Beefcake

by Jenna Jacob

  The familiar scrutiny made her skin crawl. She donned the impassive mask she’d worn during the trial, but the defiant lift of her chin left a bitter taste on her tongue.

  “Just a word of warning, darlin’…if you ever hit me with that look, I’ll take you over my knee and paddle your ass,” Noble whispered in her ear.

  Ivy peered up at him, expecting to see mischief dancing in his eyes. Instead, she found irritation. “You don’t get to shut me out…ever. Understand?”

  Unnerved that he could read her so easily, Ivy swallowed tightly and nodded.

  As his family piled into a massive, weathered Suburban, Noble opened the passenger door to a beefy silver pickup truck.

  “Buckle up. I’ll be right back.”

  “Where are you—”

  “I need to talk to Jasper for a minute. It won’t take long,” he assured and shut the door.

  In the side mirror, Ivy watched him jog up to Jasper, who was standing next to his cruiser. The two exchanged a few words before Noble climbed in behind the wheel and started the engine.

  “What was that all about?” she asked as he slowly eased the truck past the smoldering remains of her shop.

  “I asked Jasper to check with his sources in Dallas to find out where and what Eugene McMillian was doing tonight.”

  “You think he blew up my shop?”

  “I certainly don’t believe it was an innocent gas leak, darlin’,” Noble drawled, threading his fingers through hers and resting them on top of his thigh.

  “Me, either.”

  Ivy tried not to fixate on the fact that if she hadn’t gone to dinner with Noble, she’d be dead. Was McMillian crazy enough to kill her?

  The insane amount of heat radiating off Noble’s leg and crawling up her arm, couldn’t curtail the ominous chill sluicing through her veins. Paranoia pierced and Ivy’s pulse raced as she peered in the side mirror to see if they were being followed. The road behind them was inky black, but her fears continued to mount.

  “Me, dad, and my brothers will each take a watch tonight,” Noble announced as if reading her mind. “A heavily armed perimeter watch. We’ll keep you safe, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you.”

  His assurance should have calmed her. But knowing that Noble shared her level of paranoia only heightened Ivy’s angst.

  Focusing on the red taillights of the Suburban in front of them, she mentally tried talking herself off the ledge, but it wasn’t working.

  “When it comes to business, McMillian is beyond savvy,” she stated.

  “If he’s a multi-billionaire like the article said, he’d have to be,” Noble agreed. “But is he cunning and deceptive enough to commit murder? Without leaving any incriminating evidence behind?”

  “I doubt it. Outside the boardroom the man’s inept as hell. He can’t even brew a pot of coffee without his secretary’s help.” That realization ignited a sliver of hope inside her. “If McMillian is behind the fire, I hope he left a trail so bright the International Space Station can see it.”

  “Me, too, sweetheart,” Noble said as he slowed, turned off the paved two-lane, and followed the Suburban down a bumpy gravel road.

  When Noble’s home came into view—a massive ranch house surrounded by tall, sturdy oak trees and acres of flat land—a soft smile tugged her lips.

  “It’s not a mansion, but it’s home,” Noble announced as he pulled onto a concrete slab and turned off the motor.

  “It’s beautiful,” Ivy whispered, taking in the well-manicured lawn and flowers bursting with color that surrounded the house.

  “Sit tight,” Noble instructed before launching from the truck and hurrying to her door.

  After helping her out, he wrapped his arm around her waist and led her up a slight incline to a huge wooden deck at the back of the house. His family followed them, talking in low, concerned tones. As she stepped through the sliding glass door, Ivy found herself inside a homey, spacious kitchen. The rest of his family gathered there as well, and then Noble’s cell phone began to ring.

  He glanced at the caller ID and scowled as a hush fell over the room. “It’s Jasper.”

  “Sit and try to relax,” Nola instructed, pointing to a chair at the huge wooden dining table. “I’ll fix you some hot chocolate.”

  “Hello,” Noble answered, taking a seat beside Ivy. His eyes grew wide as he wordlessly listened. Then smirked and shook his head. “Are you serious? Well, I’ll be damned. Hang on a second, Jasper. I’m putting you on speakerphone. Ivy needs to hear this.”

