Read The Cattle Drive [The Armstrong Brothers of Cedar Creek] (Siren Publishing Classic) for Free Online Page B

son sure can cook a mean steak!”
    “Yeah he can.”
    “Well, I have to get going,” Chris said, turning to Rachael. “I will stop by and check on you tomorrow, okay?”
    “Chris, you don’t have to keep checking on me, I’m a big girl. I don’t need a babysitter.”
    Rachael watched Chris smile as he leaned down to place a kiss on her cheek. It was in that instance that Rachael knew she felt nothing. She was once again that frozen piece of nothingness, as if her heart had evaporated, removing all sense of feeling.
    “I know, Rach, but someone has to keep you in line, and the town has given me that job. So behave, and I will see you tomorrow.” She watched Chris shake Michael’s hand one more time, get in his squad car, and drive away.
    She stood there with Mystic’s reins in her hands when she felt Michael walked up behind her. He was close. She could feel the heat radiating from his body, and he hadn’t even touched her yet. Her emotions were going haywire. For the longest time, that was the one thing she was able to control. And now, she couldn’t even stop her own body from responding.
    “Thank you for coming, Rachael,” he said in a soft whisper. Rachael slowly turned around and realized that he was a lot closer than she thought.
    She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “It was my pleasure.”
    Michael smiled and replied, “I just realized, I don’t even know your last name,” already knowing but wanting to keep her there a little longer. Why, he didn’t know. It was just something, a feeling inside him. He wanted to know her. Quickly shaking off the feeling, he tried to pay attention.
    “It’s Mason.”
    “Like the sheriff’s?” he questioned.
    “Chris is my brother-in law,” she answered.
    “Ah…I see.”
    Rachael quickly turned to climb onto Mystic. Michael reached out for her hand, and when he caught it, she stopped and turned to face him once more.
    “I am so sorry, Rachael. I didn’t mean to bring it up again,” he said, putting both hands on her shoulders.
    Rachael looked up at him and smiled. “It’s okay. It’s been a long time,” she said, moving closer to him.
    Standing there, looking down into her abyss of emerald-green eyes, a little voice inside him said, “Don’t do it! ” but the other said, “Oh hell yes!”
    It had been a very long time since he’d had a beautiful woman this close to him, even longer with the feelings he was feeling at this very moment. Her hand was light as a feather against him. He liked the feel of her touch. Before he knew what was happening, Rachael put her other hand on his chest and slowly raised herself toward him. He slowly wrapped his arms around her and bent his head down to her wanting lips.
    Not saying anything, he watched as Rachael softly ran her hands over his chest. He felt the surge of electricity shoot through his system. His breathing quickly increased, making his heart pound.
    She was soft as silk and tasted like honey. She was so sweet. The fire burning under her hands quickly ran through him like quicksilver.
    He was once again alive.
    He held her tightly as he softly kissed her lips. The craving ran deep within him, and he wanted more. Michael couldn’t stop himself. With the tip of his tongue, he slowly parted her moist lips, taking her mouth. Inhaling all of her, he moaned. He tasted her soul as she gave it all to him. Rachael felt from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, she was warm. The cold and bitterness evaporated, filling her entire body with the intensity of his touch. A need she hadn’t felt in years had wrapped itself around her in a blanket. Raising her hands up around his neck, she felt him gently pull her closer to him. She was in his arms.
    It had been so long since Rachael felt the touch of another man, let alone allowed herself to be free. But the moment her lips merged with his, all her dormant senses awakened within her.
    His lips were soft yet masculine. His touch tender but firm. He