Elissa adjusted her position, lifting herself up to guide his cockhead toward her pussy.
He was enormous, filling her completely, and she took a few breaths to relax while her body adjusted to the depth of his penetration. Because they had sex so often, her insides were still sore, but her need for his possession was too powerful to ask him to stop.
For the first couple of minutes, he allowed her to be in charge, and she rode him with slow, sexy, rhythmic undulations.
But then, inevitably, he growled. “You’re fucking killing me, Elissa.”
With that, he dug his fingers into her buttocks and lifted her higher with the next stroke, changing the pace, becoming more frenetic, hotter. Her breasts bounced, and her hair wildly swung back and forth. Every part of her was on fire from his possession.
She was lost in him.
Her orgasm loomed just beyond reach. As if knowing that, he moved one of his hands from her ass, licked a finger, then pressed it against her anal whorl. The pressure, combined with their motions, made her splinter. She came hard, and her body shattered beneath his relentless sensual assault.
Screaming, she pitched forward. As always, always, he caught her, wrapping her tight while she recovered. This time, however, he continued to rock his hips, sliding just the tip of his cock in and out.
The sensation was different, tingling, ratcheting her tension again.
Like the generous lover he was, Jacob brought her to a second climax before he unleashed his powerful control.
“Fuck. Fuck.” His body went rigid, and muscles and sinews contracted.
Watching him orgasm—seeing the result of their joining taking him apart—sent a rocket of feminine satisfaction arrowing down her spine.
They held on to each other until their breathing returned to normal, and she savored the moment.
Before she was ready—not that she ever really would be—he helped her to climb off him.
He rolled to his side and wrapped a lock of her hair around his hand. “That’ll have to hold us.”
“Can it be evening yet?”
“You, me, the dungeon at seven?”
“It’s a date.”
After pressing his thumbpad against her chin in a motion that was both affectionate and possessive, he climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. In the doorway, he stopped and looked back at her. “Oh, Elissa?”
“Hmm?”
“Your tea is cold.”
“It was worth it.” She grinned. “Most definitely worth it, Sir.”
“Woot!” Elissa pushed Send on the email to her client, letting him know the final touches on his website were done, which meant the entire project was now complete. Online, the speaker’s branding was consistent across all platforms, from social media to business card, making him appear professional as well as polished. She took a few minutes to finalize his invoice, which was almost as rewarding as finishing the actual work.
Right now, everything was perfect with the world—well, except for the fact that she could use a hot bath to ease the tension from her muscles, and it wasn’t just from sitting in front of a computer for hours. It mostly had to do with the way Jacob had attached her to the Saint Andrew’s cross and spent an hour having his wicked—and delicious—way with her last night—not that she was complaining.
The last two weeks with Jacob at his ranch had been amazing. Relaxing. Though she talked or video chatted with her parents at least once a day, the disconnect from her regular life had allowed her to see things differently and be more attuned to the wonders of nature around her.
Because of the mountain darkness, the number of stars at night was breathtaking. She’d downloaded an app so she could figure out which constellations and planets were visible, and she was starting to recognize them. A couple of times, she and Jacob had sat quietly near the firepit and watched the moonrise. She was enjoying it so much she was considering buying a telescope. Which she might actually do once her client paid his bill.
With a smile of satisfaction, she closed all of her client’s files, then decided to take a quick break to celebrate and reset before working on Jacob’s portrait.
That morning, he said he needed to work on some ranch business and provide guidance on some projects and help repair fence line. She’d walked him out to the UTV, and he’d promised to return midafternoon, and informed her that Hawkeye’s agents were close.
One was stationed at the gate. Another was in proximity to the house. A third was patrolling the grounds a little farther out. They had a drone in the air, and it would patrol the grounds in segments. Jacob had a link to all the cameras on his cell phone. Radio checks would occur every thirty minutes, and Lifeguard was periodically monitoring the feeds.
Then, unmindful of anyone who might be watching, he’d given her a kiss so deep, coaxing a response so immediate and powerful that she had no doubt that he was the only man for her.
A peek out the window showed that Deborah was still at the main house, and Elissa looked forward to visiting with her for a few minutes. And a cup of matcha would be perfect to help her switch into a different frame of mind.
“Kettle’s already turned on,” Deborah said when Elissa slid open the patio door. “I saw you walking across.”
“However much Jacob’s paying you, you deserve a raise.”
Deborah grinned. “I’ll tell him you said so.”
Outside, Waffle raised up on her haunches and pressed her front paws on the door. “She’s a pest.” Deborah sighed. “If she’s inside, she wants to be out. If she’s outside, she wants to be in.”
“I can sort of relate,” Elissa admitted. “Relaxing in the hot tub is always appealing when I’m cooped up in my office.” Funny how she’d already claimed the garage apartment as hers. “But when I’m out there, I get all these ideas that make me want to be back at my computer.”
Once she opened the door, the cat dashed in. In a blur, she ran past Elissa and jumped up on the counter to steal a piece of bacon.
“Shoo!” Deborah waved her arm, but Waffle was already running out of the room in a flurry of fur.
