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  “I’d buck you off too if you neglected me for that length of time.”

  River chuckled. “I promise I’ll ride you many times every single day.”

  Brit decided not to comment on that. She focused on the horse instead, opened up her hands at her sides, and approached him slowly. “Easy, Brownie. Good boy. I won’t hurt you.”

  “Hon, back off. He isn’t tame. I’m really the only one he puts up with. I don’t want him to hurt you.”

  “Did that mean ole River take off and leave you?” She ignored River, stepping closer to the horse. “It’s okay.” She started to hum a lullaby.

  Brownie tossed his head, his wary gaze fixed on her, but he let her inch close enough to lift her hand in front of his nose so he could take a sniff at her. He danced a little where he stood but he didn’t move away.

  “He could bite.” River’s voice was closer behind her and softer. “Back up, Brit. I mean it.”

  She kept humming and then rubbed Brownie’s nose. He froze but didn’t try to snap at her. Her hand inched upward, petting him, and then she reached for his face with both hands to rub by his ears.

  “Damn,” River muttered. “He’s letting you touch him.”

  “I’m good with horses,” she whispered. “I bet he’d let me ride him in five minutes or less. He’s a big ole puppy of a horse. He just wants some love and attention.”

  “So do I.” River stepped against her body and wrapped one arm firmly around her waist. His other hand lifted, petting Brownie’s neck. “He likes you.”

  “I have that effect on stubborn males.” She turned her head, smiling up at River. “As you know I also get that same reaction from jackasses.”

  His hand on her stomach gripped gently. “Watch it or I’ll see if you’re ticklish.”

  “Not near a skittish horse you won’t. It’ll scare him when I scream.”

  “I wouldn’t have to tickle you within an inch of your life if you didn’t call me names.”

  “If the personality fits…”

  “I’m a bit mule-headed, I admit, but a jackass?” He winked at her. “Really?”

  She smiled, looking back at the horse. “No. I just like to tease you.”

  The sound of a vehicle made Brit tense. She instantly feared it could be related to Kyle. Last night she’d tried to talk River into fixing her car but he’d adamantly refused. Under threat of chaining her to his bed to keep her there, he’d made it crystal clear she wouldn’t be leaving the ranch. Half of her had been relieved, terrified of being alone, and not sure where to go. Returning to her apartment would be the fastest way for her ex-husband to find her. The other half of her had been frightened. The thought of Kyle hurting River or anyone in his family made her want to leave.

  “It’s just my brother. I’m expecting him. Sorry. I should have said something over breakfast this morning when we said goodbye to Trina and Nav before they left for Houston.”

  “Which brother?”

  “Drake.”

  Confused, Brit released the horse and turned in River’s hold to frown up at him. “I thought your brother and sister-in-law were visiting him?”

  “They are going to stay at his house but he came here. He’s doing some work for the family.”

  “He’s a lawyer, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  Brit suddenly remembered that Trip was in the process of obtaining a divorce. “Oh. Right. Trip.”

  River nodded. “Yeah. He is helping him.”

  She relaxed.

  “Where are you?” The voice was deep and sounded a bit like River’s.

  “In the fourth stall,” River called out, keeping hold of Brit as he turned to face the open door.

  Drake Raine didn’t look anything like Brit imagined he would. She’d pictured him in a suit, considering his occupation. He looked a lot like Navarro with his piercing blue eyes and jet-black hair but he kept his cropped hair short to his head in spikes. She had to keep her mouth from falling open from the shock of seeing his black leather biker jacket, the leather chaps he wore over dark blue jeans, and her gaze ended on a pair of kick-ass black leather boots.

  “Where’s your Harley?” River’s arm tightened around Brit.

  “At the house. I didn’t want to drive it on our shit roads.” Drake flashed perfectly white teeth. “I borrowed one of the ranch trucks to come out here since they are already dusty as hell. I could barely see out the windows. Don’t you guys ever wash them?” His attention fixed on Brit. “Hello.”

  “In your riding gear?” River chuckled. “Nice. This is Brit. Brit, this is my oldest brother. Drake’s really a lawyer but he’s a weekend biker wannabe.”

  Drake raised a tan hand and lifted his middle finger. “I ride my bike everywhere unless I go on a date or it’s really crappy weather.” He winked at Brit. “It’s nice to meet you.” His gaze lingered on River’s arm around her waist and then shook his head. “Already grabbed her up, huh? Some things in this family never change.”

  “Excuse me?” Brit frowned.

  Drake grinned. “You’re pretty.” He winked. “With us Raines it’s always about who has the best luck.”

  She wasn’t sure how to take that. River chose that moment to speak. “Trip is going to be happy you’re here to help him with those divorce papers.”

  Drake’s smile faded. “I see.”

  “Why don’t we go back to the house and then you can call him and let him know you’re home.”

  “Sure.” Drake glanced at Brit. “Nice meeting you, darlin’.”

  “What is it about this family and nicknames?” She shook her head as she pointed to her chest. “My name is Brit.” She shot a glare at River. “Not baby, not darlin’, or any other term.”

  “She really hates it when I call her fu―”

  Brit elbowed River hard, silencing him. “Don’t even say it.”

  He laughed, winking at her. “I was going to say feisty.”

  “Sure you were.” She rolled her eyes. “Behave.”

  Drake laughed. “Do you know River at all? You may as well expect the wind to stop blowing. It comes that natural to him for his mouth to get him into deep shit.”

  “It’s a family trait,” River chuckled. He winked at Brit. “I won’t say what you think I was about to.”

  “You were going to say it.”

  He had the nerve to laugh. “Guilty.”

  “Let’s get to the house. I missed breakfast and I want out of these chaps. Damn, it’s hot out here.” Drake turned, walking away.

  Brit watched the oldest Raine swagger out of the stall. He had a really nice ass. The arm around her tightened.

  “Were you ogling my brother?”

  She turned her head and grinned up at River. “You all pretty much have the same body type.” Big, muscular, and impressive, she thought. “I was just noticing.”

  He laughed. “You can notice all you want but remember whose bed you belong in.”

  She turned to face him, her arms lifting to grip his broad shoulders. “The bed that has chains hidden in the canopy. That’s hard to forget.”

  He grinned. “You liked them.”

  “I like you.” It was getting easier for her to admit that. She knew she was getting too attached to River and when he wasn’t a part of her life anymore, she would miss him. Sadness swelled at the mere thought of when it would come time to leave the ranch and the man who was becoming someone important to her. Fear came next at realizing it would seriously hurt when that day came. She was falling in love with him, had to admit that, if she wasn’t already there. “I’m not interested in your brothers.”

  “Good. I’d hate to have to kick their asses and if one of them tried to flirt with you that’s what I’d do. You’re mine.” His other arm wrapped around her as the sound of an engine flared up outside. “We should get out of here and go back to the house. Drake gets testy when he skips meals. It’s never a good idea to have a hungry shark on the loose.”

  She smiled. “I bet it