She was moaning loudly now, hunching against his thrusting fingers. He kissed her neck, her shoulders, whispered to her all the hot and wild things he wanted to do to her. “Two more days, honey. By the time we leave this room, there won’t be any doubt in your mind that you belong to me.”
“Please Wyatt…I can’t…I need you in me.”
“Do you?” He eased out of her pussy and concentrated on her clit, his finger circling the hard little pearl until she was sobbing with the need to come. “Put your palms on the window and step back.” Jesus that was hot, Haley bent over, hands spread wide against the safety glass. “Spread those pretty legs for me, honey. Wider. That’s good. That’s so pretty. I can see your pussy, all pink and swollen, glistening with all that sweet syrup.”
“Wyaaaatt,” she wailed. “Damn you. Fuck me!”
It was what he’d been waiting for. Haley to demand he give her what she wanted, what she needed. As much as she’d enjoyed sex, she never initiated and he wanted her to feel free to tell him what she wanted.
“That’s my girl. Tell me what you want and I’ll give it to you. Do you want it hard and fast, or should I take my time and fuck you long and slow?”
“Hard. I want you to fuck me hard. And—”
Before she could say another word, Wyatt stepped up behind her. He took her with one hard thrust and kept on pumping, driving into her hard and fast as she moaned and gasped. Over and over, he pounded into her, driving her toward that final peak. She was sobbing, hurling herself back onto his cock as she reached for the summit.
“Is that good, sweet pea? Is that what you want?”
“Yes, yes. Just like that. God, I’m gonna come…I’m gonna come.”
Wyatt grasped her hip, guiding her, increasing the pace as he slammed into her. “That’s right, sweetheart. Let it go. Come for me.” He gritted his teeth, not sure how much longer he could hold back. She was so close, he could feel her muscles tense and release. He reached between her legs and swirled his finger over her clit. Her answering moan was all he needed. As she hurled herself against him, he pinched the hard little pearl between his fingers.
“Ah…jeez!” she howled and broke, shuddering and sobbing as she came.
He gave her another deep thrust of his cock and came, spilling into her as their bodies trembled and shook. He slid from her body just as his knees were about to give way and dragged her down to the plush carpet with him.
“Next time we’re making love on the bed,” he said, spooning himself around her. “Not so far to fall.”
Haley laughed. “I feel wobbly as a new foal.” She turned onto her back. “But all of a sudden I’m starving.”
Wyatt took a deep breath, got up, and helped her to her feet. “Come to think of it, I am too. What are you hungry for?”
She leaned in for a kiss. “You mean beside you? Shrimp and grits.”
“Okay. I’ll call downstairs and see where we can find you some shrimp and grits.”
* * * * *
Back in street clothes again, Haley and Wyatt walked from the Bellagio to the MGM Grand in search of shrimp and grits at Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House. While Haley had been to Las Vegas several times for the rodeo finals, this was the first time she’d been here with anyone other than her father and brother and they certainly hadn’t stayed any place near as nice as Bellagio, that was for sure. And of course, once her event was over, her daddy had taken her winnings, if there were any, and sent her and Conner back to their crappy little motel while he went out with his buddies to drink and gamble. Nope, Las Vegas hadn’t been the least bit fun any of those times before. But with Wyatt most everything was fun.
“Have you ever been to Vegas before?” she asked. She slid her arm around his waist as they walked and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. A feeling of warmth and safety washed through her and Haley knew this man would never let anyone harm her.
“Spent the night here once when I was a sprout. My pa was looking to pick up a handful of the wild mustangs the Bureau of Land Management rounds up every year or so. They make real good cow horses once they’re trained. But I ain’t been here since I grew up. Ranching’s a big enough gamble, never saw the need to come up here and throw good money after bad.”
“Why didn’t you say something when I suggested we get married here?”
Wyatt stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and tugged her into his arms. “As I recall, you were wanting to get married, not go on a gambling tear. I reckon this is as good a place as any to tie the knot if you’re not hankering for a fancy wedding. You aren’t fixing to go off on a gambling spree, are you Mrs. Brody?”
He was teasing her again and Haley’s cheeks heated. “No, Mr. Brody, I ain’t.”
