by Liv Brywood
“I’ve made you a generous offer. I suggest you consider it before you make a… mistake,” Milton said.
“Are you threatening her?” Logan’s bear roared in his chest.
“No. Merely pointing out the futility of waiting for another offer. No one will be able to match ours. So it would be in her best interest to sell it while she can.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she asked.
“Read into it whatever you like. I’m here to make a simple business proposition. If you think I’m here with nefarious intent, then you have quite the imagination, Mr. Grant. Good day.” Milton spun on his Italian-loafer-covered heel and climbed back into the SUV.
As soon as he’d turned the SUV around, Logan spit on the ground. “If he steps on your property one more time, call me. I’ll make sure that he never comes near you again.”
“I’ll be fine, Logan. He’s a businessman, not a criminal.”
The small hand on his arm caught his attention. Kate looked so little standing next to him that his heart clenched in his chest. If he wasn’t around to protect her, he hated to think about what could happen.
“I don’t trust that guy,” he said. “I think you should stay with me for the next few nights, just in case he tries anything.”
“I doubt he’s going to—”
“Honey, you have to trust me on this. He’s dangerous. I know he had something to do with the Jenkinses’ barn burning down. You need to be careful, okay?”
She nodded. “Come inside. I’ll fix us some lunch.”
He didn’t move until the SUV disappeared from sight. When he turned to follow her into the house, a sense of foreboding churned in his gut. For the next few nights, he’d shift and keep watch from the woods. She’d never have to know. Once he brought his brothers up to speed, he was sure he could get a couple of them to help keep watch. If anything happened to Kate, he’d never forgive himself.
Chapter 6
Kate woke in the middle of the night to the acrid scent of smoke. She opened one bleary eye and glared at the fireplace across the bedroom. Expecting to see a gray haze, she bolted upright when she didn’t. A single burning ember flickered amongst the ashes.
She sniffed the air to confirm the scent. Burnt wood. But where? Had she left the stove on by accident?
After slipping a thick robe over her flannel pajamas, she tested the doorknob. Not hot. She opened the door and peered into the dark hallway half expecting to find flames at the end of it. Nothing.
What the heck?
If it wasn’t in the house… oh, no!
She rushed to the front door and jammed her sockless feet into her boots. As she ran onto the porch, her worst fears were confirmed. Animal streaked out of the semi-engulfed barn. She screamed and ran toward the burning structure.
Twenty-foot-tall flames licked the moonless sky. Horses whinnied and galloped past her as she ran toward the barn. She had to save them. From what she could see, only a handful had escaped. The rest were trapped.
As she approached the barn, heat blasted from the inferno. A crash followed by a gust of glowing embers scared a horse into rearing up directly in front of her. A quick jump to the side saved her from being knocked out by its flailing hooves.
Fueled by hay and other highly flammable supplies, fire engulfed the back half of the barn. The horses’ stalls were in the front section. If there were any still alive, she was damn well going to save them.
When she reached the entrance to the barn, black smoke billowed out. A putrid haze hung in the air. She hooked her arm across her mouth and nose, but it didn’t stop her from coughing every few seconds. Even though she could hardly draw a breath, she ran into the barn.
Horses reared up and kicked at the gates which trapped them in their stalls. She raced to the first still-locked gate and threw it open. The horse raced past her toward safety. More horses ran free as she hurried to unlatch their gates.
A support beam in the ceiling cracked and tilted down at an angle. She didn’t have much time. Two horses were still imprisoned in their stalls. She couldn’t leave them. She’d never forgive herself if they died, so she stumbled through the smoke, reaching blindly for the latches.
The second she released the last horse, the beam gave way. She dove toward the front of the barn, praying she wouldn’t be hit. The beam crashed close enough to shake the ground, only missing her by a few feet.
As she scrambled on her hands and knees toward the front of the barn, shouting men rushed into the clearing just outside the doors. A section of one of the side walls split and careened toward her. She rolled away from the falling inferno.
Eyes watering, throat burning, she struggled for each breath. She wasn’t going to make it. Fresh air was too far away. Strength left her body with every passing second. She willed her arms and legs to move, but she couldn’t.
A man’s strong arms lifted her off the floor and pulled her against his hard chest. She tilted her head up just enough to recognize him. Logan! He’d come to save her.
Logan ran out of the building just seconds before it completely collapsed. She coughed and sputtered as she tried to draw life-giving oxygen into her lungs.
“Honey, are you hurt? Did you get burned?” He set her on the ground and pulled open her robe. His hands gently felt along the sides of her body as if to confirm she was alive.
“Okay.” She couldn’t manage more than one word. Her lungs felt raw, as if they’d been singed by the fire.
All of Logan’s brothers rushed into the area. Mack and Brady grabbed horses and led them to a nearby pasture while Hank waved at the incoming fire truck.
“Water,” she gasped.
“I’ll be right back, honey.” Logan ran into the house and came back seconds later with a tall glass of water. “Drink it slowly.”
As he helped her sit up, he cradled her head in his huge palm. She took a sip. She wanted to gulp the cool liquid, but didn’t want to choke on it, so she took small mouthfuls at a time.
