“Now you have me all to yourself, Gwen,” Nick joked, showing off a row of pearly white teeth. “Are you going to take advantage of me?”
I swatted his hand away and choked back a laugh. “Honestly, how can you think of that at a time like this?”
“How can I not when you’re looking like that?” he pointed out, gesturing to me. Dressed in a simple pair of dark jeans, ballet flats, a V-neck top, and my hair falling in loose waves around my face, I didn’t see his point, but I shrugged and smiled, a flush rising up my cheeks.
“Thank you for saving the horses,” I said appreciatively.
In the bathroom, I took out the first aid kit and ran a towel underneath the water before I hurried over, taking time to examine Nick thoroughly before the tightness around my chest eased.
He was fine.
“You’re welcome,” he responded, quietly. “Did you enjoy your day off?”
“Well, it was nice not to have any chores,” I admitted. “But I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.”
“Why not?”
“I guess I like it too much here,” I mused, running the cloth over his face.
“I think the term for that is workaholic,” he pointed out teasingly. He reached over, attempting to wrap his arms around me.
“You need to shower first,” I told him. I helped him to his feet, giggling as he tried to coax me into giving him a kiss. When he was finally underneath the showerhead, I leaned against the door, listening to the sound of his voice.
“Don’t consider a career in singing,” I warned.
Nick poked his head out, droplets of water cascading down. “You’re just jealous.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why would I be?”
“Because I could be the next Ed Sheeran or something,” he retorted. He reached for the towel I draped across the rack and wrapped it around his waist, steam emerging the same time he did.
“Nick?”
“Hmm?”
“I think I’m in love with you,” I blurted out. In two strides, he covered the distance between us, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his forehead against mine.
“I think I’m in love with you, too.”
Chapter 6
NICK.
I held Gwen’s body against mine, reluctant to let it go, even for a second. Chills raced up and down my spine, and a smattering of goosebumps broke out, an attempt to warn me of the chill in the air, but I didn’t care.
My heart was doing somersaults and leaps, pumping me full of this giddy feeling I had never experienced before. I wanted to bottle it up and hide it somewhere for safekeeping, taking it out whenever things got too hard.
To my delight, Gwen held me just as tightly as I held her, as if everything that had transpired the past few weeks didn’t matter — not the pregnancy, the return of our exes, or the barn burning down.
All of that seemed like a distant memory that belonged outside, not within the confines of my room. I buried my head in her hair, inhaling the smell of vanilla and pears, marveling at the fact that it made my stomach give an odd little lurch.
Yes, I had it bad. And for the first time in my life, I didn’t care about admitting it. In fact, I would stand on the roof and scream it out for the world to hear if it proved my love for her.
Shit, I sounded like a cheesy romantic now.
Gwen stirred and drew back to look at me. “We should get you in some clothes before you get sick.”
I nodded and took her hand in mine. As soon as she shut the bathroom door, and I made sure the bedroom door was secured, I dropped the towel and watched in satisfaction as she admired my naked form, eyes roaming hungrily over every inch of available skin.
Before long, she pressed her fingers to my bare skin, her touch making me tingle as I reached for her head, tilted her chin up and pressed my lips to hers for a kiss, patient and sweet.
This time was different. We were tentative around each other, almost as if this was our first time together. For all intents and purposes, it might as well have been. I gently ran my fingers down her back, smiling as she shuddered against my touch.
I stood back and undressed her, taking my sweet time even as I caught the impatient look in her eyes. I shook my head at her, determined to do it right this time, until she was standing before me, the flickering light casting long shadows across her pale skin.
She reached for me, and I let her, losing myself in her kisses and the expert way she touched me, pushing my body in ways I didn’t think were possible. All too soon, I pushed her towards the bed, her head falling atop the pillow, hair spread out behind her...the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen.
I ran my mouth over her smooth skin, drawing my lips back as I allowed my teeth to graze and nip, my tongue darting out every so often to lick a sensitive patch of skin. Beneath me, she writhed, making soft little noises and panting as she wrapped her arms around me to draw me closer.
Her skin felt warm to the touch, especially as I trailed down her legs to the inside of her thighs and skirted around her core, a muscle flexing in her navel. Her hands fell down to her side, clutching the sheets for dear life.
I swallowed and took both her hands in mine, kissing each individual finger until her eyes flew open, staring at me in confusion. Wordlessly, I wrapped her arms around my neck, placing a wet kiss on the inside of her arm.
She spread her legs open and smiled, sucking in a harsh breath. I eased myself into her, pausing as I filled her, her body expanding and contracting. Her warmth spread around me, and I gritted my teeth, trying to stay still, so she could enjoy the moment.
Truthfully, I wanted her to remember everything about this moment, from the soft light dancing upon our skin, to the way it felt to be intertwined as one, holding onto each for dear life.
Slowly, I pushed myself even further, watching as her mouth formed a surprised a gasp. I felt one hand falling down my back, trailing lightly before it moved back up. She threaded her fingers through my hair, moving them in slow circular motions, massaging my scalp.