  “Hear what?”

  “The International Space Station just called,” Noble said with a soft chuckle. “Ready on this end, Jasper. Can you repeat everything you just told me?”

  “Ivy? You there? Can you hear me?” Jasper’s voice boomed through the device’s speaker.

  “Yes. I’m here and can hear you just fine. What’s going on?”

  “When I started interviewing the owners of the other businesses on your block, I got some interesting information from Ralph Bickermeier. He owns the Haven Tribune couple of doors down from your shop. Seems he forgot his lunch box at work today, so he went back to the newspaper office after dinner to pick it up. When he pulled down the alley, he said a fancy forest-green car was sitting in his spot. A fancy green Mercedes Benz with Dallas County license plates.”

  “Did he write down the license number?” Dad, Norman, asked anxiously.

  “He didn’t have to. Ralph’s one of them fellas that’s got a photographic memory. He rattled off the license plate number along with the make and model of the car hogging his parking space.”

  “You already ran the number, right?” Noble pressed.

  “I did.”

  “And?” he and Ivy asked in unison.

  “That fancy green 2018 Mercedes Benz Maybach is registered to one Eugene Caldwell McMillian of Dallas County, Texas.”

  Eugene has been watching you. Janice’s words sent a shock wave of terror zipping through Ivy. Her heart thrummed wildly. McMillian really was trying to kill her. She fought the urge to run and hide as the impact of what it meant to find his car at the scene of the crime sparked a flicker of hope.

  “If that isn’t kismet, I don’t know what is,” Nola whispered, shaking her head.

  “I filed an arrest warrant for Mr. McMillian,” Jasper continued, “charging him with one count each of arson and attempted murder. I also faxed it to a close detective friend of mine down at the Dallas PD. As soon as he and his boys serve the warrant, that sum’bitch McMillian is gonna be cuffed and hauled in for questioning. If they can get a confession out of him before he lawyers up, he’ll be booked and locked up.”

  Ivy felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. Noble jumped up from his chair and swooped her into his arms while his family celebrated with cheers, yells, and fist bumps.

  “Guess that means we won’t need to take shifts keeping a perimeter watch up all night,” Noble murmured in her ear with palpable relief.

  When the revelry died down, Ivy plucked up Noble’s phone. “Thank you, Jasper. Thank you so much.”

  “I’m just glad Ralph forgot his damn lunch box and that we now have McMillian by the balls. You can relax now and let the Graysons pamper you. They’re damn good at taking care of others.”

  “It’s what we do.” Nola chuckled as she placed a steaming mug of hot chocolate on the table for Ivy. “You come on by for dinner one night soon, Sheriff, and we’ll take care of you, too. Ya hear?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I surely will. Oh, one more thing. Miss Ivy?” Jasper’s tone turned suddenly somber.

  “Yes?”

  “The first of your visitors arrived in Haven about twenty minutes ago. Pulled onto Main Street in one of those fancy vans with big ol’ antennas on top.”

  “Oh, no,” she moaned.

  “Don’t fret. I just wanted to let you know. Oh, and the minute I saw ’em coming, I grabbed my megaphone and told the folks gathered on the sidewalk
to zip their lips around those characters, or they’d have to answer to me. By now the whole damn town knows how to say no comment,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Thanks, Jasper,” Ivy said, worry lacing her words.

  After ending the call, Noble pulled her tighter to his chest and brushed his lips against her ear. “Don’t worry, darlin’. Those vultures are gonna have to go through me to get to you, and they’re never gonna get through me. I promise.”

  A sense of peace settled deep. Ivy hugged him hard and whispered her thanks.

  “What do you need us to do for you, honey?” Norman asked, concern wrinkling his sun-kissed face. Ivy reluctantly eased from Noble’s arms and took a good look at the older man’s face, now illuminated by the bright kitchen lights. There was no doubt who Noble had inherited his striking good looks from.

  “I honestly don’t know,” she replied, still feeling shell-shocked.

  “Have you spoken to your family yet? Do they know what’s happened tonight?”

  “Oh, gosh. No.” She slapped a hand to her forehead. “With all the commotion, I-I…” She grabbed her purse off the table and frantically dug out her cell phone.

