“Are you who I think you are?” Cull narrowed his gaze, his voice low.
“Huh?”
“She’s told me everything. The plan. Or mission as she called it.”
“Plan?” Had Deegan missed something?
“She’d never bring a man home, unless...” Cull pushed off the counter and went to stoke the fire. “You’re the one she has chosen to…procreate.”
“Procreate? No…I mean…what has she said about us?” Did Kiersten reveal to her brother, or brothers, that they’d slept together? That would explain why they were looking at him like they could rip his head off his shoulders.
“Ah, so there is something going on? You’re not through that agency, are you? I mean, I get that she wants a baby, but it’s against mother nature to hire an agency to find a father for your baby.”
It took three beats for Deegan to comprehend what Cull was saying. So, Kiersten wants a baby? “No, I’m not from some agency.”
“I get that she’s a grown up. She wants my brothers and me to stay out of her business, but truthfully, Sally and I discussed Kiersten having a baby and Sally told me she thinks Kiersten is ready. Now that I have a relationship of my own, I understand a lot more. So, I’m heading out and leaving you two alone.” Cull patted Deegan on the shoulder. “If I was you, I wouldn’t tell the rest of the clan about your plans with Kiersten. They don’t know about the baby thing and won’t like it.”
After Cull was gone, Deegan knocked on the bathroom door.
“Yeah?”
“Cull was here. He brought you clothes. I’m placing them here.”
When Kiersten finally came out of the bathroom, Deegan was still chewing on the information he’d heard.
“Food. Thank God. I could eat a horse,” she said as she pulled out items from the bags. She was wearing a T-shirt and shorts that showed of her nice, long legs. “I wouldn’t really eat a horse.” She laughed.
“I didn’t think so,” Deegan said.
“Oh my gosh. This is what I was hoping for. My Ma makes the best fried chicken ever.” She took the platter, pulled back the plastic wrap and sat it on the table. Once she plopped down in the chair, she looked at him with a curious gaze. “Are you going to come and eat or just stand there like you saw a ghost.”
He joined her at the table and accepted the piece of chicken she handed him. He bit into the juicy meat and chewed thoughtfully. So, Kiersten Cade wanted a baby? He didn’t know anything about an agency or what role they played in finding her a baby father, but Deegan didn’t care. The thought of another man touching her, impregnating her, drove through him like a dull sword straight through the heart. Although she didn’t know it yet, he planned to make her his and if she were already pregnant, he’d accept another man’s child, but no way would he handle having another man touching her. Hell no!
He could be her baby’s father.
He blinked. What the hell? Where did that come from? He’d never thought of having kids, although at thirty-five he guessed he was mature enough to become a father.
This could be his opportunity of spending his life with Kiersten.
Hell, she wasn’t looking for a husband, just a baby. But he cared for her…no, he loved her. Deeply. Felt more for her than he ever felt for anyone or anything. How was that possible? How could he love someone he’s spent so little time with?
She wiped her fingers on a napkin. “Why are you looking at me like that? Did something happen while I was showering?” She raised a suspicious brow.
He shrugged. “Nope.” Yes, but how do I tell you? How do I tell you how much I care for you? The bite of chicken got stuck in his throat and he drank from his coffee cup thirstily.
“Have you thought any more about how we catch our criminal?”
He had many ideas, but his brain was in a fog thinking of Kiersten and her wanting a baby. This wasn’t healthy. Not staying focused made him dangerous. His brain should be on the case and catching a killer, but instead he wanted to kiss her. Hold her. Damn, when had he turned into a softy?
At least the bruising on her face wasn’t as stark and the cut was healing nicely. Now when he looked at her, he didn’t feel a rage deep inside to rip the killer apart limb by limb.
“I think we do the best thing. We sit back and wait for him to make contact. He will. Rest assured, he’s stewing impatiently. But if he’s a military man, he realizes the importance of doing things at the right moment. And this time we’ll be prepared.”
