The Devil’s Kiss by Stacey Kennedy Read Free Book Online

murder. I gripped the horse’s mane in dire hope that I wouldn’t do a face-plant in the dirt. “Jeessuusss…” I screamed.
     
    Kyden laughed loudly. “Enjoy this. Relax, I’ve got you.”
     
    As if that was going to happen.
     
    We ran and ran. The wind whipped past us quickly. It wasn’t long before I realized just how incredible this was. The strength that came from the horse was marvelous. It was an honor that this magnificent beast would allow us to ride on him—when he could easily squish me into nothing. Resolved, I sank back into Kyden and released the horse’s mane.
     
    The air whipped through my hair as we rushed forward. The further we ran, the more comfortable I began to feel. It was inevitable that I would enjoy this. I laughed like a kid on Halloween examining all their candy.
     
    After some time, he slowed. The gallop was a much easier ride. When he began to trot, I was bouncing around like popcorn being popped. “Oh…God.” I laughed, grabbing the horse’s mane again.
     
    “Whoa.” Kyden’s voice came out deep and smooth. The horse instantly complied and came to a dead halt. He scooted back, swiftly hopped off, then reached up to pull me off.
     
    “Thank God, the ground.” Though I enjoyed the ride, I knelt down and touched the ground, happy I survived. The horse neighed something very close to laughter and Kyden chuckled right along with him. After a couple more thank you Gods , I finally glanced up. “Where are we?”
     
    Before Kyden answered, the horse shimmied. In a blink of an eye, one hunk of a man, completely clothed in jeans and a cotton t-shirt stood in front of me. He was a large and made Kyden look small—a nearly impossible thing. He had long platinum hair that looked very similar to his mane in horse form. Most definitely, he would be defined as a man’s-man. “Fuck,” I gasped, shocked beyond belief. “You’re a Were?”
     
    He nodded, thoroughly amused. “I am Atticus.”
     
    Once I got over the shock of seeing him shift, I was completely confused. “Why do you choose to stay a horse?” He lived at Valor’s in horse form. For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why he would want that.
     
    He shrugged, his long hair danced along his body. “Valor treats me well and I prefer my horse form.”
     
    “Isn’t that odd for Weres?” I asked. Most Weres preferred human form, only shifted to their animal shape if they needed to. Never had I met any who desired this type of lifestyle.
     
    “It is, but we are all different. The life of a horse is simpler and less complicated. It is our desired state.” Guess that made sense, even if it was a little odd.
     
    “Okay…er…that’s good then I guess. Well, thanks for the ride.” I suddenly, felt a bit perverse that I’d been riding on his back.
     
    He nodded in acknowledgment and glanced around us. “As to your question, this is Logan Canyon.”
     
    I followed his gaze and gasped. We were standing in the heart of a canyon—large steep cliffs surrounded trees, lush plants, and thriving wildlife. Breathtaking couldn’t even describe this.
     
    “I’m going to head off now,” Atticus said. “When you wish to return home, whistle for me, and I’ll come.” His expression turned sultry. “I can scent some young mares that are looking for a stallion such as I.” He grinned, then he shifted and galloped off.
     
    “Okay, that is just freaky.”
     
    Kyden chuckled. “Thought you might enjoy that.” He took my hand and started toward one of the cliff. Stepping in behind me, he gave me a little help as we began to climb up. When we found a large ledge, we sat down.
     
    I sighed, surrounded by eons of mountain beauty. “It’s so gorgeous here.”
     
    “It is that,” Kyden responded sounding just as awed.
     
    Time passed as we just sat in silence, enjoying the sound of birds chirping and brushes of wind against the trees. I finally glanced over at Kyden. He stared at me intently, so much so it