  “Perfectly understandable, honey,” Norman assured. “It’s been a bit of a wild ride. We’ll give you some privacy. Come on, kids let’s go see how the Rangers are doing at spring training.”

  “Even though they’ve probably already heard the news, I should call Nate and Gina…let them know what’s happened,” Noble announced.

  “I think we’re going to head on home, Pa.” Ned scowled when his wife, April, turned and walked out the door without uttering a single word. An awkward pall hung in the air. Something’s definitely amiss with that relationship. “It was nice to finally meet you, Ivy. And I’m sorry about your bakery.”

  “Nice to meet you as well, and thank you. Luckily, I have insurance,” she quipped, hoping to lessen the tension. She sent him a slight smile as Ned walked out the door.

  “You should probably make a mental note to call your agent in the morning,” Noble suggested as the rest of his family began filtering out of the kitchen.

  “Yes. I’d already planned to. I need to call Alma Anderson, too. Let her know I had the business heavily insured.”

  “I almost forgot.” Nola paused in the doorway as Noble talked on his cell. “Alma stopped me as we were walking to the bar. She saw the four of you take refuge inside and wanted me to tell you not to worry. She’s got plenty of insurance on the building, as well. You’ll be back in business in no time, dear.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  “I’ll go find you some pajamas and leave them in the bathroom for you, along with some fresh towels and a new toothbrush.”

  “Thank you, Nola. Thank you so much for…for everything.”

  The woman simply smiled and winked before disappearing down the hall as Noble finished his call.

  Ivy stared at her phone, dreading the call she needed to make.

  “You all right?” he asked.

  “Yeah, just not thrilled to have to tell my folks about the fire and how McMillian tried to kill me. It’s not going to go over well.”

  Noble slid his hand in hers and squeezed. “Just take a deep breath and make the call.”

  She nodded, inhaled deeply, and made the call.

  The instant Celina answered, the realization that Noble’s invitation to dinner was the only reason Ivy could still hear her sister’s voice slammed home.

  I could have died tonight.

  Her whole body began to shake.

  Like a drum, her heart hammered against her ribs.

  A cold sweat broke out over her face.

  “L-Leena…it-it’s me,” Ivy stammered, gasping for breath.

  “Easy,” Noble murmured as he plucked the phone from her hand and hauled her onto his lap before engaging the speakerphone option.

  “Celina, it’s Noble Grayson.”

  “Noble? What the hell…where’s Ivy? What have you done to her? Did that asshole Harvey ask you to kidnap her in order to get me—”

  “Celina. Stop,” Noble growled. “Ivy’s fine. She’s here with me but is struggling to pull herself together. So I’m talking to you.”

  “Pull herself together? Why? What the hell is going on?” Celina screeched. “Ivy? Dammit, say something!”

  “I-I’m here,” she managed to choke out as she clutched Noble’s chest and struggled to tamp down the oily fears bubbling up inside. “Just…calm down and l-listen to Noble p-please.”

  “I’ll calm down when someone tells me what the fuck you’re crying about.” Celina demanded.

  “I’m trying. Take a deep breath and just listen, all right?” Noble instructed in a cool, rational tone. “There was a fire at the bakery tonight. I’m sorry to have to tell you that Sweet Flours is gutted…gone.”

  “Fire? The bakery is gone? Oh, god, no.” Celina’s voice conveyed the same level of shock inundating Ivy all night. “Oh, sissy, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? You weren’t burned, were you?”

  “She’s fine. We weren’t in the shop when the explosion happened,” Noble stated.

  “Explosion? There was an explosion? From what? A gas leak?”

  “No.” Ivy growled. Anger had suddenly replaced the angst from coming face-to-face with her mortality. “McMillian tried to kill me.”

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Hang on…Mom…Dad, pick up the phone. Ivy’s on the line and you’re not going to believe… Son of a bitch!” Celina spat in the receiver once more. “That man is certifiable. He’s even scarier than Harvey! Which leads me to…Noble? What the hell are you doing in Haven with my sister?”

  “Ivy? What’s wrong, honey?” The sound of her mom’s voice was doubly heart crushing.

  “Mom…oh, Mom,” Ivy moaned, choking on the emotions flooding her system.

