Forrest, Dawn - Sweet Water Wedding: Sharing Shannon (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (28 page)

Throughout the morning they had intermittently walked and trotted, encountering fewer fences and signs of civilization. The air temperature was still pleasant and Shannon was enjoying listening to only natural sounds. There were no engines, no electrical droning of any kind, no radio or television, just the creaking of leather, hooves clopping on earth, the rustle of wind over vegetation and, her favorite sound, the resonating tones of Luke’s and James’s voices as they talked about the ranch and pointed out things of interest as they passed by.

“The oil and gas wells are now our primary source of income. We have about a thousand head of cattle, which is less than the ranch can easily accommodate. Too many animals can cause problems of soil erosion and feeding during winter when there is less grass available. We don’t see the point in exhausting the land when we don’t need to. It’s ironic really but the oil wells have, in effect, resulted in less pressure on other resources. We do it old school, that’s free range and no routine use of antibiotics and hormones.”

“Yeah, and it also gives you an excuse to do a roundup. He sure likes to be a cowboy.” Luke laughed good-naturedly.

“I can’t argue with that, it’s true. The main herd still makes a profit, but when compared to the oil income they are really more of a lifestyle choice, and as I’ve already said Sweet Water has been a Ryden ranch since 1900. We excel with our breed stock and have fine thoroughbred Angus, and Charolais bulls. Our herd is mostly crossbred Brahman-Brangus and Angus-Charolais. Our best bulls are highly prized for their stud value.”

The same could be true of the Sweet Water men
, she thought, obviously including Luke in that. When she had first laid eyes on them both that morning she could have been forgiven for thinking that she had walked into the set of some western and that the hunky handsome heroes were before her.

She snuck a sideways glance at James, the typical cowboy. He really was gorgeous and looked particularly hot with leather chaps over jeans and a gun at his hip. She also noted a rifle holstered in his saddle, maybe she would have a go at shooting later, if there was time. Luke looked just as hot with his hat pulled down low over his eyes. His darker looks made him seem more like the dangerous gunslinger.

She thought back to the hippy, guitar toting, free spirited guys that she’d fancied in the past and how different they were to the men riding next to her. James and Luke were comfortable in their world, not riling against it. They were strong, capable men who would protect her, their family and friends, and she found that quite thrilling. It was ironic that she’d found love in the most unlikely of places with the most unlikely of men.

She began to realize that riding with soggy panties wasn’t a great idea and that she hadn’t packed nearly enough changes. She needed to stop thinking about what they could do together,
had
done individually, between her thighs.

“You must be kept pretty busy with cattle, oil, and an engineering company to think about,” she said to James. It occurred to her that here was a man who could actually multitask.

“I’m never short of things to do, but I’m not alone and I delegate. Obviously Joshua and Janet have a stake and interest in Sweet Oil and the Sweet Water ranch, although in terms of effort it’s mainly me and Josh because Janet’s only just finishing college. Being the oldest and working the hardest to grow the business to what it is today, Joshua has the biggest interest. We have a foreman and hands at the ranch and Josh and I are physically based here, but there is a Sweet Oil office in Houston where our management, sales, and administration staff are based. The operations guys are at the well sites. Luke has the most involvement in managing M&R Engineering. No prizes for figuring out the name.”

Suddenly Rug began to growl and then took off into the bush with a yap.

“What’s that about?”

“Oh, probably got wind of a wild hog, we get a lot of them and Rug sure loves to chase ’em.” He whistled loudly and within a minute the hound returned panting, with his long tongue lolling around. “How are you finding the saddle?”

“It is the most comfortable I’ve ever sat in, and much better for a long journey than the kind I’m used to.”

“Want to try it out at a gallop? We aren’t far from our first water stop. The river is just over there.” He pointed to a line of trees. “Let’s see if you can keep up. Ya!” he whooped, urging his mount on without waiting for her answer.

Luke grinned like a maniac at her, hollered and took off after him. Shannon wasn’t about to be outdone. Her horse sprang forward in delight as she gave it a little kick and leaned forward in the saddle yelling, “C’mon girl.” It was exhilarating, as the animal’s long strides had the ground flying by beneath them. Poor Rug was left to follow in the dust.

Ten minutes later with barely half a horse’s length between them, they came to the river and pulled up their mounts. Both horses and riders were breathing hard.

“That was great,” Shannon laughed, “I might have taken you both if you hadn’t had a head start.”

“Really? Remind me to let you go first next time,” James drawled sexily, giving her a thorough looking over.

She snorted, “Luke, you were right, he does have a one-track mind.”

“Many tracks, darlin’, but just one train of thought...you,” James winked. With athletic grace he swung down from the saddle.

“Oh,
puleeze.
”
She rolled her eyes and began to slide down to the ground.

Her feet never connected to the earth as strong hands held her waist and then flipped her around to enfold her in a full warm embrace.

“Okay, if you’re begging me.” He smiled and brought his mouth down hard on hers.

Each and every darn time he kissed her it sent her into a tailspin. It was ridiculous, it was wonderful, and she couldn’t get enough. Something very long and hard brushed against her leg.
What the heck? That’s some serious muscle control!
Then she realized that Rug had finally caught up with them and wanted some attention too. She started to giggle and James eased away looking puzzled.

