by N Kuhn
“Travis, he knows who I am. I have to move already.” The sound of her voice caused Beau to clutch his chest. His heart tore in two.
“No, sweetheart, you don’t have to go anywhere, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.” Mara swung the gun back towards him and his hands flew back into the air.
“Mara, gun, now,” Agent Parker stalked towards her, holding his hand out, as if a parent trying to remove a toy from a child’s grasp. A tear streaked down her cheek as she gently turned the weapon over to the agent’s possession. She hung her head, the large brimmed sun hat covering her face as her shoulders shook. Beau couldn’t hold back anymore. He moved slowly towards her, enveloping her into his arms. She inhaled his scent as she sobbed. It helped calm her slightly until she remembered that he’s the reason she was in this position. Mara shoved at his hard chest, pushing him from her.
“Mara, let’s go sit in the shade. You’re flushed. Beau, grab her some ice water and do something with this beast,” Agent Parker ordered as he tried to shove the furry dog off of him. Beau leapt to action and moved into her kitchen as if he owned the place. Hanging her head, Mara trudged to the swing on her porch. Agent Parker pulled a chair over from the patio table and sat in front of her.
“Listen, as soon as Mr. Belmont got that email and realized who you were, he called us. He called us and let us know you were in danger. He came to Dallas today because we wired him and sent him to meet the contact that the Ciminelli’s sent down here. It’s was one of Joey Ciminelli’s sons. Paulie gave Beau money to find you, but they think you’re hiding out in Dallas. They have no clue you’re out here or your name. On my end, I’m trying to figure out who the FBI leak is. No one can reach Agent Michaels. We don’t know if he’s the leak or if he was taken and tortured. We will find out. We will catch him. I swear to you, that nothing is going to happen to you. Please,” he reached out, holding her hand. Mara couldn’t look up. Tears welled in her eyes as her heart shattered. She wanted this life so bad and here it was, already slipping through her fingers. Who was she fooling? There was no way she would survive this.
“I just shouldn’t testify. That’s the only way I’ll live and be left alone.” Her voice came out barely above a whisper. Beau slid the kitchen door shut behind him, leaving Bear inside. The dog sat there, pouting at everyone being outside without him.
“No, Mara.” He slid next to her on the swing, ignoring the fact that she pulled away. He handed her the glass of water. “Now that they know, that you know, whether you testify or not, they will still kill you. Men like this don’t mess around. Let us help you, let me save you,” he exclaimed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. At this point, she let him, giving up on fighting. She wanted his comfort, his scent, the feel of him around her.
“Now, what we’re going to suggest may sound crazy, but I think it will work. We’ve talked a lot the last two days Mara.” The tone of Agent Parker’s voice worried her a little.
“This doesn’t sound good,” she laughed, though it didn’t sound like she thought it was funny. Beau grinned at her attempt to lighten the mood. His heart was still racing from having a gun pointed at him. He held her close against his body and could feel her tremble.
“So, what do you think about getting married?” Beau laughed as he said it. The idea still sounded even preposterous to him. “And maybe dying your hair black?” Her wide eyed look said it all. She pulled back in shock.
“Get out, get off my porch, take your dog. You’re just being ridiculous now.”
“Hey, I just made a hundred grand. I can give you a beautiful wedding.” Mara shook her head in disbelief. Was he joking or serious? She couldn’t tell. Either way, it was preposterous.
“You two are insane and if anything, that should be my money. You put my life at risk even speaking to them.”
“Marry me, and it’s yours.” He winked at her.
“Now, now, we were there the whole time. We could arrest Paulie now, but we need to find Joey first, or he’ll just keep sending people down here after you and they will get closer and closer.” Agent Parker came to Beau’s defense. Though Mara knew he didn’t need defending.
“Come on sweetheart, I’m just messing. I’m going to stay here, help you fix up the place and get it open and running. Your own little bodyguard, without you feeling like you’re trapped, like when you were in protective custody.” She stuttered. Beau wanted to live with her? Help her?
