Deadly Desperados

by Lily Harper Hart

  “Ally, you’re not going to like grits,” Jake said, choosing his words carefully. Ally was the type of woman who would do something just to prove others wrong. Jake just didn’t want the “something” she tried tonight to be vomiting. “I … maybe try the home fries instead.”

  Ally made a face. “How do you know what I will like?”

  “Because I’ve been eating with you for almost a year now,” Jake replied. “You like pasta … and sandwiches … and you’ve got a weird fetish for Greek food. You’re not going to like grits, though.”

  Ally ignored him and focused on Mandy. “Have you ever had grits?”

  Mandy nodded.

  “Did you like them?”

  “They taste like really gross oatmeal, Ally,” Mandy replied honestly. “You’re not going to like them.”

  “You don’t know what I like,” Ally said, jutting her lip out.

  “I thought grits were a southern thing,” Mandy said.

  “Grits are a thing for people who know what’s good to eat,” Fern countered, causing Mandy to scowl.

  “You’re going to spit in my food, aren’t you?” Mandy asked.

  “That’s not how we roll here,” Fern said. “What do you want?”

  “I’ll have the country fried chicken and mashed potatoes,” Mandy said.

  “I’ll have the same,” James said, gathering Mandy’s menu.

  “Ally?” Jake asked, focusing on her.

  “I want … .”

  “She’s going to say grits,” James said.

  “I want the hot beef sandwich with mashed potatoes,” Ally said finally, sticking her tongue out in James’ direction.

  “That’s a good choice,” Fern said before turning to Jake. “What about you, handsome?”

  “I’ll take the same thing she’s having,” Jake said, smiling at Ally, internally relieved she backed down on tasting the grits.

  Once it was just the four of them Jake and James took the opportunity to study the clientele while Mandy and Ally stewed. Finally, James couldn’t take it any longer. “Ally, you can’t stand oatmeal and grits are worse than oatmeal,” he said. “Get over it.”

  “I might like grits,” Ally argued, crossing her arms over her chest.

  James rolled his eyes and turned to Mandy. “You need to get over it, too,” he said. “You married a handsome man. Women love me. It doesn’t matter, though, because I only love you.”

  “Your ego is unbelievable,” Mandy said, although she couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

  “I’m going to show you how big my ego is when we get back to the cabin tonight,” James promised. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t pout through dinner, though. We’ve had a great day. You got to ride a horse and didn’t fall off. I consider that a win.”

  “Fine,” Mandy said, blowing out a huge sigh. “I’m sorry. I know you’re the king of the handsome people. I should be used to it. It just sucks when everyone looks at us and wonders why you settled for me.”

  James scowled. “I hate it when you say things like that,” he said. “Do you have any idea how men look at you? The only reason they don’t approach is because I’m there. They’re afraid I’ll beat them … and rightly so. No offense, baby, but women aren’t afraid of you because you’re tiny. That’s all it is.”

  “Can I have my Valentine’s Day gift early?”

  Mandy’s conversational shift made James growl. “You just played me, didn’t you?”

  “It depends,” Mandy said. “Can I have my gift tonight?”

  “Yes.”

  “I told you it would work,” Ally said, exchanging a mischievous smile with Mandy. “I don’t know why you ever doubt me. I know exactly how to play all of my brothers.”

  “If I were you, I wouldn’t give her the gift,” Jake said. “You’re too much of a softie … and she knows it.”

  James shrugged. “It doesn’t matter,” he said. “I got her two gifts. She can have one of them tonight.”

  Mandy’s mouth dropped open. “You said we were only allowed to get each other one gift for Valentine’s Day because we broke the mall during Christmas,” she argued. “That’s not fair. I only got you one thing. I … .”

  “Baby, the second gift is a little one,” James said. “It’s fine. I’m sure you can think of another gift to give me tonight.”

  “Jake … .”

  “You’re not getting your gift tonight, Ally,” Jake said, cutting his brunette off before she got a full head of steam. “I’m taking you on a picnic and giving it to you tomorrow. I already have the afternoon planned. I’m sorry.”

