Deacon's Touch Read Online Free PDF Page B

for the first time in months.
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Chapter Three
    The earthy-sweet scent of horses reached Jessie before she could even see the corral. The smell instantly triggered memories of when she'd ridden at the stable as a little girl. The thought made her smile. She was on a dude ranch after all. What better way to spend the morning than with a trail ride? It'd been years since she'd been on horseback, and after the little sleep she'd gotten last night, a relaxing ride was just what she needed.
    Maybe that would make her stop thinking about the way Deke had kissed her, the incredible feel of his hard body against hers. With luck it might even distract her from the empty ache between her thighs for a little while. But how could he kiss her like he was dying to get inside her one moment and then suddenly slam a wall up between them the next?
    Bridgette traipsed along behind her, chattering excitedly to her and Shannon, Bridgette's cousin. “I can't wait for this. The closest I've ever been to a horse was a pony at the petting zoo when I took my nephew."
    Jessie liked her enthusiasm. “It'll be fun. Just make sure you stay calm, and don't let the horse sense you're nervous."
    "Right."
    They rounded the corner of the stone building, and Jessie drew up short. Bent over inspecting a stirrup hanging off one of the saddled horses, Deacon raised his head and looked at her from beneath the brim of his black Stetson. His blue eyes held her captive for a moment, sending a tingling rush of heat to her breasts.
    Oh God, he was mouth-watering. Muscles flexed across his back and shoulders as he hunkered next to the horse, a bead of sweat trickling down to his jaw. He wiped it away with the shoulder of his blue plaid button-down, still watching her. Her hormones spiked despite the lingering hurt and awkwardness leftover from last night.
    "Mornin',” he drawled.
    The heated look in his eyes made her nipples peak. “Morning,” she replied and quickly looked away. Damned if she'd let him know how self-conscious she felt now.
    He strode across the corral leading a tall, dun-colored horse, and handed the reins to someone waiting there. Jessie belatedly realized Dustin had been standing there all along, and waved a greeting.
    Dustin waved back. “Where's Charissa?"
    "She's, ah...indisposed,” Shannon answered.
    "With your eldest brother, we're hoping,” Bridgette supplied helpfully, grinning from ear to ear.
    Dustin's eyes widened. “ Okay, then. The rest of y'all ready for your ride?” He spoke to all of them, but he was staring at Shannon.
    "Yes, but I need something gentle,” Bridgette answered, apparently oblivious to the sparks flying between him and Shannon. “I'm a riding virgin."
    He grinned and patted the dun's neck. “This is Diesel, and he's a sweetheart. You'll have no trouble with him."
    "What about you?” Deacon asked Jessie.
    She looked over at him, trying to pretend she wasn't still thinking about those seductive kisses or the feel of his hand fisting in her hair as he'd licked at her lower lip and into her mouth. That hard wall of muscle pressed against her breasts. The inner walls of her pussy clenched at the memory. “I've ridden some, but it's been a while."
    He considered her a moment before choosing a bay and leading it over. “This is Lightning. He's fast, but as long as you keep him in line he'll...behave himself."
    Behave himself. Like the sexy cowboy holding its reins obviously wished he'd done last night? “Don't worry, I'll keep him in line."
    Deke's lips twitched at her barbed words. “Good."
    The horse watched her with curious brown eyes as she approached and stroked his nose. “Hi, Lightning. You going to be a good boy for me?"
    "Need any help mounting?"
    Was he saying suggestive things on purpose, or was she just thinking about sex because she'd been awake half the night fantasizing about burning up the sheets with him?
    With a scathing glare aimed at herself as much as him, she