  “Ivy. Talk to me, baby. What’s happened?”

  Then, like a ray of sunshine parting dark storm clouds, Noble took over. “Mrs. Addison, my name is Noble Grayson. I’m a, well, I’m a good friend of Ivy’s.”

  “Noble,” Janice repeated softly before her voice took on a defensive edge. “Did you meet Ivy in Las Vegas, young man?”

  “Yes, ma’am, I did.”

  “Did something happen to the… Oh, lord, please tell me she’s all right.”

  “She and our baby are both fine,” Noble stated proudly, sending Ivy a crooked smile.

  “Baby?” Celina screamed. “Ivy’s pregnant? Oh. My. God.”

  “Pregnant? Ivy’s p-pregnant?” her father barked.

  “Hush, both of you. Let the man talk. I’ll explain it all later,” Janice scolded. “Go on, Mr. Grayson. Obviously something horrible has happened if you’re talking to me instead of Ivy.”

  “Yes, ma’am. There was a fire…an explosion actually.”

  While Noble broke the devastating news, Ivy nuzzled her head against his chest and closed her eyes. The reverberation of his deep, soothing voice and steady beat of his heart wrapped around her like a security blanket. Not only did he patiently and respectfully answer every frantic question her family lobbed at him, Noble stretched out his legs, crossed his ankles, and strummed his palm up and down Ivy’s back. He wasn’t the least bit apprehensive or intimidated talking to the parents of the woman he’d accidently knocked up.

  Grace and poise under fire, she thought with a tiny smile.

  The more she learned about Noble Grayson and his supportive, gracious family, the more Ivy felt her protective walls chipping away. He might be the town whore, but deep down, Noble was a caring, loving, and fiercely protective man. She could easily become enamored with him.

  Become enamored? Ha. I’ve been head over heels for months.

  Though she wasn’t ready to accept his proposal of marriage, Ivy couldn’t help but reevaluate her stance about blocking him from their child’s life. As long as it didn’t involve anything to do with the birds and the bees, Noble would be a positive influence to be sure.

&n
bsp; “Ivy’s welcome to stay with my family as long as she needs to, Mr. Addison,” Noble assured before pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

  “Please let her know we’ll be arriving in Haven in the morning,” Janice instructed.

  “I’m right here, Mom,” Ivy finally piped up. “I’m out in the country and perfectly safe with Noble’s family, but I’ll meet you all in town.”

  “I’m glad to hear that, honey.”

  “Thank you for taking care of her, Noble,” Celina said with a sniff.

  “It’s my pleasure.” Noble peered down and sent Ivy a devilish smile.

  She rolled her eyes and lightly swatted his chest.

  After they said their goodbyes, Noble ended the call and cupped her cheeks.

  “Let’s get you tucked into bed, darlin’. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day and you need to get some rest.”

  “You mean…we’re actually going to sleep?” she taunted with a sassy grin.

  “Eventually.” He moaned before claiming her lips in an urgent, passionate kiss.

  Ivy was at a crossroads. Did she throw caution to the wind…ignore his reputation with the ladies of Haven, and spend another sweaty, thrusting, screaming night with him? Or did she shut him down and continue holding on to the bittersweet memories for the rest of her life?

  Noble’s confession swirled through her brain. I wasn’t blowing smoke up your ass earlier when I said I hadn’t been with anyone since you, darlin’. I haven’t…

  There was still so much they didn’t know about each other, but Ivy had spent enough time with Noble as he interacted with his family and the people of Haven to know he wasn’t a liar.

  Clutching his shirt, she kissed him back with the same level of fire and fury he was unleashing on her. When he traced his tongue along the seam of her lips, Ivy opened for him…opened far more than her mouth for him…she opened her soul.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Noble lay in his bed waiting for Ivy to finish up in the bathroom and join him. Instead of him fantasizing about her being beside him in his bed, soon she’d be lying beside him in the breathing, living flesh.

  His cock, harder and leaking more than he’d ever known possible, pulsed anxiously. Noble’s patience was running thin. If she didn’t walk through that door in the next ten seconds, he’d streak across the hall and throw her over his shoulder, caveman style.