  “Okay,” Ally said. “Will you give me a different sort of gift tonight?”

  “Ugh, I’m going to be sick,” James muttered.

  “I will definitely give you another gift tonight,” Jake conceded.

  “And I told you that would work,” Mandy said, earning a tickle from James as she giggled.

  “You hens need to stop being so manipulative,” James said, slinging an arm over Mandy’s shoulders. “You should know by now that we’d probably give you whatever you want if you came out and asked for it.”

  “Yes, but that would cut down on our fun,” Ally said. “I … .” She broke off as Fern approached with a small bowl. “What’s that?”

  “It’s grits,” Fern replied, nonplussed. “I didn’t want you to let your family talk you out of trying them.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Ally said, accepting the bowl with a tight smile. She hadn’t really wanted the grits. Now she was stuck.

  “Eat them,” Mandy prodded. “You’re convinced you’ll like them. You should be happy about this. It will prove you right.”

  “Don’t eat enough to throw up,” Jake instructed. “I have plans for you later.”

  “Eat the whole bowl,” James ordered, scorching Jake an antagonistic look.

  With everyone watching, Ally had no choice but to dig in. She spooned some of the lumpy offering into her mouth, rolling it around her tongue before finally swallowing.

  “Well?” Fern asked.

  “It’s gross,” Ally said, pushing the bowl away. “Thank you for letting me try some, though.”

  “I told you,” Mandy said.

  “Well, when you’re right, you’re right,” Ally said. “Come to the bathroom with me.”

  “Why are you hens going to the bathroom together?” James asked suspiciously.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Ally muttered hopping to her feet. “We’ll be back in a second.”

  “I only have two Valentine’s Day gifts, baby,” James said. “You can’t manipulate another one out of me.”

  “I would never do anything of the sort,” Mandy scoffed. “Frankly, I’m sad you even think that about me.”

  “Don’t get lost,” Jake called to them. “If you’re gone for more than five minutes, we’re going to come looking.” With one distraction out of the way, Jake shifted his attention to Fern. “So, are you local?”

  “Born and bred,” Fern said, gathering Ally’s discarded bowl. “I thought for sure she would like grits.”

  “We’re from Michigan,” James explained. “Our food is more … regional.”

  Fern arched an eyebrow. “Meaning?”

  “Meaning that we eat Coneys, chili fries, and Lebanese food whenever we can.”

  “That sounds gross,” Fern said.

  James shrugged. “So, Fern, we’re staying out at the Harrison farm,” he said, hoping that waitresses in Kansas were like waitresses in Michigan and privy to town gossip more than most denizens. “A local land developer has been trying to buy the farm, and I’m wondering if you know anything about him.”

  “Do you mean Mark Nixon?”

  James nodded.

  “I’ve met him,” Fern said. “He’s a real piece of work … and his wife is a lush.”

  Jake arched an eyebrow. To his knowledge, Nadine only had one drink the previous night. That was hardly the stuff of lush territory. “How do you know that?”
>
  “There’s only one bar in town, honey,” Fern said. “Everything in Lakin closes down before ten except for the bar. Nadine is in there almost every night when I get off my shift.”

  “That’s interesting,” James said. “She only had the one martini last night.”

  “Maybe Mark monitors her alcohol intake when he’s around,” Jake suggested. “How many times have you seen Nadine in the bar?”

  “Well, they’ve been in town about three weeks now,” Fern replied. “They were big news when they showed up because they were dropped off in a limo.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me,” James said. “Mark is an ostentatious prick if I ever saw one.”

  “You’ve got a fresh mouth, honey,” Fern said. “I like it.”

  James smiled. “Thank you. My wife likes it, too.”

  “The feisty blonde with the bad attitude?”

  “She’s just … out of her element here,” James said, making excuses. “She thought you were flirting with me.”

