by Lise Fuller
Marie winced. “Jesse, I think you better go wash those things.”
The boy’s face screwed up in horror. “Wash what?”
She grimaced. “Your hands.”
“Oh.” He shot his father a pleading look.
Jake placed the napkin she’d set on the table in his lap. “Don’t look at me, son. I washed mine at the spigot in the barn.”
“Me too,” Cal chimed in. He bobbed his grisly chin between his shoulders.
“Women.” Jesse bowed his head and shot her a look of disgust then trudged down the hall.
Marie’s mouth dropped open. She looked at the men seated around the table.
Jake almost choked on his food. When he recovered, he wore a mock expression of concern. “I’ll talk to him.”
“Right.” She narrowed her eyes and forced a frown to her face. Her response was more from Jake’s grin than Jesse’s comment. Jake’s smile dazzled her. Did funny things in the pit of her stomach. Carnal things. He made her stupid, thinking that she could perhaps have more here than a job, that everything would be okay.
But it wouldn’t. She needed to keep that in mind. She sighed and walked away. She was a rational businesswoman. She held her own around the best of them. But her restraint around Jake waned fast. The man’s seductive body emanated sex. Called to her. Tempted the wanton needs in her. The invisible seduction pulled on her every time she came around Jake. It didn’t surprise her why the women of the valley salivated for the sheriff.
But she needed to keep her head, not lose it over some primitive need to fuck.
As she put the rest of the plates on the table and listened to the coffeemaker spit out its last drops, Marie chastised herself for her wayward thoughts. In the past, she’d always made the right choices. Her clients paid for her good judgment—until Bill Martin stepped into her life. Bill and she had become partners. They’d branched off into their own company. Paying the bills had been Bill’s job. He’d insisted. It was after their debts piled up that she discovered he’d stolen the money she’d invested. God, why had she been so stupid? She knew better. When she confronted Bill, he told her about BAM and the plan to use the cash for the organization’s subversive purposes. When she wouldn’t cooperate, he tried to rape her. In his delusional state, he thought she wanted him and believed he could convert her to the cause.
She shuddered, remembering his icy hands as they groped her breasts. When she resisted, the same hands locked around her neck—cold, hard and deadly.
She touched her fingers to her throat as she picked up the pot of coffee and walked to the table, deep in thought.
“I’ll take that if you don’t mind.” Jake rose and put his hand over hers on the handle.
“Huh?” She looked at him then recalled what had happened at the diner yesterday. She blushed. “Suit yourself.” She let him have the coffee.
Cal chuckled. She frowned at both of them. “I’ve got to go.”
“Aren’t you going to eat?”
She shook her head. “No. I’ll eat at the diner. I already called Katie. She’ll be here to get me in a few minutes. And don’t worry about me getting back. I’ll drive my own car home but do me a favor and bring your plates over. I’ve already picked up enough dishes at the diner to last a lifetime.”
“Sure.” Jake nodded as she grabbed her purse to leave.
“Marie.” He followed her. “Let me walk you out.” He put his arm loosely around her waist. Her skin heated, her nerves endings fired as the hunger for him surged through her.
“Thanks for breakfast.”
He’d lowered his voice as he opened the front door. His deep drawl strummed the imperceptible strings that held her to him. A bolt of lust shot straight through his touch to her clit and made her sex tingle.
“You know I don’t expect you to cook.”
“I kind of enjoyed it,” she whispered. She couldn’t help herself. She wanted to touch him back. She angled into him in the doorway and put her hands on his chest. She felt his heartbeat hasten under her touch. He pulled her flush against him.
The corner of his mouth rose. She thought he would kiss her. No. I can’t. She pushed away before he did. She had to keep in the forefront of her mind that this was temporary. She couldn’t get involved. If BAM found them, if Jake found out, she’d need to flee. She might not be here tomorrow.
Disappointment flickered in Jake’s face then went away.
“I don’t get a chance to cook much. Jake—” She repressed a sudden urge to explain her recent past to him. “I hope this works out,” she said instead and meant it.
