Ghost (Executioners Book 1)

by J. M. Dabney

  Their first fight was about Gideon giving up his room to her. She felt guilty about it, although his bed was comfortable, and she might have relished spreading out in a King-sized bed even on a temporary basis. She fisted her hands in her cotton gown and tiptoed down the steps to the kitchen. A quick peek around the corner revealed the kitchen was empty.

  She slipped into the room and strode toward the fridge. She still found it odd that she had permission to make herself at home. Her reflection in the stainless-steel door caused her to avert her gaze. The scars weren’t as bad as they could’ve or should’ve been, and she hadn’t quite processed it yet.

  On her list of important issues, her looks were low on it. She avoided attention because most of the time the attention she received wasn’t favorable. It normally preceded pain and humiliation.

  She roughly shook her head and pulled open the fridge door. She refrained from a silly happy dance at sports bottles of Gideon’s iced tea with peaches and mint muddled in the bottom.

  “Why are you out of bed?”

  She squeaked as she turned to find Gideon standing in the doorway.

  “Um, I—”

  “I told you to call me if you needed anything.”

  “You’re working. I didn’t want to—”

  “If you say you didn’t want to bother me, we’re going to have another disagreement.”

  “If I’d known you were a dictator I would’ve gone back to my place.”

  “No, you wouldn’t have, because I said you were coming to stay with me. And I assure you I’m nowhere near dictator status.”

  “I beg to differ.”

  “You’re not going to change the subject, you should be resting.”

  “I’ve been resting for almost two weeks, and I’m tired of it, I’m fine. My stitches are out. The bruises are fading, I’m sure I can go home.”

  They’d kept her in the hospital for almost a week before they’d freed her to return home. Gideon’s house wasn’t where she’d expected him to take her. At first, it was odd to take up residence, even temporarily, on the farm, but she had to admit the last five days were amazing. It felt like home there, yet she didn’t want to admit it.

  “Until they find Bill, you’re staying here. Now, since that’s over—”

  “It’s not over.”

  “Yes, it is. Now come out on the porch, I have a present for you.”

  “Pre…present?” No one ever got her a present before except for Kyle, Clora, and a few members of the Crews. Gideon had given her flowers.

  He turned, bowed and motioned toward the door.

  She closed the fridge and hugged the sports bottle to her chest—her steps hesitant.

  “Come on, honey, I’m sure you’ll like your surprise. You want me to go first?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize, I’ll do this as fast or as slow as you need, I want your trust and I know I haven’t earned it yet.”

  “I’m—”

  “Quit saying you’re sorry, there’s nothing for you to apologize for.” Gideon stepped outside. “I had a friend call me this morning while I was in the fields and asked me a favor.”

  “Oh.”

  “You can pick one.”

  “Pick one, what—”

  Gideon moved to the side, and her eyes widened at the cardboard box filled with the tiniest puppies she’d ever seen. There were only two, and each looked like it would fit perfectly in the palms of her hands. She barely noticed when he took her drink, and she eased down to kneel beside the box. She started to reach for them but hesitated.

  “Go on, you can pick them up. They’ll need to be bottle fed for another month.”

  “Where?”

  “The local vet and his husband run a rescue, they shut down a puppy mill. These were the only two that weren’t ready to be put up for adoption. Jared thought since I run my own business I’d have the time for them. So I agreed to foster them.”

  She glanced at him as he sat on the porch beside her.

  “I saw them and thought you might want one.”

  “Can’t I have them both,” she asked and cringed.

  “If that’s what you want. I’ll let him know. He brought everything we’ll need. He said they’re some kind of teacup Yorkie/Maltese mix. Specially bred to be tiny. The rest of their litter mates didn’t make it. The mother appeared too young and exhausted, it didn’t look like she was nursing them. The condition the kennels were in was the worst he’d ever seen. They’ve been in the clinic for about a week.”

  “So they won’t get much bigger?”

