by Desiree Holt
“Scott and I talked to John Garrett. He nearly had a stroke himself when we gave him the details, but he’ll handle the local story.”
Cole raked a hand through his hair then down his face. “Listen, can you handle the other media for a little while? They’re gathering outside like a hungry pack of wolves. If you can stall them, I’ll give them a statement this afternoon. I’d like Scott and I to do it jointly. But not until we have our facts straight as to what we’ll tell them.”
“No problem. He went back to the motel to shower and change. I’ll catch him as soon as he gets back. Go on back to Dana. I know she needs you.”
“Thanks. I owe you big time for this.”
“Just take care of the lady. She’s a keeper.”
Cole smiled for the first time in hours. “Don’t I know it.”
Epilogue
Dana and Cole pulled their horses to a stop on a slight rise and looked back toward the ranch house. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of this view. The ranch house was lit by the dying rays of the sun, and the horses still frolicked in the corral, one last romp before being penned for the night. Summer had arrived like a blast furnace, but this evening had cooled down enough for them to sit outside.
Learning to ride was one of Dana’s greatest pleasures. She wondered if it was the freedom of racing the horse across the open pasture or watching Cole in his work shirt and worn jean sitting his fine ass so well in the saddle. Either way it made her happy.
She was actually excited when Cole flew to Florida, packed up what he thought she’d need, made arrangements to ship the rest, and listed the house with an agent. He insisted on doing it himself, convincing her she wasn’t strong enough yet. Andi and Grace took turns stopping by while he was gone.
He even set up the third bedroom as an office for her when she was ready to write again. Each night as they slept in his big bed, he cradled her tenderly in his arms and let her know she was safe, with him. And that he loved her beyond reason.
The media, not unexpectedly, had indulged in a feeding frenzy. Only now was the story fading from the national news. Tate had yet to come to trial, confined as he was in a secure mental facility. Cole hoped they never tried him, sparing Dana the agony of having to testify.
“I heard from Adele today,” he said, breaking the peaceful silence.
“How is she?” Dana knew all too well how shattered the whole family was by the revelations.
“Still trying to come to terms that the man she was married to for nearly forty years actually didn’t exist.” He blew out a breath. “It’s been good for her, staying with my cousin all this time.”
“I heard the sale of the ranch went through,” Dana commented.
“Finally. Hard selling property owned by a pedophile.” He lifted his Stetson, raked his fingers through his hair, and placed the hat back on his head. “Saw Jed Nickels at the post office.”
“Oh?” Dana lifted her eyebrows. “They should have run him out of town on a rail, too.”
“No kidding.” Cole spat on the ground. “Turns out he suspected his friend at the time and didn’t want to, as he said, ‘cause anyone embarrassment.’ He wasn’t too happy when I pointed out to him how many little girls died a horrific death because of that.”
“John Garret said the Nickels place is for sale, too.”
“Good riddance.” Cole swung down from his horse and helped Dana to Diamond, then led her over to their usual spot by the creek. “We should talk.”
She grinned. “I thought that’s what we’ve been doing for the last few months?”
He planted a soft kiss on her lips then held the wine glass for her to sip. “I mean about the future.”
She tensed in his arms.
He kissed her again. “Good talk, okay?” He rested his arms on his knees. “The county commission wants to extend my contract, with a substantial raise. Margene said they were satisfied with the way I handled the whole situation.” He snorted. “Satisfied. Now there’s an inadequate word for you.”
“I think they don’t know what to say to you,” Dana pointed out. “Satisfied isn’t so bad.”
“Anyway, there’s a point to all this. Point number one. I want to marry you. As fast as we can get it done.” He kissed her temple. “I love you, Dana. I hope you believe that.”
She grinned. “As many times as you’ve told me the past few months, and for everything you’ve gone through with me willingly, it would be hard not to know it.” She slid her gaze to his. “But I hope you know I love you just as much.”
“So that’s a yes?” he prodded.
She smiled again. “Yes. That’s a yes.”
“Great! Now, that brings me back to the commission and their offer. We don’t have to stay here. This place has a lot of bad memories for you. Me, too. And there are bound to be other opportunities out there for me.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “You’re right. But you know? This place has grown on me. And people have been unbelievably wonderful. Not to mention the fact I think everyone’s learned a good lesson. About protecting their children as well as protecting their friends. So if you’re asking me if I’d be happy living here, that’s a yes, too. As long as I’m with you, that’s all that matters.”
He stood up so he could reach into his pants pocket, pulling out a small box. “I stopped at the jewelry store today, just in case.” He looked at her. “You know I like to be prepared.”
She laughed, because the phrase brought back one of the first times they’d made love. And the last, she thought soberly, as her body and her mind had taken the time to heal. He lifted her to her feet to slip a magnificent emerald cut diamond mounted on a white gold band on her finger.
“Elegant. Just like you.” He kissed her, a long, lingering kiss.
