A Trick of the Moon

by Melinda Barron

  A Trick of the Moon

  Melinda Barron

  A Trick of the Moon

  Copyright © September 2009 by Melinda Barron All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author's rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  ISBN 978-1-60737-473-2

  Available in PDF, HTML, Microsoft Reader, and Mobi Editor: Maryam Salim

  Cover Artist: April Martinez

  Printed in the United States of America

  Published by

  Loose Id LLC

  870 Market St, Suite 1201

  San Francisco CA 94102-2907

  www.loose-id.com

  This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Warning

  This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id LLC’s e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

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  DISCLAIMER: Please do not try any new sexual practice, especially those that might be found in our BDSM/fetish titles without the guidance of an experienced practitioner. Neither Loose Id LLC nor its authors will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury or death resulting from use of the information contained in any of its titles.

  About this Title

  Genre: BBW Multicultural Ménage Suspense BBW Maura Atwell has put away her attorney shoes to run her father's guest ranch while he recovers from a stroke. When what looks to be a Native American kiva is discovered on her father's land, she does what any good attorney would do: she has it investigated.

  Archeologist Declan Littlecreek has wanted Maura since they were in college. Knowing sex and friendship don't always mix, he kept things from getting too heavy. Now that Maura is asking for his help in exploring her new find he's all game: and he's ready to explore the attraction between them.

  Declan and his best friend, policeman Dario Fuentes, travel to the Full Moon Ranch to see what they can find. While the threesome explores the kiva, they also discover a passion that burns hot between the three of them, binding them together.

  Is the passion they feel just a Trick of the Moon, or will their romance carry over into life in the outside world?

  Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, ménage (m/f/m).

  Chapter One

  “The Devil's Highway.” Dario Fuentes glanced out the window at the barren land surrounding them. “Are you sure you're not taking me to meet someone evil? This is Highway 666, you know.”

  “Not anymore. Technically it's now Highway 491. The name was changed several years ago.” Declan Littlecreek hazarded a glance away from the long stretch of highway and glanced at his friend. “You have been out of touch for a while if you didn't know about the name change. And you call yourself a New Mexican. We should have you deported to New York.”

  “I always thought 666 worked for this road, since it's more than a little desolate, like I imagine hell would be. What have we seen for the last twenty miles? Nothing but cactus, yucca, some snakes. I'm sure if I had a magnifying glass, I'd see a scorpion or two, or more. It may be 491 now, but it was 666 for many years. The mark of the beast, remember? What sort of woman are you taking me to?”

  “Trust me, Maura's not a devil. She's a true friend who needs some help.”

  Declan veered to the other side of the road to avoid hitting a snake as it slithered across the asphalt. “Besides, you're the one who said he was bored.

  Maybe you need a little trip to the dark side.”

  Dario tried not to laugh. “Lay this out for me once more.”

  “It's been more than once.” Declan readjusted his posture and took a sip from a fast-food cup, grimacing at the taste. “Maura and I went to school together, at UNM, but she grew up out here, near Shiprock. Her father owns a dude ranch, taking out hikers and rock climbers and the like. He suffered a stroke about six months ago, and Maura, being the dutiful, and only, daughter, 2

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  took a sabbatical from her job as a lawyer to stay with him. He's well enough to be in a rehabilitation center in Albuquerque, and she's running the place on her own while he's gone.”

  There was a pregnant pause, and then Dario cleared his throat. “Tell me why she needs an archeologist and a cop.”

  “She didn't call for the cop, only the archeologist.” Declan glanced over at him. “You're here because I thought you might enjoy the ride. Remember, you said you were bored?”

  “Yeah, I remember that from the first time you brought it up, five seconds ago,” Dario said with a laugh. He glanced back out the window and took a long drag from his water bottle. Despite the fact it was a desert, this stretch of road was really pretty, if desolate. They hadn't seen but two cars in the last fifteen minutes, both of those heading toward Gallup, where the two of them had left more than an hour ago.

  “So, did you two”—Dario punched his fist out in front of him several times—“you know, ride the hobbyhorse together?”

  “No, unfortunately.”

  “How come?” Dario could practically see the wheels turning in Declan's mind as he contemplated his answer. He wondered if his friend was trying to give him the truth, or think up an answer that wouldn't bruise his ego. Maybe he'd tried and she'd turned him down. If so, that could make this trip very awkward.

  “It was never the right time, you know. The attraction is there, always has been. But things always seemed to get in the way.”

  “What kind of things?” Dario took another swig from his bottle. After Declan didn't answer, he snorted. “Turned you down flat, did she?”

  “No, she didn't.” Declan's grip on the wheel tightened. “It just never happened. Hey, I was…younger then.”