  They were so cute and tiny, she rubbed the tops of their heads with her fingertips. She refused to look at Gideon as she tried to blink away tears.

  “Harper,” he softly said her name, then his fingers stroked her scarred cheek, and his thumb traced the fringe of her wet lashes.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I want Joker to have one of them.”

  “Really, I don’t know if a micro dog is exactly Joker’s style.”

  She snorted at the amusement in his voice. It probably wasn’t, but her friend was way too reclusive. He needed something of his own. Something to focus on other than his demons.

  “I have a key to his place, we’ll leave it, her, him?”

  “Her, they’re both girls.”

  “We’ll sneak her in and leave her with a bow.”

  “Sneaky.”

  She gently reached into the box and lifted both brown and black puppies, cradling them to her chest.

  “Names?”

  “I don’t know, I’ve never gotten to name anything before.”

  “No hurry, you’ll figure something out.”

  “Why are you so nice to me?”

  “That’s a question I’m only going to answer once, come here.”

  She nearly dropped her presents when he patted his lap. Did she even dare?

  “Do you trust me,” Gideon asked. “Even a little?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then come sit on my lap, I won’t hold you, you’re free to get up at any time. I just want you close while I answer why I’m nice to you. You can even hold on to your new babies.”

  She nodded as she carefully got to her knees and moved close to Gideon until she could sit sideways on his lap. She buried her face in soft fur and waited. Gideon’s stomach was soft against her ribs and hip. His scent was rich earth, sweat, and the incense he always seemed to burn. His beard strangely soft against her neck.

  He kept his word, he didn’t trap her in his arms. Instead, his right arm laid casually over her thighs and his left loosely wrapped around her. Gideon’s large hand rested on her left hip.

  “Now, you wanted to know why I’m being nice to you.”

  She nodded causing his mustache and firm, yet soft lips to brush the still tender scar on her cheek. Harper forced herself not to shy away from the caress. It seemed an inadvertent act. She’d come to rely on her gut instinct when it came to situations where it might prove dangerous for her, but in that instance, she didn’t feel the need to flee. She oddly wanted to get closer like she had the day they’d napped, and he’d held her.

  “I think I’ve mentioned it before, I’d like to take you on a date. Get to know you. You’re beautiful and sweet, even when you’re being stubborn.”

  “I’m not stubborn.”

  “We’ll leave that as another point of contention.”

  The corners of her mouth twitched. She really didn’t understand her level of ease with Gideon. She lowered the sleeping puppies to her lap and gave into her desire to lean against Gideon, resting her head on his shoulder.

  She nibbled nervously on her bottom lip as Gideon’s fingertips drew circles on her hip. The strangeness of the gentle touch caused tingles to travel over her skin. She almost crossed her arms over her chest when her nipples beaded against the cotton of her gown. A lifetime of self-preservation urged her to conceal the awakening of her lon
g-dormant libido; she wanted to flee. Although she didn’t want to listen to it, she wanted to savor and analyze.

  Gideon shifted until he could lean back against the wall of the enclosed porch and rearranged her on his lap.

  “So, we have something we need to discuss.”

  She stiffened. “I don’t want to talk about the attack.”

  “We’re in charge of two toddlers and an infant this coming weekend.”

  “But we have puppies.”

  “Yes, but everyone arranged for Psycho and Ben to go away for their anniversary. Bernie and Stacey needed a break too.”

  “With Psy gone, it’s all hands on at Brawlers.”

  “Yes, so, want to be my co-babysitter for a weekend?”

  “You’re in charge of heating puppy and baby bottles.”

  “You’re in charge of dia—”

  “To that, I don’t agree, Mr. Jane, that’s where the co-babysitter relationship comes into play, we share the horror of diapers.”

  “Fair enough, Ms. Sage.”

