Two Cowboys in Her Crosshairs [Hellfire Ranch] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Jennifer August

  She moaned, and her arms crept around his waist, and she inched a step closer.

  Hudson kissed her softly, gently. He teased her mouth with sweet touches that drove him wild. She was as enticing as ambrosia and twice as intoxicating.

  He delved a bit deeper, sliding his tongue along the seam of her lips. He flicked gently, tapping with light pressure.

  He opened his eyes and found her staring at him. “Open for me,” he murmured.

  She inhaled deeply, and then her eyelids fluttered down as her lips parted.

  He groaned and swooped immediately. Hudson rimmed her bottom lip then slid inside and found her tongue with his. She shivered and tightened her grasp.

  Hudson explored the inner recesses of her mouth, drew back, and placed more tiny kisses along her cheek and jaw. Her head tipped to the side, and he trailed his lips down the elegant column of her neck and back up before taking her mouth one last time.

  He pulled back and smoothed his hand over the wild tangle of her hair. “Thank you.”

  Olivia’s eyes were slow to open, and when they did, he found them filled with emotions racing by too fast to identify.

  Except one—confusion.

  He dropped his hands to his sides and stepped back. Clearing his throat, he waved toward the hallway. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

  She shook herself then rubbed a palm over her face. “I’m sorry. That shouldn’t have happened.”

  “Why not?”

  She flicked a glance toward the hallway but didn’t answer.

  Hudson tapped her on the nose. “Don’t be sorry. I’m not. Come on. This way.”

  He moved down the hall and past Jake’s room. Low murmurs drifted from beneath the door, and he stopped.

  “Who’s he talking to?” she asked. Worry once more lined her pretty features.

  “Probably Tag,” he said.

  “What if he is in there?”

  Hudson looked at the door. He knocked.

  Seconds later it swung open, and Jake stood in the doorway. He wore only his black boxers and a scowl. He held a cell phone in his hand.

  He looked from one to the other. “I thought you were in bed.”

  “Getting there,” Hudson said. “We heard voices and wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “Yeah.” He lifted the phone. “Talked to Tag. He’s got Deputy Carson on gate duty for tonight. She’ll be relieved in the morning. He’s going to have the place watched night and day until this is resolved.”

  Hudson breathed a small sigh of relief. Deputy Carson might be a pain the ass most of the time, but she was a damn fine lawman. Lawwoman?

  “Good,” he said. “Try to get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning and then head to town.”

  Jake’s gaze focused on Olivia. “Good night.”

  “Night,” she said.

  Jake shut the door with a soft click.

  Hudson looked at her and cursed at the look of longing on her face. He headed down the hall. She followed him into the room.

  “This is lovely,” she said.

  The room was done in a soft butter-yellow with a large queen sleigh bed on one wall. A matching dresser and two nightstands also occupied the room. The opposite held a bay window with a cushioned bench and a light in the wall. “Paula likes to read,” he said as he gestured to the window. “She’ll spend hours on that thing with a book or e-reader in her hand.”

  Olivia smiled. “I like to read, too.” Her look turned wistful. “Too bad I won’t have the opportunity to relax there. It looks heavenly. Of course, so does that bed.”

  He smiled. “Grandpa made that, too. It was a wedding gift to Grandma. He gave it to her for their fourth anniversary.”

  She laughed. “Perfection takes time.”

  Hudson flipped on the side lamp and patted the gleaming headboard. “I guess it does. He was a master craftsman, that’s for sure.”

  “You sound close to him. To the whole family.”

  He shrugged. “Yeah. I am.” He moved toward the door. “Well, I’ll let you rest. The morning and the mess will come soon enough. Good night, Olivia. Sweet dreams.”

  She snorted. “Doubtful.”

  He cocked his head and studied her. He wouldn’t have pegged her for the nightmares type. “I’m right next door if you need me. Just knock. Or call out. I’ll hear you.”

  She nodded. “Thanks.”

  “Door open or closed?”

  “Halfway?”

  He smiled. “Best of both worlds, right?”

