Copyright © Naomi Bellina, 2011
All Rights Reserved, Total-E-Ntwined Limited, T/A Total-E-Bound.

Excerpt From: Miranda's Travels

The wind whipped the rain into Miranda’s face as she struggled, sodden through, her horse weary, towards the stable at the tavern. She dismounted, threw off her rain-soaked cape, and led her horse in. She saw a figure at a nearby stall with his back to her.

“Stable boy,” she demanded. “Come here and look after my horse.” As he walked out of the shadows, she saw he was quite old to be a stable boy, but Miranda was tired and hungry, and wanted to have her horse tended to as soon as possible so she could get a warm meal.

As he came closer, she saw his face and body more clearly, and she caught her breath. He was strikingly handsome, with dark hair, broad shoulders, and a neatly-trimmed moustache and beard. Miranda felt a warmth spreading low in her body. She smelt a clean, masculine scent that woke up her senses and made thoughts of dinner vanish; this was what her body craved now, as tired as she was.

“Hello,” she said with a smile. “I’m Miranda. I would appreciate it if you would take care of my horse this evening. I’ll be staying at the inn.”

“Yes, ma’am, my pleasure,” he said with an answering smile. “My name is Nicholas. This is a fine horse you have.”

“Thank you. He has been a good worker and companion for me for years,” Miranda replied. As Nicholas came even closer, Miranda could feel her heart racing and blood rushing to her face. All the miles of riding with her legs wrapped around her fine beast had started a hunger in her body, and now she wanted that hunger satisfied.

“Come here, I’ll show you how to brush him,” she instructed Nicholas. She handed him the brush from her saddlebag and took his hand. Sparks seemed to travel up her arm and through her body at the contact.

“I believe I know how to properly brush a horse, ma’am,” Nicholas told Miranda, pulling his hand away from hers.

“My horse is very particular,” Miranda informed him. He likes to be brushed slowly and smoothly, like this,” she instructed. Standing behind Nicholas and grabbing his hand once again, she guided it along the horse’s side. She moved in closer to him, breathing in his scent. Her nipples hardened as she pressed herself against him. She could hear his breath catch at the close contact, and knew he must be feeling the electric currents that were running through her body.

“Long, slow, calming strokes work the best,” she said, guiding his hand over the horse’s rump and down his leg. “And make sure you check his hooves.” Miranda bent over to pick up one of the horse’s legs, exposing an expanse of creamy white cleavage as she did so.

“That is exactly the method I use,” Nicholas said. “I’m sure I can do a satisfactory job without your assistance.”