the way her lips fit to his. Now with her body pressed against his, he was losing focus fast.
He gave his head a firm shake. They were just going to be friends. He’d already decided it and the decision was final. She wanted nothing to do with him anyway, and this was for the best.
But a small part of him, the devilish part, craved more. Demanded it. Something that felt so right couldn’t possibly be wrong. The steady beats pounding the ground beneath them lulled his racing heart into a comfortable hum. He leaned forward and pressed his nose into her hair. Her scent was intoxicating.
Kate’s nails dug into his arm and he reared his head back. How could he dismiss his resolve so easily? What was it about Kate that had him spellbound?
Gritting his teeth, he straightened his back. He didn’t care how difficult it was, he’d be a perfect gentleman from this point forward. He may not have been a good guy in the past and he’d hurt people because he’d been selfish. Certain he’d never be as good as his dad, he’d made mistakes he regretted.
Kate wasn’t some girl to toy with. She was a woman who deserved better—better than he could give.
Chapter Fourteen
Every instinct Kate had was telling her to relax and melt into AJ’s firm body. Every nerve in her body ached and just the thought of being held tightly by a strong hero had her stomach in knots and her brain forgetting about the pain.
AJ had come for her. Not Ethan or some random ranch hand, but AJ. Pulse racing, she squeezed her eyes shut and focused on the rhythm of the horse beneath her. Thump thump. Thump thump. A damsel in distress with flowing hair and a strong knight riding off into the sunset—
She tightened her grip on his arms and AJ stiffened behind her. Oops. Carefully, she retracted her claws and focused on the trail. They were leaving the worst of the storm behind them, but it was coming, and fast. They’d have to secure all the animals before dinner.
Breathing deeply, she let out the air slowly. She should have never gone for a ride. If she hadn’t then they’d all be around the dinner table talking about their plans for tomorrow. But now AJ sat behind her, his arm around her waist, and her thoughts had taken a trip to the dark side.
What was she thinking? Nothing good, that’s what. The large house loomed in front of them and she breathed a sigh of relief, or was it disappointment? Flash slowed as they neared the barn and Hazel followed Ethan from the main house out to meet them.
“Kate! Are you okay? When I saw Ella come back alone, I was so worried.” Hazel looked up at her, a hand resting on Kate’s knee.
AJ removed his arm from around her waist and dismounted. Ethan offered to help her down and she placed her hands on his shoulders.
“Careful, her ankle is hurt.” AJ’s muttered warning was all she heard before he slipped away with the horse.
“Oh, let’s get you inside and put that foot up. I’ll get you an ice pack too.”
“Thanks, Hazel.” Kate glanced over her shoulder toward AJ’s retreating form. It was like a part of her had left with him.
Ethan and Hazel put their arms around her back and helped her hobble up the steps to the main house.
Once they were inside and Hazel had settled her on the couch with her leg propped on a stack of pillows, she was hit with the questions.
“What happened, dear? Is there something we should be worried about with Ella? Do you think you need to go to the hospital?”
Kate smiled and patted the woman’s hand. “I’m fine, really. My ankle hurts, but it’s definitely not broken. I think I’ll be okay as long as I rest a little bit. Ella is still an amazing horse. Any animal would have been spooked with the sudden storm. I’m surprised she didn’t throw me.”
Ethan’s brows rose. He sat in a chair near the fireplace. “You didn’t get bucked, then?”
She shook her head. “No. I just didn’t get down before another flash startled her. She really is a great animal. Don’t hold this against her.”
Hazel bustled around her for the next few minutes, ensuring that Kate had everything she needed. “Dinner’s still warm, we waited for you to get back. We could eat in here if you’d like.” Without waiting for a response, Hazel stood and