“We have a fricken’ mole.” Zaiden’s face was flushed as his temper spiked.
The table erupted as everyone started talking at once. This went on for a couple of minutes until a grimfaced Graham stood up.
“All right, I need everyone to keep an eye out. If you see anyone acting suspicious, call me or Adam. The sheriff thinks the gun that the shooter used is a forty-five semiautomatic pistol. While you’re working, look around. It could be stashed somewhere. If any of you remember someone who wasn’t where they were supposed to be this afternoon, let me know.” Graham continued, “I guess that’s all we can do at this point, and hope the sheriff can find Pennington.”
After a few more comments and questions, the meeting broke up.
* * * *
Stan left the main house with a frown on his face. He had been looking all over the ranch for his current hookup when someone had shot at Paulie, interrupting his plans of mutual blowjobs in the barn. Shaking his head, he decided he was over-thinking things and probably just acting paranoid. Stan started plotting his next sexual encounter and kept walking to the barn to get some work done.
* * * *
Three days later, Paulie was sitting on a stool by the island counter, watching Elliot checking a couple of roasts baking in the oven. Shifting restlessly, he’d had just about enough of sitting around. He wanted to do something. Taking a walk and exploring the ranch sounded like fun, but Graham had told him he had to have someone with him at all times.
Somehow, he didn’t think asking Elliot to go with him would go over well with Adam and Zaiden. Those two adored his best friend and were very protective of him since Paulie’s window had been shot out.
Elliot straightened from basting one of the roasts. “What’s the matter, Paulie? Is your stomach hurting?”
“No, the pain is getting less and less all the time.” Paulie ran his hand through his hair in frustration. “Elliot, I want to go back to work. I miss being productive.”
“Are you strong enough?” Elliot asked. “It’s only been a little over two weeks since the attack.”
“I could work for a little while and then rest. I want to try.”
Elliot handed his phone to Paulie. “Call Nolan and ask him.”
Paulie scrolled down the phone’s contacts until he found Nolan’s name. He wished he could use his own phone, but the police suspected Pennington had found a way to trace him by it. Pressing the call button, it took just a few seconds until he heard that deep baritone voice.
“Hello.” Shivers ran up Paulie’s spine and his cock gave a small jerk.
“Hi, it’s Paulie.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone and Paulie started to have doubts that this was a good idea.
“Do you need me, Paulie? Are you hurt?” Worry laced Nolan’s voice.
“I was wondering if I could start working in the shop.” Shit. When had he become such a wimp? Where was that confident man he used to be? His heart cracked a little. He knew the answers to those questions. Phen Pennington’s actions had changed him, and Paulie didn’t like it.
“What if we borrow Elliot’s UTV and I show you around the ranch?” Nolan asked.
Paulie’s heart jumped in his chest with excitement. “That sounds good.”
“All right, I’ll be there soon.”
The call ended and Paulie turned toward Elliot. He knew there was a huge smile on his face. “Nolan is going to show me around.” Unfortunately, the smile disappeared when he looked down at his only clothes.
“Elliot, I don’t have anything to wear besides these sweatpants a nurse had run out and bought for me at the hospital. Pennington destroyed my other stuff when he tried to slice me to pieces and I never went back to the rented house for my backpack.” Paulie looked at Elliot, the feeling of helplessness that had plagued him for the last year coming back with a vengeance.
“Enjoy your time with Nolan,” Elliot advised. “Tomorrow is your appointment to have your stitches out. We can stop at a store and buy you everything you need after.”
“And work boots. These tennis shoes won’t cut it,” Paulie said.
“We’ll pick up some work boots and cowboy boots. Nolan loves to ride the horses and I’m sure he’ll have you up on one as soon as you’re healed.”
Paulie got distracted with the thought of riding gorgeous Nolan instead of a horse. The sound of the side door opening cut through that pleasant thought, as big Nolan walked into the room looking delicious in a tight T-shirt and faded jeans. Paulie wanted to slide up to the man and press himself against those rock-hard muscles. Unfortunately, he wasn’t sure his affections would be welcome.
