by Snow, Nicole
We got our intel, though. That part we’d always been good at. Jackie and her goons won’t be in Minnesota long. She’ll be extradited back to Washington within hours.
The sheriff already confirmed the FBI raid on Mederva Therapeutics’ headquarters. The Feds won’t leave a single coaster unturned before they even consider letting anyone back through the doors. And now that it’s hitting the media with a vengeance, there’s no putting Humpty Dumpty back together again to sweep it all into a black hole.
“I’ll drive,” J.T. says as we cross the parking lot.
“No. You’ve done more than your fair share. Let me. I’m too spooled up to think about nodding off.”
He nods, tossing me the keys to his Jeep. “Should have plenty of gas.”
“Should?” I ask.
He laughs because it’s the one detail he’s overlooked. Every man has his weakness.
Luckily, the gas station is just across the street. We wouldn’t have made it much farther.
Despite the coffee he drank at the sheriff’s office, and the large cup he’d purchased at the gas station, J.T. is snoring within ten minutes of us being on the highway.
I grin, only hoping I’ll have that kind of stamina when I’m his age. It’s not easy, but I have to admit, things would’ve turned out differently without his help. That goes double for May and Gwen.
My heart thuds at the thought of her.
So maybe that fake wife part worked out just fine.
I’ve never liked asking for help. The only person I’d ever accepted help from was Keith. Gwen knew it early on, and in her own way, told me so.
She said sometimes it takes more courage to accept help than to refuse it.
Turns out, she’s right.
It hadn’t been easy partnering up with May and then J.T. To believe he knew what he was doing, to trust turning over our data, and then to sit back and wait while he damn near saved our lives up here.
Truth is, I hadn’t had an option.
Now, I wouldn’t change a thing about how it all played out.
In the end, Gingersnap did the impossible. She changed my mind.
All while she brought the warmth and light and love back into the abyss of my Miller-verse. Her grace, her beauty, her sex are pieces of me now.
And God forbid I ever forget those bright, shiny tears in her eyes last night, when her heart cracked open and she said the unspeakable.
Love, dammit. This redheaded phoenix of a woman loves me the same way I do her, and you know it’s serious when I said it first.
I’ve never regretted it for a nanosecond, and I never will. Not after coming horrendously close to losing her, to losing my kids, and knowing on an even deeper level everything I’ll always need is right here.
I reach up and thump my chest, grateful J.T.’s still sawing logs in his sleep. The old man doesn’t need to see me carrying on with myself.
Now, I’ve just got to figure out how to make my claim on her permanent.
* * *
J.T. lets out a sleepy groan and yawns like a cat, then stretches his arms out in front of him and scratches his head. “Little bit of shut-eye felt good. Want me to take over, Miller?”
“Nah, ten more miles and we’re there.”
He nods. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to leave you all on your lonesome for so long.”
“No problem.” Figuring this is as good a time as any, I say, “Listen, thank you, J.T. For everything you did last night and over the last few weeks. Things wouldn’t have turned out this well without you.”
He scratches the side of his whiskery face. “You know, Miller, I make three hundred dollars an hour, plus expenses.”
What the hell? Most guys just say you’re welcome.
The sudden business talk surprises me, but if May hasn’t covered all his fees for sticking his neck out...fair’s fair.
I look at him, wondering what he means. “I’ll make sure you’re paid in full out of my own pocket. No worries.”
He waves a hand and chuckles. “May’s already covered everything. How do I put this?” He glances out the side window, thinking. “I’m just saying, me personally...my fees are three hundred dollars an hour, plus expenses.” He turns toward me. “I make a damn good living doing what I do. Putting skills I got from Uncle Sam to good use.”
Slowly, I nod.
“P.I. work made a good life for me and the missus, and our little brood. Got us five kids and a whole crop of grandkids now.”
“Congrats.”