  Something like surprise chased along her face, and then she laughed. “Wouldn’t that be lovely?”

  He waited, but she wasn’t going to share her private joke. He lifted a hand. “Night.”

  Hudson melted into the dark shadows of the hallway and waited until he heard the squeak of her climbing into bed.

  He squelched the desire to join her.

  But it was the hardest thing he’d had to do.

  * * * *

  An hour later, Hudson looked up from the spy thriller he was attempting to read. Despite the pull of the story, his mind was focused solely on Olivia. Well, maybe not solely. His libido had been working his imagination overtime, thinking of all the things he’d like to do with and to her. A small banging sound came from the wall he shared with Olivia. Not much, but the noise grabbed his attention. He shut the book, tossed back the sheet, and headed for the door. Just as he opened it he caught her soft whimper.

  Hudson loped down the hall and into her room. The bedside light bathed her dark hair and olive skin in a soft golden glow which emphasized the frown creasing her brow. Sweat beaded at her temple, and she thrashed lightly.

  “Olivia,” he whispered. He hovered over her shoulder. Given her extreme reaction to sudden noise on the porch, he hesitated. He sure as hell didn’t want to find himself flat on the floor because he woke her suddenly. “Olivia,” he said louder.

  She groaned and sucked in tiny gasps of air but didn’t open her eyes.

  “To hell with this,” he muttered. “Olivia, wake up. You’re having a nightmare.” He cupped her shoulders, holding her tight to the bed.

  Her eyes instantly flew open. They were hazed with fear and instinct. Before he could reassure her, Olivia bucked under his hold. Her hands grabbed his arms and yanked downward. He fell on top of her with a grunt.

  “Olivia, wait, it’s Hudson.”

  She grappled his lower body through the sheet with her legs as her hands clasped his head.

  Holy shit, she’s going to break my neck!

  “Wait,” he whispered harshly. “Olivia, wait.”

  Hudson tried to jerk backward, but her grip was too strong to break. Damn Marine Martial Arts training.

  Instead of pulling away, he dropped his head and tried to nuzzle her ear. “Olivia, wake up.”

  He kissed her neck and ground his hips between her strong thighs. She stiffened then slowly her legs relaxed and her breathing calmed.

  Slowly he lifted his head and met her distressed eyes. “Hi,” he said.

  “What happened?” She looked down at the tangle of their bodies. A blush darkened her cheeks and chased the last vestige of sleep from her face. She let go of his head and body.

  “I kind of liked that part,” he said with a wink. “Not so much on the breaking my neck part though.”

  Olivia shoved at his shoulders. “What happened?” she repeated.

  “You were having a nightmare. I heard you from my room.” He slid to her side and twisted so he could tug her into his arms. He was surprised but glad that she didn’t protest. Gently he stroked her hair. “Want to talk about it?”

  Her fingers curled along the hem of his T-shirt. “Don’t remember.”

  “Really?” He didn’t even try to keep the skepticism from his voice.

  She socked him lightly in the stomach. “Yes, really. Ever since that night in Afghanistan I don’t remember my dreams. Good or bad.”

  She was getting all tense on him again. He s
troked her back and hair. He sunk his fingers beneath her wild, thick mane and massaged her scalp.

  She groaned. “God, that feels good.”

  “I have magic fingers.”

  “Hm, I bet you do.”

  Hudson was glad she couldn’t see the goofy grin on his face. That would probably spoil the flirtatious ladies’ man effect he was going for. He continued to rub her scalp. Her soft hair tangled on his wrist like a living thing, and more than once he had to disentangle himself.

  “You have beautiful hair,” he told her.

  Her fingers spasmed. She still held his shirt, and the movement sent the back of her hand skimming along the bare flesh of his stomach.

  He stilled. Well, except for the instant erection her touch inspired. That part of him rose fast and furious.

  “I’ve been growing it for three years.”

  “Since the ambush?”

  She tipped her head back and met his eyes. “Yeah,” she whispered. “I always kept it short when I was on active duty. Long hair at the wrong time could be deadly for a sniper. Gets in the way, you know.”

  Her light tone belied the sadness.

