Rearing Heat

by Skylar Sinclair

  Dex's strong features softened with admiration and pride. “I am sorry I scared you. Being aggressive and possessive is who I am, but I can work on it. My feelings for you are strong, maybe because I have grown up knowing our kind.” Reaching over, he lovingly smoothed the hair out of Shayla's face and then leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Love will come naturally. We are mates and it is inevitable. An undeniable link formed the moment our flesh touched and our bodies became one. We might not know each other well, but the bond we share is steadfast like a heartbeat. A stallion is not whole without family and the love of his mare. I understand that all too clearly now.” He softly ran his fingers through her long hair.

  As they neared the gravel driveway, Dex swung Shayla into his arms, laughing at her surprised expression. “I cannot have you walking across the gravel in socks. It will hurt your little feet.” Bending his head, he gave her a kiss that made her toes curl. “Sweetheart, I will do whatever it takes to win your love, and I am man enough to admit that."

  Those words melted Shayla's heart. In the arms of the most sexy and handsome, man she'd ever met, then he said things that any woman would cherish. How lucky could a girl get? “I'll hold you to those words, stud muffin."

  "Oh, I'm sure you will. I wouldn't want it any other way."

  On the porch of the house stood his brothers. Both had an incredulous look plastered on their faces. What now, she wondered.

  Coy was the first to speak, or at least she hoped that was the right brother. “Is she all right? What the hell did you do to her, Dex?"

  Reece reached back to open the door for Dex as he stepped onto the porch. “Are you all right, filly?” He looked so worried for her, Shayla wanted to laugh.

  Before she could say anything, Dex growled, “I didn't hurt her, you two idiots. I didn't want her walking across the gravel with only socks on her feet. I would never hurt her. Dammit, don't you two have any faith in me?"

  "Oh,” fell from their lips at the same time.

  Dex carried her into the house with the brothers trailing right behind. He gently let her down, sliding her curves down the front of his body as he did. Her pussy responded with a flutter. She would never get enough of this man, never.

  "Welcome home, sweetheart. I completely forgot to ask you now that we are home, but you are staying here, right?"

  Shayla placed her hand over his heart, his warmth seeping into her palm. “I couldn't image living anywhere else.” Thinking about home reminded her everything she owned was in her car. “My car! I left it by the side of the road near the ranch you two bought me at."

  She must have appeared distressed as the men gathered around her in a reassuring manner. Dex came up with a quick solution. “No worry, Reece and Coy can go get your car. Where are the keys?"

  "I left them in the car unlocked. I hope it is still there. All my stuff is in the car, too."

  Coy winked at her. “Our big brother scared ya, did he?"

  Her face felt hot with embarrassment and she stammered, “I—no—okay. I ran like a frightened fool. I made a mistake. Sorry is not enough to explain how I feel, but it is all I have.” She looked from one man to the other. All three were smiling at her like the Cheshire cat. Why, those arrogant—!

  "You have to admit we are irresistible, if not a little overwhelming,” Reece teased, brushing the hair back off his face in an exaggerated gesture ... well, she hoped she had the right brother. They might need nametags until she could tell them apart. Sheesh.

  Just as Shayla was going to snap out a retort, Dex cleared his throat. “Why don't you two get going? You know where the car is, right?"

  "Ah ... yeah. We're on our way,” Coy quickly replied. Bumping shoulder with his twin, he motioned with his head. “Let's go. I think Big Brother wants to be alone with his woman."

  "Ya think, brain surgeon?” Reece asked with a straight face.

  Coy snarled, reaching over to nail his brother in the arm, but Reece jump out of the way. “Chill. Let's go. You got the truck keys?"

  Coy shoved his hand into the front pocket of his jeans, pulling out a set of keys and dangling them in front of his brother's face. “Yep."

  Shayla turned and watched them walk out of the house, both extremely handsome. Life would never be dull with those two characters around. How lucky could a girl get? A great guy and a built-in family. It couldn't get any better than that.

  Reece stopped in the doorway, turning back. “Welcome to the family. Our parents are going to love ya.” His smile and words brought tears to her eyes.

  "I sure hope so.” She fussed with the front of her robe, embarrassed by all the attention she was getting, not being used to it. Nevertheless, it was just what she needed.

