A Taste of Country

by Vicki Green

  “I hope you realize that is turning me on again.” I smile.

  His eyes turn dark again as he looks at me. “Good because I plan on us doin’ that again.” He turns, tossing the cloth into the bathroom then climbs back in bed, putting his arm around me and pulling me against him. He pulls the covers over us and grasps my arm pulling it around his waist, but he never lets go. I snuggle my head onto his chest then look up at him. He’s looking at me, his eyes so full of love, tenderness. “Thank you,” I whisper.

  His brows lower in confusion. “What are you thankin’ me for, darlin’?”

  I smile. “For making me whole.”

  He leans down and I close my eyes as he kisses the top of my head. “I’m the one that should be thankin’ you for givin’ me the honor of makin’ love to you,” he whispers back. Suddenly, I feel complete. A ray of hope fills me. I rub my face against the soft skin of his chest and sigh happily. If everything bad that has happened to me in my life would be the only way I would be here now, I would do it all over again.

  Chapter Nine

  Colby

  As I lay here listening to her soft breathin’, feelin’ her warmth against me, I think about tonight. The anger I felt earlier, the jealousy, then how fast everythin’ changed as she confessed her secrets and showed me the scar on her side. Right then, I wanted to do two things: kill the son of a bitch who’s been tormentin’ her, hurtin’ her, and hold her in my arms, protect her and keep her safe. I’ve never wanted a woman so badly, to make love to her, and to cherish her as I did tonight. I can’t describe the look on her face as she reached her climax. She looked pained, then serene and almost like she became free. Free of her nightmare of a life? Free to be herself again? I’m not sure but it was the most beautiful, sexiest vision I’ve ever seen in my life. I felt honored to be the one to get her there and proud at the same time that she was strong enough to let me.

  I look down as she stirs in her slumber but not like she’s having a nightmare, it’s more like she’s rememberin’ as her mouth lifts into a slight smile, and she sighs dreamily. I tighten my hold around her arm, and the soft skin on her face rubs against my chest, over my heart that’s beatin’ for the first time in my life. For her. Finally, I close my eyes, hopin’ to find sleep, but instead I find her beautiful face, and her light blue eyes that seem to always take my breath away.

  I must have fallen asleep as the light of day shines in through the blinds. Startled, I turn my head quickly, lookin’ over at the clock. “Shit! It’s almost six thirty.” My hand pats the mattress to find what I’d already known. Her side of the bed is empty and cool to the touch. Knowin’ I’m late to get chores started, I don’t take my normal mornin’ shower but do my bathroom things and quickly get dressed. I run down the stairs and into the kitchen but find she’s not there. I walk back and grab my coat from the closet, still puttin’ it on as I get to the back door and open it. Standin’ on the deck, I look around and see Trevor and Mac out in the pasture with Sable but my head turns when I hear hammerin’ and look up at the roof and see Dallis workin’. Then I hear Ditto barkin’. The sound comin’ from the barn. I walk over there and stop short at the doorway.

  Shiloh’s sittin’ down on the hay beside the chicken coop. Ditto’s outside the small fenced area chasin’ his tail. When Dad extended the barn several years ago, he built the chicken coop half inside the barn and the other half outside so the chickens could stay warm in the winter and cooler in the summer months. Smart man, my dad. I watch as she reaches her hand into one of the coops, pullin’ out eggs and placin’ them in a basket sittin’ next to her. I cross my arms over my chest, just watchin’ her. She has on jeans. Her legs stretched out in front of her, showin’ her boots. Her shirt is flannel, large light pink squares bordered with thin white lines. The long sleeves are rolled up to her elbows. I press my lips together tryin’ to keep my chuckle in, when I see one of my old baseball caps on her head, her long hair in a ponytail protruding from the back of it. She’s fuckin’ adorable. Ditto notices me and runs up to my feet, waggin’ his tail and pantin’ heavily. I look over and see she’s lookin’ at me, a huge smile on her beautiful face. “’Bout time you got up, sleepy head.” She laughs, showin’ the white of her straight teeth and my heart skips a beat or two.

