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  “Uh—” She froze in her spot. “Easy there.”

  “She’s looking for treats.”

  “Ugh!” Angel turned and jumped back, getting her feet tangled. She hit the side of the stable before going down hard.

  “You okay?” Alex stood in front of her with a hand out to help her up.

  Shit! This really wasn’t how she’d wanted to see the man again. Accepting his help, she allowed Alex to pull her back onto her feet. She expected him to release her immediately, but instead, he actually hauled her closer.

  Stiffening against him, she prepared for rejection.

  “I’m sorry,” he told her quietly.

  Sure that she hadn’t heard him correctly, she just blinked up at him.

  “I don’t know what I started to freak out about. I think everything just caught up to me and I panicked.”

  “I understand,” she replied, unsure what else to say.

  “I hurt you,” he said as he placed two fingers under her chin to make her look up at him.

  She started to shake her head.

  “I hurt you and I am sorry,” he repeated.

  Finally Angel lifted her gaze to meet Alex’s. Right away she could see the sincerity in the chocolate-colored depths.

  “I know I don’t deserve it but I would like to learn more about you.”

  Shrugging, Angel wasn’t going to deny her mate anything. If the shoe were on the other foot then she would want to know about his kind. “I’ll answer any questions you have.”

  “No.” He drew her closer, and Angel was powerless to resist.

  Settling her hands against his chest, she could feel the muscles in his pecs moving.

  “I want to get to know you. Not just what you are but who you are.”

  Overcome with emotion and relief, Angel wrapped her arms around Alex’s back, burying her face in his chest. Feeling Alex’s hands on the back of her head relaxed her even more. When she was sure that she once again had control, she pulled away and peered up at him.

  He smiled. “First let me introduce you to Rebel Princess.”

  Confused, she looked around until she heard the horse behind her snort. “Rebel Princess?”

  “Cassie named her but it fits. I call her Reba,” he explained with a wide grin.

  “She is so beautiful,” she told Alex. He came back around, standing close.

  “I’ve always thought so. I was driving Cassie out to college and on the west side of the highway there was this horse ranch. This one ran up and down the fence line over and over. I couldn’t get the picture of her out of my head. She was just a little one back then. After the weekend I drove back by myself and pulled over to the side when I saw her playing again.”

  “Wow!”

  “I knew I had to have her. I spun around and drove straight to the office. Two weeks later she was mine.”

  Once again she raised a hand toward Reba. The horse pawed the ground but came closer. This time the animal didn’t hesitate to sniff her.

  “I think she likes you,” Alex commented with a chuckle.

  “The feeling is mutual,” Angel whispered back in awe.

  “Have you ever ridden?”

  “No, no, this is the closest that I’ve ever come to one.”

  “We have a tradition of taking the horses on a sunset ride down the canyon. I’d love for you to join us sometime.”

  “Really?” she asked, glancing over her shoulder.

  “Yes, like I said, I want to get to know you.”

  “I want that too,” she agreed.

  Reba backed away, so Angel spun back to Alex. “What now?”

  “I want to show you something,” he told her as he held out his hand.

  Linking her fingers with his, Angel followed behind her mate. She was counting her blessings that somehow he had overcome his fear and was at least open to the possibilities of learning more about her.

  He led her farther back into the barn where she caught the faint sound of something rustling around. Alex winked over his shoulder before pausing in front of one of the half doors.

  “Oh my,” Angel exclaimed softly. Right in front of her eyes, a tiny colt was leaning against a much larger mare.

  “He’s only three weeks old,” Alex told her.

  “He’s so little.”

  “The best part of having the ranch with the horses is watching the young ones grow up,” he confided.

  That sounded good to Angel. Alex had such a great life that she wasn’t certain she would be able to fit in. Had fate made a mistake matching the two of them together? She didn’t want to believe that Alex wouldn’t be able to accept her.

  But he was willing to try, so she would give him the benefit of doubt. She at least had to show him that even though she was infected as a Day Walker, she would never harm him.

  “Will you come with me to see something else?” he asked softly.

  Turning back to him, she smiled. “Yes.”

  Chapter Three

  Alex was embarrassed and ashamed about his reaction earlier. Luckily his Alpha was very direct and wouldn’t let Alex continue to act like an ass.

  Shawn had demanded to know what his problem was, and when Alex hadn’t been able to explain his behavior, he’d known how much he’d fucked up. Cassie had agreed to take over getting the rooms ready so Alex could find Angel.

  His mate. That’s what she had said. He wanted to talk to her about that claim but first he had some damage control to do. He’d wanted Angel for days and he had to fight his body demands to go slow with her.

  Getting her to accept his offer to show her his favorite spot had been easier than he’d expected, but he wasn’t going to complain. The ranch was big enough that they didn’t have to worry about running into anyone else.

  He was thankful since he really wanted to try to make up for his earlier behavior. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Angel trying to take in all the sights. She’d get a better view on the back of a horse so he’d make sure they enjoyed that adventure together soon.

  “This place is so big,” she said.

  “I love it here,” he confided. “There is always something that needs to be done so I’m never bored, but I have enough staff that I can enjoy just being part of the ranch.”

