Page 28 of Reins

Why do I feel so comfortable with my arm draping her legs? Am I that desperate for any human contact that I’m enjoying this more than I should?

It was a challenge not to let the press of her body against mine affect me while I was carrying her on my mare. The friction was impossible to ignore.

I can’t remember the last time I held anyone close. Years, I guess?

Her sister.

My gut tightens with the realization.

I owe it to Ava to help Rosalyn.

It’s the least I can do.

But this contact? Her skin touching mine?

This can’t happen again.

Chapter 17 - Rosalyn

There’s something intimate about having my feet under his shirt and the way his elbow rests on my leg.

I shouldn’t feel comfortable with this man who’s been sneaking around in the woods.

Maybe it’s just because on a most basic level I can understand he’s safer than Eli. He’s already saved me twice.

Eli would never consider it. Hell, I doubt John would either.

My brothers would both rather watch me fail than to lift a finger to help me.

“Where are we going?” I finally whisper after almost an hour of driving.

“My place,” Cade grunts. “We can put up the horses and make a plan.”

Twisting the ruby ring on my finger, I wish my sister was here. I’d ask her if I can really trust Cade.

She did. Look where that got her.

Except I’ll never forget the look in her eyes when she told me how much she loved him. How romantic he was when he proposed on the shore of a lake at sunset.

She made the mistake of telling Eli.

He was so angry, he swore he’d kill Cade before letting her leave.

“Did you know Eli wanted to stop you and Ava from getting married?” I watch Cade’s features darken.

The steering wheel squeaks when his grip tightens.

“Doesn’t surprise me.” His jaw clenches, sending a starburst up to his temple. “Think he woulda been able?”

When I was younger, I thought the world of my brothers. They were loud, brash, and seemed tough enough to win any fight.

Then I got old enough to realize just how toxic their behavior really is.

“Yes,” I hiss, burying my nose between my knees. “I don’t think he’d hesitate if he had the opportunity. That’s why he’s so fucking scary.”

A light goes out of Eli’s eyes when he goes into a rage.

Cade’s thumb moves in a small circle in the hollow of my ankle, opposite of his nostrils flaring as he glares at the road ahead of us.