by BJ Wane
“No, I’m good. I’ll take time to play once I send out the last call, but thanks.” Ben lifted a hand as he turned to stroll to the waiting customers at the other end of the bar.
Shawn had lost his appetite to socialize or seek another partner to scene with, but he slid off the stool and forced himself to fulfill his obligation to his friends and now partners in this venue. He, Clayton, and Dakota hadn’t let each other down in the twenty years since they’d met. He wouldn’t start now just because a woman had managed to get under his skin for the first time.
Chapter Four
Paradise Valley, Arizona
“Did you find her?”
Bruce Pomeroy bristled with resentment as his father gave him his standard greeting the minute he walked in the door. “No, not yet,” he replied tersely, frustrated with his search and the fact he’d lost track of the little bitch when he’d been so close to ridding himself of her pesky presence on Earth.
The old man’s shoulders drooped, and he spun his wheelchair around on the marble entry floor. “Bring me a whiskey, will you, Son?”
Of course, Dad, anything to make you happy. He held back a curse and followed him into the high-ceiled great room, going to the corner bar while his dad wheeled over to the fireplace to brood. The day had been long and tedious, spent searching for Lisa Halldor again. He couldn’t risk hiring a private detective even though he’d told the old man he was working with one. It wasn’t the first lie he’d given his parent, and certainly not the worst. Not that he cared.
For twenty-four years, he’d suffered from learning his philandering father had sired a daughter, and he had a half-sister who was already five when he discovered her existence. His mother had turned a deaf ear to the news, much like she’d turned a blind eye to her husband’s affairs over the years. The lifestyle from his millions was enough compensation for her. Since his father was away more than home during the first twenty years of Bruce’s life, was it any wonder he’d taken after her and put maintaining his lavish lifestyle as his top priority?
Since his mother’s assumption she would out live Frank due to their twenty-five-year age difference didn’t pan out, Bruce had been looking forward to spending all those millions himself until his father fell for some religious nonsense. Surprise and anger didn’t begin to cover his reaction when the old man announced he wanted to claim the daughter whose existence he’d ignored for twenty-nine years and make up for his neglect by adding her to his will. The only good news he’d given Bruce that day several weeks ago had been putting him in charge of locating her.
“You’re not trying hard enough. Fire that investigator and find someone else,” Frank demanded, his age-spotted hand shaking as he took the Waterford cut-crystal glass Bruce handed him. “How hard can it be? We know her name.”
“It wouldn’t make a difference. My guy is good, but if there are no leads, then it doesn’t matter who you go with. She’s not anywhere in the Phoenix area, but she’ll surface somewhere.” At least he hoped that proved true. There’s the possibility his failed attempt to take her out with the faulty brakes had scared her enough to send her into hiding for good. If so, that would work as well in his favor as making sure she didn’t live longer than dear old dad. He regretted letting his irritation push him into tormenting her with anonymous threats before seeing her dead.
“It’s a nice evening. Let’s sit outside until dinner,” Bruce suggested, needing to keep on his good side.
“You go ahead.” Frank waved his arm in a shooing motion.
Bruce refilled his drink, spun on his heel, and went out the French doors. Settling in a patio chair, he took a big, fiery gulp of whiskey, working to get his pissed-off frustration under control. His gaze skipped across the rippling clear water of the infinity pool to take in the majestic view their hilltop mansion offered, a reminder of what money could buy. Paradise Valley sat nestled in the foothills of Mummy Mountain with the Camelback and Piestewa Mountains hovering in the background and was home to only the wealthiest people in the state. Then there was his mounting gambling debt to consider, and the people he owed a small fortune to who didn’t like to be kept waiting for payment.
He intended to remain one of the elite and get out from under his crushing debt by ensuring he stayed the sole heir to the Pomeroy fortune, and Bruce always got what he wanted.