He took her mouth in a decidedly steamy kiss, right there on the sidewalk, then gave her that heart-stopping crooked grin.
“Are you sure? Because I got a distraction or two in mind if you’re feeling the urge to squander all our money on a game of chance.”
Haley giggled, a sound she was getting used to making. “Nope. No urge to squander our money, but I figure we can find a way to put that imagination of yours to good use a little later.”
Wyatt laughed and twined his fingers with hers as they resumed their leisurely walk to the restaurant.
They entered the MGM Grand and the hostess seated them and handed them menus. The hostess left to prepare the champagne Wyatt had ordered when he called for the reservation. Sitting close together, they shared a menu and Haley was appalled at the prices.
“Ridiculous,” she hissed. “There ain’t a salad been made that’s worth near twenty dollars.” When Wyatt chuckled, she shook her head. “I’m serious, Wyatt. And look at the price of the ribeye.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Cedar planked. I just may have to try that.” Haley’s jaw dropped, then she narrowed her eyes at him. “If you want a cedar planked ribeye, I’ll make the damned thing for you myself and save you thirty bucks.”
“But what about the essence?” he asked with wide-eyed innocence.
“You can buy all the essence you want at Central Market. In fact, I bet we could get a gallon of it at one of those bulk…” She paused when she saw his shoulders shaking… “Oh you, you’re—”
“Crazy about you and thrilled that you’re gonna be frugal with our money but it’s our honeymoon, baby. Will you please let me spoil you just a little? I swear I’ll slow down once we get home.”
Heat crept up her neck to lodge in her cheeks and she caught her lower lip between her teeth.
“I’m sorry,” she said with a smile. “All my life, I’ve had to watch every penny. It’s gonna take some time for me to get used to being spoiled.” She leaned in to him and gave him a soft, lingering kiss. “But you’re right, it’s our honeymoon, we’re miles away from all our troubles back home and, if you want ten planked steaks you should have ‘em.”
The server returned with a bottle of Mumms and two champagne flutes. He popped the cork with a flourish and filled their glasses.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Brody,” he said. “Now, do you need more time to look at the menu?”
Wyatt grinned at the young man. “No sir, I reckon we know what we want. I think the Missus was looking at that baby iceberg lettuce wedge salad and I know she wants the shrimp and grits. I’d like to have that cedar-planked ribeye. And I reckon we’ll be wanting some dessert when we’re done.”
“Very good. I’ll put your order in.”
As soon as the server departed, Haley opened her mouth to remind him they still had cupcakes in the suite but closed it quickly at Wyatt’s raised eyebrow.
“Right. Honeymoon.”
Wyatt chuckled. “That’s right. Besides, those cupcakes have a role in those distractions I mentioned earlier.”
“Really. Well, do tell,” she teased. So he leaned in very close, pressed his mouth against her ear and told her exactly what he had in mind to do with those cupcakes. Haley could hardly wait to get back to the
hotel.
* * * * *
Haley and Wyatt were laughing and kissing as they stumbled through the door to their suite.
“Where’s them dang cupcakes?” Haley teased, then screeched when Wyatt bent down and tipped her over his shoulder. He was kneading her ass as he made his way toward the bed. She let out a loud whoop when he dumped her onto her back and followed her down. He took her mouth in a deep, hungry kiss.
Lordy but the man could kiss. His cock was hard, pressing against the thin material covering his center. With his weight on one arm, he worked the buttons of her sundress loose then lowered his mouth to one lace-covered breast.
“Mmm,” he murmured. “I’m gonna coat your hard little nipples with icing and suck it off.” He drew hard on her and she moaned, arching her back to thrust her breast deeper into his mouth. He lifted his head and looked her in the eye. “You like that baby? When I suck on you hard?”
“Yes. Unhook my bra. I want your mouth on my bare skin.” He rose to his knees between her legs and flicked open the front closure. When he paused, frowning, she propped herself up on her elbows. “Wyatt?”
“I forgot my cell phone when we left.” He nodded toward the phone on the headboard. “The message light is blinking. Damn, I hate to pick that thing up.”
