by Jane Jamison
Sliding his hand away from her bottom, he let it glide over to find the space between her legs. He could feel the warmth coming from her pussy through her jeans, and his cock grew stronger, harder.
The kiss intensified as he reached to unbutton her jeans. With one last sweep of his tongue over her lips, he made a trail down her neck to the taut nipple straining at her T-shirt.
“Shit, man.”
Shawna pushed him away, and he turned to see Carter. “Back off.”
Carter glanced toward the entrance. “Like hell I will. I have to finish getting the horses rubbed down. That leaves Bill alone with Gabriel in the house. You know how risky that could be.”
If Gabriel said something to tick Bill off, Bill’s temper could flare and he might let the cat out of the bag. And the girl out of the barn.
“Then you’d better get in there. You’re the most levelheaded of all of us, and you’re the one who can keep Bill calm. I’ll take care of the horses.” He glanced at Shawna. “After.”
Carter shot him an understanding look that was mixed with irritation. “And I’m the one Gabriel saw leading the horses into the barn. He assumed you and Bill were in the house and said as much. I didn’t think fast enough to put you somewhere else. Now get going.”
Leaving Shawna was one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do, but William forced himself to turn her loose and get back onto his feet. “Stay quiet.”
He turned on his heel, intent on getting Gabriel to leave as soon as possible. “Just do the bare minimum to get the horses taken care of and join us, cuz. Otherwise, Gabriel may come hunting for you.”
He strode toward the house, his fists clenched as he hoped his hard-on would die down.
Damn it, Gabriel. Your timing sucks.
* * * *
Sela got to her feet then ducked when Carter motioned for her to stay low. But she was curious. After hearing about Gabriel then seeing him at the other house, she was dying to know what he was really like. After all, he had to be a man’s man to be able to handle all those macho men.
Carter put his back to the outside and started hauling off Sugar’s saddle. He grabbed a brush, his gaze flicking to her then back as he started brushing the horse. “How’s the ankle? Did William think you needed ice? Or heat? Or even a doc?”
She kept low, but shifted from one foot to the other. “No, it’s fine. It doesn’t even hurt anymore.”
“Good deal.”
“Why are you whispering if Gabriel’s inside the house? Surely he can’t hear you.” She could understand her having to stay out of sight just in case he looked out a window.
“Not as long as he stays inside. But I don’t like taking any chances. Even small ones.”
He’d finished with Sugar and was taking care of Breaker now. “I’m sorry.”
“What about?” She brushed the hay from her bottom then fluffed her hair to get rid of any straw tangled in it.
“About making you try and run your horse.”
“Don’t worry about it. I had a great time.”
He glanced over the top of Breaker’s back. “You did? So you like falling off a horse and landing on your ass?”
She grinned. “Okay, maybe not so much the landing part. But the rest of it, especially the ride back, was great.”
He pushed his hat back on his forehead and studied her. “I don’t understand it.”
“You don’t understand what?”
“Why don’t you seem more afraid?” His grin faded.
“Of Gabriel?” She knew she’d gone down the wrong path as soon as she’d said it.
“No. You don’t seem to be afraid of your boyfriend.”
But she was nothing if not good on her feet. Years of dealing with managers and musicians had taught her to react quickly to any situation. “I don’t have to be afraid because I’m with you. With all of you.”
She gasped and ducked behind the haystack. “He’s coming.”
“Carter, we need to talk.”
Gabriel’s deep baritone voice carried on the air. She crouched even lower.
“Hey, Gabriel. I was about done here. Let’s take this back inside.”
She was proud of how calm Carter’s voice sounded.
“No need. But maybe you can tell me why these two are refusing to go on a job.”
They’d gotten the reason for Gabriel’s visit right, but he obviously wasn’t accepting Bill and William’s explanation for turning down an assignment.
“What’d they tell you?”
“Why are you asking?” Gabriel’s suspicion leaked into his voice.
“Just wondering. But anyway, like I’m sure they already said, we want some downtime. In fact, we were going to mention it to you. We want to take a week or so to get some chores done around the ranch. It’s not like you can’t find another team to take the job.”
She had to wonder if the last sentence had been meant more for her than for Gabriel. Edging to the side of the stack closest to the barn wall and a side door, she peered around to get a look at them.
She’d been right when she’d assumed the man back at the other house had been Gabriel. He was older, but just as tough and strong looking as the younger men. He appeared to be of Hispanic descent with black hair and dark eyes. He stood, feet planted apart and arms crossed, facing Carter. William and Bill stood behind Gabriel, their gazes scanning the barn.
She ducked as Bill noticed her and widened his eyes, telling her to get back. She didn’t think Gabriel had seen her, though, as his attention was focused on Carter.
“I can understand that. I just wish you lug heads had told me that over the phone. You could’ve saved me a trip over here.”
“You didn’t give me a chance, man.”
Bill’s tone held an edge to it. She didn’t know if that was because he was upset at seeing her or irritated with Gabriel.
“Fine. Whatever. Take a week or so off.”
“Shit. Why didn’t you go for it when we were in the house?”