“What happened?” Logan asked.
“I don’t know. I woke up and smelled smoke. When I came outside, the barn was on fire. I had to save the animals.”
“You could have been killed.”
“I couldn’t let them be burned alive. Did I get them all? There should be thirty.”
“Hey Mack, can you get a head count?” Logan yelled.
He sat on the frozen ground and pulled her into his arms. The warmth and safety of his body helped ease the tension in her spine. For the first time since she’d arrived on the ranch, she cried. Thick tears spilled down her face.
“You’re safe now,” Logan whispered as he pressed his lips against her temple.
“He loved that barn so much.”
“Your father?”
“Yes. He built it from the ground up when I was a little girl. He took so much pride in it. Sometimes, I think he loved it more than he loved me.” She sniffed.
“I’m sure he loved you too.”
“Wishful thinking. He only ever loved two things: booze and himself,” she said bitterly.
A firefighter in full gear approached. “Are you the owner of this property?”
“Yes.”
“It’s going to be a total loss. The best we can do is keep it from spreading.”
“I understand,” she said. “Thank you.”
After the firefighter left, she turned away from the burning remains of the barn. She buried her face in Logan’s chest and took comfort in his piney scent. At least she wasn’t going through this completely alone.
***
Logan waited until the last flickering flame died. Tendrils of smoke curled up from the wreckage. Kate clung to him and cried for at least an hour before finally calming. He listened to her even breaths and thanked God a thousand times that she hadn’t been hurt.
Rage boiled in his veins. He knew exactly who was responsible for this. There was no way Milton was going to get away with another arson. If he had to hunt down the bastard
himself and let his bear tear him apart, so be it. No one hurt his family without answering to him.
He held her closer. So what if she wasn’t really a part of his family. He cared about her, more than he’d realized. His bear huffed in frustration as if to say, of course you dummy.
Apparently his bear was more in tune with his desires than he was. But wasn’t that always the case? Maybe he needed to listen to his bear more, and not just pay attention to his bear’s basic needs. Maybe there was more to the creature than he realized. Maybe his bear also needed to love and be loved.
After the fire marshal finished picking through the remains of the barn, he walked over to Logan. “I still have to do an official investigation, but the stink of accelerant is all over what’s left of the wood.”
“Just like the Jenkinses’ place,” Logan said.
“Exactly like it. Normally we get maybe one barn fire a year, so two in one month is suspicious as hell. I’d bet my badge it’s the same criminal startin’ these fires.”
“It’s Milton,” Logan said.
“We looked into him. Clean as a whistle. Not a single prior.”
“He probably paid someone to do it.”
“Could be. Either way, we didn’t find anything that could tie him to the last fire.”
“Look harder this time,” Logan said gruffly.
The marshal frowned. “We did our job right on the last one.”
“I’m not saying you didn’t, but maybe he made a mistake this time.”
“Could be. Anyway, how’s she doing?” he asked as he nodded toward Kate.
“She needs some rest, but she’s going to be fine. One of your guys already looked her over,” Logan said.
“If you need anything, you have my number. I don’t know what the arsonist’s endgame is, but he set this place up to burn to the ground. Bastard didn’t even let the horses out first. Whoever did this has absolutely no regard for life.”
“Milton only cares about money. He’s got a greedy soul; you can see it in his eyes. I did my best to keep him away from Kate, but he came around yesterday trying to get her to sell. He threatened her.”
“Did you go to the police?” the marshal asked.
“No. They couldn’t have done anything since it was a veiled threat. And even if he’d threatened her outright, what could they actually do about it?” Logan asked.
“Not much.”
“Right. Until the guy kills someone, that’s going to be their response.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” The marshal tipped his hat, then set out to gather up his men.
After they’d left, Mack, Brady, and Hank walked over.
“Which one of you was on watch?” Logan asked.
“I was,” Mack said. “I didn’t see a damn thing. Went off to take a leak and the next thing I know, all hell’s breaking loose.”
“How could you let her run into a burning barn?” Logan asked.
“I was on the other side of it. I didn’t see her go in.”
“It’s not his fault,” Kate said as she stirred in his arms.
“I know. I’m just pissed right now.” Logan’s bear clawed at his ribcage. He wanted out. He wanted vengeance.
“The sun’s coming up. I doubt Milton will come back today. She needs to get some sleep,” Hank said.
Logan glanced at the sky. Pale blue light washed in from the east. The sun hadn’t crested the mountains yet, but it wouldn’t take long. Hank was right. He needed to get her out of the cold.
“I’ll watch over her today. I want someone on patrol at all times,” Logan said.
“I’ll go talk to the other ranchers nearby and warn them,” Brady said.
“I’ll come over with Madison in a bit and bring you some breakfast,” Mack said.
“Where’s Drew and Cody?” Logan asked.
“I sent them out to make sure none of the fences had been cut,” Mack said.
“Good idea.”
“That’s what we do, look out for each other,” Mack said. “Now you better get her inside before she catches a cold.”
