by Piper Stone
I clamped my fingers around his, folding my feet together as he powered into me. He reeked of aggression, his chest heaving as he plunged in a perfect rhythm. He refused to stop, rolling onto the balls of his feet.
Shivering, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. So damn handsome but damaged somehow, a man who refused to accept who he was.
His body tensed, his muscles straining.
Harder and faster he slammed into me, leaving me breathless and spent.
As his jaw clenched, beads of sweat appearing over his lip, I knew he was close to coming. The world was a blur as he continued thrusting, but the moment I clamped my muscles, squeezing around his thick cock, he threw his head back and roared.
“Fuck!”
As he erupted, spewing his seed deep inside, I shuddered. I was one shameful little girl.
Seconds later, he dropped his head, the same wry smile returning. When he issued the abrupt words, my rebellion immediately returned.
“Next time, I fuck you in the ass.”
Chapter Four
Bryce
Next time, I fuck you in the ass?
Oh, hell, no.
A man like him used women, only taking what they wanted then tossing them aside. I’d been stupid enough to fall into his realm of bullshit.
He eased my legs down, the gleam in his eye returning.
My legs continued to shake as I watched him dressing, tugging on the plain tan tee shirt and adjusting his fatigues. He was very much the soldier, neat and organized.
“There isn’t going to be a next time, Hawk. Maybe I should just call you Mr. Travers.” Even though the bad girl inside craved more. No. I refused to give in to temptation for any reason. I was a professional just seeking a story.
Uh-huh.
Hawk studied me with wary eyes, finally moving to toss my clothes toward me. “Have it your way, sweetheart.”
Goddamn, the man was infuriating. I turned away as I dressed, hating the fact his scent would cover me for hours.
Or at least until I could take one long, hot shower.
What had possessed me to allow my guard to fall?
Insanity.
Don’t lie to yourself. He’s hot as raw sin.
I cursed under my breath the entire time I dressed, a new round of guilt and shame and ugly embarrassment grasping onto me like thick talons.
He lifted that same single eyebrow once again, his face stoic. “It looks like you could use a drink. I know I could. This day has been shit.”
I thought about his offer and while I should decline, I also knew that maybe I could garner even a tiny bit of information from him. Every other source had proven to be futile. I was beginning to think there wasn’t a story. “Why not? I guess I deserve at least that for allowing you to fuck me.”
His look remained curious, a single lift of his eyebrow adding hatred into my mixture of emotions given he seemed to be thoroughly amused.
Well, fuck him.
“I hope you like bourbon cause it’s all I got. At least that I know of. Haven’t had any time to look at what’s in the house.” He was going to totally ignore my embarrassment or the fact we’d just had sex.
Fine. Two could play at that game.
“Bourbon is just fine.” I wasn’t a big drinker, but I’d make a huge exception tonight. Why not continue to grill him on what he knew? The least I could do was get some kind of story out of this or my producer would be pissed. Even if it was a fluffy humanitarian piece. Wasn’t the big Marine supposed to be some kind of hero? My mind was conflicted. I’d already gone out on far too many limbs over the past few days. Anything I could get out of him would be worth the effort.
And pain.
Every inch of the skin on my bottom ached, the jeans digging in every time I moved.
I rolled my eyes, watching as he walked out of the room then scanned the cabin, hoping for any clues.
Clues for what? I wasn’t some detective and Drake Travers certainly hadn’t been charged with any crime. He’d attempted to do his job as he’d done countless times before. That much I knew. As far as the rest of his life, his buddies and the community had been oddly quiet. Maybe out of reverence to his memory.
The place was beautiful, although fairly small, the large stone fireplace the showstopper in the room. I’d always wanted a real cabin, which was another reason I was drawn to taking the job in the first place. What I’d been able to afford was a rundown house that was half the size of this one. While the landlord was nice as cherry pie, he hadn’t kept up with the maintenance needs in maybe a hundred years.
I heard the clink of ice in two glasses and moved toward the mantel. There were no pictures of any kind, only an odd-looking statue of a moose or maybe it was a deer or elk? Hell if I knew. I felt his presence even before I heard him, his hulking mass somehow stifling the air in the room.
Or maybe that was all about my raging lust.
“You don’t know Drake at all, do you? That was just bullshit you spouted off.” As he reached over me, placing the glass into my hand, I felt myself sagging all over again even as the electricity flowed from his hand into mine, creating another round of quivers dancing down my legs. The look on his face was pointed. He wasn’t going to let me get away with a damn thing.
“Okay, fine. Guilty as charged. I know who he was as well as his excellent reputation,” I admitted.
“Uh-huh. So, not only are you a thief but you’re a liar as well. I doubt that second spanking is going to do you any good. You just don’t seem to get it that you can’t roll people over to get what you want.”
I shifted so quickly out of his reach that I almost tripped over the small hearth, squealing like some stupid high school girl. His reach was much further than I expected, his hand wrapping around my arm and yanking me to him with ease.