  A Trick of the Moon

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  “No love skills, huh?” Dario laughed at the angry noise that came from Declan's side of the SUV. “Maybe she'll appreciate the attentions of a handsome Hispanic cop rather than a… What the hell are you, anyway?”

  “Don't make me pull this car over.” Declan kept his gaze on the road. “I'm half-Irish, half-Native American, and you know it. I'm the best of two worlds, while you've only got one going for you.”

  They both laughed, and Declan grimaced as he took another sip from his cup. “We're stopping at the next available place; this is nasty.”

  “Way to change the subject. Did you bring me along to lighten the tension just in case you hit on her and it goes south?”

  “No, I didn't.” Declan glared at him.

  Dario studied his friend carefully, then waited for him to speak. When that didn't happen, he asked, “What sort of trouble are we looking at right now?”

  “Maura helps guide trail rides, and on the last one she took out toward some rock formation, one of her guests came across an opening in the ground.

  Maura said she didn't let him go down, but when she peered into it, it looked like a kiva. Check my directions, will ya? I don't think we turn until after Shiprock, but I want to make sure.”

&nb
sp; Dario took the sheet of paper Declan offered him. “After we go through Shiprock, turn right when you see the sign for Full Moon Ranch. It's about fifteen miles past that. Remind me again what a kiva is.”

  “An underground room used for religious gatherings or rituals.”

  “I see said the blind man.” Dario stretched out his legs. “If she's found ruins on her land, shouldn't she call the government? Stuff like that is protected under law, isn't it?”

  “Yes, it is. But she wants to see what she's got before she calls in someone who tells her it might be nothing.”

  Declan stayed quiet and Dario focused his gaze on him. “What else aren't you telling me?”

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  Declan cleared his throat. “After she'd taken her charges back to the ranch, she went out on her own. She didn't have a ladder to go down inside, but she brought a bright flashlight with her. She said there were signs the structure was being used. It smelled like sage, and the ashes from the fire looked as if they were new.”

  “That's interesting. Who would be using it?”

  “That's the million-dollar question.” Declan tapped the brakes to slow down behind an ancient truck that crept along in front of them. Declan weaved into the other lane before pulling back behind it. “Can't see far enough ahead to tell if anyone's coming. I'll pass him after the next hill.”

  “If anyone's coming? There hasn't been a car coming the other way in quite some time. I'm sure we're fine.”

  “Better safe than sorry, as the old saying goes.”

  “That explains it.”

  They topped the hill and Declan pulled around the other vehicle. “Explains what?”

  “Why you and Maura never got together.”

  Declan's look conveyed his confusion.

  “It's the 'better safe than sorry' attitude,” Dario explained. “You had chances to be with her, didn't you?”

  “Well, yeah, but…”

  “It wasn't just perfect so you didn't go for it.”

  “I should have left you at home.”

  “Get pissed, but it's true. You have to have everything just perfect, and sometimes it's not like that. One of those times when the two of you were in school together, you should have grabbed her and laid one on her, and then you should have let nature take its course. Instead you thought it through and tried to decide which would be the best way to kiss her, or try to get her into bed. By the time you were done working through your logic, school was out, A Trick of the Moon

  5

  she had a job, you had a job and then bam—here she is, in the middle of the desert.”

  A strained silence filled the car. Dario could practically see the wheels turning inside Declan's mind as he thought of something to say.

  “Listen, you've been out of school for six years, and it's obvious you still think about her. And when she was in trouble, you were the first person she thought about. If the opportunity comes up this time, don't think. Do.”

  “Not all of us are like you, Dario. I don't fight drug lords, and I don't bed every woman I come across.”

  “Neither do I. Well, not the bedding part. I've had a few lady friends, yes, but I don't use women for sex, if that's what you're implying.” Dario held up his hand to stop Declan from answering.

  “I'm not implying anything.” Declan pointed to a sign on the side of the road. “Twelve miles to Shiprock.”

  “And he changes the subject again. Fine, just don't come crying to me when we're heading back to Albuquerque and things haven't worked out like you wanted them to.”

  “Gee, thanks Dad. If I want a lesson on how to kiss a woman, I'll be sure to let you know.” Declan turned toward him. “Can I borrow the car Saturday night?”

  “No, I'm using it, and if you don't cut the sarcasm, I'll ground you for the weekend.” They both chuckled. “Listen, I'm sorry. Obviously I know you're not an idiot in the sex department. There was that one night with Sharla.”

  “She was soft and warm, wasn't she? I think she enjoyed our little ménage as much as we did.”

  “I know she did,” Dario replied with a laugh. “But I'm not talking about pure sex, which that night was. If you truly feel something for this woman, you need to act on it. Time is fleeting, my friend.”

