by Desiree Holt
“In about two hours. We’ve had surveillance on him and he’s at dinner with his family. We’ll wait until they get home.”
“Charlie, can I ask a huge favor of you? A really big one?”
“A favor? Well, yeah, I guess if I owe anyone it’s you.”
Dillon explained what he wanted, listened to Charlie’s arguments and agreed to follow his orders. Then he hung up and dialed Amy Montgomery.
“Is Jinx there?” he asked.
“Yes, but I don’t think she wants to talk to you tonight,” Amy argued. “Tomorrow would be better.”
“I have an idea, and it would really help if you’d work with me on this.”
It took a lot of persuasion, but he finally got her to agree to the plan. He was so jacked up when he finished he could actually feel the adrenaline flowing through his system. There wasn’t a lot he could do that would convince Jinx of his feelings, but this might do the trick.
“I will never forgive you for this,” Jinx snapped, sitting as far away from Dillon as she could in the truck. “And I’m not sure I’ll forgive Amy and Buck either. Are you ever going to tell me why they insisted I let you shanghai me like this?”
“In just a few minutes.” Dillon kept his voice as even as he could. “Have a little bit more patience and you’ll understand.”
Jinx tried to hold back the anger and irritation surging through her. How dare Amy and Buck hustle her out of the house and into Dillon’s truck? How dare they take his side when she herself hadn’t had a chance to ask him what was true and what wasn’t? Buck had practically dragged her out to the truck, Amy hustling along beside them trying to soothe her. Dillon had simply nodded his thanks, lifted her into the cab and buckled her in.
Not to mention the fact he hadn’t answered any of her questions. If not for Amy and Buck insisting she go along with this, she’d have dug in her heels and refused.
Finally, she broke the thick silence filling the cab. “You’ve hardly said a word all the way into the city. What’s that all about?” She saw his hands tighten on the wheel.
“When we talk, I want to be able to answer all your questions and have you believe me. But first I have to show you just how much you mean to me. Ah. Here we are.”
They had left the interstate and driven into a high-end residential area. Now Dillon pulled to the curb and parked beneath an ancient tree that hung over the roadway.
“What—”
He held up his hand. “Just wait. Only a few more minutes.”
She folded her arms across her chest and gritted her teeth. In five minutes, she was going to unfasten her seat belt and get out of his damn truck, even if she had to walk back to Rowan County.
But at that moment, Dillon touched her arm and pointed down the street. Her eyes widened as she saw an SAPD patrol car and another unmarked one glide to the curb three houses down. Two uniforms climbed out of the patrol car, one of them standing by it while the other accompanied the three men from the unmarked car as they walked up to the front door of the house.
“Whose house is this?” she asked. “And why are we watching this?”
“Just watch,” he said again.
The front door opened and a man stood outlined in the light behind him. He shook his head and tried to close the door but one of the men in sports jacket and trousers pushed back, and in seconds the man was in handcuffs and being led to the patrol car.
“Who is that?” Her body thrummed with curiosity.
“Remember the John Doe that introduced us?” he asked.
“Well, introduced is stretching it, but yes. What about it?”
“He’s been identified and the man being arrested is his killer.” In short, succinct sentences, he explained to her what Charlie had told him and what was going on. “Now we get to go to the station and watch him being booked.” He started the truck and moved out to follow the other vehicles.
“My God, it will be a madhouse there.” Jinx frowned. “But I don’t understand. “Where’s the media? This should be a three-ring circus with a guy like that.”
“No media. Charlie Whittaker, my old boss, has kept this completely under wraps. But as a favor to me he’s giving you an exclusive.”
“What?” She sat up so straight the seat belt jerked against her. “You’re letting me in on this story before the rest of the media gets it?”
He nodded. “I want The Hill Country Herald to have the scoop. I know how this works. You can send it out on the wire and every other paper and most television stations will pick it up. And you and the paper will get credit for the story.”
Her jaw dropped. Are you kidding me?
“Not one bit.” He reached over and tentatively wrapped his fingers around one of her hands. “I wanted to do this for you to show you how important you are to me. How much you mean to me.”
For the second time in two nights, Jinx felt tears gather in her eyes, only these were not the result of sadness or pain.
“Naomi means nothing to me,” Dillon went on. “Amy told you what happened, right? Jesus, Jinx, maybe it took this for me to discover how much you really mean to me. Why would I ruin that with a bitch that already burned me once?”
“I don’t understand.”
“You never really asked me why I hate reporters, but Naomi’s the cause. You got the gory details. She thought being in bed with me was her ticket to all the big stories. When I wouldn’t release details of a bust we were about to make, and demanded she tell me how she even knew about it, she got royally pissed. Let me walk in on her with a hotshot news producer from New York.”
“Oh my God!”
“Indeed. Somehow she wormed everything out of one of the younger guys on the team and broke the story on the news. We had to push up the timeline, they were ready for us and that’s when I got shot.”