  I walk in, squattin’ down next to the fence. “I guess someone let me sleep in this mornin’.” I reach over and run my fingers through her ponytail. “I’d rather have woken up with you in my arms. Though I appreciate it.” She looks down shyly but when she looks back up, desire pools in her eyes. “So what’s up with everyone workin’? Looks like I won’t have any chores to do today. Kind of a nice break.”

  She stands, pickin’ up the basket full of eggs, and I help her step over the fence. “Well, it was my idea. I hope you don’t mind but I kinda want you to finish reading Deadly Love and then maybe you’ll understand the rest of what I’ve been going through. While you do that, I’m gonna do some writing on Deadly Game. After last night, I feel like some things need to be added.” My eyebrows lift, but my eyes soften. Her hand slides into mine as I take the basket from her. Our fingers intertwining as we walk back to the house, with Ditto followin’ us.

  “Sounds like a plan.” I look down at her as we reach the steps. “Although, I’m a bit worried about readin’ it now. I had already visualized your face as Destiny. For some reason, I had a hunch. But now….” I put my hand under her chin and lift her head up. “It’s gonna be harder knowin’ that’s really you.”

  She nods, my hand moving with her movement. “I know,” she whispers.

  We walk inside, and Ditto runs off in the house. She turns to me and smiles. “I’m gonna head upstairs. Will you be okay?”

  I lean down and kiss her full lips. “Yeah. I’ll be fine. You?” She nods and gives me a sad smile. “I’m gonna go get the book and take it down to the office. I’ll see ya in a bit.” I kiss her again, ‘cos I can, and watch as she walks out of the kitchen.

  I sigh deeply then go upstairs and get the book from the nightstand then take it to the office and sit down in the big leather chair. I wasn’t kiddin’ when I told her I was nervous to finish readin’ it. Knowin’ it is really her who went through all this horror makes me want to find this sicko and put him in his place; six feet under. I open my bookmarked place, gettin’ comfortable in the chair and start readin’.

  He held me down by my throat, squeezing until no air can come through as he pushes his length into me, so hard that pain pulsates through me. I try at no end to get my hands free, but the strength of his hands wrapped around my wrists is too much. I feel dizzy, my eyes going in and out of focus as I try to take a breath and can’t.

  “This is what happens when you try to escape me, Destiny. You bring this on yourself,” he growls. This was my seventh failed attempt to get away from him. He always finds me, the punishment becoming worse each time I’m captured. My eyes shift as his face lowers into my view, his hot and foul breath making my stomach queasy. “There won’t be a next time, my bitch, as this will be your last.” He smiles evilly, getting delight from my struggles. “I’d hate to see anything happen to your friends as well. Seems they’re always trying to help you escape. That won’t happen again!” he screams. I flinch and close my eyes tight. “NO! YOU WILL LOOK AT ME!” His hand tightens around my throat, and my eyes snap open.

  Son of a bitch. No wonder she’s so worried. I can’t imagine hidin’ out, always tryin’ to be one step ahead of a madman. I continue readin’ until I finish, sick to my stomach by the time I’m done. The things he did to her, said to her. He’s a vile, cruel madman who needs to be stopped soon. Before it’s too late. I take the book and place it beside the other on the shelf, my hand staying there for a beat. The feelin’s movin’ through me right now are anger and remorse. I pull my hand back and slam it against the books. I feel so angry but also like I want to beat the shit outta something. I look up when someone walks into the room.

  “Got a bar in town?” Trevor as
ks. I nod slowly. He walks over, looks where my hand is and then slaps his hand down on my shoulder. “Let’s go have a few drinks, my friend.”

  I open my mouth. “But uh….”

  “Already taken care of. Memphis and Sadie are headin’ over to keep Shiloh company while we’re gone.” I nod and follow him out of the room. When we get to the foyer, Shiloh is standin’ there holdin’ my coat open. I hear talkin’ in the kitchen and assume it’s Sadie and Memphis. I walk over and turn, slidin’ my arms into the sleeves. I turn around, and she pulls it closed then leans up and kisses me.