My answer was a low grunt in the back of my throat. I started to thrust, moving my hips and using her voice as a guide, taking my sweet time with her even as she raked her nails across my back, impatient and insatiable.
Eventually, her body writhed, spasms breaking out across her entire figure as she panted, struggling for air. Sweat broke out across her face, running in rivulets down her chest to her navel.
I reached forward and licked a few away, giving her a devilish grin the process. She smiled, a hazy look in her eyes as she pressed a kiss to my shoulder and kissed around my collarbone, the gesture making the fire in my blood run molten.
With a heavy grunt, I dropped my head to the crook of her neck and pushed again with long, purposeful strokes that made her whimper, my name a low chant under her breath, pleading, wanting.
All mine.
Too soon, she came again, this time moaning my name. Her nails were digging into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped marks in their wake. She arched her back as she rode out the last of her orgasm, head pressed to my chest and hand placed over my heart.
I came undone when she wrapped her legs around my waist and squeezed, spilling into her, my body heaving with the effort. With great difficulty, I rolled off of her and tucked her into my side, my lungs burning with effort.
“What now?” Gwen wondered to herself, half asleep.
“Go to sleep,” I mumbled, pressing my mouth to her forehead for a sweet kiss. “Tomorrow, we’ll talk.”
Chapter 7
.
I tried to flip over, but I couldn’t. A pair of arms were wrapped around me, pinning me in place. Panic blossomed in the pit of my stomach as I struggled to wake up, to remember why I couldn’t move.
My eyes flew open, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out across my forehead, and I squirmed, a low hissing noise escaping my lips as I flipped over. Relief washed over me when I spotted Nick.
Instantly, my fears evaporated, and a
smile spread out across my features as I watched him, snuggling closer into his arms. His long lashes cast shadows across his face. In his sleep, he looked peaceful, like nothing in the world could ever bother him.
A single lock of hair fell over his eye, and I brushed it back tenderly, letting my fingers linger, tracing his strong, angular features and admiring the way he looked — but most importantly, the way he made me feel.
I was struck with the sudden urge to shake him awake, to ask him if last night had truly happened — words uttered in the heat of the moment due to a high stakes situation, or if it was because we meant them.
I knew I did, but I wasn’t sure where Nick stood, but it wasn’t as if I could wake him up and ask him. In fact, the last time we were in bed together like this, deliriously happy and satiated after hours of sex, things had taken a turn for the worst.
With Brenda arriving unannounced and a baby in her belly she claimed was Nick’s.
Fuck.
Brenda.
I hadn’t even allowed myself to think of the consequences of our actions or the ripple effect I was sure this would have on her baby by extension. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure how to navigate this entire situation, much less what to say. But I knew I needed to try — we both did.
Brenda wasn’t something we could push to the back of the closet until we felt like it. She was a person, and she deserved the truth. Nick’s brows knitted together, and he frowned.
“Man, are your thoughts loud,” he murmured, peeking one eye open. I smiled and kissed the tip of his nose, giggling when his hands ran over my back and down to my butt, patting it affectionately.
“How can you tell?” I whispered, voice thick and tinged with sleep.
“Because I can feel it,” he responded, opening the other eye, gazing at me intently, as if I was the only thing that mattered in the world. The butterflies in my stomach erupted, beating their wings softly and creating a warm and fuzzy glow I wanted to bask in.
“Sorry,” I muttered, running my fingers over his mouth.
“Don’t be.” He kissed the tips of my fingers. “Do you want to tell me what’s on your mind?”
I sighed. “I was just thinking about Brenda and the baby.”
A pained look crossed Nick’s features, and he relaxed his grip on me, flipping over so he was on his back, facing the ceiling. “Yeah, I’ve been thinking about it, too.”
I curled against him, placing my head atop his arm. “I think we need to talk to her, figure out how this is going to work.”
He craned his neck, offering me a small smile. “I know you’re right. I just like where we’re at right now, and I don’t want to ruin that.”
I pressed a kiss to the base of his neck, letting my hot breath linger there. “I know, but we can’t stay in this bubble forever.”
He groaned and pulled me against him, crushing me to his side and throwing one leg over me. “Yeah, but I wish we could. We should just stay in bed for a few days.”
I giggled, running my fingers over his hair. “We should, but we can’t.”
He paused. “Well, we’ll be able too soon, I think. Once I run this place.”
I poked his side. “Then you’ll be my boss.”
“Does this mean you’re my sexy assistant?” he teased, yelping when I pinched his arm. He yanked it back and rubbed the sore spot, shooting me a dirty look. “I was just kidding.”
“Somehow, I doubt you were,” I muttered. “Anyway, let’s just focus on one thing at a time. Brenda first, then the ranch.”
“Fire first, then Brenda,” Nick corrected.
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I overheard some of the others talking, and they have no idea how the first started,” Nick explained, all traces of laughter gone from his voice. “It doesn’t seem like it was an accident since there was nothing flammable in there.”
I sat up in bed, drawing my knees to my chest. “Are you saying that the fire wasn’t an accident?”
