by Donna Grant
It took nearly fifteen minutes and four deputies before Madeline calmed down. Danny watched it all behind the glass, monitoring the suspect as well as his staff. He took note of the deputies who were involved and intended to praise them for their quick thinking and calm demeanor during all of it—even when Madeline called them names.
But when Madeline was once again seated and quiet, Wilson asked her, “Do you have anything new you’d like to tell us about Matt Gaudet?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I’ve been in a relationship with Matt for eight years. He’s always had an eye for the ladies,” Madeline said, venom in her words. “But he always came back to me. Skylar is no different than the others.”
“Did he live with any of the other women?”
Madeline took offense to the question, but she still answered. “Our relationship was on and off again. I was the only one who ever lived with him until Skylar.”
Wilson nodded as he sat back in his chair. “So, it was serious between them?”
“He was still sleeping with me the entire time,” Madeline stated. “I don’t call that serious.”
“Has he hit you?”
Danny held his breath, waiting for the reply.
Madeline lifted her chin. “I like things rough during sex, so yes, he’s hit me.”
“What about when you weren’t engaged in intercourse?” Wilson asked.
Danny nodded because it was the same question he would’ve asked.
Madeline shrugged. “Like I said, we’ve been together for a long time. I can’t remember every moment.”
Danny ran a hand down his face. To get so close but still not get the information they needed was frustrating. Damn. It just wasn’t a good day.
Unable to wait another minute, Danny called Skylar. To his disappointment, she didn’t pick up. Instead, it went to voicemail. “It’s me. Another long day, but I’m hoping I’ll get to stop by tonight. Really want to see you.”
He returned his phone to his pocket and his attention to Wilson and Madeline. For the next hour, Wilson kept asking her the same question in different ways, and there were several times that she came close to admitting that Matt had hit her outside of sex, but it was never enough to get them what they needed.
Danny was about to go into the room to join Wilson when a deputy came to get him because Danny had a visitor in his office. He hurried there and smiled when he saw Clayton.
“I didn’t expect you to come by,” he said.
Clayton held up his mug. “I was on my way into town to get some things and thought I’d stop in for some coffee.”
It was a running joke that the sheriff’s department had the best brew in town, but the simple fact was that it was true. And with as much of it as Danny drank, he was grateful.
“How is Skylar?” Danny asked.
Clayton nodded and set the cup of coffee down on Danny’s desk. “Good. She’s going a bit stir-crazy, but you can’t blame her. Everything is set up at her parents’ if anyone returns to threaten or bribe them. Not sure that’s going to happen with Matt going back to Houston.”
Danny shrugged as he sank into his chair. “The family seems intent on keeping their name spotless. I think they’ll keep on the path regardless if Matt is on board or not.”
“You’re probably right. Just wishful thinking on my part.”
“Does Skylar know Matt is gone?”
Clayton took another drink of coffee. “I’ve not told her yet.”
“Why not?”
“Thought you might want to be the one to share the good news. Besides, she has news for you, as well.”
Danny perked up. “Oh? What is that?”
“I don’t want to spoil anything. You think you’ll get by tonight?”
Danny pressed his lips together as he looked around him. “I’d like to say I will, but I can’t promise anything.”
“I understand. You might want to call her, though.”
“I tried. Just left a message.”
Clayton scratched his cheek. “I’ll be sure to let Skylar know.”
“Was she upset about last night?”
“I think disappointed is a better word, but I also believe she understands about your job.”
Danny really hoped so.
Clayton scooted to the edge of the chair. “Look, why not just come by no matter what time it is? You know how to get in the gate. Plan on staying the night. I’m sure Skylar would love that.”
That was definitely something Danny could get on board with.
“Oh, and now that Matt is gone, Skylar will want to know if she has to remain at the ranch. She knows she’s welcome to stay as long as she wants.”
“But she’s eager to get on with her life,” Danny finished. “I’d like to give it another few days just to be cautious, but I don’t think we’ll be able to keep Skylar there.”
Clayton laughed. “She is rather headstrong. I like her, and I think you make a great couple. Don’t let her get away, my friend.”
“I don’t intend to.”
Chapter 24
She bought a house. Skylar still couldn’t believe she’d made the offer, or that it had been accepted. Since she was putting such a large cash payment toward the price, the closing would go through relatively quickly. On top of that, she and the sellers had drawn up a rental agreement for the couple of weeks in the interim of the closing. Which meant that she had a place to live.
Not that she would be stupid about it. She was well aware that Matt was still out there.
To say she was giddy was putting it mildly. Already, she was thinking of the things she needed to purchase to furnish the house, especially since she’d gotten rid of everything when she moved in with Matt.
Her new place was on the small side—cozy, she liked to call it—but she loved everything about it, down to the backyard that was ripe for flowerbeds and even a deck. And she couldn’t wait to tell everyone. Especially Danny. It would prove to him that she planned to start her new life here.