****
Shawn leaned sideways as his dun Mustang, Nevada, made a sharp right to cut off the Black Angus from darting farther away from the herd. The stallion had been a handful to break in but worth every bruise and now loved riding. Spending the weekends on the range with Clayton, Dakota, and the ranch hands always helped to clear his head of cobwebs and plaguing thoughts, like one emerald-eyed blonde who was driving him nuts. The more time he spent with Lisa Halldor, the more she intrigued him, and the deeper his suspicions went that he knew her from somewhere.
He couldn’t discount the significance of the flashbacks to that time in the past he’d thought he had put behind him, nor could he talk himself into believing in such a coincidence as she was the same girl he’d rescued so long ago. Unlike Clayton and Dakota, both of whom still struggled with the fact the people responsible for their parent’s deaths hadn’t paid the price for their crimes, Shawn was content knowing the armed domestic abuser who had shot and killed his father was still sitting in prison, serving a life sentence. With the help of Father Joe, he’d come to terms with his father’s death, and even though he still missed him, he’d moved on from that hurtful time, honoring his father’s memory by following his footsteps into law enforcement.
At least, he’d thought he’d adjusted well until he met Lisa and all he could think about was the night they’d fled the Atkins’ house. And that made no sense.
“Good boy,” Shawn praised Nevada with a pat on his neck as he straightened in the saddle and guided the Angus toward the herd grazing around the lake.
Wildflowers were starting to bud across the pasture, another sign of spring on top of the warmer weather. His biggest adjustment in moving from Arizona to Idaho had been the drastic climate differences – the winters here were damn cold and long. Still, after testing Buck’s authority the first six months, he’d acclimated to the weather and his new life on the ranch with a spurt of enthusiasm.
“What are you thinking about that caused that shit-eating grin?” Clayton asked as he rode up on his tan, white-and-black quarter horse, Sierra.
“Buck, and how hard we tried to get him to send us back home at first. Christ but we were little bastards, weren’t we?”
“Hell yeah. I thought for sure he’d beat the tar out of us when he caught us smoking in the horse barn ten minutes after finding us in the hayloft of the feed building and lecturing about the risk of fire. Man, he was livid. Ah, good times.” Clayton sighed with feigned drama.
“We found out quick he had other ways to punish.” Shawn winced as they rode. “Every muscle hurt the next day after he made us stay up all night scrubbing down each stall with soap and water. And we still had to go to school and do chores afterward.”
“At least he caved and let us have the cherry pie Miss Betty made us. That helped.”
“Her cooking always soothed our ruffled feathers,” Shawn agreed, eyeing Dakota’s scowl as he joined them, his head turned to watch the approach of a ranger’s cruiser. “Huh, wonder what they’re coming all the way out here for.”
Ben Wilkins, their part-time bartender and a full-time ranger pulled to a stop and got out, leaning one arm on the open door. His Stetson shielded the upper half of his face, but there was no mistaking the tight set to his mouth that indicated trouble.
“What’s up, Ben?” Shawn dismounted, along with Clayton, and the two of them walked toward Ben. Dakota remained on Phantom, his dappled-gray Morgan.
“You’ve heard grizzlies have returned to the state, right?”
“Last year, yes, after what, a century of close to extirpation? I just read the oldest one on record, thirty-four years old, was foun
d living in Yellowstone last month. Why?” Clayton asked.
“Because one a lot younger attacked a hunter. He’s been air-ambulanced from the north into Boise. We’re out spreading the word but wanted to give you guys the heads-up since the attack was so close to you. Watch your backs until we get him.”
“Need help?” Dakota asked.
Shawn looked up at him as he rode closer, the stern set to his face revealing the concern he would never reveal in words.
“Not yet, but thanks, Dakota.” Ben rubbed his jaw, shaking his head. “He must be just plain mean because the attack came out of nowhere, without provocation.”
“So says the victim, right?” Shawn had arrested more than his share of abusive hunters who got their kicks out of torturing or killing for the sake of killing instead of for the sport and then the meat.