He covers a yawn with one palm. “Thing is, I’m getting mighty old. Didn’t realize how old until this job gave me a real challenge. I’m used to midnight runs. Most of the times it’s a custody dispute. One parent taking a kid from the other. I get a call, find the kid, and bring ’em home overnight. Quick. Easy. Done.”
“That happen a lot?”
“More than folks know.” He rolls his window down an inch or so for some fresh air. “But cases like this, with real meat and potatoes, they’re the reason I started this business. Just can’t keep up with ’em anymore. And now I’m thinking I should teach a young lad with the skills and the wits all the secrets I’ve learned over the years.”
“One of your sons?” I ask, unsure I want to follow where he’s going.
He laughs. “I have five daughters. Not a one of ’em would let their husbands work for me.” He taps the dash. “Here’s our turn.”
I slow down, turning into the driveway up to the cabin as an odd thrill zips up my spine.
I shouldn’t. Not on a whim like this, inserting myself into what could be the start of a life-altering decision. Not without talking to Shane and Lauren first.
But here, right now, it’s like someone just handed me a ticket to stay in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes.
“You got anyone in mind for retirement, or what?”
“Matter of fact...” His eyes almost sparkle as he looks at me. “You’re in need of a job, ain’t you?” He rolls up his window. “Once you finish testifying that is.”
Shit. He should know that could take forever.
A wave of disappointment washes over me. “Don’t know how long that’s gonna take, J.T. Could be months, probably years tying up loose ends with a machine this big.”
“Logistics never scared me. We’ll talk about it later.” He nods out the windshield. “Right now, I think you’ve got more important stuff to decide.”
My grin eats my own face when we pull up and the cabin’s door flies open.
Gwen, Shane, and Lauren rush down the steps, with May close on their heels.
I park the Jeep and open the door as Shane, running faster than the rest, arrives beside the vehicle and almost leaps inside.
“Can we, Dad? Please. We’ll be super good. Like super, duper, uber good!”
“Please, Daddy? I’ll make sure Shane behaves,” Lauren says, arriving next, bouncing up and down on her heels.
“Hold up, guys,” Gingersnap says, laying a hand on their shoulders. “Your father doesn’t even know what you’re talking about yet.”
Her smile fades slightly as she looks at me. “You haven’t had a wink of sleep, have you? We can do this later...”
Sleep? I’m not sure I even know the definition when I see her – really, truly see her – soaking in her fresh, wholesome beauty.
She hooks her arm through mine the second I’m out of the vehicle. “Bet you haven’t eaten, either.”
“Sure haven’t!” J.T. says from the other side of the Jeep. His stomach growls like a bear.
“Get in here and eat with us.” She grins up at me. “Don’t worry. Mother cooked this time.”
I have to chuckle at how her green eyes shine like turquoise. “I wasn’t worried, babe. You’re a quick learner.”
“Liar.” She just laughs as we start walking, leaning to whisper in my ear. “That’s okay. I love you anyway.”
A jealous growl roughs up my throat and I stop, pull her face to mine, and lay my lips on hers real thick
. I can’t wait another second, even if it’s just a taste.
This woman. This kiss. This life.
Shane and Lauren run to the house ahead of us, chattering to each other like their lives depend on it. “What are they all keyed up about, anyway?”
Gwen sighs. “Mother. She wants to take them home with her and get started tearing out the carpet right away. Turns out, she’s got a big photo shoot tomorrow to promote her next movie and just loves the thought of showing off her 'grandkids.' Her words, not mine.” Her cheeks go rosy pink.
I almost snort. And here I thought I’d win the award for inappropriate, over-possessive freak.
“Surprising they’re so excited, honestly. I have to damn near dress the kids myself for their yearbook pics.”
“Well, her latest book was set at a ranch, something 'based on a true story' that happened over in some little town in North Dakota. Guess this girl who inherited an oil company from her gramps made a lot of headlines recently. His will set her up to be married to this guy and a lot happened but...now they’re married for real. Happily Ever After, horses and all.”