Okay, so it’s Gabriel that Bill’s irritated with and not me. Still, she had a feeling she’d hear about her peeking around the haystack later.
“Who cares, Bill? Gabriel’s okayed it and that’s all that counts.” The other horses nickered as Carter led Breaker back into his stall.
She breathed a sigh of relief with Gabriel’s acceptance of their lie. Now if only Gabriel would leave.
“While I’m here, how about you show me that new saddle of yours? It’s in the tack room, right?”
Tack room? What’s a tack room? And more to the point, where is the tack room?
She tensed as she heard the sounds of footsteps heading her way.
“Hold up, Gabriel. You don’t want to go to the back of the barn. I’ll bring the saddle out so you can get a good look at it in the daylight.”
“What’s wrong with you three? You’re acting like you’re hiding a moonshine still.”
His heavy footsteps started again. She had to move, had to find someplace else to hide. If he walked past the stack of bales, he’d see her.
She held her breath and pushed the side door open just enough to get her body through. Outside, she closed the door, praying that the light from the door opening hadn’t caught Gabriel’s attention. She hurried away, taking care to make as little noise as possible.
At the front of the barn, she stopped and peeked around the corner. But if the low sounds of their voices were any indication, they were still headed toward the back of the barn.
But where should I go? Across the field? Into the house?
Her gaze fell on the men’s pickup. But it was so close to the other pickup, Gabriel’s pickup no doubt, that it made her jittery to think about hiding there. What if Gabriel happened to glance inside the truck? Why did he have to park his truck in the back instead of the front of the house?
He’s already been inside the house.
Making her decision, she dashed across the yard and up the back steps. She was inside the house
and had just closed the door when the men came back outside.
That was too close.
The men crowded around Gabriel’s pickup, and she was glad that she’d opted for the house instead of hiding inside the truck.
“William, before you three take your time off, I need you to stop by and pick up some papers.”
“Today?” William glanced back at the barn, probably thinking she was still there.
“Yeah. In fact, ride back with me. We can get the papers, and then I can drop you off at the entrance to your drive on my way into town. Or I could bring them back and have you sign them here.”
“No!” William’s outburst brought a confused stare from Gabriel and angry ones from Bill and Carter. “I mean, sure, I’ll go with you. I don’t want to take up any more of your time.”
Gabriel tilted his head at William. “What’s going on? When have any of you cared about wasting my time?”
William gave him a forced laugh and slapped him on the back. “Come on, Gabriel. While I’m there, how about you share a little of that aged scotch you have hidden in your desk drawer?”
“Shit. I knew there was a catch. Fine. Haul your ass into my truck.”
Bill and Carter stayed where they were as the other men climbed into Gabriel’s truck. Once it left, they turned together and went into the barn.
She pushed away from the window, relief flooding her. But the relief lasted only a moment as the voice of a television announcer drifted to her.
“Sela Reynolds, up-and-coming pop star whose latest single reached the number one position on Billboard, has disappeared. Although her manager, Grisham Frish, denies any foul play is involved, others have their doubts. We go to Kelly Kerlin for the update.”
Sela rushed into the living room toward the large flat screen resting on a television table.
“Thanks, Brad.” The pretty reporter stood next to Sela’s manager. “Tell us your thoughts on your missing client, Mr. Frish. Earlier accounts said you’d chalked up her disappearance to the star’s desire to get away. Another report coming from your office said she was ill and that was the reason her last two concerts were cancelled. Which is it? Has Sela taken time off or is she ill?”
The reporter shifted the microphone in front of Grisham’s face. “Sela told me she wanted to get away. But that was yesterday. Since then, her cell phone was discovered in the car that had chauffeured her, and the driver isn’t talking. That explains why she didn’t answer any of my calls, but it’s the driver’s silence that has me thinking something else may be going on.”
“Then you do suspect foul play?”
She could tell by Grisham’s expression that he didn’t want to go that route. But he was no doubt angry. Angry that she’d taken off and cancelled two shows, angry that she’d left him with a mess to clean up, and angry that he’d been unable to reach her.
“No. Not yet anyway.”
The reporter arched an eyebrow. “Does Sela’s sudden need to get away have anything to do with her boyfriend, Johnnie Pritchard?”
Oh, shit, no! Don’t bring up him!
“I don’t know. Johnnie’s not talking, either.”
Fury rolled through her. Of course he wasn’t talking. If he did, his thievery might get out.
Kelly shifted back toward the camera. “While Mr. Pritchard isn’t speaking to Mr. Frish, this reporter caught up with him earlier and managed to get a few questions answered.”
Sela moved closer to the television as Johnnie’s image came into focus from the earlier pre-recorded interview. She fisted her hands, aching to punch his lights out straight through the screen.
What the hell did I ever see in him?
Compared to the Richland men, Johnnie was nothing. She figured she must’ve been lonely. And ignorant of what real men were like. Now that she’d had prime rib, she could recognize everything else as being plain old ground beef.
“Mr. Pritchard, everyone is worried about Sela. Do you know of any reason she’d want to take off and cancel the rest of her concerts in Tulsa?”
