Possessive Protectors [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance)

by Paige Cameron

  Gray stretched out on the sofa and closed his eyes. Tomorrow, he’d be very busy. He’d need lots of rest to fight off the temptation of Natalie and keep his mind focused on keeping her out of jail. Since meeting her he’d lost his jaded attitude. He was recharged and ready to fight for her.

  Chapter Four

  Holt Ramm had found the watering hole where the employees of Newlyn’s company went to loosen up on Friday evenings. He’d managed to catch the eye of one of the women employees. She invited him to the large table at the back of the Black Tie bar and grill. He’d told them he was new in town. Talk had quickly turned to Tom Newlyn’s death and his wife being a person of interest.

  “I can’t see that little woman ambushing a man as big as Tom, and why?” one of the younger men spoke up.

  A curvy blonde leaned forward, her ample bust brushing the table. “I heard something about a life-insurance policy.”

  “Even if he had one, it wouldn’t be made out to her,” a dark-haired older man interjected. “Tom told me he’d be free of her in two weeks. Then he planned to have fun and not marry again for a long time.”

  “If his latest, Jessica, heard that remark she might have killed him,” the blonde said. The rest of the group laughed.

  “Not yet. She’d been hoping to get some money and jewels before their thing ended,” another woman added.

  Holt listened as the conversation went around the table. Someone glanced at him. “You’re a bystander. What do you think? The wife or an unknown person?”

  “I think it’s too early to be making up your minds. Where’s the evidence?”

  “That’s true,” a short brunette sitting across from him agreed. “I liked Mrs. Newlyn. She wasn’t like her mother-in-law at all. No airs, always smiled and spoke. Real down-to-earth. Now the older Mrs. Newlyn was completely different, and she often acted like she didn’t care for her daughter-in-law.”

  Holt ordered another round of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The group clapped, and soon tongues got looser. It appeared Newlyn’s company had the same underlying conspiracies as any big business, whether it pertained to the business or the employees’ gossip about each other. And people did like to talk. He sipped his drink, ate a few stuffed potato skins, and took mental notes.

  Later Holt drove the woman who’d invited him to their table to her home. He graciously said no to her offer to come in.

  “I enjoyed the evening.” He waved and jumped back in his car. He watched to see she got in her door all right then gunned his Camaro toward his condominium. He stayed there whenever he was in the city.

  He parked the car in his spot and took the private elevator straight up to the penthouse. Holt punched in a series of numbers and a key to open the main door.

  Harriet, his cook and cleaner, had polished the furniture. Lemon scented the cool air. He poured himself a bourbon and strode across the living room. A small lit lamp gave the room a soft, welcoming ambiance.

  Holt opened the long drapes on the glass doors to his patio. He stepped out to view the city lights. They twinkled far below. His sip of bourbon warmed him. After a night in a crowded bar he had to decompress. Crowds were not his favorite thing, especially not at night with people drinking, lowering their inhibitions, letting evil come out.

  Damn, after all these years his grandmother’s words still circled around in his brain. She was part Native American and part Welsh. The mixture had created a mystic. She’d warned loosening the inhibitions in the wrong way opened a door inside and evil could enter a person. She’d convinced him. He’d never been drunk in his life. He knew his limit.

  Nana’s eyes glowed when she was deep in thought. And always she had been a safe place in his life. He hadn’t been home to New Mexico in a long time. He talked to her by phone, but that wasn’t enough.

  He took another sip of his drink, feeling the warmth loosing the tight muscles in his neck. Nana, as he called her, would say to use his skills at meditation. He smiled, seeing her in his mind’s eye, shaking her finger at him. If it weren’t so late he’d call. Tomorrow, he promised himself, he’d phone her. They were connected. She always knew when he was in danger, worried, or just confused. She’d be expecting to hear from him.

  Holt went inside, locked his doors, and went to his bedroom. After a shower, he went to bed nude. The silk sheets were cool against his warm body. He wondered how Gray was doing with Natalie. Her name rolled across his tongue. He liked it and her. A vision of her appeared in his mind when he tried to settle to sleep.

