13. Oz
Oz
The sounds of Erek and Saint arguing outside the tent wake me up. Or maybe it’s the enormous hard-on nestled against my ass that did it. Perhaps it’s the big hand wrapped around my core, warm fingers splayed over my abs.
Oh my gods, Wilder is spooning me in the damn tent! He’s snoring softly at my back, obviously still fast asleep. It’s toasty as a pizza oven inside this sleeping bag.
The moment I move, his fingers tighten, pressing into the grooves of my belly and sliding lower.
What do I do?! He doesn’t even know what’s going on!
Looking around, I realize I can’t say anything or scare him awake because we can’t risk either of us saying something to tip Saint off.
Grabbing Wilder’s fingers, I gently pry them off me despite the heat brewing between my legs at being touched.
When I move his hand, he grumbles in his sleep, a deep and unhappy sound.
The bass in his voice lights me from within, and without thinking, I arch back against him, rubbing my ass against that perfect cock.
He groans again, lower this time, pulling me tight against him as his mouth comes to my neck.
His lips are hungry, and I’m selfish because I give in as his hand slides up my shirt to lightly circle my neck.
Rolling us, he partially straddles me, big leg coming between mine to part them.
His lips roam along my shoulder, biting and sucking as he groans softly.
“Fuck,” I hiss.
The moment I speak, his body jerks against mine, and he flings himself off me. I whip around to face him, but his eyes are wide. He rubs a hand over his mouth.
“Fuck…I’m sorry,” he mouths, lifting both hands in supplication. “Thought I was dreaming.”
I throw a dramatic hand over my still heart. “You were dreaming about lil ole me?” Batting my lashes, I act all hot and bothered. Except I am hot and bothered; it’s just that sarcasm is my weapon of choice.
I…shouldn’t have let him do that, but gods, he felt so good against me. Big and warm and comforting. One of the things I realized about myself when I moved to Pine Gulch was how much salt-of-the-earth-type males appeal to me. In Rainbow, I dated nothing but men like Saint.
“I’m teasing… It’s okay,” I mouth back. “Really.”
His lips purse together. He looks so displeased with himself. Reaching out, I place my hand on his thigh and squeeze it lightly.
“I kinda liked it,” I whisper. “You’re hella warm.”
He offers a half smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Ready for breakfast, baby?” I call out in an overly loud voice.
“Always,” he half shouts, although he’s still got wrinkles between both arched, worried-looking brows.
This is ridiculous, but it’s what we’ve got.
We dress faced away from one another then exit the tent holding hands. His body’s so warm against mine—and I love that—so it's easy to sink against him.
Wilder’s quiet through breakfast even though we sit on a log next to each other. Saint watches us with barely veiled contempt, but he must be too frozen to say anything because he’s silent too.
“Gonna be a beautiful day,” Erek chirps once we clean up the breakfast plates. He looks at me. “Oz, you wanna help me get this gear back onto the mules while those two tear down the tents?”
I bark out a laugh but nod as I look from Wilder to Saint. They’re staring at one another like they’ve got no idea what to do next.
Well, they’re grown-ass men, and they can figure it out, so I follow Erek over to the mules standing under the shelter.
We pack the breakfast gear back into one of the large packs and strap it onto the framework on the mule’s sturdy back. Erek beams at me over the top of the animal.
I reach over with my tail and slap his shoulder. “You did that on purpose, you rascal.”
He waggles his brows at me. “Y’all insisted on comin’ with me on what’s normally a perfectly happy solo trip and my only alone time away from a half dozen calves who demand constant attention. Might as well fuck with ya a little bit.”
I pull the pack’s straps tight and double-check the molly mule’s girth.
It’s got a little give in it, and she twitches her ears when I tighten it.
That done, I stroke her long ears. The fuzz reminds me of Ginger, who I left with Lemon and Furyon since they’ve got Bebop and a couple other hellhounds.
This cold would not be for her, but I miss her.
“You okay?” Erek frowns as he tightens the strap on his side.
“Yeah.” I shrug. “Had you heard one of the pit hells bonded to me?”
“Mighta heard something about it,” he murmurs. “What’s that like?”
I rub at my heart. “I miss her. This is the first night I’ve been apart from her since she chose me, and I guess I didn’t realize how comforting it is to have her.”
He grins. “That’s a once-in-a-lifetime bond, Oz. You’re a lucky male to have that in her and that big troll.”
Smiling, I turn to watch Wilder and Saint wrestling with the tent.
“Just set that corner down!” Wilder barks, wagging a finger at Saint. He runs a hand through his blond locks. “Better yet, why don’t you just get your mount saddled, and I’ll take care of this?”
Saint hisses, baring long fangs at Wilder, who just glares back in response.
Erek and I share a knowing look before I head for Wilder’s side. When I reach him, he looks down, frown dropping in apparent relief.
“Baby, can you take over please? I know you know how to do this the right way.” He glares at Saint’s retreating form.
Slipping my tail spade to the middle of Wilder’s back, I pat him to calm him down. It surprises me when bunched muscles relax. He rolls his big shoulders and closes his eyes for a moment.
“Feels nice,” he murmurs. “Being pet like a dog.” Opening both eyes, he smirks down at me. “Guess you really are missin’ our girl, huh?”
Rounding the tent, I grab the corner Saint dropped and start folding it toward Wilder. “Our baby girl? Oh yeah,” I say a little louder. “Can’t wait to get home and see her.”
Off behind us, Saint mutters as Erek starts barking orders at him.
“Gonna be another glorious day,” I say to Wilder as we make quick work of the tent.
Turns out it’s a long day, and I’m actually a little bit chafed from yesterday’s ride. It’s not like I forgot how to be on a horse, but you do use muscles in a way nothing else really accomplishes.
Still, by the time we’re done and Erek’s trailer’s in view at the far end of the final field, I’m a little sad. I can’t wait to see my Ginger girl, but it’s been fun riding the range with Wilder. Saint was silent all day, and that’s just as well—I don’t give a shit about anything he has to say.
But Wilder?
Him, I do find interesting. Very, very interesting.
We help Erek with the horses and Saint sticks around—doing nothing. I have no idea why but at least it’s amiable between Wilder and me. Natural, even. Once we’re done helping Erek load up his animals, Wilder turns to me with an outstretched hand.
“Ready to go get our girl? I know you’re missing her like crazy.”
Saint glares from behind Wilder’s big frame.
I beam up at my fake mate. “Absolutely, honey boo boo.”
The barest hint of smile appears on Wilder’s face as he threads his fingers through mine and pulls me close.
Saint growls and spins, flaring his shadow wings wide. When he takes off into the air, wind buffets us, knocking Wilder’s hair out of place.
He doesn’t look away from me, though.
And he doesn’t let go of my hand even when Saint disappears over the hills.