In the Cowboy's Bed (Pleasure Ridge Ranch) by Ava Flynn Read Free Book Online Page B

trails.
    "Hey," the tall, Native American guy left behind said as they approached.
    "Erin, this is Adam Blackwood, our local horse guru," Justin said.
    Erin’s eyes widened for a moment, and he got the distinct feeling it wasn’t because of Adam’s good looks. But she recovered quickly and extended her hand.
    "Nice to meet you," she said, offering up a very pretty smile, a genuine smile.
    "Likewise," Adam said.
    As she and Adam shook hands, Justin found himself wondering what that little jolt had been about. And that was new, too. Most of the time, he wasn’t really curious about the women who came to the ranch. And most of the time, they didn’t ask about him either.
    "What can I get for you?" Adam asked Justin.
    "Erin’s not a rider, so we’ll just need one."
    Adam nodded. "Daisy then." He looked at Erin. "She’s a sweet, gentle horse, not easily spooked."
    "Sounds good to me," Erin said.
    It didn’t take long for Adam to prep Daisy and lead her out of the barn. At the widening of Erin’s eyes, Justin found himself wanting to comfort her. He took her hand and squeezed it, enjoying the soft, warm feel of her small hand in his much bigger one. She gave him a tentative smile and squeezed his hand back.
    "They look way bigger up close," she said as Adam halted Daisy next to them.
    "Yeah, but Daisy here is a sweetie-pie," Justin said as he stroked the side of Daisy’s shiny, deep brown neck.
    Erin didn’t look so sure but then she reached out and Daisy’s neck, too. Daisy turned her head and rubbed her nose against Erin’s shoulder, causing Erin to laugh.
    "She likes you," Justin said as an all-too-real smile tugged at his own lips.
    After a couple of unsuccessful tries, he managed to help Erin into the saddle, swing up behind her and take the reins from Adam. The other man gave him an odd look Justin couldn’t identify, so he looked away.
    "Anyone up on the Amber Ridge Trail?" Justin asked.
    "Nope. All clear."
    With a nod, he urged Daisy forward.
    "Don’t like to share the trails, huh?" Erin asked as he maneuvered Daisy past the sign that indicated the Amber Ridge Trailhead.
    "Some people do a little more than ride out on the trails," he said. "But you should know that."
    "Oh."
    He imagined her cheeks going hot and smiled again. For the next hour, he let Daisy set an easy pace as they steadily climbed up the trail. He answered Erin’s questions about the vegetation, the wildlife and the various mountains they could see in the distance. He could tell from the layer of enthusiasm in her voice that she was genuinely interested, that she appreciated the beauty this land had to offer. He liked that. Sometimes the women who came here never wanted to leave the cabins. Of course, that was their right. They paid for the right to indulge their fantasies, even if that meant never looking beyond those four walls to the incredible natural beauty outside.
    When they reached the high point on the trail, he reined Daisy to a stop.
    "This is incredible," Erin said. "It’s so beautiful up here. Peaceful, too. Makes you never want to go back to the real world."
    In that moment, he knew she wasn’t talking about endless rounds of sex with him. And he was okay with that. Not that he didn’t enjoy the sex. In fact, he’d be plenty okay with pulling her off this horse and having her again out here below the wide, blue sky. But the fact that there was more to her, that she was not blind to other pleasures that had nothing to do with sexual fantasies, caused something to shift within him. To lighten in his chest.
    That thought freaked him out enough that he dismounted. He allowed himself one deep breath before he extended a hand to help her down to the ground.
    As her body slid down the front of his, his penis jumped to attention. Down boy.
    Justin stepped back but didn’t release her hand. He was amazed how comfortable that felt, just holding the hand of this virtual stranger. He led her to the edge of the rocky outcropping that