“Can I borrow your UTV, Elliot?” Nolan asked. He might have asked Elliot the question, but his eyes were devouring Paulie. Paulie changed his mind. Maybe he could do a little sliding against Nolan.
“Sure. Have fun, you two.” Elliot’s smile looked a little too self-satisfied for Paulie. Sometimes best friends could be a pain.
Paulie left the house before Elliot could start teasing him. As soon as they got outside, Nolan’s rough, callused hand enclosed his.
“I thought the UTV would be easier on your injuries. We can sit side-by-side and the ride is smoother,” Nolan said.
Nolan led Paulie over to the vehicle that looked like a mini Jeep. Did Paulie object when Nolan put his powerful, muscled arm around his shoulders and helped him onto the bench seat on the passenger side? No way. Instead, he smiled and tilted his head, bringing their lips together. The kiss was brief, but it still had Paulie’s toes curling, just a little.
“Thank you,” Paulie said.
“For kissing you?” Nolan teased.
Paulie chuckled. “For showing me around, and for the kiss.”
Nolan smiled, his eyes such a beautiful green in the warm sunlight that Paulie found himself giving Nolan a little piece of his heart.
Chapter Seven
With a nod, Nolan started the UTV and they were off down the road at a brisk but not scary pace. Paulie was surprised when Nolan drove them right past the huge barn and other red metal buildings with their green roofs, and continued down a dirt lane. The UTV made a sharp left turn off the lane that had Paulie clutching the bar across the door opening for balance. They continued through scrub brush and high grass until they drove right into a small grove a trees. Nolan finally stopped the vehicle when they were almost to the other side.
Shutting off the UTV, Nolan turned toward Paulie and slid an arm around his shoulders. Paulie couldn’t help but snuggle into the warmth and comfort Nolan offered.
“Look, Paulie, there is the beautiful Crazy Angle Ranch.” Nolan lifted his free arm and pointed to the vast scenery in front of them.
Looking forward, Paulie saw they were on a small knoll. Through the break in the trees, he could see fields that stretched for miles and filled with some kind of golden crops that were gently swaying in the breeze. Over to the right were fenced-in pastures, with beautiful reddish-brown, giant draft horses milling around, enjoying the day. To the left, Paulie saw a good-size pond, the sun’s rays reflecting off the water, making it look like sparkles were dancing over it.
“It’s a beautiful place,” Paulie said, truly meaning it.
“This is just part of it. After your stitches are out and you’re feeling better, we’ll go riding and I’ll show you more. Maybe we can take sleeping bags along and spend the night.”
Paulie was starting to see the possibilities of this new world before him. And he knew it would be even better if Nolan was by his side.
Turning his head, he started kissing Nolan’s thick, strong neck. Under his tongue, he could feel the rasp of the day’s whisker growth and the sharp taste of salty sweat. Nolan tipped his head, giving Paulie even more access to the skin he was after. Lifting his hand, he ran it over Nolan’s broad, rock-hard chest. As he explored, the muscles rippled under his fingertips.
Paulie’s teeth found the curve where Nolan’s neck and shoulder met. He bi
t lightly on the spot and then soothed it with his tongue, pulling a deep groan from Nolan, which Paulie could feel rumbling under the palm of his hand.
Paulie started working his lips up Nolan’s neck, stopping here and there to nibble and lick. By now, Paulie was encased in Nolan’s strong arms. Besides feeling surrounded, protected and safe, his prick was now hard and needing relief. When he finally reached Nolan’s lips, Nolan took over, deeply kissing Paulie until they were both panting with need. Nolan broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against Paulie’s.
“We have to stop,” Nolan said.
“Why?” Paulie asked. As far as he was concerned, that was a terrible idea.
Nolan lifted his head, his piercing green eyes boring into Paulie’s. “I’m a big man, Paulie. And you’re a lot smaller. You need to at least have those stitches out before we can do anything. I won’t hurt you.”
Paulie knew he was right, but that didn’t mean he had to like it. His dick was still demanding attention.
“Fine. But when I’m healed, we’re not stopping.”
