Purebred by Patricia Rosemoor Read Free Book Online

responsible—”
    “I know that. And I know you want what’s best for any horse in your care, Cat, but I know Mac. He simply is stressed by the move, is all. I feel him relaxing already.”
    Which was true. Horseflesh softened under his touch as he continued to stroke the colt. Mac undoubtedly needed a bit of reassurance, was all. Considering his deep connection to Mac, Aidan would surely know if there was something more about which to be alarmed.
    Cat nodded. “Fine. I didn’t mean to question your judgment. I was simply concerned.”
    “We’ll both keep an eye on him tonight, then,” Aidan said, trying to defuse the tension now between them. “Just to be certain.”
    “All right. When I check on Fairy Tail, I’ll check on Mac, as well.”
    “I would appreciate that. As well as you telling me if you find anything off about the lad.”
    All this walking on eggshells was starting to get to Aidan, but he felt like he couldn’t be himself, couldn’t feel free to say what he wanted.
    Cat obviously loved horses as much as he—they had that in common. He quickly quashed the rush of longing that shot through him. He’d almost forgotten what it felt like to have any kind of relationship with an attractive lass in the very industry that took up every moment of his life. There was something exciting about sharing work as well as play with the same woman. Not that he and Cat had a personal relationship or ever would.
    Pegeen’s tragic death nine months before broke his heart, and he wasn’t going to replace her.
    No one ever could.
    * * *
    S HE TOOK HIS SWOLLEN tip in her mouth, drew him deeper and then into her throat, inch by inch. Her nails scraped the insides of his thighs and he thought he would pop like a champagne cork, but she stopped just in time. She knew exactly what to do with him, how to make him insane with desire. Each time they were together, he learned she had new tricks.
    He closed his eyes and let her work him and just as he was about to find release…
    An inhuman scream woke him.

Chapter Five
    A sound…a scream more than a whinny…woke Cat.
    She bolted upright in bed and listened for a repeat. The night was silent but for the wind whistling around the house. A storm was imminent but the skies hadn’t yet opened.
    The dogs were relaxed, curled up on their beds, their heads raised so they could watch her.
    Taking a deep breath, Cat willed her rapidly pounding heart to still. She must have been dreaming. She checked her bedside clock. Three in the morning.
    Awake now, she decided to get up and check on Fairy Tail. And Mac. She might as well do it now, before the rain started and made things uncomfortable. Wearing only a thin nightgown, she pulled on the jeans she’d thrown over a chair.
    Sleep had eluded her for hours. She’d been restless and out of sorts all evening. Aware of Aidan in the in-law apartment below her, she kept imagining him arguing with her, giving her looks that sent shivers down her spine.
    Not shivers of fear.
    Just the opposite.
    What the heck was wrong with her? she wondered.
    Something about him tugged at her. It wasn’t just his looks or his obvious sexuality. Something that came from inside. The deep love he had for the horses he trained had been so obvious when he’d checked on Mac earlier. It was an emotion she understood. One Jack had never had. Too bad she hadn’t realized that when she’d met him.
    She pulled on her boots.
    Expressions hopeful, Smokey and Topaz left their beds.
    “All right, you know you can go out anytime you need to.” They had a doggy door to the run, but apparently they were after more than a brief outing. She patted them both as she got to her feet. “Sorry, no walks in the middle of the night.”
    Looking at her empty bed, she knew exactly what was wrong with her. She hadn’t gotten as lucky as one of the broodmares in her barn for nearly a year. The moment she’d discovered Jack’s infidelity, she’d kicked him out of her bed, and