  “I figured you might need a few after finishing. Trevor will take care of you.” My brows lift in concern. “I’ll be fine and I’ll be here waiting when you get back home.” Home. The sweetest sounding word from her mouth. I nod, feelin’ weird for leavin’ her. Trevor’s standin’ by the door with it open and I walk through. “You take care of him, Trevor!” I hear Shiloh yell as he closes the door.

  We walk to the garage but he grabs my arm. “Nope. I’m drivin’, partner.” I only nod again and follow him over to his truck, gettin’ in the passenger seat. We ride quite a ways in silence, the radio on low. He looks over at me and then back at the road. “She thought it might do you good to get a few drinks in ya and for me to take ya in case you wanna ask any questions.”

  I sit up straight, feelin’ a little awkward. “You’ve read the books?”

  He looks at me again then back out the front window. “Read them, lived through parts of them and have read what she has so far in the last book.” I look out the side window, the darkness makin’ it hard to see anythin’. “Look.” I turn back to him. “She wants you to read what she’s written in the last one, but right now, she’s afraid after what you’ve already read and knowin’ it’s her that you won’t want her anymore or you’ll want her to leave.”

  My eyes widen in panic. “How can she think that? After last night….”

  “No. I mean. I think she knows you’re here to stay or that you want her to. I guess she’s just really nervous. Do you blame her?” I shake my head sadly. No, I don’t blame her. “Other than the little Mandy and I’ve done to help her, she’s been fightin’ this asshat by herself. She’s run so many times and he always seems to find her. This is the farthest she’s ever gone, hopin’ she’ll find a way to figure out how to get him, instead of him findin’ her.”

  “I haven’t asked her yet but I really would like to get my friend, the sheriff, involved. He’d know what to do and might be able to help locate him.” Anxiousness fills me. If we can find him, lock him up, maybe he’ll rot in prison and there’d be no way he could ever come after her again. She could live the happy life she always should have.

  His face scrunches up a bit as he thinks. “Might not be a bad idea. She’s really leery of too many people gettin’ involved and knowin’ her business. She’s always worried that someone will get killed, meant for her. So many times she didn’t tell Mandy or me she was leavin’, only for us to come to her aid when he’d hurt her so badly that she couldn’t help herself.” My hands form into fists, the anger I’d felt earlier returning in force. “That scar on her side? She got it from a knife wound from this last escape. Took off and found some hole in the wall clinic. They did a fuckin’ hatchet job on her. She didn’t tell us until after she’d gotten here, didn’t want us to get hurt tryin’ to help her. That’s the way she is. Always thinkin’ about others.”

  I feel like my anger is about to explode when we pull into a parkin’ space at The Hoedown bar. I’ve never been that much of a drinker, only occasionally at social gatherings in college. We walk into the bar and there are not very many people here since it’s the middle of the week. I follow Trevor over to a corner table, away from everyone else. Guess he thinks I’m gonna ask a lot of questions but right now all I wanna do is get home and make sure Shiloh’s safe. Scarlett walks over askin’ for our drink orders, and we each order a beer and a shot of Jack.

  By the time we’ve had several shots and beers I’m seein’ a little hazy. “What do you think attracted her to him in the first place? I mean…. I know what I read but it just seems odd.” My words soundin’ slurred. My body weavin’ a bit.

  “Well, you read it yourself. She was livin’ on the streets, had no money, and could only find a part time job at the diner there. She had no family to speak of.”

  I start peelin’ the label off the beer bottle. “So young.” I look up at him, my brows raisin’. “I love her, Trevor. I love her.”

  He smiles wide then stands, his chair screeching on the wood floor. “Come on, partner. Let’s get you home to her.” I nod, takin’ one last swig from the bottle and almost fall as I try to stand. “Whoa, there. Let me help ya.”

  He grabs my arm to steady me and I look at him. “You’re alright, Trevor.”

  He smiles. “That’s what I’ve heard.”