  “I was flirting with you,” Fern said. “Don’t take it personally, though. I flirt with all the men. It doesn’t matter what they look like. If you stroke a man’s ego he’ll leave you a bigger tip.”

  Jake snorted. “I can see that,” he said. “Back to Nadine, though. How many times is she in the bar a week?”

  “I’d say she’s there at least three or four nights,” Fern replied. “In fact, she’s been there the last three or four nights in a row. She seems real depressed.”

  “It’s because she’s married to a jackass,” Jake said.

  “It’s more than that,” Fern said. “Since getting to town, Mark Nixon has worked his way through both town sluts and is now trying to go for anyone else who will even look his way. He doesn’t care if they’re married. He doesn’t care if they’re old enough to drink either. He’s slimy.”

  “I can’t believe he’s actually taking these women out where people can see,” James mused. “In a town this size, he has to know that everyone will talk behind his back. I knew he was a pervert after the way he looked at Ally and Mandy last night, but to be so open about it … .”

  “It’s despicable,” Fern agreed.

  “Have you heard any other rumors about him?” Jake asked.

  Fern shook her head. “As far as I know he just likes to walk around town boasting about how much money he is worth,” she said. “He’s desperate for people to think he’s a somebody. That makes me think he spent most of his life as a nobody.”

  Jake couldn’t argue with that. He’d been thinking the same thing. “Do you know where they’re staying?”

  “There’s only one motel in town, and I don’t think it’s up to his refined standards,” Fern replied. “All he does is complain about it. It’s the Peacock Inn, out on the main highway.”

  “Yeah, I know where it’s at,” Jake said.

  “I do know that he and his wife have separate rooms because the maid there, her name is Jolene and she’s got fake boobs, told me the other night that she had to clean both of their rooms every day,” Fern said.

  James fought to keep his face straight regarding the “boobs” comment. “I’m not surprised. They were pretty distant with each other last night.”

  “I also know he thinks he’s going to get his hands on the Dawkins place,” Fern added. “He was telling anyone who would listen that he was going to buy it.”

  Jake leaned forward. “When was this?”

  “Breakfast yesterday,” Fern answered. “I remember because I had to come in for a rare morning shift when Shirley got sick.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Fern nodded.

  “Well, I guess that act he put on when we told him Charlie was dead was just as we suspected,” James said. “I knew he was putting on a show.”

  “Now we just have to figure out why he’s really here,” Jake said. “We’re missing something.”

  “We are,” James agreed. “I hate that feeling.”

  “Join the club.”

  “ARE you happy now that you washed the grits taste out of your mouth without an audience?” Mandy asked, holding the restroom door open so Ally could walk out ahead of her.

  “You could’ve warned me,” Ally complained.

  “I did.”

  “You could’ve done a better job of it,” Ally shot back.

  Mandy sighed. “You only had one bite,” she said. “I’m sure you won’t die from it.”

  “My tongue tastes like I’ve been licking feet,” Ally countered. “Don’t ever let me eat gross food again.”

  “I’ll do my best,” Mandy deadpanned, her eyes traveling to the couple sitting in the far corner of the dining room. The diner was split into two different rooms, with the homier coffee shop area toward the front and the more formal dining room off to the right.

  When they first walked into the dining room Mandy and Ally had their heads bent together so they weren’t paying attention to the other guests. If they had been paying attention, they would’ve noticed Mark Nixon sitting in the corner with a comely brunette.

  “What are you looking at?” Ally asked. She followed Mandy’s gaze, her mouth dropping open when Mark kissed the woman’s hand. “He has no shame.”

  “It’s no wonder his wife is so depressed,” Mandy said, digging into her pocket and retrieving her cell phone.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I think James and Jake are going to want to see this, and a picture is worth more than words right now,” Mandy said, lining her shot up and snapping it. Mark and his date didn’t even look in their direction. “Come on. I’m starving and I want to get out of here so I can get my gift.”

  “What do you think it is?”

  “I have no idea, but after all of that manipulation, it had better be good.”