Elissa laughed. “She won that one.”
“She has no manners at all. If she wasn’t so darn lovable…” The kettle beeped, and steam escaped the spout. Deborah used some of the boiling water to warm the inside of the ceramic teapot before starting to brew the matcha.
While waiting, Elissa perched on a barstool. “How’s the book coming?”
“Slow. Every word is an effort, and I second-guess every one of them. Does it convey the right tone? Is it entertaining enough?” She sighed. “I always have three files open. The document, a dictionary, and a thesaurus. Every day I seem to remove more words than I add. I honestly had no idea how long this would take or how hard it would be to concentrate. Sometimes I think I’m my own worst enemy.”
“Do you make up stories for Adele?”
Deborah nodded. “That’s where the idea came from.”
“Have you tried recording one and transcribing it? I mean, just doing it without judging it as you go?”
“As if.” Deborah rolled her eyes, and Elissa laughed.
“How about a transcription service? You send the voice file, and they send you back text?”
“That’s an interesting idea.” Deborah leaned against the counter “When I’m at the computer, I think differently than when I’m just entertaining my kid, you know? And then I’m always second-guessing myself.”
“It’s an idea. I had a client who couldn’t provide any of the verbiage he needed to complete his website, so he employed that technique. It hadn’t been perfect, but at least they’d had something to edit.” She shrugged.
“Might be worth a try.”
“I’ve been playing with your website. Of course, I’d prefer everything to be in your voice, but I found some articles about you online, so I came up with a rough draft of your bio. I understand you’re modest about your accomplishments, but that’s the thing you’ll need to stand
out.”
Deborah poured a cup of tea and slid it across the counter. “I’m not comfortable talking about myself.”
“That’s why I’m working on it for you.” Elissa grinned. “And we need to start talking about social media, and you posting pictures from around the Steamboat area since you’ll be using it for inspiration for your series of books.”
Deborah gulped. “Series? I haven’t finished one yet.”
“Marketing. And you went right past me saying we need to get your social media in order.”
She wagged a finger at Elissa. “That was tricky.”
“Did you find an illustrator yet?”
“I’m still talking to a couple of artists.”
“Let me know when you make a decision. I’ll be happy to send over the files that you like.”
“You know…” She picked up a dish towel and studied Elissa. “You’ve already done a lot of the work. I’m thinking about hiring you. I mean, you know my concept, and—”
“Wait.” Elissa put down her cup. “Me? No. I can’t.”
“Now who’s being modest?”
“You don’t understand.” She shook her head. “I love your ski bunny, but definitely don’t think you want me working with you.”
“You’re talented.”
“But…” How did she confess this? “I assume that Jacob hasn’t told you what I’m painting for him?”
Deborah waited.
Would she have to get used to admitting this in the future? “Adult in nature.”
“Oh?” The other woman blinked. “Oh.”
“I’m honored that you’d think of me, but believe me when I tell you that I’m not the right person for a children’s book.”
“Could you use a different name? I mean, no one would have to know, right?”
Elissa and Jacob had jokingly tossed that idea around, but the truth was, she was happy with the direction her creativity was headed. “I’m happy to help you in any way, but…” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, I can always have a look at the project and give you some advice.”
“So when do I get to see some of this other art of yours?”
“Are you serious?”
“Oh, shit yes. I spend so much time with my kiddo that I’ve forgotten what it’s like to be a grown-up.”
“In that case, I’ll give you a peek when I have something I’m willing to share.” This first one was so personal, an evolving reflection of what she shared with Jacob, that she wanted to keep it private.
“I can’t wait.” Deborah refilled Elissa’s cup.
“Thanks.”
“I always enjoy the break. It’s nice having you here.”
As far as Elissa knew, Deborah didn’t know the whole story, and she hadn’t asked.
“I’m going to finish up here since I need to pick up Adele from school.”
“I’ll let you get back to work. Give Adele a hug from me?”
“She can’t wait to come see you again.”
Maybe because they’d spent an hour coloring together at the kitchen table last week.
“And she misses Waffle too.”
Now that Elissa had enjoyed a short break, she was reenergized.
“Tell Jacob I’ll be back next week. Since Eric’s on vacation, I brought over some groceries for you two. I also made a lasagna. It’s in the fridge with some baking instructions. As you saw, I also fried some bacon—not that there are as many pieces as there were.” She scowled at the cat, who didn’t look up from bathing her paw after devouring her treat. “Anyway, I figured you could eat it with breakfast or make BLT sandwiches tomorrow. There are also a few meals in the freezer that Eric made, but if you need anything before I’m back, just give me a call. Other than avoiding my book, I don’t have a lot going on this week.”
Elissa laughed. “I’ve dealt with that with some of my design projects, so I totally understand.” She slid off the barstool, then grabbed her cup.
“The pot’s more than half full. Do you want to take it with you? There’s a serving tray in the pantry.”
“Good idea.” Elissa located the lacquered piece, and once she had it loaded up, she said goodbye before opening the patio door. Waffle darted across the room, then dashed between Elissa’s legs. She had to do a fancy sidestep to keep her balance.
