One to Leave (One to Hold 5)

The younger Knight pushed himself up onto the pier, water droplets tracing down the lines on his back and arms. Standing together, I couldn’t help notice their similarities—and differences. They were both slim with drool-worthy bodies. Stuart was a bit taller, a little darker, and a lot less playful. In fact, I was a little scared he might hit his brother. Why was he so angry?

Elaine swam up next to me, her growing annoyance clear. I felt guilty, like we’d been busted playing hooky from school, which was silly. We were supposed to be having fun... Right?

“Where is Mariska’s horse?”

Stuart’s voice was barely controlled. His brother’s by contrast was still playful, as if the older Knight’s agitation was an everyday occurrence.

“Well, what the hell.” Patrick rubbed his chin. “That little sneak. But you know Cheyenne. She always gets jumpy in a Chinook.”

“How were you planning to get back?”

“The girls can share a horse. Or better still...” He glanced at us in the water and winked. “Elaine could ride on my lap.”

“My favorite!” She called from where we were attempting to pull ourselves out of the lake.

Stuart turned to me, and heat replaced the cold I’d been feeling. He reached down, and I didn’t have time to think. I took his hand, and in one quick sweep, I was up on the pier. The ease with which he lifted me was impressive, but now I stood in front of him, my wet tunic dripping.

“She could’ve run into a fence and been killed. As usual, you’re not thinking, putting the women in danger...”

Patrick reached down to pull Elaine up. The nonstop wind had already started to dry my hair and my shirt, but it was still relatively see-through, and even the beige bra I wore had turned almost clear. Stuart’s eyes drifted to my breasts and bare legs, and I wasn’t shivering anymore—at least not from cold.

“You’re riding back with me.” It wasn’t a request, but I didn’t mind. The way he looked at me had heat sizzling between my thighs.

Elaine, however, marched up to him and shoved his arm. “Hey, Captain Asshat!” Patrick reached for her, but she jerked away. “I guess you equate women with little children?”

“Easy, bossypants,” Patrick laughed as he caught her around the waist.

Stuart’s jaw tightened. “I expect my brother to use his brains.”

She poked his chest with her finger. “If Patrick used his brains, he wouldn’t have come all the way out here to check on a jerk who isn’t even grateful.”

“That’s enough, now.” Patrick ducked and swept Elaine over his shoulder. She squealed, but he kept walking toward the horses. “Did you insult me just then?”

“You’d better cut the shit, or I’ll kick your ass myself!” She shouted, pointing to us as Patrick carried her away.

Stuart glared in their direction, but as soon as they were gone his expression dissolved into a smile. “Looks like my little brother made a good decision for once.”

I didn’t want to be jealous of my new bestie, but his obvious approval irritated me just a bit. All that disappeared when his hazel eyes met mine. They were hot and interested, and they made me tingly and light.

“Are you cold?” He asked, leading us back to the horse. “That lake is like ice.”

“I’m okay,” I managed to breathe.

He scooped up my jeans and hat while I held my boots. “I have a blanket you can sit on so you don’t have to get your jeans wet.”

He spread an Indian-print blanket over the front of his saddle. I stepped into my boots, and he helped me up. The wool scratched my thighs, but I didn’t have time to complain. He grasped the reins in front of me and the saddle behind. His eyes raked over my thigh, and all at once, his firm chest was pressed behind me in the seat. Absolutely nothing was wrong at that point. One hand moved to my stomach, and butterflies surged through the arches of my feet. I had to work hard not to make a sound. The reins were in his other hand, and he turned us back in the direction of the ranch.

Starting out, the nonstop bounce of the trot and my lack of access to the stirrups made me feel like I was falling, but soon we eased into a loping gallop.

“We’ll take it slower.” His voice was beside my ear, and the horse moved in smooth ripples. “If you’re uncomfortable, let me know.”

“This is perfect.”

Patrick and Elaine had already taken off at full speed toward the house. Patrick’s cowboy hat was on, and Elaine’s blonde hair flew behind her. They were both shouting and having fun, but I was focused on the hard body at my back and the firm grip he had on my midsection.

All my anxiety was gone, replaced with pure bliss. Nothing could be wrong with Stuart’s arms around me, holding me close and safe against his body. From the front of

the saddle, I had a panoramic view of the mountains surrounding us, the vast sweep of prairie grasses, and gradually coming into view, the sprawling ranch house. The wind continued to blow warm, and above us, the arch of yellow clouds was gradually turning deeper orange with the sunset.