The men at the table cast their eyes towards her father. She hid the amusement she felt. An interrogation by a father, no matter what you did for a living, had to be uncomfortable. Obviously these men were not immune and Jacob was smack-dab in the middle of it. Jacob finished a mouthful of roast and cleared his throat. “I grew up in southern Mississippi. My brothers and I moved to the east coast following job opportunities after the service. Four of us work together and my other brother, Justin, owns several restaurants.”
“Five boys, huh?” Frank shook his head as he knifed more butter on his hot bread.
“Yes sir, me, Jason, Jared, Justin, and the dark horse of the lot, Joseph.”
“Your momma have an infatuation for the letter J?” Frank chuckled.
“No sir, actually it is a tradition on my dad’s side. He has four brothers and two sisters, their names started with C. My grandfather’s brother’s and sister’s names all began with M. From what we know it goes back about six generations.”
“You still have family in Mississippi?”
Jacob nodded. “Yes sir, my mother. My father was killed a long time ago. My three sisters, Jasmine, Jade, and Jewel all work for my company as well. Jasmine and Jade’s work requires extensive travel. Jewel is a computer geek that wouldn’t travel if you paid her, and believe me I do pay her. We have asked Mom to move east to be closer to us, but she wants nothing to do with city life.”
“Really? You got sisters, Skipper?” Drake’s face split with an enormous smile.
Tori snorted softly when Jacob glared down the long table. Drake’s smile widened as Jacob growled, “Yeah, I do, and you two will never meet them.”
“I didn’t know you had sisters. You only talked about your brothers.”
“Yeah, well they’re…unique? Jewell works in the same building as Jason, Jared, and me. She keeps to herself, rarely leaves her secure computer rooms, but she’s extremely intelligent and plays well with computers. People not so much. Jasmine is a fireball, but you wouldn’t know it to look at her. Takes after Mom and has that look that makes you want to protect her. But God forbid anyone who tries. Then there’s Jade. Jade is hell on wheels and I thank God she works for Jared because that woman is insane.”
Doc looked across the table to Chief and quipped, “Jade would tear these two to pieces.”
Chief nodded and muttered, “She scares the hell out of me.”
Dixon looked at his brother. “They’ve met his sisters? What does that mean?”
He swiveled his head towards Jacob and his expression fell. “Skipper, you don’t trust us enough to meet your sisters?”
A small chuckle escaped from Jacob. “Jewel and Jasmine, you will never meet. If Jade ever shows up, I may introduce you. Not sure I want to punish you that much though.”
Tori’s dad shook his head at the younger men at the end of the table and turned to Jacob. “Big family. Any of your brothers or sisters married?”
“No. Jasmine was engaged once. Her fiancée cheated on her and knocked up his side game. So my mom waits with the patience of a saint for us to settle down.”
Frank chuckled at Jacob’s comic sigh after his declaration. “I think I would like to meet a woman who raised five boys and three girls.” After another bite of biscuit, he glanced over. “Tori says you work international issues. You ever work with her?”
Oh, shit! Tori stiffened and Jacob leaned back in his chair. Both men measured each other. “Indirectly, yes. That’s how we met.”
Keelee looked up from her dinner for the first time. “Your company deals with computer security issues?”
Tori watched as the men looked to Jacob and waited for his response. The silence at the table pulsed with pregnant anticipation. Tori felt her dad’s eyes examining her as Jacob sent her a silent look of assessment. She wondered how much he would tell them…what he would tell them…and she was suddenly grateful for the little she had eaten.
Finally, Jacob replied, “My company is Guardian Security. We are the world’s largest private security agency. We are employed by federal agencies and private concerns in our country and by nations around the world. Our missions deal with everything from computer security to privately funded military operations in hostile areas—the latter is my specialty.”
Oh, sweet baby Jesus, he was going with the truth. Her meal performed a circus high-wire act in her stomach and her gut clenched painfully as the double barrel roll failed in its landing. Well, if Jacob was going to out her, she would face the music. Damn could someone please change the radio station? She didn’t like this tune.