He rested his head against the pillow, dark eyes peering at me. “I don’t know. I’m not an investigator, but that seems to be the case.”
“Why would anyone want to do that? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I’ve been turning it over in my head, but it doesn’t add up. None of the buyers would risk that.”
“Maybe it’s someone who has an axe to grind,” I guessed.
Truthfully, I couldn’t think of anyone who had an issue with the Parkers, but it wasn’t outside the realm of the possibility. Generally, they were well-liked and respected, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t someone out there who didn’t think otherwise.
Right now, it seemed like the logical solution, albeit a dark one.
A few minutes later, I drifted off into a deeply troubled sleep, haunted by the images of scary men in masks with matches.
I RUBBED THE SLEEP out of my eyes and yawned. “What did the investigator say?”
Nick’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “Preliminary report says that the fire wasn’t an accident. His best guess is that someone started it.”
“But who?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
Chapter 8
GWEN.
It was strange the way things could change.
In the blink of an eye, the ranch had gone from being my home, the safest place on Earth, to a dangerous battleground. One where deceit, lies, and sabotage were the order of the day.
Hearing the truth from Nick’s own mouth didn’t make it easier. If anything, it made things worse. I couldn’t fathom the thought that anyone would want to wreck Parker ranch, much less risk harming the animals in the process.
And to think they’d almost succeeded, too.
It made me sick to my stomach and kept me up at night, tossing and turning, imagining sinister smiles hidden behind a thin veneer of silver, polished and primed to perfection.
I could hardly believe it.
Overnight, the ranch had turned into an unfamiliar place, one I didn’t recognize. I found myself looking at everyone, staring at their faces a little longer than necessary, especially Bill and Brenda, the two newcomers.
Where Brenda was concerned, it was more paranoia than anything else. Besides, I doubted she wanted Nick’s business to fail, not if it meant her baby wouldn’t have as many opportunities.
Not that Nick would allow that to happen.
I was certain that he would give his child the best life possible, making sure he or she didn’t want for anything. That much was obvious. In any case, Brenda didn’t do much except sit around in her room and watch things on her laptop.
Occasionally, she wandered out to ask for something, but other than that, she made herself scarce, preferring not to associate herself with the “dirty work” as she liked to put it.
So, that left Bill.
Nick’s true rival when it came to the ranch. Naturally, I was skeptical when it came to the older man because while he did give me the creeps, I had to admit that his motive would be unclear.
After all, he did wish to be the sole owner of the ranch, so to damage it would be counterproductive in his case, especially if any of the animals were harmed. Logically, it didn’t make sense. But maybe he had some other motive, an attempt to scare off other prospective buyers.
Or lower the value of the ranch by damaging the property.
My head was spinning with all the possibilities, so I sat down on the front porch, swinging my legs up under me and watching the sun bleed into the sky, hues of pink and purple lighting up.
It was one of my favorite sights.
I tightened my shawl around my shoulders and sighed, letting my hands fall forward, coming to rest atop my belly. I supposed there was no point in worrying over it, especially when I couldn’t actually do anything useful.
No, it was the investigator who would have to give us some concrete answers, maybe even a prime suspect, though I doubted it would be that easy, with the an
swers handed over to us on a silver platter.
In fact, I expected it to be far more complicated, so the only thing I could do was keep my head down and keep working. Hopefully, all the executor of the will needed was more time to see that Nick and I were in it for the long haul.
Granted, it hadn’t been the case when we first approached him, but it was true now, and that was all that mattered. I was about ready to put this whole thing behind me and move on with my life, once and for all.
Once Nick took over as the rightful owner, I was sure things would improve, starting with the departure of Bill. Beyond that, I hadn’t really thought ahead, preferring not to envision the inevitable moment when Nick would have to decide.
Brenda would want to stay in the city, I was sure of it, and Nick shouldn’t have to miss out on his kid’s childhood. It wouldn’t be fair to ask him to. So, it appeared our options were limited, once again.
But I was getting ahead of myself, as I always did.
First, we had to find the culprit behind the fire. The rest would follow. I just hoped Nick and I were strong enough for that. I gave a start of surprise when I felt a pair of arms come up behind me and whisper in my ear.
“I did try calling your name,” Nick pointed out, placing a soft kiss on my cheek before he went around and joined me on the swing, mirroring my position. “But you were pretty deep in thought. Penny for your thoughts?”
“They cost way more than that,” I joked, allowing my head to come to rest atop his shoulder. He loosely wrapped an arm around me and hummed under his breath, making up lyrics to a tune I didn’t even recognize.
“I love the sunsets out here,” Nick admitted, a look of awe on his face. “I forgot that.”
“I like to come out here to think,” I replied. “But yeah, they are beautiful.”
“You’re worried about the fire,” he concluded, turning his head to face me, eyes grave. “Look, I know that it’s serious, but I don’t want you to worry about it, okay? I’m taking care of it, and the important thing is everyone and the animals are alright. They didn’t succeed.”
Secret Series: A Stealthy Billionaire Romance Box Set Page 12