  He wanted her nude and in bed with him. He wanted to see her long hair spread around the white silk pillow, to smell her scent sweetening the air, and to have his hard cock pulsing inside her tight pussy. When he’d seen her, and then stepped into her space and breathed in her scent, he’d known she was his and Gray’s. The one woman they’d been searching for to settle down with and marry.

  But first he had to help free her from the false innuendoes that might become criminal charges.

  At the break of dawn, he woke and went to the phone.

  Nana answered on the first ring.

  “I expected your call,” she said in her melodious voice. “How is my grandson?”

  “Missing you, Nana.”

  “Ah, you need to use that sweet talk on the one you are thinking about.”

  “You don’t think I sweet-talk my women?” He kept a teasing note in his voice.

  “No. You protect yourself with gruffness. This one won’t be won completely until you let her inside your guarded fences.”

  Holt shook his head. “You continue to amaze me, Nana.”

  “When you were a little boy, I told you we were connected. I know when you are restless. And this time the spirits let me see it’s because of a woman. The one who could tame you, a little,” she added quickly and laughed softly in his ear.

  “Why do you think she is the one for me?” Nana had spiked his interest.

  “Treat her carefully. She has a good heart. And when you are ready, bring her to meet me.”

  “Gray and I have chosen her.”

  “I know. He will let her in before you do.”

  “I’m a hard nut to crack, Nana.”

  “But all sweetness inside.”

  “Please don’t say that to anyone else. You’ll destroy my tough-guy persona.” Holt said good-bye and hung up with Nana still chuckling.

  Just touching base with her gave him a lift. He’d have breakfast and get an early start to discovering the clues to free Natalie.

  * * * *

  Natalie stirred in her sleep. Her eyes opened. What had woken her? Inside and out were quiet. She strolled to the window and pulled the curtain aside. Dawn spread faint light between the thick trees.

  She glanced at her bed. She’d never go back to sleep. Might as well get dressed. She’d take a walk outside in the cool air. Nat pulled on her light blue pullover sweater, then jeans, and her boots. She tiptoed toward the front door.

  “Going somewhere?”

  Her hand went to her throat, and she jumped. Gray looked over the top of the couch. His hair was mussed, and his lower face darkened by his beard.

  “You scared me. I thought you were sleeping in your room.”

  “This is as far as I got before I crashed.” He unrolled his long body off the sofa and stretched.

  “I thought a walk in the cool air would be nice.”

  “It’s good you’ve dressed warm. It may be late spring, but morning and evenings are still cold. Go ahead. I’m going to shower so I’ll feel more human.” He strode off to his bedroom.

  He was a sight to behold even early in the morning. Cancel those thoughts, he’s my attorney. Keep it simple. But is there any woman alive who could ignore Gray’s good looks and not feel a spike of arousal? She’d have to be half dead. Taking a deep breath, Natalie went out into the clear country morning air. There was nothing like it in the city. She forgot between visits how sweet and clean the world still smelled in certain places.

&nb
sp; There was a barn a good distance from the cabin. She’d walk in that direction. Noises in the country were different than the city. She didn’t hear one car horn or loud voice. Birds sang a greeting from their perches in the tall trees, and in the distance she heard the faint sound of a train whistle. It reminded her of when she was small and had lived here with her mom and dad.

  She’d snuggle into her bed under the covers and listen to the soulful sound of the train. For some reason it made her feel safer. She had a home, a place where she belonged, parents who loved her. All before her safe place unraveled.

  Natalie kicked an empty can she spotted on the ground near the barn. Could she ever feel as safe as she did growing up? She doubted it. And her period of idyllic childhood ended with two parents struggling over who got to keep the children. Boyd had refused to go with Mom. Natalie preferred the ranch but didn’t have the heart to leave her mother alone. She’d followed her with the assurance every summer and some other vacations she’d spend in Triple Dare.

