Closing her eyes, she sighed. “Okay.”
Desire rushing through him, Wrath took a couple steps away, stopping at her next words. “You are the best kisser.”
“I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen you act this way with a woman.” Marcus sipped his drink. “I mean, one you had actual feelings for.”
Wrath’s jaw tightened. “Who says I have feelings for Cara?”
Marcus choked out a laugh. “Denial is the first sign of capitulation. Trust me, you are well on your way to defeat.”
“You’re an idiot, Giles. Cara’s a nice lady and a lot of fun, but we are not together. Just because I brought her up here doesn’t mean anything. And before you ask, no, we’re not sleeping together.”
“Not because you don’t want to.”
As much as he hated to admit it, Marcus was right. “Who wouldn’t want to have a night with her?”
Taking another sip, Marcus shook his head. “So you’d have no problem if another man stepped into your place.”
Hell yes, I’d have a problem. “We’re friends. Now drop it.” Finishing his glass of water, Wrath signaled for a refill. “What about you? Any woman in your life?”
A slight grin tipped the corners of Marcus’s mouth. “Actually, there is.”
Any tension between them dropped away at the confession. Wrath grasped him on the shoulder. “That’s great, man. Who is she?”
“She’s a teacher in Oakwood. A few months ago, she and a group of her friends drove up to have lunch here. We hit it off, although I have no idea what she sees in me.” The smile on his face faded.
“Don’t go there, Marcus. You’re one of the best men I know. Any woman would be lucky to grab your attention. How often do you get to see her?”
A grin reappeared. “Almost every night. Mostly, I drive down to Oakwood since she has to be at school early. I’m going to schedule the new assistant manager so I have more flexibility.” He lifted his gaze to Wrath’s. “She’s really something. Pretty, smart, and classy. Wish you could meet her.”
“Then we’ll make it happen.”
Silence fell between them before Marcus said more. “You need to know what’s going on here, Wrath.”
Confusion crossed his face. “Go on.”
“Have you ever heard of the Night Devils?”
Head clearing, Wrath straightened in his chair. “What about them?”
“I guess I have my answer.”
Wrath’s voice hardened. “What have you learned, Marcus?”
Studying his friend’s face, he saw the same hard determination he’d seen during their BUD/S training. “A group of them ride up here every few weeks, drink a little too much, and talk more than they should.” Marcus leaned closer to Wrath. “They’re planning something big against Demons Blood. Soon. One of them also mentioned Eternal Brethren. After they’ve taken over the Blood, they’re coming after you. Wish I had details, but I don’t.”
Wrath scanned the room, making certain no one listened. “Believe me, you don’t want to know details. What you’ve done is more than enough, Marcus.”
Checking the time, Marcus stood, holding out his hand. “Good to see you, man. Let’s plan to get together with the girls soon.”
Wrath shook the offered hand. “I’m telling you, Cara isn’t my girl.”
Slapping him on the back, Marcus chuckled. “You keep telling yourself that and someday you might believe it.”
Wrath slid the key into the old lock, wincing at the creaking sound of the door opening. Inside, a soft purr drew him to the bed. Cara lay curled in a ball, hands tucked under her chin, a kitten sound coming through her parted lips.
Staring at her, he thought of Marcus’s words. Sure, he cared for her, liked Cara a lot, and definitely wanted to get to know her body in an up close and personal way. Anything more wouldn’t work in his life.
Nothing much had changed since leaving his SEAL team to take command of the deep undercover unit. Even some of the same men served with him. Protocols and operational planning were almost identical. Weapons, electronics, access to cutting-edge equipment hadn’t changed. The men stayed in top shape, kept their cool, and did their job. Even if they didn’t deploy overseas, the missions they performed were every bit as dangerous as those while stationed in Coronado, then Virginia Beach. That was why such a large number of his men came out of DEVGRU. No one who knew of their existence expected the assignments to be easy or quick.