Jinx thought she might be sick to her stomach. “What about scruples? Ethics? Love?”
Dillon snorted. “I don’t think Naomi’s even heard of those words. Jinx, do you seriously think I’d jeopardize what we have with a woman like that?”
His hand squeezed hers and she responded.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that. But you didn’t have to do this for me just to prove a point.”
They were downtown now and entering the parking area at the police station. Dillon parked the truck and turned off the ignition.
“I wanted to do something to show how much I trust you and care for you. What better gift for a reporter than a scoop, right?”
Her heat cracked, swelled and filled her chest. She undid her seat belt and threw herself at him, loving the feel of his arms as they came around her.
“Thank you.” She looked into his eyes. “Thank you so much. Oh, Dillon, I was so hurt when…when…when I thought—”
His mouth on hers effectively cut off any more words. His tongue sought hers, leaving fire wherever it touched. He groaned and, without moving his lips from hers, undid his seat belt so he could pull her tight against him. She ran her fingers through the silk of his hair and along the stubble on his jaw. They were both breathing hard when she forced herself to break the kiss.
“I guess I don’t hate cops so much anymore,” she told him with a breathy little laugh.
“And I may hate reporters in general, but you’re definitely the exception as far as I’m concerned.
“Um, aren’t we supposed to go inside?”
He gave a strangled laugh. “Uh, yes, we are. Give me a minute here so I don’t walk in with my cock at attention.”
She giggled. “Just don’t put it all the way to sleep. We may want to use it later.”
“I can get with that program.” He pulled her against him for one last hug.
“I just need to ask you a question.” She turned her face up so she could see the expression on his. “Did you mean what you told Amy and Buck? About your feelings for me?”
“That I love you?” He nodded. “I know it came out of left field, and I don’t even know if you fe
el the same way—”
She touched her fingers to his lips. “I thought I was in love with Max, but what I felt for him is nothing compared to my feelings for you. I want you to know that.”
“Then let’s get this done and get on with the rest of our lives. Together.”
She smiled. “Together. You bet.”
About the Author
Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy-metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her, many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories. She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award for best BDSM book of the year, winner of two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit, and is published by five different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”
You can find her at www.desireeholt.com and www.desireeholttellsall.com.
Look for these titles by Desiree Holt
Now Available:
Naked Cowboys
Stark Naked
Buck Naked
Sometimes out of the frying pan and into the fire is the best way to burn.
Buck Naked
© 2013 Desiree Holt
Naked Cowboys, Book 2
Amy Stark has it all together—except for chronic bad taste in men. She’s firmly in hands-off-all-men mode when a flat tire forces her to accept the help of exactly the type of man she’s sworn off. Arrogant, cocky and condescending.
When she runs into him again later that day and then finds out her brother has invited him for dinner, the fire between them has a sizzle of a different kind.
At eighteen, Buck Montgomery left home to make his mark on the bull-riding circuit. He may have had wild success in rodeo but his personal life is in the dust, and while he’s ready to start a new life he’s wary to expose his heart. Buck knows he should tell Amy the truth, but every time he opens his mouth, hers is right there with kisses like molten lava.
When his past resurfaces at the worst possible time, Buck can only wonder if Amy will love the man he has become…or if the man he was will chase her away.
Warning: Contains barnyard language and clap-your-hands-over-your-mama’s-eyes sex between a cowboy with a checkered past and a ranch girl with all the right moves.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Buck Naked:
“Haven’t done much furniture shopping yet.” He made a joke of it, trying to cover his sudden attack of nerves. “You’re my first visitor.”
Pleasure washed over her face. “Then I feel honored. Anyway, from what little I can see at night, you’ve been spending your time and money on getting the buildings and land in shape. And I certainly know you’re working to build up your herd. I’d say you’ve got your priorities straight.”
“Hope so. Anyway, I’m not even sure how I want to furnish the house. Got the bedroom set and that’s all.” Then, not wanting her to get the wrong idea, he added, “Need a good bed to sleep on at night.”
“I agree.” She nodded. “Anyway, it pays to take your time. Get exactly what you want.”
He turned her to face him and cupped her face in his hands. “I know exactly what I want. Do you?”
Her eyes stared back at him clearly, with no sign of indecision. She ran her tongue over her lips as she’d done in the restaurant, and he was lost. He pulled her against his body, bent his head and took her mouth in a kiss that scorched him to the soles of his feet. She wound her arms around his neck and lifted herself on her toes to bring herself closer to his head.
She tasted of chocolate and coffee and just pure Amy, a heady combination of flavors that made his blood race and his pulse pound. He skated his tongue over every inch of the inside of her mouth, even her teeth and gums and the inside of her lips. He was so hungry for her he didn’t think he’d ever break the kiss, except he was running out of breath. They both were.