*
The tall brunette placed her hands on her hips, looking at Travis with bright green eyes that were surrounded by thick mascaraed lashes and rainbow-colored eyeshadow. She called herself an artist so he accepted that her makeup and hair were always different. It didn’t change the fact that she was athletic, tougher than most women, and had a pussy that kept him hard…unless he was angry, as he was now.
“Why did you let the Fed live?” she moaned.
Travis returned his attention back to his rifle where he was taking it apart to clean it. He loved his gun and treated it like an extension of his body. After several long seconds, he brought his gaze back up and met hers. “The lawman was coming.”
“Pfft. Are you afraid of him?” she asked in her thickest German accent.
He didn’t allow her to ruffle his feathers. “This must be handled with care. You should remember that, Lustra. If the lawman would have caught you, we wouldn’t be here right now. He isn’t one to test, my dear. Neither is the woman. Your job was simple. Pull the alarm and leave the rest to me. Not tease the man into running after you.”
She laughed and ran her fingers through her hair, tilting one flared hip. He suddenly became hard. His anger must have been lifting. “Are you saying that the lawman is too tough for me to handle?” She flexed both her arms, showing off toned biceps. “Look at my guns. I’m tough too. I’ll show the schwachling how we do things in Germany.”
“Yes, you are tough, but we can’t screw this up. The girl’s death was supposed to look like a suicide with no room for question. And then the incident with the pictures—”
“Jezus Chriiist, Travees,” she said in exceedingly long words that reminded him of gurgling noises. “How many times do you plan on bringing up my mistakes?” When she got upset or excited, her German accent became prominent. “I accidently left the briefcase sitting on the sidewalk. But you took care of that thief so no more problem. Right?” She smiled widely, then stuck out her tongue, showing off her piercing. He liked it, and how she used it as a sexual aid to make him moan in pleasure. “And the girl too. My hero.” She gyrated her way to him, stepping behind his chair and placing her hands on his shoulders, massaging the tense muscles. He melted into the chair, feeling the last drop of anxiety floating away. She moved her hand down and pinched his nipple tightly.
But he had work to do. If he gave into his need every time Lustra wanted sex, he’d never finish his job.
“I’m busy here. I need some time to think,” he said quietly. Since he’d met her a year ago, he hadn’t managed much thinking because he was always fucking her.
“No, no, Liebhaber. What you need is a little bit, or a whole lot, of Lustra Lane,” she purred and ran the tip of her tongue along the curves of his ear. “I show you how I made men weak back in my country.”
He never liked hearing about her sexcapades before they met on the international dating site. He was a jealous man. “I told you, I’m not in the mood.” When he fucked up, like he had at the garage, he wanted to sink himself deep into work, not pussy. But Lustra wasn’t having any part of it. He swore her clit was bigger than her brain.
“But I aaaam, Travees.” She slid her fingers into his hair, gripped the thick mass and jerked his head back, looking down into his scowling face. “Stop handling the rifle and handle my tiiits,” she growled.
“Back off,” he snarled. “Let me finish here.”
She dropped her hands to her sides and wrinkled her pert nose. “You’re such a bore, kleiner mann. M
aybe it’s time I went back to Hanz—” She didn’t take but one step before he was out of his chair so fast that it was knocked to the floor with a loud bang. A gasp fell off her lips about the same time he clutched the collar of her blouse in his fists and jerked her hard against his muscular frame. She always knew how to get his attention by mentioning her ex, but sometimes he believed she pushed him a little too far. If she only knew what he’d done while overseas, she wouldn’t risk setting him off.
“Is it a fuck you want?” He pushed through tight lips.
“Yes.” Her smile returned, reminding him of the cat who ate the canary.
“Then it’s a fuck you’ll get.” He ripped the cotton material from top to bottom. Another gasp came from her, but he paid no attention. He was as hard as a rock by then, and the only thing he could focus on was sinking into her tight cunt. He couldn’t deny that he liked her at his disposal compared to the twits from the club he used to fuck hard and fast.
