“But surely you can’t be thinking of running it alone.”
“I’m not.” I smiled at him tightly. “Luke and I are running it together. Guess you can’t get rid of me that e-easily, huh? Now, have a good day.”
I turned, ignoring him calling out for me. I forced myself not to run as I made my way to my cottage. I could feel him staring at me, but didn’t turn around. I walked inside and slumped down on the sofa.
I don’t know how long I sat there. But when the door opened, I jumped in shock. Luke walked inside and gave me a frown. “Why was the door unlocked?”
“Oh, um, I forgot,” I said lamely. “Sorry.”
He glared, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared down at me. “Go pack a bag. You’re coming with me.”
“What? Luke, you’re l-leaving in a few hours. I can’t come with you.”
“Yes, you can. I knew it was a bad idea to leave you behind.”
I gave him an exasperated look. “Just because I forgot to lock the door?”
“Security is important. I take your safety very seriously. Much more seriously than you do and that worries me when I’m not around to watch over you.”
I brushed my hair back. “I’m a big girl, Luke. I’ll be fine. Promise. I won’t forget to lock my door again.”
“You need to be more careful, especially with those break-ins a few months ago.”
“That was at the main house, and Joel put in a security system.”
“He didn’t put one in here.”
“Because I have nothing to steal,” I pointed out. My writing made enough for me to get by, but I wasn’t rich by any stretch of the imagination.
“I don’t care about stuff. I care about you. Come here.” He crooked a finger at me, and I stood, throwing myself against him.
“I’ll miss you,” I told him.
“Then come with me.”
I shook my head. It was better if I stay here. He had things he needed to do in Boston, and I’d just get in the way. “I have a deadline looming. I need to work. Plus, it’s time I cleaned out my aunt’s room. I’ve put it off long enough.”
He leaned back to stare down at me. “Perhaps you should wait for me to return to do that.”
“It’s okay. I’ve put it off because I felt like I was intruding on her privacy. But it’s time.”
“If you start to get upset I want you to stop and wait for me,” he ordered arrogantly.
“Yes, boss.”
“Yes, Luke.”
“Yes, bossy Luke,” I repeated cheekily. He slapped my ass hard, and I yelped, giving it a rub.
“I don’t want you moving anything heavy, either. You leave that for me or get the hands to help you. And if you want to start moving your things into the main house, you get someone else to carry it all for you, got me?”
“Into the m-main house?”
“Yeah.” He gave me a puzzled look. “You are moving into the main house, right?”
“Oh, well, I didn’t want to presume . . .” I trailed off as he gave me an incredulous look.
“Presume? Presume what? That I wanted you to live with me? In the house of the ranch you own? Of course, I want you there. Did you think we were going to live in separate houses?”
I shrugged. “You never said what you wanted to do.”
He sighed and clasped my face between his hands. “Ariana, I love you. I want to wake up to you every morning. Go to sleep holding you every night. I want to fuck you, dominate you, spank you, and love you every day for the rest of our lives.”
“You l-love me?” I held my breath, thinking maybe I’d misheard him.
“Yes, I love you. How do you not know that?”
“You never said the words.” Men, they could be such idiots.
“Ariana Monton, I didn’t believe in love. Not until now. I love you. You are my everything. You come before everyone and everything else in my life. I would die for you, kill for you, and lie for you. This is it for me. I’m in all the way. That means you live with me. You let me take care of you. You love me.”
“I do. I love you too. And I want to take care of you as well.”
“You do.” He leaned in and kissed me. It soon morphed from sweet to intense. “We have some time before I have to go.”
“No, we don’t,” I told him, even though I wished we did. “You still have to pack.”
“We’ll be quick.”
I snorted. “What every girl wants to hear.”
He gave me a smack. “Smart ass.”
“You l-love my smart ass.”
“Oh, I do love your ass, your tits, and your tongue. I also love that you feel safe enough around me to be yourself. That shy girl others see isn’t the real Ariana. This is.”