  An arm wrapped around her shoulder. “I’ve been calling your name. You didn’t hear me?” Gray stared at her with a puzzled look.

  “Sorry. I was lost in long-ago memories.”

  “That can happen to a person out here. Come on back and eat. Holt called. He’ll be here by the middle of the afternoon. This is going to be a busy day.” He gently turned her and led her back to the cabin. Here she was again, snug up against his strong, muscled body. His warmth and scent melted any resistance.

  “I wanted to check out the barn.”

  “It’s empty except for an old yellow cat that’s taken up residence. She’s keeping the mouse population under control. I’ll get my four horses sent over later today. If we have time, we’ll go riding. You can ride and take care of the horses this week. Something to help keep you busy.”

  “I haven’t been on a horse in almost a year. I’m out of shape. I can’t wait. Riding was a passion when I lived here. I don’t know why I let it drop.”

  Well, I do know. Tom didn’t like horses, didn’t ride, and pressured me to forget it. I resisted at first. Finally it was easier to give in.

  Nat cleaned up after breakfast. Gray gathered his papers and a small recorder, and sat everything on the kitchen table.

  “When you’re finished we can start.”

  She dried her hands on a dishcloth and joined him. “What’s all this?”

  “For me to take notes, and I’d like to tape most of our conversation. It helps me to listen to it later.”

  “I can’t imagine I have that much to say.”

  “I’m going to ask a lot of personal questions. If I’m to be your strongest advocate and handle your case well, I have to know all about you and Tom Newlyn. Ready?”

  She nodded her head although she wasn’t certain how she felt about being so open with anyone. Nat had seldom exposed herself to people, even close family members. Had that been part of the problem between her and Tom from the first? A basic lack of trust on her side?

  “Natalie?”

  “What?”

  “You were gone again. I said your name twice before you responded.”

  “Sorry. All of this happening seems to have brought some deep soul searching of my own.”

  “Want to tell me more?” Gray studied her face.

  “Nope, too much information.”

  “Then let’s get started. Tell me about meeting Tom. Where were you, who introduced you, and so forth.”

  Gray was a hard taskmaster. They worked all morning. He asked one question after another. By noon, Nat’s insides felt as though he’d literally peeled layer after layer off, discovering more about her than she’d ever allowed anyone. He started to ask another question.

  “Stop. Enough. I can’t do more, not now.” She jumped up and charged out the back door. Arms folded around her middle, she stalked off. White hot anger boiled inside her.

  How dare he ask such personal questions. Did they love each other at the first? Was their sex life satisfactory or had she ever cheated? When did she first realize he had? And on and on about her likes, dislikes, how she reacted to anger. Had she ever threatened anyone? Hit anyone? The questions rolled around in her head. Sweat broke out across her forehead as nausea bubbled in her stomach.

  She stopped under a large shade tree and leaned against the rough bark. Nat closed her eyes and took deep breaths to regain control. A breeze cooled her hot face.

  “Here, drink this.”

  Nat opened her eyes. Gray stood at her side, holding out a bottle of water. Condensation had formed on the outside. She grabbed the cold bottle, twisted the cap off, and took a long swallow.

  “I needed that.” Tears hung on the edge of her eyelashes.

  “Oh, baby.” Gray scooped up into his arms and carried her down the path behind the barn to a wide stream. He sat her down on a large, smooth rock and removed her shoes then his.

  “Roll up your jeans and join me in the cool water.” Gray had his jeans rolled and his feet in the water before she finished one leg. She hurried to join him. The water drained the sizzle right out of her.

  “It’s deep enough to swim in the middle.” He quirked an eyebrow. “If you don’t mind skinny dipping.”

  “I’ll wait until you’re gone Monday to try that.”

  “It’s not near as much fun alone.” He stepped into her space. His musky scent had her unruly heart tripping fast. He cupped her face in his hands. “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t near as hard on you as a prosecutor would be. And they’ll be looking for the faintest indiscretion to toss at you. I wanted to be sure there was nothing to trip us up. If we have to go to court.”