“You live next door. You don’t need to stay here. Give me my gun back,” she held her hand out to Travis. He slid the weapon back into her slender hand.
“Next time, take the safety off,” he chuckled as she stood, huffing and puffing. Mara paced back and forth, the gun pointed at the ground.
“Mara, he needs to stay here. It’s the only way I’ll leave you here. I can’t protect you here. I have to get back to Dallas and find Agent Michaels. Let Beau stay. He’s well trained, ex-military, trained Navy SEAL, and the man will keep you safe. Please,” he begged. The men knew they had her the second her motion ceased and shoulders sagged.
“We still have to cut and dye your hair though,” Beau broke the bad news. Looking to the sky, Mara just sighed.
“Fine.” She stormed into her room, slamming the sliding door behind her. Beau looked to Agent Parker.
“I’ll keep her safe.”
“You got my number. Don’t make me find you and kill you.” The fed got up, ambling back to his truck at Beau’s. Swinging for a few more minutes, Beau wondered how long he could last. Every time he looked at Mara, her soft skin, smelled the sweet flowery scent her skin held, grazed her touch, his body felt electrified. Groaning, he moved to her door. Slipping it open, he poked his head in. The white room was girlie, lace everywhere. He noted that her hat and sundress were on the floor. Shaking his head, he tried to force himself to stay put, not move in further, but his body wouldn’t listen. Two steps in, he looked to the right as Mara emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a towel.
“Are you kidding me?” Her anger flushed her face. “Come on, get out. I may have to let you stay here, even though you’re right next door, I may have to let you protect me, but you can’t be in my room.” She stomped her foot like a child. Screw restraint. Beau moved towards her and he heard the sharp breath she took. He noticed the goose bumps that spread across her skin, right before he reached out to caress her arm.
His long fingers swept up, causing a shiver to rack through her body. He took that as a sign to keep going, wrapping a hand around the back of her waist. He pulled her flush against his body, knowing the moment she felt the lust pressing against his jeans. Mara slid her hand up his chest, the black cotton of his shirt stretched tight across his muscles. Her curiosity won out as she pulled at the material. Giving in, Beau let her go, pulling the shirt up over his head. Her fingers trailed along with the material, feeling their way along his muscles. It had been so long since she had been with a man, let alone, actually wanted one. Years actually. Her life with her ex had lost its passion after high school. Her lonely existence pushed urges through her body and regardless of the danger she was in, forgetting her anger at Beau, she wanted nothing more than his touch.
“Make me feel like a woman again,” she whispered.
“Sweetheart, are you sure about this?” His raspy southern twang brushed against her ear as he nuzzled her neck. Course lips kissed their way down her neck and she shivered.
“Please,” her voice practically begged and Beau lost all control. He tugged the towel from her grasp, leaving her bare body before him. The pale skin beckoned to him. She had yet to shower and smelled of sunshine, dirt and plants. He groaned as his cock throbbed against his pants. Beau enveloped her waist with his arms, lifting as she spread her legs to wrap around his hips. He carried her to the bed, gently laying her down. She lay there in her naked glory, long blonde hair flowing around her head in a halo of perfection. Mara licked her lips and watched as he quickly rid himself of the jeans and boots he wore. Beau climbed
on top of her, seeking out her mouth. Kissing her, he lost himself in her scent, in the feel and taste of her mouth.
Her lips parted, allowing him access as her hand roamed, trying to learn every inch of his well built body. His hand reached up to cup her face, pulling back from their embrace. Looking down into her eyes, he almost lost himself again.
“I promise, nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let anyone hurt you. Even if we have to run and hide at the ends of the earth, no one will touch you.”
“I don’t want to run anymore,” she sobbed, tears threatening to spill again. Her chest ached. “I want this Bed and Breakfast. I want this life. Here. With or without you, this is what I want and I need to try and do it as much on my own as I can. I won’t be controlled again.” Agent Parker had explained her past. Beau understand.
“I get it. Then we stay and fight. I’ll call some friends to stay at my place and I’ll stay here with you. I’ll do whatever you want, help anyway I can, to get this place running for you.”