  “The canyon must be beautiful at night too.”

  “Yes, watching the sun rise or fall can make any bad day just melt away. It’s Mother Nature at her best.”

  Angel hummed a little, and a sharp catch in his chest surprised him. It was important that she loved the place as much as he did. That was one of the reasons he wanted to take her to the small lookout spot.

  “Where are we going?” she asked after they’d been walking for a good five minutes.

  “Just wait,” he said. “I promise it’s worth it.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I’m with you so I’m sure it is.”

  He paused to turn and look at her. Her face flushed as she peered at the ground.

  “Hey,” he said, cupping her face.

  “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”

  “I’m glad you did.” He bent and placed a gentle kiss against her lips.

  She reached for him, but he shook his head while backing away.

  “If I kiss you like I really want to we’ll never get to where we’re going. But I promise to kiss you again once we get there.”

  “You’d better,” she playfully threatened.

  Walking hand in hand with Angel again, he picked up the pace a little more. Now he had an even better incentive to get Angel alone. Seeing the trees that marked the entrance, Alex pulled Angel off the path.

  “Uh.” She licked her lips. “Are you sure you won’t tell me where we’re going?”

  Chuckling, he only shook his head. He had to duck a little to pass through the small opening in the trees but Angel fit perfectly being shorter. Their view was blocked by leaves and branches hanging low. With a smile on his face, he led Angel around to stand in front of him. He could bar
ely contain his excitement as he swept the branches aside to reveal the most gorgeous sight of the canyon.

  “Oh wow!” Angel whispered.

  He knew how she felt. The first time he’d seen the wide expanse of the canyon opening he’d been speechless. Even as a kid he’d recognized that it was such an amazing experience to be so blessed with a landscape of colors and texture. The canyon spread out in an array of shades that glowed in the sun. Crystal-blue waters. Green foliage scattered around brown stumps. The rocks and caves had colored over time, turning the ground around them white in some areas.

  The light breeze brought with it the scent of water, brush and animals. Above them the sounds of birds echoed faintly.

  They stood there in silence for several moments without speaking or moving. Finally he tore his eyes away from the canyon to peer down at Angel. She stood in front of him with her hand up to her chest. If he’d ever seen anyone so stunning, he couldn’t remember. Her stature and features were small and delicate but he knew the truth. She was a tough and strong woman who spent her life protecting others. There was a sort of innocence about her that had drawn him in from the very beginning. He couldn’t stop himself from laying his hand on her hip to pull her back against him.

  Glancing over her shoulder as her back hit his chest, she smiled shyly before she licked her lips. Following the movement of her tongue, he hardened so fast that he had to take a deep breath.

  She’d probably feel his erection against her leg but he didn’t have a problem with her knowing how much he wanted her.

  She leaned back into him slightly. Oh, he liked that.

  Bending his head, he licked at her bottom lip. She gasped in response before turning into his embrace. His fingers itched to touch her hair so he didn’t deny himself the opportunity. Wrapping his fingers in the silky strands, he pulled her head back as he dove down to steal another kiss. This time he left his lips pressed to hers and nipped silently asking her to open for him, and she did.

  She tasted like his favorite dark brew of coffee. Groaning, he deepened their lip lock until she was grabbing at his shoulders, trying to get him even closer. He wasn’t sure he could, though, without actually being inside her. That thought was almost enough to push him over the edge. He yanked his head back with a curse. She was panting right along with him.

  “I want you so bad,” he confessed.

  “Yes,” she agreed while running her palm down his side to the front of his jeans. He pushed his hips hard into her hand when she cupped his package.

  “We can’t…do this here,” he said, trying to be convincing even though he knew it was much too late.

  The first time he made love to Angel, he wanted it to be in his big soft bed, however, that didn’t mean that he couldn’t give them a taste of what was in store. He dropped to his knees, bringing her with him.

  Laying her back, he made sure she was comfortable before he caught her hand and brought it to his mouth. He gently ran his tongue over her wrist and up to the center of her palm. She shivered.

  “Tell me you want his,” he ordered.

  “I do,” she answered. “I want to feel you.”

  That’s what he needed. Covering her body with his, Alex was lightheaded as their lips met. He lost himself in the rhythm of their tongues rubbing against each other. He ran his hand across her ass to hold her body closer to his. His cock was so hard that Alex didn’t know how long he would be able to hold himself back. Angel wasn’t helping him with his control as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

  The movement caused his erection to fit snug against her pussy. He snapped his hips while he continued to devour her mouth. He didn’t think he would ever tire of her intoxicating flavor. Dragging his cock against her, he had to pull back for a minute. The tingling at the base of his spine was a warning that he was just too close. Angel was still rocking against him. Pushing back so he was on his knees, he lifted her T-shirt up. Luckily the soft grass under her back was enough cushion that he didn’t feel bad about laying her out flat. The black silk material that covered her firm breasts was easily unsnapped, so he had access to her beautiful flesh. Lowering his head, he took one hard nipple into his mouth and sucked.

