After he finished lunch, he drove to the ranch dreading going inside and seeing Megan. The thought of just seeing her had his cock twitching. He wanted her again but he couldn’t have her. Oh, he could have her, but he couldn’t have her. It would just complicate things. She’d leave him again so the more he stayed away from her, the easier it would be when she left.
He snorted. It wouldn’t be any easier than it’d been the first time. His fingers tightened around the steering wheel until they hurt. Why did you let her come here then? The FBI could have taken her to a safe house. He really doubted that Caporale would get to her there. No matter what she’d been led to believe.
Pulling the truck up to the back door, he stared at it knowing Megan was inside.
Grow some balls, Walker!
He blew out a breath and stepped from the truck. Snow swirled around him and the wind was biting into him, making him pull his hat down lower and his coat collar up just to walk up the steps. He entered the kitchen only to find it empty. After taking off his hat and coat and hanging them up, he walked to the living room and came to a halt when he saw Megan asleep on the sofa.
Damn! All he wanted to do was walk over there, wake her up, and carry her to his bed just as he used to do when he’d find her asleep. He sighed, turned away, and continued on to his bedroom to change his clothes. A hot shower was in order or rather, another damn cold one.
Dear God, why did you bring her back into my life? How many times had that thought gone through his mind since she’d been here? As he entered his bathroom, his cell phone rang and he smiled when he saw it was his sister in-law.
“Hey, Shelly.”
“Hi, Dakota. Are you coming to dinner on Thanksgiving?”
Dakota ran his hand around the back of his neck. “I suppose so.”
“Don’t give me that shit, Dakota Walker.”
He chuckled. “Straight to the point, as usual, Shell.”
“You’re showing up here or I’ll just come there and prepare dinner. Up to you.”
He could see her shrugging in his mind. “All right. I’ll be there. Damn, woman, I don’t know why you even ask.”
Shelly’s laugh came across the line. “And Megan?”
“Yes. I haven’t asked her but I will tonight. Happy now?”
“Yep. I’ll talk to you later. We love you.”
“Love you too.” Dakota hung up.
He hated to ask Megan to accompany him but what else could he do. He couldn’t leave her here and go to dinner there. It just wasn’t right. Shrugging, he turned on the shower then stripped as the water heated up. Steam quickly filled the room. Opening the doors, he stepped inside, sighing when the hot water hit his skin. God, it felt good. It had been a long day and he realized he was actually looking forward to the weekend. He jerked when the shower door opened and turned his gaze to see Megan standing there staring at him.
“What are you doing, Nutmeg?” he asked in a low tone of voice, trying to ignore his body’s reaction to her being there.
“Would you like to save water?” she asked him just like she used to.
He stared at her for a few seconds, knowing he should refuse. When he saw tears fill her eyes, he crumbled. “I’d love to.”
The smile she sent him was worth it. He watched as she stripped out of her clothes and his dick rose to full attention. He saw her raise an eyebrow at him in response. Grinning, he shrugged then stepped back to allow her to enter. She stepped in beside him, took the soap from him, rubbed it between her hands, and set it on the shelf inside the shower then she turned to him and placed her soapy palms on his chest. The minute she touched him, he groaned. He would never love anyone the way he loved her. He cleared his throat.
“Shelly called about Thanksgiving dinner.” Her hands hesitated on his chest. “She invited you too.”
Megan raised her eyes to his. “Really?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t she?”
“I figured she’d be mad at me,” she whispered.
Dakota took a deep breath and blew it out. “She was, but Shelly doesn’t hold a grudge.”
“What about Nathan?”
“He’s been fine to you, hasn’t he?”
“Yes, but he did seem a little quiet around me.”
“He’ll be fine. What am I supposed to do? Leave you here while I go have dinner?”
“I’d love to go. I just don’t want them feeling obligated while in actuality, they hate me.”
“They won’t and don’t, and you should know that. They’re not like that.”
