by Linzi Basset
“As a matter of fact, I’ll just deal with one of them right now.” She grabbed her keys and squeezed Will’s hand as she headed back outside. “Thanks for being here, Will, but I have to go.”
“Wait! It’s too dangerous, Rachel. I’ll come with.”
She smiled at him over her shoulder as she descended the porch stairs. “Thanks for the offer but I have to do this by myself.”
She got into the truck and skidded away as soon as the engine purred to life, leaving a row of black tracks on the paved road.
The closer she got to Hunter’s ranch, the more her body trembled. She was caught in a conundrum of emotions and didn’t know which one to give full vent to. Anger, anguish, and disappointment were at war with each other, pushing and pulling at her until it felt like her head would explode.
“Ah, both bastards with one stone,” she spat to herself as she parked next to Rick’s SUV in front of Hunter’s house and got out to march to the house. She didn’t reconsider her impulsiveness but slammed through the door in full furious glory.
“What the hell?” Rick started as the door crashed open. “Rachel?”
“So glad I caught both of you together,” she sneered through clenched teeth. She stabbed a finger in the air between the two of them. “It’s not enough that you stampeded my door with your demand to buy my property, you had to take it one step further.”
Hunter got up from where he’d been sitting at the breakfast counter. She held out a hand to ward him off.
“Stay away from me, you bastard. If you think for one moment I didn’t see through your ploy, you’re sadly mistaken.” She gestured upstairs with a snarl on her face. “That’s what last night was all about, wasn’t it? Keeping me busy while your cohorts slaughtered my horses?” Her voice broke on the last three words. She stumbled back a couple of steps as once again, her legs threatened to fold.
“What the devil are you talking about?” Rick jumped up as well.
“Leave, Rick.” Hunter kept his gaze glued on Rachel, well aware of her fragile and highly emotional state.
“But I—”
“I’ll handle it, Rick. Leave, now.”
“Okay,” he muttered and gathered the set of documents they were discussing before he stomped toward the door. “Let me know when we can finalize this,” he said and walked outside.
Rachel felt herself tremble. She was cold, so cold that she started to shiver. Her teeth rattled but she refused to lower her guard. Her glare was laced with venom as she watched him approach.
“Stay away from me,” she managed through stiff lips.
“I want you to repeat what you said.”
“Why? Are you deaf as well as a murderer?”
His jaw turned rigid and the black thunder that filled his expression caused her to retreat another step.
“I’m waiting, Rachel.”
“You heard what I said.” Her eyes filled with tears. “How could you, Hunter, and in such a cruel way?” Her shoulders slumped as heartache won the battle raging inside her.
“For god sake, how could you for one moment believe I would do something like that? Slaughter a horse? Look around you. I love horses and I live for my animals. I’d never—you know what? I don’t need to defend myself. Get the fuck out of here, Rachel.”
Raw sobs echoed through the vast open space of the double volume entrance hall as she stumbled back against the wall and sank down to the floor.
“Ah shit, Rachel,” he muttered as he stomped toward her and plucked her into his arms. She didn’t protest as he carried her to the den and sat down in an oversized wingback chair with her on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and pressed tender kisses against her forehead.
“There now, little one, that’s enough. From the looks of you, I’d say you’ve done your share of crying. Shh, quiet now, love.”
His deep voice found plangency deep inside her and toggled loose the submissive she hadn’t even known was dormant and waiting to be unleashed until the previous night. The gentle brush of his hand over her back calmed her and the tears dried up; his lips pressing against her temple sparked the warmth to return to her body. She leaned closer into him as she admitted to herself the real reason she’d come here.
“Tell me what happened, little one.”
She reacted to his softly uttered request and with a tremulous voice, relayed what had happened.
“I can’t imagine how it felt seeing your babies like that.” He cupped her cheeks and pressed his lips against hers in a compassionate kiss. “I wish I could’ve saved you from it.”