The Eternal Brethren hadn’t lost anyone yet, but Wrath knew it was just a matter of time. He knew the admiral had picked him for that reason. Wrath had no wife, fiancée, or girlfriend. Nothing to deter him from giving one hundred percent to the Brethren. Wrath had picked his men with the same criteria in mind. No one wanted to leave someone behind if they never returned home.
Still, there were times he longed for more. A woman to come home to, talk with about buying a car or refrigerator, share weekends and holidays with. Somebody who could make most men’s life complete. He’d begun to think he might want to be that man.
Sitting down on the bed, he removed his boots, placed his ankle holster and gun on the nightstand, and pulled back the covers. He didn’t worry about Cara waking to a man in her bed. Wrath would be up, showered, and drinking coffee before her eyes opened.
Letting out a resigned breath, he stretched out, placing his hands behind his head to stare at the ceiling. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d shared a hotel room with a woman. Then a memory flashed through his mind to another woman years before.
Long black hair, olive skin, startling turquoise eyes. The only woman he wanted forever, until she’d walked out without an explanation or a backward glance. Shoving aside the thought of Glory and the special kind of pain she’d caused, he glanced over at Cara.
The two women couldn’t have been more different. He’d fancied himself in love with one. Staring at Cara, he realized his feelings for Glory had been nothing more than a young man’s lust. During his short time with the beautiful blonde on the bed, Wrath knew she could be the woman to change him forever.
Thoughts of Cara and Marcus’s warning about the rival clubs swirled in his mind, vying for space. He had responsibilities, men who counted on him to be a hundred percent all the time. Having Cara in his life was a distraction he simply didn’t need. No matter how much he wanted her, craved her in a way he didn’t understand, it wouldn’t work. After all she’d gone through, the beautiful woman next to him deserved better than a man who might not return.
Cara deserved everything Wrath would never be able to provide.
Sipping his coffee, Wrath stared at the bright-eyed woman stuffing eggs into her mouth. Last night, she could barely stand. This morning, Cara couldn’t wait to start the ride home. No aspirin, no nausea. Amazing.
“I can’t believe the food in this place. Everything is wonderful.” Cara looked at his almost clean plate, seeing one last piece of toast. “If you aren’t going to eat that…” She raised a brow.
“Be my guest.” He smirked, finishing his coffee. “You can order more if you’re still hungry.”
Picking up the toast, she grinned. “Now that would be pure gluttony.”
Chuckling, he tossed his napkin on the table. “Gluttony has its place.” Wrath thought of Cara lying on the bed, spread out and ready. Clenching his jaw, he took a long swallow of water.
Cocking her head, she shrugged. “Hmmm, perhaps. I just can’t think of a place right now. Then again, my late husband said I never did have much imagination.”
Anger at her late husband boiled within him. Wrath thought it best he’d never met the man as all he wanted to do was break his neck.
What he wanted to do to Cara was so much different.
“Are you about ready?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to hold you up.” Pushing her plate away, she stood, reaching into a pocket to pull out enough money to cover breakfast. “Let me get this.” She held the bills out to Wrath.
“Put that away. Yo
u’re with me, Cara, which means I pay.”
“But—”
Taking the money from her hand, he saw the smug grin on her face before it disappeared when he folded the bills and stuffed them into her pocket. “I hope that’s clear enough for you.”
She opened her mouth to give a sharp reply, then shut it. He’d been a good sport about her drinking a little more than necessary, tucking her into bed, asking nothing from her. Wrath had been a gentleman, the same as he’d been the other times they’d been together. Cara didn’t know why his actions surprised her so much.
“Yes, it’s clear.” Slipping into her jacket, she placed a hand on his arm. “Thanks, Wrath. I can’t remember the last time I had such a good time.”
Giving a slight chin lift in response, he grabbed her hand, guiding her outside. Before descending the steps, he stopped, turned her toward him, and covered her mouth with his. The kiss lasted mere moments. Still, his actions were swift and thorough, firing a deep, intense heat within Cara. Disappointment washed through her when he pulled away, resting his forehead against hers.
