Harper buried his head in her neck and pounded his cock into her, nearly splitting her in two.
On the next thrust, she came apart. Her climax rolled in so fast and so powerfully that she screamed his name. “Har–per!”
“Sugar, sugar.” He pummeled into her once more and held her tight as his cock expanded and shot his jism deep into the condom.
Her body heated and boiled over. The contractions came at her in waves and nearly drowned her.
Their ragged breaths weren’t in sync because his were deeper and fuller, but it was clear they both had been through the most amazing experience.
He lifted up and kissed her gently. “Happy birthday. I think this year might be a good one for you.”
Her heart pounded. “I think so, too.” She was pleased she didn’t come back with a comment he’d construe as too analytical.
He pulled out of her, tore off the condom, and headed to the bathroom. “The dinner reservations are in a few.”
When he returned, he had a wet cloth in hand, and wiped her down. She sat up and realized there was no way she could go to dinner with that thing in her ass. “I need to take this out.”
His cheery demeanor changed. “Please don’t, sugar.” He inhaled as if he was trying to find the right words to convince her. “As much as I love your pussy, being in your ass will bring you to a whole new world, and I can’t do that unless you leave it in until tomorrow morning.” He explained that if she needed to take it out for a short while, that was okay.
“I’ll try.”
His grin firmed her resolve. Throughout the meal, she bet sex would be on her mind.
* * * *
The next day, Holly suggested that as long as they were this far south, they should stop in at one of the many casinos.
Harper ran his thumb over the jade stone on the necklace he’d given her. “You sure?”
Maybe he wanted to get away from the sound of slot machines clanging. “I thought we might be able to learn something.”
“Such as?”
She blew out a breath. “You said all the casino owners know you in Black Hawk, but do they know you in Cripple Creek?”
“Ah, I see your point. We’re here to spy and steal their good ideas.”
She grinned. “Finally, the lightbulb goes off.”
As she and Harper were waiting in line at the reception desk to check out of the Lodge, he leaned closer. “If the lobby didn’t have a half dozen people in here, I’d spank your ass for your sass.”
She glanced up and him. “Promises, promises.” It felt good to be herself and not have to worry about him mocking her.
He laughed. “The casinos are about an hour away. You up for that?”
“As long as I get to spend the time with you, I’m good.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “You spoil me.”
“Sir?” said the gentleman behind the desk.
Whoops. Once Harper paid the man, they headed out. The day was sunny and was actually warm. Perhaps being three hours south of Freedom helped.
Not only was the drive from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek nice, she enjoyed the conversation. Much was about what else might be fun to do in Colorado Springs as well as how another visit to the park was warranted.
“Now that your machines are working, what else is on your plate? Will you be unveiling the virtual reality game room soon?”
“Conner is making sure all is good for our opening next Saturday. This week we have our annual inspection coming up.”
“Inspection? Do they look to see if the restaurants are clean and if the bathrooms are well maintained?”
He smiled. “I should have said our auditors. It’s like a fiscal inspection to make sure we aren’t cheating the customers.”
“Will they be able to tell if one of your dealers is being dishonest?”
“Possibly, but mostly they’re there to make sure we’re following the Colorado gaming regulations, such as whether our slots are paying out at or above the state requirement.”
Above? “Why would you want to give back money above the minimum?”
“To attract customers. If, say, the Golden Nugget pays out eighty-eight percent on their dollar slots and we paid out ninety-four percent, then a customer would rather come to our casino.”
“But you wouldn’t make as much money.”
“True, but we’ll make nothing if they don’t show at all.”
She needed to do some research on the casino industry.
His cell rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at it. “It’s Conner. Mind taking this?” He held out the cell.
She happily answered. “Hey, there!”
“Happy belated birthday!”
“Thank you.”
“Can you put the phone on speaker?” His voice sounded deadly serious.
“Sure. Go ahead.”
“Harp, the inspectors were here and we have a problem.”
Not only did Harper’s hands grip the wheel tight, but her stomach rolled.
Chapter Fourteen
Harper turned on his signal and pulled off the road because he wanted to speak with Conner. No one was behind him, so it was safe. “Tell me exactly what they found.”
“All five of the machines that broke and were fixed had chips that were set wrong.”
“Fuck. To what percent?”
“Sixty-two.”
He slammed a hand on the wheel. This couldn’t be happening again. “It’s Jack Marr.”
“Calm down. Marr’s in jail.”
“That didn’t mean the bastard couldn’t have hired someone to sabotage us. He’s jealous enough and pissed off enough to have someone else do his dirty job. What did the inspectors say?” He feared the fine would topple them.
“I explained what probably happened. The guy was cool and is giving us until next Wednesday to get it fixed.”
“We’ve never had a breach before.” It had to be Marr.
“That’s the only reason we aren’t in jail.”
“We’ll head toward Black Hawk now.” He disconnected and twisted toward Holly. “Sugar. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s fine. If I had a case, I’d have to cancel, too.”
Her flexibility amazed him. In truth, Wendy would have whined that she didn’t get to go to Cripple Creek. “I’ll make it up to you.”
