“What happened? Where’s Gavin?” she asked as soon as Cody came up the porch steps.
“Drake’s flying him back in our Cessna crop duster now. All went well, the D.A. dropped charges pending an investigation into Heath’s actions, but he’ll fill you in shortly. I stopped by to ask you something.” Nudging his hat back, he peered down at her with a serious expression, an emotion clouding his eyes she couldn’t define.
Aislyn laid a hand on his arm. “Is something wrong?”
“No, no, not like you’re thinking. I’m sorry, but I need to know...when you and Gavin were first together, did you experience anything strange, a connection, odd sensations?”
She nodded, guessing what he was getting at. “Yes, the same tingles, warm rush that apparently Gavin felt when he met me and recognized me as his mate.” That word still felt strange applying it to herself. “Why?”
His dark face blanched and he looked away, taking a step back. “Gavin told you our family history, right?”
“Yes, but I’m not going to betray him, or any of you, like those women did to your ancestors. Maybe because I already know what life is like without him, and I don’t want to go back to living every day missing him, wanting him.” She ventured a guess at his reason for asking and the sorrow dimming his vivid eyes. “Did you find and lose your mate, Cody?”
A truck coming up the drive drew their attention and Cody shook his head, pivoting to jog down the steps. “Thanks, Aislyn. That’s Gavin now,” he tossed over his shoulder as he mounted Bolt.
Drake pulled up as Cody rode toward the stables and Aislyn’s attention switched to Gavin getting out on the passenger side. Skipping down the steps, her heartbeat accelerated and her palms went damp as she lifted a hand to Drake before launching herself at Gavin. “Are you okay? Please tell me Heath is still breathing.”
Wrapping his arms around her, he huffed a laugh and squeezed the breath out of her. “We’re fine and yes, he’s still among the living. Although,” he leaned back, his smile dimming as his eyes darkened, “holding back did not sit well with me. Heath is a contemptible excuse for a man.”
“I agree, now tell me, what did you do?” she demanded in a strained voice, clinging to his broad shoulders.
“Relax, little one. We left Farnsworth in one piece and unharmed except for a few scratches.” She didn’t appreciate the humor lacing his voice and smacked his arm, which just drew that deep, rumbling laugh that never failed to heat her blood. “The charges against you were dropped this morning, pending further investigation of a sudden confession. A few veiled threats from me and not so veiled from my two wolf companions and he caved like the coward he is. Didn’t I tell you to trust me?”
It was her turn to grin as she replied, “Yes, you did, but then there was the little surprise of your furry side that made me question you again.”
“My furry side?” Gavin grabbed her hand and hauled her inside where he turned and pinned her against the door. Hoisting her up by the waist, he crushed his mouth down on hers. As she wrapped her arms and legs around him, Gavin decided come hell or high water, he wasn’t letting her go again. Ripping his mouth off hers, he ground his erection against her crotch. “You’re staying. There’s nothing back in Boise for you anymore. I love you. If you don’t want me to bind you to me as my mate, then I’ll accept that, but that’s all I’ll let you deny me by way of a commitment.”
A giggle bubbled out of her. “If that’s a proposal, it sucked, but,” she tightened her arms and legs as she nipped his chin, “I’ll take it. And, if this mating binding thing is as hot as it sounds, I’ll take on your wolf, too.”
****
One month later
Gavin reined Black Jack to a halt at the tree line hiding the hot spring, just thinking about mating with Aislyn sending his blood south to engorge his cock. She rode up next to him, her seat on Star as sure and confident as the look of anticipation shining in her caramel eyes. The young black and white Pinto mare was a perfect match for her lighter body, Star’s temperament easy going with a streak of willfulness, much like her new owner’s. With a toss of her sun-kissed wheat hair, she hopped down and tethered Star to a low tree branch, leaving enough slack for her to graze while they were enjoying the bubbling hot spring.
“It’s a beautiful evening but chilly,” she said as he dismounted, her gaze on the fiery yellow/orange ball of the lowered sun.
“The hot spring will warm you up.” Taking her hand, he led her to the narrow path bisecting the trees and hiked about a block to the secluded, mist-filled copse. Pointing to the opposite side of the steaming pool, he said, “The main road is just beyond those trees, so we’re not deep into the woods here, but it’s still private.” Dropping her hand, he loosened his belt, instructing, “Strip. The water will warm you up quickly.”
A flush stole up her face, her eyes dilating as she pulled her long-sleeved tee shirt over her head, her braless breasts bouncing, her already turgid nipples beckoning his mouth. He resisted the temptation and stripped out of his jeans and shirt, eyeing her freshly denuded pubis and the round softness of her thighs. She’d put on a few pounds in the past few weeks, weight that looked damn good on her, adding the softness he remembered so well and had been craving since her return. At least he had one thing to thank Heath Farnsworth for – the role his illegalities played in getting
