by Piper Stone
A hero. My brother who never wanted to be in the limelight, who refused to have any level of notoriety when he was growing up. Even though he’d been a top scholar, some said brilliant. I’d been the damn troublemaker, giving my parents heartache from the time I could ride a bike. The right brother had stayed to maintain the ranch.
I waited until he slid the paper across the desk before answering. “I can’t say I’m happy about being home, Mr. Keller, but this will go a long way in righting the wrongs presented regarding the situation. Thank you.”
As I walked to the door, I could hear his heavy exhale. “Mr. Travers.”
“That’s Sergeant Travers.”
“Sergeant... Travers. You won’t like me saying this, but there is a significant amount of suspicion surrounding your brother’s death. I hope you can find what you’re looking for and if any reporter can help you, it’s Bryce Myers. She’s one tenacious woman.”
I laughed softly to myself as I walked out. Tenacious was one word for her.
I had several others.
The lovely reporter had finally unchained the beast dwelling inside and the lesson I planned on teaching her was one she’d never forget.
Chapter Six
Hawk
“You never gave a shit about your family, Jake, or the ranch. Dad worked himself to the bone to make something of it and you’re just throwing it away. You have responsibilities.” Drake glared at me, his expression accusatory.
“You have no idea what I give a damn about and my responsibilities are to have a life.” My retort had been the same for two years. Nasty. I couldn’t wrap my arms around the demons furrowing inside, clawing to get to the surface.
“Maybe you’re right,” he huffed. “You won’t allow anyone inside. You’re going to end up alone and wallowing in a bottle. Some kind of life.”
The words rang true, more horrific now that Drake was gone. I eased off the accelerator as I stared at the cabin only a couple hundred yards away. The tiny building was in desperate need of work, the location likely a former ranch foreman’s quarters. Usually a perk, I wasn’t certain I’d call the dilapidated house anything but a pain in the ass. Maybe she was happy here, although I doubted Montana living was exactly what she’d planned it to be.
I rolled the truck down the poor excuse for a driveway, the gravel all but gone, weeds growing over almost every inch of the narrow pathway. Her vehicle was parked directly in front, altogether bypassing the intended spot. It was a wonder she’d gotten home. Hell, maybe she’d waylaid a hungry cowboy, begging for his help.
Goddamn, I was in a foul mood.
I tossed open the door, thumping both feet onto the ground at the same time. I yanked the newspaper I’d purchased into my hand, staring at the photo before ripping the page off, taking shallow breaths as I folded and shoved the section into my back pocket. There was no chance she hadn’t purchased herself several copies, likely thrilled to death that she’d made the front page of Missoula’s prominent newspaper. She was nothing but an attention grabber, stepping on anyone in order to get her name in lights.
I growled as I tossed the rest of the rag into the cab of the truck, slamming the door.
Inhaling, I studied the front façade, still debating what the hell to say to her. Fuck. I was stalling. I’d usually charge to the door, pounding on it like some crazed animal. I laughed softly to myself as I ventured closer, moving up the single cracked stair and onto the weathered porch. Even the front door needed some spit and shine, the peeling paint adding to the sad-looking appearance.
Fisting my hand, I was ready to pound with ferocity then realized I’d simply knocked twice. What the fuck was wrong with me? She didn’t deserve my patience or any level of kindness. The article was blasphemous to the fire department as well as the lead investigator who’d checked into all three fires. I’d be surprised if Bryce wasn’t tossed out of town.
Snickering, I moved from foot to foot as I listened for any sign of footsteps. There was nothing. I knocked again, finally over playing nice. I tried the door, finding it locked. Maybe she was hiding out after all. She was here all right. I could sense her presence, the same damning electricity dancing through every muscle like some frigging grenade ready to explode. My heartbeat matched the throbbing in my cock, both ridiculous in my mind.
Craving a traitorous woman wasn’t in my best interest.
I pounded three times, my impatience only increasing. When the wind shifted direction, I could swear I detected music coming from somewhere within the house. The realization made me more determined. I took long strides around the building, glaring at the long grass and what had obviously been a garden once. It appeared that she’d attempted to clear a portion of the weeds, a set of clippers tossed to the side.
There was no one in sight, but I did notice the back door was open, only a thin screen door keeping me from reaching her. At this point, nothing was going to keep me from defending my brother’s honor. The music was loud enough it masked my approach and while the thin wooden door was locked, it took almost no amount of energy to yank it open.
I moved inside, scanning the small living room, furniture that had likely been produced in the eighties. This certainly wasn’t living high on the hog, which is what I suspected she was used to. My breath scattered, I moved toward what had to be the kitchen door, stopping short when I heard Bryce’s lilting voice.
She was singing.
I found myself unable to move for several seconds, the raging bull kind of desire I’d felt the night before resurfacing. I continued to move like a predator, inching closer until I was able to catch sight of her. In her jean shorts and simple red tee shirt, her long hair in a ponytail, it was obvious she wasn’t planning on going in to work. Maybe this was her day to celebrate. I took a step into the kitchen, loathing the fact my mouth watered from the sight of her.
While I enjoyed a woman in a beautiful dress, there was nothing better than a woman in casual attire, especially a flannel shirt.
