Chapter 15
Kade threw the broken bit in the trash with a vehemence that rocked the can. Every time he caught himself thinking about Hope Jackson and those startling green eyes, he got mad. Black hair and emerald eyes. Who wouldn’t notice? Still, having her invade his thoughts worried him. He hadn’t been that entranced with a woman since . . . Caroline.
He stalked to the barn door and gave an ear-splitting whistle. In the corner of the farthest corral, a golden yellow palomino stallion raised his beautiful head. Then, body quivering, snorted, and doing a one-eighty-degree turn, tossed his golden mane and broke into a full gallop toward the long-legged man standing inside the open corral gate. His speed was frightening, hooves throwing up clods of dirt. There was no indication he intended to stop.
Kade stood his ground with Xanthous, meaning a rich yellow blend of colors. He smiled to himself, hearing the thunderous hooves and feeling the wind of the spirited horse as he drew closer. He never doubted for a moment Xanthous would stop inches short of running him down. It was a game they played. It was also the horse’s way of letting Kade know he might be master, but it was only because the prideful stallion allowed him to be.
True to form, the horse ground his muscular body to a stop inches from Kade.
“Cut it a little close that time, didn’t you?” Kade reached out to rub Xanthous’s sweet spot between his ears.
Xanthous snorted and jerked his head away from Kade’s hand, blowing hard through his nostrils. The he rolled his big brown eyes and gave Kade a powerful nudge, using his nose as a battering ram.
Kade teetered back on his boot heels, then, in a split second, locked his arm around Xanthous’s muscled neck. He tightened his grip, the sinewy muscles in his forearm bunching.
“Got you in a head lock. Now what are you going to do? Not so feisty, huh?”
The horse jerked and would have upended a less powerful man. With lightening reflexes, Kade tightened his grip.
“I’m boss,” he whispered in the horse’s ear.
A quiver ran over the big stallion’s body. He curled back his lip, and with his teeth, nibbled at Kade’s shirt pocket. Kade chuckled. They both knew the wrestling match would culminate with Kade loosening his grip and fishing in his pocket for a cylinder-shaped horse pellet that was candy to Xanthous.
Kade palmed the pellet and offered it to the impatiently waiting horse. Strong teeth crunched the treat as drool ran down the sides of the stallion’s mouth. If possible, the stallion would have whimpered with delight.
“Maybe one of these days, my pocket will be empty,” Kade threatened, scratching the sweet spot.
Xanthous nudged his hand, gently now.
“One last treat.” Kade put the treat in the palm of his flattened hand and smiled at the feel of Xanthous’ lips as he rolled the pellet into his mouth. It was a kiss to the man’s palm, and he knew the horse shared the bond that had been theirs since he was a colt.
Kade leaned into the horse’s side and relaxed, smelling the familiar scent of his sun-warmed hide. It was a smell he loved, and it was as much a part of him as the green grass and freedom of the open range surrounding the Double K. And for a moment, a stolen moment, all was well in his world.
Here, resting his head against Xanthous’ withers, he could almost forget. With his guard down, unbidden thoughts of Caroline came into his mind. Caroline with the long blonde hair and china blue eyes. Caroline with the sexy smile and even sexier body. Caroline who had mesmerized him from the minute he saw her leaning against the wooden chute, watching the bull riders perform at the local rodeo.
Kade could still hear her musical voice in his ear.
“You riding, Cowboy?”
“Nope. Watching.”
“Smart,” and she inched her way closer to his arms folded across the empty chute.
She would fit under his chin, and he wondered what it would feel like to pull her petite body against his, hold her tight, and run his hands over her. His instant reaction surprised him. He’d never before felt this mind-numbing force with a woman. And he knew, in that split second, he had to have her.
“What’s your name, Cowboy?” Her words were honey, coating him with their sweetness.
“Kade.”
“Just Kade?” she teased, pursing her full lips.
A blush crept up his face. Tongue-tied, he blurted out, “Kade McKune.”
“You from around here, Kade McKune?”
Kade nodded, drowning in the depth of her teasing blue eyes. “Double K Ranch. About twenty miles south of here.”
“Big ranch?”
Kade felt a boyish urge to impress her, much like a nine- year-old riding his bike without hands in front of a pretty girl.
“Biggest one in the valley.”
A flicker crossed her face, but it was gone before Kade noticed.
“You just work there, huh?” she probed.
“I own it,” Kade said proudly.
Caroline scooted closer until the soft fabric of her low-cut blouse brushed against his denim shirt. Her breast rested against his arm.
“I’d love to see it.”
Kade held her eyes, proudly amazed that this beautiful stranger, her softness, her smile, and her unabashed interest, was for him, only him. He found out later, much later, her ability to give out sexual vibes, undivided attention, to hang on every word out of a man’s mouth, was a trait she’d cultivated early in life. It was a weapon she used often. She was an expert at dulling her target’s senses, like a female black widow spider luring the unsuspecting male to his death.
“You free right now?” The words flew from his mouth. He held his breath, praying her answer would be yes.
Caroline tilted her head coquettishly, “How do I know you’re not a rapist? A masher, preying on innocent women?”
She asked the question in a playful, yet serious manner. A feeling of protectiveness washed over Kade. This was a woman to cherish. He never imagined he could feel this way about someone. Sure, he’d dated a lot in college. Even had a fairly intense affair with a woman older than him. He’d never had a problem attracting members of the opposite sex. His friends teased he was the poster child for the American cowboy. They said it was all due to his casual arrogance and his coldly proud stance. He presented a challenge, one they couldn’t master.
“Most everyone here knows me. Feel free to ask around.”
She reached out a small hand and laid it trustingly on his arm.
“No,” she said breathlessly, “I don’t have to. I believe you, Kade McCune of the Double K Ranch. Let’s go.”
Kade tossed the cobwebs of the too often memories out of his mind. Grabbing the bridle and saddle, he knew the one thing that eased him was to ride hard and fast into the high mountains where the sweet breeze healed him.