While his brothers headed back to the Curvy Bear Ranch, Logan stood up and lifted Kate into his arms. As he carried her into the house, she wound her arms around his neck. He didn’t set her down until he’d reached the bedroom.
“It’s freezing in here,” she said with a shiver.
“I’ll start a fire. Get undressed while I get your bath running. You’re covered in soot.”
She glanced down at her formerly white robe which had been painted gray with ash. “I guess I am.”
“I’ll be right back, honey.”
He hurried into the bathroom and turned the faucet on as hot as it would go. Steam billowed up to warm the room. He waited until the tub was half filled before turning it off. After testing it with his hand, he added a little cold water. Too hot and it would scald her skin.
The faint patter of her feet signaled her arrival. He turned and took in the sight of her supple, naked body. His heart skipped around in his chest. He’d never met a woman more beautiful than her. Even soot-covered and exhausted, she glowed as if lit by an internal warmth.
“You’re staring,” she said.
“I... you’re just so… Kate…”
“Now you’re babbling,” she said with a slight smile.
He couldn’t help but return her smile as he helped her into the tub. “Is it too hot?”
“It’s perfect.”
As she slid into the water, his bear panted. Every inch of her sensual curves displaced the water, which rippled around the tub before returning to caress the tips of her breasts. He couldn’t stop himself from going hard. What he wouldn’t give to reach in and run his fingertips across the curves and valleys of her voluptuous body.
“Are you going to stay?” she asked.
“You might need me to wash your back,” he said hopefully.
She smiled and grabbed a bar of soap. After running it up and down one arm, she switched to the other. Mesmerized by her movements, he leaned one hip against the wall and watched. She didn’t seem to mind his presence. If anything, she was intentionally trying to rile him up.
As she lathered her hair, thick soap bubbles trailed down from the top of her head. The scent of honey filled the room. He shoved his hands into his pockets. She was clearly trying to test him. She wanted him. He read it in the way she arched her back as she passed the bar of soap across one breast before sliding it between her slightly parted thighs.
The taste of her lingered on his lips as if he’d just kissed her liquid center. His tongue swiped across his bottom lip. As he swelled with desire, his rock-hard cock pressed against his jeans. If he hadn’t been so chivalrous the other day, he’d have no problem dragging her out of the bathtub and onto his cock. But he wasn’t that kind of man. He wouldn’t take advantage of her innocence.
She tilted her head to one side before half-closing her eyes. Ugh, she wasn’t playing fair. Even if she’d never had sex, she sure as hell had figured out how to drive a man crazy. If he didn’t leave the room soon, his bear’s bad behavior would get him into all kinds of trouble.
As he backed toward the door, she raised a brow. “Going somewhere?”
“I’ll wait for you outside.”
“I thought you were going to wash my back,” she said.
He groaned. How the hell could he resist that invitation? Before he could stop his bear, the beast pushed him forward. After dropping to his knees at the edge of the tub, he took the bar of soap from her outstretched hand.
“Make me forget about today,” she whispered.
“You know I can’t do that.”
“Why?”
Why? That was a damn good question. Since when did he resist a naked, willing woman? Since never. Against his better judgment, he set the soap on the side of the tub. As he reached for her, she sat up.
Rivulets of water trailed down the valley between her lush breasts. He caressed her shoulder, then slid h
is hand down to graze the tip of one nipple. The tiny nub instantly responded to his touch, tightening into a taut peak. When he rubbed the pad of his thumb across its twin, she sighed.
“Take me to bed,” she murmured.
He leaned into the tub and grasped her face between his palms. After searching her eyes, he dropped his gaze to her lips. She closed the distance between them, pressing her lips against his in a kiss hot enough to boil water. He shivered all the way to the tips of his toes. He’d never wanted anyone like this. He craved her touch. Every inch of him wanted to be pressed up against her, but more than anything, he wanted to be inside her.
When her tongue slid into his mouth, he moaned. Hot, demanding kisses tore at every last thread of his resolve. He’d forgotten why he’d ever wanted to resist her in the first place.
The harder she kissed him, the more he needed her. Desperate to feel her skin against his, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to her feet. As he lifted her out of the tub, she wrapped her legs around his waist.
He held her under her thighs and carried her down the hall. After setting her down on the bed, he clawed at his clothes. In record time, he stood naked at the end of her bed. Her gaze raked his body from his face down to his feet and back.
“Come here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He the loved the demanding tone in her voice. Who knew she’d grow up to be a little sex kitten?
As he crawled to cover her, she lay back against the pillows. Chest to chest, he pressed against her, careful to keep his weight on his knees so he wouldn’t crush her. He nipped and nuzzled her neck before dropping to spread kisses over her breasts. Yes, he was completely obsessed with them. How could he not be? They were so firm and round and delicious. He sucked one plump nipple into his mouth and teased it with his teeth.
“More.” She cupped the back of his neck and drew him down.
After another soft bite, she tangled her fingers in his hair. She whimpered and moaned as he lavished her with kisses. When she dragged her nails down his back, he lost it. Fueled by reckless desire, he kneed apart her thighs. He forced himself to take a breath so he wouldn’t hurt her.