“Hell, I have my permits, your friends can be my first guests,” she giggled. He caught the excitement in her eyes and couldn’t remember the last time he was so excited about a project like she was. At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to give it to her. His finger reached out, wiping at her tears.
“Whatever you want, I’ll do it,” he whispered against her mouth before capturing her lips again. She shifted her hips underneath him, pressing her warm core against his throbbing shaft. Beau slid down, his tongue trailing a cool line down her neck. His warm lips captured her breast, licking at the nipple as his fingers deftly maneuvered around the other side, pinching and tugging at it. Green eyes lifted to stare into hers. The eye contact caused his body to vibrate with need. Her hips shifted, urging him to continue. Her fingers thread through his hair, tugging at the light strands of dusky colored locks. Her nails dug a trail along the back of his neck as he kissed his way lower. Twisting his head, he placed his lips against her right thigh, running his finger up the inside of the left one. Mara shivered, goosebumps breaking out along her skin. Her breath hitched as she to control herself. Reaching her center, Beau licked at her clit, groaning at the noises she made. Soft mews from her throat caused his cock to throb, begging to know what it felt like to be inside of her.
“Please Beau,” she begged quietly as her body writhed beneath his touch. He pressed a finger inside of her, twisting it around as he continued his oral assault on her clit.
“So wet baby, so wet and ready for me.” He pressed harder against her core, circling and lightly biting at the nub. Her fingers grabbed at the sheet, pulling the material as if it would save her life. She pressed her hips up tighter against his face, using one hand to hold his head in place.
“Don’t stop,” she cried out, still holding the bed with her other hand. He lapped at her harder, quicker, burying his face between her legs. Mara cried out as she came. Her pussy clenched around his finger as her hand pulled his head away from her body. She gasped for air, panting in the aftermath of her release. Mara closed her eyes, turning her head to the side and moaning loudly.
“God, I forgot what that felt like.”
“Been that long baby?” Beau asked her as he moved back up her body. His cock was in pain, anxious to feel her wrapped around him. Without waiting for her to answer, he thrust himself deeply inside of her. The wet heat clasped his cock as he stilled. If he moved, it would be over. Beau hissed through his clenched teeth, struggling for control. Mara looked at his rugged face, the handsome features that drew her to him in the first place. Kind eyes looked back at her. She reached up, holding his face in front of hers, capturing his lips with her mouth. Slowly she moved her hips beneath his body, feeling him pressed as deep inside of her as he could manage. Swiftly, Mara managed to shove Beau to his back, rolling with him so she landed on top, never losing the fullness of him inside of her. Balancing her hands on his chest, she pressed down with her fingers and lifted her body. She slid up his shaft, and then slammed back down, crying out at the pressure. He filled her body like no other.
Mara continued to gyrate her hips, alternating as she moved up and down. Beau wrapped his fingers around her hips, helping glide her body in the pistoning motion. Every time she moved down, Mara would grind her hips against his body, her clit happily rubbing against Beau. Quicker she went, feeling her excitement boiling back up again. Like a pot about to boil over, she screamed out, “I’m going to come. Oh God, Beau,” she threw her head back, long locks of hair falling over her shoulders, covering her breasts. Beau pulled on her hips, ready to burst too. Just as he thought he would lose control, she loudly moaned and he could feel her release coating his cock with her thick juices. She kept moving until he pulled her tightly against his body. His hips bucked once, twice and then his seed exploded from inside of his body. He growled, the overly sensitive member was milked empty by her walls pulsating around him. Breathlessly, Mara collapsed on his chest, the pounding of his heart in her ear. Arms splayed across the bed, she rested there, quickly lulled to sleep. Beau softly ran his fingers up her back, inhaling deeply. The room smelled of her, that sweet sunshine smell, grass, dirt and sex. He wrapped his arms around Mara, shifting her body to the side, tucking her in against him. His sticky cock lay flaccid against his belly as he closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep with the evening sun fading, a smile on his face.
