The Mighty Quinns: Teague. Kate Hoffmann

“What are you doing out here?” Callum asked.

      “I’m going for a ride.” Teague pulled his saddle and blanket from the rack and hauled it toward the paddock door. “Hey there, Gemma.”

      “Hello, Teague.” She peeked around Callum’s shoulder and waved. “Nice night for a ride.”

      He heard Callum mutter something beneath his breath and when he looked back, he saw his brother and Gemma making a quick exit from the stables.

      Since the genealogist from Dublin had arrived, Callum had been besotted. Every free moment he could find away from running the station, he spent staring at Gemma. And Brody had brought home a girl of his own, Payton Harwell, a pretty American he’d met in a jail cell in Bilbarra.

      Teague threw his saddle over the top of the gate, then whistled for his horse. A few seconds later, Tapper came trotting over, a sturdy chestnut gelding he’d been riding since he’d returned to the station a year ago. He held the horse’s bridle as he led it through the gate and into the stable.

      It only took a few minutes to saddle his horse and when he was finished, he strapped his bedroll on the back of his saddle, then slipped his saddlebags beneath the bedroll. Every month that he’d been home on Kerry Creek, he’d taken a ride out to the shack. Occasionally, he’d spend the night, sleeping in the same bed where they’d first made love, remembering their sexual curiosity and experimentation.

      At least he and Hayley still had a place where they wouldn’t be disturbed, a place that would conjure all the best memories. He pulled his horse around and gave it a gentle kick. It had been a long time since he’d felt this optimistic about a woman. And maybe it was silly to think they could return to the way things had been all those years ago. But he hoped they could start over.

      As he rode into the darkness, Teague couldn’t help but wonder what the night might bring. Would they discuss their past or would they simply live for the moment and be satisfied with that?

      HAYLEY STOOD beside Molly, slowly stroking the horse’s neck. She’d been waiting in the dark for ten minutes. And for every second of sheer, unadulterated excitement she felt, there was another of paralyzing doubt. Stay, go, wait, escape. She wanted to see Teague again, yet every shred of common sense told her she was setting herself up for heartbreak.

      He’d called her fearless. But deep down, Hayley knew that wasn’t true. Her childhood bravado had been a way to hide her fears, to divert attention from everything that terrified her. Though she still felt the urge to challenge him, to dare him to prove his devotion to her, she knew better than to risk bodily injury to get his attention, the way she had as a teenager. The only part of her body in peril this time around was her heart.

      Over the years, the crazy memories had faded and she’d been left with just Teague, sweet and protective, loyal to a fault. She’d tried to convince herself that they had shared nothing more than a teenage infatuation. They’d discovered sex together and, naturally, there had been a bond between them. But they would have gone their separate ways sooner or later.

      Teague had been there to help her through the difficult times. She’d been so confused and angry when she’d arrived on Wallaroo. Her life had been nothing but chaos since the death of her parents, most of the upheaval caused by her rebellious behavior.

      Harry had been her only living relative, since her mother was orphaned at a young age, as well. But Harry had refused to take her, and she’d ended up in a series of foster homes. All of them had been fine places, but she’d wanted to be with her grandfather. She’d been constructing a perfect life for the two of them in her mind and was determined to make it happen.

      But when he’d finally given in and allowed her to stay at Wallaroo, Harry had wanted nothing to do with her. He was cold and dismissive, barely able to carry on a conversation with her. It had been Teague who had given her a reason to go on with her life, a reason to accept her circumstances and make a place for herself on her grandfather’s station—and in Teague’s heart.

      That’s why his desertion had hurt so badly. For months before he’d left for university, she’d tried to tell herself their feelings were strong enough to survive their time apart. And then, after only a few weeks, he’d forgotten her. No letters, no calls. Every letter she’d written had gone unanswered.

      Isolated as she was on Wallaroo, she’d assumed the worst of Teague. In the years that had passed after she’d left the station, she’d often wondered what had really happened. Maybe now she would find out the truth.

      Hayley had wanted to go to him back then, to demand answers. She’d packed her meager belongings, said goodbye to Molly and hitchhiked as far as Sydney before she ran out of money. After a month there, she’d decided she didn’t need anyone to depend upon—or love. She could fend for herself. And in the end, that’s where she’d stayed, starting a new life, a life that didn’t include anyone who could possibly hurt her.

      The sound of an approaching horse caught her attention and she stepped out from behind Molly and peered into the darkness. She held her breath as he came closer, wondering how long it would be before he kissed her again.

      Teague maneuvered his horse up next to her, then held out his hand. It had been forever since they’d ridden together. It had been this way when they’d spent nights at the shack. They’d ride out on the same horse, Hayley’s body nestled against his so they could talk and touch on the ride home. A few hours before sunrise, Teague would return her to the gate.

      He wove Molly’s reins through the leather strap on his bedroll, then settled Hayley in front of him. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he gave his horse a gentle kick and they started off at a slow walk.

      For a long time, they didn’t speak. Hayley felt her heart slamming in her chest and she found it difficult to breathe with Teague so close. She focused her attention on the spot where his arm rested against her belly, shifting back and forth and creating a delicious friction as the horse swayed.

      Even after all the time that had passed, this felt safe and comfortable and right. Hayley sighed softly and leaned against him. He nuzzled her neck and she tipped her head to the side to allow him more freedom. His mouth found a bare spot of skin.

      Arching against him, Hayley wrapped her arm around his neck, drawing him closer. She was almost afraid to speak for fear she might break the spell that had fallen over her. There was no need to revisit past mistakes and dredge up old resentments. They were here, together, and that was enough.

      Teague pressed his palm to her stomach, his fingers splaying across the soft fabric of her T-shirt. But as they continued their silent ride, he slipped his hand beneath her shirt to caress her breast. Hayley inwardly cursed her decision to put on her sexiest underwear. She wanted to feel the warm imprint of his hand on her flesh like she had that afternoon.

      The night was chilly and the moon shone golden as it rose over the outback. She had lived so long in Sydney she’d forgotten how desolate it was on Wallaroo—and how incredibly beautiful.

      By the time they reached the shack, the silence between them had become part of their growing desire. She didn’t need to speak. There’d be time for words later. Teague slid off the horse, then held out his hands for her. Grasping her waist, he held tight as she dropped to the ground. Her breath caught in her throat as he looked down into her eyes. She couldn’t read his expression in the dark, but the moonlight outlined his mouth and she fixed her gaze on it, waiting for him to make the first move.

      He drew a slow breath, then reached down and ran his fingers through her hair. His lips met hers in a kiss so soft and sweet that it caused a lump in her throat. He took his time, drawing his tongue along the crease of her mouth, teasing until she allowed him to taste more deeply.

      Her body pulsed with desire, a current racing through her bloodstream. She shuddered, anticipation nearly overwhelming her.

      “Cold?”

      Hayley shook her head.

      “Scared?”

      “Never,” she replied, her voice breathless.