by Norris, Kris
Blake shook his head. “But how did you know to come here? I didn’t leave you a message or anything.”
Avery tsked at him. “Do you really think it’s that hard to get a list of incoming calls off your cell? Please, give me some credit. And when I saw it was a call from Payton in the middle of the night, I was able to piece the rest together.”
“And you just hopped on a flight and came down here.”
He nodded then motioned to the sheriff standing behind them. “We’re just lucky the good sheriff knew where Payton was or we might not have ventured out here in time.”
Blake snorted, then quirked his mouth into a smile. “Thanks. I owe you one.”
Avery held up his hand. “That’s two, little brother.”
“The Myrtles Plantation doesn’t count because I saved your ass right back.”
“Maybe, but if Tempie and I hadn’t shown up…”
Blake groaned. He rarely won an argument with his brother. He shifted his weight, only to grimace in pain. Damn, his ribs didn’t feel like they were only bruised.
Avery touched his arm. “I’d say you got more than just the wind knocked out of you. Don’t tell me you’re getting sloppy.”
Blake gritted his teeth. “I didn’t get sloppy. That bastard found a way through the barrier. Another few minutes, and I would have had his ass.”
Avery smirked. “Another few minutes and he would have had yours.”
Blake huffed, and took a step forward but Temperance moved between them.
“Don’t you boys ever stop?” She shoved Avery back a bit before turning to Blake. “It’s because you broke the coffin.”
Blake furrowed his brow. “What? But I’ve seen Avery do it a hundred times and it never releases the ghost.”
“That’s because he remembers to put a second ring of salt around the open tomb. When you have a spirit that’s already free, an open lid is like a doorway for them. If you don’t block it as well, they can just jump right out at you.”
Blake closed his eyes. Fuck. He hadn’t even thought about that.
Payton’s grip on his hip tightened. “Enough blabbering. You’re hurt. We should get you to the clinic.”
He waved her suggestion away. “I’ll be fine. I just need to rest for a bit.”
She shook her head. “You’re not fine and you will go to the clinic.”
“If I were you, I’d listen to the lady. You look far worse for wear than the last time you were here.” Sheriff Garrison joined the group, his pants covered in soot and dirt. “Tell me. Why is it you boys manage to burn everything you get your hands on in this town? Can’t you cleanse or banish or whatever it is you do without making a mess?”
Avery smiled. “Blake’s really the one who makes the mess.”
The sheriff sighed. “He said the same thing about you.” He took a step back, scanning the area. “Well, it looks like whatever you did worked. I’d say Mr. Dalton is gone for good. This mess on the other hand…”
Avery nodded at Blake. “I’m sure my brother will clean up after himself.”
Blake looked at Payton, smiling at the devilish grin on her face. He glanced at Avery. “I’d love to, bro, but I’m on my way to the clinic.”
Avery’s mouth hinged open as Blake dropped a kiss on Temperance’s cheek, allowing Payton to help him to his truck. He gave her the keys, climbing in the passenger side as she jumped behind the wheel. His ribs rubbed together, sending another jolt of pain through his chest, but it was overshadowed by the sheer look of love in her eyes. He returned her smile, gazing out at the cemetery as she drove off. The sun blazed overhead, the thin cloud layer no longer holding back its warmth. He savored the feel of it against his skin until Payton cleared her throat.
“So it’s over, right?”
“For now. There’s still a slew of ghosts at your gallery, but now that Dalton’s gone, a few of them might cross over.” He released a slow breath. “I still don’t understand why he was so active during the day. Generally ghosts wait for night.”
“It’s all part of the old west, sweetie. They always had gunfights at high noon.”
Blake laughed then grunted. “Don’t make me laugh.” He grabbed her hand, cupping it in his. “Thanks.”
She raised a playful eyebrow at him. “You can thank me properly later. But based on how much pain you’re in, that might take a while. So I suggest you get comfy here, because I don’t intend on letting you out of my sight until you’ve shown the extent of your gratitude.”
Blake’s cock spiked against his jeans. “Deal.”
Chapter Nine
“What do you think?” Payton stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest as she surveyed the room. “Too busy? Too cluttered? Too—”
Blake silenced her with a kiss, smiling against her lips as he pulled back. “Payton. Sweetheart. Stop worrying. The place looks fantastic. When the doors open for business tomorrow, people are going to riot trying to get in here. Your art…” He shook his head. “Damn, I never knew you were so talented. I’ve already picked out the ones I want.”
Payton swatted at his chest, careful to stay clear of the bandages. He’d broken two of them in his fight with Dalton and after nearly a month, was just now starting to look like he could move around without cringing.
“You don’t have to buy my work, silly. I’ll give you anything you want.”
“Anything?”
The husky tone in his voice sent shivers skittering down her spine. They hadn’t made love since he’d gotten hurt, and her body was primed and ready. Hell, just the sound of his voice was enough to cream her slit with want.
She held up her hand, pressing it against his shoulder as he backed her against a wall. “You’re still hurt.”
“Not that bad.”
“But your ribs—”
“Will be just fine.” He held his chin high. “Unless there’s another reason you don’t want to make love.”