During the night, a racket outside the porch door startled them. Beau and Mara leapt from the bed, Bear barking and growling at the glass. In the darkness, nothing could be seen. Mara’s heart raced as fear coursed through her body.
“Go to one of the other rooms and lock yourself in,” Beau whispered as he slipped on his boxers. He slunk around the bed, roughly moving her towards the door. In the dark, he smashed his foot against the dresser, quietly cursing. He waited to hear the door open as Mara snuck out of the room and then moved towards the sliding door. In the pitch black, he couldn’t see much. Bear’s low growl told him something was out there. Damn, why didn’t I bring a weapon, knowing she’s in danger? His thoughts made him angry at himself for not being more prepared. He quietly slid the door open, allowing Bear to take off running. He heard squeaks and loud noises from the garden area as Bear shot towards it. Shaking his head, he couldn’t keep the laughter from spilling out of his mouth. Mara pushed the door open as Beau switched on the outdoor lights.
“What are you laughing at?” She asked, panting. Her fear still edging into her voice.
“Come see our suspects.” He waved her over to him. Bear chased two raccoons from the wheelbarrow she left near the garden. Her tomato plants she hadn’t gotten into the ground yet were tipped over onto the grass.
“Wow,” she said, giggling. Her hand lay over her chest as she tried to calm her racing heartbeat.
“Critters,” he said, wrapping an arm around her. “I’m gonna run home real quick. I was so mad at myself for not being ready. I need to grab a weapon. I believe they don’t know where you are, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I promised I would protect you and if that had been someone, I don’t know what I would have done.” All humor was gone from his voice as he reached out, caressing Mara’s face. In the light from the porch, he could see her pale face. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“I hate this,” she whispered. “I lived in fear for months. I didn’t want to have to do it again.”
“I get it sweetheart. I do. I promise, Agent Parker and I will end this soon. You won’t have to leave here and you will not live in fear.” She moved away from him, his body stiffening at the loss of her heat.
“I’m going to lay back down. Hurry up,” she said quietly, crawling beneath the sheets. Her naked body glimmered in the light from outside as he moved to the door. Looking back, he stepped through, hurrying to his home so he could crawl back into bed with her. Bear, that traitor, bounded back inside the bedroom instead of following Beau, his master. He shook his head as he ran, in a hurry to curl her body back up against
his. He hoped they could find Ciminelli soon, because he wanted nothing more than a happy existence and he had a feeling that the only way that would happen, was with Mara.
Chapter 5
Beau rolled over, momentarily disoriented by his surroundings. His arm moved across the bed next to him, only to find it empty. When he had returned last night, he hid the gun in the table next to his side of the bed and pulled an already sleeping Mara against him. Her body curled against him like a perfect fit. Bear had slept on the other side of her, keeping her safe, or so Beau believed. His dog had never taken to someone as easily as he did with Mara. He heard Bear barking and shifted to get out of bed. The sliding door opened, allowing the dog to bound in, jumping up on the bed. He rubbed the furry head as drool covered his bare chest. Mara followed, her hair in a messy bun on top of her head, his tee shirt and a pair of shorts covering her body he wanted to worship again already. He pushed the dog off of him, grinning as Mara took in his excited state.
“Sorry, I have breakfast cooking already. I just ran him outside really quick,” she smiled and winked at him. “But, if you’re a good boy, we can play later.” She tiptoed over and placed a kiss on his cheek, brushing past him into the rest of the house, Bear close on her heels. As he pulled his pants on, he could smell the coffee brewing. This was a new feeling for Beau. He had been the love and leave type since his heart was broken. With Mara, he wanted to wake up to her and that damn bun every morning. He couldn’t contain his laughter as he strode into the kitchen. Bear was staring at Mara as she cooked bacon on the stove. She was chiding him for begging, as if he was a naughty child.
“He doesn’t listen,” Beau told her, making his presence known. The dog didn’t even look back at him. She smiled and nodded. “Bacon is his weakness.” He moved to the coffee pot, pouring two cups. Hearing a knock on the door, Mara stiffened. Had they found her already? Had she been fooled by her handsome cowboy?