Ben nodded. “His testimony is all we have to go on right now, and, as of yet, no one has found cause not to believe him. If he’s lying, he’s paying a hefty price for whatever he tried with this bear. He’s lucky to have survived.”
“Appreciate the warning.” Clayton dipped his head and turned back to his mount, saying over his shoulder, “We’ll let you know if we spot him.”
“Thanks, guys. Take care.”
Shawn swung up onto Nevada, cursing over yet one more thing to worry about. He could tell by Ben’s face his friend was as aware as he if a story about a grizzly attack got out, every big game hunter in the country would make a beeline for their state to make a name for himself. The sheriff’s office had enough on their plate without that added headache, and he knew the park rangers were also overworked once hunting season opened.
“Relax, McDuff,” Dakota drawled, managing his huge, spirited stallion with ease. “Attacks like that are rare, and between me and the hands, we can ensure the safety of our livestock. You won’t need to change your schedule to watch over us.”
Clayton chuckled at Shawn’s frown. “It’s true. You’ve got that look on your face.”
They ribbed him a lot, claiming he was an overbearing ass whenever there was a threat floating around. Was it his fault he’d inherited a strong protective gene from his dad? Lisa’s face popped into his head, her evasive looks and the worry often reflected in her eyes both hints she was carrying baggage of some kind. Was that why he couldn’t quit thinking about her, was so intent on solving the riddle of who she was, where they’d met before? Fuck, probably.
“I’ve known neither of you needed someone to cover your backs since we were teens, but there’s always safety in numbers. Remember that, Dakota. If you’re good here, I’ll ride back in. I have things to do yet today.”
“Any of them have to do with the attractive blonde with the pretty breasts from last night?”
Clayton always did go for blunt questions when poking his nose into his or Dakota’s business.
“Blonde? Was she the one who got under your skin last night?” Dakota asked with a sharp glance toward Shawn.
“No one got under my skin, it’s just Clayton making an ass of himself, again. I’m grilling tonight if either of you wants to join me.” Lifting his hand in a wave, Shawn turned Nevada toward the east and kicked him into a gallop.
There was nothing as exhilarating as tearing across a wide-open range with the wind whipping at your face and your body in tune with your steed’s ground-eating strides. As much as he enjoyed the rigorous ride, Shawn arrived at the stables still debating over what step, if any, to take next with Lisa. On top of finding her attractive, she tempted him as a Dom to explore her submissive side further, and to get to the root of her problem. Her wary, reserved eyes with hints of trouble tugged at his protective instincts and whatever secret she was holding close that demanded investigating. The combination couldn’t have been gift-wrapped and left on his doorstep in a more enticing package, and he figured the only solution was to get to know her better and earn her trust.
He couldn’t rely on random meetings to accomplish that goal in the relatively short time she would be here, and certainly not at the club where emotions and libidos ran so high. Assuming she would agree, Shawn decided to ask her out. As soon as he learned where they’d met before, he was sure his odd obsession would disappear as fast as it came about. It would have to, he determined as he tethered Nevada at a corral rail outside the horse barn. Given she was only in town for a few months, nothing long term could come of whatever relationship he could talk her into.
Satisfied with his decision, and confident of the outcome, he groomed Nevada and turned him out to pasture before hopping in his SUV and returning to his place to see what he had to go with the buffalo burgers.
****
Lisa jerked awake on a gasp, struggling to breathe, her hand on her constricted throat. Heart pounding in terror, she cast a frantic look around the dark room, trying to get her bearings. Another dream, that’s all. That realization was little comfort as she sat up on the side of her bed, still shaking inside and out from the too-real heavy pressure threatening to suffocate her.
Reaching for the lamp next to the bed, she switched it on, wishing like hell the circumstances of why Shawn had whisked her out of that foster home had never resurrected again. Sometime between settling in with her new foster family and getting counseling, she’d effectively blocked most of the fear of that large, foul-breathed man pinning her to the bed, choosing to dwell on the comfort of strong arms and a deep, soothing voice instead. For the first time since her mother never returned home, a stranger had been willing to let her choose a path forward.
