Enticed by the Billionaire Cowboy [Wives for the Western Billionaires 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Paige Cameron

  “Honey, I wasn’t going to argue,” Sam said. “I understand. It’s your job.”

  Sylvia’s shoulders relaxed. “Thanks.”

  “We’re still going to help,” Rand added. “I’m glad we met him and know what he looks like.”

  Grace bit her lip. Gab looked at her. “What?”

  “I saw a man in town the day I went grocery shopping. He looked familiar, but he was walking across the street and away from me. He had black hair, and he wore a flannel shirt, jeans, and boots. Fred would never dress that way and he’s blond. I figured I was getting edgy because Mom kept insisting she had bad vibes about all of this.”

  “You think it might have been him in disguise?” Gab asked.

  “Maybe.”

  “It makes sense. He knows we’d recognize him if he didn’t do some type of cover up,” Sylvia said. “And he must not have stayed in Frontier City. I’d bet he’s found a place in Wagon Wheel. If he’s here.”

  “I’m home all the time,” Graham said. “Grace can stay with Gina and me until your house is furnished. You aren’t fooling with my sister this time, are you?” All the brothers gave Gab an intent look.

  Gab smiled. “I love her. I’m trying to make up for the way I behaved in the past.”

  “Your word is good enough for me,” Graham said. “But if you hurt her, we’ll hurt you.”

  “Fair enough,” Gab agreed.

  “Just like that you all trust him?” Grace asked and frowned at Graham.

  “He’s making amends, and we like him. He’s an old friend and much better husband material than Fred, the wimp you brought home to visit,” Sam said.

  Grace turned to Gab. “See, this is why I don’t like to involve them. They get all macho, even Graham. He usually stays out of other people’s business.”

  “Believe me, I’d rather stay out of everyone’s business.” He glanced at Gina. “But my wife would be unhappy with me.” He winked at her and patted her tummy. “I have to keep her and our baby content.”

  The whole family stared at him. “What. Don’t say it. I’ve changed a little. I still don’t want lots of company stopping by uninvited.”

  “Thank goodness,” Rand said. “For a minute I thought aliens had invaded your body.”

  Their Mom got up. “On that happy note it’s time for dessert, and then you all need to take my grandchildren home and put them to bed.”

  “Yes, Mom,” they said in a chorus.

  “Smart alecks,” she mumbled, but smiled.

  Sam stretched and looked down the table. “It’s good to see us all together. I just wish it wasn’t trouble that got us here.”

  Chapter Ten

  When they got back to the cabin, Grace turned to Gab. “I can’t stay at your house.”

  “Why not?”

  How did she tell him the truth that staying there and having to leave would break her heart, again. “I just can’t.”

  “Not a good enough answer. It’s the best spot. You’ll be much safer.”

  A lump formed in her throat. “I’m going to bed. You are sleeping in the other room.” She stalked off and slammed the door.

  Grace got undressed and into the shower. Her tears mixed with the water. Didn’t he realize if she stayed she’d end up decorating the place? She wanted to decide to marry Gab for the right reason, not because she loved his house.

  A warm body pulled her close. Gab whispered in her ear, “You didn’t say I had to shower in the other room.”

  “You don’t play fair.” She halfheartedly tried to tug away from him.

  “Men don’t when they want something or someone bad enough. Don’t cry, darlin’. Everything is going to work out fine.”

  She twisted around to face him and his hard cock pulsed against her abdomen. “Maybe it’s going to work out for you, but what about me? You aren’t giving me a chance to see what I want.”

  His eyes darkened, and his mouth tightened. “You know and won’t admit how you feel. Your brothers told you they trusted me. Why can’t you?”

  “You didn’t break their heart. I’ll stay at your house if I have to, but you have to leave me alone during the day. I need alone time to think. As you said, Fred won’t find me there and the driveway is wide open to see anyone approaching. Once you get the gate lock on, it’ll be really safe.”