“Be careful! That darn cat is going to end up tripping someone.”
“She’s definitely fast.” And somehow managed to be everywhere at once.
When they were outside, Waffle raced toward one of the lounge chairs on the patio and jumped onto it. By the time Elissa reached the garage, the feline was already curled up and appeared to be sleeping.
Elissa topped off her tea and was about to wake up her computer when the sound of an approaching vehicle captured her attention.
Curious, she walked to the window that faced the house.
A large white panel van bearing the name of a well-known delivery company ambled up the driveway and parked.
The driver slowly exited, and she absently noted he wasn’t carrying anything as he started up the path toward the porch. Then the vehicle’s rear door exploded open, and another person—appearing to be a man, tall, dressed in black, with a ball cap pulled low to disguise his features—jumped out.
The delivery guy looked over his shoulder and hurried a little faster.
Sudden, hot fear slammed her heart into overdrive.
She told herself she was being ridiculous. All of Jacob and Hawkeye’s fears had made her paranoid, and she was overreacting.
It was just a delivery.
But then the second man moved faster and appeared to stick something against the driver’s spine and forced him up the steps.
Elissa jumped back, away from the window.
Think. She had to think.
Deborah was all alone in the house, and even if she didn’t open the door, the men could get in through the patio. That would only take another minute or two.
And Jacob wasn’t expected to return for another couple of hours. She wrapped her arms around her middle, silently assuring herself there were plenty of agents around. No doubt they were already aware of the situation and had it under control. In fact, maybe the man she’d seen was one of Hawkeye’s men.
But what if he wasn’t?
She remembered Jacob’s admonishment to reach out to him for any reason. He’d rather it be a false alarm than to take any chances.
Hurriedly she rushed to the light switch and pushed the panic button.
She expected an alarm to ring—something, anything—but nothing happened. Was it even working?
Elissa returned to the window in time to see the door open. Then a shot rang out, the delivery driver crumpled, and the man dressed in black shoved his way into the house.
Chapter Nine
An alarm shrieked on Jacob’s phone, splitting the silence. It wasn’t an ordinary tone. It meant a panic button had been pushed somewhere. Cold fucking dread ripped through him.
He released the wire tightener he’d been using on the fencing and grabbed his phone from his belt clip to check the display. In neon green, the words GARAGE APARTMENT were flashing.
His training kicked in at the same time that anger flattened his heart rate.
Immediately he opened the video feed app even as he strode back toward the grouping of vehicles. He’d driven his utility vehicle, but one of the ranch hands had arrived on a tricked-out ATV that was significantly faster than his.
Though he didn’t stop moving, he exhaled his relief when he saw Elissa staring out a window. He selected an option that would allow him to talk to her over the room’s speaker system. “Elissa?”
“Jacob!” Her voice was wobbly. She looked around instinctively, as if seeking him out. “He’s in the house, and the delivery driver…” She gulped. “I…think he’s dead.”
He tried to understand what she meant, but he needed her safe while he did so. He took less than a second to brush the key on the side of his phone, alerti
ng Lifeguard he was needed. “I need you to breathe. Stay calm. You’ve got information we need in order to end this situation. Do you understand?” He took a breath of his own and forced a note of calmness into his tone.
On the screen, he saw her nod.
“Is there anyone outside?”
“No. He’s in the house, with Deborah.”
Shoving away tendrils of panic, he focused himself on staying in the moment. This wasn’t Peru or the attacked convoy in Colombia. He could and would get Elissa and Deborah through this safely. “Move away from the window and close the blinds, then walk over to the door and lock it.”
There was no response, and she remained where she was, as if frozen to the spot.
“Elissa.” He kept his words measured, reassuring but uncompromising. “Pay attention to the sound of my voice. Close the blinds.” She was safer if no one knew she was in there. “Elissa?”
“Okay.” She nodded as she pulled on the correct string.
“Good. Now I need you to lock the door. Do it for me. Do it now.”
Finally she moved and threw the bolt home. He exhaled his relief. “Help’s coming. I’m on the way.” He signaled to the ranch hand who’d been riding the ATV. “Need your keys.”
“Sure, boss.”
Jacob caught them with one hand, then straddled the beast and fired it up before sliding the cell phone into a holder. Jacob gunned the throttle and raced toward the house.
Trying to stay in control of the four-wheeler, he pressed a key on the side of his cell phone that immediately connected him with Lifeguard. “Operation Wildflower. Got a situation at the ranch house. Need to know what I’m dealing with. Delivery person down? My housekeeper is inside with the UNSUB.” Unknown subject. “And I’m on a fucking ATV.”
“Roger that.” As always, Lifeguard was unflappable.
“Get me a damn sitrep.”
“Mansfield at the guard shack is down.”
Goddamn fuck it to hell. Of course he was—he had to be. Deliveries were common enough, and Mansfield would have recognized the driver as someone who belonged on the premises, which left him vulnerable.
On the feed to the office apartment, he heard Elissa’s soft, rapid breaths. “You’re doing good, Elissa.” To Lifeguard, he was abrupt. “Intel from the drone?”
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