by Shady Grace
Monty leaned down and whispered, “Remember that older woman last summer who had eyes for me?” Jamie nodded, curious yet unsure if she wanted to hear what crazy story he intended to brag about. “Let’s just say the pole struck bottom every single night she was here.”
Jamie blinked and stared up at him, knowing what he meant but not wanting to hear any more. He added, “What Val doesn’t know doesn’t hurt her, or anyone else. People fuck at work all the time.”
Monty straightened and stared out over the crowd, a knowing smile on his face. Jamie took the opportunity to escape for a smoke and get some much-needed fresh air. Maybe she should continue her little erotic sparring with Jack. It would definitely get her mind off of the bad things swirling in her head like a fatal disease. Just a few minutes to forget all that bad shit, please!
She discreetly moved back into the dim lamplight by the lodge entrance and stepped outside, gently closing the big wooden door behind her. The wind had picked up more since she left her cabin, but that didn’t stop her from heading down to the dock and appreciating the beauty of the darkness around her. A sliver of a moon reflected dancing crystals over the water. Waves lapped softly against the dock and the shoreline.
This was therapy right here. Sharp Ridge Lodge had a serenity yet thrill about it that she didn’t want to leave. Soon she would have no choice, just like the others. Everybody was bound to return to regular life.
The wind shifted and a familiar scent swept past her. She knew it was him from that spicy vanilla cologne. Knew it like the surety of the murky water beneath the dock.
She turned around. “Tired of the old people again, Jack?”
“Something like that.”
He was less than two feet away. She barely made out his features, and that was just fine for her. Nothing compared to the thrill and the mystery of the night.
She turned away from him and stared back out over the water. Every nerve jumped to life by his proximity. He was a stranger, and yet she couldn’t help her body’s response to his nearness. Until now she’d never believed in pure lust at first sight.
“Nothing compares to this, you know,” she said aloud.
He stepped closer, and she knew he was staring at her profile instead of the water. “Nope.”
Jamie swallowed. This was becoming hot and heavy right fast. She didn’t know this guy any more than her mailman in the city. Maybe he was just a player who’d bang any girl he met. Maybe she shouldn’t worry so much and just have fun, as long as she played safe. She didn’t really know what to do, or what to say to him. Sticking with idle chat seemed like the safest choice. “Why the open leaving date?”
A long moment passed before he answered. “It’s hard for me to plan time off with my schedule. I could leave next month, next week…who knows?”
Despite the humor in his tone, she suspected he told the truth, and that the rest of it wasn’t so simple. “Well, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it here, for however long that will be.”
“I’m sure I will.”
The sound of water lapping against the dock seemed to stretch on for long, awkward minutes. “So, how did you find out about Sharp Ridge?”
“I found a pamphlet for this place in a jacket pocket.”
She chuckled. “That sounds kind of strange, Jack. Did it fall out of some guy’s coat or something?”
He cleared his throat. “Something like that.”
Jamie jerked when he stepped closer and his shoulder brushed against hers. He was too close. Too much too soon. Her body screamed to touch him yet her mind shouted to behave at her place of work. “Well, I should head home. I have an early start. Have a good—”
“Do I scare you, Jamie?” He turned to her, his face expressionless in the dark. “I’m not a nutjob or anything. Just a man who happens to like what he sees.”
She swallowed. “I’m not afraid of you. Just…nervous.” How could she tell him she felt an immediate and thrilling attraction without sounding pathetic? She certainly wouldn’t tell him how long it had been since the last time she had sex. Somehow she knew a night under the sheets with him would be hot and sweaty and unforgettable.
“Being nervous is a good thing. It means you have passion for life.”
She didn’t know how to answer that other than a pitiful, “Maybe.”
When he leaned closer, she knew what he wanted. For the life of her she wouldn’t deny it, no matter how crazy it seemed. In a hot second his lips brushed over hers as his thumb skimmed softly under the curve of her jaw. Like the striking of a match, a flame flickered through her like fire through dry brush. It was as if they were meant to meet in this spot, on this dock, on this windy night.
