Mating Seduction-epub by Bonnie Vanak Page A

“No. I hose down the aisles every night, but everyone knows it, including you.”
    How exactly had that broken glass been placed right where she always removed her boots?
    “What are you doing here this early, Cora?” Lexie demanded.
    “Ambrose and I were checking on our stud, making sure he’s doing all right.” Cora gave Jackson a sly glance. “The stud named Big Boy.”
    Fury tightened Jackson’s face as he waved the cardboard sign. “Did you put this on the door? And how did that glass get here?”
    Cora shook her head. “Not my fault if someone’s messing around with your stables, Jackson. I’m just here to make sure our horse is treated right.”
    As the Skin walked off, Jackson focused his attention on Lexie. “Sweetie, let me see your foot. That was a nasty injury.”
    “It’s not that bad. Really, all this fuss over a bitty cut?”
    The only way he’d leave her alone would be if she walked as normal as possible. Hoping in vain that her Lupine blood would heal her injury faster than normal, Lexie stood and pasted on a bright, wide smile. “See? It’s nothing. Let’s not miss breakfast.”
    Even on a broken femur, she’d fake it, just to keep Jackson from looking at her foot. He tossed aside the cardboard sign and unclipped the radio hooked to his jeans. Static crackled.
    “Aiden? Get someone to the main horse stable right away. West door. Broken glass all over the aisle needs cleaning.”
    He replaced the radio, went into the stables and squatted down, examining a piece of glass. “Looks like a beer bottle.”
    “Felt like light beer to me,” she joked.
    Jackson set down the shard and went to her, running his hands up and down her arms as if to assure himself she was okay. . His touch soothed her, chased away the fear knotting her stomach.  “Lexie, darling, you sure you’re all right?”
    She wriggled her foot, glad to feel the pain easing slightly. “Never better. Let’s go. I’m hungry and I want to eat the fab breakfast you’re always bragging Cookie prepares.”
     
    That afternoon while Jackson worked, she remained off her feet. The injured left foot healed faster than before. Almost as quickly as an ordinary Lupine’s would.
    Maybe it was all the rare beef Jackson kept encouraging her to eat. He gave her most of his share as well, insisting he wasn’t hungry and it’d go to waste unless she ate it.
    An hour before sunset, they saddled their horses and rode out through the pastures, following the back road. The vistas stunned her. She’d lived in Montana for years and still, the state left her breathless and awestruck with the majestic pine trees layering jagged mountains, wide, open plains and rock-strewn rivers. Here, a Lupine could roam wild and free.
    Her wolf whined, itching to paw its way out and feel the sweet release of freedom. Lexie took a deep, shuddering breath. Soon, she promised. When no one watched and no keen eyes were upon her.
    Half an hour later, they reached the river as the sun sank lower in the sky. Several tents large enough to shelter a family were scattered along the banks.
    Jackson dismounted and helped her off Diamond. “Aiden put them here on a permanent basis, for pack members who wish to court their females. Wired for electricity, all of them with wood decks and furniture. The river gives them a little privacy, a little scenery and a lot of romance.”
    He winked at her.
    They led their horses over to a small corral with a lean-to, where fresh hay and water awaited them.
    Then Jackson put a hand on the small of her back and escorted her up the incline to a bank overlooking the river.
    Breath fled her throat. The encampment had a dining area with a white tent big as the stable encasing long tables to accommodate a larger group. The wood deck extended to the edge of the bank and was edged with brick columns and a rope fence. Elegant glass carriage lanterns atop each brick column illuminated the night.
    Smaller, more intimate tables were set on this