“I’m sorry, Hunter. I didn’t really believe you had anything to do with it, and I …” she swallowed down the lump in her throat, “I don’t know why I came here.”
His smile was sunshine and promise all in one as much as it was understanding and comfort. He traced a finger over her cheek. “I know, baby, and I understand. Insofar as coming here? I’d like to believe it was because after last night you know you can trust me and reach out to me at all times.” His eyes darkened. “I’ll always be here to take care of you and protect you. Remember that, Rachel.”
Rachel felt the impact of his words all the way to her soul. He was an honest man with integrity and pride. The way he treated his horses was more than enough to prove he’d never hurt any animal. She’d known that, but this was what she had come here for. His arms wrapped around her, his voice soothing and calming her. She needed Hunter Scott to be the one to offer her comfort and to care for her; emotionally as well as physically.
The realization shook her to the core. From the first time they’d met at an auction two-and-a-half years ago, she’d tried to deny the feelings he’d triggered inside her. In that one night when she’d given way to her desires, they exploded into emotions so profound, she had no way of knowing how to deal with them. But instead of allowing it to blossom, she’d suppressed it, wrought with guilt that thoughts of him surpassed the grief for the loss of her parents.
It had taken one night, one magical night with him to reawaken them. She didn’t have to decipher what it was—she knew.
Rachel had fallen in love with Hunter more than two years ago and she loved him still.
Chapter Six
“Why didn’t you call me, Rachel?” Anna stormed into Rachel’s study two days later. She yanked her out of the chair and hugged her fiercely. Rachel accepted and returned the emotional embrace.
“Everything happened so fast,” Rachel said once they were seated on the sofa in front of the window. She gestured to the notes she was studying on the desk. “I did the postmortem myself after the police left the day before yesterday.” She sunk low on the sofa and leaned her head against the back. “I’m so tired I can hardly think, but I have to look for something, anything that can help find the bastard who did this.”
“When last did you sleep?” Anna stared at her with concern on her face. “You look like death warmed over.”
“Believe me, I feel it too.” She shook her head. “No, I didn’t go to bed. I started with the autopsy in the late afternoon and worked through yesterday and the last two nights.”
“Did you find anything?”
“A couple of things but nothing conclusive—yet anyway. I know three things. A knife with serrated edges was used and it was either dosed in poison or it was poured on the wounds afterwards.”
“Oh, my god! Who could do something that heinous? Do you know what kind of poison was used?”
“I sent a sample to the forensic division in Dallas, as well as matter of torn skin and arteries. I’m hoping they’ll find something we can use in the investigation.”
“And the third?”
“He was left-handed.”
“How do you know that?”
“The direction of the cuts and the force of impact of the wound.”
“Interesting. I believe Fred found tracks at the fence?”
“The police are looking into it. They established the tread was specifically manufactured for
2019 model GMC Sierra 1500 trucks. They’re running a list to find all the registered owners in the Dallas area and from there start narrowing them down. Who knows, we might be lucky and come across a name we know.” Rachel shook her head. “Although I can’t think of anyone who hates me so much that they’d sink this low to slaughter innocent animals.”
“It’s a vile act and I hate to say it but it was clearly aimed at hurting you.”
“I know and they succeeded.” She pushed upright. “I’m hungry. I haven’t had anything to eat since …” She frowned as she had to think about it. “My goodness, the last time I ate a proper meal was dinner with Hunter three nights ago.”
“No wonder you’re so pale. Come, I’ll quickly put lunch together for us.”
Rachel followed her to the kitchen and dutifully sat down on one of the high stools at the breakfast counter.
“Who told you about the horses?” She leaned her chin on her hands as she watched Anna gathering ingredients to make a quick pasta dish.
“I bumped into Rick and Hunter at the courthouse this morning.” She glanced at her with a secretive smile. “He seemed very concerned about you.” The dimple in her cheek cut deeper. “Sooo, you have yet to tell me about your date.” She sobered immediately. “I’m sorry, that’s insensitive of me. You’re obviously not in the mood for chit-chat.”