Keelee pressed the issue. “You said you met Tori when you worked together. Was she in a hostile area?”
What do I say? How much do I reveal? Tori pushed food around her plate and was about to speak, although God only knew what would come out of her mouth, when her dad responded.
“Yeah, if I know your sister, she was smack dab in the middle of one hell of a mess.”
Tori and all the men around the table laughed at the same time, welcoming the answer and the relief.
“Really? It would seem I’m the last to know anything around here. But when it concerns Tori that is nothing unusual, now is it?” With a look of irritation, Keelee shoved her chair away and stood. “I guess I’ll make myself useful and go get dessert.” She turned and pushed through the swinging door to the kitchen.
Tori counted on her fingers. She got to eight before Doc slid his chair back and followed after her sister.
“I’ll see if she needs any help.”
Tori took in the knowing look on her dad’s face. Holy shit, Sherlock. Now she really wanted to know what had happened in that barn.
Doc followed Keelee back into the dining room holding a gallon of vanilla ice cream and a scoop. Keelee put the baking pan full of peach cobbler on the table and motioned for everyone to dig in. Dixon and Drake put away half of the cobbler and the entire gallon of homemade ice cream was gone before the men at the table finished. Frank pushed his chair back and cast an eye at the people at the table.
“We have cattle to push.” He motioned to Dixon, Drake, and Chief. “Since we now have enough people to split into two teams, I will take you three to the northwest and head them down. Keelee and Tori, you take these two and head to the northeast corner and bring them south. We’ll meet at Hell’s Canyon. Take enough supplies for four days, although it should only take two. Betty will have the chuck packed and ready to load in the morning.”
He looked Jacob in the eye. “I’m assuming you can set a horse without too much problem?”
Jacob nodded, “Yes sir, I won’t hold them back.”
Frank nodded and walked out of the room.
Keelee stood and addressed the men. “We need to be at the barn saddled, loaded, and cinched up by four-thirty a.m. Good night, gentlemen.”
Tori stood and started gathering empty plates along with Keelee. While the women cleared the table, the men drifted up the stairs or into the den. Keelee wiped the table as Tori returned from the kitchen for another armful of dirty dishes.
“So obviously you are more than a computer programmer.”
Tori stopped and straightened. With a nod she conceded, “I have had some adventures.”
Keelee snorted. “Of course. Naturally, you have.”
“Do you have a problem, Keelee?”
Her sister flipped her ponytail off her shoulder and walked into the kitchen. Tori followed her and waited.
“No, Tori, I have absolutely no problems. Glad you are out having adventures. We have cattle to move. I suggest you get some sleep.” Keelee swept by her, grabbed a jacket off the hook by the door, and went out into the night.
Damn it, Keelee running off in a huff was getting old. Fast. They used to be able to talk about anything. Since she’d come home after Jacob had rescued her things had changed. Tori rubbed her forehead and groaned out loud. Damn it, she couldn’t let this—whatever it was between them—fester.
Chapter Eight
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Tori walked up the stairs but didn’t go into her room. She opened Jacob’s door and saw him looking out the window. She quietly closed and locked the door. Walking up behind him, she put her arms around his waist. “You didn’t eat any dessert.”
He drew a deep breath and raised his arm as she slipped around him. “I was promised dessert, and I think what I was promised will be much better than cobbler.”
Tori reached up and loosened the hook and loop fastener holding his sling snug against his body. She slipped it off and unbuttoned his shirt, peeling it off his massive chest and back. His dressing was white and dry. She pushed him backwards with her two fingers until he reached the bed. “Sit down, Jacob.” As he complied, she straddled his leg, presenting her ass to him. Clenching his leg between her thighs, she pulled his boot off and then repeated the procedure for the other foot.
“Love the view from back here, sweetheart.”
She smiled and turned towards him. “If you enjoyed that view, maybe this one will excite you a little more.” She pulled her sweater off, pulled her hair out of its ponytail and stepped out of her jeans. She hoped Jacob liked her sky-blue lace bra and thong set. He groaned and reached out, grabbing her, pulling her to him. Yeah…he liked them. Tori slid onto his lap and wrapped her legs around his waist as her hands roamed his magnificent chest.
