by Jenna Jacob
“Witnesses for what?”
“For when I call Ripley’s and report that Syd Wilson didn’t make a cu—” Ross stopped short and darted his attention toward Dustin. “A comment about a woman’s body part when I mentioned tacos.”
I rolled my eyes. “Smart-ass.”
“Smart-ass,” Dustin called from the driveway. “I a smart-ass, too.”
“Way to go, ace,” Burk chided with a chuckle.
“No, son. You’re a smart boy,” Darren corrected, slanting me a sidelong glare.
“I a smart boy,” Dustin repeated in a singsong voice as he pedaled in a big circle.
I bit back a smirk. The kid was like a breath of fresh air. I knew Darren and Tori would give him the kind of childhood I’d always dreamed of having.
Suddenly, an ear-piercing alarm began to blare, sending my heart slamming against my ribs. Darren leapt from his chair and darted toward the driveway where Dustin had skidded to a halt. The little guy’s eyes were as big as saucers and filled with fear.
“F’ing drills,” Ross spat as we stood and raced for the screen door.
“It’s okay, buddy,” Darren soothed as he plucked the tot from his Big Wheel and sprinted back to the porch. “It’s just another drill, like the last one.”
“At least this one isn’t at four in the morning, like the last.” Duke chuckled.
“Thank goodness.” I nodded.
“Dustin. Dustin,” Susan called frantically.
“I got him, Mom,” Darren replied as he followed me inside the lodge and passed his son to the older woman.
Lucia stood in the doorway of the dining room, hands on her hips, spewing in Spanish what were no doubt, scathing swear words and scowling at McCoy, who was timing the chaos on his watch.
“If you ruin my dinner, I’m making you eat all the burned enchiladas,” she railed.
“Dinner is going to be fine, Lucia,” McCoy assured, not bothering to raise his head.
“Syd.” Caris ran from the kitchen and straight to me.
“It’s just a drill,” I cooed, wrapping a protective arm around her waist and tucking her trembling, tense body against my side.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Ozzy trying to ease Mia’s fears as he met my gaze. With a nod, the four of us bounded up the stairs and into the spacious closet in Ozzy and Mia’s room.
Ozzy punched in the code of the lock to the safe room hidden in the back of the closet as Caris peered up at me.
“You’ll hurry back, right?”
“In the blink of an eye.” I kissed her hard, then nudged her toward the portal as Mia flipped on the light inside.
After closing the door, Ozzy and I sprinted back down the stairs as McCoy pressed the face of his watch.
“Nineteen-point-four seconds. Not bad. But we’re still a long way from that magical fifteen, boys and girls,” McCoy announced.
“Only by four seconds,” Sofia countered mulishly.
“A lot can happen in one second, Miss Jackson.”
“But nothing bad can happen in the magical fifteen you’re giving us? Right.”
“Sweetheart,” Burk warned. “Mr. McCoy is here to help protect us, not—”
“I know. I know.” She held up her hands that were trembling like leaves. “It’s just every time that damn alarm goes off, it scares the living shit out of me.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s meant to,” McCoy said softly. “Zattman isn’t going to come knocking on the front door. We know that. I’m not trying to make this harder on anyone, but if we’re lax or ill prepared, someone could die. I’m not willing to let that happen.”
The stress of not knowing if or when the cockbag would find us and not knowing what might happen if or when he did was taking its toll on all of us.
I was beyond thrilled to spend my days and nights with Caris, but none of us could escape the underlying tension and the knowledge that this wasn’t a carefree vacation. Not by a long shot.
“I’ll go get Dustin, Mom, and Aunt Gail,” Darren announced as he headed for the stairs leading to the lower level of the house.
The two women and the little boy were in another locked safe room next to the second kitchen downstairs.
“I’ll get Caris and Mia and meet you in the dining room for…tacos. I’ll even use a plate and not offer to share my sauce this time,” I drawled, clapping Ozzy on the back.
“You’re a sick bastard,” he groaned, shaking his head.