  Gray leaned down and kissed each cheek and her lips. “You’re as pretty as a filly and sweet as cotton candy.”

  “And you have the slick tongue of a good attorney.” She laughed at him and slipped out of his embrace to skip over the rocks under the swirling water.

  “It’s so hot today. Maybe instead of skinny dipping I’ll just swim in my jeans and bra.” Impulsively she pulled her T-shirt over her head and threw it to the grassy bank. Her lacy pink bra barely hid her breasts.

  “Take off your jeans. I won’t look.” Gray turned his back.

  Keeping her eye on him, she splashed to shore, took off her jeans, and rushed into the deep water. “Oh, it’s wonderful. So cool.”

  Gray turned and waved to her. She’d gone in a little farther down from where he stood and was neck deep in the water.

  “The warmer day temperatures keep it from being freezing,” he said as he walked to the bank and sat. He watched her while she splashed around, but she managed to keep her body mostly out of sight under the water. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, she wasn’t sure she could trust herself.

  Nat’s skin tingled from his slow appraising study. Part of her wanted to urge him to join her. She’d rush up and grab his hands and pull him into the deep end with her. But he was an expert at avoiding deep waters.

  Nevertheless, she wished she could forget her problems and explore the invigorating hum racing through her veins like bubbly champagne. All this just from having his sensuous regard directed at her. How would her heart survive if he really directed his amorous attentions on her? That cold thought brought her back to reality. She swam up and down the area a few times.

  “I’m getting cold. I’d better get dressed. Turn your head or close your eyes.”

  “They’re closed.”

  Natalie took her wet bra off as she walked out of the water. The sun warmed her cold skin. She closed her eyes and stood in the sun’s embrace. When she opened them, Holt stood a few feet away. She could physically feel his searing glance.

  “You didn’t tell me to close my eyes.” He moved slowly toward her. “And I’d never have agreed anyway.”

  Gray raised up on his elbow. “Welcome home, buddy.”

  “You two have been having fun without me.”

  “We couldn’t wait.” Gray grinned. He looked at Nat. “You are m
ore beautiful without clothes.”

  “Neither one of you play fair.” She stomped to her jeans and shirt. She yanked the long T-shirt over her head and then quickly removed her wet panties and pulled her jeans up. She shoved her bra and panties into a pocket, slipped into her sandals, and strode off toward the cabin.

  “Bad timing, Holt. I’d just got her cooled down from my earlier questions.” They followed slowly behind her.

  “She’s the one for us. The one we’ve been hoping to meet,” Holt said matter-of-factly.

  “Yes.”

  “Does she realize it?”

  “I don’t know. I think she’s interested in me.”

  Holt shrugged. “I scare her a bit. But she needs a steady hand. She’ll come around.”

  “First we have to keep her out of jail.”

  Chapter Five

  By the time Natalie joined them, Gray and Holt were relaxing on the back porch drinking a beer. She stopped inside the screen door, observing the two men. Gray laughed at something Holt said. Their relaxed demeanor showed the two were good friends. She suspected neither one let down their guard easily. Especially not Holt.

  He fascinated her, yet she was wary of him. Gray was much more open. Her body responded to both Gray and Holt. Her blood heated and heart pounded just having them around her.

  Holt’s predatory expression and cold blue eyes sent a chill up her spine and a spark of desire to her lower abdomen. She needed to keep her mind on her defense. This wasn’t the time to be aroused by the two men trying to keep her out of jail. But her body had a mind of its own.

  “Are you going to join us?” Holt asked.

  The back of his head was to her. How had he known she was slinking in the shadows? As she’d thought, he was a mystifying man.

  Nat pushed the screen open and walked to the table. “It’s lovely out here.” Gray jumped up and pulled her chair back. “Thank you.” When she glanced at Holt he wore a sardonic grin.