Jamie felt weightless and heavy at the same time as he explored her, tasted her; made her thighs tremble and her hands shake at her sides. Wanting him closer, Jamie reached up and feathered her fingers through his tight curls. Her body formed against his as his hand snaked around her waist. He felt wonderful. His scent intoxicated her. The way he boldly held her made her feel weak and needy like the women in those corny romance novels.
Minutes ticked by as they moaned and ground against each other in the darkness. It was as if she had no control over herself, no thought of consequence as his hands curved over her bum, squeezing and gripping, pressing her harder against his erection.
They panted in unison. Their tongues sucked and swirled and mated.
“Jamie?”
Her eyes opened wide at the sound of Valerie’s voice calling out in the night. She stilled, pulled away from Jack, and glanced at the lodge. The boss woman hung out the door, probably needing her assistance for something, her body silhouetted by the interior lights behind her. Thank God Valerie couldn’t see them standing there in the dark.
The hard swell of Jack’s cock pressed hard and hot against her, a rampant reminder of what exactly transpired. She would’ve fucked him right there. Right on the dock without any protection, she was that desperate and horny. He hadn’t even spent a single night here yet and already the housekeeper would’ve rode him until the dock broke away from shore.
Embarrassed and beyond ashamed, Jamie pushed away and backed up. “I’m so sorry. I….” She clamped her lips shut, spun around, and ran up the dock steps to the second tier without looking back. How could she do that to herself? Did she have no control at all over her body? He must think her a total slut.
By the time she reached the lawn in front of the lodge, Valerie had already disappeared back inside. Hopefully she had forgotten about Jamie, or simply lost interest in finding her. Either way, Jamie was relieved that Valerie hadn’t seen what happened. Jamie glanced over her shoulder to see if Jack had followed, but only darkness surrounded her. Shaking hard and panting for air, she quickly composed herself and walked in, hoping to God she didn’t give away what she had almost done. Valerie would be furious.
“There you are. Outside smoking again?” Valerie asked, smiling like a Cheshire cat. She swayed on her feet, and Jamie realized she’d never seen her boss that drunk before. Maybe Monty had been right about her losing money, and that was a terrifying thought. A sudden chill that had nothing to do with the weather outside made her tremble. What if Jones sends somebody after me?
“Are you cold?” Monty asked, his voice laced with humor.
Jamie cleared her throat and forced a straight face. I wish my only problem was being cold. “Yeah. Sorry I took so long. I had my feet in the water.”
“Oh, that’s nice.” Valerie’s gaze seemed to be barely focused on Jamie’s shoulder.
Monty, standing behind Valerie yet towering over her, arched a high brow. “Did you fall onto the second tier of the dock? You look a little flushed and rumpled.”
Jamie avoided his probing stare, especially the teasing tone of his annoying voice, and focused on Valerie instead. “I’m fine, really.”
“But where’s Mr. Daniels? I saw him leave right after you,” Monty added and waggled his eyeb
rows.
Jamie glared at him, then turned her attention back to Valerie again. “I saw someone walking toward the guest quarters. I’m sure it was him.”
“Oh, he must be exhausted. That retail business will bring a man to an early grave,” Valerie slurred, completely clueless to the almost sex with a stranger that just happened on her dock.
“Yes. I’m sure you’re right.” Jamie patted Valerie’s shoulder. The poor woman was going to have a wicked hangover come morning. “Well, I’m calling it a night. See you bright and early.” Jamie glared at the grinning Monty and retreated back outside. When she returned to her cabin, she pulled out her vibrator from the nightstand and took him to bed. Within three minutes she shuddered hard on his buzzing shaft, her whole body tingling, vividly remembering the sensation of Jack’s stiff cock against her.
It was big.
As she drifted into a restless sleep, Jamie had a feeling that tonight wouldn’t be her last encounter with the mysterious Jack Daniels.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered in the darkness. “Tomorrow, I won’t be so afraid of you.”
