Read Online Rae, Beverly - Saving Mandy [Night Runner Werewolves 3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Special Edition) by Beverly Rae - Free Book Online Page B

foot, she hopped over to Jimmy’s horse, Ranger. “At least you stayed tied. I’d hate to think what we’d do without at least one horse to get us home.”
    “Let’s hope so.”
    She jolted and whirled to face Jimmy. He stood at the edge of the brush, his clothes torn and blood running down one arm.

Chapter Five

    “Jimmy.” Mandy clung to Ranger, resting her weight against the horse. “You’re hurt.”
    “I am?” He glanced at his arm then shrugged. “It’s only a scratch. But that damn boar knocked the knife out of my hand then tried to take my head off. If I hadn’t—” He shook his head, his gaze traveling the length of her to land on her foot. “Looks like you’re the one who’s hurt. Is it bad?”
    “No.” She moved, tried putting her injured foot down, and winced. “Okay, a little. My ankle isn’t swelling, so nothing’s broken. I must’ve just twisted it.”
    “What happened? I thought I told you to get out of here.” He hadn’t expected her to stay, much less to be in the way during the chase. But part of the blame belonged to him. If he’d only managed to herd the boar in the other direction, she wouldn’t have been in harm’s way.
    “I tried but the pig startled my horse and sent me flying before he tore off. Oh, my God, Jimmy. A wolf was chasing the pig. A really big wolf. Plus, there was something about him, something different.” She blew out a ragged breath. “Thank goodness you didn’t run into that thing.”
    That thing. Would she think the same way if she knew he was the wolf? He slid his arm under hers then around her waist to help boost her onto the horse. “A wolf, huh?”
    She grabbed the saddle horn and pulled into the saddle. “Are there lots of wolves around here?”
    He tucked his head so she wouldn’t see his smile. “More than you’d think.” Taking care not to pull her off, he swung onto the rear of the horse and settled in behind her.
    “What do we do about Rocky? Is he in danger? You know, from the wolves?” She turned to face him with her eyes wide. “Don’t wolves travel in packs?”
    “Most, yeah. But Rocky’s probably already halfway home by now.” He clicked to Ranger and kicked him lightly with his heels. “Which is where we need to be so someone can look at your cankle. Uh, I mean ankle.”
    “Tell me you didn’t just say that.”
    He laughed at her shocked face and motioned for her to face forward. “Just kidding. Now hang on.” He clucked at the horse, breaking into a full gallop. Mandy squealed and clung to the saddle horn, leaving him to take over the reins.
    He leaned against her, using the excuse of handling the horse to get closer. Her long, satin-black hair whipped in his face, the wind blowing her sweet scent to him. He flexed his arms, enjoying the way her body fit against his, her soft curves a counterpart to his hard muscles. He thrust his pelvis forward and wished the end of the saddle didn’t separate them. She bounced in the saddle, showing her inexperience as a rider. Still, peering over her shoulder gave him a great view of her breasts bouncing with the rhythm of the horse’s movements.
    Was anything better than riding a strong horse with a beautiful woman? Maybe one thing. He closed his eyes, imagining Mandy in her wolf form as they ran side by side during a moonlit night. Although he never wanted to see her hurt, he was almost glad she’d gotten thrown so they could ride double.
    Randy sidestepped, jerking them, and Mandy let out a yelp. He tightened his hold on her, his forearm pushing into the soft curves of her breasts. “Riding a horse at a gallop is like riding a roller coaster. Just go with the motion. If you fight it, you’re going to end up landing on your butt.”
    “Oh, no. Not again.”
    “Don’t worry. I won’t let anything hurt you.”
    She glanced over her shoulder and gave him a hopeful expression. “You promise?”
    “On my life.”
    Thirty minutes later, they could see the ranch house. The