She placed a hand on his wrist. “You already have. If you’d wanted to go to the casinos after that phone call, I’d have been worried. I’m happy that you want to make your business a success.”
Her understanding melted the last bit of ice around his heart. “Thanks.”
For the next two hours, his mind raced. What if Jack Marr was behind this scam? The last time he tried to get out from under the man, Wendy had died. He let up on the gas, not wanting any harm to come to Holly.
He loved her. There. He’d said it—not to her yet, as she’d probably run, but in his heart he knew she was the woman for him and Conner. Everything about Holly was perfect. She was smart, caring, sensitive, but most of all she listened to what he said and understood him even when he said nothing. That was why this next part was going to be gut-wrenchingly hard.
He had to let her go.
* * * *
Holly was pissed when Harper drove through Black Hawk. “Why do I have to go back to Freedom?”
He’d called Zane and asked if she could stay with them for a few days. As much as she loved Nikki like a sister, her partner had a life of her own to deal with. Not only was she trying to bring up an eleven-year-old boy, but she was starting a new life with her men.
“Zane and Garth will protect you.”
“They’re search-and-rescue men. I don’t think they’re good with guns.”
“What about Nikki? She was a cop.”
“She hasn’t practiced much. Besides, Tatum will be arriving in town soon. He’ll be staying with me.”
“I don’t like it.”
“How about if I ask Dani if I can sta
y with her until Tatum comes? Not only will Brady be there, but Lucas is a sharpshooter, or at least was. Not to mention there are three guard dogs.”
“Who were easily tranquilized.”
She twisted in her seat. They’d be at her house in minutes, so she had to think fast. “Tell me what you’re afraid of.”
“If Jack Marr is behind the sabotage, he might harm you to get back at me.”
Her heart ached, not for the danger she was in but because of the pain he must be experiencing. His guilt colored his thinking. “You think you’ll lose me?” Her voice cracked.
“Something like that.” He pulled into her drive. “Pack for a few days.”
Not waiting for him to come over to her side, she pushed open her door. This was total bullshit. She totally understood where he was coming from, but Jack Marr was in jail. The person trying to undermine his casino could have been a number of people, including any casino owner in Black Hawk. Jack Marr wasn’t the only name in the game.
She stomped up the steps, opened the door, and plowed in. When she didn’t hear Harper’s footsteps behind her, she turned around. He hadn’t followed her. She retraced her steps and waited a beat until she realized he wasn’t getting out of the vehicle. What was up with that? Yeesh. She’d agree to go to Nikki’s or Dani’s, but just until Tatum arrived.
While she packed more stuff in a second suitcase, she called Dani.
“Hey, happy late birthday!”
“Is it?”
“Oh, honey. What happened?”
She told her about the sabotage.
“Harper really thinks it’s Jack Marr?”
“Thank you for not jumping to the same conclusion. The guy’s in jail, right? Bottom line is that Harper is freaking out and wants me under lock and key. Is there anyway I can steal away at Lucas’s house for a few days until this is straightened out?”
“Absolutely.”
She blew out a breath. “You are the best friend ever, but shouldn’t you ask Brady or Lucas?”
Dani chuckled. “When it comes to making sure someone is safe, they’d take in an army.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you in a few.”
She finished packing, locked up, and tossed her case in the trunk of her car. There was no way she wanted to rely on Dani to take her to and from work. She trudged over to Harper’s driver’s side. He rolled down the window.
“I want to stop by the office to collect my laptop. That way I can work from Lucas’s house. Okay?”
“Sure. That’s a good idea.”
This stupid sabotage thing couldn’t have come at a worse time. It wasn’t like she’d come home to find her tires slashed or her windows shot out. She bet Jack Marr—assuming he was behind this mess—didn’t even know she was with Harper. Sure, Nikki was investigating Harper and Conner, only to find out it was Jack Marr who was behind the mess, but Holly never was near the casino.
Nope, Harper was being ridiculous. A few minutes later, she parked in the alley behind her building between Jefferson and Clarke. Harper pulled along side. This time, he jumped out and looked around then closed the distance between them.
“Let’s make this fast.”
“Are you afraid someone will spot me with you?”
“Right now, sugar, I don’t know what to think.”
She appreciated his honesty. Once she let herself in and shut off the alarm, she was in and out in a matter of minutes. She had some ideas about how to catch the person who changed out the chips, but if she suggested they use her help, Harper would tell her no. Conner, however, might be more reasonable.
“Ready. Dani said I would stay with her. I’ll lead.”
She didn’t give him any choice. For one, he didn’t know where Lucas’s ranch was located, and two, if someone wanted to run her off the road, they’d have to go through Harper first.
As soon as she climbed in her car, she locked the door. She backed our and headed southeast on Madison then due south on SR294. It wasn’t long before she pulled in front of Lucas’s ranch. At least she’d be staying in luxury for a few days.
She exited her car and pulled her a suitcase from the back. Harper grabbed her other one. Dogs barked inside and a second later Dani pulled open the door. She twisted behind her. “Shh.”
