Werewolves of Forever 06 - Wild Lust

farther down than I remember from the first time.” But the first time, she’d had Reese to concentrate on, and falling into his arms hadn’t taken any courage.
    The horse dropped his head to the ground then lifted it back up to crane its neck around to her. His dark eyes stared at her, and his message was clear.
    “Okay, okay. I’m working on it. Just give me a minute.” But the animal was right. She had to get off his back. Putting the ball of her foot into the stirrup, she lifted her bare ass off the saddle then swung her right leg over the rear end of the horse. She was on the ground and letting go of pent-up air easier than she’d dared hope.
    She met the stare of the horse dead on. “See? I bet you didn’t think I could do it, did you? But I made it all the way home and got off in one piece.”
    The horse shook his head as though disagreeing with her. “Okay, so you helped. So tell me, Mr. Smarty-pants, how do I get the saddle off you?” She yelped when the horse stomped his foot. “Hold your horses, if you’ll pardon the expression. I’m working on it.”
    She studied the saddle, bending over to peer at the straps running along his belly. After a few tries of pulling one strap then unbuckling another, she let out a whoop of victory. She took hold of the saddle and tugged. The saddle and blanket under it weighed more than she assumed, and she shrieked as the bundle sent her falling backward onto her butt.
    The horse nickered then blew out its nose. “Funny. Just yuck it up, big guy, and see if you get any water and food tonight.”
    Picking herself up and dusting off the twigs and dirt that stuck to her bare skin, she took the reins and led him inside the lean-to. She ducked under the board, getting out the opposite end, then looped the reins around the board.
    She patted the horse’s nose, enjoying the soft fur against her palm. “I’m sorry I dragged you along for the ride, but I’m sure Reese will be along shortly to take you back home to your comfy stable. Until then, I’ll fill a big bucket with water and grab some apples for you to snack on.”
    Daring to get closer, she pressed her cheek against the horse’s face. “I wish men were as easy to understand as you are.”
     

     
    “Damn it, Reese. What were you thinking? Or should I ask what were you thinking with?”
    Blane tracked his hand through his hair. Sometimes he wondered if Reese and he had really come from the same fertilized egg. His brother was more serious yet more apt to go and spontaneously erupt, throwing common sense and well-thought-out plans to the wind. Just like he’d done with Charlie.
    “Back off, bro. It was time to lay our cards on the table.” Reese handed his credit card to Dutch, one of the town’s few fairies and a full-time mechanic, then confirmed that Charlie’s rented truck would be delivered to her doorstep later tonight. “Besides, she’s getting a free repair out of the deal.”
    “Don’t remind me. The rental company should’ve paid for the repairs.”
    “And it would’ve taken twice as long. I don’t care to let her borrow my horse for any longer than she already has.”
    Reese was right about the horse. One of them needed to retrieve him as soon as possible. From what he could remember, the rental home didn’t have a barn or a corral.
    “I thought we agreed to wait and take her together. Seems you not only blew the fact that we know who she is, but you’ve gotten a head start on getting to know her.”
    Reese’s upper lip curled into a smirk. “Don’t worry about my getting to know her. She was cussing my name as she tore out of the house.”
    “Even more reason for me to be the one to pick up the horse. Come on. You can drop me off at the road leading down to the rental house.” He spun on his heel and headed for Reese’s pickup with Reese following behind him.
    “Don’t kiss her ass for me.”
    “I’m sure you’ve already done that, too.”
    “I don’t regret a thing.”
    Blane couldn’t help but smile at that. His brother rarely ever regretted anything he did. Even when he knew it was the wrong thing to do.
    “I’m sure you don’t, but I’d rather not have her thinking we’re both Neanderthals. She’s seen the rough one of the twins. Now I plan on showing her the better, the more romantic twin.”
    “She won’t let you inside.”
    “Don’t bet against me, brother. If I don’t get inside, then we’re going to have a hell of a time getting her to