Skylar checked her phone, but the last text she’d gotten from him was the one that’d said he was busy earlier that morning. She tried not to focus on that as she made her way to the kitchen to help Abby prepare dinner.
No sooner had they begun than Clayton arrived home. He’d barely gotten to hang up his hat before Hope launched herself at him. He scooped her up easily and gave her a big kiss before setting her down to remove his coat.
“Hey, honey,” Abby called.
Clayton walked into the kitchen and kissed her before he turned his attention on Skylar. “Just got back from a visit with Danny. He plans on dropping by tonight.”
Skylar brightened. “Did he say when?”
“He’s got a lot going on, but he knows the code to get into the gate. No matter the time, he’s coming.”
Abby grinned at Skylar. “About damn time.”
Skylar had to agree, but she kept that to herself. Instead, she asked, “Did you tell him about the house?”
“Nope. I’m leaving that to you,” Clayton told her. “Please don’t rush off. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want.”
Skylar had already thought about this. “You two know my thoughts on being a burden, but I have no desire to become a casualty either. As soon as I’ve got everything in place to be safe, I’ll move to my new place.”
“Smart,” Abby said as she quickly moved about the kitchen, managing to miss Hope as the child played near her feet.
Clayton kissed Hope on the cheek. “I’m going to take this little bug and go find her siblings. I’ll spend some time with them before dinner unless you need me for something.”
Abby shook her head. “Go, have fun. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”
Clayton took a few steps, then stopped beside Skylar. “Danny is one of the smartest men I know. He’s dependable and honest, but sometimes, he gets wrapped up in his work too much. He needs someone to remind him that he has a life.”
“I can do that,” Skylar assured Clayton. “And I
understand how much his work needs him.”
After Clayton had walked away, Abby asked Skylar, “Are you really okay with his job?”
“It’s an important position,” Skylar said. “I’ve never had someone in my life with such a job before, and it’ll take some time getting used to him working such hours, but it’s not something that’s a deal-breaker for me.”
“The two of you haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time together.”
“Not as much as I’d like,” Skylar said as she thought about taking him to her house. “But that will change soon enough.”
Abby stirred the pot and glanced her way. “I hope you’re right.”
“Matt has always made snap decisions about everything, but he’ll grow weary of all of this and move on. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.”
“What about his parents and younger brother being here?”
Skylar shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m not too worried about them. They’ve already done so much. How much more can they do?”
“Don’t ever ask that,” Abby cautioned. “Anytime you say something like that, then things go south and quickly.”
“Good point.”
Abby put on some Christmas music as the talk turned to the gifts she still needed to buy while they finished cooking.
Dinner itself was a loud affair with three kids, but Skylar enjoyed it. She kept looking toward the back door in the hopes that Danny would arrive, but he never did. Skylar tried not to let her disappointment show, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded.
She insisted on cleaning the kitchen herself, though Abby put up a fuss. That is, right up until Clayton told her he’d run a bath for her. Alone, Skylar didn’t have to put on a smile, not that she felt she had to be someone she wasn’t in front of Clayton and Abby. But they knew how badly she wanted Danny there, and she felt their eyes on her all through dinner.
With everything going on with the Matt fiasco, she didn’t want to be the person others thought couldn’t handle disappointment.
She rinsed off the last plate and was drying it when there was a knock on the back door. Her head snapped to the side, excitement rising at the thought of it being Danny. When her eyes collided with hazel ones, she set down the plate and hurried to him.
“Hi,” she said when she opened the door.
He smiled and pulled her against him with one arm. “Hi,” he murmured before he kissed her.
Skylar melted against him as their kiss deepened. The sound of the kids approaching drew them apart.
“You made it,” Clayton said as he followed his kids into the kitchen.
Danny didn’t get a chance to answer as the children swarmed him. Skylar stood back and watched as he interacted with each of them, making sure not to give one more attention than the others.
“Hungry?” Skylar asked when there was a break in the talk.
Danny shook his head. “I grabbed something earlier.”
Clayton jerked his head toward the stairs. “Y’all go and spend some time alone.”
Danny took her hand and pulled her after him. Skylar smiled at Clayton as she followed Danny up the stairs. When he reached the top landing, he stopped.
“Which one is your room?” he asked.
This time, she was the one to lead him. “This way.”
When they got to the room and stepped inside, they found a bottle of champagne on ice with two glasses, along with some strawberries and some cheese and crackers.
“This was Abby,” Danny said.
Skylar shook her head. “I think it might have been Clayton.”
“Hmm. You might be right, but in truth, I don’t care. Food isn’t what I’m hungry for.”
She eyed him. “Is that right? And just what is it you want, sheriff?”
“You,” he replied huskily.
She ran her hands up his chest and then over his shoulders. “It feels like years since I last saw you.”
“I know what you mean. You’re all I can think about.”
That made her giddy. “You’re all I can think about, as well.”
He gave her a soft kiss before pulling back and looking down at her. “I’m sorry about last night.”
“Don’t apologize. Just kiss me some more.”
“I can do that.”