Tears filled my eyes. I never thought I’d have someone who saw the real me. The Ariana who had fun, who laughed and joked, who wasn’t defined by her stutter and her past.
Luke turned and lifted me, placing me stomach down over the edge of the sofa. My feet dangled off the floor, and my hands rested on the sofa cushions.
“Let’s get a good look at this delicious ass.” He pulled down my pants. I wasn’t wearing panties, per his orders. It had felt strange at first, and I’d yet to try going without when I was wearing a skirt or dress, but I knew Luke loved it when I didn’t wear any.
“Yep, just as gorgeous as I remembered.”
“You only saw it this morning,” I reminded him.
Smack!
“Ah, yes, but I didn’t spank it this morning.”
Smack! Smack!
He stopped and ran his hand over my ass, rubbing the heat in. “You’ll remember the rules while I’m away?”
I grimaced. I still didn’t think I needed rules. I mean, some of them made sense. Others were a bit harder to swallow.
“Yes.”
“What are they?” He smacked his hand down two more times, and I gasped as heat spread through my body. Damn, it always amazed me how much I desired him. Sometimes it was just a look or a touch, and I’d be ready for him.
“Keep my door locked at all times.”
“Good.” He swirled a finger through my juices.
“No g-going out with Lola without you or one of your brothers.” That rule wasn’t hard to follow; I rarely went out.
“That’s right. I don’t want to get in the way of your girl bonding, but I also want you safe.” He ran his wet finger around my clit, and I shivered.
“No driving alone.” That rule was harder to follow. “But my driving isn’t that bad.”
“Well, until I can ascertain how bad it is, I don’t want you driving. Especially in that death trap of a car. We’ll be discussing that when I get back.”
Uh-huh, I knew how that discussion would go. He’d make a sweeping statement, expecting me to obey instantly. I’d protest. We’d discuss it, then he’d get his way. Truthfully, I didn’t much mind letting him have his way most of the time. If I really didn’t agree with what he said, then he’d listen to me.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
I groaned. My butt and clit throbbed in tempo.
“I’m going to call you each night. I want you to make sure your cell is charged all the time; I’ll worry if I can’t get hold of you.”
“I know. I w-will. Promise.”
He drew away. “Wait here. I’m getting a condom on.”
Wasn’t planning on going anywhere.
He returned. “Make sure you eat and get some rest. I won’t be happy to come home and find you’ve wasted away to nothing.”
I would have told him what I thought of that impossibility, but he spread my legs at that moment, and his cock nudged my entrance.
“I’m going to the doctor while I’m away to get the all-clear, then when I come back I’m taking you with nothing between us.”
“Yes.” I couldn’t wait. He slid in and out of my slick passage, his stomach rubbing against my tender ass, which only increased my pleasure. I cried out as he reached around and rubbed my
clit.
“Luke! Luke!”
“Come, Ariana. Come!”
I screamed as he thrust deeply, my pussy pulsing around him. He let out a low groan as he followed me over into bliss.
Luke
I hugged Ariana again, not wanting to let her go. I knew Van was waiting to take me to the airport, but I didn’t want to leave her.
“I’ll be fine, I promise.”
“I know.” But I’d rather be there to make certain. However, I had things I had to do in the city. Organize and get my stuff packed up and sent out. Talk to my landlord about the lease. I also needed to talk to Wilde about my job. That was going to be the worst part. He wouldn’t be happy, and I didn’t blame him. But he was my friend as well as my boss. Well, as much as it was possible to be friends with Wilde. I knew he’d forgive me—in the next ten years or so.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I saw Alton Charles earlier. He offered to buy the ranch.”
“What? That’s weird.” What was going on?
“I know. But maybe he t-thought he could get a good deal from me. He doesn’t know I can’t sell it.”
I frowned. “I guess. I want you to stay away from Bear Ridge while I’m gone. I don’t like you being around those people.”
She nodded. “Don’t worry, that’s an easy promise for me to make.”
I hugged her close once more than kissed her. “Be good.”
“Now where’s the fun in that?” she complained with a smile.
“Brat.”
