Read Online Worth The Price (Hart's Fall, Montana) by Delilah Hunt - Free Book Online Page B

Anything I do for you, I do it because I want to. Not because I have to or feel obligated. Understood?”
    Danika nodded, suddenly feeling shy. “I got it.” She glanced about and saw that they were alone on the steep hillside. “Are we going back to the house?”
    “We are.”
    She was in no hurry to join the others. Judging by the look on Brandon’s face neither was he. A stilted silence penetrated the ease of chatter. She drew in a heavy breath. The sweet Rocky Mountain air felt so thick, as if it too was saturated with anticipation. Steadying herself, Danika raised her lashes to meet her husband full on. His pale blue gaze collided with hers and darkened like a thunderstorm sweeping in across the big Montana sky on a clear summer day.
    “Can I kiss you again?”
    The uncertainty laced around his beautiful request made her teeter on the edge of completely falling for him. Danika stood on her tiptoes to meet his impressive height. She flattened her palm against his massive chest and swept her lips above his warm mouth. Like before, she felt his body slowly relax, melt into her touch. The kiss deepened, with Brandon’s arms tightening about her waist, lifting her slightly off the ground. His mouth hardened, grinding into her lips, as if he wanted to imbibe the very taste of her.
    An ardent moan sprung from the back of her throat. His lips traced along the column of her neck, travelling lower to the swell of her breasts peeking above the plunging neckline.
    “Danika,” he whispered, in a strangled tone.
    Her eyes fluttered open and shut in response to his need. Her own. “It’s all right,” she murmured into his ear. At the junction of her thighs, Danika felt his erection, hard and persistent, jutting into her through the clothes that separated their heated skin.
    On a ragged breath, he eased away from her and tipped her chin to meet his eyes. “I know I’m a mess to look at it, but I’m not letting you go. I don’t care if your father and everyone in this town despise the sight of me. I’m not going anywhere. I’m not giving up my ranch and I won’t ever give you up.”
    Danika found the strength to nod, despite the stabbing pain in her heart. Each time Brandon referred to himself as a mess, it became more difficult than the last time to hear. She leaned into him. Danika nuzzled the side of her face to his. Her lips caressed a line along the length of the ridge-like scar. “I’m glad you feel that way. Because I wasn’t planning on going anywhere without you.”
    He fell silent, save for the harsh intake of breath that proved her words had an effect on him. “Ready to head back?” he asked after awhile. “I’ve got Acer saddled up and ready.” He pointed to a thicket, not too far from where they stood.
    “You rode him out here?”
    He nodded. “The house isn’t far from here. It’s easier to jump on a horse when you live on a ranch. I ride him just about everywhere out here. Didn’t see a reason not to today.”
    Danika looked around. Brandon did have a point. The Bar S was much larger than she had previously thought. No wonder her father wanted it so badly. “You might have to put a tracking device on me in case I get lost one of these days.”
    His lips thinned into a fleeting smile. “Know why I rode Acer, out here today?”
    “Tell me.”
    Brandon closed his hand around hers and guided her toward the bay stallion secured underneath the shade of a cottonwood tree. He swung his long powerful legs over the horse then lowered his hand to hers. “I wanted to show you the ranch, your home, the best way I know how.”
    Danika clasped her hand in his, allowing him to assist her into the saddle. “I can’t think of a better way either.” She wriggled her hips to gain comfort.
    He turned, pinning her with a captivating stare. Danika shifted in the saddle again, although this time it wasn’t her rear that was the source of her discomfort. Self conscious beneath his scrutiny, she swept her