The dogs calmed. She wondered if Harper would come in and lecture Brady and Lucas on how to keep her safe, or if he’d kiss her good-bye and be on his way?
She placed her suitcase inside the door and turned around to take her other suitcase from him. Dani slipped inside as if to give her privacy.
Harper’s jaw was clenched. “Will you promise not to leave here until everything is resolved?”
“No.” Lying wasn’t in her nature.
He stabbed a hand over his head. “You don’t understand.” His hands fisted, ripping her heart in two.
“I’ll be careful. That’s all I can promise.”
“I might call you, but we can’t be seen together again.”
Her heart stopped. “Why?”
“We just can’t.” Harper spun on his heels, jumped in the front seat, and tore down the rutted road, dust billowing out behind him.
Only when Dani placed a hand on her shoulder did she realize she was letting cold air into the house.
“I’m getting you a drink. Go relax on the sofa.”
“Where are the men?”
“Brady is working—something about a bar fight—and Lucas is checking on a mare who’s about to give birth.”
Too tired to worry about anything, she dropped down onto the pit sofa. “I like this living room.”
Glasses clanked, and Dani grunted as she pulled out the cork. “It’s been used often.” She winked.
Dani walked over with the wine. “Sorry about how your birthday weekend ended, but I’m sure they’ll figure out who did this.”
She sipped her wine. “I need to get a look at the security footage. Harper believes that the slot machine repair company is responsible.”
“Then it should be easy to trace.”
“Hopefully.”
Dani leaned back against the cushioned seat and propped up her feet. “Why don’t we forget about Jack Marr for one night?”
She wished she could. “It’s not really Marr that bothers me. It’s Harper. He’s obsessed with the man.”
Dani set her glass on a small table attached to the arm. “No, he’s obsessed with you.”
Harper made love liked he wanted her, but his mercurial behavior was driving her crazy. The front door opened and Lucas stomped in.
“Hey. I didn’t know we were having company.”
Once he grabbed a beer, he joined them and she went through the whole tampering of the slot machines. “So Harper asked if maybe I could lay low here for a few days.”
“Sure. You’ll be safe.”
Just like Dani was safe here when Charles Lane broke in, but she wasn’t going to bring up that fiasco. “Thanks.”
As soon as Lucas headed down the hallway, presumably to shower, Holly sipped her wine. “I’m going to head to Black Hawk tomorrow to see if I can look at those surveillance tapes. Conner will be reasonable.”
“And when Harper finds out you went against his wishes?”
She closed her eyes and leaned back. “I’m thinking I will have a very sore ass.” She couldn’t help but smile.
Chapter Fifteen
When Holly arrived at Mountain High Casino, she parked in front, not wanting to chance running into Harper in the back lot. The problem was how to speak with Conner in his office without Harper hearing her voice from the other room.
When she entered the expansive casino, she scanned the main floor. It appeared to be less busy than before, and her stomach soured. She wished there was something she could do to help them bring in more people. The same purple-haired woman with the heavy-handed makeup job sat at the reception desk playing with her smart phone.
“Hi, Glenda.” The woman looked up and set down her phone. “I’m Holly.”
>
She smiled. “Well, hello, sugar. Welcome back. You come to see the boss men?”
Heat colored her face. Did the whole world know she was their girlfriend? Or rather was their girlfriend? Harper seemed to have put her on hold. “Yes, but I need a favor.”
Holly checked the bar area and the hallway in front of their offices and noted they were Harper-free. “I really need to speak with Conner. Alone.”
Glenda winked and picked her cell. She pressed a few buttons then lifted the phone to her ear. “Honey, Holly’s out here and wants to speak with you. Alone.” She giggled. “Will do.”
She disconnected. “He’ll be right out. You can wait at bar.”
“Thank you.”
There was no need to be afraid of any reprisal from Jack Marr or whoever was out to get them when she was here, as no one would dare attack her with all these people around.
She slipped onto the barstool, and a nice-looking bartender trotted over to her. “What can I get you, gorgeous?”
Even though the man made a living off of tips, she appreciated his choice of flirtatious come-ons. “The house white wine.”
“Sure thing.”
While she waited, she twisted in her chair. The door to Conner’s office opened and he jetted out. As soon as he spotted her, he strode straight toward her. Uh-oh. He didn’t look happy she was here.
He rushed up to her and gave her a hug. “I’m so sorry, baby, that Harper went ballistic on you.”
Now he was exaggerating. The bartender set her wine on the counter. Conner picked it up, nodded to him, and handed her the glass. “Let’s talk in the office.”
Why didn’t he ask her to come there in the first place? Men. “Where’s Harper?”
“He’s playing detective, trying to figure out who’s behind this. You’ll be safe for a while.”
She was just glad she didn’t have to confront him. “I wouldn’t have left Lucas’s house and come here, but I really wanted to check out the security camera footage.”
“Why?” He opened the door to his office and she stepped in.
“I have a theory.”
Conner rolled his chair from behind the desk and motioned she sit and then dropped into a high-backed wooden chair across from her. “I’m listening.”
Freedom to Love [Freedom, Colorado 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 13