When he lifted his lips from hers, he stared into her eyes again. All day he’d been thinking about the fact he’d never actually brought a nice woman home to a nice place. Since he’d lost his virginity behind the Smoky Saloon when he was sixteen, the only women he’d been with were buckle bunnies and, later, women only looking for one night in a motel. By that time sex had been more exercise than anything. He wasn’t sure how to act or what kind of etiquette was involved in this kind of situation, and he definitely didn’t want to screw this up.
Instinct, he told himself. It’s all you’ve got. Go with it.
He swung her up into his arms and carried her down the hall to his bedroom. He’d left both bedside lamps on, turned low, and they cast a warm glow over the room. At least he’d figured out how to set the scene. He hoped. And in the nightstand drawer were the brand-new condoms he’d stored with great hopes and expectations.
He set Amy on her feet, letting her slide down the length of his body. He skimmed his fingers down her cheeks and threaded them in the silk of her hair.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured. “Just beautiful.”
A thrill ran through Amy’s body. Not just because of Buck’s words, but at the way he looked at her. Touched her. His moves weren’t those of a man who’d done this so often it came across as practiced and slick. And if she wasn’t mistaken, his hands were shaking a little. Who’d have thought that a man as sexy and good looking, as strong and confident, as Buck Montgomery would actually be nervous? Unless it was a damn good act—and she didn’t think it was—it gave him a lot of points in her book. Maybe she’d misjudged him, put him in the wrong category because that was what she was used to.
When his lips touched hers again, the remnants of rational thought fled from her brain. His tongue was a hot flame dancing over hers in seductive movements. Stealing her breath. She clutched his forearms, slipped her hands around to touch his broad back, feeling the hard muscles beneath the fabric of his shirt.
She almost didn’t notice it when he slid his hands from her hair to the edge of her top, his fingers finding their way up her rib cage to cup her breasts in his big palms. He found the peaks of her nipples beneath the satin of her bra and rasped his thumbs slowly back and forth over them. She was wet, instantly, her thong soaked and the muscles of her pussy clenching in need.
Their love never died, but her secrets could break his trust beyond repair.
Texas Two Step
© 2012 Cynthia D’Alba
Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 1
After six years and too much self-recrimination, rancher Mitch Landry is ready to admit he was wrong. He’d loved Olivia Montgomery but commitment wasn’t high on his list back then. That was his first mistake. He’s just divorced his second, and he’s set to do whatever it takes to convince Olivia to give him another try.
Through hard work, determination and more than a few tears, Olivia survived the break-up with Mitch. She’s rebuilt her life around her business and the son she loves more than life itself. She’s not proud of the mistakes she’s made—particularly the secrets she’s kept—but when life hands you manure, you use it to make something better of yourself…lest you get stuck in it.
At a hot, muggy Dallas wedding, they reconnect. Olivia’s first instinct is to play it cool, but after one devastating kiss things flare real out of control, real fast. Maybe a quick roll in the hay will get him out of her system once and for all. Funny thing about hay though, once it’s tangled in your hair, getting it out risks revealing things that were never meant to see the light of day. Warning: Bourbon shooters, shirtless cowboys, and a hot rendezvous or two…
Warning: Contains hot sex, a vindictive ex-wife and hot chocolate-chip cookies.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Texas
Two Step:
He kissed her and the world stopped revolving. She swayed into him. Ran her fingers into his thick, wavy hair. Stroked his tongue with hers. Tasted the champagne inside of his mouth. Sucked gently on his tongue. Soaked him up like an arid desert in an unexpected rainstorm.
Olivia could have blamed the dim lights, or the romantic setting, or even Mitch’s raw animal magnetism for her response to his kiss. Instead, she admitted she wanted this night, this man, his touch, his kiss. All of her fantasies started this way.
Could reality be as good as her imagination?
What would it be like to be with him again? Make love with him again?
There was curiosity, but that wasn’t what was driving her response to his kiss. Desire ran rampant through her veins. A soul-deep lust consumed her.
Their love story was history, so she’d waste no time planning a future that would never come. She’d take what he offered, take what she wanted. Here and now, not a future. Tonight was all there was. She’d not walk away from his arms until she’d gotten what she needed.
Mitch’s mouth scorched her lips as he took her mouth with a rough passion that left no doubt of his intentions. He pulled the pins holding her chignon and threaded his fingers through her hair, holding her head in place as he plundered her mouth with his tongue.
Returning his kiss with a fervor matching his, she allowed the all-consuming yearning to fill her. The desire to touch him, be close to him, make love with him overwhelmed her.
She flattened her hands against his chest. His heat seared through the shirt’s material and burned into her flesh. She stroked hard muscles sculpted from years of physical labor. His nipples stiffened to her caress. The soft cotton of his shirt teased the nerve endings in her palms.
He leaned his huge body over her and cupped her breast in his work-roughened hand. He squeezed and flicked her now distended nipple.