“Of course there isn’t, it’s just…”
Her words morphed into a squeal as he lifted her over his shoulder and headed for the stairs.
“Blake, put me down. I’ll walk. This will kill your side and—”
He cut her off with a smack to her ass. “Stop telling me what will hurt and what won’t. I’m feeling rather neglected and unless you want our first time here to be with you tied to the bed, I suggest you tame that sass.”
Payton held back the groan his words had bubbled free. God, just thinking about him having complete control over her made her clit tingle with need and her chest feel heavy as she forced in her next breath. Blake murmured something she couldn’t quite make out, seemingly content at her obedience. While a part of her wanted to assert her independence, she couldn’t quite bring herself to tell him to stop.
Blake marched them up the stairs and into her bedroom, setting her down on the floor a few feet from the bed. He kept hold of her hand, giving her body a long, hard look as he stood there, a strange expression on his face.
She inched forward, drawing a finger along his cheek. “You okay?”
He exhaled a slow breath, looking around the room as if he expected more ghosts to jump out at them. “I was just thinking that this is where it all began. Right here in the middle of the room.”
“Dalton’s gone, sweetie. And the other guests have been on their best behavior. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
His gaze clashed with hers, his expression sending a shiver down her spine.
She forced herself to swallow, not sure what to say next. “Blake?”
He sighed and closed the distance, resting his forehead on hers. “I wasn’t talking about the ghosts, I meant us. This is where it all started.”
“But, we haven’t made love in here, not yet.”
He eased away enough to look her in the eyes. “This isn’t about sex. This is about me realizing I couldn’t lose you. That every decision I’d made had led me to that point…that moment when the only thing that mattered was your safe
ty.” He drew a shaky breath then released it. “This is where I realized I loved you.”
Her stomach dropped as her heart did a jig in her chest. Despite spending the past month together, neither of them had taken the next step. Had dared utter those three little words that held more power than Dalton had ever wielded against them.
She held his gaze, wanting to speak but unable to make the words form on her tongue. She felt her mouth curve into a smile as tears leaked down her cheeks. God, when had she become so emotional?
Blake frowned and reached for her face, brushing the drops away. The lines along his forehead deepened as his lips pulled into a tight line. “It’s okay, sweetheart. If you don’t feel the same, you can just tell me.”
Payton pursed her lips and swatted him across the shoulder. Hard. “You know, for a brilliant man you can be pretty stupid.”
He took a step back, rubbing his shoulder as he stared at her. “What are you talking about, and why the hell did you hit me?”
“I hit you because sometimes I think that’s the only way to get through that thick skull of yours. I’m not crying because I’m sad, Blake. I’m crying because I’m happy. Because I never thought I’d find someone who made me feel beautiful and sexy and smart without asking me to change.” She reclaimed the lost inches between them, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Because I just realized that no matter what happens in my life, I’ll have you to share it with. The good and the bad.” She nuzzled his nose with hers. “I love you, too.”
His sigh of relief mixed with her breath, his hands sliding around her waist as he pulled her tight to his chest. He brushed his lips across hers, teasing her with fleeting passes before taking them hard with his. She gave in to the rush of need making her stomach flutter and dance. This is what she wanted—Blake hot and hard in her arms, his control hanging by a thread. While she’d enjoyed every moment of the past few weeks with him, even minus the intimate contact, knowing he wanted her with the same desperate need she did him, made her head spin.
Blake nipped at her neck as he pulled back, his arms still locked around her. His pupils were dilated, his breathing more erratic. She could feel the stiff press of his cock against her stomach and she took the time to rub her body against it, loving how his jaw tensed and his head fell back. Though he was trying to hide it, she knew he was close.
“Damn, sweetheart. Do that again and I’ll come like a teenager in my damn jeans.”
“We’ve got all night. I think you’ll find I can be extremely patient.”
A devilish grin spread across his face as he stared down at her. “Is that so? Maybe we should test that theory firsthand.”
Her breath left her on a gasp as he lifted her up again and headed for the bed, this time placing her in the center and yanking her top over her head before she could do more than blink. She stared up at him, wondering why he seemed in such a rush when he wrapped something around her left wrist. She tried to take a look but he raised her arm over her head, laying her down on the covers as he pulled her arm taut, repeating his action on her other side.
Payton tugged against the restraints, her body heating when she realized there was no getting loose without his help. The notion made her clit throb as he sat back, surveying his work.
“Not bad in a pinch. And I must admit—I love the contrast of my black belt against your skin. Even with a slight tan it’s exquisite.” He leaned over her. “You’re exquisite.” His finger caressed the side of her jaw. “You okay with this?”
She sucked on her bottom lip, still trying to believe he’d actually tied her to the bed.
“Payton.”
She jumped, finally focusing on his face.
He smiled. “Should I take your silence as a sign you’re content with these arrangements.”
She crushed the bubble of laughter that threatened. “If I were anymore okay with this, I would have come already.” She met his gaze. “In fact, I still might.”