“It’s Sunday. Spend the day with me, Cara.”
Still reeling from the kiss, she nodded. “All right.”
Chapter Eight
Cara followed Wrath down the same winding mountain road they’d traveled the previous day. The trip down rattled her more than riding up. The road was dry, the sky clear, and traffic moderate. Nothing to spark a warning. Even so, she couldn’t stop the butterflies in her stomach or dryness in her mouth. If she hadn’t worn gloves, she knew her hands would be sweating.
Forcing herself to breathe, Cara controlled the speed to match Wrath’s, following his moves as she had her instructor back in California. He took it slow, as if he could sense her unease. Hours seemed to pass before they reached the bottom of the mountain, continuing on a straight road to the highway. She glanced at the watch on her wrist, surprised to see the trip down had taken only twenty minutes.
Wrath’s speed increased, moving with a fluid grace as he maneuvered the big machine around slower traffic. Exhilaration ripped through her at the freedom she always felt when on her bike. It felt even better traveling the roads with Wrath. She didn’t know where he planned to go and didn’t care, as long as she didn’t have to say goodbye to him yet.
The miles passed before he took a road she knew led out of town. After several turns, he pulled down a short drive, ending at a sparkling lake.
Dismounting, Wrath took her hand, taking a path to the water. “Have you been here before?”
“No, but I’ve heard about it.” Cara’s gaze scanned the lake, seeing people kayaking, fishing, or enjoying a picnic. “It’s beautiful.”
Still holding her hand, he took the trail around the lake, stopping to watch a few children play at the water’s edge. “This is my favorite spot. My parents used to bring my brothers and me up here on the rare Sunday they took a day off from work at their ranch. We’d fish, swim, and eat the picnic lunch Mom packed. It’s always been a special place.” He sat down on a downed tree trunk, tugging her next to him.
She didn’t take her gaze from the lake. “Do you and your brothers still come here?” Cara heard his resigned sigh.
“No. Not in years.”
The shifting of his weight caught her attention. His lips pressed into a half-hearted smile, one more of sadness than joy. “But you live so close.”
One shoulder lifted, his expression rigid. “My job takes a great deal of time. This weekend with you is unusual, Cara. I can’t remember when I took a day to spend as I wanted.”
She moved closer. “We’ve never talked about the Eternal Brethren. What is your job, Wrath?”
“That’s easy. I’m the president.”
“The president of an outlaw gang which is most likely involved in illegal activities. Or am I misunderstanding?”
He shifted to look at her, his gaze intense. “We’re a club, not a gang, and I perform the same tasks as anyone who’s in charge of an organization. Nothing nefarious, I assure you.”
Cara studied his face before looking away, slipping her hand from his. “If you’re going to lie, please don’t answer at all.”
Wrath startled at the disappointment in her voice. It had been years since he’d heard the sentiment from anyone. He definitely didn’t like hearing it from Cara.
“Look, my job and the club aren’t as complicated as you think. Contrary to what people might believe, we aren’t into illegal activities. I’m in charge of all the businesses we own, plus I’am always looking for other lucrative ventures. Much the same as anyone else, every member has a regular job in one or more of our businesses. You’ve met some of the men. Did they look like criminals to you?”
Thinking of the tall, muscled, tattooed men who’d worked on her bike, she lifted a brow. “Are you certain you want an answer?”
Crossing his arms, he chuckled. “I suppose not. Regardless, they’re mechanics. That’s it.”
Cara stared at the water, her head lowered. “My late husband worked in Coronado. Several times, we met friends for drinks and dinner in Imperial Beach, a town not far away. One night, we walked into a local bar. It was full of members of the Mongols. Other than a few hostile glances, they left us alone. The way they looked, their body language and grotesque tattoos, piqued my curiosity.”