His hands flattened hers against his pecs. “Can you feel it babe? Can you feel how hot I am for you? Everything you do drives me insane. I can’t fucking think of anything but me inside you.”
Jacob turned and laid her back on the bed holding her as he undid the button to his jeans and pulled himself free. He lifted her removing her wisp of lace coverings and pulled her hips closer to him. His hand traveled downward in a light caress. Her neck, collar bone, breast, and lower body became his canvass and his fingers painted her passion with brilliant strokes and sensuous swirls. God, the heat from just his fingertips drove her body into a shivering mess. When he finally spread her wet warm folds, she couldn’t stop the moan of need that his touch pulled from her.
*
Jacob leaned over, brushed his lips over hers and roughly whispered, “Mine.”
“Yes, God yes. Please, please Jacob, I want you in me.” Her panted plea was his undoing. He lowered his lips to hers and ravaged her mouth with his tongue. She moaned as his rock hard cock sliced into her hot, moist softness. Her body gave, compliant and wanting as his arms rose under her shoulders. He surged forward as he pulled her down on him, their combined need feral and animalistic. He felt her body tighten and clench around him. He waited, not ready to release his own climax until her body gripped him tightly, milking him as she fractured in climax. He shuddered and convulsed on top of her as his orgasm racked his body.
Jacob pulled away and stretched out beside her. He lifted himself on his good arm and caressed her slowly and tenderly from her jaw to her hip. “I want to know every part of your body. Know everything that turns you on.”
He stroked her soft skin as she snuggled closer to him. Damn. It was more than wanting to know every part of her. He wanted to own her. How had she ingrained herself so completely in such a short amount of time? Yes, he definitely wanted to possess her. Or was it the other way around? Damned if she hadn’t invaded his defenses and taken him prisoner. He dropped to his side and pulled her tightly against him.
He tucked her close wrapping his arms around her securely. He listened as her breath evened out and felt her body relax as the best type of exhaustion overtook them both.
*
Tori scanned the barn. It was the hub of activity. Men saddled horses, secured supplies on the packhorses, and checked rifles and side arms. Chief looked at Jacob who worked slowly without his sling. “Kind of like the last Pakistan mission, huh, Skipper?”
Jacob chuffed and nodded. “Hopefully nobody will decide to fall out of the damn helicopter this time.”
“You can’t blame me for that! I had help. Dixon couldn’t keep that damn machine flying straight or level.”
Dixon laughed and retorted, “Bullshit, Chief! I flew that Blackhawk just fine. Nobody else fell out. You forgot to fasten your damn seatbelt again!”
Tori cast a glance at her father while she listened to the men as they joked with each other. Frank slid his Winchester into the gun boot of the line-backed dun he was riding and mounted. He surveyed the people in the barn and growled, “You ready yet?”
He watched as Chief swung up and Dixon and Drake quickly mounted. No doubt to ascertain if the men could handle the round-up and drive. All three seemed competent and comfortable in the saddle. Her dad nodded to himself and then he watched everyone else mount. Tori tried to hide a smile as she and Keelee stepped into their stirrups and Jacob mounted quietly and efficiently.
Jacob looked around. “Where the hell is Doc?”
The man in question walked into the barn. “I went up to the house to check on Danny. I gave Betty some antibiotics to give to him and instructions for his care along with my cell number. The kid’s got walking pneumonia, but as long as he stays inside and rests for a couple days he should be okay.”
Tori peeked at Keelee, who sat her horse and waited for Doc to mount. Tori gave up any pretense of not staring when she saw her sister’s persona soften as she spoke. “Thank you, Adam. I knew he had more than a just cold.”
Drake hooted. “Who the hell is Adam?”
Thank God the man made a scene because Tori choked on her own surprised laugh.
