently and once he had taken her into his arms, she had finally let down her guard and accepted the support he had promised her. But not without considerable cost to his well-being.
    With her breasts pressed to his chest and her delicate hand resting on his flank, he had spent the entire night aroused. And if that hadn’t been enough to send him hovering on the brink of insanity, he had awakened this morning with one of her long, slenderlegs intimately lodged against his overly sensitive groin.
    That had sent him straight into the bathroom for a cold shower. By the time he finally stepped from beneath the icy spray, his teeth had chattered uncontrollably and he would have bet everything he had that he could spit ice cubes on command.
    Unfortunately, his gallantry was beginning to wear thin. He wasn’t sure how much longer he would be able to play the consummate gentleman without going stark, raving mad.
    â€œEarth to Shane. Come in please,” Lissa said, bringing him back to the present.
    â€œWhat?”
    She laughed. “I asked if you are going to just stand there daydreaming or if we’re going for a ride?”
    â€œUh, sorry,” he muttered. He couldn’t tell her that he had been thinking about how much he wanted to hold her, how much his body ached to be inside her. “There are a couple of different ways to get to the falls and I was trying to decide which would be the fastest,” he said, thinking quickly. There was only one trail leading to the waterfall, but she didn’t know that and he wasn’t about to admit that he’d been fantasizing about stripping them both and making love to her until they both collapsed from exhaustion.
    â€œHow far is it to Rainbow Falls?” she asked as he mounted the stallion and they rode through the corral gate.
    â€œIt’s only about three miles as the eagle flies, but having to skirt some of the steeper terrain and due to all of the bends in the river, it takes a few hours,” he explained.
    She gave him a wistful look. “I wish I had known about this trip before we left the lodge. I’d have brought my camera. I’m sure the scenery is going to be gorgeous.”
    He decided not to remind her that once he made her his wife, she would be able to take as many pictures of his ranch as she wanted, any time she wanted. But he wasn’t a fool. If he did remind her of that fact, she would most likely come up with more ways they didn’t know each other and be on the defensive.
    That was the last thing he wanted. His plan hinged on the element of surprise. When he played his ace in the hole, he had no doubt he would have her agreeing to marry him faster than he could slap his own ass with both hands.
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    â€œShane, this is absolutely breathtaking,” Melissa said as they rode single file over the ridge and around a switchback into the upland valley.
    â€œIt isn’t much good for pasturing the horses, but I like to camp out here occasionally,” he said, leading the way down the slope.
    â€œI love camping out,” she said, remembering the wonderful time she’d had when her father allowed herto go on a couple of overnight trail rides with some of the resort’s guests.
    It had taken considerable thought on her part and several arguments with her father to convince him that she would be there to address any special needs of the Jarrod Ridge guests. He had finally relented, but only after she had pointed out that she would technically still be working for the resort and not just frittering away her time. God forbid that she did something with her time that she actually enjoyed, she thought, unable to keep from feeling resentful.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Shane called over his shoulder.
    Jarred back to the present, she focused on the man riding the big red stallion ahead of her. “Nothing. Why do you ask?”
    Stopping his horse, he turned in the saddle.