15. Chapter 15 - Rosalyn
All of the strength leaves me and I slump against the trunk of the tree. “I don’t know how long I can do this.” My eyes slip shut. I can’t even feel the frosty press of the bark into my cheek.
“Leave with me,” Cade says softly. “Let me get you out of here.”
That rouses me with the tiny flame of anger. “And go where? They have contacts I don’t even know about. Last year I even heard them talking about having someone brought up from Texas.” A shiver races down my spine.
Cade goes still, starting off into the distance.
This side of his face isn’t scarred. As his jaw tics under his scruffy dark beard, he’s almost good looking…for being a killer.
Or maybe I’m just getting used to seeing him?
He’s the only kind person I’ve been able to interact with for weeks. I guess that changes perceptions pretty quickly.
Am I getting desperate to get away from my brothers and am seeing him differently?
“Who did they bring up from Texas?” His words come out misty in the frigid air.
My brain feels as if it’s frozen when I try to drag up the memories. “I don’t know. I just heard it was about some old debt one of their dead friends owed them.”
But even that doesn’t make sense.
“Was it a name you’re familiar with?” Cade almost sounds like he’s trying to talk to a child.
Is that what I am?
Right now? I feel like it. All I want to do is curl up in a ball and disconnect.
“I’m so tired.” The adrenaline of this morning has left me drained worse than any horse competition. I can’t even keep my eyes open.
“Rosalyn? Hey, are you okay? Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” Cade reaches out to grip my shoulder, keeping me from falling completely over.
Numbing cold works into my limbs. “I give up,” I whisper as darkness rushes in.
Steady motion rocks me awake before I realize I’m bareback on a horse that isn’t mine…With arms wrapped around me from behind.
Startling, I stiffen.
“Easy,” Cade’s voice is a low sigh against my neck. “I’m taking you back to the truck to warm up. I didn’t want to start a fire so close to your brother’s place.”
“I’m fine. I need to get back—” Twisting, I catch a glimpse of his scarred cheek and furrowed brows. “They’ll be mad if I’m gone.”
“Fuck, Rosalyn, they’re pissed anytime they’re awake by the sounds of things.” The low grumble in his chest vibrates through me as he tightens his grip.
Petunia plods along behind us, carrying his saddle on top of mine.
That’s when I feel Cade’s thighs hugging me in place. I have never had someone touch me in this many places at once. The contact makes an irrational flush of heat rush through me.
“Really, I’m okay,” I whine, shifting to try and give some distance between us.
“Stop moving,” he grunts. “We’re almost there.”
But I don’t. Leaning away from him, I try to roll my hips higher over the mare’s withers to create any separation.
His hand lowers, gripping my waist to pull me tightly. “You know just as well as I do that’s hard on ‘em. Knock it off.”
Butting against his body, it’s impossible not to feel the bulge in his crotch that wasn’t there a moment ago.
“We’re here,” he growls, pointing past me to the flash of white through the trees where the horse trailer is parked.
He reins in, then lets me hop down first. With a grimace, he follows.
“That’s great.” I stick my fists into my sides and glower at him. “I don’t know where I am. I have to go.”
One of his dark brows raises and he shakes his head, lowering the wide brim of his hat so I can’t see his eyes. “Tell me honestly you can feel all your fingers and toes. Then you can leave all you want.”
Looking down at my hands, I’m taken aback by how white the tips are. And when I try to wiggle toes they feel like wooden knobs in my boots.
“That’s what I thought.” He moves around the truck and starts the engine. “Get in the damn truck.”