Dayton rides up over the hill, and his heart drops to his stomach. Savannah is on the ground and not moving! He thunders towards her, jumping from his mount he falls down beside her. “Savannah, don’t worry,” he shouts, but her laughter bubbles out, infuriating him.
Blue eyes sparkle up at him, and she touches his face gently, “I’m fine. Just resting for a moment.”
Dayton sits back, stunned that she would laugh at him and watches with growing anger. He carefully climbs to his feet, watching her dust her denims and his anger switches from fury to passion in a flash. Her shapely legs are wrapped in tight denim, molded to her curvy backside, which she is busy dusting off.
Savannah turns to grab the reins of her mount only to be caged in from behind by Dayton’s strong arms. His hand grabs hers holding it on top of the saddle, and his sultry voice speaks in her ear, sending chills over her body. “This is not funny, Savannah.”
“Dayton,” she tries to turn, but his mouth nips at her neck, causing her body to jerk in response. Savannah gasps and leans her head to give him better access.
“Don’t speak,” he presses a soft kiss, one after another working his way to her lobe, he sucks it gently, and Savannah’s knees threaten to collapse. “You’re a beautiful, vibrant, woman, Savannah,” he says punctuating each word with a nip to her pale neck. “I’d like to keep you in one piece. I promised your family. I’d see to your safety.”
Savannah whirls around, and he lets her this time. Fury and passion ripple through her body and something else she can’t identify. Feeling dangerous, she leans into his body and wraps her arms around his neck, “Is that all I am to you, Dayton, a duty?”
Dayton’s eyes drop to her lips and his body jerks when her tongue wets her lips, “Savannah, don’t tempt me…” he groans when she molds her body against his and takes his mouth, pouring all her frustration and desire into the kiss.
How many times has he been the aggressor in a kiss? He can’t remember, in that instant all others before her wash away and Dayton finds his home. His hand slips up into her hair, gently fisting a hand in her hair, he jerks her mouth back from his. Swollen, pink lips and eyes aflame with the same desire he feels reflected in his body. “I plan on showing you exactly what you mean to me,” he softens his grip.
Savannah huffs in frustration, “How if you’re going to Washington?” she tries to push him back, but he refuses to budge.
“If you had stayed a moment longer, you’d have heard me tell Deidrick that I’m done with that life. I have a new dream, now,” he smiles at the look of relief in her eyes.
“Oh?” she whispers.
“Yes, and I’m going to kiss you again,” he replies and leans down and softly swallows the gasp that puffs out. Softly he savors her, tasting, sipping, sucking and lapping until Savannah forgets every lonely moment that came before.
Dayton pulls away and grins a cocky smile. He backs away from her, and she covers her hand with her mouth. “I finally understand why the women flock to you,” she says.
“I will take that as a compliment. Now explain to me what you were doing riding like that? You are supposed to be healing, Savannah. What happens if you fall?”
Irritation flashes for a second, but she pushes it away. “I didn’t mean to scare you, Dayton. I didn’t know you were looking for me, besides I’ve been riding since I was old enough to talk.”
“You ride like a professional jockey, Savannah. It was impressive to watch,” and sexy, he thinks.
“I know,” she smirks at his raised eyebrow. “Your just lucky you were racing against my brother Glenn at the last race and not me.”
“Oh, really? You think you could out run my racehorse, Survivor, with a Patrick on his back?” His dark eyes laugh at her.
Savannah grins and tosses her curls over her shoulder. “I don’t think it. I know it.”
“Who are you and what’ve you done with Miss Ward?” Dayton demands and stalks towards her. This confident women staring at him intrigues him, among other things.
Savannah swings up into her saddle and looks down at him. “You don’t really know me, Dayton.” Her smiles fades a little as he looks up at her and covers her hand with his.
“I hope to remedy that on our journey,” he replies.
“What if you don’t like what you find?”
“Not possible,” Dayton spins and grabs his horse, mounting with an ease that has her mouth-watering.
“Now, where were we? Oh yes, you were explaining to me how you could beat me in a race.”
Savannah grins, “As soon as I’m healed completely, I will show you exactly what I can do, but for right now I will settle for an afternoon ride.”
“Agreed,” Dayton laughs. They ride in companionable silence for a little while, and she stops to take in the view of the prairie with its tallgrass dancing. It dominates the landscape in this area.
“It’s lovely here. Is Kentucky this pretty?” she asks.
“No, Kentucky is perfection. I can’t wait for you to see it. Bluegrass and rolling hills. Our horses are superior due to the richness of the soil that can only be found in Kentucky,” he smiles over at her. “Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.”
“You sound homesick, Dayton. Thank you for coming to my rescue. I know I said I didn’t need a hero, but it turns out that all I really needed was you.”
“Good, she finally speaks