Her eyes slid closed as his mouth pressed against hers. She sighed as his arms came around her and held tight. She was the one who began unbuttoning his shirt before yanking it out of his pants. They stopped kissing long enough for him to pull her sweater over her head, and then they were kissing again.
He maneuvered her to the bed. Once there, he managed to get out of his boots and unbutton her jeans. She had to unzip her boots, and every second she wasn’t touching Danny, she felt lost. She tossed her boots aside and got out of her jeans in record time. Then she removed her bra and panties.
“Damn, woman. You are beautiful,” he said and kissed her.
She had only gotten a brief glimpse of his body after he’d shed his clothes, but she wasn’t worried. They had all night. No one was going to interrupt them this time.
Skylar reached between them to his arousal and wrapped her fingers around it. He groaned into her mouth. She pulled back and began kissing down his chest before kneeling in front of him and taking his hard cock into her mouth.
“God, baby, that feels so good,” he murmured as he grabbed a fistful of her hair.
She liked the noises he made, but more than anything, she liked that she made him feel good. Yet she didn’t get to remain there for long. Danny quickly had her on her back on the bed as he kneeled between her legs.
The moment his mouth touched her, she arched her back. His tongue licked and laved, urging the fire inside her higher and higher as she came ever closer to orgasm.
His finger pushed inside her while his tongue swirled around her clit. The pleasure surrounded her like a thick cloud. She didn’t think it could get any better. Then his free hand found her breast and thumbed her nipple.
She fisted the comforter as he brought her to the brink of climax, but he didn’t take her over. Instead, he flipped her onto her stomach and entered her.
The feel of him filling her was exquisite. He buried himself deep, then grabbed her hips and began slowly moving. His thrusts grew deeper, harder as his tempo gradually increased.
Already on the cusp of an orgasm, he kept her there for several minutes until he reached around and moved a finger over her clit.
Skylar bit back a scream as the climax swept through her with the force of a hurricane. She could do nothing but experience it as Danny controlled everything, and as someone who was always in control, she liked how he took over when they had sex.
Just as she was coming back to reality, his hand left and grabbed a fistful of hair. There was something about him holding onto her in such a way that brought on another climax.
“I can feel you around me,” he said.
His hands tightened on her hip and hair, and then his body jerked as he pulled out of her and spilled his seed on her back.
Skylar pressed her cheek against the comforter, her body sated and her heart full. She stayed there while Danny cleaned them off, then he took her in his arms as he lay beside her, their legs intertwined.
“I’ve missed you,” he said and kissed the top of her head.
She smiled and hugged him tightly. “I’ve missed you, as well.”
“Clayton said you had news?”
“I do.” She tilted her head to look at him. “I bought the Taylor house today.”
His eyes widened. “Congratulations.”
“Don’t worry,” she told him before he could say anything. “I’m not moving in just yet. I’d like your and Clayton’s help picking out the perfect security for the house. I’m going to make sure I’m safe.”
“Good. I just found you, Skylar Long. I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me, Danny Oldman. I’m yours forever.”
“I like the sound of tha
t.”
She did, too. A lot.
Chapter 25
December 12th
Danny woke to the sound of an alarm. It took him a moment to realize that it was his. Normally, he was awake before the alarm even went off.
Careful not to disturb Skylar, who was still lying on his chest, he reached over the side of the bed and found his jeans then pulled out his phone. He shut off the alarm and checked his texts. Several had come through during the night, but nothing had been pressing enough for the station to call him.
He set the phone on the bedside table and closed his eyes. Skylar sighed against him, snuggling deeper. He smiled. He felt rested for the first time in … hell, he couldn’t remember. The fact that he’d actually slept the entire night was a feat in itself.
And he knew it was all because of Skylar.
He tightened his arm around her, rubbing his palm along her bare back. He could wake up to this every morning and be perfectly content.
Danny was in the process of rolling her over and waking Skylar by making love to her when his phone buzzed. With a sigh, he grabbed the cell and looked at the screen to see it was a call coming in from the office. He answered in a whisper, hoping not to wake Skylar.
“Sheriff, you might want to get down here quick,” came the voice of one of his deputies. “Someone vandalized Sean Gaudet’s Cadillac Escalade, and he’s fit to be tied.”
Danny sighed. Knowing the Gaudets, they would likely hold a press conference about the matter. “I’ll be right there,” he whispered.
After he’d hung up, Danny managed to gently roll Skylar onto her side so he could get out of bed. As he dressed, he looked at her, wishing with everything he had that he was still in bed with her. But they would have other mornings. In fact, he was due some vacation time. Perhaps he’d take it, and they could spend the entire week together.
He pocketed his phone, strapped his gun to his belt, and ran his hand through his hair before he walked to Skylar’s side of the bed and kissed her forehead. Then he got his boots and quietly exited the room. Once in the hall, he put on his boots and made his way downstairs.
“I’ve not seen that look in a long time,” Clayton said when Danny walked into the kitchen.