Like a bunch of prepubescent teens, we’d spent years trying to one-up each other with innuendos. While I’d never eaten a taco—real or figuratively—off the table, I’d love to set Caris’s sexy bare ass on the smooth wooden surface and devour her for days.
Still thinking about sliding my tongue inside her soft, sweet pussy, I reached the closet and adjusted my jeans. Mia might not notice, but Caris wouldn’t miss the massive boner pressed against my zipper.
With a light tap on the door, I announced my return, then entered the code and opened the door. Caris fell into my arms with a sigh of relief, then felt the iron rod in my jeans and flashed a seductive grin.
“Mia go on down to dinner, sugar. I need to talk with Syd.”
“Sure thing. See you two in a few.”
A few hours, I hope.
Caris didn’t say a word as we listened to the singer pad down the stairs. Silence surrounded us when she flashed a provocative smile and cupped my shaft. The shock of friction dragged a moan from my chest.
“I know dinner’s ready, but I was hoping I might have time for a little appetizer.”
“Little? You call this little?” I teased, rocking into her palm.
Her dark eyes flared. “I meant a little time to wrap my mouth around this.”
Caris squeezed my shaft and dragged her pink tongue over her bottom lip. Heat rolled up my body as I swept her off the floor and into my arms. Slanting my mouth over hers, I moaned as her unique flavor slid over my tongue. Need ratcheting up faster and hotter, I carried her across the hall to our room and kicked the door shut.
Tongues frantically tangling, I could practically feel her slick mouth sucking my dick as I set her feet on the floor next to the bed.
In the time it took for me to kick off my shoes, Caris was already working the button free on my jeans and lowering the zipper. Purring as my cock burst free, she tugged the denim to my knees, then pressed her palms to my chest and shoved my ass to the bed.
After tugging off my jeans, she knelt on the floor between my thighs and wrapped her soft, slender fingers around my shaft. With a feral snarl of approval, my eyes rolled to the back of my head.
“I love that you always go commando,” she murmured, staring at my cock like a woman half-starved. “Makes things so much easier to get to.”
A grunt of agreement vibrated the back of my throat as Caris started stroking my shaft with a feather-soft touch.
“Mmm, that feels so good.” It did, but she wasn’t using near enough force or friction. But she knew that. The wicked minx was simply teasing me.
“Bet I can make it feel a whole lot better.”
“I know you can.” My voice came out hoarse and rough. “Part those pretty, plump lips and suck me deep, angel.”
With a silky hum, she opened wide and pressed her pillowy tongue to the base of my cock. I held my breath as she dragged a wide lick up my pulsating column using the flat of her tongue. When she reached the tip, she swiped the bead of need off my crest.
I was no longer the impatient boy I once was, but damn, the depth of love rolling off Caris as she bathed and worshiped my cock was stretching my restraint to the breaking point. Sinking my hands into her silky hair, I clenched them into fists. Not to control her, at least not yet, but to anchor myself so I didn’t levitate off the fucking bed. Which I damn near did when she engulfed my tip and sank down my entire length. Surrounded in the liquid heat of her mouth, I gripped her mane tighter and sucked in a long, low hiss.
Every drop of blood in my body sank south
as Caris danced her devilish tongue over my tip and wrapped it around my stalk. Rocking my hips, I tapped the back of her throat. And when she swallowed, compressing me in soft, satiny bliss, I damn near passed out.
“Oh, angel…you feel… Fuck. Yes, yes…suck me deep,” I panted.
I couldn’t keep my hips from bucking, surging, and buffing the back of her throat. Her fist, lips, tongue, and teeth, working in tandem, were unraveling me. Clenching my jaw, I tried to stave off the inevitable. But when Caris cupped my balls, lightly squeezed them before gently rolling them in her palm, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I was showering my seed down her smooth throat.
But until then, I met each rhythmic bob of her head with the thrust of my hips and quickly lost myself in the friction of her cupping caress, silken suction, and sublime strokes.
Sweat dotted my forehead.
The room started to sway.
My blood thundered in my ears.
My balls drew up tight and hard like marbles.
Thrusting my hips faster and deeper, I grunted and growled.
Caris lifted higher, opened wider, and sucked me farther down her pillowy throat.