“If you still want to.”
Paulie tipped his head and looked at Nolan. “Why do you do that?”
“Do what?” Nolan asked.
“You stop us and then you say we can start again later if I want to. You’ve done that before,” Paulie said.
Nolan just looked at him, then his face flushed and he looked down. Suddenly, Paulie just knew. “Somebody led you on and then rejected you.” Paulie would have climbed on Nolan’s lap, but there wasn’t enough room in the UTV. So he put his arms around Nolan’s neck and hugged him in comfort.
“Talk to me, Nolan,” he pleaded.
Nolan pulled Paulie even closer, his head fitting snugly on Nolan’s shoulder. “Sometimes men like to flirt and make out with big men. But when it comes to doing more, they back off.”
“There’s more, I can feel it,” Paulie said.
The quiet stretched on for so long, Paulie didn’t think Nolan was going to answer.
Finally, Nolan said, “Once in a while, men get pissed off and blame the big men. They call them freaks and monsters, especially if it gets intense. Some even will yell rape. That happened to a friend of mine. After seeing what he went through, I’m careful.”
Paulie was livid. “What assholes! If they can’t handle it, they have no business leading a man on. No is no, make no mistake about that. But, trying to turn it around and using the guy’s size as an excuse is just plain wrong.” Paulie looked Nolan right in the eye. He wanted him to see that he was very serious. “I like my men big, and I can handle them just fine. I especially like you, very much. I am not afraid of you or your size. I like lovemaking to be intense. When my stitches are out, you better be prepared for me, Nolan Clark.”
Nolan brought their lips back together and kissed Paulie until Paulie forgot what he was upset about. All too soon, the kiss ended.
“We should go,” Nolan whispered.
“Yeah.” Paulie rubbed their cheeks together, loving the roughness of Nolan’s skin and his musky, male scent.
Nolan let Paulie go and started the UTV. Carefully, he backed out of the tangle of trees.
“Was this the only place to see the view?” Paulie asked. It wasn’t exactly the easiest place to get in or out of.
“No.”
“Then why did you drive into the trees?”
Nolan looked at Paulie. “So no one could see us and take an easy shot.”
“Shit.” Paulie hadn’t thought about that. But Nolan had.
Nolan turned the UTV toward the ranch buildings. Again, he didn’t stop at any of the barns. He just kept going until they reached a big, red metal shed. There he parked and shut off the vehicle. Paulie got out of the UTV, happy to stretch his legs, although his belly felt a little sore and he was starting to get a little tired. Nolan waited for Paulie and then followed him through the door into the shed.
Neither saw the cowboy standing just inside the doorway of the granary across the road. The cowboy saw an opportunity and was going to take it. The payout was going to be so sweet, and he had some big plans for that kind of money.
The cowboy didn’t see the worried set of blue eyes in the shadows behind him.
* * * *
Inside the shed was a farm machinery mechanic’s dream. In one corner, Paulie recognized a row of electronic testing devices. He had used many of these various-sized computers to find problems with tractors and other equipment at his old job and could see they were state-of-the-art.
All around the shed, he could see clusters of red metal toolboxes standing at least five feet tall, containing rows and rows of drawers that Paulie was sure were filled with everything a person would need to repair an engine. Looking up, he saw hoses running along the ceiling and could tell just by the color and sizes that one was an air hose and the others carried different types of oil and other fluids. They made maintaining engines a hundred percent easier.
Off to the side, Paulie saw a black truck with its front tires up on ramps. The hood of the vehicle was open and Paulie could feel himself itching to go over and take a peek.
“Nolan, this is awesome.” He couldn’t keep the wide smile off his face. He felt like a drug addict, getting his long awaited fix.
“Thanks. Once we start working together, if you want to make any changes, just ask.”
Paulie looked at Nolan in surprise. This was his domain, and he’d just opened it to Paulie. That was huge. A mechanic’s workspace was sacred, and most could be very territorial. Paulie saw that Nolan was serious in his invitation, and like a puppet on strings, he was pulled to Nolan until he was pressed up against that warm, hard body that he was starting to crave like air.
