Breathless Temptation [Texas Stallions 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour)

by Morgan Fox

  Then he lifted her up to rest her ass on the sink, placing himself between her spread legs. He trailed the back of his knuckles over the side of her face, feeling the warm heat of her flesh penetrate into his fingers. “You shouldn’t fight me, Delilah. You’ll only end up hurting yourself.” Both his hands reached up and cupped her face, forcing her to stare up at him. “You never should have left me in California. You never should have made me chase after you.”

  Raw power flooded through him as he observed the rush of tears that glided down her cheeks. “I didn’t make you do anything, Warren. I don’t want you in my life. I don’t even like you. I want you to leave me alone.”

  His eyes rounded with surprise as he listened to her words but then quickly narrowed as he comprehended her malicious lies. Why would she resist him so much when he offered her the world? “You shouldn’t say things like that to me, Delilah. You know I don’t like it when you lie.”

  “I’m not lying, Warren,” she argued, struggling against him. “I want you to leave me alone. I don’t want you anywhere near me.”

  She doesn’t know what she is saying. I’ll remind her of all that she’s missing out on.

  He studied her lips, perfectly red and pouting for his kiss. Capturing her face more tightly, he lowered his mouth to hers. She wrestled against him, and all it did was fire his blood even more, but when she bit him, he couldn’t control the blaze of anger that erupted from within the depths of his soul. Rearing back, he punched her across the face, holding her with one arm so she couldn’t go far. Pulling her against him, he supported her limp body.

  Blood seeped from the corner of her mouth, and with his thumb he brushed the crimson trail away from view. “Stop making me hurt you, Delilah. I don’t want to hurt you. I want to please you, care for you.”

  She whimpered. “No you don’t, Warren. You want to control me. Own me. You only want my money.”

  His heart felt destroyed by her words. He had to prove he wasn’t the vicious monster she thought him to be. He had to show her she was all he ever thought about. “You’re wrong, Delilah. I only want to be with you. I wish to take care of you and keep you safe from harm.”

  She laughed. “Who’s going to keep me safe from you?”

  His fingers squeezed tight around her shoulders, his teeth grinding, and his jaw flexed. Why couldn’t she just behave? Why did she always have to say things to him that made no sense and infuriated him? Why did she want to be punished for provoking him?

  “Why are you saying such hurtful things to me, Delilah?” He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked hard on it, cocking her head back at an awkward angle. “Why would you deliberately upset me?” With great force, he shoved her off the sink and sent her flying headfirst into the wall.

  Delilah lay on the floor, unmoving. He reached down and jerked her up onto her feet. “Delilah, if you don’t come back to California with me”—he felt a wild intensity fill his gaze—“it would be a shame, should something harmful happen to your father in your absence.”

  A startling knock came to the bathroom door, and Warren growled at the response. Who the fuck would disturb me while I’m tending my prized possession?

  “Delilah, are you all right? You’ve been gone awhile.” A concerned woman’s voice called out from the far side of the locked door.

  Warren pinched her face on either side of her mouth with his middle finger and thumb, squeezing so tight her face flushed with color around his grasp. He lowered his voice, hissing through his teeth as he told her, “Say anything that would provoke me, and you’ll regret it.”

  Shakily nodding, she wet her lips and muttered, “I’m fine, Sophia. I’ll be out in a moment.”

  Warren hesitated a second longer, waiting for the nosy woman on the other side of the door to retreat back to her table. Then he returned his attentions to Delilah. “Good girl,” he praised in her ear. “Now, I’m leaving this shithole town, and you’re coming with me.”

  Hoisting her up against him, he wrapped his arm around her and then turned to unlock the door. He gripped her other arm tight as he lead her with determination to the rear exit. Once outside, he circled around to the front of the restaurant and advanced toward his parked car. His intentions were clear as he moved to the passenger side of the vehicle.

  “Delilah?” a deep, thunderous voice called out her name.

  Warren’s teeth clenched tight as he cursed at another interruption. Ignoring the man’s call, he opened his car door and pushed Delilah inside. Her limp body fell into the seat, slumping forward.