  “You miss it?”

  “Every day.” She shifted, and her fingers inched downward on his abs.

  “Olivia,” he rasped and grabbed for her wrist. “Be careful.”

  “Sorry,” she muttered and let go of him. She scooted to the far side of the bed and watched him warily. “I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I’m not usually so damned confused.” She sat up and dangled her arms over her knees. “I’m used to order and discipline and knowing every move I’m going to make. Well, I used to be.”

  Hudson grabbed a pillow and punched it into a softer mess before stuffing it behind his head. He studied her in the glow of the lamplight. “Your entire world was flipped upside down, Olivia. I bet you didn’t give yourself one break, though. Did you?”

  She shrugged. “There were things that needed to be done. I didn’t have a whole lot of downtime. The operation on my eye sidelined me for over six months. Then I had to recertify to work my JAG assignment. Physical therapy. Doctor’s appointments. It all sucks time, you know?”

  “You sound like Jake.”

  Her head swiveled faster than a lazy Susan. “What makes you say that?”

  “When he got out, he did everything and anything he could to distance himself from what happened. Kept himself as busy as a one-armed paper hanger. He still does. The man hasn’t had much time away from the ranch since the day we bought it. Working the land and cattle drives him to get up every day.”

  She nodded. “Being busy keeps us sane.”

  “And it wears you down faster than you can possibly know. It’s like being in a constant footrace with a train. Eventually you’re going to run out of steam.”

  She chuckled. “Maybe.”

  Hudson sat up and reached for her hand. “Not maybe, definitely. I worry about Jake all the time, Olivia. He came back changed. He was harder. Colder. More distant. He goes to the Chrome Barrel once a month and downs a few in remembrance. That’s not too bad, despite what Catherine said. But every damn year that anniversary rolls around, he sinks deeper into a bottle.”

  “Hell,” she said. Worry flashed over her face. She squeezed his hand. “I don’t like hearing that.”

  “I don’t like seeing it,” Hudson replied.

  The first year he’d dragged Jake out of The Chrome Barrel, his friend had been just slightly tipsy. He’d been charming and happy like he used to be. In fact, that night had been the first time they’d shared a woman. At Jake’s insistence, no less.

  Hudson had been shocked as hell but eagerly agreed if it meant his friend would stay out of the bar and possibly jail.

  They’d driven to Austin, wandered down Sixth Street, and hooked up with a ridiculously nubile and adventurous young woman named Elizabeth. That night of sex had been an eye-opening experience for them both. It had also been one they’d repeated as often as possible in the last three years.

  “That’s some expression you’re wearing, cowboy.”

  Hudson started guiltily and met her eyes. “Just thinking.”

  “Yeah, I could tell. But the question is, about what?” Her gaze dipped down then shot back to his. “Never mind.”

  He grinned and tugged her hand again. “Come here, Olivia.”

  “That is not a good idea.”

  But she scooted closer. She palmed his chest as she searched his eyes. Once more awareness tinged with confusion swept through her gaze.

  “I’m the king of bad ideas,” he murmured. “But I do have some common sense. I’m just going to sing you a lullaby to get you back to sleep.”

  She snorted. “And my great-aunt Fanny is the president.”

  Hudson smiled and covered her hand. “You do have a great fanny. It was one of the first things I noticed about you.”

  “You never quit, do you?”

  He sobered. “Yeah, I do.” He worked up another grin. “But right now, I’m not quitting you until I get another kiss.”

  Her nails dug into his chest. “Hudson.”

  “Shush, woman, I’m trying to calm you down.”

  Olivia’s dark brow lifted. “Because I’m all hysterical?”

  “Exactly. Now then.” He cupped her face and inched her downward toward the bed. When she was lying down again, he pushed a lock of hair from her forehead. “Close your eyes, Olivia.”

  She shook her head.

  “Why not?”

  Her smile was wry. “I don’t trust you.”

  “I’m crushed.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Hudson lowered his head and brushed his lips over her crown. “You can trust me,” he said. “I swear. You can trust me.”