Dana wound her arms around him, holding his head to hers, her mouth opening to invite him in.
“I can think of a better way to seal this deal,” she whispered against his lips. “And frankly, Sheriff, I can’t wait another moment.”
He led her back to their horses. “Then I say let’s go inside and start the rest of our lives together right now.”
“Suits me. Get going, Sheriff. You know how impatient I am.”
His laughter echoed in the night air as he carried her inside.
About the Author
Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her, many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories.
She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award for best BDSM book of the year, winner of two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit, multiple winner of the Whipped Cream Book of the Week Award and is published by five different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work, “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”
Visit Desiree at
www.desireeholt.com
To chat with Desiree Holt and other Wild Rose Press authors of erotic romance, join us at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/thewilderroses.
Also Available
Cocked & Loaded
by
Desiree Holt
When Jamie Randall kicked the dust of Amen, Texas from her heels, she swore neither the town nor the bad boy she’d given her virginity to would ever see her again. Yet here she is, returning under a cloud of disgrace, not a penny to her name or a soul to welcome her—least of all the sheriff.
Jamie Randall—a decade hadn’t lessened the bitter taste of her name. Zane Cameron had only been good enough for sultry summer sex. But the local hell raiser is the sheriff now and determined to run her hot little
body off the worthless piece of land her father left her and right out of his sleepy little town. Just as soon as he scratches a twelve-year-old itch.
Explosive passion changes Zane’s mind, but before they can explore their feelings, strange events threaten Jamie and it becomes obvious someone else wants her out of the way. Dirty money, cold-blooded murder, and deadly secrets interfere with Zane’s plans to convince Jamie to give him a second chance.
Chapter One
Zane Cameron stared at the figure walking out of the supermarket. He lifted his sunglasses just to be sure his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him. When he heard she’d showed up two days ago, he was sure someone was pulling his leg. But no, there she was. Jamie Randall. Big as life. Not even a hint of shame or embarrassment for either her leave-taking or her current situation.
The last time Zane saw her she was a flowering eighteen-year-old who’d teased him with her body, then left town so fast her heels kicked up a cloud of dust. All she left behind was a drunk for a father and stinging words for Zane. And, of course, a bitterness and resentment that built up in him all these years.
Now here she was again and he smelled big trouble.
He watched her wheel her cart to her shiny dark blue SUV. A symbol of her ill-gotten success. The worn jeans and old Texas Tech T-shirt were little camouflage for what had become a lush, ripe body. Thick blue-black hair pulled back in a ponytail bounced as she moved. Huge sunglasses barely concealed the tight set of her face. And where he’d expected her walk to still be graceful and tempting, now it was purposeful and angry.
Five feet four inches of sexual dynamite that he hoped wouldn’t blow up in his face.
No one could miss the fact that Jamie was mad at the world, both about being home and the circumstances that brought her here. Well, no madder than he was at the way she’d left, despite everything between them. Or everything he’d thought was between them.
She loaded the groceries into the truck, climbed in, and slammed the door. He didn’t need to follow her as she roared out onto the highway. He knew exactly where she was going. What he needed to do was get his anger under control, the rage that always bubbled up whenever he thought of her. A rage heavily colored with lust. In twelve years, that feeling had built itself to quite a level.
Get over it. She wasn’t worth it then and she’s not worth it now.
So why, after all these years, did his traitorous dick still get hard whenever he remembered her naked body? Why did his hands twitch, remembering the feel of her young breasts in them? His nose still remembered the scent of roses and honeysuckle in her hair. His mouth, the taste of her tempting juices. One would think by this time he’d have himself under control.
Except Jamie Randall was like a festering sore inside him, one he needed to lance and get rid of, once and for all.
All these years, he’d been able to deal with the way she’d just flat out left him because she’d been far away in a different life. But to see her every day now, to know the contempt she’d held him in, would be an impossible situation.
No way was she coming back to Amen, Texas and twitching her ass in front of his face. She left town once. He planned to make sure she did it again. Jamie Randall would have to leave whether she wanted to or not. Only this time it would be on his terms and not until he’d satisfied a twelve-year-old itch.
Easier said than done, cowboy.
He cranked the engine a little too hard, and pulled away from the curb, heading out on the dusty highway. She should be home by now. There was no time like the present to get on with business, but it wasn’t business he was looking forward to.
All the way to the scrubby patch of land her father had left her, Zane talked to himself. Face her. Get it over with. Move on.
The caliche driveway leading to the old Randall house was potholed and bumpy, a sign of long neglect. The house itself was a reflection of the man who’d lived there, alone. Decaying, rotting away, making a pretense at something but not quite pulling it off.
He pulled the department’s big Expedition in behind Jamie’s smaller SUV and cut the ignition. As tiny as Amen was, he hadn’t been in this house since Jamie left town. He didn’t even want to go there now, but the whole mess from the past was like dry toast stuck in his throat.
Suck it up, man. Speak your piece and get it over with.
