Read Online Montana Mavericks Weddings by Diana Palmer - Free Book Online Page B

him say that at first. Her eyes were riveted to his lean, handsome face.
    â€œDidn’t you understand what I was telling you, when we went to look at the wedding gown?” he asked gently. “I was telling you that I’m not capable with other women. I haven’t been since that night with you.”
    â€œWas it…something I did?” she asked.
    He shook his head. His arm reached around her waist and brought her to him. “It was this.” And he kissed her.

Chapter Five
    I t wasn’t a demanding kiss. It wasn’t invasive. It was tender and full of respect and breathless longing. Abby slid her arms around Chayce’s neck and her body went soft against the hard length of his.
    His lean hands met and passed around her back. His mouth grew slowly more insistent, pushing her head against his broad shoulder while he kissed her as if he needed her mouth to survive.
    When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were turbulent, and one hand was hesitating at the fastening between her shoulder blades.
    His jaw tautened and his eyes narrowed. He took a sharp breath and his hand moved back down to her waist. “No,” he said shortly, jerking back from her. “Oh, no, not this time!”
    She felt shaky all the way to her toes. Her helpless eyes sought reassurance, hope, in his face.
    He was still trying to get his breath. He backed away a step and then another. His hands went into his pockets and he swallowed, hard.
    â€œI came to take you riding,” he said heavily. “And that’s what we’re going to do.” He reached for her shirt, which was still lying on the bed. He held it while she slid into it, and then he fastened the buttons right up to her collarbone.
    She wasn’t thinking at all. Her eyes couldn’t leave his face, no matter how hard she tried to make them. He was her whole world.
    He hesitated at the last button and saw that look. It seemed to take the breath out of him, because he stopped breathing for a moment.
    â€œFires burn themselves out eventually,” he said roughly. “But not before they consume everything in their path. We have to build a firebreak, while there’s still time.”
    â€œYou mean, you don’t want me,” she said.
    He shook his head. “That’s not what I mean at all.” He finished buttoning the last button and his hands went to her shoulders. “We’re going to live one day at a time. Starting right now. We’re taking a tour of the ranch. I’ve been away a long time. I want to see what’s happened while I’ve been gone. I want to get reacquainted with my men. You can come along.”
    It was something. He seemed willing to let herinto his life, even on a limited basis. She wasn’t strong enough to refuse. “Okay,” she replied.
    He touched her flushed cheek with the back of his lean fingers. He smiled in a way he’d never smiled at her before.
    â€œWhat about…Delina?” she asked worriedly.
    His fingers brushed across her lips. “What about that job in Helena?”
    She shrugged.
    A corner of his mouth pulled up.
    â€œI hope you haven’t forgotten how to ride,” he remarked and, taking her hand, he led her down the staircase. The feel of his strong fingers linking with hers sent a thrill all the way through her. She couldn’t remember ever being so happy.
    Â 
    It had been years since they’d been riding together. Chayce sat a horse as if he’d been born to it, which he had. His own father had tried his hand at rodeos, although he’d never been very successful. It was Abby’s father who’d won event after event and had become Chayce’s hero. Whit Turner had tried to turn Abby into a champion rider, but she didn’t have the seat for it. She could ride, but there was nothing special about her abilities. She could stay on the horse’s back and not much more, although she did enjoy it.
    Chayce