  Her body stilled, and then she sighed and her eyes drifted closed.

  Hudson took advantage of the moment and studied her beautiful face. He tried to memorize every laugh line, the wing of her brows, the curve of her mouth, and her delightful upturned nose. Just as her lashes quivered, he leaned down and kissed her.

  She sighed against his mouth.

  She was just as sweet and soft as she’d been earlier.

  Hudson wanted her just as much now as he did then.

  He pulled back, rubbed the small spot between her eyes, and began to croon a French lullaby.

  Her lips tipped up in a smile. “You weren’t kidding,” she murmured.

  “Nope. Now hush. This is supposed to be putting you to sleep.”

  Olivia yawned. “Doubtful. I never go back to sleep after a nightmare.”

  “Never say never.”

  Hudson continued to croon and rub, and within a few minutes her body relaxed completely.

  He stroked her cheek and eased onto his side, careful not to jostle her awake.

  He’d stay just for a few more minutes and look his fill at her.

  Because he had a feeling this was the last time he’d get the chance.

  Chapter Nine

  “You sleep okay?” Jake asked as Olivia ambled into the room.

  She nodded then sniffed the air. “Is that coffee?”

  “Yep. Still take it with sugar?”

  “Yep.”

  He poured a mug and added the sweetener. Jake handed it to her then waved toward the table. “Sit down. Hudson will be up in a little bit. He’s still recovering from a nasty bout of the flu and sleeping longer than normal.”

  “Says you, old man. I’m fit as a fiddle. Good morning, gorgeous.” Hudson grinned as he entered the kitchen.

  “Morning,” Olivia said.

  Jake thought she seemed a little wary and a lot shy. He narrowed his gaze as he studied them.

  Olivia was oddly fascinated by her hot coffee, and if Hudson got any cheerier, a riot of singing animals would storm the place.

  What was going on between them?

  Jake shifted in the hard wooden chair and forced himself to sip his own dark brew. Whatever it was, they didn’t have time for it n
ow.

  But once this was all wrapped up…

  “Have you heard anything from Bean Lawson and his boys? Damn, if they come back and get caught up in this mess…”

  The implied threat made Jake tighten his jaw. “I know. I called Bean and told him to clear out for a few days. They’re going to head down to Austin.”

  Hudson grinned then coughed.

  “Care to share?” Olivia asked.

  “Nope.”

  But Jake had a good idea. He felt his ears redden and cleared his throat. “Bean and his sons help us out here on the ranch. They were up taking care of some damage on one of our fence lines.”

  She nodded.

  Jake looked at Hudson. “I also talked to Janice. She’s going to head over to Lake Caddo and stay with her sister until I let her know everything is okay.”

  Olivia’s brown eyes impaled him. “Enough sidestepping, Jake. What do you know?”

  He sipped more coffee and tried to put all the pieces together in his brain. Much as he’d tried to reassemble the statue. “I’m still not one hundred percent sure, but I think I saw that statue the night before the ambush.”

  The words dropped into silence, and he looked up to find them both staring at him. Olivia regarded him with hard-edged intensity and Hudson with calm curiosity.

  “That night was like any other. Doc was reading, Briggs and Yu were poking at something in the ground. Tag and Boone were playing cards with Shag and Fischer.”

  “I remember.”

  Her soft tone told him she remembered a hell of a lot more than the card game.

  That night returned to his mind as sharp as the smell of gunpowder. “I just sat down on my bunk when Shag quit the game and approached me. He had this thing wrapped up and shoved it in my face. Said he found it in Briggs’s foot locker.”

  “What was it?” Hudson asked.

  Jake raked a hand through his hair and stared at Olivia. “I think it was that statue.”

  She went ramrod straight. “What? Briggs?”

  “He wanted me to look at it, but I refused. He said he needed to talk to the colonel, that someone had been looting local antiquities. I didn’t know what he was talking about.” Jake’s mouth flattened and shame washed over him. “I didn’t want to know. Shit happens all the time over there. Guys cheat on their wives, someone smuggles some liquor on base, black market selling and shopping. Hell, you name it, it happens.”