“Maybe it’s exactly what I need to take my mind off things.” She wagged her finger at Anna. “That was underhanded of you. You know how I feel about Hunter Scott, especially since he’s after my ranch.”
Anna’s eyes widened. “You don’t think he’s the one … no,” she backtracked immediately. “There’s no way he’d do something like that.
“I agree.” Rachel felt her cheeks heat under her assessing look. “Okay, Miss Nosy-pants, the dinner with Hunter was pleasant.”
“That’s it? That’s all you’re going to give me? Dinner was pleasant?” She planted her fists on her hips and tapped one foot on the floor. “I don’t believe for one second that you spent the entire six hours at the restaurant.”
“We didn’t and where we went afterwards and what we did has nothing to do with you, Miss Attorney.”
Rachel’s heart missed a beat at Hunter’s unexpected drawl combing through her mind.
What’s he doing here so early? Although she hadn’t expected him, her heart filled with warmth that he came to check on her.
To her mortification, he wrapped his arms around her from behind and pressed his hard chest against her back. Soft, nibbling kisses on the side of her neck tore loose a seam of lust inside her.
“Well, well, well.” Rachel glared at Anna, who although surprised at Hunter’s blatant affectionate action, seemed very impressed with herself. “Judged by that greeting, I’d say whatever you did, went exactly how I’d hoped it would.” She winked at Rachel’s searing glare as she cut up the vegetables she’d just cleaned. “Don’t give me that look. It’s about time someone lit the fires inside you.”
“Anna!” Rachel didn’t appreciate her candor but she was unperturbed and clearly adamant to see Rachel and Hunter hook up.
“Well, I’m sorry if I want you to find happiness. Let’s face it, Rachel, lame Will can’t even get an ember to spark to life.”
Rachel felt Hunter’s body solidify against her. His voice dipped low and grated in her ears.
“Will Jones? Don’t tell me you’ve got something going on with that weasel, Rachel.” He released her and moved to stand against the side of the counter to look at her.
“Well, if the odd quick fuck counts as something going on, then I guess she does,” Anna offered tongue-in-cheek.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Rachel puffed as Hunter glared at her upon hearing that tidbit of information. “We don’t have anything going on. He’s just … well, he offers a service if you will, now and then.”
“You have sex with that shithead?” Hunter seemed to be getting more worked up by the minute.
Rachel tilted her nose regally upward. “I’m a thirty-three-year-old woman, Hunter, and I have needs.” She stabbed a finger at his chest. “Much like you do but unlike you, I stick with one, not a different one every night.”
“I’d have thought you too intelligent to believe everything you read in the tabloids,” Hunter drawled in a deep voice. She’d noticed during their date he used it when he was passionate about the topic, or like now, when he was annoyed.
“Resorting to insults isn’t going to change the proof the accompanying pictures provide.” She cast an amused look at Anna who was watching them animatedly. It was evident that she was exceedingly proud of herself. “I cringe to think what his little black book looks like.” She turned raised eyebrows his way, annoyed that the thought of all the women he had at his beck and call filled her with undeniable anger. “Or should I rather say, books?”
She almost fell from the stool as his cell phone landed with a loud clunk in front of her on the counter.
“There. Feel free to look.” He glowered at her in the stance she was becoming accustomed too when he was angry with her. Hands low on his hips, his chest bulging and his legs spread wide. He looked like a veritable Adonis.
“Don’t be silly. I have no desire to—”
“That’s my little black book. Look at it and then tell me again that I’m a skirt chasing sex maniac.”
“I never said—”
“Now.”
The one word packed more of a punch than the hardest strike with his flogger had.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” she muttered and grabbed the phone. She tapped on the contact icon and quickly scrolled through the list. There were only four female names who didn’t indicate it was a business contact, one was hers and the other Anna. Her wayward tongue ran away with the question before she could stop herself. “Who are Cheryl and Amy?”