Chapter 3
A branch gently scraped against the window pane in Sam’s cabin early the next morning. He stood at the window looking out over the grey dawn sky and the placid water of Sharp Ridge Lake. A low mist hung over the shoreline across the bay. A Great Blue Heron stood in the shallows near a cluster of cattails. The promise of a dreary day loomed ahead, but he didn’t mind. What he really wanted was to get that housekeeper over here to double check his bed linen. A really close look with her face down—ass up.
Sam released a disgruntled breath and shook his head. Unbelievable how quickly he’d gone from having a simple conversation with the beautiful woman, to nearly plowing her right on that dock last night. He felt a strange attraction to her—something he’d never felt before with a woman. He liked that she enjoyed nature and lived out here during the summer months. It made him envious. Sam rarely had the chance to enjoy life while he took away someone else’s. Maybe that’s exactly what he deserved.
A group of fishermen crossed the lawn not too far from his cabin. They carried their gear to the boats lined up along the small docks, all of them smiling and eager to get their hooks in the water. Sam watched as the group set their tackle, rods, and minnow buckets into two boats. The outboard motors were yanked alive, and the hum of the engines brought life to the silence as they pulled away from shore.
Sam was just about to leave his cabin and fetch a cup of coffee from the main lodge when his satellite phone shrieked through the cabin.
Ugh. He let the curtain fall back and grabbed the phone from the side pocket of his suitcase. He knew it wouldn’t stop ringing if he didn’t answer. This was his emergency line only and he didn’t go anywhere without it.
He barked into the receiver, “What the hell is so important that you call me on my vacation? Did somebody actually die?”
“A-are you a-lone?”
Sam barely made out the scratchy voice over the static on the phone. “You’ll have to speak up. I’m in the middle of nowhere.”
“Are you alone?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I need you to come home. I’ll explain later.” He knew immediately it was Terry and it had to be important. Sam had stressed to Terry not to call while he was on vacation unless somebody died. As much as he wanted to ignore the request and continue with his time away, if something dreadful happened, then he’d feel responsible for not taking immediate action.
The urge to growl made him grit his teeth. So much for a well-deserved vacation far from anybody he knew. After hearing all the stories from Terry and Gabe about life in the woods with their women, he had become envious. Finding this place in the deep north of Ontario had been a blessing, although very short-lived. Plans never worked out for a man like him. Work never ended.
“I’ll be on the first flight out.”
He ended the call and ambled up to the window, drew the curtains open again. He could get used to this stunning view, even with the grey sky and lurking fog. After nearly twenty years of being the gunman behind the McCoy Empire, he just wanted peace and quiet like the rest of them.
Gabe and Terry had their futures mapped out, while Sam felt like a wanderer destined to a life all alone. His brothers were busy with their women and Sam was afraid of that kind of commitment. He couldn’t promise to survive the night, let alone make it to dinner on time. What woman would want that kind of life? On top of that, he enjoyed the thrill of the chase, the terrifying excitement of knowing that a bullet could end it all at any second. Nothing could be more hair-raising than living on impulse.
Gabe tied the knot with Mima last fall and Terry and Mary had their second child already. Sam had nothing but his suitcase, a cache of prized weapons, and good ol’ Auntie Rose.
But he’d like something soft. Something that meant something. Someone to turn to on those nights when he truly felt alone. He wasn’t afraid to admit that life scared him. Many a night he’d wake up stunned, as if he expected to be smothered in his sleep by a rival hitman as he had done once before on assignment. Or he’d wake up in a pool of sweat, often from the same dream of driving in his car, only to have the brakes fail from being cut, and plummeting into a deep gorge to his death. He probably deserved that fate, too, especially after hearing on the news that the man in the gorge had survived down there for three days before he died from his injuries. That recurring nightmare was a punishment Sam had accepted long ago.