  She should always be so compliant.

  Turning abruptly, he found himself being hauled up against the side of his car. The man he had seen Delilah with at her hotel was now standing in front of him like some barbarian guardian. In uniform, he knew the man holding him by his shirt was the town sheriff.

  “What the hell have you done to Delilah?” the sheriff barked.

  He laughed at the sheriff’s threatening tone, even though he was annoyed that the big brute would dare manhandle him. “What does it look like? I’m taking her home where she belongs.”

  “Like hell you are,” the sheriff growled.

  Breathing like a raging bull, he called for Sophia, and within seconds, the woman stood at his side. “Yes, Sheriff Garrett.”

  “Please help Delilah out of the car.” The sheriff gripped Warren’s collar tighter, pushing him aside to make room so the car door could be opened.

  “Don’t you fucking touch her, you bitch!” Warren snapped. “She’s coming home with me.”

  Sheriff Garrett’s hold grew tighter around his neck, practically choking him. “I already told you. She’s not going anywhere with you, you twisted son of a bitch.”

  “Oh my God, Clay” Sophia cried. “She’s been beaten.”

  The sheriff’s eyes flared with hatred as he stared at Warren, and all Warren did was smirk at the man who had no proof he was the one who caused her injuries.

  “She fell in the bathroom and hit her head on the sink.”

  “Was that before or after you hit her with your fists?” the sheriff roared in question. “I should do to you what you did to her.”

  Warren laughed. “But you won’t because you can’t. Now release me before I sue your ass and this pissant little town.”

  “Clay?” Sophia’s voice trembled as she said his name. “She really doesn’t look so good. She has a terribly large bump on the side of her head. She may need to see the doctor.”

  Easily distracted, the sheriff looked in Delilah’s direction. With one hand he reached out to touch her face. As Warren watched the delicate gesture by the sheriff, fury and hatred sank into the pit of his stomach. With all his might, Warren punched the sheriff upside the head, knocking him back a few steps. Then he shoved his way past the sheriff and muscled up to Sophia, who was shielding herself between him and Delilah.

  Hovering over Sophia, he reached around her, gripped hold of Delilah’s arms, and pushed the dark-haired, older woman to the ground. “I told you you’re not taking her anywhere!” he yelled. “You fucking hick bitch.”

  “Take your hands off of her!” Clay’s voice growled with warning.

  “She belongs with me,” he said, shrugging off the now-forceful grasp of the sheriff. “I’m her brother. She belongs with me.”

  Sherriff Garrett’s fingers now dug deep into the flesh of his neck. “I don’t care who you are. I told you to remove your hands form her now!”

  “Go fuck yourself!” Warren spat.

  Clay stepped up to pull Warren away from Delilah. Before Sherriff Garrett could sever the connection, he drew back his elbow and launched a fierce blow to the sheriff’s chest. To his surprise, it was he who ended up flat on his back, staring up at the menacing brute, dazed and confused.

  “Perhaps you could use a night in jail for assaulting an officer. Once we get a confirmed statement from Ms. Devero, we’ll have enough to hold you even longer.”

  Reading him his Miranda R
ights, Clay tossed him into the back of a patrol car. The sheriff was really starting to piss him off. Maybe it was time to start showing the sheriff of this shithole town what happened to those who fucked with him. Grinning broadly, he began plotting his next steps and what he would do to the sheriff and to his little bitch Delilah.

  * * * *

  Clay cradled Delilah into his arms, furious with Hunter for allowing her to leave his side. No matter that she’d been in Sophia’s trusted care, Hunter never should have left her alone. He said he could handle it, the little prick. He was going to kick the shit out of Hunter the next time he saw him.

  Holding her close, he whispered in her ear, “I’ve got you. He can’t hurt you now.”

  Her trembling hands came up to his chest. Whimpering, she told him, “He could’ve killed me, Clay. He said he would hurt my father. He hinted that my father would come to harm if I didn’t go back to California with him.” Her eyes were illuminated in pain, and the sight practically tore him apart. “I was so scared.”