  “I’ll agree, but only if you let your brothers take turns patrolling the area as they suggested. And I’ll have the locks put on as soon as possible.”

  She frowned at him, but recognized his implacable expression. Her brothers got the same look when nothing she said would change their minds.

  “Whatever, I’m going to bed.” Grace stepped out and Gab wrapped a towel around her and briskly dried her off. Her blood hummed through her veins.

  She ran to the bed and got under the covers. A dry Gab came to the bedside. He sat on the edge beside her.

  His fingers brushed through her auburn hair. Dipping his head, he kissed her mouth and slipped his tongue inside. Then he caressed her tongue with his, as his warm hand wrapped around her breast.

  He raised his mouth an inch above her lips. “Let me stay, please.”

  “You don’t know how to take orders.”

  “No, I don’t.” He scooted her toward the middle of the bed and lay by her side. “When I was overseas, my commander got angry several times when I disobeyed him, but since I was successful he let it go by. Then the last time, he suggested I wasn’t suited for the service.”

  “Is that why you got out?”

  “I agreed with him. I’d gone back after one of my best friends. I failed and almost got myself killed. If I’d died, he would have been in trouble for overlooking my unauthorized missions.”

  “You blame yourself for the failure.”

  “Yes, damn it. The other few times I’d gone off on my own it went like clockwork. But the enemy was ready and more astute. Jeb had been badly wounded. He told me to go on without him.

  “I got Jeb over my shoulders and headed back to our line. Then the one enemy soldier who’d lagged behind spotted me. He shot at us before I could drop Jeb and cover him with my body. Jeb was dying. That finished him off. I took a minor hit before I killed the shooter. I carried Jeb’s body back to the base.”

  Gab put his arm across his eyes and stilled. She waited a moment before touching his chest with her hand.

  “I’m sorry. It must have been very difficult in the war.”

  “Afterward, I reevaluated my life and knew I’d left behind my most valuable assets, you and living on the ranch.” He raised himself on his elbow and looked down at her. “I’m a man you can trust, and I truly love you.”

  Grace trailed her fingers down the side of his face. He caught her hand and placed a kiss in her palm. She saw the anguish and pain in his eyes.

  She began to kiss him. He didn’t pull away from her. With her mouth she tried to soothe the ache in his chest. Her lips slid down his strong neck. His heartbeat pulsed against her mouth. She licked the spot and brushed light kisses across his shoulders.

  Then she lay on his body and moved her attention to his wide chest. She kissed above his heart and felt the beat quicken. His muscled body fascinated her. Her fingers outlined his six-pack and trailed around his belly button. His breathing got heavier. He groaned when her fingers touched the satin-smooth skin of his cock.

  * * * *

  Her touch floated across his body, drowning the inner pain in love and caring. When her lips closed around his cock, he let out a breath. Slowly, she moved up and down his shaft. She licked and kissed, and tasted the drop of moisture on the top of his dick.

  He’d never had a woman love him with such gentle care. Gab watched her from under his hooded eyes. Her smile radiated and had a depth to it that he hadn’t seen in a long time.

  Grace straddled his body and placed his cock at the wet entrance to her pussy. Her body welcomed his dick with warmth and tightness. Her pussy walls clamped around him, and a bolt of pleasure, like a s
hot of good whisky, went right to his head.

  Her movements were graceful like a dancer. She swayed above him to an unheard melody as she slid up and down his cock. Her hands brushed across his chest and rubbed his flat nipples. He closed his eyes as a wave of sheer bliss rolled over him.

  Then he took control and caressed her breasts, rolled her rosy nipples between his fingers and quickened the pace of his dick moving in and out of her. She threw her head backward and waves of auburn hair fell down her back in a glorious display of brown with gold and red highlights. Her breasts stood out, and he squeezed them. When her orgasm hit her, her body began to shake. He rubbed his finger across her clit, and she whispered his name. Then he thrust hard a few more times before he gave in and let go.

