by Chloe Lang
The Strong Cowboys of Wilde, Nevada 5
Strong Craving
Charly Wynn can’t refuse the diversion of a ride around Wilde with Tobias Strong in his airplane. The harmless distraction turns into a game of erotic pleasures she’s nervous to play but willing to try.
The more layers Tobias discovers in Charly, the more he craves her. He’s willing to go the distance to win her submission. She’s the one for him, Heath, and Nate.
Charly realizes that this is no love triangle that she’s wandered into. She is clearly trapped in a passion-filled tug-of-war between the brothers—three on each side. She should leave Wilde soon.
Will Tobias be able to show Charly how to let go of her dark history before its too late? Or will the undiscovered fiend send her a deadly reminder why the past always catches up to you?
Genre: Ménage a Trois/Quatre, Western/Cowboys
Length: 22,108 words
STRONG CRAVING
The Strong Cowboys of Wilde, Nevada 5
Chloe Lang
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STRONG CRAVING
Copyright © 2012 by Chloe Lang
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62241-073-6
First E-book Publication: July 2012
Cover design by Les Byerley
All art and logo copyright © 2012 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
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DEDICATION
My life, like most, has been a series of ups and downs, thankfully with more ups. There have been many people that have ridden this rollercoaster with me—some for only a short run, others for longer, and some have been with me from the very first moments the train took off.
Two new people in my life are Liz Berry and her husband, Steve. They entered my world not long ago. Liz is a whirlwind of energy, passion, and positivism. She is the perfect complement to Steve’s thoughtfulness, drive, and wisdom. Their encouragement, support, and advice have captured my heart. I cannot express how thrilled I am we have become friends.
Sophie Oak and I have been friends for some time. She’s got my back—always. If I ever have to hide a body, I will call her. Seriously, writing is such a difficult career. She’s taught me so much about the business of writing, the craft of writing, and the joy of writing. Even more, she’s listened to my heartache, doubts, and craziness. She is my sister in heart from now until the end of my rollercoaster ride.
One who has been by my side from the beginning is my mother. She is such a light in my world and the world at large. Ever the caregiver, cheerleader, and champion, she has taught me so much and continues to teach me a better way to live each day. Her ongoing lessons of love have made me a better person.
STRONG CRAVING
The Strong Cowboys of Wilde, Nevada 5
CHLOE LANG
Copyright © 2012
Chapter One
Time froze in place for Charly as ancient trepidation clawed its way out of the grave in the back of her mind.
“Charlene Wynn?” the man she’d sent to prison years ago asked.
Her gut clenched. Darren Blue stood right in front of her. How the hell had he found her in Wilde, and why was he free?
The man who had held her down at the party years ago leaned forward, and Charly felt the blood drain from her body. “Darren?”
His eyes widened, and he stepped back. “It is you. I’ve come to tell you—”
Before he could finish the sentence, Nate rushed past her, slamming the former football player to the opposite wall in the hallway of the Hotel Cactus.
A primal growl deep in Nate’s chest sent a shiver up her spine. “Who the fuck are you?”
Darren was big and muscular, but he wasn’t going anywhere until Nate released him. Seeing how protective and in control of the situation her cowboy was eased some of her anxiety. “His name is Darren Blue, Nate.”
“I’m here to ask for forgiveness, buddy, from Charlene, though I know I don’t deserve anything from her.”
Charly saw Nate push Darren even harder into the wall, and she heard a crack. Darren let out a groan, likely from his ribs being injured.
“Forgiveness from what?” Nate demanded.
“Take it easy, friend. This is between Charlene and me. Not that it’s any of your business, but—”
Nate pressed against the man’s throat with his forearm, and Darren looked like he might pass out. “Blue, everything about Charly is my business. She’s my woman, and you’re not getting one inch closer to her until I know everything.”
Darren choked out, “I–I was a horrible person and Charlene did me the greatest favor by sending me to prison. I was a total mess who did awful things. Now I’ve got a chance at a better life, thanks to her.”
Charly was touched by his words, which sounded completely genuine and sincere. Were they real?
She’d carried those painful memories like a heavy anchor for years.
Her first night with Drake had o
pened her up to a new way of living and lightened the ancient weight.