  Stiffening his spine, he promised, “I won’t allow him to hurt you again. My deputy is taking him to jail. I want you to tell me what happened. I need you to press charges against him, Delilah, so I can hold him on two counts of assault.”

  She pressed her forehead to his chest and began to sob. Trembling, she told him, “I can’t do it, Clay. He’ll hurt me and maybe even try to kill my father. I can’t risk that he’ll do something horrible to what family I have left.”

  He wrapped a secure arm around her and, with his other hand, caressed the side of her bruised face. A sight he had seen before from her accident. A sight he never wanted to see repeated. “Delilah, if we don’t stop him now, he’ll forever be after you. You must be strong.”

  “How can I be strong? He has done everything in his power to make me run from the life I once had. He won’t let me live my life in peace. He’s constantly after me, behind every door, and lurking within the shadows of my thoughts. He’s everywhere. I can’t escape him.”

  He stroked her cheek with his thumb, his fingers weaving within the soft strands of her hair. His voice softened as he told her, “That’s exactly why you need to let me help you. I can be the wall of strength you need when you don’t feel like you can handle any more. I know this is hard for you, but Warren cannot be allowed to hurt you again, and if you walk away from him now, he’ll go free. Once he’s out of my custody, you know that’s exactly what he’s going to do. He’ll be after you again. No matter where you go, or what you do, he’ll track you down and terrorize you as he did today.” His heart squeezed in his chest, knowing he was probably frightening her again. The truth hurt, but the truth could also save her life.

  Damn, how I want to keep you safe. Please let me.

  He gently brushed away her fallen tears and waited for her to speak to him again. Her body shook as the sobs overtook her. She trembled as if she hadn’t released all her frustrations and fears in forever. He’d let her cry. He wouldn’t do anything but be there for her, now and for as long as she would allow him to be.

  “All right, Clay, I’ll go to the station with you and file charges against Warren. If you really think that’s what’s best.”

  Relief settled over his weary heart. “Yes, I do. I also won’t let you out of my sight again.” He cupped her face in his hands. “No matter what arguments you might have for me, Delilah, you’re staying by my side until I feel you’re safe. Do you understand?”

  Nodding, she murmured, “Yes, I understand. Honestly, I can’t think of any other place I’d want to be right now.” She wiped her damp cheeks with the back of her hand. “Once we finish at the station, will you take me home, Clay?”

  “Yes.”

  He wanted nothing except to hold her in his arms, comfort her, and take away the pain, but right now, he had other pressing matters. Like putting that sick fuck, Warren Michaels, behind bars and finding a way to keep him away from the woman he was beginning to care for above all others. His thoughts were clear and focused. His agenda was placed out in front of him like a road map.

  Stop Warren Michaels by whatever means necessary.

  In his gut he knew that Delilah belonged with him. He could feel that she knew it, too. It was the only way to protect her. The only way he could show her what his mind and heart were desperate to reveal.

  Strangely, the beautiful blonde had done more than arrive in his town, turning his world upside down. She pretty much blasted her way into his once-guarded heart with the force of a wrecking ball. Tensing, he realized for the first time that somehow she had gone and made him fall in love with her. The alarming feeling had his fist clenching tightly at his side and the need to guard her even more demanding.

  Glaring after the patrol car that sped away with Warren Michaels inside, he knew in an instant that he would personally destroy the man if he even saw him within a mile of Delilah. His mind full of fury, he could easily put an end to Warren Michaels without regret or hesitation. He might just have to.

  Chapter Eight

  Hunter’s heart pounded, slamming against his ribs as if preparing to launch from his body. Grinding his teeth, he studied Clay through the corner of his office window as he comforted Delilah, holding her in his arms and brushing away the tears that sprung from her eyes. He should’ve been the one tending to her, not Clay Garrett.

  From what Hunter gathered from his mother and the local town gossip, Delilah had been attacked by her stepbrother at the diner, and he’d almost stolen her away from him. The thought of that bastard abducting and hurting her had his gut twisting into knots and his fists clenching tight at his sides.

