Escaping Love (9 page)

“I’ll be around gathering eggs from the hens and fixing a fence here or there. Call if you need me. I
’ll see in a bit.”

She muttered a goodbye and slowly made her way to the shed
, never taking her eyes off the little bugger. He wished he could stay and watch but there where chores to do. Life on the ranch would never be easy, entertaining, but never easy. He wouldn’t stray too far, not with people after her. They shouldn’t be able to track them here, but he’d keep within earshot just in case.

Really?
This rough and tumble little creature brought fear into the hearts of men. Not likely. She could practically hear Clint telling the story for years to come of how little Old Gus got the best of the city girl Alex. Well she’d show him. She kept her gaze on the little creature waiting for him to sprout fangs and blood red eyes, but nothing happened. He just stood there watching her right back chewing on some errant blades of grass. What he really needed was a bath and a brush ran through all his hair. Then maybe he would feel better about himself.

“You know
, Gus. I think we could be friends.”

He farted.

Pinching her nose, she hoped it wasn’t a sign of things to come. The shed, more of a mini barn, was complete with a little family of cats. The kittens came out to greet her immediately. Felines could sense their own kind. She played with them for a few minutes, especially one that was completely white with green eyes, just like her. She named her Luna.

Once the little one
s were safely back with their watchful momma, she found a wall filled with brushes, pitchforks, and a shovel probably for cleaning up Gus’s droppings. A wheelbarrow sat next to a large plastic container.

She
opened the lid and found the scoop nestled into the grain. Now all she had to do was figure out what a leaf of grass could be. She should have asked for clarification but she didn’t want Clint to see her struggle. He seemed so capable all the time, and after all, she was supposed to helping out not making him doubt her abilities or intelligence.

She grabbed the scoop, filled it with the sweet
-smelling grain, and walked back to the corral. Gus still followed her every movement, seeming curious and wary at the same time. So she talked to him, careful to stay on the outside of his corral until he got used to her.

“Good morning.
Seems like it’s going to be a beautiful day. In case you haven’t noticed I smell like a cat, but don’t worry. I already ate breakfast so you’re safe.”

She smiled at her lame joke
, but he seemed un-amused.

“You have quite the reputation for a troublemaker, but I don’t think it’s deserved. I think the stupid wolf is having a laugh at my expense. You
know I usually hate all dogs. Even though wolves refuse to consider themselves in the same species as their canine cousins I think they just don’t like the idea of being related to something that sniffs each other’s butts.”

Gus’s ears
swiveled, and he started to move forward. She found a little trough with a few pieces of grain in the bottom and emptied the contents of her scoop into it. He sauntered over, taking all the time in the world to get to his food. Stopping just before it, he just stared at her.

“Don’t worry, it’s not poisoned. I cross my heart.”

And she did too, with her fingers over her chest to show her sincerity. Alex really liked having someone to talk to that didn’t judge her, remind her of her duty to her family, or just plain get on her nerves. So it all came out, everything she was feeling. She leaned against the fence, making herself comfortable.

“I feel bad for getting Clint swept into my trouble. He looked like he was about to kick
me out of the bar. I didn’t have any other choice but to invoke Hospitality. I could release him.” She shrugged. “But I still need him. I don’t know who found us at his cabin but if they find us here, I couldn’t bear Clara getting hurt. I wonder if my father sent Carlos after me. He’s the one that popped my cherry. He was cute enough, but he was too damn bossy for my taste. Always telling what to do, what to wear, and when I could speak. I am not that kind of girl so I ended it. He scared me after. He got all quiet. Nothing good ever happened when he became silent. As my father’s Beta he took on the hard jobs, the ones my father needed to be separate from, you know the bloody ones. Clint doesn’t seem like that type. He seems protective and all but not really bossy. I hate bossy, unless it’s in the bedroom.”

She winked at him. “Any
-who, the truth is, I like Clint, a lot. I like Clara and Jesse too. I wish after everything was over I could come back, but if the queen doesn’t return from her honeymoon soon then there will be nothing I can do. I’ll be stuck in a loveless marriage. Barbaric, I know.  Looks like you’re done with the grain. Time for your second course. I’ll be right back.”

Walking toward the barn
, she noticed his water seemed a little low. She’d fill it after she gave him his grass. She restrained herself from doing a happy dance. Clint couldn’t be more wrong about sweet little Gus.

The bales of grass were bound by an orange twine. Looking around she found a knife on a shelf and used it to free the grass.
It broke apart in sections. At least she could guess what a leaf was. She carried them out and threw them into the larger trough next to his one for grain.  Next she needed to get him some more water.

One problem presented itself. The nozzle for the water couldn’t be reached from outside the fence. Gus seemed content with his muzzle buried in grass. Slipping between the rungs in the fence, she made her way over to the water container. The faucet protested
, but she managed to turn it on. Water flowed, quickly filling the container.

She turned to check on Gus when she swallowed a lump in her throat. The little bugger pawed at the ground with a devious gleam in his eyes.

“Hey there, big boy, I’m just getting you some fresh water. I’ll be out of your hair in a moment.”

Her soft
-spoken words didn’t seem to deter him. She inched her way back to the fence when he charged, reminding her of a bull not a three-foot little donkey.

“
Shitballs.”