There was no concept of breathing, no way I could stop the stars floating in front of my eyes. I realized I’d placed my hand on his chest, but only ten seconds later. The entire few seconds was far more embarrassing than being eaten like cherry pie.
Oh, God. What had I done?
“Careful there, sweetheart. I don’t want to have to take you to the hospital,” Hawk growled.
Damn the man for making me turn into some kind of mushy woman. That wasn’t me at all. I hated men who attempted to dominate women either in business or in pleasure. While I jerked away again, I did so carefully, refusing to make an even bigger fool out of myself.
He chuckled, his eyes never leaving me.
I felt even more uncomfortable. He wasn’t just undressing me with his eyes, he was devouring me with them. A feast presented on a silver platter, a man desperately hungry and prepared to take all that he wanted. I hid behind the drink, taking several sips. The burn of the rather harsh liquor was almost comforting given the wretched night.
“You want to tell me why you lied about that as well?” he asked quietly as he planted his hand on the mantel, studying me intently.
“I thought you’d feel more comfortable talking to me. I knew who he was, and I met him twice over the last few months, but I never spent any time talking to him. One thing I can tell is that Drake was entirely different than you are. You really don’t seem like brothers.” I wasn’t certain how he’d take the statement and was prepared for another spew of anger.
He looked away, taking a sip of his drink before answering.
“Yeah. Only four years apart but we were night and day on almost everything. We were always polar opposites, even growing up. Kind of a shame.”
There was so much remorse in his tone.
“I can understand that. My sister and I are oil and water. Drake seemed very private. I could find almost nothing on him. I checked with neighbors and they barely talked to him. He certainly didn’t go out to bars or clubs, at least from the few statements I got from neighbors and trust me, I was told almost nothing. Ranchers seem to be very private.”
He swirled the liquid in his glass, taking a deep breath. “My guess is tha
t he had his reasons. When you get into Missoula, things might be different, but out here, people stick together. We don’t like little reporters trying to pry into our lives.”
Hawk was always going to remain a man of mystery. I could see guilt, sadness, and anger in his eyes. I certainly wasn’t going to push my luck in trying to get him to talk, at least about himself. Everything else was no holds barred.
But I wasn’t going to fall into his web.
“We all have our reasons for being the way we are, including assholes.” I threw out the words for spite.
“Jesus. Have it your way but you need to talk to me, Bryce. I don’t need any bullshit or innuendoes. I want some truths from you. What are you trying to do with whatever piece you’re putting together for the news?”
“We just had sex. Now, you want to talk.” I laughed, more to myself.
“If you want, I’ll be happy to lay down the rules.”
“You don’t own me, Mr. Travers. No man has or ever will.”
“It’s Sergeant. I still hold the title.”
The words seemed odd and I made a mental note. Had he gotten himself discharged or was there a darker story?
“Sergeant,” I repeated.
His smile was one of knowing, as if he already had plans in place to do just that. Own me.
“Just talk, Bryce. I received a report on the fire that clearly showed it was an accident. I haven’t had a member of law enforcement or the fire department contact me otherwise. Then you come along spouting off crap while I’m just trying to pick up the pieces of my brother’s life. I think I’m owed some answers. Don’t you?”
I debated what to say since I’d found zero evidence, but why the hell not push it. I’d already gotten myself into enough trouble as it is. “I don’t think what happened to your brother was an accident.”
“Why would you say that? From what I read, there was a horrific explosion, the firefighters unable to contain it. It’s my understanding the building is a total loss. Both my brother and another firefighter were caught in the middle of the building.”
I nodded, remembering the sight of the building vividly in my mind. The aftermath was horrific. “While I certainly haven’t been privy to the fire investigator’s report, I strongly believe the fire was purposely set.”
He clenched his jaw, his eyes holding a faraway look. “Why? I’m going to guess that you have a reason in that mind of yours.”
“It’s more of a hunch really.” I wasn’t ready to tell him about the anonymous tip. “There were two other similar fires recently.”
“That’s what you’re basing this on?”
Sighing, I could tell he wasn’t buying my story completely. “At this point, but I’ve only begun my investigation.”
“Right. So, you broke into my brother’s house to find what exactly?”
I took a much larger gulp of the drink than I should have, coughing afterward. All the while his stare remained. “Your brother might not have been very social, but he was open about fires, expressing his opinions on them, at least from what I heard.”
“Okay. Let me get this straight. You think he was targeted in this fire?”
The way he asked the question made me realize how ridiculous the entire situation might be. If it wasn’t for the damn informant, I would never have gone down this path. Maybe this was nothing more than a wild goose chase. But why? What did the caller have to gain? Ruffling feathers?
“I don’t know, Hawk. I just have a very bad feeling and I wanted to find out more. When I heard you were coming into town, I jumped at the chance to talk with you. I wouldn’t have gone to the extremes if you’d just answered my questions.”
“You mean confront me.”
Heat blasted my neck and face, matching the condition of my aching body. “I might be way off base, but my guess is that you want to know the truth. If the fire wasn’t accidental, I mean.”