“You mean this stuff happens in real life? Crazy.” I say, sarcasm dripping, winding my hand down her back. “Still not seeing the appeal for Shane and Lauren. Especially Shane.”
That boy’s almost at the age where romance might be the only dirty word he’s afraid to use with his friends. Can’t wait for him to get hit full force by some little girl knocking him on his knees when he’s old enough.
“Well, they’re taking photos at this local farm place, and she told the kids they can go horseback riding.” She shakes her head. “I said we had to wait until we heard from you. I wasn’t sure when, or even if, you’d be back in time.”
My heart clenches at the unshed tears welling in her eyes.
Leaving last night was chaotic. It’s hard to believe we’re able to have some normalcy and privacy again. Just the two of us might be a damn dream.
I fold an arm around her shoulders. “Of course I was coming back. ASAP.”
“I know, but...I wasn’t sure how soon you’d have to leave for Seattle. You must have stuff to do there, unfinished business.”
“Yeah, but nothing too major. I’ll go back in a couple weeks. It’ll take some time for everything to get lined up before they’ll need me to testify.”
“Hurry up, Dad!” Shane shouts from where he’s standing with the door wide open. “We’re starving.”
I look at her and grin. “First time I’m not sure I believe his catchphrase. Don’t think he’s as worried about me eating as he is to get going with your ma.”
She blinks. “Oh. So you’re ready to send them off? I wasn’t sure after, well, everything.”
“Babe.” I let my eyes shut while a new sense of freedom washes over me, knowing I can let the kids be kids again. “If May doesn’t mind, and if you don’t mind...I sure as hell wouldn’t mind some alone time later. Just the two of us. Leaving each other sore for days.” I lean in, growling that last part in her ear.
Fuck, do I love the way her cheeks redden a notch. More like cherry than soft pink this time.
Later, I’ll make her redder, riding my face. Or maybe I’ll just find out how flexible those long legs of hers get doing some moves for the next edition of the Kama Sutra.
“Trust me, Mother doesn’t mind. She never would’ve asked if she didn’t want them to go with her.” Frowning, she adds, “Why would I mind?”
“Because you’ll be alone. With me and a bed and no clothes.”
She giggles as that brush fire on her cheeks turns into an inferno, trying to break away from me, rushing up the steps.
I bound up after her, and in no time, tuck into the nice meal May threw together. It’s some kind of stuffed chicken with rice and vegetables. Simple, fulfilling, able to get my mind off how hard I’ll take my woman for five minutes.
No small miracle.
Then I talk to J.T. a little more while Gwen helps the kids pack and sees them off, all in record time.
Eagle checked in briefly, too, said he’d swept the area, and then left while we were eating. He also heard the cops in the next county apprehended the stragglers who’d gotten away from Jackie’s crew, and they’re being held for questioning now.
The instant it’s over, with everyone gone, I feel like I just took a shot of pure espresso straight to the arm.
Sleep? Fuck sleep.
Knowing Gingersnap and I might be the only two people for miles has me wide-awake and hard as granite.
“They’ll be fine, Miller,” she says as we walk back inside the cabin.
It takes me a second to realize she’s more worried about Shane and Lauren than I am.
So maybe I did hug them extra tight before I turned them over to May. “Yes, they will be. I never would’ve let them go if I didn’t know that for certain.”
“I know you wouldn’t have.” She shrugs. “I just already miss them.”
I grab a blanket off the back of one of the chairs and take her hand. “Think I know a way to get your mind off that...”
Her shy smirk is adorable, heart-shaped lips pursed as terrible things enter her brain, even as she shakes her head. “Oh?”
I read her mind. Grinning, I pull her out the back door. “Boat ride, first. Before dark.”
She frowns, looking down the short hill at the dock. “Have you forgotten that pontoon doesn’t have a motor?”
“We’ve got paddles and an anchor. I’m game to work for my next meal.”
No confusion here. The fiery gaze I aim her way says what’s on the menu.
