“Oh,” Shiloh whispered, suddenly emotional, “I’d love that!”
Roan covered her hand resting on Charley’s back and squeezed her gloved fingers. “Good. Then it’s a date.”
“That sounds wonderful. It’s really something nice to look forward to.”
Roan tried not to be influenced by the quaver in her tone. But he was. He ached inwardly for the suffering that Shiloh was experiencing because of the damned stalker. Right now, he wanted to find that bastard and get his hands around him. He’d never stalk another woman again.
Roan saddled Charley for her, led the horse out of the barn, and helped Shiloh mount. He wasn’t going to show how he felt toward her in public. At least, not yet. He settled the toe of her boot into the stirrup. Patting her lower leg, he said, “I’ll see you at noon. Enjoy the ride. Everything is going to work out okay.”
“Thanks,” Shiloh whispered, leaning down, touching his shoulder briefly, smiling softly into his eyes.
Roan wanted to drag her off that horse, carry her inside the house, and make love to her. He knew how to distract Shiloh, to switch that imaginative mind off anything negative and focus it on something very positive and pleasurable. And already, his words, his calm demeanor, were having a deep effect on Shiloh because the fear and anxiety were no longer in her eyes. Every protective gene in his body was on guard and alert. And Roan would give his life to save hers if she was ever caught and attacked by that sneaky little bastard who had no name and no face.
Chapter Eighteen
Shiloh took the steps up to Roan’s cabin. He’d given her the key to the front door. He’d been over here two weekends in a row and she hadn’t. The porch was complete, the railing up and it was painted a dark evergreen color to match the lush green pastures that surrounded the cabin. Best of all, she noticed a varnished cedar swing he’d installed at one end of the porch. She’d sat in it, looking around, enjoying the peace. If only she could honestly feel this way again. Her gaze fell to Charley who was tied at the hitching post. His eyes were half closed, head hanging and one rear leg cocked up. How she wished she could relax like her sweet horse did. Rocking slightly, hands in her lap, she closed her eyes, feeling the welcoming heat of the sun’s rays against her jacket. Mornings were always cool but thankfully, by early July they were no longer freezing like June could be.
Leaning back, she tipped her head against the cedar and sighed. Her body burned brightly with the memory of last night in Roan’s arms. She’d never had a man make love with her like he had. Even now, she felt a new, gnawing warmth in her lower body coming to life. Just thinking about Roan, his hands upon her, his mouth wreaking scalding heat out of her body, made her clench and grow needy once more. Since the stalker, her sex drive had plummeted to nothing. But last night, it came back fiercely, hungrily, and a soft smile crossed Shiloh’s lips as she replayed their night together.
Shiloh had no idea how long she gently rocked in the swing, but when she opened her eyes and looked at her watch, she realized a half hour had passed. And it would be another half hour before Roan would arrive on Diamond. Her heart expanded with joy. Out here, she could steal a kiss from him and not worry about anyone seeing them. She’d agreed with Roan last night that what they felt for each other shouldn’t be common knowledge on the ranch. At least, not yet.