The Rivers brothers surround Cassie during the ride, protecting her from all sides as they ride, and the sun is setting just as they arrive. The men open the gate, and the soldiers entering the land are led to the large barn. Harris and Steel takeover getting the men settled and supplies distributed. Dalton leads the others toward the main lodge. It is the crown jewel of the Rivers Ranch.
It is a ranch style home, made of large beams harvested from the property. It has a large wrap around porch to enjoy the breeze and views. Large beautiful trees surround it and the other small cabins nearby.
“Cassie and I will be back in the morning,” Dalton informs his brothers, and she follows him on horseback into the forest. They meander along the banks of the stream about half a mile until he stops beside a small log cabin. He jumps down and swiftly moves towards her to help her with her horse and saddle.
Nothing has ever looked as beautiful as that small cabin. It has a small porch and two chairs, and the sound of the stream trickling through the trees sings a sweet lullaby. Cassie yawns and unstraps her gear, dropping it onto the porch. Pierce rides up and offers to take the horses to the barn.
“Thank you. We won't be in for dinner. Cassie needs to sleep and heal.” He gestures to his brother, and they walk a distance away. “I will be at the main lodge in the morning for breakfast, and I will fill everyone in then.”
“No problem. Chase is setting up patrols with the soldiers and ranch hands through the night. Just in case they decided to follow us, but the patrol returned and said they met with the others and headed across the plain. I think we scared them off. Rest well, brother.”
Dalton watches him ride away before turning to find Cassie sitting on the steps with her head in her hands. She startles when he clears his throat. Sleep filled eyes greet him, and he smiles. “Come on, beautiful, let’s get you settled.”
Inside the cabin for two is a small kitchen and fireplace. One sofa and chair flank the fireplace with a queen size bed on the other side. This cabin has the luxury of an inside bath, but no running water. He quickly gets a fire going to warm the small cabin up and turns to her.
“What do you want more, sleep or a bath?” he asks with a grin.
“A bath! I can sleep after.” Instantly awake, she helps him carry water to the small stove for heating. Dalton shows her to the small room in the back of the cabin built for just this reason, it holds a large claw foot tub with polished silver feet. A small bookcase is stocked with towels, soap and an oil lantern.
They fill the tub with steaming water, and he leaves her to wash, and he finishes unloading their gear. Every bone in her body aches from days in the saddle. Her bruises are fading more every day, and when she sinks into the hot water, she moans loudly. Ducking beneath the water, she wets her hair and scrubs it twice before washing her body and leaning back to soak. Dalton returns with two more buckets of hot water to reheat her tub.
“You are going to spoil me, Dalton.” She says, laying back in the tub to rinse off the bubbles.
Dalton laughs, “Who said this was for you?” He strips and joins her in the tub before she can make her escape.
She sits in the middle of the tub while he settles. He sinks down with his legs around her pulls her back against his chest. Water rushes up and over the sides of the tub onto the floor, and Cassie laughs. “This tub is not big enough for the two of us, you big moose.”
“Yep, that's what the extra water is for.” He laughs as she gets up on her knees and spins around. When she leans over the tub to pour the water over his chest his smile fades. Finally, they are home. He didn't realize until this moment how scared he was for her safety. Bubbles cling to her body and slide down her pink tipped breasts. His mouth goes dry, and he reaches for her.
“Cassie?” he says, and she leans forward, her mouth takes his. She pours all her feelings, hope, fear, lust, and love into the kiss. When she pulls back his hands grab her upper arms, and she grins, wiggling free.
“First, I want to wash you, Dalton.” Cassie soaps a clean washcloth. Dalton stands up in the tub in front of her, and she is amazed at the beauty of his hard body. Her hands slide up his knees soaping and circling, her way up his thighs, to encircle his erection. He jumps, and a husky moan escapes. Cassie's passion flares.
“Tonight, I am going to love you, Dalton. I'm going to show you what it feels like to be mine.” She raises up from her kneeling position dragging her erect nipples up his thighs, while her hands continue their tortuous journey over his chiseled abdomen, chest, and shoulders.
Dalton groans and tries to grab her, but once again she moves away, circling his body to push him to his knees in the hot tub. Cassie grabs a cup of hot water and pours it over his body to warm him up before she scrubs his back and buttocks. Dalton looks up at the ceiling, clenching his hands at his side to prevent himself from taking her.
“Sit, let me wash your hair,” she murmurs softly. Soon she is dipping hot water and pouring it over his hair and scrubbing with firm smooth strokes. Satisfied that he is clean, she guides him back into the tub.
