Once Upon a Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday

Author:Linda Broday
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2020-09-03T00:00:00+00:00

Nineteen

Outside in the predawn air, Ridge removed the pins from Addie’s hair and watched the strands tumble down around her shoulders and back in a golden mass of silk. He plunged his hands into the wealth and kissed her with every ounce of emotion he possessed. Addie returned his attention with equal fervor.

Their passion sated for the moment, he helped her into the saddle, and they set the horses to a slow pace through the darkness. Dawn would arrive within the hour, bringing light and a new day.

“You never said where we’re going,” Addie reminded him.

“A place I know.”

“Have I been there?”

“Not yet. You are a very curious woman, you know that?”

She laughed, the sound filling Ridge’s heart. “You’re not going to start the day complaining are you, husband of mine?”

“There’s nothing about you that I would change.” Ridge maneuvered his horse close so that their legs rubbed.

They left their property and rode toward a row of craggy mountains covered with mesquite, scrub oak, and a few junipers. Once they reached the foothills, Ridge wove through a faint trail into the interior until they came upon the oasis he’d found a year ago. They reined up in a little grassy area, dismounting just as the sun rose. The golden rays glimmered off the streaks of light and dark rock in the cliff walls.

Addie let out a soft gasp at sight of a small pool of glistening water at the base of some large boulders. “This is beautiful. Do a lot of people know about this spot?”

“I don’t think so. Jack and Clay do. Not sure how many others.” Ridge took two towels from his saddlebags and grinned. “Care to get in?”

“Does a dog have a crooked hind leg?” Addie already worked at the buttons of her blouse, popping them free.

Ridge chuckled, unbuckling his gun belt and removing his boots. She beat him into the water, dropping her shirt a second before diving in. If her cute butt hadn’t distracted him, he’d have won the race.

“It’s warm, Ridge.” She splashed like a pup getting its first bath. “I expected cold water.”

He dove in and swam up beside her. She wound her arms around his waist and pressed against his body, kissing him. The shy little bride who’d slept underneath the stairs had vanished. She was no longer afraid to take what she wanted.

He let his hands roam over her, touching, caressing, his lips nibbling the sensitive flesh behind her ear, down her neck, and across one shoulder. He stilled and flinched when he encountered thin scars in a crisscross pattern over her back.

A jolt, then understanding settled inside him. His thoughts returned to the previous night and how she’d never exposed her back to him, kept him from touching the raised flesh. Now he knew why. This had to be Ezekiel’s work. Silent curses damned the man to a fiery hell.

“I want you, Ridge.” Her husky voice held hunger, and her green eyes darkened. The thick, breathy words sent all thoughts of Ezekiel from his mind.

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