This wasn’t a job for everyone. Sometimes it wasn’t a job for him, although most of the time he enjoyed flying to each corner of the earth and being pampered at luxurious hotels and chauffeured around like a king. Still, sometimes he imagined what it would be like to sit back in a cozy living room in front of a fireplace with a glass of wine, or even a cup of tea, or maybe have a cold beer with friends in the backyard—as long as nobody got shot.
He stared down at his suitcase and shook his head. He hadn’t even unzipped it yet. Hadn’t even put his toothbrush onto the bathroom vanity. That thought alone made him feel really tired. Sometimes it felt as if his life meant nothing more than taking on another job, and never getting the chance to enjoy the meaning of life. Did the boys not realize how unhappy he’d become? How much he felt like a chess piece, waiting for somebody to move him? Despite the bitter taste in his mouth that they hadn’t noticed his change in demeanor, while they enjoyed their lives and women, Sam wouldn’t let the depression get to him. They deserved their slice of happiness. Maybe he didn’t.
Sam often wondered what life would have been like if he didn’t meet Colton that day. He could’ve gotten to know his parents better. Maybe they stayed away because he chose this precarious path of life at such a young age. Sometimes he wondered if they had tried to be better parents, only to discover that he had no intention of being a regular, blue-collar son. But it was the path he chose, and whether or not he became tired of the routine, this was all that he knew. He had no other skills to fall back upon. Well, unless he became a hunting guide. That sudden thought made him think a little harder about a life in the open bush with a rifle in his arms—rather than concealing a handgun in a busy train station.
He violently shut the curtains, cursing aloud, and went back to bed, even if only for a few more minutes. As he lounged back against the pillows with the bedside lamp still on, he thought of all the places where he’d traveled, all the faces that came and went, and all the good things in life that he never had a chance to enjoy.
Maybe he could have a woman right now. A couple of kids. A life. But what kind of woman wanted a man who lived through the eye of a scope? He’d have to trust her completely, or lie to her indefinitely. To Sam, that was no way to live. He was better off being alone, because he had nothing special to offer anyone. Nothing but a life of constant worry.
He stared up at the wood paneling on the ceiling, forcing his thoughts away from his constant turmoil. He liked t
he décor of this place. It was rustic but pleasant, sort of homey in an eighties Miami hotel kind of way.
A movement caught his eye. He stared, transfixed, as a huge spider crawled out of a crack in the boards. The eight-legged creature stopped for a moment, probably eyeing its prey, before it scurried across the length of the ceiling and disappeared. He felt like that spider, destined to hunt until it spun its last web and killed its next mate.
Five minutes later and more frustrated than ever, Sam shoved off the bed and grabbed his belongings. He walked into the lodge with his suitcase in hand to find the lodge owner sitting at a table with her head in her hands. Either she had a wicked hangover or something else weighed on her brain.
He cleared his throat and she whipped her head up, blinking rapidly.
“Good morning,” Sam said, and pulled a chair out across from her.
He guessed by her immediate smile that it had been well practiced over the years. “Good morning, Mr. Daniels. What brings you in here so early? I’m afraid the coffee isn’t”—her gaze landed on the suitcase—“ready yet.” She appeared startled as her red-eyed gaze darted from the suitcase back to him. “Is there a problem with your cabin?”
“No, the cabin was great.” He offered an apologetic smile. “Duty calls, I’m afraid. Will there be a plane coming in this morning?”
“You’re lucky. We have two flights coming in today. The first plane should be arriving any minute, and the second will be around noon.” She stared at him sharply. “How were you able to get phone service?”
“I carry a satellite phone. It works pretty much everywhere.”
“Ah. The retail business must be lucrative.”
He chuckled. If that’s what she wanted to believe, so be it. “Well, as long as it isn’t any trouble, I’ll take the first flight out.”
Valerie smiled sadly and offered her hand for a shake. “Of course not. Well, we hope you return soon for a proper visit, Mr. Daniels. I’ll be sure to refund your money right away.”