My mind drifted to the night before, the way a single touch of her fingers against my naked skin had driven me close to madness. It had been far too long since I’d been with a woman and tasting her had been... exquisite. I shoved aside the lurid thoughts as I inched even closer. She wasn’t paying a damn bit of attention, her beautiful voice belting out over whatever music she was listening to as she cleaned, earbuds in her ears.
The second I took another step forward, finally able to figure out just how tough I was going to be on her, her body froze. Even I could see my reflection in the wall-hung microwave. Instead of quivering or yelping there was an intruder in her house, she swung around with all the ferocity of a warrior, lashing out, her hand firmly planted around the handle of one large butcher knife.
“Argh!” she yelled, lunging forward.
Her actions ripped the cord from around her, the player falling to the floor.
I was shocked at her direct aim as well as the strength of her resolve. Her hand wasn’t shaking and there certainly was no level of fear in her eyes. The scene played out in slow motion, the knife coming dangerously close to my neck. I managed to snap her wrist, twisting until she was forced to drop the piece of steel, wrangling her until I yanked her into my arms and against my chest.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I demanded.
“Ugh. What... What are you doing here? How did you find me?” Bryce’s voice was riddled with anger as she struggled in my hold, even kicking out by reflex and catching me in the shin. “Let me go!”
“You’re in no place to demand one damn thing,” I countered without hesitation.
“This is my house. You broke in this time.”
“The door was open.”
“Bullshit! I know better.” She fought hard, punching me in the gut, the jab of pain just enough my fingers relaxed, and she managed to tumble out of my hold. Her eyes narrowed, she moved from foot to foot in a fighter’s stance. Even her hands were fisted.
What the hell di
d this girl think she was going to do, beat down her intruder? I outweighed her by a solid one hundred and fifty pounds. I was forced to bite back a laugh, the hunger building into a frenzy. “You are one bad girl.”
“And you can be an asshole.”
I hated the way she could disarm me, even if the knife was still nestled in my hand. Huffing, I put the sharp blade on the counter, folding my arms and walking to within a foot of her.
“And a jerkoff,” she added. “Would you like to go for bastard?”
That was it. She needed another hard spanking. Eventually, she’d learn not to cross me. “You need to learn some manners.” I grabbed both her hands, yanking her forward and over the edge of the counter.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“The same thing as last night. I told you that when you lie, cheat, steal, or deceive someone that there will be consequences. Maybe this will teach you that you have to have respect.” I wasted no time, smacking her bottom with the flat of my hand.
Obviously stunned, she didn’t move a muscle for the first ten seconds. Then all hell broke loose as she tried to fight me, swinging her arms as she issued ferocious growls. “Get the fuck off of me, you big brute. You have no right.” She pushed her hands against the counter, using the full weight of her body as she jerked back.
Jesus. The woman was strong, but she was no match for me.
I was forced to wrangle her over the counter once again, peppering her ass with hard smacks. “I suggest you take this like a good girl, or I’ll spank you naked.”
“Like hell you will!”
Every time she wiggled, her arms flailing in an effort to find something sharp to stab me with, my cock only ached more. However, I was thankful I’d shoved the knife onto another portion of the counter. “Stop fighting me.” I sucked in my breath as I moved from one side to the other, the scent of her feminine wiles almost too much to bear.
“Ugh! Stop. I don’t deserve this!” she yelped, losing a portion of the fight within her.
“You deserve this all right and a hell of a lot more. I can’t believe you betrayed me.”
She gasped, struggling to look back at me. “Betrayed you? How? No way. I’m not that kind of girl.”
“Need I remind you about last night?”
“Damn you, asshole. I paid for my sins already.”
I moved my hand back and forth rapidly, refusing to take any of her guff, even as my eyes drifted to the redness staining her cheeks from intense embarrassment. “Not nearly enough since you refused to learn.”
“You are so fucking mean!” Panting, she tried to fight me one more time before flopping down on the counter, tossing her hands over her head.
I continued the spanking for at least a full minute, barely able to focus as the hunger became insatiable. Everything about this girl drove me to the very precipice of my sanity. I’m never been so flustered or uncertain of how to handle a woman in my life. Growling, I had the distinct feeling that this wasn’t going to work either. Besides, my hand ached like a son of a bitch. I moved away from her, rubbing my fingers as I started to pace the kitchen floor. “We’re done. For now. But I reserve the right to provide another round of punishment when I deem it necessary.”
As if this was some kind of negotiation. I shook my head, trying to get her out of my system. I couldn’t go off halfcocked like some damn Neanderthal with a crush. She’d pegged me pretty damn well. She wasn’t going to help the situation at all. I knew the folks of Missoula. While there were certainly plenty of new people, including college kids, the families who’d been here for a long time wouldn’t take kindly to a reporter sniffing around, trying to start her own kind of fire for no reason.
Bryce remained where she was for a few seconds before smacking her hands on the surface of the counter, pushing herself into a standing position. “I think I hate you.”
“Yeah? Well, the feeling just might be mutual, sweetheart.”