* * *
I love how she’s game for anything and races me to the dock ten minutes later.
We jump aboard, untie the landing rope, and use the paddles to push the boat away from the dock. Dropping mine, I grasp her waist and pull her against me. “We’ll just let it float where it wants to. Sound good?”
She nods, looping her arms around my neck. “And just what’re we going to do as it floats where it wants to?”
I slide my hands under her t-shirt, staring into her eyes.
Never ceases to amaze me what she does to me. My entire body tingles, sweet anticipation winding everything tighter than a drum. “Whatever we want.”
Her coy smile bristles as she licks her lips. “Anything?”
My dick stiffens. So fucking ready for her mouth.
“Especially anything.”
She releases my neck and steps back, kicking off her sandals. The next thing to come off is her t-shirt.
I sit down to kick off my boots and socks, watching her, how the bright sunlight makes her skin glow as she slides down her shorts. My mouth almost waters as I stand, tearing off my belt.
She’s much faster than me, and it only makes me harder, knowing she might want it even more than I do. Her tall, lush body bares itself to me in all her glory by the time I’m kicking my jeans away on the floor.
“Want to know what I want to do?”
“Hell yeah,” I snarl, yanking my shirt over my head. I see she’s moved in the split second my shirt blocked my vision.
She’s standing on one of the cushions. Her entire body glistens under the sun, peaches and cream I want to savor forever. With a grin that makes her eyes match the glow of her skin, she opens those plush lips and says two words.
“Skinny dipping!”
In one graceful move, she dives off the edge of the boat like a mermaid.
I rush to the side and see where she’s swimming beneath the water before following her. “I’m game, woman.”
More than game. I might just want to run the board.
I find her in the water, grasping her bare waist to mine.
We surface together, treading water as our slick, aching bodies press against each other. “Love how you think.”
She laughs and leaps sideways, back under the water with a parting kiss. Little minx.
Her long, lithe body glides through the water like a fish, teasing
me like the hungry fisherman.
We play a game of water tag. Touching enough to entice, knowing it’ll make what comes next even more fun. More adventurous. More intense.
Soon, it leaves us both wanting more, and after a long hellfire kiss that steals our breath, we head back to the boat.
She arrives first and puts her hands on the ladder to hoist herself up. I grab the handles below her hands and pull myself up behind her. My dick grinds against her ass.
I swear I could take her right here. Right now. Right the fuck like this.
Laughing, she spreads her legs and presses back against me.
Her aim is perfect. My cock glides into her pussy, wet heat replacing the cool water. I feel the sudden contrast in temperature right down to my balls.
She’s so ready for me and I love it. Same for how she tightens her muscles, pulling me in deeper, whimpering against my hand.
I slam into her, driving all the way in till my balls hug her skin.
Perfect, perfect, so fucking perfect, I want to throw my head back and howl like a Neanderthal.
She lets out a long, lustful whine as her hips start pumping, edging to meet my rhythm. “Right here, Miller. Give it to me hard and fast. Right now, baby.”
My dick works faster, eager to take her raw, hoping I never lay eyes on another condom again with this woman.
My hips go berserk, racing to ecstasy, my lips searing her shoulders, her neck, every time she leans into me and tilts her face back.
Fuck.
Gwen doesn’t hold back, freely moaning, groaning, and tensing at my thrusts, and I know she’s about to come like dynamite.
Her body stiffens. Her breathing shallows. Every inch of me screams to spill my release into hers, so I sandwich her against the ship, fucking so frantically it’s like we’re boiling the lake.
“God, Miller, coming!” she grunts through bared teeth.
I fist her hair and tilt her head back for me, sealing her lips in a frantic kiss as my dick swells.
We come together.
We come so hard, so beautiful, so wild I think we’re one with the current.
* * *
A few breathless minutes later, we’re both laughing as she lets go of the ladder, slipping back into the water, still leaking me. I let go, too, and we both have another swim, sinking below the gentle waves together several times.