Johnnie plastered on a worried expression that was as phony as a three dollar bill. “No, I don’t. The last time we spoke, she was begging me to go to the Bahamas with her. Of course, being a professional, I advised her that leaving the tour would be unfair to her fans. She wasn’t happy since she’s so crazy about me, but I stayed firm. I guess she decided not to heed my advice and took off on her own.”
Crazy about him? Crazy as in crazy mad! Crazy as in I’d love to kick him in the balls!
She took a step closer, unable to believe her ears.
“Let me say this. Sela, baby, if you’re watching, please get to a phone and call me. I miss you. I’m worried about you. Please come home to me.”
Kelly’s image turned to face the viewers. “There you have it. But does it answer the real question?” She glanced at Johnnie, her face filled with adoration. “Where is Sela Reynolds? And why would she ever leave a man who loves her so much? Hopefully, she’ll come back and tell us. This is Kelly Kerlin reporting for OSTV, Tulsa, Oklahoma.”
The tornado that had built inside Sela couldn’t be contained any longer. Grabbing a large, heavy book off the top of the nearby coffee table, she slung her arm back and let the book fly.
“Shawna, what’s going on?”
* * * *
Bill couldn’t believe his eyes. His treasured seventy-inch flat screen that he’d purchased a month earlier was shattered. Shards of the screen lay at Shawna’s feet along with the heavy coffee-table book he liked.
She whirled to face him, and he saw the anger drain from her face along with the color. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry.”
Carter moved to the side of the room, letting him take the lead. Bill was more astonished than upset, but that emotion soon followed. “What did you do?”
“Do?” She glanced down as though she only now saw the broken bits around her. “I, uh, slipped and knocked against it. I’m so sorry.” Stepping over the breakage, she came toward him, her hands outstretched. “I’ll make it up to you. Somehow.”
“That was a new flat screen. I just bought it.”
Her color still hadn’t come back as she wrung her hands. “I promise I’ll get you another one as soon as I can.”
“How? You said you don’t have any money. Or do you?” He shook his head, trying to deny his broken television as well as her hope to repay him. “You said you fell? How?”
“I don’t know. I guess I tripped.” She bit her lower lip. “Maybe it was my hurt ankle?”
She was lying. He knew it in his gut, and he could see it on her face. But he could also tell she was truly sorry, too. He dragged in a steadying breath. “It’s okay. I’m just glad you didn’t get cut. You didn’t, did you?”
“No.” She glanced down. “Aside from a few scratches on my foot. The same foot I hurt when I fell off the horse.”
“You fell off?” He glanced at Carter who gave him a curt nod. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes. I’m fine. And again, I’m so sorry.”
“I know, and I accept your apology. How about helping me clean this up?”
Her smile could make him forgive her anything. “Sure.”
He took her arm as she bent down to begin picking up the pieces. “Don’t do that. You’re liable to cut yourself.”
Carter was already moving toward the kitchen pantry. “I’ll get the dust pan and a broom.”
They cleaned up the wreckage together with only brief moments of conversation. Bill could see her relaxing since he hadn’t questioned her more, but that didn’t mean he bought her excuse. She hadn’t mentioned the book and neither had he, but it was obvious that she’d hurled it at the screen. Why else would the cover have a few of the shattered pieces stuck in it?
He never would’ve believed he’d let anyone get away with lying to him. But she was different. He hadn’t known her long, but every time he was with her, he wanted to know more. He wanted her to stay. And he wanted her to sleep in
the big bed and make love to his cousin and his brother, too. When he thought about her—and he’d thought about her often since the first moment he’d set his eyes on her—he could see her in their home with children running around, yelling as they played.
He wouldn’t push her for the truth. She had to have a good reason for lying. Maybe it really was because of a boyfriend, providing he actually existed. Or maybe it was for another reason. Whatever it was, she’d confess and tell them the truth once she felt she could trust them. And he’d prove to her that she could trust them.
Still, he needed to know where his brother and cousin stood.
“Shawna, would you mind finishing up here?”
She glanced up as she was crouched over and pushed the golden strands from her face. Her breasts strained against her shirt. If he didn’t stop staring, his cock would do some straining of its own. “Of course.”
“Thanks. Carter, I need to show you that new setup for the tack room.”
Carter was an intelligent man, but right now he was more interested in watching Shawna. “What new setup? Can’t it wait?”
“Nope.” He stood, and thankfully, Carter came with him. Giving his confused brother a pointed look, he strode through the kitchen and out the back door. They’d made it to the barn before Carter pulled him to a stop.
“What’s up? There’s no new setup.”
“Yeah, I know. But I needed a reason to get you out of the house.” He motioned for his brother to follow him into the shadows of the barn. “I need to talk to you about Shawna.”
“Yeah? Go on.”
But he could already tell Carter wasn’t ready to hear anything negative about her. His brother was already head over heels for her. Not that he blamed him. He was right there with him. “You know she’s lying, right?”
“We’ve already been over this. You think she’s lied from day one, but you’ve got no proof.” Carter crossed his arms, a sure sign that he was ready to go head-to-head with him.
“Do you think she broke the television by accident? That she fell against it?”
The emotions warred on his brother’s face. “That’s what she said. Why shouldn’t I believe her?”