“Rug wants in on the action,” she chuckled pointing down to where his snout nuzzled between them.

“He’s not the only one.” Luke deftly tackled her from James, spun her around and kissed her so sensually and completely that she was panting for air when he pulled away.

James scowled, “I’ll make a darn rug out of that dog if he doesn’t give over. Rug sit!”

The dog obediently parked his ass down in the dirt.

“Good boy. Go drink.” He pointed to the river and immediately Rug trotted off to the river’s edge and began to lap up the cool water.

“He’s a well trained dog.” Shannon was impressed.

“Most things can be trained with a little time and patience.” He looked down at her with an arrogant crooked smile.

“Really? Most things? Sit!” she said sternly looking up at him. “I think you’re going to take some effort.”

James snorted. “He’s a cow dog, smart, and great at herding. I’m a cowboy, smart and great at—” He paused. “Well, you know.”

Boy, did she ever.

“You met his sire, Ben, the other day at Luke’s parents’ house. His only weakness is chasing after hogs. Mine is chasing after you. Come on, let’s loosen the saddles and give the horses a drink before you distract me again.”

“Something can’t be called a distraction if you were actually looking for it,” she announced snootily.

“Baby, you’re right, everything else is the darn distraction from you,” he huffed as he led the horses to the water, leaving Shannon feeling surprised and, yes, she had to admit it, a little flattered.

After the horses had their fill of water, they led them along the riverbank on foot to give their own legs a stretch. James explained that they would follow the river for about an hour, cross, stop for lunch, and take a break from the afternoon heat. They would resume riding again for another two hours until they reached a water hole where they would make camp for the night.

Sure enough, just over an hour later an obvious place to cross the river came into view. There were large slabs of stone and shallow pools, the water came up to the belly of her horse but no deeper and her boots didn’t get wet.

“It’s beautiful here,” Shannon commented as she dismounted on the other side of the river. She loosened Sunny’s saddle and tied the mare under a tree in the shade. It was just past midday and the temperature had risen uncomfortably high.

“Yep, the water is cool and fresh. Fancy a swim?” Luke said as he strolled over and pulled Sunny’s saddle off completely. “We’ll break for a couple of hours until the air’s a bit cooler”

“I didn’t bring my swimsuit.”

The two men looked at her with enough heat to warm the water. James cocked his head. “Neither did I. Did you, Luke?

“Nope, but I don’t mind if you don’t.”

“Are you trying to get me naked?” She narrowed her eyes at them and pursed her mouth in a mock scowl.

“Yep. We could promise not to peek, but we all know that’d be a lie.”

Shannon couldn’t help but rake her eyes over Luke’s frame as he stood about four yards away.

“Okay,” she breezed, “you first.” She put her hands on her hips and waited.

“Sure.” He shrugged. He stripped down quickly and methodically until he stood in all his naked glory, arms hanging relaxed at his side in a nonthreatening stance, completely at ease, even with his flag at full mast. Another thing she now knew about Luke, he wasn’t shy and definitely not a shrinking violet. It occurred to Shannon that even though he was nude he didn’t look it because there was nothing vulnerable about his exposed body. He was dressed in hard muscle and tanned skin, except for his ass, which was comically white. “Your turn.” He grinned.

“No, I think Mr. Ryden here should go next.”

James shrugged and peeled off his clothes, only he did it in a more teasing manner, drawing out the final exposure of his beautiful, long, thick cock. Goodness, they were both a sight for sore eyes and a tempting feast for a hungry pussy.

“What if someone else comes?”

“Honey, no one is coming…except us.”

Why oh why did he have to say that? She’d be peeling her panties off as it was.

“If anyone else appears I’ll save your honor by shooting them, okay?”

She couldn’t help but laugh. Luke had a knack for putting her at ease when he wanted to. He could also make her feel hot and bothered. Slowly she undressed and tried to avoid his now burning gaze. Funnily enough, standing naked in the full light of day didn’t feel that uncomfortable, although Shannon knew that she couldn’t expose her skin to the sun for very long, it actually felt wonderful and almost liberating.

James stalked quickly toward her and picked her up. “I don’t want you hurting those bare soft little feet,” he explained as he carried her to the water’s edge with his cock brushing against her butt. “Oh, that’s a bit refreshing.” He winced as he dipped a foot in the clear water.

“Put me down,” Shannon said as he and Luke moved a little deeper.

“In a minute.” He laughed.

Shannon realized too late what he was going to do. “Don’t you dare!” She squealed as he dumped her into a waist deep pool. “Ahhh, b
¾
bloody hell, it’s freezing.” She stuttered. “You bastard, just wait till I get hold of you.”

She splashed him and he yelped, “Damn it
is
cold.”

“Ow!” she cried, “I think I’ve cut my foot.”

James leaned over, concern showing on his face. “Are you okay?”

“Yes.” She hissed as she leapt forward, grabbed his arm and tugged him in. As he overbalanced he grabbed onto Luke who was also pulled deeper.