  Gab gathered her to him and kissed her. Her pussy still pulsed around his throbbing dick. She was his. No one would be allowed to hurt her or take her away from him.

  “You’re squeezing me too tight,” Grace said.

  “Sorry. I wanted you to know how much I love you.”

  She snuggled her head into his shoulder. He exhaled a sigh of contentment and joy. When she relaxed completely, he knew she’d gone to sleep. He lay awake breathing in her scent, enjoying the feel of her soft breasts against his chest, and planning how to entice her down the aisle.

  * * * *

  Fred wrapped his surprise for Grace in a box and got a cab to go to Grace’s old place of work. He asked for Ann, one of her closer friends in the workplace.

  Ann looked surprised to see him. “Fred, how can I help you?”

  “I’ve got a present for Grace. I want to surprise her, and I thought if you mailed it from here she’d think it was something she’d left behind. When she opens it, and sees it’s from me she’ll really be surprised.”

  “I don’t know, Fred.”

  “Please. What can it hurt. Just put your label on it, and if you want, I’ll mail it.”

  “I guess I can do that much.” She left and came back with a return address label. She peeled off the back and placed it on the package. “There you are.”

  “Thanks, I’ll let you know how surprised she is when she gets it.”

  Fred took another taxi to the nearest post office and mailed the box. He’d love to see her face when she opened it.

  He was finding he had a wicked side to him. He quite enjoyed playing with her like a cat toying with a mouse. At the right moment, he’d pounce.

  * * * *

  Grace woke up to the smell of bacon frying. “Get up, lazy bones. We’re going to the ranch after breakfast. I have work to do. I’ve already packed your suitcase, and your design papers and easel are in the car.

  “I slept all through your packing my clothes?”

  “I was quiet. And I probably didn’t do as neat a job as you would, but we haven’t far to go.”

  She was hungry. “I’m surprised you can cook.”

  “You may find there are other revelations you don’t know about me.” He winked at her. “Hurry up and shower and dress. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  The cool water in the shower helped her wake up. Then she dried, put on a T-shirt and jeans, and combed her hair.

  Gab greeted her in the kitchen with a hot cup of coffee and a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast.

  “Eat up. I’ve eaten so I’ll clean the kitchen and we’ll come back later to do the rest of the place.” Gab rinsed the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. When Grace finished she put the butter and other items in the fridge.

  “We’ll drive your mother’s truck to her house on our way to my ranch. You can use my truck if you want to go to town, but I’d rather you wait until I or one of your brothers is with you.”

  “I can’t promise. I hate to be penned in. But if I go to town, I’ll call and tell Sylvia to expect me.”

  “Good. The two of you can have lunch.”

  When they arrived at his house, Gab left her unpacking and went to work on the barn. Grace needed the time to think about last night. Neither of them had mentioned what happened.

  She didn’t know what came over her, but she had wanted to love and comfort him, and in the process it had become so much more.

  It didn’t take Grace long to unpack. She put her easel and drawing papers in the back bedroom on the opposite side from the master. She wandered through the house making notes on what furniture needed to be ordered first. Curtains, lamps, and such she’d get from Mr. Craddock, in Wagon Wheel. He’d been an old friend of her dad’s, and she liked to give him her business when she was home.

  There were several furniture stores in Wagon Wheel. If she got someone to go with her, she might find a bedroom and a dining room set. She’d talk Gab into taking her to Wagon Wheel tomorrow or one of her brothers.

  Grace walked out on the front porch and sat on the steps. She breathed in the fresh air and let the feeling of being home sink into her. And this did feel like home. She didn’t tell Gab, but she’d never thrown away the drawings of her dream house. They were buried in a box under other mementoes of their summer.

  She scooted down a step and leaned against the one behind her. Then she drew how she saw the master bedroom when furnished. Engrossed in what she was doing, the car was almost to the house before she heard it. Graham parked and got out.

  “Hello, I didn’t expect to see you today.”