Taking his time, he climbed out of the car and walked up the cracked cement path. The inside door stood open and, through the screen door, he could see her moving around in the kitchen. Gritting his teeth, he raised his hand and knocked on the wood door frame.
“Go away.” The words had a harsh bite to them. “No curiosity seekers allowed today.”
Zane cleared his throat. “Jamie, it’s Zane Cameron.”
She froze in place, then turned in his direction. For a moment, he wasn’t sure she’d even come to the door. Finally, she padded over the wood floor on bare feet, slowly, not rushing. He guessed she wasn’t any more anxious for this meeting than he was.
“Well, well,” she drawled. “Nice of you to drop by, Sheriff. Did you come to arrest me?”
“I came to talk to you. How about letting me in?”
She shook her head, the tight, angry look still on her face. “I don’t think so. I’m in no mood to play Twenty Questions today.”
“Damn it, Jamie. Open this door.” He pulled, but the door was latched on the inside.
“Go away. I can’t think of anything we have to say to each other.”
“Oh, I have plenty to say. Open the damn door, or I’ll break it down.”
Nice going, asshole. Smooth.
She stared at him through the screen. Then he heard the snick of the latch being released and she stepped back to allow him to enter.
“Okay.” She posed arrogantly in front of him, hands planted on her hips, mouth in a thin line. “Say what you came to say and get the fuck out of here.”
It was obvious she’d been working. A few wisps of her hair had straggled loose from her ponytail, clinging to her cheeks like threads of fine silk. A smudge of dirt decorated her straight nose, and a thin scratch marred the smooth, tanned skin of her slim forearm. As unglamorous as a woman could look, yet somehow, she was more tempting than if she’d been wearing a slinky dress and high heels.
Zane had to resist the urge to stare at her breasts, outlined by the soft T-shirt material. Mature Jamie Randall’s breasts were making his mouth water and his palms itch. But they also made his dick want to stand at attention again so he shut down his mind. All he needed was an erection right now. Then again, maybe that was exactly what he needed. “Nice language you’ve learned since you’ve been gone.”
“That’s not all I’ve learned.” Her blue eyes, the color deepening to navy, flashed. The thick lashes framing them only enhanced the intensity of her fury. She was like a time bomb set to go off. “Anyway, pardon my lack of social graces, but I’m not in a very good mood right now. I don’t have the patience to take crap from anyone, so what is it you want?”
“I came to find out why you’re here in this, let’s see, what did you call it?” He frowned. “Oh, yeah. ‘Godforsaken town you’d never spit on again.’” His pent-up anger, stored away all these years, wanted to rise up and overtake him.
“Well, we can’t all make the choices we’d like to.” Jamie’s gaze swept over his face, studying him. “So. I’ll ask you again. Why are you really here? You trying to run me out of town, Sheriff?” She spat out the last word as if it had a bad taste to it.
“Seems to me the last time you and I had a conversation, I distinctly remember you saying you wouldn’t come back to Amen unless hell froze over.” His eyes never wavered from hers. “Must be mighty cold down there right about now.”
And that’s how cold it would be before she threw her lot in with him, she’d told him. Twelve years ago he was just the half-breed son of a man always in trouble. She’d been willing to fuck him all right—fuck the half-breed with the legendary dick—but then it was a
dios.
He waited for her to comment, but she stood there, silent, vibrating with anger. Her nipples pushed stiffly against the thin fabric of her T-shirt, and a pulse beat heavily at her throat. Sex and anger. Two sides of the same coin. He had to suppress an urge to rip off her clothes and run his hands over that now-adult body. Time hadn’t diminished one bit of the lust he felt for her. Damn it.
At last she shook her head and took a step back. “If you came for all the sordid details of my fall from grace, you wasted your time. Read the newspapers. They had plenty to say. So is that it? Are we done?”
“Not by half.” He moved closer to her. “You’re damn straight I want to know why you’re here and when you’re leaving. I can’t believe this is some big homecoming for you.”
Yes, when will you get out of my life again and leave me to my accustomed misery?
“Well.” Her voice was bitter. “You don’t mince any words, do you?”
More silence. He forced himself to outwait her.
“Why the hell do you think I’m here? I guess I’m lucky my drunk of a father got himself killed and left me this worthless piece of property. Which is a damn good thing since, at the moment, it seems I have no place else to go.” She stuck out her chin in defiance. “Why? Are you planning to run me off?”
Yes, if I could. But first I’m going to fuck your brains out the way I’ve wanted to do all these years since you ran from me. This time you’ll take more than a little taste of the half-breed Zane Cameron with you.
He shifted his weight. “Just trying to keep up with what’s going on in my little corner of the world. I heard you were living in some fancy condo in Florida.”
“Why, Sheriff,” she drawled. “I didn’t know you kept up with my activities.”
Gritting his teeth, he barely held onto his temper. “We have a newspaper here in Amen, in case you forgot. And surprise, surprise. I have a computer and know how to use it.”