Haley flopped onto her back with a sigh. “I know but you gotta. It’s either Holden or Dooley and they wouldn’t call if it wasn’t an emergency.”
Wyatt crawled over her and picked up the phone, pressing the button for messages. He hit the speaker button and Dooley’s somber voice greeted them.
“Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon but we got trouble at the One-Eyed Jack. Somebody fired the barn. We got the horses out but the barn ain’t gonna be nothing but a smoking heap. No way to save it. Sheriff and the fire department are here. Arson investigators will be coming in the morning. They’ll be wanting to talk to y’all.” There was a commotion in the background, people shouting and cursing. “Roof just went. Call me when you get this.”
“At least the horses are okay,” Wyatt said, reaching for Haley. She sat on the bed, rocking, like she’d done when she’d held her dead dog, completely tuned out. When was this shit going to end? Why couldn’t they have a little peace? Just a few stolen days to enjoy one another before returning to the frightening reality that was her life? “They got the horses out, honey, and Geronimo’s with Ben, remember?” Wyatt gave her a little shake and she blinked, looked at him.
“They’re okay?”
“Dooley said they were okay but the barn’s a total loss.” He pulled her to him and held her tightly for a long moment. He kissed the top of her head. “I reckon we outta pack up and git on back.” When she nodded, he eased her away and reached for the phone. “I’m gonna call downstairs and see if they can get us a flight this time of night.”
Haley nodded. “I’ll get us packed.”
Wyatt paced and talked, watching Haley closely as she gathered their belongings. He didn’t doubt for a minute that she was agonizing over what she’d dragged him into. When he hung up Wyatt came in search of her and found her in the bathroom, hands flat on the stone vanity, eyes closed, head drooping.
He clenched his jaw. “Stop it, Haley.”
She opened her eyes, met his gaze in the mirror. “Stop what?”
He moved up behind her, leaning over her, his hands covering hers. “Blaming yourself. It ain’t your fault.”
She laughed bitterly. “I don’t know how you get that. Wasn’t for me the people I love wouldn’t be in danger.”
“Bullshit. If it wasn’t you, it’d be somebody else. That’s the kind of men Rafe Winslow and your daddy are. They didn’t do time for nothing, ya know. And a man doesn’t just turn mean. He’s either born that way or he’s had help getting there. You had nothing to do with any of that. Tell me you understand that.”
She gave him a watery smile and nodded.
“Good, now, the soonest we can get a flight is 9:50 in the morning and we’d get into Austin at 2:40 tomorrow afternoon. Then you gotta figure another two and a half hours from the airport. It’ll take about sixteen hours if we rent a car, maybe less, depending on how fast we drive. What do you wanna do, sweet pea?”
Haley was about to answer when Wyatt’s cell rang. He turned and walked into the main room of the suite, Haley on his heels. “Holden?” She watched Wyatt’s face, wringing her hands, as the attorney talked. Wyatt closed his eyes and sighed and a surge of panic swept through her. “On the One-Eyed Jack? Whereabouts? Jesus. Ah man, poor little thing. Shit. No, I know it wasn’t totally unexpected but just the same… But he’s all right? Good. No, I’ll tell her. Do what you need to do. We’re packing up right now. We’re gonna rent a car and head out soon as we can. Thanks, Holden.”
“What?” She clutched her husband’s hand. “What’s happened now?”
Wyatt turned to face her, took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. “It’s your brother. The police found that girl’s body, the one Conner told us Winslow was abusing. Honey, they found her on your property. She was left near your aunt’s grave.” He took a deep breath. “Seems Winslow called your brother’s room and threatened him. The sheriff’s posted deputies outside his room and they’re gonna keep them there until he’s well enough to leave.”
Tears sprang to Haley’s eyes as she sank down onto a chair. “He left that poor girl at Aunt Jack’s grave? What kind of monster is he?”
“The worst kind, honey.” Wyatt sat on the arm of the chair. “Rafe Winslow’s gone from that run-down spread where they were living. They haven’t been able to find him.”
Haley swiped at the tears streaming down her face. “God, the nightmares just keep on coming. How is Winslow doing this with the law looking for him and my men patrolling the property?”