  Eighteen

  “Ally, do you know where my toothbrush went?” Jake asked, walking into the main cabin a few hours later. He was damp from a shower, only a towel hanging off his narrow hips as he maneuvered into the room. “I … .”

  Whatever he was about to say died on his lips when he got a gander at Ally. She sat in the armchair in the middle of the room, reclining so her legs were stretched out in front of her and crossed at the ankles. She was naked – except for the cowboy hat she bought a few days before.

  “What are you doing, Angel?” Jake asked, his body already reacting to the sight of her. “I’m not complaining, mind you, but … .” He licked his lips. “I wasn’t sure when you first bought the hat, but I’m a big fan now.”

  Ally smiled. “You promised me a Valentine’s Day preview at dinner,” she said, grinning widely. “I’m here to collect, pardner.”

  “I see.” Jake dropped the towel from around his waist, revealing his full erection. “What did you have in mind?”

  “That’s a nice start,” Ally said, uncrossing her ankles and widening her stance on the chair.

  “I see you’re still manipulating me,” Jake said, moving closer. “The problem you have is that I happen to like this kind of manipulation. I’m not your brother – which is probably something that didn’t need clarification for this particular conversation – but I kind of enjoy the cute games you play when this sort of stuff comes up.”

  “Speaking of coming up,” Ally said, eyeing his groin area.

  “Angel, I think we’re going to play a special game tonight just the two of us,” Jake said, planting his arms on either side of Ally and wedging himself between her knees. “I’m going to be the horse, and you’re going to be the cowgirl of my dreams.”

  Ally tilted her hat back so she could see Jake’s face more clearly. “You looked really hot on the horse today.”

  “And you looked adorable,” Jake replied, taking a moment to be sincere. “I love seeing you smile like that, Angel.”

  “I love seeing you smile, too,” Ally said. “That’s why I’m going to … .”

  Jake cried out, surprised when Ally dipped her head lower and sucked his erection into h
er mouth. She usually gave him more notice when that was coming. Jake moved his hands to Ally’s head to balance himself, inadvertently knocking the hat off. She didn’t even notice, instead swallowing more of him as he tangled his fingers into her hair.

  “Oh, Ally.”

  Jake’s hips rocked as he clutched Ally’s head, her hands snaking behind him to grab onto his muscled rear end. It didn’t take long, the surprise seduction serving as more foreplay than Jake needed, and he was orgasming into her mouth before he could slow himself.

  Jake’s breathing was ragged as he came down from his high, his hand softly petting Ally’s head as she removed her mouth from him. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” she said with a grin.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day, Angel,” Jake said, pushing her back on the chair. He knelt in front of her, lifting her thighs so he could rest her legs over his shoulders. He blew out a hot breath on her core, causing her to squirm. “Now I think it’s time you got a gift.”

  Ally affectionately tugged on a hank of his hair. “You’re my gift. I don’t need anything else.”

  Jake’s heart flipped as raw emotion flowed through him. He would never need anything but her. “You’re still getting something,” Jake growled, kissing her inner thigh and sending a million sensuous sparks through her body. Jake dragged his tongue over her silky skin, forcing her thighs wider when he got to his destination.

  He extended his tongue, flicking it out experimentally and causing Ally to moan. Jake gripped her thighs tighter. She was sensitive and he didn’t want her wriggling away from him. He licked her again, flattening his tongue and attacking her with gusto. He sucked her clitoris into his mouth, loving the way she writhed at his ministrations.

  “Jake!”

  She bucked as she orgasmed, Jake holding her against his mouth until he was sure she was done. Then, with little preamble, he kept her legs over his shoulders as he climbed up her body.

  He pressed his lips to hers, not giving her a chance to recover before surging inside, her warm core welcoming him.

  Ally moaned into his mouth when he gained entry, her hands clasping around his neck as he began to thrust. They couldn’t get enough of each other, and even though their position was one where Ally couldn’t shift, she managed to make her feelings known as she dug her fingernails into his back.