“They love you and I hurt you—”
“It’s in the past and they know it. Don’t worry about it. Now, finish what you started.” He glanced down to her hands on his chest.
She grinned up at him. “I can do that.”
Dakota smiled and then hissed in a breath when she wrapped her fingers around his hard cock.
“I’m not sure that’s dirty.”
“Well, since we’re here, I’ll just go ahead and wash it.”
He groaned when she moved her hand up and down the hard length of him.
“You have a fantastic body, Kota,” she whispered as she dropped to her knees in front of him.
His hands clenched into fists as he fought the urge to thrust them through her hair. He lost the battle when she put him in her mouth and gazed up at him. His eyes met hers and he watched her take him deep into her mouth. Unable to resist, his fingers clutched fistfuls of her hair as he watched her. When she moaned, it sent a shiver through him, just as she knew it would. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes at the sensation of her mouth on him. Her hand kept pumping him as she sucked on him. He quickly reached down for her.
“You have to stop now,” he growled.
“I don’t want to,” she said then put her mouth back on him.
“Seriously, Megan, I’m too close.” A groan tore from him. “I want to be inside you.”
Leaning down, he put his hands under her arms, picked her up, and then stepped from the shower. Setting her on her feet, he quickly dried her off then himself. He picked her back up, carried her to the bed, and placed her down on it then moved between her legs and spread them wide. He hooked them over his arms then inched into her slowly.
When she gasped, he grinned. “Hold on. This won’t take long.”
He began pumping into her. Her arms wrapped around his neck as she held onto him.
Dakota pulled out slowly but then slammed into her making her cry out. He continued to pound into her until he felt her insides clenching around his hard cock. She cried out his name just as his orgasm hit him. He put his face against her neck and groaned out her name. Taking deep breaths, he raised his head and stared into her eyes.
“It’s always so fucking good with you,” he whispered as he lowered his head to taste her lips.
“Yes,” she gasped.
Dakota slowly withdrew from her and rolled over to lie beside her. He glanced over to her. “Are you all right?”
“I am. God, Dakota. What you do to me.” Her eyes met his.
As he stared into her eyes, he knew he’d been kidding himself. He wanted her with him. Always. He just wanted all of this shit with Aiden over before he asked her to stay with him. He’d always love her.
“I love you, Dakota. I always have and I always will. I know you don’t believe me—”
“I’m trying to, Megan. It’s just hard right now. Let’s just get through this thing with Aiden then we’ll see where we stand.”
“Really?” She blinked those beautiful eyes at him.
“Yes. I can’t deny that I love you, but I’m scared to let my heart out there again and right now, there is too much between us.”
Megan leaned over and kissed his chest then ran her hand down over his dick. To his surprise, he started to grow again. He laughed and shook his head.
“How the hell is that even possible?”
She grinned up at him. “I don’t know, but I like it.”
&
nbsp; Dakota grinned, rolled her under him, and after making love to her again, they fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms.
Chapter Nine
Aiden wasn’t sure how he was going to handle this situation. He knew he couldn’t just walk onto Dakota’s ranch. He had no doubt that the FBI would pick him up immediately. For now, all he could do was sit in this room and wonder what Caporale was going to do. He was a smart man, so he had to realize the same thing as Aiden. Damn it!
He startled when the door flew open, and Caporale strode into the room and thrust a cell phone at him. “Call your sister,” Caporale demanded.
“Calling Megan won’t help. I need to talk to Dakota.”
“You think Walker will help you without your sister asking him to? You told me he’d do anything for her but I want to make sure you get me my money. Call her and tell her I’m going to kill you if I don’t get my money.”
“If...when I get you the money, will you leave Megan and me alone?”
Caporale grinned. “Of course.”
Aiden didn’t believe him, but he really didn’t have a choice. He dialed Megan’s number.
“Hello?”
“Meg, it’s me, Aiden.”