Chapter Thirteen
Ariana
I wasn’t entirely certain where to start, but my aunt’s closet seemed a good place. I needed to go through her clothes and decide what would be thrown away and what was worth donating. It seemed like a mammoth task, and I almost gave up before I’d even begun.
I was feeling kind of down and lost without Luke. It was amazing how quickly I’d grown used to having him in my life. Now that he was gone, I felt bereft. And it had only been three days.
We’d spoken just last night, and he seemed to be missing me as much as I was him.
“Come on, Ariana. Buck up. This isn’t going to get done on its own.” And I still had my own stuff to box up and move to the main house. Not to mention that deadline I had coming up.
I settled in and started going through my aunt’s things.
An hour later, I had three piles: throw out, giveaway, and keep. I turned to go get a broom and dust rag when I noticed one of the floorboards seemed crooked. Weird. I hadn’t spotted it when I’d removed all of my aunt’s shoes off the floor. I pulled it up then looked into the hole. I grabbed my phone and turned the flashlight app on. I was probably being silly—I’d read too many mystery novels—but I wouldn’t rest until I checked that there was nothing down there. The light illuminated something green. What was that? I reached down, grimacing, hoping there were no spiders or anything worse. I felt something smooth and dragged it up.
Puzzled, I stared down at the book with a green, smooth cover. Not a book—a diary. I brushed the dust off and opened it. My aunt’s name was written on the inside page. I realized I was looking at her diary.
Ignoring the mess in the bedroom, I walked to the bed and sat, I turned the first page. April, 17th 1987. I did a quick calculation. My aunt would have been around thirty-five.
Fascinated, I settled in to read.
***
“You really want to do this?” Wilde asked me.
I nodded and sipped my scotch. It was good, but I knew Wilde had better stuff. The bastard had probably hidden it when I knocked on the door. He didn’t share well. I hadn’t warned him I was coming, knowing he’d make some excuse or he just wouldn’t be there when I arrived.
He wasn’t terribly good in social situations. At WildeSide, he was slightly better. Slightly.
Luckily, his wife, Cassie, balanced him out. She was sweet, warm, and approachable. I still didn’t know what she was in Wilde.
“I do. I’m sure.”
Wilde snorted. “Giving up everything for a woman? Never thought I’d see the day. She as skinny and brainless as the others?”
“Wilde,” Cassie scolded. “He doesn’t mean it,” she apologized for her husband.
“Yes, I do.”
“It’s okay, Cass.” I winked at her, grinning as Wilde growled. Possessive bastard. But then, wasn’t I just as possessive of Ariana? “Ariana is like none of those other women. She’s warm. A bit shy until you get to know her better. She’d give you the shirt off her back if she thought you needed it. She needs me to make sure she doesn’t give too much. I need her to ensure I remember how to have fun.”
“Jeez, now you’re practically waxing poetic. Just go. Before you make me ill. I’ll find someone else to do your job. You’d be useless to me now anyway.”
I smiled, not taking offense as Cassie gave Wilde a quelling look.
“We’ll get to meet her, yes?” Cassie asked. “Maybe we could come to the ranch for a weekend?”
“A ranch? You do know there are animals on a ranch, right?” Wilde asked her. “Smelly, hairy creatures. And fresh air. It’d probably kill me. I’m too used to city air. We’re not visiting.”
Cassie’s smile widened. “We’ll see you in a couple of months. Give you time to settle in.”
Wilde glared at her. “We’re not going.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” I told her, knowing who was going to win that fight. Wilde might act like a grumpy bastard, but he’d do anything to make Cassie happy. It was his only redeeming feature.
Ariana
Panic filled me, and my breath came in harsh pants. I couldn’t think clearly. What should I do? I rubbed my forehead as I paced back and forth. The diary rested on the bed. I stopped and stared at it as if it were a serpent ready to strike.
The secrets it held felt vicious. Deadly. I rubbed my chest and grabbed my phone. Who to call? Luke? But he was busy, and there was nothing he could do from Boston. Van had been called in by his commander this morning, so there was no point calling him. Joel was out rounding up some steers in the south pastures, and I knew cell phone reception was spotty down there.