  She cried out, grasping at the back of his head. He trailed wet kisses between her mounds as he went to tease her other nipple. Each time he pressed into her skin her hips rose. There was no doubt that she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.

  Dragging his fingers lower until he reached the waistband of her pants, he watched her face. She was flushed, so damn pretty, caught up in pleasure. While undoing her pants, he lifted his chin to lay his mouth back on hers. He slipped his hand into her panties and she strained to spread her legs farther apart but was hampered by the material still around her legs.

  Grinning against her lips, he rubbed one long digit between her wet folds. Angel’s moan was long and low as he speared her with his finger. After a few moments, he added a second.

  “Alex! Alex!” Angel called.

  Someone could come up on them at any minute. He knew they needed to hurry. He couldn’t help himself from pleasuring her though. The thrill of being caught added to the desire that coursed through him.

  With his free hand, he quickly yanked on the buttons of his jeans to get them loose enough to tug down the material so he could palm his cock.

  “We’re going to come together,” he ordered her.

  She reached for him. “Let me feel you,” she pleaded.

  He moved to kneel at her side so she had enough room to grasp his cock. Still fingering her, he had to concentrate on his task as she started to jerk his cock with a firm grip.

  Rocking his hips into her hold, Alex couldn’t stand it anymore. He speared three fingers deep inside her pussy, and she screamed as she climaxed. Grabbing a hold of her hand, he continued to stroke himself until his seed pumped out.

  “Damn,” he murmured, collapsing beside her on the ground.

  Angel huffed before she started to laugh. “That was awesome.”

  “Yeah,” he agreed. Okay, so he hadn’t meant to get so carried away. The connection between the two of them was just so hot and he couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her. He turned over to convince her to return to the house for a shower when he heard soft footsteps coming up to their hideaway spot.

  “Someone’s coming,” he told her, rolling onto his knees. He yanked his pants back over his hips and started to straighten his clothing while Angel groaned. Chuckling, he reached down to kiss her quickly. “You’d better get dressed before someone else sees this amazing body. I don’t share.”

  Her eyes widened before she quickly started to scramble around to right herself. They’d just gotten up on their feet and were still leaning on each other when a voice called out to them, “Are you done fucking? It’s too hot out here to be hiking in the middle of fucking nowhere.”

  “Ah shit,” Angel cursed.

  Alex stiffened, pulling Angel behind him. Two men stepped into view and Alex bared his teeth, letting a growl roll though him.

  “Hey at least we waited until you were done!” the taller one said with a smirk. Alex already didn’t like the asshole. He had no business interrupting them. The man by his side was short and stocky.

  “Who the hell are you and why are you on my property?” Alex demanded.

  “Easy there, wolfie,” the same man replied. “We were invited.”

  “Wolfie?” Alex fumed.

  “Shut the fuck up, Kieran!” Angel yelled. “Alex, wait.”

  “You know these guys?” Alex demanded. The only reason that he held back was because Angel had grabbed a hold of his arm and he didn’t want to hurt her by ripping himself free.

  “I’m sorry.” The shorter one lifted his hand in a placating manner before holding his neck slightly to the side in a sign of submission. “We don’t let K out much. He doesn’t have any manners.

  Kieran huffed before throwing Stocky a dirty look.

  Breathing deep, Alex took in
the strange wolf shifter’s scent. Asshole had no smell so he could guess that he was a vampire or Day Walker like Angel.

  He nodded back to the shifter before glaring at the man who’d insulted him.

  “Alex, these two guys are my partners at the agency. The blond is Remy and the rude one is Kieran.”

  “Hey!” Kieran protested.

  “She’s right. And Caspar just told you to behave,” Remy stated as he walked past Kieran to shake Alex’s hand.

  Alex shook before turning back to Angel. “Caspar?”

  “My boss,” she explained.

  “He’s talking to your Alpha,” Remy told him. “You’re Alpha sent us to find you. He wants you back at the house. “

  “And boy did we find you,” Kieran sneered. “Any sooner and we’d really have gotten a show.”

  “Shut up, K!” Angel shouted at the same time Alex growled again.

  “Damn, man, you don’t know when to stop,” Remy said, turning toward Kieran. “Now, we’ve delivered our message so we can go.”

  “I don’t know,” Kieran hedged. “I like it out here. All kinds of interesting sounds.”

  Alex knew that Kieran was talking about hearing him and Angel. Partner or not, Alex was going to teach the asshole some manners. He started forward and Kieran grinned at him.

  “We don’t have time for this,” Remy blocked Kieran from Alex. “Caspar is getting the information on what your Alpha wants us to do. We should go see how we can help.”

  Kieran snorted. “Like I’m going to follow some beast’s order.”

  Alex saw red he was so pissed. “You don’t disrespect my Alpha!” he roared.

  Chapter Four

  Out of everyone her boss could bring with him, Angel had been hoping Kieran wouldn’t be chosen. Instead of her wish, she now stood between Alex and Kieran, trying to keep the Guardian and wolf shifter from tearing out each other’s throats.

  “Kieran,” she warned.

  “What?” he snapped back. “You’re telling me you’re okay with giving the wolves the lead on this?”