Dixon looked at the medic. “Damn it, Doc, you actually got a name and you never shared that with us before now? Should we be offended? I think we should be offended. Hey! I’m offended, Drake. What’s this? Doc has an actual name and the Skipper has sisters. Next thing you know Chief is actually going to tell us he has a name. Something like Harvey or Malcolm.”
Drake chimed in, “No, he is a Mortimer or a Horatio—something long suffering and filled with angst.”
“Mortimer? Horatio? What the hell is angst? What kind of word is that? Dude, have you been reading a thesaurus again? What did I tell you about using words I can’t understand?” The rest of Dixon’s comments faded into the morning as they rode out of the barn after Chief.
Frank shook his head and tickled his horse with his spurs. “This should be an interesting few days.” Chief, Dixon, and Drake and two packhorses preceded him as the twin’s voices droned on in one of their never-ending conversations.
Keelee followed her dad out of the barn. She took the point with Doc following and finally Tori and Jacob fell into line leading the pack animals.
Once they were in the open, Tori and Jacob rode their horses side-by-side as Doc and Keelee led the way.
“You okay?” Tori nodded towards his shoulder.
“Yeah, probably going to be stiff tomorrow, but Doc is a D.O. He knows how to manipulate muscles to alleviate the pain if it gets bad.”
Tori nodded. Jacob reached over and hooked his fingers in her belt, pulled her slightly out of her saddle, then leaned over and kissed her soundly. “You left early this morning. I missed you.”
Tori smiled at him. “I didn’t mean to wake you up, but I knew Aunt Betty could use some assistance. Keelee and I usually help out.”
“Being a light sleeper is a hazard of the job.” Jacob pulled her toward him again moving the two horses together. He lowered his mouth on hers and kissed her deeply until his horse veered sharply and they both grabbed their saddle horns. Tori’s shriek of mirth split the quiet morning. They both laughed when Doc and Keelee peered over their shoulders at them.
When she could control her giggles, Tori nodded towards the two leading the way. “They’d make a great couple.”
Jacob’s expression was comical as he cast a glance at the doctor. “Okay, if you say so.”
Leaning forward in her saddle, she gave him a sideways look. “What? You don’t agree?”
“I guess I honestly don’t give a flying…I don’t care one way or the other.”
To
ri snorted and pushed him away. “Okay, not a guy thing, huh?”
“No. Definitely not a guy thing.”
“Alright, but you got to admit they are cute together, and I really think she likes him.”
Jacob jumped in his saddle and lifted his hand to his lips, his voice high and squeaky, “Oh no! Say it’s not so!”
Tori’s laughter peeled once again through the early morning air. “You’re such an ass! Alright, I get it. No more relationship gossip.”
The four traveled all day without stopping. Tori handed around sandwiches, which they ate on their horses, and comfort breaks came only when necessary. Tori pulled her down jacket snug to her neck and wrapped her scarf tighter as the beginning edge of the incoming cold front brought frigid temperatures and blustering winds. Keelee led the procession of saddle-weary travelers down the desolate meadow to the line shack. Darkness settled in early. Storm clouds cloaked the winter sun making the little building and lean-to a welcome site. The promise of warmth and food energized both human and horse.
*
Jacob looked around the interior of the building and marveled at what the term shack meant in South Dakota. The building was solidly built with a generator out back. It had a full kitchen with a hand pump for spring water, propane stove, and a small refrigerator. The large limestone fireplace took up the back wall of the sitting area and three bedrooms fed off the kitchen. Each bedroom held a queen bed. The only hardship Jacob noticed was the outhouse that sat about three hundred feet behind the shack. That is if you considered having a toilet a hardship. Every member of his team would consider it a luxury.
He ducked back outside and found Tori in the entrance of the stock enclosure. When she saw him, she smiled mischievously and put her finger over her mouth silencing him before she pulled him into the corner of the stall.
Damned if the woman didn’t jump up and wrap her legs around his waist before she attacked his mouth with hers. Thank you, God, he had hit the mother lode. Sexy, smart and…oh hell yeah, almost insatiable. A very wet dream come true. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his growing erection into her. She squeezed her arms tighter around his neck and moaned.
Jacob Page 9