“I know, sweet pea. It’s frustrating as hell but they’ll find him. It’s just a matter of time.” He kissed her again. “Go on now. Finish packing while I call down and have ‘em find us a rental car.”
* * * * *
It didn’t take long for Haley to pack up their belongings. They hadn’t brought much with them. Wyatt’s tux was a rental that the hotel had procured for him and all they’d brought was a couple changes of clothes and toiletries. With the packing complete, Haley dug her own cell phone out of her purse and called the hospital. Holden Petrie answered the phone and Haley felt more relieved than she had a right to.
“Howdy, Mrs. Brody,” the older man quipped. “Hell of a way to start married life isn’t it?”
Haley smiled. “You got a gift for understatement, Holden. How’s Conner?”
“Still sick as a grass-eating dog but he’ll do. It didn’t come as a surprise that Winslow was able to get a call through. What really shook him up were the details of what had been done to that girl. She heard a sigh at the other end of the line. “Damn. That son of a bitch should be flayed alive. What was done to that girl…well it ain’t decent to talk about to another female.”
“Oh lord.” A little sob hitched her breath. She hadn’t needed to hear that. “I…can I talk to Conner? Is that okay?”
“Sure it is, honey.” She heard him tell Conner who was on the line, then her brother came on.
“Haley? Where you at? You still in Vegas?”
Holden must have told him she’d gotten married. “Yeah, Conner. Wyatt’s on the phone getting us a rental car. Soon as he can, we’re hitting the road. Hopefully we’ll be back late tomorrow afternoon.”
“You heard about the barn?”
Haley nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “Yeah. Dooley called to let us know.”
“I’m really sorry, Hales. I figure it had to be Rafe who done it, the barn, I mean. I already know he killed poor Rebecca.”
Haley squeezed her eyes shut, trying to get control of her emotions. When she spoke, her voice was strong and clear. “Barns can be rebuilt and the stock is fine. We need to focus on making sure you you’re safe.”
“Okay, sis. And Haley?
”
“Yeah?”
“Congratulations. Wyatt’s gonna be a fine husband.”
She smiled for the first time since the damn phones had started ringing. “You’re right about that. He’s a good man and I’m a lucky woman.” She looked over at her husband, who smiled at her. He gave her a thumbs up and mimed turning a steering wheel. “Hey little brother, I gotta go. Wyatt got us a car so we’re gonna hit the road. I…I love you, Conner. I’ll see you soon.” She hung up before her brother could reply and stiffened her spine. “Are we ready to go?”
“They’re on the way with the rental now. They’ll pick us up and then we can be on our way.” He reached for their carryon and Haley carefully draped her bagged wedding dress over her arm. Before pulling the door closed behind her, she gave the beautiful room one more look, spying the carefully wrapped plate of cupcakes on the coffee table. She uttered a regretful sigh. She’d been anticipating what Wyatt would do to her with those. She shrugged. Once things settled down, she’d damn well bake a kitchen full of cupcakes for Wyatt to play with.
Chapter Thirteen
The drive seemed interminable and exhaustion wrapped itself heavily around Wyatt like a soggy wool blanket. They’d stopped several times for coffee and bathroom breaks, neither of them daring to eat for fear food of any kind would cause them to succumb to sleep. When they crossed the border from New Mexico into Texas, Wyatt breathed a sigh of relief. There was still a ways to go but he could finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. It would still be a long day dealing with Conner’s issues and the barn burning.
Barn Burning. Funny he’d remember that long-ago high school reading assignment about revenge and the influence of a father’s anger. The father in Faulkner’s story had burned his landlord’s barn in anger and resentment over his station in life. Wyatt didn’t miss the correlation to their current circumstances. If Haley’s father hadn’t ordered the burning of his newly prosperous daughter’s barn then God was a possum. He looked down at his wife whose head rested on his thigh as she slept. She’d finally given into his pleas that she try to catch a couple hours of sleep. Of course, she’d only agreed when he’d promised to turn the driving over to her after she’d rested. Not that he had any intention of doing so. The stress of the last week or so had taken a toll on her and she needed to rest. And so he drove on. Past the dusty fields and pastures of the lower panhandle. The drought had a strong grip on west Texas.
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