She turned to run but lost her footing
, falling into his ice cold water trough. Water splashed into her nose and face as she flailed, trying to gain the upper hand. Her oversized clothes stuck to her skin, adding to the feeling of being trapped. Water flowed down her throat, and she choked. Panic started to swell, when a calming voice broke through her whirlwind thoughts.

“Need a little
help, darlin’?”

She opened her eyes
, realizing how utterly ridiculous she must look, practically drowning in a water barrel. She sat there neck-deep and looked for the stampeding Gus. The little bastard must have returned to his food, because he ate peacefully as if nothing happened.

She trembled with anger and humiliation. Her legs hung over the edge
, so she did in fact need help.

“Please,” she coughed. He looked so damn
pleased with himself it grated on her nerves, like some Prince Charming ready to save her.

So when he g
ot in range she unleashed a torrent of water that Poseidon would have been proud to call it his own. She almost drowned from the effort, but when she glimpsed her success, she would have gladly given her life for her cause.

He stood there covered in water from head to toe, still grinning. His shirt clung to the planes of his chest like an all to
o eager participant. Rivulets ran from his hair down his nose until they fell to their death from his chin. He looked absolutely glorious. Well, as glorious as any wet wolf could. His grin turned wicked.

“That was really naughty
, Little Cat. I think you deserve a spanking.”

Okay maybe it wasn’t worth it.

“I was having such fun I thought you should join me.” She lifted her hand and gave him a wide-eyed, innocent look, even going so far as batting her lashes. “Do you think you could get me out of here now?”

“Sure thing
, darlin’.”

He helped her out while she lost herself in the way his body moved. Graceful and strong, like the predator he shifted into.

Water ran down her face and into her eyes, but she couldn’t stop staring. She knew what he hid underneath his clothes, although somehow the thin layer of fabric made it more sensual. Her body heated and her inner walls clenched. Her gaze found its way to his lips and held on for dear life.

Would he kiss her again? She could see the effect she had on his body. His hands clenched at his sides while his erection pushed at his jeans. His pupils were dilated when he pulled her from
the water, but still he stood there feet away as something vast separated them. He confirmed her suspicion when he turned from her.

“I made us lunch.”

“Okay.”

She did what any woman would have done
—she followed him. What? She was hungry.

~****~

It took everything he had to keep from leading her to the little shed, taking her from behind, and making her come. The things he wanted to do to her made him want to blush like a virgin. But despite the primal urge he had to claim her, he resisted. He held onto the idea that a girl like her needed romanced, which probably had a lot to do with him keeping it in his pants. Once he had her where he wanted her, he would pounce.

He opened the p
en leading to the larger pasture for Gus, then headed for the large barn where he stashed the picnic basket. His clothes were clinging to his body, making his skin itch but he had a solution. His Little Cat may not like his plan but the thought of its success made him downright giddy.

He glanced over his shoulder and bit back a growl. She looked damn delectable. Her shirt gripped her breasts
, showing off her hard nipples. He wanted to pluck them like ripe berries. His plan of seduction better work because if he didn’t have her soon, he would gladly give in to his wolf just to escape the torture.

Giving into
his animal wasn’t a joke and he shouldn’t be playing with the idea. Once you did you were lost. He’d only known one person who came back after the line was crossed. His Alpha had to give into his wolf to save his mate. Clint almost lost hope but Jenny brought Gryph back, and now the couple couldn’t be happier. Well, when they weren’t fighting or busy making up.

He wanted that someday, to wake up next to someone and have to fight to get out of bed, because nothing seemed better than spending the day hiding from the world
and just being together.

Clint had never told anyone how much he wanted a family. The dream of a bunch of little cubs running around getting into trouble, driving him and their momma crazy, made him smile.
His kind didn’t have a fated mate. But he believed that destiny or God brought that person into your life and it was up to you to keep them there.

Gryph had told him that when he kissed Jenny the first time in his office he knew they were meant for each other. It was o
dd to hear such words coming from Gryph. The man never spoke about his feelings, so for him to even admit that much struck a chord with Clint.

So after the kiss he used to distract Alex from her fear left a permanent mark on him, he knew he needed to do something. What? He didn’
t know yet.

“Wait here while I grab our lunch. I’m going to take you to my favorite place on the ranch.”

She nodded and dug the toe of her boot into the loose dirt. She seemed out of sorts to him, but he didn’t know why. It didn’t matter, because soon she would only be thinking about him and how his touch brought her more pleasure than she ever dreamed possible.

Once he got her beneath him she would never want to leave. She’d be his and he could finally have his dream of a family. With mixed breeds, the girls would take after their mother and the boys would take after
their father. They would literally fight like cats and dogs. He couldn’t imagine anything better.

He retrieved the basket full of food with a special treat for dessert. At the end, he would taste her on his lips. He quickened his pace
, grabbing her hand as he passed to hurry his sullen Little Cat.

“You sure are in a hurry. You must be starving.”

“You could say that.”

With his added height, one of his steps equaled about two of hers, so she ran to keep up.  Though she tried it seem
ed as if they were moving at a snail’s pace.

“Fuck it.”

He stopped, slid the basket up his forearm, placed his hands around her tiny waist, and lifted a squealing Alex over his shoulder. He held her in place with one hands while his sure footing allowed for faster travel. The basket slid back down to his hand.

“What do you think you’re doing?
Put me down.”

Little fists pummeled his back.

“You were moving too slow.”

“I was doing the best I could. It’s
not easy to keep up to you. What’s gotten into you?”