  He gave her a light squeeze. Gideon was always gentle with her. He claimed she was sweet but he was, and it caused her to wish for things long forgotten. Silly dreams she had always kept to herself. She wanted to believe Gideon was genuine. Craved for the secrets she had decided long ago were unattainable. Maybe she'd finally earned her chance for something more than pain and humiliation.

  Ten

  Dangerous Thoughts, Mr. Jane

  Two hours ago, he had walked into the cutest sight he had ever seen. He'd found Harper curled up asleep in his bed surrounded by babies and puppies. Instead of waking them he'd slipped from the room and left them there. Gideon had almost given in to the desire lay down behind her—hold her again.

  She'd lived there a couple of weeks, and he looked forward to coming home each night. Harper even made a habit of spending some afternoons in the greenhouse with him. Their friends were strangely absent since he'd brought her home. If they were anything, they had reached Matchmaker: Professional status over the years. He'd heard all the stories the Crews loved to share.

  “Why didn't you wake me when you got home?”

  He glanced up from his laptop and smiled at Harper. Her hair was tangled around her face and shoulders, her beautiful eyes bright and sleepy. Harper lifted her arms, and she pushed her slender fingers through the dark blonde strands, attempting to work out the knots.

  “You needed rest, you've been home with the kids all afternoon.”

  “Gideon, I’m not used to sitting around and doing nothing, it’s all you’ve let me do since I got here.”

  “Too much,” he asked with a smile.

  “Yes, and you don’t appear very repentant.”

  “I’m not.”

  His smile widened as she threw her hands up in the air and pivoted on her bare toes, then exited his office. He pushed up from his chair and went in pursuit of his sulking Harper. No one would think it, but she had a temper he found extremely sexy. When they’d had their first argument, he prepared himself to back off at the first sign of apprehension. It hadn’t come, her cheeks had turned pink, and her eyes flashed with indignation.

  He’d made a habit of riling her up since. The quicker she realized he wouldn’t ever lash out at her in anger, the sooner she’d realize she could trust him. Besides she was cute as fuck when she was in a snit.

  Pots and pans clanged, cabinets slammed, and he leaned his shoulder against the door frame. Her long dress whipped around her legs.

  “You're cute when you're mad.”

  She huffed but ignored him.

  He pushed away from the jamb and strode across the room, and he placed his hands on her slender hips. Gently he turned her to face him. He wrapped his hands around her sides and lifted her, settling her on the counter.

  Her eyes were wide, and her lips parted as she stared at him. Pink highlighted her high cheekbones. Her breathing increased, but he didn't sense fear.

  “May I kiss you,” he asked.

  He resisted the allure of her pale pink lips for weeks. The farthest he’d gone were touches, fleeting moments to get her used to him. He kept it innocent and non-threatening.

  “Why...wh…”

  “The first night you were here, when I dropped you off, I wanted to kiss you.” He rested his hands flat on the counter beside her thighs. “You were skittish around me, I didn’t—”

  “I’ve never—”

  Harper paused and looked down at her lap, he wanted to see her eyes when she talked. He needed to be able to read the emotions in her gaze, lifting his left hand he nudged her pointed chin until she looked at him.

  “Talk to me, baby, this isn’t going to work if I don’t know how you feel or what you want.”

  “No one has ever wanted to kiss me before.”

  He couldn’t believe no one had ever wanted to taste her before. The first time he’d seen her at the bookstore and her lush mouth curved into a small smile, he’d barely thought of anything else. He wouldn’t lie to himself, he wanted her in his bed, but first, he needed to earn her trust.

  Gideon cupped her face in his palms, his thumbs teased the corners of her mouth. Her lips trembled under the tender stroke of his thumbs. Her breaths quick, sharp puffs of air.

  “Do you want me to stop? You’ll always have a choice with me, Harper, a single no is all it’ll take.”

  “You won’t be mad at me,” she asked as her eyes closed.

  “No, don’t close your eyes.” He waited patiently until she looked at him. “You’ll never have to worry about me being mad about something as stupid as you telling me no. So, may I kiss you?”