  He helps me out of the bar and into his truck then pulls out and starts headin’ home. Home. I want it to be mine and hers. I want her to stay with me forever. I want us to live a happy life, have kids, lovin’ each other until our lasts breaths. Love. Is this love? God, it feels like it. She’s all I can think of from the time I open my eyes in the mornin’ til I close them at night. Then I dream of her, of us. I lay my head back on the seat and close my eyes. Light blue eyes, almost near white, sparklin’, a light blush on her smooth skin, and those full lips I wanna kiss until I have no choice but to take a breath.

  Shiloh

  After the guys left, Memphis sat in the living room and watched TV. Sadie had asked me if she could read what I’ve written on the last book. Since it’s close to being done and not knowing the outcome yet, I agreed. She took it to the kitchen and said she was gonna make some coffee. I stayed upstairs to write some more on the book, but it’s only about my feelings from last night. This may be the only happy moments in the entire series, and I want there to at least be something showing my life wasn’t without some happiness. I know it sounds like I’m giving up but on the contrary. I have even more to fight for now. Ever since he left all I can think about is him and after an hour, I came to the conclusion and realization that I’ve fallen in love.

  Escaping for the last time, I found a farm, far away, far enough that I’m hopeful for the first time he won’t find me. After years of living in turmoil and dreading every second of every day, I’ve found my true love. I found a man who’s not only beautiful on the outside but on the inside. Loving, caring, strong, and so very masculine. The differences between Colby and him are huge. I feared that if I ever met the man of my dreams I would be too ashamed of my past. The scar that I wear is ugly and constantly reminds me of what I’ve been through. Who would want a woman like that? Colby Carter. He saw me from the inside out, showed me the beauty of the land, and that there are people out there willing to love me for me and not for my hidden scars.

  Last night was unforgettable, the start of a hope that there’s a chance I can still have happiness. I was so nervous, at first. But then all it took was a look and my determination to be a whole woman overtook me. There’s so many romance books that depict the hot and sexy male character but to see a man who is the image you have in your mind, in the flesh, is indescribable. When he removed his shirt, my mouth watered as I looked at his muscular chest. They scanned down his tight abs and revealed what had been hiding underneath his flannel shirts. When he removed the rest of his clothes, my biggest anxiety was if his huge length could fit inside me. I had nothing to fear as he took over gently, reverently, and paid homage to my body. Nothing could have prepared me when he traced my ugly scar with his finger then kissed down the length of it. I never felt so beautiful in all my life, so cared for and so loved. He made love to me tenderly. What really took me over the edge was not the amazing orgasm I experienced but the look on his gorgeous face when he released inside me. He was stunning, the moonlight shining on his skin that was slick with sweat. His face full of concentration and then a relief that made him almost glow. I�
��m sure I’m not describing it accurately, but I will never forget it.

  This man has not only given me the most precious thing in the world; life, but he’s given me his heart, his body, and his soul that I’ve taken greedily. In return, I’ve given him the same. For, I’ve fallen for him so hard that I can only hope this is the ending to my series, and that I’ll live happily ever after with the man I love.

  Destiny aka Shiloh Willson

  I jump when I hear a crash downstairs. My heart beats rapidly, fear surging through me. I look around, trying to find a weapon. Ditto’s ears perk up as his head raises and runs to the door, barking. I stand, setting my laptop down on the seat and hitting the power button to shut it off. I walk to the closet and find a baseball bat that must have been put in there for storage. Thank God. I creep to the door, putting my ear against it, listening for any noises while leaning down and petting Ditto to keep him quiet.

  I hear footsteps coming up the stairs below, then more coming up the ones to my door. I look down and notice no lock on the door. I step back, pulling Ditto by his collar and holding up the bat in my hand. I’ve learned in the past that I’m no match for a strong man but now that I have something more to live for, I’m determined to fight harder than ever before. I keep inching backwards until my legs hit the end of the bed. Ditto’s wagging his tail, hitting the bed making a thumping noise. My heart is pounding so hard, I can hear the beating in my ears. He’s found me. He always finds me. This time I know I’m dead. I knew it would happen eventually, but I was hoping I’d finally escaped him. The door swings open and I raise the bat higher, ready to strike with all my might.