Heath had been a manipulative, lovable bastard, but being with him had lessened the pain and given her hope.
Dax’s serious nature spoke to her in another way. He’d reached her on a new level, showing her more about herself than she could’ve discovered on her own. And even more of the old ache lightened.
Nate’s nonconformist essence helped her accept herself and dream of a new future she’d never known was possible. She loved how protective he was being. Like a cowboy caveman, he wasn’t about to let Darren an inch closer. In the oddest way, Nate had brought her to a place where the old hurt had no power over her any longer.
Even Tobias, ever the traditionalist, intrigued her. If she spent time with him, what would he show her, teach her?
Seth? Sexy Seth? She still wasn’t sure what to make of him.
She’d made her share of mistakes, too. Her time with the Strongs had taught her things weren’t always black and white, cut and dry.
She looked into Darren’s eyes and could clearly see his remorse there. His demeanor told her his words were true. She could only imagine how hard it was for Darren to come here and ask for forgiveness. She’d spent years studying the human mind and the dark places it could create. She wanted to help people who were ready to change their lives. She was glad to know that Darren wanted to make amends for the past and start over. She was ready to forgive him—all of it. More than that, she wanted to let go of the pain in the past. Hell, they’d both been so young.
Nate apparently wasn’t ready to release him as he pressed Darren even harder into the wall with all his weight.
“Blue, how long have you been working on this act?” Nate grumbled. “The whole time you were in prison? Tell me about the two people you killed and left on our land.”
Charly’s jaw dropped. She hadn’t thought about the murders that Heath was suspected of since opening the door and finding Darren. Was it possible Darren was the killer?
Darren’s eyes widened. “Murders? What murders?”
“Don’t pull that with me, Blue.” Nate’s tone was filled with its own hint of homicide, and Charly was worried things might escalate beyond reason.
“I–I only got out of the pen last week, mister.”
Charly thought it was odd that Darren had been released from prison the same week her dad had. Irony never turned out well for her.
“Your parole officer know you’re in Nevada?” Nate growled.
“No, but I’ll be back before our next appointment. I just had to come see Charlene. Honestly, I hitched my way up here. I ended up only two hours from your town. Lost my nerve and stayed a few days at the Sagebrush Motel. Call them, buddy. The lady at the front desk is named Sherry.”
“You bet I’ll call.”
“I finally shook off my fear and got a ride from a guy at a gas station.”
“Can you prove that, Darren?” Charly asked, trembling.
Darren quickly rattled off the rest of his alibi. “His name was Harry. He gave me a lift from Elko and dropped me off this morning. I don’t know anyone in this town. Only you, Charlene. When did the killings happen?”
Keeping his hold on Darren, Nate demanded, “How did you find out where Charly was?”
“I went to her mother’s house first.”
Charly’s heart jumped up in her throat. Had she brought more disaster to her mother’s doorstep than just losing the job in Malibu?
“She wasn’t there, but a neighbor was. She told me that Charlene was in Wilde for her cousin’s wedding. I came straightaway.”
“Likely story, Blue.” Nate seemed more animal than human to her.
If disaster were to be avoided, she would have to act quickly. “Let me call Harry, Nate. He can validate Darren’s story.”
“His story is bullshit, Charly. This guy is nothing but a lying asshole who deserves justice Wilde-style.”
Charly clicked on Harry’s number on her cell’s screen. “Nate, don’t.”
Harry answered, “Hello.”
“Hi, Harry. This is Charly Wynn. I have a quick question for you.”
“Sounds good to me. If it’s about your friend Michael, I’ve got some answers.” Michael. Why was Michael involved with Harry?
Charly would worry about that later. Right now, she needed to calm Nate before he did something illegal. “Did you pick up a guy this morning in Elko and bring him to Wilde?”
“Darren. I sure did. Seemed like a really nice guy. Do you know him?”
“I do. Thanks, Harry. That’s all I need for now.” She clicked off the phone. “Nate, his story checks out.”
“Doesn’t mean he’s telling the entire truth, sweetheart.” Nate’s tone was still firm but held less rage and more reason.
“Darren, why did you seek me out?” she asked.