“Thank you.” Paulie couldn’t stop his hands from rubbing and exploring Nolan’s wide chest. He took a minute to search all the dips and contours, and then he stood up on his tiptoes and lifted his lips until Nolan lowered his, and their lips met. When Nolan’s tongue pressed into the corner of his mouth, demanding entrance, Paulie’s cock hardened. Paulie let Nolan in, and his tongue joined the dance, slipping and sliding together. Paulie felt Nolan’s big hands enclose his head, tipping it a little, deepening the kiss.
Nolan started sucking on Paulie’s lower lip, teeth scraping it lightly. Paulie groaned and both of his hands started discovering the powerful muscles of Nolan’s back. Sliding his hands around to the front, Paulie wrapped one around Nolan’s ribcage as far as it would go, while the other felt the ripples of six-pack abs under the cloth of Nolan’s T-shirt. Paulie’s traveling hand started south. All the while, his mouth was being delightfully dominated.
Paulie felt triumphant when he felt the front button of Nolan’s jeans. He knew if he went just a little further, he would find out how big the monster was in Nolan’s pants. Moving his hand lower, he was just about to press his palm over his prize when Nolan’s hand enclosed around his wrist, stopping him.
Ripping his mouth away, Paulie looked up. “Nolan,” he said in frustration.
“Not until your stitches are out,” Nolan replied. His green eyes were blazing and Paulie could see his frustration wasn’t only one-sided.
“You do realize that I’m getting them out tomorrow,” Paulie reminded him.
“Thank goodness.” Nolan dropped a quick kiss on Paulie’s lips.
Nolan took Paulie’s hand and pulled him out of the shed to the UTV. As they approached the vehicle, Paulie saw something white sitting on the driver’s side seat. When they were closer, it became obvious it was a piece of paper.
Nolan picked up the small note card and read it. A frown formed on his face and his lips tightened into a straight line. Springing into action, Nolan picked Paulie up and shoved him into the UTV. Jumping in, he started the vehicle and Paulie could only hold on for dear life as Nolan raced them at full speed to the main house.
Paulie gritted his teeth when Nolan slammed on the breaks, causing the UTV to slide a few feet on the asphalt pad in front of the side door
, the smell of burned rubber filling the air. Before Paulie could blink, Nolan leaped out of the UTV, scooped him up into his arms and was running into the house.
As they entered the kitchen, Nolan yelled at Elliot, “Call the police and Graham.” Nolan didn’t stop until he had Paulie again in the corner of the dining room. At least this time he allowed Paulie to stand, and was actually holding him in his arms.
Before Paulie could ask what was on the note, Graham was at the doorway. “What’s going on, Nolan?”
Nolan reluctantly let Paulie go and turned to Graham, boxing Paulie in behind him. “I was showing Paulie the shop. This was on the UTV seat when we came out.”
Paulie watched Graham read the note. Fury filled his face for an instant, and then it was replaced by an ice-cold look of determination that had Paulie glad he wasn’t on the receiving end of it.
“What does it say?” he asked. He might have managed to slide around Nolan to stand next to him, but an arm immediately pulled him close.
Graham handed him the card and to Paulie’s dismay, he read the words written in black ink, “Come back to me or someone will die.”
Chapter Eight
Chaos erupted throughout the ranch when the contents of the note traveled through the ranch grapevine. Nolan glued himself to Paulie’s side, Elliot became frantic, and Adam and Zaiden’s faces were like thunderclouds, ready to erupt. Trace stood next to Xavi, watching everything around him, a knife holder strapped to his belt. But the scariest person of all was Graham.
When the sheriff arrived, the conversation between them became a shouting match. Graham demanded the police finally perform their duties and arrest Pennington. Things would have gone even farther downhill if Tyler hadn’t stepped in front of Graham and calmed him down.
The deputies again questioned everyone, learning nothing new. Finally, they left with the note and more assurances that they were doing everything possible.
Summer, Bellann - Paulie's Protector [The Men of the Crazy Angle Ranch 4] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) Page 6