“Damn you! Stop calling me that. I’m not going to be anything to you, especially someone you adore.” Her words were spit out with the kind of venom that should melt me into the floor.
“You and I are going to have a talk,” I finally said quietly.
“About what?” She moved to a standing position, shifting away from me immediately as she rubbed her bottom.
I wanted nothing more than to feel the heat in my hand, to see the blush covering her skin. That had to make me one hell of an asshole. “About my family.”
Her face softened, the defiance leaving. “Did you find out about the little girl? Is that why you’re here, to tell me?” She dared inch closer, her eyes opening wide. There was such concern in them, exactly what I’d seen the night before.
Fuck me, the scent of whatever shower gel she’d used that morning was enough to increase the ache in my cock by a thousand percent. She and the situation were infuriating. “This has nothing to do with Ashley.”
“Ashley,” she said in a faraway voice. “Beautiful name.”
“Cut the crap, Bryce. You have to know why I’m here.”
She narrowed her eyes then shrank back, her rebellious side returning. “What are you trying to get at, Hawk?”
“The article in this morning’s newspaper? The accusations you levied. While I certainly want to know exactly what happened, you and I had a deal. I need time to figure this shit out and you promised to keep my brother’s name out of the press.”
Blinking profusely, she seemed genuinely confused, but I knew looks could be deceiving. “I... don’t understand. What article?”
“I think you do.”
“I told you, I don’t work for the newspaper. Or wasn’t the camera and microphone a clear enough indication for you?” she snapped.
I yanked the paper from my pocket, shoving it in her direction. “Then you want to explain this?”
Her lips pursed, she finally reached out, pulling the ripped portion out of my hand and smoothing it out.
I watched as she skimmed the article, her face paling with every line she read. When she finally found the courage to look at me, she shook her head several times. “I honestly have no idea how this happened.”
“Uh-huh. Why don’t you tell me another lie?”
“I’m not lying to you. Why would I? You might think you’re the only person who has honor, Hawk, but that’s just not true. I’d never go back on my word. Never.”
I tapped my foot, waiting for her to explain how it could have happened.
“I mean, I know the newspaper sometimes takes the copy from the newscast for an article or two, but this story is embellished. I didn’t have time to finish it. I even called my producer last night and left him a message that I wasn’t ready to do anything with the information.”
My memory kicked in. She’d made a call very late into the night, insisting it was important. “What seems funny to me are the details within the story. Notice my name and what’s said?”
She closed her eyes, groaning. “I swear to you. I tried to put a stop to the entire piece, at least until I could change how it was going to be presented.”
“Funny how I don’t believe you.”
“My God. You really are an asshole. You break into my house without warning. You accuse me of something I didn’t do, something horrible that I’d never do to anyone that I actually liked, and you spanked me. You fucking spanked me. Again! I don’t what kind of women you are used to dealing with, but where I came from, that shit just doesn’t fly. So either you issue me one big ass motherfucking apology or...” Her voice faltered, even as her chest continued to rise and fall, her eyes flashing with the sexiest concept of hatred that I’d ever seen in my life.
I wasn’t just aroused. I was famished. “Or what, Bryce?” I asked, dropping my tone of voice dangerously low.
“Or I’m going to toss you out of my house, and you will never see me again. Ever. So help me God.”
“Is that what you want?” I inched closer, unable to catch my breath. The level
of adrenaline was driving into me like rocket fuel, sizzling every nerve and cell. I’d never felt so damn wired, incapable of processing why I had this kind of reaction around her.
Her lower lip quivered from anger and frustration, her eyes still flashing but in them I noticed the same kind of unbridled lust I had sweeping through me.
“Want?” She repeated the single word, her body swaying toward me. “What I want is for you to...”
I was surprised she was still unable to finish her words, her mouth caustic as hell. All I could think about was taming the wild beast, turning my ferocious lion into one giant pussy cat. “To what?” I dared as I cupped both sides of her face, stars floating in front of my eyes.
“Don’t.”
“Do you really want me to stop, sweetheart?”
Quivering, she closed her eyes. “Hawk. What’s happening between us?”
“It’s called desire, baby, but you and I need to get a few things clear.” I tilted her head, forcing her to look into my eyes. “Are you listening to me?”
“Uh-huh. I mean, yes, sir.”
“Good, cause I’m not going to say it twice. You belong to me. Period. Mine. Mine to kiss and mine to fuck. But there are going to be some rules and you will follow them.” I lowered my head, brushing my lips across her skin, my balls tightening.
“Okay. Yes, sir. Rules,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
“If not, then you know exactly what happens to bad girls with no self-control.” I couldn’t take it any longer, rubbing my lips across her cheek as I dug my fingers in.
She rose onto her tiptoes, clasping her hands around my wrists, her breathing rapid. “Understood.”
Whether or not she did would remain to be seen. Right now? I was going to fuck her. I captured her mouth, dragging her into the heat of my body as I held her lips in place. I wanted to enjoy the moment, to savor the sweetness of her.
She shuddered, a moan slipping past the embrace as she rolled her fingers down my arms. There wasn’t a muscle in my body that wasn’t twitching, my cock pressed so tightly against my jeans that I had difficulty moving.