That night, with her assailant lying on the floor still way too close, it had been a no-brainer to go with Shawn. She’d lived with the memory of that rescue without fear until the threatening phone calls had started, reviving the terror of being victimized. The first time she went to the club after getting that first scary message, she couldn’t get past the coldness that had invaded her body. No matter how hard or what Master Wade tried, nothing had worked to separate her mind from her body, or to release the block keeping her from responding.
Just like twenty years ago, it was Shawn who had carried her out of the frigid darkness into the warm light. That didn’t mean she wanted him to know who she was, or why she’d come to Mountain Bend. Despite that unreasonable pang when he didn’t remember her, she wasn’t about to let him think she’d come seeking his protection again.
Oh, and by the way, I’m in trouble again, so can you please help me?
Yeah, right.
Lisa pushed to her feet and padded down the short hall, nudging up the heat and turning on lights on her way to the kitchen. As she fixed a cup of hot tea, she relived every moment under Master Shawn’s command at Spurs, the welcoming sting of his lashes, the hot clasp of his mouth on her nipples, and the strong, suckling pulls on her sore tips that had broken through her mental resistance. By the time the tea was ready, she was already warmer, pressing her thighs together as her thoughts resulted in a damp release from her empty pussy.
Before meeting her rescuer, she hadn’t contemplated sex in months, too on edge over everything else even to miss the act. But now, with the dredges of another nightmare still hovering, she could really go for a bout of fucking that would take command not only of her body but her mind, enough to banish the lingering fear.
And that, more than anything else, told her how deeply meeting Shawn face-to-face again had affected her in such a short time. Other than safety from her stalker until he backed off, there was nothing for her here in Idaho, with him. She needed to remember any interest he showed in her came from the questions she had avoided answering, and now, from discovering her submissive interests. She couldn’t bear to see his attentiveness change to suspicion were she to remind him of where he’d seen her before. In hindsight, she realized it was a mistake not to tell him about Father Joe and admit right away who she was. She blamed that error in judgment on the weeks of stress and fear clouding her mind and the surprise of their sudden meeting. As much as she craved another scene
with the one man she now trusted above all others with her body, it might be best if she didn’t push her luck by seeking him out at Spurs again.
Lisa couldn’t get back to sleep, so she finished her weekend grading, cleaned the little bungalow that was the perfect size for her, and then took a long shower before accepting Jen’s offer to drop in for breakfast and a visit at the B&B.
There was only one car in the guest lot behind Jen’s place, but several were parked along the street. Lisa knew the Miner’s Junction Sunday buffet was open to the public, offering a full menu, including Jen’s specialty egg casserole and homemade cinnamon rolls.
“You’re up early,” Jen greeted her from behind the buffet table as Lisa walked into the dining room.
Picking up a plate, Lisa returned her smile. “Too early, but I couldn’t get back to sleep. I hate buffets. They tempt me to take too much.”
Jen eyed the scoop of scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and now hash browns she put on her plate. “I’m glad your aversion isn’t stopping you. Leaning over the warming dishes, she whispered, “You and our hot deputy sheriff, huh?”
Lisa cursed her fair skin as heat spread over her face, her surprise at Jen’s knowledge of where and with whom she’d spent Friday evening rendering her speechless for a moment. Jen’s chuckle loosened her tongue.
“How did you find out?” she murmured, conscious of the diners seated behind her.
“Relax. Drew and I have been members for several years. Only a few people in Mountain Bend visit that club. Most regular goers are from Boise or neighboring ranches, like Shawn.”
He owns a ranch? How much more didn’t she know about him? Adding a roll to her plate, she replied, “I didn’t see you there.”
Jen handed her a napkin-rolled fork and knife as Lisa reached the end of the hot dishes and pondered the salad choices. “We came in late, and you left right after your scene. God, what I wouldn’t give to have Master Shawn look at me like that even though my Drew is all I want.”
