“You sure I can’t get you to change your mind? What if it came with an impressive retention bonus and additional benefits?” his commanding officer had asked.
“I appreciate that...”
“Look, Clay, I don’t want to lose you. Your unit is the most effective recon unit we have. You aren’t just the leader of that team, but it’s heart and soul.”
“Thank you, Sir, but my mind is made up. I’m going home to Looking Glass Falls.”
“To raise those spotted horses you love?”
“Yep, and to settle down and raise some kids of my own.”
“Damn! Did you meet someone last time you were home?”
“Kind of. I’ve seen her around. Saw her skinny-dipping in the river by her house. Haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since. She’s the one. I’m going home so I don’t have to kill somebody to get to her.”
Clay had grinned, but both he and his CO knew he was only partly joking. His CO was a wolf-shifter. Wolves had their fated mates and mountain lion-shifters had their bonded spirits. He’d known Serena Clarke was his at first scent.
“Your mother…” she said, unsure of herself and trying to find her footing.
He’d need to go slower. She was a bit like a wild mare: beautiful, intelligent, strong, and courageous, but distrustful.
“Would have liked you.”
Serena blushed. “She died in an accident, right?”
“No. I don’t believe that and neither do my brothers, but at the time, there wasn’t anything we could do about it.”
“Clay, I’m so sorry.” The words were quiet as her fingers brushed the top of his forearm.
He placed his hand over hers. “You remind me of her. Life kicked you in the gut, but you got back up and made a different life. I sort of did the same. I had thought to be a career Marine, but last time I was home, I saw something that made me question that decision.” She smiled. He sensed she remembered his seeing her in the stream. “Do you ride?”
“Not since I was a kid and even then only on guided trail rides and the like.”
“If I promised you a really gentle, easy-going ride, would you come?” He hadn’t realized how much he wanted to share that part of his life with her until now.
“Come? It usually takes a bit more than easy-going to get me off.” It wasn’t until the last word left her lips that she realized what she’d actually said. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just said that. Clearly, I spend way too much time with my erotic author friends.” She’d kill to rewind the last thirty seconds and stop herself from that embarrassing and far-too-forward statement.
He grinned at her then took her hand in both of his. “When we get to that part, I promise to give you whatever you need. I’ll lead and you follow, but in the end, you’ll like not only where we end up but the path we take.”
With her free hand covering her rapidly blooming blush on her cheek, she whispered, “We’re not talking about trail riding any more, are we?”
Chapter 4
Present Day…
Clay looked down at where Serena slept soundly in his bed. Skinny-dipping and cinnamon rolls had started their love story, but it was far from over. From that point on, they’d spent all their free time together. Clay wanted to keep their relationship private because he didn’t want Cyrus trying to use her as leverage. Serena had dismissed his concerns, saying there was nothing Cyrus could do that would have any effect on her or how she felt about him, but Clay was skeptical.
On her days off from the diner, she often rode with him out to check on his horses or worked on the book covers for her clients while he fixed up various parts of the homestead. At first, they’d often slept and ate at the cottage she rented from Trey. After Trey and Cade had come home, Wes had offered her the small studio over the diner where they planned to stay until the cabin became more habitable. Clay enjoyed not only her company but having her present to discuss the changes to what he’d come to think of as their place. Working together, they’d made great progress on the cabin while using the studio over the diner mostly just for sleep... and other bedroom activities.
His brothers teased him endlessly about her, but he knew they liked her and thought she was good for him. And he was becoming more infatuated by the minute. At the remote homestead, Serena often worked in little to no clothes. He loved how comfortable she was in her own body.
It had been a long day. Clay smiled and a deep sense of peace filling him when he saw smoke coming from the chimney of the cabin.
The rain had been relentless. The storm that should have passed through had been trapped by the mountains and seemed to have taken up residence in the valley. He’d gone up to check on the wild Appaloosa herd. Fortunately, they’d found shelter in a stand of trees with the stallion keeping watch.
As they were in no imminent danger, he’d headed for the cabin. After ensuring the horses were comfortable for the night, he’d opened the door to find Serena standing naked just inside with a tray full of freshly baked scones and a hot cup of coffee. Gently, he took the tray from her and set it on the kitchen table. He leaned down to capture her mouth with his while wrapping his arm around her and pulling her close.
“Clay, you’re all wet.” She shook with laughter.
He took a long swig of coffee before abandoning the mug next to the tray and slipping his hand between her legs to stroke her swollen labia. He knew he’d smelled her desire even over the tempting scent of the fresh baked goods.
“So are you,” he murmured, backing her toward the table where they ate their meals. “Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?”
Clay’s hands ran down her spine, stopping momentarily to cup her ass, before sliding over the swells of her buttocks to the backs of her thighs so he could lift her up.
“Don’t you want to get into the shower?” she asked in the breathless tone he’d come to know meant she was more than just a little aroused.
“The only thing I want to get into is you,” he purred, and he set her down on the table and stepped between her legs so she couldn’t close them.
He brought his hand up to hold her breast, squeezing it before tracing the outline of her areolas and rolling her nipples between his thumbs and forefingers.
When he’d closed his mouth over one taut peak, sucking it gently and nipping before sucking again, Serena arched her body and her head fell back before he moved to the other. One of his hands gripped her breast in place for his suckling, while the other ensured the nipple not in his mouth didn’t feel left out. He moved between them, whispering kisses all along her skin.
Serena had hooked her legs behind him to pull him closer. His hard cock was now nestled against her soft and ripe sex, with only the cold, wet denim of his jeans between them. He ground his pelvis against her, loving the way she moaned with abandon. He’d never once found Serena not ready and willing to be mounted and pleasured.
They’d gone a few rounds about her being on top, but in the end, she’d admitted that it didn’t really matter what position Clay wanted to take her in because he always made sure she was well sated before he was finished.
“You drive me crazy.” He groaned.