Her gasp came across the line. “Aiden! Are you all right?”
“I...Megan, Caporale has me and he wants his money. He wants seventy-five thousand dollars.”
“I thought it was fifty thousand you owed him?”
“He wants more. Interest, he says. I need you to get it from Dakota––”
“No! I cannot, and will not, ask him for more money.”
“Caporale will kill me, Meg. I’m not kidding. He’s standing right here.”
Caporale took the phone from him. “Miss Carson, your brother is telling the truth. Get me the money owed to me or you will never see your brother again. Do not call the FBI either. If I hear you’ve called them or talked to them, he’s dead.” He tossed the phone back to Aiden.
“Megan? Please. You have to help me. Go see him...please.”
“I-I’m at the ranch, Aiden. I’ll talk to Dakota, but I don’t know if he’ll do this.”
“He’ll do anything for you, Megan. Please.” He glanced up at Caporale. “I’ll call you tomorrow at the same time.”
Caporale nodded and took the phone from him, disconnecting the call.
“You’d better hope she can get the money. I’ll kill you both in a heartbeat.” Caporale marched to the door and slammed it behind him.
Aiden knew he was in a shitload of trouble and he prayed that Dakota would come through for him, one more time.
****
Megan placed the phone on the coffee table and stared at it. Aiden needed more money. Again. How in the world was she going to ask Dakota for that much money? She jerked when she heard the back door open and close. She glanced up when she sensed him standing in the doorway of the living room. He smiled at her, but the smile left his face when she looked up at him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked her.
She shook her head and looked away from him, but he moved to the sofa and sat down beside her. He grasped her chin and turned her head to meet his gaze.
“I know when you’re lying, Megan, and you are right now. Tell me.”
“Aiden called me. Caporale has him and wants his money.”
“The fifty thousand he stole from him?”
Megan cleared her throat and shook her head. “He wants seventy-five thousand now. He told Aiden it was interest.”
“We need to call Nathan and Agent Turner...” Dakota stood and headed toward the kitchen.
“No!” Megan jumped up and grabbed his coat sleeve. “Caporale told me he’d kill him if I did.”
Dakota stopped and turned to glare at her. “Megan. Listen to me. We can’t hide this. It could be the chance the FBI needs to capture Caporale.”
“And it could also mean getting Aiden killed. No. I won’t let you call them, Dakota.” She collapsed onto the couch.
“You won’t let me? How do you plan to stop me? We cannot keep this from them. It would be obstruction of justice.” He walked to her, crouched down in front of her, and took her hands in his. “Megan, you have to let them know.”
“I’m scared. If he finds out I told them, he’ll kill Aiden.”
“He won’t find out. I’ll go talk with Nathan rather than call him. Caporale doesn’t know you’re here.”
She stared at him for a few seconds then groaned. “I told Aiden I was at the ranch.” She put her hands over her face, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t have told him. Okay, you have to tell Nathan. Just please be careful.”
Dakota smiled at her and kissed her forehead. “I will be. All he had to do is find out where your cell phone is pinging. He has the means to find out, believe me. Don’t blame yourself. He would have figured it out anyway. He’s that smart.” Dakota sighed. “I’ll head over there now. Do you want to go?”
“No. I’ll just stay here. It’s so cold out.”
“Below freezing and the wind is howling. There’s ice mixed in with the snow too. I won’t be long.” He quickly kissed her lips and strode out of the living room. She heard the back door close behind him.
“Oh, Aiden...what have you done?”
****
Dakota pulled his hat down low and his collar up on his jacket. It was bad out but he had to get to Nathan to let him know what was going on.
Damn that Aiden. Caporale would kill him if he didn’t get his money back, of that he was positive. Of course, he could kill him anyway. He was a cruel son of a bitch and he needed to be stopped. Getting him off the streets would be better for everyone all the way around. With his racetrack, he made tons of money but most of it came from people getting loans from him. However, Dakota knew some people had disappeared if Caporale wasn’t paid back. He covered his tracks well. It was why no one had been able to make a case against him. Not one of his henchmen were ever indicted either. The man was a menace to society and he had a long reach.