“Charlene, I came to see how you were doing.” His eyes were brimming with unshed tears. “I learned so much in prison. I turned my life around. I’m sober. I’ve got a second chance. Guilt will always be a part of me. It’s the weight I must carry to my grave. Still, I want your forgiveness, but more than that, I want to make sure you are okay, Charlene.”
Charly realized how good it was to hear those words from him. Forgiveness had more to do with the victim than the victimizer. She’d let go of many of the memories, but the little bits that floated to the surface of her consciousness still troubled her from time to time. After seeing Darren, she wondered if the little bits would ever bother her again.
“Thank you, Darren. That means so much to me.”
“Buddy, punch me if you must. I deserve all of it.”
“Let him down, Nate. We need to get to the sheriff’s office to check on Heath.”
Nate didn’t move for a few seconds. When he did, Charly could tell he was still in protector mode. He released Darren but remained between the football player and her. “You’ve said your piece, Blue. Time to leave town.”
“Okay, mister. I get it. But if Charlene needs anything at all, please let me know.”
“I’ll take care of her. You be sure to get on the afternoon bus. Let’s go, Charly.”
Darren nodded, and with a parting glance to her, he turned and headed to the stairway.
* * * *
With a clenched jaw, Tobias Strong stood by his mother as she wagged her finger at Sheriff Davis’s nose.
“Why the hell are you holding my boy, Sheriff? He’s not capable of killing someone.” His mom looked so disheveled with her hair up in curlers. Like Tobias and the rest of his family crowding together in the small office, she’d rushed to the Wilde Jailhouse after learning that Heath had been taken in for questioning about a double murder in the county. Of course, Tobias had been the one who had found the corpses. They’d been buried in shallow graves on Strong land. The deputy had been the one to find the antique spark plug that implicated Heath.
Dax and Drake were standing by the window side by side. They seemed ready to punch someone or something.
Heath sat in the chair to the left of the sheriff, cool as an iceberg.
Seth sat on the sofa, the calmest of all his brothers, which was to be expected considering the bad blood between him and Heath.
The only one missing was Nate, who, according to Dax and Drake, should be there any minute.
His dads flanked his mother, who was leaning across the sheriff’s desk.
She was fit to be tied, and Tobias wasn’t sure even his dads would be able to calm her until the suspicion surrounding Heath was cleared.
Tobias knew Heath was capable of a lot of things, but murder?
“Maude, settle down,” his dad Greg said firmly.
“You settle your own self down, Greg Strong.” Her face was red with rage, but her eyes were brimming with worry. “Our boy is not a murderer.”
“Mom, I’ve got this,” Heath stated flatly.
“Like I said before, I’ve only brought him in for questioning, Maude. That’s all.” The sh
eriff sat behind his desk looking like a man who was ready to throw in the towel. With Samantha’s killing spree recently solved, the last thing the old guy needed was more unsolved murders in his county. “He’s not charged with anything yet.”
Tobias didn’t like the sheriff’s tone, making him believe things for Heath were about to get a whole lot tougher. “Just because the victims were found on our ranch doesn’t mean my brother is the killer, Sheriff. I don’t see how you can hold him for one spark plug.”
“Spark plug?” Heath frowned.
“Yes. The deputy found this.” The sheriff held up an evidence bag for all to see. The antique spark plug the deputy had found near the bodies was inside. “You recognize this, Heath?”
His brother held out his hand and took the bag. He turned it around in his hand several times before looking back at the sheriff. “It’s mine.”
“I’ll take it back, son. It is evidence and the state boys will want to have it.”
Heath handed it back to the sheriff. “I’d like it back when this case is solved. It’s quite rare.”
The sheriff nodded his head in agreement. “I can see that. What does it go in?”
“A car, of course,” Drake snapped. “It was found on our land, Sheriff. That doesn’t seem odd. Heath works our ranches. It must’ve fell out of his pocket during one of his rides there.”
Tobias liked how quickly his younger brother jumped to Heath’s defense. It reminded him of the old days when he and all his brothers were so close, unlike the past few years since the Gabby incident.
The sheriff’s lips twisted into a frown. “Heath, I’ve been to your garage. It’s one of the most orderly places I’ve seen. Besides the cars being so clean and in mint condition, your workbench is completely organized. Everything is clearly marked and has its place, right?”