The color in his eyes deepened. Marie seemed glued to the depth of emotion she saw in those pools of blue. He shoved his thumbs in his front pockets and leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb, his voice sultry. “It will, Marie, if you let it. I’m glad you’ve decided to stay.” His gaze made love to her mouth.
Her heart stopped a moment. She wanted to indulge in the lust-ridden feeling his action gave her.
“How’d you like to go riding tonight?”
“Tonight?” she squeaked, unable to handle the intense desire that conflicted with her need to survive. “But I don’t know how.”
“I can teach you.” The corner of his lips edged up again.
“I bet you can,” she muttered, thinking of a different type of ride, one that she could only do with his naked, sculpted body.
“Good.” His eyes gleamed with humor.
“But…I’m working late.”
His grin spread. “I’ll be back by then. We can do it in the moonlight. You’ll be fine.”
She heard the crunch of gravel. She glanced toward the sound as Katie’s truck pulled into the drive. Marie looked back at Jake.
A seductive air hung around him. He nodded at Katie’s pickup. “You’d better go. I’ll see you tonight.”
Her gut told her this lesson would be a mistake but the rest of her wanted to be near him. She swallowed. “Tonight, then.” As she walked down the steps, she hoped to hell the crisp morning air would cool down her raging hormones.
—
Bill Martin wasn’t a man to be played with and he’d be damned if that slip of a woman would screw with him. “Where the hell is she?” He paced the living room of Marie’s posh apartment and rubbed the lump on his head. The damn bump had finally started to mend but with the wait, the injury drove him crazy. He growled and marched into Marie’s bedroom then plopped on the fancy bedcovers.
He’d moved in after she took off. He hoped to find some clue that he could use to trace her before his associates got nervous. Yeah, people were curious about where she was but right now only his closest allies in BAM knew she’d run. As far as everyone else was concerned, he told them she was away on business. And when he’d fended them off, he also let them know her investment partner was now her full-time lover. That way no one would be wiser as to why he spent his time in her apartment.
He rose and walked to the large window that faced the bed and opened the lacy curtain. He gazed at the lazy Potomac, the noonday sun that reflected on its waters. Marie’s investments made him money, lots of it. Plenty of funds came in to cover this place and keep the purchases coming. And he’d balanced out the debt they’d incurred, kept it on the edge of complaint by the debt holders. The Internet made the task easy.
He looked over his shoulder at the computer in the living room. She’d kept everything on the machine. Her place was where they worked. He wanted it that way. Made everything cozier and her more comfortable. At first, he kept their interactions all business. He didn’t want her to get suspicious. Then he made moves to get closer and more intimate. Yet she managed to buffer him and keep her distance. She’d ignored his subtle advances—until she discovered what he was up to.
He rubbed the welt on his head again. How many times had he wanted to haul her by the hair into this prissy bedroom of hers and pull her down on the silken bed, screwing her into the night—the way she’d like it, smooth, nice…easy?
He s
norted. Too late for that now. She’d pay for her sins.
And pay again.
He’d take her when he found her, the way he wanted and as much as he wanted. And when he got done with her, she’d wish she’d submitted to him the first time.
He went back to the living room and hit the key on the mouse. A sensual picture of Marie popped into the foreground. He’d digitized the picture and modified the photo. Of course, he hadn’t known what she looked like naked. He hadn’t gotten that far. So he’d kept at least most of her breasts and her cunt covered.
He sat back and admired the handiwork he’d emailed to a few special friends. Yeah. The full breasts and the curve of the hip looked pretty good for an amateur.
He reread the words he’d tacked to the poster. Missing—Marie Taylor Martin, wife.
He figured the five-thousand-dollar reward would be at least enough to build interest.
He sneered. His dick jumped as he looked at the pic. It made him think of how he’d punish her when he found her. How much he would enjoy doing it.
And he would find her. He swore it.
