"I've never seen anyone do anything like that. You're full of surprises."
She grinned. "Oh, you have no idea."
They sat in the sun, ate their fresh-caught meal and re-hydrated with water from their canteens. As they waited for the grill to cool, she picked a dandelion and closed her eyes, making a wish before blowing the fuzzy, round seed head.
“What’d you wish for?” Abram asked.
“Nothing special,” she lied. I wished you’d lose that button down shirt so I could take a gander all the tantalizing muscles and flesh your hiding, but I’ll be keeping that info to myself. With his strong chin, Roman nose, and chiseled jawline, Abram was arguably more attractive than Davis. In fact, the more she studied him, the less she saw of his happy-go-lucky cousin. Despite being gorgeous, Abram had an aura of melancholy, almost as if he was lost.
"So, does most of your family make it up here for the annual camping trip?"
She nodded. "Yeah. It's a big group, including some kids so I like to survey the terrain beforehand and look for major changes, just to head off danger. We don't want to venture up here and find out last winter's storms put something precarious in our path.
"Smart."
She grinned. "Thanks."
He held his hand half an inch over the grill’s grates. "We should be able to pack up and go now."
"Sounds good."
Once they had everything put away, Abram and Maddie saddled up again. She hopped right up, but Abram took his time, caressing the side of Clyde's head and petting his shoulders before putting his large foot in the stirrup. "Sorry boy, I know I'm heavy."
She laughed. "Aw, how sweet. Do you two need some special alone time?
He glanced at her sideways, but when his gaze fell on her mocking expression, he smiled before breaking out into a snicker. "Don't talk trash, Miss Mittens."
She clicked her heels against Thunder's sides and the animal took off at a leisurely pace. Abram and Clyde followed behind her. As soon as they got to an area with more open space, she signaled her horse to speed up. Thunder galloped along and Maddie lost herself in the exhilaration of riding. She enjoyed the wind on her face as she squeezed her thighs to stay in the saddle.
Glancing to her right, she noticed some nearby caves. At one time or another, she'd explored most of what the Banks family lands had to offer, but she especially loved the caverns. She pulled on her horse's reigns. "Whoa."
Thunder slowed and she steered the animals toward the opening. Abram and Clyde trailed right behind her. She jumped down before hauling ass straight for the fissure in the craggy rock.
"Hold on now." Abram dismounted with haste. "Where do you think you're going?"
She pointed at the cave's mouth. "In there."
The excitement in Maddie’s eyes animated her entire face. Abram's pulse sped up as his heart did a somersault. She had to be the most adventurous women he’d ever met, wild and unbroken. Even if he could tame her, he wouldn’t—her jaunty enthusiasm turned him on, but at this rate, she was going to get him into big trouble. "No way. This is exactly the kind of danger I'm supposed to safeguard you against."
She groaned. "Don't be such a wuss."
He knitted his brow and shook his head. "I'm being responsible. I’d like nothing better than to go spelunking with you, but we don’t have the equipment or the numbers to do it safely." As she backed away from the entrance and walked toward Thunder, he breathed easier, but she didn't get back in the saddle. Instead, she reached into her pack and retrieved a flashlight before dashing to the den's entrance.
"Damn it, Maddie!" He sped after her. "Mountain lions have been seen in this area. You can't haul off and go running into caves." While gritting his teeth, he chased the illumination from her flashlight and the sound of her laughter. Now I understand why Davis said she needs a spanking.
Suddenly, the light disappeared, leaving Abram in the dark. He froze in place. "Maddie?" As an image of her injured flashed in his mind, a gnawing sensation plagued his belly. His heart raced as adrenaline flooded his body. He reached out in front of him, feeling around in the dark. "Are you okay?" He took slow, cautious steps as he continued to call for her.
Something grabbed him and he gasped while whipping around, lunging in the dark. Whatever had a hold of him moved quickly and dodged his attack. He pivoted and reached out to capture the rolling shadows.
A flash of light blinded him, and he blinked until his eyes adjusted and focused on Maddie's smirking face. As she snickered, his jaw dropped.
"That shit wasn't funny." His nostrils flared.
She glanced at him and then looked down, drawing his attention to where his hands were. He was clutching one of her forearms while pinning her to the wall with his palm compressing one of her breasts.
"Oh, crap." He snatched his large mitt back and released her. "That was an accident."
While holding the flashlight in her fist, she stretched her opposite arm up and clutched the back of his neck, pushing up on her tip toes as she pressed her lips to his. His heart galloped and he grabbed her around the waist, lifting her as he pushed into the kiss.
Her body warmed him as her breasts flattened against his chest. Her softness comforted him, beckoned him. She tilted her head and parted her lips, and he plunged his tongue into the hot, waiting cavern, exploring as he tasted her.
As she broke the kiss, they both panted while clinging to each other. “Mmm, not bad.” She stroked his jaw, and his cock stiffened. He leaned in for another kiss when a snarl followed by