He twisted her around, bent her over the edge of the table and palmed at her jeans, tearing them down her plump ass, then tore at his own until they were pushed to his knees. He gripped his thick rod in his fat fist and jammed it inside her slick pussy. She screamed and he laughed, growing harder and hornier. “I dare you to mention that cocksucker in front of me again,” he whispered. “I’ll catch the next flight out, sneak into his mansion, and slice his throat from ear to ear before anyone is the wiser,” he said next to her ear.
With a rough touch, he grasped both of her tits and squeezed, kneading the flesh as he pumped in and out of her, slamming her hips hard into the table. She braced her hands on the edge, but he was much stronger, and because he was pissed again, he took out his frustration on her body. Yeah, on second thought, she had drove him too far this time…
11
She didn’t realize how small the kitchen was until she was in there with Deegan. He took up so much room with his brawny frame. Kiersten was trying to concentrate on making lunch and not the hunky man standing two feet from her slicing strawberries. He was trying his best to cut them evenly, but it wasn’t happening. She bit back a smile as she stirred the eggs, stealing another quick glance of him. What was he thinking by hanging out beside her shirtless and jeans that settled so low on his hips that she thought she could see a trail of dark crisp hair? Was he trying to work her into knots? Cause her to moisten another pair of panties? When he looked at her, she quickly turned her attention back to whipping the eggs and pouring them into a skillet. The liquid sizzled, much like the reaction going on inside of her body.
He popped one strawberry into his mouth. “Wow. Those are sweet. Here, try.” He brought one to her lips and she hesitated only a second before taking the offering.
“Yes, very sweet.” Made sweeter by the sugar of his fingers. Damn. What was happening to her? She wasn’t much of a romantic, more of a get naked and get down to business kind of girl, but he opened a door within her to new emotions and sexy thoughts, like cuddling and having deep conversation.
She wanted to explore him, have him explore her…
Pushing around the eggs with a spatula, she watched him slice a few more strawberries and admired how his long wide fingers worked with the knife. She knew those hands were lethal weapons, but when he’d touched her, they’d been as gentle as satin. There was no denying that she wanted him, and she guessed that he wanted her too. After she’d come out of the shower, she’d noticed a change in him but couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was and he hadn’t said anything to solve that mystery. Maybe he was caught up in the case. Or maybe he decided to drive her sinfully mad with his broad shoulders, toned pecs, and six pack abs. He certainly seemed to be on a mission and it had nothing to do with the killer they were searching for.
The coffee gurgled, signaling the last drop made it into the carafe. She turned to open the fridge, bent to reach for the creamer and her hip bumped his bottom. “Oops. It’s a bit crowded in here.” Her internal temperature rose by several degrees. She could easily blame it on the heat from sizzling eggs, but there was something else cooking between them that compared to scorching lava. “I’ll grab the cups.” She shut the fridge door and stepped over to the cabinet, reaching for the mugs at the very top of the high shelf. This had been Cull’s place before he and Sally moved into the main house, mostly to help with their parents. Cull being six foot two had always put things more at his eye level and out of her reach.
“Excuse me,” she heard Deegan say, and then his hands were on her hips before he gently touched her wrist. “Here, let me grab that.” He whispered next to her ear which made the hair on her nape lift and goosebumps scatter all over her skin.
He took down two cups, but he didn’t make a move to step aside. He stood there, bodies close, breathing on her neck. Kiersten couldn’t take the electrical charges in her body anymore. She slowly turned, looking up at him, nibbling her bottom lip. “What’s going on between us?”
Deegan tightened his fingers on her hips and one corner of his mouth lifted into a mighty grin. Her nipples tingled and her inner thighs warmed. “I’m only helping,” he said innocently. There was nothing innocent about him.
“Maybe you should go check to see if you have any news on the case.” He needed to leave the kitchen before they did something very stupid…or rather she did something very stupid like sink to her knees and kiss him into oblivion. Once a woman did that, there was no going back…and didn’t she know that firsthand.
“I could do that,” he leaned in and nuzzled his nose in her hair “but I’d rather stay right here and enjoy how good you smell.”
