"Then what are you going to do with me."
He let out a sigh, and his voice lowered to barely more than a whisper. "I honestly don't know."
"But—"
"Later. Now get on the horse."
She opened her mouth to protest, but closed it again when she noticed the tension in the muscle in his jaw.
She mounted, and a moment late
r, Cade slid onto the saddle behind her. She heard his breath catch as his body ground against hers for a moment before he settled into the saddle. The muscled wall of his chest pressed against her back, his heat warming her. A strange fluttering began in her fingers, flowed through her veins and settled deep in her stomach. The sensation was so intense she almost whimpered. Instead, she clamped her lips shut and wrapped her fingers tightly around the saddle horn as they rode off.
They rode in silence. With only a slight flick of the reins, the horse carried them through trees, up and down hills, between canyon walls. Higher and higher into the hills they rode. The wind picked up and whipped her hair around her head into her eyes. The air cooled, and the sun began to sink beneath the horizon.
Isabella shivered.
"Cold?"
She nodded.
"We'll be there soon," he said from behind her, guiding the horse through a canyon lined with tall pines.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere we'll both be safe."
She was confused. She understood he was running from the law, but what could he possibly be keeping her safe from? As far as she knew, Edward wasn't a dangerous man. Or were the rumors true? Did Cade know something about her future husband she didn't?
They rode on, the night growing darker and colder with every passing minute. The scent of pine and the musty smell of damp earth filled her nostrils. She wrapped her arms around her waist to try to conserve as much heat as possible, but she couldn't prevent her teeth chattering from the cold.
Cade pressed his body into her back and rested his arms on hers. Even though it was highly improper, she found herself relaxing a little, her back snuggling as close as possible into his warmth. Something firm pressed into her lower back, and for a moment, she wondered if what she'd heard about men and their bodies was true.
She closed her eyes against the strange heat that suddenly surged through her veins.
"We're almost there." His warm breath whispered against her ear, his soft voice interrupting her wayward thoughts. "The cabin is just over that ridge."
She looked in the direction he indicated but saw nothing.
Several minutes later, they emerged from the trees into a clearing. The moon peeked out from behind a cloud and for the first time, Isabella saw the cabin.
Cade slowed the horse to a walk and reined to a stop. He dismounted, then reached up, his hands spanning her waist to lift her down. She was so tired and weak her knees buckled, and if he hadn't wrapped his arms around her, she would have fallen. Instead, he drew her against his chest. His heart beat strong against hers, and for a moment, she was awash in a sensation she'd never experienced before. Part excitement, part fear. And part something else she didn't recognize, but that took her breath away.
"Go inside. I'll be there in a minute."
He let her go and led the horse into the darkness behind the cabin.
This was her chance. She could run. But where would she go? Only a few stars dotted the sky, the moon now hidden behind a cloud. With no idea where she was and no light to guide her way, she'd likely die trying to reach civilization.
A mournful howl filled the silence, reminding her that even if she did try to escape, there was wildlife out there. And she had no way to defend herself.
So far, her captor had kept his word. He hadn't hurt her. In fact, he'd gone out of his way to make her as comfortable as possible during their long ride.
Isabella wrapped her arms around herself and rubbed her arms to warm them.
"Why didn't you go inside?" Cade asked as he emerged from the darkness, his arms filled with firewood. "Thinking about trying to escape?"
Was it that obvious? Or was it only a logical conclusion?