His eyes narrowed but the glimmer in their depths was one of male satisfaction. She cursed silently. Wonderful, now the damn man thinks I’m jealous.
Well, aren’t you?
Shut up! She silenced her inner voice and did her best to portray nothing more than feminine curiosity.
“I didn’t say I was a saint, Rachel.”
“Then I stand duly corrected.”
“And?”
Rachel pressed her lips together. He might have rocked her world three nights ago and set both ovaries alight with a desire so profound, she was still suffering from the throbbing pressure inside her, but she’d be damned if she’d snap to his every command outside of the bedroom.
“And nothing. You were the first to throw around insults. My sex life has nothing to do with you and yet you were highly vocal with your opinion of how I choose to conduct myself.”
“Maybe not before but I sure as hell do now.”
Rachel dared a quick look at Anna, who had now aborted stirring the sauce in favor of watching them and listening openly. Rachel swore she could see how her ears were perked not to miss a single word.
“Now is not the time for this discussion, Hunter,” she grated through thin lips and made big eyes in Anna’s direction.
He looked at Anna briefly. “The sauce is burning.”
“Oh, shit!” She jumped around and began stirring furiously. She cast a glare at him over her shoulder. “Very funny.”
Hunter smiled as he took a step closer to Rachel and leaned forward. He was so close, she could feel his warm breath caressing her lips as he whispered, “The way our date ended sealed your fate, my pet. You’re mine now and there’s no turning back from that. Get rid of Jones or I’ll do it for you.”
“I don’t belong to anyone but myself. Nothing more happened than …” she peeked at Anna, “proving to me that I might have an interest in a BDSM lifestyle. You have no say over me, Hunter.” She lowered her voice even further, “We didn’t even have sex for that matter.”
“Didn’t we? From what I recall we did. Two years ago, to be exact. Last night was much more than just a flogging, and you know it. I gave
you a brief respite in the past, Rachel, but now that I know your submissive unabashedly reacts to me, I’m going to make sure I’m the only one who taps into your sexuality.”
“Is that so? You expect me to believe you’re going to focus all your attention on me and say an eloquent goodbye to Cheryl and Amy?”
Her eyes widened as he picked up his cell phone and with a few economic movements, deleted the two numbers from his contact list. He caught her chin between his fingers and stared deeply into her eyes.
“Understand one thing, Rachel. You and I are it and I have no intention of sharing you. I won’t need to expunge any sexual energy or kinky needs on another woman. You’re going to fulfill every one of my desires from this point forward. Make sure Jones understands your service agreement is over.”
She was flabbergasted at the turn of events and how quickly her entire life was going from relaxing and uncomplicated to a whirlpool of emotions and expectations. That stunned her—how her entire mind latched onto a vision of a future with him.
“Will is first and foremost a friend, Hunter. I’m not going to cast him out of my life just because you say so.”
“Some advice, Rachel; have a good look at your supposed friend. He’s not what he may seem.” He placed a finger against her lips as she opened them. “Keep him as a friend if you insist, but no sex with Will Jones.” His eyes glittered with flashes of dark foreboding. “It’s not a request, so don’t oppose me on this. Believe me, you don’t want to awaken my dark side.”
“Whispering in another’s presence is rude,” Anna sulked since she was unable to hear a word they said.
“And you’re way too nosy for your own good,” Hunter said. He planted a lingering kiss on Rachel’s lips. The grin on his lips as he stepped back was one of male satisfaction, like he was aware how her toes curled from the brief, yet lustful act.
“Are you going to join us for lunch?” Anna asked as she chopped tomatoes and cucumbers for a Greek salad.
“Don’t mind if I do.” He rubbed his belly. “Whatever you’re making has my stomach growling.” He looked at Rachel. “Do you cook?”