  Hunter blamed himself for the fact that she’d been hurt. Had he not pushed her into spending the afternoon with him in the barn and then stupidly shoved his foot into his mouth by bringing up the man now caressing her, she would’ve been safe and sound at Paradise Ranch with him.

  I don’t want to lose this woman like I did Abby.

  Watching Clay’s endearing actions with Delilah was like experiencing déjà vu. He and his brothers had all desired Abby, but she only loved Tyler, and Hunter found himself without the loving arms of a woman he hungered for. Now, he stared at Delilah, a woman he felt even stronger about, and the crushing blow of losing her to another man consumed him.

  What the fuck’s wrong with me? Why does this keep happening?

  With the force of a hurricane, Hunter opened the door to the sheriff’s office and nearly knocked the door off its hinges.

  Delilah gasped with her hand over her heart as he stood there, hovering in the doorway. His chest rose and fell vigorously as he tried to regain what composure he could. He wasn’t succeeding.

  “Hunter?” Delilah whispered. Her red, swollen eyes blinked back the tears she’d been crying.

  Rounding his desk, Clay stood with his knuckles digging into the hardwood and glared back at him. “Seriously, that’s how you make an entrance?” The words might have sounded sarcastic, but the expression on his face said something more to the fact that he’d enjoy nothing more than beating the hell out of him for storming into his office. “Do you think that perhaps Delilah has had enough men startling her today, and she doesn’t need your crazed ass doing it, too?”

  Hunter compressed his jaw tightly, and the muscles flexed and twitched under the strain. He had once been a suave man that women flocked to. With eye-popping good looks, he was supposed to be the most charming of his brothers, but right now all he could claim was being an emotional derelict. “Okay, so maybe I’ve not been acting like the most sensitive person these last few days.” He shrugged. “I can’t help but feel a little angered by the unfolding events surrounding Delilah.”

  I also can’t help but feel a lot of guilt for what I caused.

  Clay’s arms folded over his barrel chest. “That brings up a good point, Hunter. How exactly did she end up without you, since you were supposed to be keeping her safe? You did have experience with this, after all.” The reminder of his own wor
ds being thrown back into his face left him wanting to jump across the room and knock the snarling expression right off the sheriff’s face, but he couldn’t. What Clay had said was correct.

  How could I have let this happen to her?

  Hunter’s eyes darted to meet Delilah’s, but she quickly glanced away the moment their eyes locked. Guilt choked him even more. “I…” his voice trailed off, unable to explain that he’d been an insensitive, jealous jackass and had been unable to keep his emotions in check.

  Clay’s gaze deepened, bouncing from Hunter’s to Delilah’s and back again. For a long moment he studied them and then abruptly said, “Never mind, I don’t want to know. I’ve got everything under control. You can return to Paradise Ranch, Hunter. You’re not needed here.”

  He licked his dry lips. “Before I leave, I want to speak with Delilah. Alone.”

  “She’s been through enough.” Clay spit the words out as if they had been laced with poison. “She most likely doesn’t want to talk with you.”

  Hunter’s chest puffed out as he felt his belly swirl with a need to defend her honor. “Do you speak for her now, Clay Garrett?”

  “Maybe I do!” he growled.

  “Clay,” Delilah whispered, her watery gaze finding his. “It’s okay, really. I’ll talk with Hunter.”

  The vein in Clay’s neck pulsed, and his eyes filled with an unsettling anger. His tone softened slightly as he told Delilah, “I’ll be just outside if you need me.” Rounding his desk, he shouldered past Hunter, who held his position, glancing down as Clay walked past him. He didn’t want to have a physical confrontation with the sheriff. Well, that’s not exactly true. He did, but Delilah wouldn’t like it.

  Besides, Clay had every right to be angry with him. Hunter was angry and disappointed with himself for not keeping Delilah safe. He’d not only failed her, but he’d failed himself.

  Delilah rose from the chair she’d been sitting in and faced him. Her arms hung loosely at her sides. “Hunter, you should know that I haven’t changed my mind about wanting to leave Temptation. This is just a temporary setback. Once I get everything handled with my stepbrother, I’m leaving.”