Sparks exploded behind my eyes.
Fisting her hair tighter, I unleashed a mighty roar and showered her wicked mouth, tongue, and throat. Mewling softly, Caris swallowed my thick seed. My head was spinning, heart hammering, and chest heaving as she drank me down until I was boneless, mindless, and dry. My cock was still twitching and throbbing when she slowly lifted her mouth off me.
“Give me a minute…” I panted. “Wait, better make it three and I’ll—”
“Put your pants on, stud, it’s time for dinner,” she interrupted licking the corners of her swollen lips.
“But it’s your turn.”
“I’m dessert.” She flashed a sassy smile.
“Oh, yeah…you definitely will be… My all-night, all-I-can-eat, dessert buffet.”
Chapter 18
Caris
It was late in the afternoon, days later, when Tori, Sofia, Harmony and I sat sipping iced tea on the front porch. We’d spent most of the day in the studio, listening to the guys work on another new song for their album, before heading back to the lodge to help Lucia prepare dinner. With that duty done, we were taking a little break while Tori’s and Darren’s folks entertained Dustin.
I was growing increasingly more comfortable and confident around my adopted family, but I was especially loving every idyllic second I spent with Syd. There were times I had to remind myself that Zattman was out there, searching for me so he could end my life. But wrapped in the cocoon of Syd’s love and the kindness of his friends, my angst and panic were almost nonexistent.
Well, until Cole, Brad, or one of the other bodyguards showed themselves. Mia and I were always within eyesight of our hired protectors when the guys weren’t around. In fact, McCoy was still at the studio keeping watch over her at that very moment.
Ava stepped from the lodge, bottle of water in hand, and sat down beside me on the huge porch swing.
“How’s work going?” I asked.
“It’s busy. I’ve been trying to deflect the press for the past couple days, but the vultures are hungry.”
“They’re always hungry,” Tori said, rolling her eyes.
“True. But this time they’re famished…no, rabid is probably a better word.” Ava pressed her lips together and made a face as if she’d just bitten a lemon. “It’s been weeks since we sent out the press release about Syd’s hunting accident.”
Sofia chuckled.
“I still can’t believe they bought that one, but I’m glad they did.” I shook my head.
“Me, too.” Ava expelled a heavy sigh.
“Son of a bitch!” Quinn roared from the living room.
“Oh, god,” Ava moaned as she stood. “Now what?”
“Ava!” Quinn bellowed.
“Coming, dear,” she drawled as she hurried back inside the lodge.
How the woman maintained her calm and poised veneer all the time amazed me. I wondered if anything ever fazed her. I didn’t have to wonder but for a millisecond as the screen door swung open and Ava appeared again wearing a look of pure panic.
“Inside, now. All of you,” she ordered in a sharp tone that brooked no argument. She homed in on Tori. “Where’s the baby?”
Before she could answer, Syd, wearing a look of panic, charged out of the studio. On his heels were the others, surrounding Mia—who was tucked in against McCoy’s side—and charging our way. Static from walkie-talkies blew up all around the lodge.
My blood turned to ice and my body sat frozen on the swing in absolute fear.
“Come on. Get up. Move,” Sofia demanded, tugging my arm.
“He’s down at the paddock with Dad and Gail. Walter and Susan are with them,” Tori blurted. Terror shimmered in her ocean-blue eyes as Ava prodded her through the doorway.
“I’ll get them for you, Miss Tori,” Ruben Green barked.
His deep baritone voice vibrated through my fear-frozen form as I numbly watched the big man race around the corner of the lodge.
“Don’t make me pick you up and haul your ass inside, Caris,” Cole warned, dropping to a knee in front of me. He leaned in close to my face, forcing me out of my panic-induced stupor.
“Right,” I whispered. When I started to stand, my knees gave out.
“Get out of the way,” Syd barked.
Shoving the other man aside, he plucked me off the thick-padded surface, cradled me possessively against his chest, and bolted inside the lodge.
“Stay away from the windows and move into the dining room. Now,” McCoy directed.
Quinn grabbed Ava’s hand and squeezed it, then released her and nodded for her to join us.