  When the door closed behind the twins, Dex started crowding Shayla with his big body. “They'll be gone for hours. Since breeding season is starting, what say you and me go upstairs and get frisky?” Dark molten desire showed beneath his hooded eyes, and a sexy half-smile tilted his lips. He left no doubt he wanted her.

  Opening the robe, letting it glide down off her shoulders, she rubbed her hard-tipped breasts against his chest and wiggled her hips. “Will you be standing, stud?"

  "Whatever your little heart desires. How about I let you ride me for a change?"

  Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed his stubbed jaw line. “Then saddle up. I am ready for a good ... long ... hard ride."

  Bending down, swinging her high up in his arms, he nuzzled her neck. “Any time, my gorgeous golden mare. I am at your command.” He took the stairs two at a time, carrying her with ease. Dex made her feel safe, feminine and complete.

  Her laughter rang throughout the house, and his growls were music to her ears.

  Later, cries of passion mingled with the sounds of nature...

  Epilogue

  Eight months later

  Scotland

  In a quaint, old stone church aglow with candlelight, the air scented with fragrant flowers, surrounded by Dex's parents and brothers, Shayla and Dex spoke their vows.

  His parents were wonderful people. They instantly took her into their hearts, treating her like one of their own. It touched her greatly to know such love was truly possible and she had a complete family.

  She felt like a fairy princess in her flowing white gown that draped and trailed behind her. The veil of ethereal white cascaded down from the top of her head and about her shoulders in a cloud of tulle.

  Her life had been like a whirlwind the last eight months learning about her heritage as an equestrian shifter, getting to know Dex and the fulfillment of being part of a herd—a family was more than she could've ever hoped for.

  He told her the legend passed down from one generation to the next of how their race had come to be. Dex held her in his arms, whispering close to her ear, while in the afterglow of having made love resonated through their bodies.

  Long ago, when unicorns still roamed the Earth, a powerful wizard fell in love with a beautiful golden mare with a horn colored by a rainbow, but because of their differences, they couldn't be together. The wizard, so distraught, conjured a spell to change her into a stunning woman. Her long hair spilled around her feminine curves in a fountain of blonde rain and her eyes the hue of sparkling goldstones. Their offspring were the first equestrian shifters.

  Shayla found out not only was she loved beyond anything she could've imagined, but also considered rare, her palomino coloring highly regarded amongst their kind. She had the same coloring as the golden unicorn that had been the mother of the equestrian shifters. After hearing him tell her this—the legend of how the equestrian shifters were created and how precious she was to him—she knew in her heart this was meant to be, and she couldn't be more blessed to have him in her life.

  Dex had provided to be a handful at times. Nevertheless, the love and passion he showered on her with was well worth putting up with his stubborn ass and arrogant ways. It wasn't like she didn't have her moments of being a bit of a bitch herself.

&n
bsp; He looked delectable in his black and white tuxedo as he placed the ring on her finger. They had plain white gold bands with inscription on the inside. His said, “My stud.” Hers said, “My mare."

  As they stared intently into each other's eyes, the minister's reverent voice sealed their marriage. “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

  Drawing her up in his arms, bending his head, he kissed her softly. He then whispered so no one but she would hear, “I cannot wait to get you alone, hearing you shout my name to the heavens over and over again, Mrs. Legend."

  Shayla whispered back, “And I will, Mr. Legend. By the way, I thought I would let you know, we will have a new member to our family soon."

  Pulling back, his shocked look transformed into one of pure joy. “You are pregnant?"

  "Didn't I just say that?"

  Grabbing her up in a bear hug, spinning her around in circles, he whopped in elation, “I am going to be a father, everyone!"

  Cheers and pats on the back followed his announcement as they made their way out of the church into the brilliant sunlight that spilled through the opened doorway and to their new beginnings as husband and wife—stud and mare.

  END

  WWW.SKYLARSINCLAIR.COM

  AUTHOR'S BIO

  Skylar Sinclair has always found the written word fascinating. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would get to spin heated tales that would become bestsellers, but they did!

  Skylar was raised on California sunshine and Quarter horses. She owes much of her accomplishments in life to her parents who always told her she could do or be anything, and authoring is just one of her many endeavors.

  Skylar knows that her writing success is owed to the readers who have purchased her books and she is eternally grateful. She loves to hear from her fans. Stop by her website to see what Skylar is dreaming up next.

  Visit Skylar at www.skylarsinclair.com or write her at skylar.sinclair@yahoo.com.

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

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