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  Dario could almost feel Declan's dismay at his words. “Well, I hate to say it, but you're right. I should have acted on the feelings I have for her. Sucks that I didn't.”

  The ringing phone startled them both. “Remember when you could go into a car and get away from everything?” Declan put the earbud in and connected.

  As he spoke with whoever was on the other end, Dario turned his gaze to the landscape.

  Being away from undercover work was fantastic, and taking a trip into this picturesque countryside just added to the pleasure he'd felt since arriving in Albuquerque a week ago. He'd been undercover for so long that he'd forgotten what it felt like to be able to ride along and not think about keeping up his front, or trying to keep track of dates and buy times to pass on to Ward McGovern, his supervisor at the state police. He'd been on the last job for more than a year and he was thrilled they'd finally pulled him out.

  Faking his own death was never fun, but he'd done it twice now. Ward said they needed to be careful about where they assigned him next time. Too much chance of someone seeing “a dead man.” While he did that, though, he was happy to take this minivacation to Full Moon Ranch and help Declan investigate the mysterious kiva.

  Being with old friends like Declan was fun. He could kid him about his failure to hook up with a woman he obviously desired and know Declan would not take it too hard. Of course it had been quite some time since Dario himself had been with a woman, so he supposed he wasn't one to talk.

  He stayed away from the ladies involved with his drug-dealer targets. That could get too dangerous, too fast. It had been far too long since he'd had a woman. He wondered if Maura had a friend she could introduce him to, so that while she and Declan were hitting the hay, he could maybe do the same thing.

  A little harmless, casual sex would be very nice. As long as the lady knew that's what it was. But then again maybe there was nobody but cowboys A Trick of the Moon

  7

  around, and he would be stuck with Rosy Palm and her five sisters at night.

  That was a singularly unpleasant idea.

  They pulled into Shiprock and Dario looked around at the small town. He turned just as Declan clicked off his phone call.

  “Sorry. That was my assistant at the university asking about paperwork.”

  “Don't you just love work?” Dario pointed to a convenience store and Declan pulled in. “I thought this area was all reservation land. How does Maura's father own part of it?”

  “Not all of it is reservation land,” Declan replied as he opened his car door.

  “There is a BIA office here in town, if I remember right, but once we start heading east we travel off the rez. There are no hotels around this area, so Mr.

  Atwell does a booming business, or so Maura says.”

  They entered the store and loaded up on sodas and snacks. As they checked out, Declan laughed. “It's only about another forty-five-minute drive.

  Looks like we're stocking up to cross the Great Divide.”

  “Having too much food is never a bad thing,” Dario replied. “I'll have something to eat at night while I'm watching TV and you're getting laid. God, I hope she has a satellite dish. Or a sister?”

  He gave Declan a hopeful look, then frowned when his friend shook his head. “Great. I may be heading up to Cortez to stay if I get too bored.”

  They were back in the car when Declan's phone rang again. He greeted Maura with a hearty voice and Dario could hear her enthusiastic reply come through the line. They buckled up and Declan started back down the road. As he listened to one side of the conversation about things they might need from town before they left, Dario wondered
if coming on this trip might make him the third wheel.

  He certainly hoped not, and once again said a silent prayer for a satellite dish.

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  Maura Atwell hit the Off button on her phone and looked around the kitchen. She'd bought far too much when she'd been in town last time, preparing for Declan's visit. She'd known his friend was coming, but she still wondered if she'd overdone the purchasing, especially since he'd just told her they'd stocked up at the convenience store.

  Tonight's menu was Mexican food: fajitas, nachos, beans and rice, and she would be the chef. There was no food service at the Full Moon Ranch.

  Guests cooked in their own cabins and stocked their own cupboards. There were seven cabins, and every one of them was full. That meant Declan's friend, Dario, would be staying with them in the main house.

  Not that there wasn't enough room in the house. There was a room that was blocked off as an office. That was the room people registered in when they arrived. It contained the computer and all the other necessities of an office. Her father's bedroom was right next to the office.

  The living room, dining room, and kitchen separated that part of the house from the other three bedrooms and two bathrooms. One room was hers, and it had a connecting bathroom. The others would be used for Declan and Dario. She'd hoped to have Declan share her room, but she didn't want things to get awkward with his friend coming with him.

  It wouldn't be right to say, You stay in here and try not to focus on the noise if we happen to… Well, you know… She blushed at the thought of taking Declan to her bed, and of Dario listening to her cries of pleasure. She'd always been a little shy, and had hoped he would make a move at some point. But he hadn't done so, and she'd decided to use this time together to take the bull by the horns, so to speak.