about the ugliness any longer. It was crushing down on me with enough pressure I knew I would break.
“Come on, Snickers. Let’s get you back to the barn.”
When the horse whinnied, I was grateful. It seemed to bring me down to reality. Then my thoughts drifted to Danni.
At least she’d told me her name.
As if it mattered.
Shit. Why had a single thought about her brought back my desire to possess her?
Women.
The old adage just might prove to be true. Couldn’t live with them, couldn’t live without them. The ugly truth was I hadn’t been able to get the girl out of my mind.
Her voluptuous body.
Her sultry eyes.
Her pouty lips.
And I’d fucked her like some wild stallion in the middle of an empty barn. That decision certainly hadn’t been my finest hour, but I’d enjoyed the carnal episode. I hadn’t been thinking, at least with the head on my shoulders, but damn it, her taste lingered on my lips, her scent covering every inch of my body.
Goddamn, the first kiss alone had been more electric than a live wire in the middle of one hell of a thunderstorm. But the feel of her body undulating against mine had almost set the world on fire.
I’d asked around at the auction, but not a single cowboy had admitted he knew a damn thing about her, although I’d seen the discord in a few pairs of eyes. Exactly what Tanner had mentioned. She’d struck more than just a nerve with the few ranch hands who’d helped with the auction. I had a feeling that was an innate trait on her part. When I’d found her in the barn, I hadn’t determined whether it was my lucky day or if I should be one pissed-off cowboy.
Then I’d spanked her.
Then I’d fucked her.
Like a barbarian.
I rode Snickers into the barn, easing off and patting him on the flanks. The majority of the crew had either gone home or retreated to the bunkhouse. I didn’t mind being alone, spending time with the horses. “Let’s get that saddle off you.”
Snickers snorted and pawed the ground, his beautiful chocolate brown eyes searching mine.
“What? Do you have something to say?” I laughed as I patted his nose. The beautiful creature had become a friend, allowing me time exploring the base of the mountains.
After removing the saddle and harness, I took the time to brush him down, making certain he had enough hay and water before heading out for the night. What the hell did I have to go home to? An empty house with little more furniture than the day I’d moved in.
Maybe I didn’t want to settle down, to plant roots as my mother would say. Maybe I wasn’t entirely certain I could remain in Missoula, the memories too intense.
Yep, I was still one big mess.
I stole another glance at the moon, drinking in the scent of a roaring fire coming from Hawk’s house. It smelled like snow even though the stars were shining brightly. I hated the night, the darkness always driving me to the ugly memories. I had a feeling tonight wasn’t going to be an exception.
Hissing under my breath, I shifted toward my truck. A sudden cry came out of nowhere, the animal in obvious pain. I opened the door to my truck, retrieving the weapon I carried with me at all times. While the last thing I wanted to do was cause an animal harm in any way, if it was an injured cougar or mountain lion, I had to be prepared for the creature’s attack. There was nothing worse than an injured beast. I snagged a flashlight and eased the door closed. Turning the light on low, I moved toward the sound.
The cry came again as I walked around the side of the barn, the pitiful howling yanking at my gut. I took cautious steps until I narrowed down where it could be coming from. There were several bushes planted along the back edge of the barn and the second I flashed the light into the center, two eyes stared back at me.
“Shit.”
Another howl, even more intense than before sent a pang into my heart. I inched closer, keeping both the flashlight and the gun pointed at the bush. When the animal didn’t lunge or try to run away, I took a chance and hunkered down. Then I heard a tail thumping hard against the ground. What the hell? I moved a portion of the shrub, shining the light. The injured baby crawled forward