Wrath watched as she walked to the edge of the lake, picked up a stone, and skimmed it across the top. “I mentioned it to a colleague at work the following Monday. An hour later, one of the partners called me into her office.” Cara shot him a contemptuous smirk. “Turns out the Mongols used our law firm for their legal matters. She’d been looking for a junior attorney to help her with their needs. That person was me until I came to Liberty Lake.”
She walked toward him, stopping between his spread legs. “We did nothing regarding criminal defense. My work involved agreements and family law. Seems even members needed help with divorce, custody, and support, the same as anyone. I met with their local president and vice president a few times. Not often, but enough.”
Wrath took her hands in his. “Enough?”
“Enough to get a sense of what it took to be successful in an outlaw motorcycle gang. These men were brutal with little remorse for any of their actions.” Cara met Wrath’s gaze, searching for something she couldn’t define. “I don’t believe you’re anything like the Mongols. Yet you present yourself as an outlaw club. So I have to ask myself, who are the Eternal Brethren?”
Before she asked, Cara knew he wouldn’t be able to give her an answer. Instead, Wrath clasped a hand behind her neck, drawing her forward until his mouth sealed over hers.
At first, she didn’t respond to the kiss, fighting his attempt to avoid answering her question. As he continued to work his magic, Cara found herself weakening. Without thought, she slid her hands up to his shoulders, allowing him to deepen the kiss.
Giggles from behind them had Wrath pulling away to whisper in her ear. “We have an audience. Let’s take this somewhere else.”
Before she could answer, he threaded his fingers through hers, taking the trail back to their bikes. “Follow me?”
She knew he was giving her the chance to back out of what they both knew was coming. The voice in her head told her to thank him for the wonderful time and go home. Another voice, stronger and louder, encouraged her to let loose just this once and enjoy what he offered. The choice was hers.
“All right.” With that, the decision had been made.
Leaving the quiet of the lake, he led her back the way they’d come. Ten minutes later, he took a steep driveway, coming to a stop in front of a large log home at the top of a hill. Braking to a stop beside him, she removed her helmet, eyes wide at the stunning house.
“Is this yours?”
Pride shown in his face. “It is. I bought the land years ago. Finally got the chance to build the house.” Walking to her, he pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll show you the inside.”
Punching in
the code for his security system, he shoved open the door. Leading her through the combination mudroom and laundry, he opened another door and stepped aside.
Cara’s eyes widened, surprise etched across her face. “This is spectacular, Wrath.” She turned to look at him, her hand running over the smooth granite countertop, gaze moving from the gleaming appliances to the dark wood cabinets. “Did you do this yourself?”
“I designed the kitchen and bathrooms, but hired out the work.”
She arched a brow, placing a hand on her hip. “Do you cook, or is this all for show?”
Chuckling, he snaked an arm around her waist, pulling her to him. “You can decide for yourself. I’ll cook us dinner.” Before she could respond, he fused his mouth over hers.
The intensity of his onslaught took her by surprise, sucking the sanity from her brain, as well as the breath from her lungs. Wrath didn’t give her a chance to protest, taking control, relaxing when her arms slipped around his neck. He tasted her with his tongue, delving inside on her soft moan. Long moments passed, their mouths bonding with savage intensity.
On a ragged breath, she broke the kiss. Staring into his intense gaze, she drew fingertips along his stubbled jaw, her soft touch igniting a powerful jolt of desire within him. Reaching out, he gripped her wrist, halting the intense feelings of pleasure as he struggled for control.
Heat seared through him, her unique scent causing his need to rise. Drawing her into his embrace, his mouth closed over hers, a hum of pleasure coursing through him at her soft, warm, receptive lips.
Continuing the contact, his hands rested on her waist, pressing her to him while he backed her against the counter, bracketing her between his legs. Reaching up, he slid the jacket off her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. Wasting no time, he gripped the hem of her tank top, drawing it up and over her head. Tossing it aside, he stared at the sheer fabric of her bra, his breath catching. Reaching behind her, he released it, allowing the silky creation to slip away. Staring at her, he sucked in a breath at the feel of her soft breasts against his muscled chest.
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