She gulped air. “It’s probably the eggs. Or the strawberries,” she mumbled. “Or the coffee.”
“No, it’s you.” He reached up to grab a tendril of her hair, wrapping it around his knuckle and breathed in deeply. If it was possible, her nipples tightened even more and became sensitive buds. “It’s a scent unlike any other I’ve ever smelled. Like a mixture of cotton candy and fresh cut grass.” He let the hair bounce back into place, then lifted her hand and bent his nose to the inside of her wrist. “Yes. It’s a perfect smell that I haven’t forgotten and never will. It entices me in my sleep. In the shower. While I’m breathing.”
His warm breath swept across her cheek and she wanted to melt into him, wanted to forget all the hurdles between them and allow mother nature to do her work. What would be the harm? They’d been there and done that before and then she spent too much time trying to forget him. But this time would be different. If she stepped into that bliss again, she’d never be satisfied with just once, twice, ten or more times. She’d barely gotten out of it by the skin of her teeth the last time. When he was not looking, she’d watch him, his smile with deep dimples and how his thick hair settled in waves and one dark strand covered his forehead making him look younger. He wasn’t young though, at least not kid young. She knew he was thirty-five and mature. Established. Her body trembled at the thought of having his hands on her naked skin, kissing and exploring.
He pressed his lips to her skin, right where her pulse beat rapidly. He didn’t stop there. She whimpered as he pressed more kisses upward on her arm. When he reached the inside of her elbow, he darted his tongue out to lick and she trembled. Would he stop there?
His breath was warm as he continued his heated trail higher until he reached the sleeve of the shirt. He gave her a mischievous smile and continued his blissful mayhem on her neck, kissing and nibbling. A moan slipped from her parted lips and she no longer had control. No longer cared. She brought her hands up and pressed them against his bare chest, feeling satin smooth iron. His skin was so warm and sinewy. She wasn’t pushing him away, but rather clinging to him like she would a raft in the middle of the ocean. Kiersten could only manage to comprehend bits and pieces of what he was doing to her—to her body. His mouth was now in the dip of her throat, his tongue tasting the skin. Then lower until he was at the neckline of her shirt where her heart beat at record speed. She wanted to rip the shir
t from her body to give him better access, but she clenched her fingers against his chest and sighed. If heaven was a place on earth, it would be right here, close to him.
His palms covered her breasts and, although those parts were covered by cotton and lace, the material suddenly became nonexistent. He made a low growling sound and gently squeezed the mounds, flicking the tips of his thumbs over her sensitive nipples. She whimpered and bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming, demanding that he take her fast and hard right there next to the eggs and toaster.
Her eyes were closed and her hands were open again as she pressed them against his flesh. Something interrupted her ecstasy…a strong smell of…what? She opened her eyes, looking into the most magnificent eyes she’d ever seen. “Do you smell that?”
Deegan stood straight and blinked, then looked over his shoulder. The pan of eggs was smoking. “Shit!” He grabbed the handle of the pan and gave it a toss into the sink. Turning on the faucet, the water splashed into the blackened mess and steam rolled up, but it didn’t compare to the steam in her body. She was about to explode.
As much as she wanted him, the intrusion of burnt eggs reminded her of the mess they’d be sinking into. The logical part of her reared its head. This couldn’t happen between them. It was a mindless trap where she’d lose herself. Lose the goals she’d placed for herself.
Straightening her shirt and turning, she caught a glimpse of herself in the window of the microwave. A distorted, awkward image. Her hair was in disarray and her eyes were wildly lit. This was exactly how she felt when Deegan was around. Distorted and awkward. On fire all the way into her bones.
“Kiersten…” He sank both of his hands into his hair and dragged his fingers through it, making those waves come alive. He looked like he’d been turned inside out.
“It’s…well…no explanation is needed,” she said softly.
“I wasn’t going to explain, because you’re right. It’s not needed.” He dropped his hands and some of the tension left his expression. “I want nothing more than to take you into my arms and make you mine again. In time…”
Taken by the Lawman (Lawmen of Wyoming Book 6) Page 10