  “I didn’t plan on coming by, but a package was delivered to you. The postman didn’t see anyone around the cabin so he brought it to me.”

  Graham opened his trunk and lifted out a fairly large box.

  “Were you expecting to get something from your workplace?”

  “No.” Grace stood and walked to his side. “I don’t believe I left anything there.” She read the label. “But that’s where it came from.”

  “Maybe. You stand back and let me open it. I have a suspicious nature. I’ve already checked the outside the best I can for any signs of a bomb.”

  “There’s no bomb. It had to come from the business. No one else has access to those labels.” She started to take the package from him.

  “Humor me and go up on the porch.” Graham walked out in the field in front of her. He carefully pulled the top of the box apart.

  When it was completely opened, Grace said, “See, no bomb.” She walked to him and bent down. Under the paper she saw something white. Reaching in, she pulled out the wedding gown, now in tatters.

  Grace dropped the dress, and put her hand over her mouth. “Oh no.”

  “Whose gown was that?” Graham asked, his tone dark and angry.

  “Fred’s mother’s. She tried to give it to me the night I ended our engagement. How could he do this to his mother’s wedding gown?”

  Graham bent down and pulled out a sheet of paper. He studied the typed words.

  “What does it say?”

  “I’d rather you not know.”

  “Don’t treat me like a child.”

  Reluctantly, Graham handed her the sheet. In bold type Fred had written one sentence.

  When I’m through with you, this is how you will look when your boyfriend and brothers find you.

  Chapter Eleven

  Grace dropped the paper from her trembling fingers. “He’s gone crazy. How do we stop him?”

  “You don’t. But Gab and I, and the rest of our brothers will find him. We’ll give this note to the sheriff. You’re white as snow.” He picked her up and carried her to the porch to put her down. “Put your head between your legs, and take a deep breath. Don’t you dare faint on me.”

  Grace stiffened her spine. “I’ve never fainted in my life.”

  “Well, don’t start now. I have no idea of what to do with women when they pass out,” Graham said.

  “You’d probably slap me until I came to.” She couldn’t stop her smile.

  “I might. I saw that in a movie somewhere.” He grinned at her. “Good, your color is coming back.”

  Gab came from around the corner. “I thought I saw a car driving up the
road. What’s up?” He glanced at Grace. “You don’t look so good.”

  “She’s better than a few minutes ago. Her old boyfriend sent her a present.” Graham nodded at the box where Grace had dropped it.

  He walked across and picked up the dress. His jaw clenched and his mouth thinned with anger. “The bastard.”

  “You might as well read the note. This is what shook Grace.” Graham handed Gab the paper.

  “I’d like to get my hands on him,” Gab said after reading the note.

  “You and me both,” Graham agreed. “I’m going to call a meeting of the brothers at Rand’s office. You want to be there?”

  “Hell yes, but Grace can’t be left alone at all after this.”

  “I agree. We’re going to ride into town and take this package and note to the sheriff. I’ll ask Sylvia to guard Grace when we’re not available.”

  “Maybe Sylvia and I can drive to Wagon Wheel this afternoon. I want to choose some furniture and have it delivered. There’s not even a chair to sit on in the house.” Grace looked from her brother to Gab.

  “I don’t know if it’s wise to go out of town,” Gab said.

  “Sylvia has a gun on her hip. I’ll be safe, and it’ll help take my mind off Fred and his threats.”

  “We’ll see if she agrees. Graham, you two go on ahead. I need to shower and change. I’ll meet you in town.”

  Graham nodded and walked with Grace to his truck. When he got in, he gave Gina a quick call before driving to town.

  They parked in front of the sheriff’s office. Sylvia looked up when they walked in.

  Sheriff Grady walked around his desk. “Sylvia told me you were by the other day,” he said to Grace.

  “It’s gotten more serious since then. Did Sylvia tell you about our family meeting?”

  “She did. What’s happened?”

  Graham explained about the package and note. “It’s in my truck. I’ll go get it.”