  He watched her gaze fall to his mouth, then return to his eyes, repeating the motions. He watched the silent battle playing out. Thankfully he still didn’t see fear only hesitancy. He tried to pretend it didn’t hurt, but her past colored her every decision—every move she made. That wasn’t what he wanted.

  “Y…yes.”

  It was all he needed to hear, but he still didn’t rush. He had waited too long, and it was her first kiss. He slightly bent forward so as not to nudge her thighs apart. No matter how much he wanted to feel her pressed completely against him, he would only do so if she asked. He didn’t take his eyes away from hers as he tugged at her bottom lip with the pads of his thumbs and gently brushed a kiss to the corners of her mouth, brushing the plump curve on each side to side movement.

  Her cool fingers circled his wrists, her short nails pricked his skin, and he deepened the kiss. She tilted her head and leaned into the gentle caresses. He nearly groaned as she let out the most beautiful little whimper. She tasted of peaches and mint. The smoky scent of his favorite incense infused her skin, hair, and clothes. Her skin was silky under the pads of his fingers and palms.

  Harper was perfection, and he wanted more. He only retreated enough to speak.

  “Let me closer, please?” He’d beg her if it was what she needed.

  She didn’t make him wait long, Harper parted her thighs, and he slipped between them. He dropped his arms to wrap them around her and tugged her flush to him. Her small breasts with their hardened tips flattened to his upper abs. She was warm and soft, he couldn’t get over how delicate she felt in his arms.

  He didn’t tug her hips to the edge of the counter. He kept their lower bodies separated. Her lips quivered as they tentatively touched his. He let Harper have control. Whatever happened between them would always be at her pace.

  The tip of her tongue traced his lips. She shook, retreated and advanced, as she chastely kissed him, but he had never felt anything as right.

  She jerked back, and he cringed as he heard the back of her head hit the cabinets. He lifted his hands to massage the spot as heat bloomed in her cheeks turning her pale skin bright red.

  “Are you okay,” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m so—”

  “Nothing to be embarrassed about. Do you need ice?”

  “No, I’ve had worse.”

  “I
don’t like hearing that.”

  “I can’t change my past.”

  “I don’t want you to. Why don’t I go check on the kids and give you a minute?”

  “Okay.”

  He gave her a quick kiss before he forced himself away from her. Harper quickly pushed her dress down over her slender legs until it once again covered her to her ankles, then she nervously smoothed the wild waves of her hair.

  He took a deep breath as he turned and strode to the stairs, ascended to find Gunner and Rage gently petting the puppies. Sawyer was laid between them.

  “Y’all want to help with dinner?”

  They nodded in unison but never looked away from the still unnamed puppies. He quickly slipped on the black and white tie-dyed sling and carefully picked up Sawyer to settle the still sleeping baby inside. He showed the twins how to place the dogs in a basket.

  Strange and dangerous thoughts started to form in his head. What would a life with Harper be like? Did she think about a family one day?

  He shook his head and attempted to rid himself of visions of more than what he had now with Harper. Gideon sat on the edge of the bed, and the twins giggled as they got him in a choke hold. He chuckled as he stood with them dangling and went to rejoin Harper in the kitchen.

  Gunner and Rage probably needed a snack, it was time for the puppies next bottle, and Sawyer would probably be awake soon. He was going to enjoy his time with his nephews and Harper. He knew he couldn’t keep her there forever, and when the threat of Bill was out of the way, she would want to go home. Until then, he’d savor every minute and each smile she gifted him.

  Eleven

  What Was She Going to Do?

  Night lights illuminated Gideon’s bedroom, Gunner and Rage were asleep in the playpen. Sawyer snuffled in his sleep from the bassinet beside the bed. She knew Sawyer normally co-slept with Stacey and Bernie, but she was terrified she would roll over on him. The puppies were curled up in a box with blankets and a heating pad. Everyone was settled in for the night, and she was pacing.