I was clutching Syd tightly as we entered the dining room. Ross yanked out the vacant chair beside him before wrapping his thick arms protectively around Harmony. Syd sank his ass onto the proffered chair, clutching me on his lap as Edward, cradling a wide-eyed Dustin against his chest, hurried into the room. Gail, Walter, and Susan followed, trailed by stern-faced Ruben.
Everyone sat around the enormous table expectantly, staring at Quinn and McCoy who were engaged in a hushed and clearly serious discussion at the mouth of the room.
The air was heavy, choking with tension.
“What’s going on?” I murmured, swiveling on Syd’s lap to face him.
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Quinn texted Burk and told him to get our asses up to the lodge. Code red.”
“Why didn’t anyone hit the alarm?” Harmony asked.
“Maybe because Quinn and Lucia were the only ones in the lodge?” Ross shrugged his wide shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“Clearly Zattman’s not here on the property,” Mia stated. “Or McCoy would have sent us to our safe rooms.”
“Quinn, what the…” Darren paused and combed his hand over Dustin’s head. “What’s going on?”
Without taking his attention off McCoy, Quinn held up his finger and nodded. After a few more seconds of hushed but heated words, the tall Scotsman entered the room. Ruben and McCoy turned their backs to us in the open archway. Legs parted, shoulders thrust back, their heads moved back and forth as if waiting for Zattman to stroll through the front or back door.
“Easy, angel, I’ve got you,” Syd whispered in my ear, hugging me closer to his chest.
It was then I realized I was trembling like a leaf in the autumn wind.
Quinn moved in behind Ava and placed his wide hands on her slender shoulders before giving her a reassuring squeeze. “Zattman got off a plane in Dallas an hour and a half ago.”
“If he knows where we are, he should already be here by now.”
“Not necessarily.” Quinn shook his head. “It’s rush hour and he’s likely stuck in traffic. We know he’s rented another car. Reed was able to get the license plate number and has contacted the local FBI office in Dallas. The agent in charge is sending some o
f his men to the ranch as we speak.”
“Are we going to be safe in here until they arrive?” Susan’s voice quivered.
“Yes. Ruben woke up Tony and Al. They’re stationed in the tree stands at the back of the property. Cole and Brad are manning the two out front.”
“Zattman won’t make it inside the house,” McCoy called over his shoulder.
“What if he does?” The question was out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“He’ll have to get through us, and trust me, Miss Burton, that’s not going to happen,” McCoy said with an evil smile.
“If the men outside spot Zattman they’ll alert McCoy either before or after they blow his head off, and we’ll assume our positions,” Quinn assured.
“Shouldn’t we secure the ones who need to be now?” Ozzy asked glancing at Mia, unable to mask the pure fear lining his face.
Afraid of Quinn’s answer, I gripped Syd’s arms that were banded around me. I didn’t want to leave him. I’d rather die than risk Zattman putting a bullet through his heart this time.
“That’s up to you guys. If you want to lock them—”
“No,” Mia and I blurted in tandem.
Darren pressed a kiss to the top of Dustin’s head, then turned and nodded at Tori. With tears in her eyes, she lifted the little boy from Darren’s lap, kissed his cheek, and whispered in his ear. She then sent Edward a pleading stare. The old man’s rheumy blue eyes glistened as he took Dustin from her and stood. Gail and Susan followed his lead, but Walter remained seated.
“Go on, Suzie. You go play cars with Dustin. I’ll keep our kids safe,” he murmured.
Susan cupped his cheeks, kissed his lips, and wiped the tears from her eyes as she walked away. Blinking back my own tears, I watched Ruben escort them toward the basement stairs. Then one by one they all disappeared. Long seconds later, Ruben returned, resuming his position beside McCoy.
Knowing Zattman was finally going to make his move felt surreal.
A part of me wished I’d fallen asleep on the porch swing and this was all just a horrible nightmare. But it wasn’t. I was wide-awake, scared half out of my mind, and mentally ticking off the seconds until all hell broke loose. When McCoy’s walkie-talkie crackled, I nearly jumped out of my skin.