Dakota climbed into his truck and blew out a breath. He watched as it formed a puff of cold air and steamed up the inside of the windshield. He should warm up the truck but since it didn’t take long to drive to Nathan’s, he’d just get warm once he got there. Putting the truck in gear, he drove down the road on the property that led to Nathan and Shelly’s home. Pulling to a stop in front of the house, he climbed out and bounded up the steps. Shelly opened the door before he got to it.
“Hi,” she said to him with a welcoming smile.
“Hey. Where’s Nathan?” Dakota kissed her cheek.
“In the living room. Do you want a cup of coffee?”
“I’d love one,” Dakota told her as he took his hat and coat off.
“Megan didn’t come with you?”
“No. It’s too damn cold out.”
“Yes. Go talk to your brother and I’ll bring the coffee in.”
“Where’s my favorite niece?”
Shelly laughed. “She’s your only niece and she’s taking a nap.”
Dakota grinned. “She’ll always be my favorite since she’s my first one.”
Shelly shook her head and got started making coffee while Dakota headed for the living room. He spotted Nathan sitting in his recliner with the back down and the footrest up.
“Hey. You taking a nap too?”
Nathan opened his eyes and grinned. “Nope. Just relaxing. One good thing about being the sheriff, I get weekends off. Of course, I have a hard-ass boss on the ranch.”
“I may be your boss but you’re mine too, on the ranch.”
Nathan chuckled. “True. Now, what brings you over here on such a cold day? Is Megan all right? Where is she?” Nathan glanced toward the kitchen.
“She’s okay. She didn’t want to come out in this weather.” Dakota took a deep breath. “Aiden called her.”
Nathan sat up, closing the footrest with a thud. “Where is he?”
“Caporale has him and wants his money. He told Megan if sh
e called the FBI, he’d kill Aiden, and she made the mistake of telling Aiden she was here.”
Nathan ran his hand down his face. “Damn it. She didn’t realize what she did when she told him. Caporale will not hesitate to come here if he doesn’t get his money.”
“So, what do we do?”
“I’m calling Micah right now.” Nathan stood and picked up his cell phone.
Dakota listened as Nathan explained the situation to Micah. When Nathan hung up, he turned to Dakota.
“He’ll be here first thing in the morning. Once he’s here, we’ll get a plan together. When is Aiden calling back?”
“Tomorrow, at the same time he called today. That will give you and Micah time to come up with something.”
“I’m getting Mont in on this too.” Nathan took a seat in his recliner again. “Depending on what we come up with, we might need your other friends too. It wouldn’t hurt to have them on the lookout and if need be, I’ll deputize them.”
“I’ll get with them. I’ll have everyone meet at Zellene’s for breakfast tomorrow.” Dakota pulled his cell phone out and called his friends. They all agreed to be there. Dakota took a seat on the sofa and then quickly stood when Shelly entered the room carrying a tray. He watched as Nathan stood and took it from her then kissed her cheek. Dakota grinned when she blushed but cleared his throat and glanced away when she narrowed her eyes at him.
“I’m going to take a hot bath and relax while I have a chance. You two behave yourselves.”
Nathan chuckled. “No promises, hon.”
Dakota grinned as he watched Shelly walk away shaking her head. He looked at Nathan. “I envy you.”
“You could still have it,” Nathan said.
“I don’t know, Nathan. I still love her, but...” Dakota shook his head.
“She loves you too. I know she does. I can see it when she looks at you. She made a mistake and I believe she knows that now. This may not be the best time for you two to talk things out, but it did bring you back together. You’ve been miserable without her.”
Dakota Bad Boys of Dry River, WY Book 5 Page 12