The muscle in his jaw flexed as his focus drifted to her groin. “Oh, that’s a certainty, sweetheart. But I’ll be damned if it happens before I get to play.” He stood, crossing his arms on his chest. “I can leave for a bit if you need to…relax.”
He took a step away and she practically screamed his name. He turned back, not bothering to hide his smug smile.
He reached for his jeans, popping the button free before shoving them off his body. “And you tried to convince me you weren’t a screamer. I haven’t even started yet, and already the neighbors know my name.”
“We don’t have neighbors and I swear, if you walk out that door…”
He leaned over the bed and drew a finger down her chest, smiling as her nipples beaded against her bra. “You’ll do what? Come harder?”
She glared at him, clenching her jaw when he circled one nipple, gently flicking his finger across the tip. Damn, but he made it hard to stay angry.
Blake smiled as he stood, returning to the task of removing his clothes. His movements were calculated and painfully slow. Payton squirmed on the bed, more cream coating her slit as his body was revealed inch by glorious inch. His shirt went next, exposing bands of lean muscles tapering into a narrow waist and strong thighs. His hair fell over his forehead, shading his eyes as he fingered his briefs, pushing them down a bit at a time. She held her breath as the material descended along his groin, finally revealing an erect shaft already shiny with fluid. She moistened her lips, wondering if he’d let her lick the head clean.
Blake tsked her, dipping the bed with his weight as he sat beside her thighs. “Naughty thoughts, sweetheart. Good thing I’ve already tied you up.” He patted her left leg. “Now I suggest you leave these wherever I place them or I’ll find something else to bind them with.”
The thought heated her core, making it feel as if her groin was on fire. Flutters raced through her stomach and into her sex, pulsing her clit until she feared she’d come from his words alone.
Blake shook his head in feigned disappointment. “I thought you were relaxing. Honestly, Payton. How can I play when you’re strung so tight?” He shuffled up the bed. “Perhaps I should try and help ease some of your tension.”
He placed his fingers between her breasts, easily flicking the clasp free. His hands moved to either side, taking the cups with him and baring her to his hungry gaze. One side of his mouth quirked up as he leaned in and licked the closest nipple.
She pressed against the gentle contact, trying to increase the pressure, but he merely moved with her, repeating the frustratingly soft caress on the other side.
She huffed, fisting her hands around the belt. “I thought you were going to help me relax, not make me melt into a puddle.”
He looked at her across her body. “All in good time.” He dropped a light kiss on each bud, humming his approval before finally sitting up. “Okay, close your eyes.”
She stared at him, not sure she’d heard him right. “What?”
“Close your eyes.” He tilted his head. “Trust me.”
She sighed. Damn, love was complicated. She closed her eyes, trying not to hold her breath when his hands curled around her shoulders, massaging the tense muscles with firm strokes. The rhythmic movement soothed her raw nerves, and she moaned in delight as he continued his treatment along her arms and across her stomach, releasing every knot that had worked its way into her muscles.
“Feeling better?”
She nodded, managing a husky yes as he moved to down her body, stopping at the edge of her pants. He tugged against the closure, freeing them with a simple twist before easing them over her hips and past her ankles. He moved back to her thighs, swirling his hands over her hips as he lifted the line of her panties. His amused chuckle gained her attention. She opened her eyes, pinned by the telling gleam in his. He looked more than pleased with himself.
“What are you smiling about?”
“You.” He tugged on the cotton waistband as his other hand brushed up the line of her crease. “You’ve soaked another pa
ir, sweetheart.” He tsked. “You know what happens when you do that.”
She opened her mouth in protest just as he tore the thin strips at the sides, separating the garment from her body. She pouted, intent on telling him he’d owe her more than just panties when he bent down and pulled the scrap free with his teeth. His warm breath coasted over her skin, making it bead with anticipation. Her warning came out as a throaty plea for more, her body arching toward his caress.
“Easy, sweetheart. I’ll give you more.” He placed his hands on her thighs, splaying them wide across the bed. “Keep them there.”
His message was conveyed by his firm tone. Either she followed his instructions or he’d make her want until she begged for release. She nodded her acceptance, wondering what move he’d make next. He trailed his hands up her legs, massaging her muscles, only this time his touch was more teasing, designed to work her up instead of calm her down. He concentrated on her thighs, giving her slit fleeting touches of the back of his hand, just firm enough to get a reaction without sending her over. She pushed her head into the pillow, knowing she’d burst if he didn’t give her the release she needed soon.
The bed dipped again and she looked down as he moved between her open thighs, his face now even with her groin. Her cheeks heated at the way he studied her, feeling more on display than she ever had. He glanced at her, his eyes just visible above her mound. When he was sure she was watching him, he poked out his tongue and drew it slowly up her cleft.
Fire and ice surged through her core, heating and freezing her at the same time. Her clit felt electrified, every small pass of his tongue a shock to her system. She bucked against his caress, crying out when he slipped a finger inside her.
“Oh god, sweetheart. You’re so fucking wet.” He lapped at her as he slid his finger in and out, grazing her G-spot with every pass. “I could spend hours with you like this—open, ready, weeping for me to make you come. Damn, it’s hot.”