He snarled and unzipped his pants to take care of the ache that built over the thoughts of Marie’s naked body as she squirmed under him. Domination and control. He would have her. He would have it all.
But he needed to find her first—before the arms dealers he worked with found out and killed him.
Fuck. He needed the series of numbers she’d run off with to close the deal. The deadline for the bargain loomed over him. Yet when he thought of the risks he took, it heightened his determination. He yanked his cock out, slid his fingers down the sensitive underside to tease himself then circled his hand around his large dick and pumped. He frowned as his breaths deepened, wary of the unknown regarding the deals yet liking the edge of fear that intensified his need to fuck. Yeah, the risk of the venture made him horny—and having Marie pay for it? That made it even better. The delay only sweetened his reward, increased the release he’d have when he found her.
He jerked himself harder. His climax rose at the thought of Marie naked, bound and gagged, under him. He teetered on the edge of coming. Yes, in a few weeks, he’d have the codes—he’d have her. He was sure.
He uttered a guttural bellow. Semen spewed over his hand. The warm sticky liquid coated his fingers and he thought, when he got a hold of Marie, he’d make her give him a hand job first—and beat her little ass if she didn’t do it right. Then he would force her lips to his dick to lick him clean.
Yeah. His cock itched again when he thought about it.
He pursed his lips and looked at the screen. He nodded, pleased with himself. He’d displayed Marie’s scantily clad body with some taste. As good as she looked, someone would find her. Soon. Right now, his close associates were satisfied. As long as they stayed that way, so was he. Yet outside of his fellow henchmen, the people of Back to America didn’t know the girl had turned on him, and they could be trouble.
Still, if he found her, they would never have to know.
He snickered. Yeah, he loved the risks—because the returns were so much greater.
—
The afternoon rush had finally ended. Marie stretched to relieve the ache in her back. She put her hamburger on the worn melamine table and slid into the booth.
Katie walked up and handed her a cup of coffee then sat across from her. “Honey, I tell you, when the crowd from the Rendezvous leaves, it won’t be so bad. But you’ll still have some of the locals hassling you, unless, of course, you take up with Jake. Nobody will mess with him.”
Marie frowned and sipped the hot coffee. “Katie, I thought you were interested in him?”
“Well, honey, why wouldn’t I be? He’s the best-looking thing in the valley.”
“What about your boyfriend?”
Marie’s new friend huffed. “He’s moved to another mine across the state.” Katie eyed Marie strangely as she sipped on her coffee. “Look, Jake and I are only friends. I’m not madly in love with him or anything. I just hate to see him and Jesse alone. If you take up with him, they won’t be. You’d be a family.” She lifted her cup again. “Trust me, if you want Jake, I ain’t gonna stand in your way. Besides,” she took another drink, “I think you two look cute together.”
Marie flinched, pained at the thought of a life she couldn’t even dream about, especially with a sexy hunk who represented the law. “Whatever makes you say that?”
The older woman’s eyes shimmered. “Look,” she said matter-of-factly, “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and when you’re not flustered with him, I’ve seen you desiring him back.” She waggled her finger at Marie. “Don’t tell me there’s nothin’ going on behind those green eyes of yours.” She leaned back against the seat. “You’re a nice girl. I think he’d be good for you.”
Marie couldn’t help herself. She laughed. “I didn’t know you were a matchmaker.”
“I ain’t.” She set her hands on the table. “But there’s something that tells me you two were made for each other.”
Marie puffed out a breath. “Okay, Katie. You got me. A guy with his looks? Yes, he’s probably the hottest thing I’ve seen in some time, and God knows, a man like that can do something to a woman, but I don’t know if I want someone who’s interested in every strange woman who walks through his door.”
“Honey, let me tell you something.” Katie sat up and put her elbows on the table. “I’ve known Jake Colder a long time. He’s a good man and I bet, if the right woman grabbed a hold of him, he’d stick to her like glue. He’s not one to mess around when he’s made a bargain. To him, a deal’s a deal, and those words, love, honor and cherish, the whole bit, would be part of the package. And I’ll tell you another thing,” she put her cup down, “since his wife left, he may have gone out with other women—God knows, he is a man—but he tain’t ever let another woman walk through his door. Not like you have. Sweetheart,” she leaned toward Marie, “you’re the first.”