I could wait until Joel returned tomorrow. It wasn’t that long to wait. Except, I knew I’d sit awake all night, worrying.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I took a deep breath in then let it out slowly. I needed someone else’s opinion. I needed someone else to tell me I wasn’t imagining what I’d just read.
Alton Charles had killed my father, stolen everyone’s money, and ruined my life.
I took a shuddering breath, feeling tears well. All those years I’d believed my dad had abandoned me and run off with all that money. All those years I’d hated him. Cried because of him.
And he’d been taken from me. Murdered.
I let out a sob. I needed to get out of there. I couldn’t stay. Lola. I’d go to Lola’s. Her shop closed at two today. I looked at the time. She’d still be at work for another hour. It would take me at least that long to drive to her place.
I grabbed a bag, placed the diary in the bottom before shoving in some clothes, my toothbrush, and laptop and charging cable. I didn’t know how long I’d be gone. I should call Luke. He wouldn’t be happy if I left without telling him.
Just as I reached for my cell, there was a knock on the door. I unlocked then opened it, hoping like hell Joel had arrived back early.
“Lyle? W-what are you d-doing here?” I watched him nervously. He was one of the hands I tended to avoid. He’d hardly ever spoken to me, but it was the look in his eyes that alarmed me. He stared at me as though I were nothing.
He sneered. “I wanted to speak to you about Uncle Alton’s offer.”
“Uncle A-Alton?” My heart skipped a beat. Lyle wasn’t Alton Charles’ nephew.
“He’s my godfather. I’ve always called him uncle. He made you a good offer, Ariana. You’d be wise to take it.”
“O-or what?” Oh fuck. Why had I asked that?
Anger filled his face, and he came close. Reaching out, he grabbed hold of my wrist and twisted it back. I gasped, trying to pull back. Tears streamed down my face. “Or things are gonna get ugly, got it?”
With a horrible smile, he let my wrist go. I held it against my chest, trembling as I watched him just stride away as though nothing had happened. Did he think I wouldn’t tell Joel what he’d done? But then, maybe he didn’t care about his job. Or maybe he thought I’d be too intimidated to say anything.
He’d only reinforced the fact that I needed to get out of there. Now.
I stepped back into the cottage and grabbed my bag, phone, and car keys. Then I opened the front door a crack. The coast was clear. Maybe I was being over-cautious, but Lyle had scared the shit out of me. I raced to the car, threw my stuff in the back, and then climbed in.
I waited until I was a few miles away from the ranch to call Luke.
“Hey, darlin’, this is a nice surprise.”
His voice cracked the last of my control, and I let out a sob.
“Ariana? Ariana, what is it? What’s wrong?”
I wished he were there. He’d know what to do.
“I-I had to l-leave. I-I’m driving. D-don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad, Ari. I just want you to calm down and tell me what’s going on. Are you driving right now?”
“Y-yes.”
“Okay, I want you to find a safe place to pull off the road. You shouldn’t be driving and talking to me.”
“Y-you’re o-o-on s-speaker phone. I can’t p-pull over.”
“Darlin’ you’re really worrying me here. You’re stressed and stuttering. Just take a deep breath and calm down. I’m scared that in this state that you’re gonna have an accident.”
“I’m b-being careful.” I tried to slow down my speech, but I was so upset I could barely think, let alone speak. “L-Luke, he was k-killed.”
“Who was killed? Ariana? One of my brothers?”
Oh shit, I had to get my act together. I forced myself to calm down. “No. Sorry. I-it’s my d-daddy.”
“Your father? Has he turned up?”
I was making a mess of all of it. It didn’t help that my stuttering was making a full-on appearance. I was too overwrought to slow down and concentrate on what I was saying. “I was c-cleaning my a-aunt’s closet. I f-found her d-diary. A-Alton Charles killed D-daddy for the m-money.”
Luke (Bad Boys of WildeSide Book 3) Page 13