He snarled, polishing off almost the remainder of the bourbon. “If anyone purposely tried to hurt my brother, they will die.”
Somehow, I believed him. Another awkward silence settled in, keeping my nerves on edge. “I should go.”
“Yeah, you should. You’re not going to break into this house again, do you understand? If you do anything of that nature, I assure you that your punishment will be much worse.”
The odd awkwardness between us created a lump in my throat.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m... sorry. Okay? I’m just trying to make something of myself.” While the statement was the truth, I was shocked I’d admit it to a man like him.
A gorgeous damaged soldier who excites the hell out of you.
I hated the rambling thoughts inside my head. I was just tired, nothing more.
“At the expense of anyone who gets in your way,” he rebutted.
I hadn’t thought about what I was doing in those terms. Maybe he was right. “I guess if necessary.”
He shook his head, taking the glass from my hand. “Not involving my brother. I will be the one to find out the truth. You’re going to drop this piece.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Yeah, it is.”
As he crowded my space, the same rush of desire threatened to derail me all over again. “That’s not fair.”
“Sweetheart, nothing in this life is fair. The sooner you realize that the better.”
“Yeah. Perhaps you’re right, Hawk. One more question then I’ll go. What happened between you and your brother to make you leave and never come back?”
His sneer was exactly what I would have expected. The man actually thought he did no wrong. “That’s private business. I’m certainly not going to spill my guts to a reporter who’s hell bent on using anyone to get what she wants. You wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of me, Bryce. Your instincts were right. I’m a dangerous man. Stop asking questions. Stop pestering me. And do not get in front of that camera.”
I could argue this all night, but I wasn’t going to win the argument.
“Okay. I promise you that I’ll drop it, forever. Just like you are never going to get a chance to touch me again.” I moved quickly toward the door, scooping the ugly hat into my hands. I was surprised when he followed me, even more surprised that my body still ached for him. As I walked out into the night air, I shivered, but not from the slight chill in the air. Hawk was far too oppressive, a man possessed by the need to learn exactly what had occurred.
Or maybe he was the kind of man who took possessions. The thought was riveting.
“Never say never, Bryce. You know what will happen if you break that promise. I suggest you think about that.”
His words shifted over me like a warm blanket, sending another round of shivers dancing down my legs. I was far too attracted to him. That was going to end right here and right now.
I walked to my beat-up truck, the only thing I’d been able to afford since arriving in Missoula, trying to find any right words to say to him. Was there anything that could be said at this point?
Thank you for spanking me twice?
Thank you for fucking me?
Thank you for catching me breaking into your house?
Or maybe, I hope you find the truth about your brother’s accident?
Jesus. I’d never been at a loss for words, but that’s what the brawny hunk did to me. To hell with that. I was a strong woman and refused to allow his prowess to invade my plans for success. I had work to do.
Damn it.
I opened the door, surprised he placed his hand on it as I eased inside. “I hope you find the right answers, Hawk. I really do.”
“Oh, I will. Trust me. You have no idea what I’m made of.”
And he had no idea what I was made of.
“And for the record. Any time you misbehave, you will be punished. Whether by me or by someone else. You need it desperately in your life.”
“Like I said, it’ll never happen again. At least between you and me.”
“All right.
I’ll stay out of your business if you stay out of mine,” he said in a daring way.
Damn him. “I am going to do my job, Hawk. That’s just what’s going to happen. I’ll leave your brother out of it, but my producer expects a report of some kind that can be used on the air. Whether you like it or not, you can’t stop me.”
“Guess we’re going to see about that.”
A part of me wanted to rake out his eyes, the other nodding like some bobble-head doll. Neither was going to happen. I was simply never going to see him again.
He grinned and winked. The man actually winked at me.
Offering a slight smile, I turned the key. When there was nothing but three clicks coming from the engine, I closed my eyes and tried again.
Please, God. No.
This just couldn’t be happening to me.
“From the sounds of it, I’d say that your battery is dead as shit. Let me take a look at it. Hopefully, I can give you a jump.”
“If not?”
He laughed softly, looking up at the sky before answering. “Then I guess you’re stuck with me, little thief. I think I might just take the time to teach you a few lessons about respect and honor.”
* * *
Obnoxious.
I wasn’t certain why the word continued to float through my mind, but it had at least ten times. Hawk was larger than life, his persona as huge as his ego.
A few lessons, my ass. I’d teach him a thing or two. And what was the cut about respect and honor? As I shifted in my seat, the harsh sting made me grimace. With every breath I took, I gathered a scent of him.
Musky.
Sexy.
All male.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I had to get my mind off this. Him. The man. The Marine. The cowboy.
Was he enough of a cowboy he could hogtie a bad little girl in a flash?
God, there wasn’t enough alcohol in the world to make this go away.
I wasn’t certain the big Marine believed me regarding his brother. He had no reason to. Sighing, I thought about the shutdown I’d received from both the sheriff’s office and the chief of the fire station. He’d brushed me off as if I couldn’t possibly understand.