For some reason, Marie blushed. She bent over to whisper to Katie. “I’m just his housekeeper. I think he feels sorry for me.” She leaned back but kept her voice low. “Either that or he doesn’t want any late night calls about some woman who’s been molested. This way he can get his sleep.” The cowbell on the door clinked.
“Pisshaw.” Katie waved her off and rose to deal with the new customer.
It gave Marie time to think—or rather to fantasize. She tried to see what Katie saw and imagined herself living at the ranch, calling the boys in for supper. She shook her head at the absurdity. Even if she’d wanted that life, there was no way she could get into a relationship with the man. Under the circumstances, she couldn’t burden him with her issues and she wouldn’t want to hurt Jesse if things between her and Jake didn’t work out. Face it. Her ties to Jake Colder and Wyoming were too tenuous. She was Jake’s housekeeper. Nothing more. That heated connection Katie had noticed between Jake and her had to end. Marie would see to that.
Marie took a sip of her coffee and looked at the stranger at the counter. He was a mature man, probably in his late thirties with a medium build and a tough edge about him. Katie flirted with him, tilted her chin and gave him an “I’m available” smile. Marie shook her head. When Katie turned to work the register, the man leaned on his elbow. He nodded once at Marie as his eyes narrowed.
An eerie jolt unnerved her. She put her hand on her forehead and pretended to rub it while she covered her face.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
She listened to his baritone voice and peeked through her fingers. He picked up a toothpick and glanced at Marie again. Smirking, he stuck the stick in his mouth and chewed.
Katie put the change in his hand and leaned over. She pressed her upper arms against her chest and exposed the tops of her large breasts. The cowboy got an eyeful and grinned, more honestly this time. He nodded again, to Katie, then turned and left. The bell chimed as he closed the door.
Katie came back for her coffee.
“Who was that?”
Katie shrugged. “Got me. He came yesterday for the Rendezvous. Might stay on a while to help as a hand. This time of year the ranchers herd the cows down from the high open pasture. They need the help.”
Marie glanced at the front door. An uncomfortable wariness grew in her gut, and it didn’t want to go away.
Chapter Five
“You ready?” Jake ducked under the horse’s head as he talked to her.
Marie took a quick gander at her new attire then looked at him. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
His eyes sparkled from underneath his cowboy hat. His come-on grin deepened. After a moment, he broke their gaze and turned toward the gelding. He jerked a strap of leather to tighten the saddle. “I didn’t know if you had a pair of jeans. I’m glad I guessed the right size.”
Marie frowned and ran her hands down the coarse blue denim. He’d already been in the barn saddling the horses when she drove up. She’d scurried to her room to find the new pants spread on the bed. She tugged the edge of her pink vee-top blouse down over the waistband. “I’ll pay you back.”
“Nope.” He swung around and eyed the fitted pants from her tennis shoes to her waist. His languid gaze made her skin heat and her labia clench. God, she wanted him. “Consider it a sign-on bonus. You’ll need ’em round here.”
She closed her eyes a moment to overcome the carnal urges his look caused. What was he thinking? Did he like what he saw?
A part of her hoped so. She’d been stiff-necked and businesslike for too long. For a man to look at her like he wanted her as a woman, well, it did things to her.
Things she should probably forget. She screwed up her mouth with the reminder.
“Come here.” He waved her closer. She paused, unsure exactly what he intended. When he waved at her again, she drifted toward him. Both he and the horse looked bigger close up. Marie liked horses. They were beautiful, but she’d never ridden. The massive bulk of the horse made her nervous.
“He won’t bite.” Jake held the reins and waited for her to take them.
Marie hesitated as she battled the conflicts within her. The man emanated sex. She wanted him. But the logical part of her told her no, told her to stay the course, keep control.
