Badge of Honor [The Town of Pearl 9] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  Before long they were in the clearing and only a few minutes from the town line. She slowed down and he came up alongside her.

  “Are you ready to tell me who you are?” he asked, catching his breath.

  She placed her hands on her hips and stood in a stance that reminded him of a beat cop on patrol.

  “You’re still here?” she asked in a wise guy tone.

  He eyed her over. “Of course. You call that a workout?” he teased her and saw her expression and her body language change.

  “That’s only part of it. Not that it’s any of your business.”

  He glanced at her and hid his smile. Harper didn’t know why he was still engaging this rude stranger other than the fact he was still annoyed that she drew a gun on him. There was just something about her, even though he couldn’t see her eyes from behind the glasses, or even her hair from under the hood. Only a few strands of what appeared to be blonde peeked out. Her black spandex running pants and black-and-purple hoodie didn’t reveal much but a firm round ass that hardly bounced when she ran and large breasts that did.

  He glanced up toward the high hills behind her.

  “How about if I beat you up that hill, you tell me who you are.”

  “And if I beat you?” she challenged.

  “Then I can tell you who I am before I leave you alone.”

  “Why don’t you just leave me alone now?” she asked, looking him over.

  He did the same thing right back to her and she looked away. He’d gotten to her. She was interested. He was working that charm of his, yet his gut had him on guard. Something was up with this woman. Only a handful of women carried weapons around Pearl. It wasn’t necessary because the men of Pearl watched over them unless they were single, involved in law enforcement, or owned their own land and wanted to protect it. But those who did carry, didn’t carry Glocks.

  “And miss finding out more about the woman who was able to draw a gun on me and get me not to disarm her? No way. Too intrigued now. Shall we?” he asked, motioning with his hand toward the hill.

  She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’m not going to accept this challenge. I don’t care who you are or why you find it so intriguing to know who I am. In regards to getting the upper hand on you, well cough it up to experience, buddy.”

  “You’re chicken,” he goaded her.

  “I am not,” she said and appeared as if she was getting angry. So the mysterious woman had a competitive streak in her.

  “I get it. You know I’ll beat you because I’m a man, and I’m stronger.”

  “You’re an idiot, and I’m not biting.” She began to walk when he grabbed her hand. The moment he did they both looked at one another. He was shocked by the effects his move had on him. He stepped closer.

  “Interesting,” he whispered.

  She pulled from his hold. “I think not.”

  “You’re still chicken,” he challenged her as she started walking away and then stopped.

  “You know you can’t beat me up that hill. You’re not fast enough or strong enough.”

  She looked at him. “Okay. Up that hill and when I get there first you’ll leave me alone and move on?” she asked.

  Oh I doubt it. You’ve got my full attention. My curiosity is definitely getting the better of me.

  “Sure,” he said and she looked at him as if she could read his mind. How did she do that? And why did he feel guilty? No woman intrigued him like this one. It was instant and strong. Too strong to ignore. It would eat at him for days if he didn’t at least find out she lived in Pearl or nearby. Or maybe just her name. That might hold him off for a little while. But he knew if she left here today without him getting her name then he would be coming to these woods and running around trying to bump into her again. He had to beat her up that hill.

  “Okay. Let’s do this so I can move on,” she said.

  He smirked at her. “All the way to the top. The one who gets there first wins.” She nodded her head and then got into a starting position.

  He glanced at her as he prepared to take off running, too.

  “On three?”

  She nodded and looked ahead. Staring at the profile of her face, Harper almost lost count. How stupid? It was three numbers and when he said three, in a whisper, she took off and he hesitated.

  “Shit,” he blurted out and ran after her and up toward the hill. As they ran nearly side by side, he felt the difficulty of the steep hill and so did the woman who grunted low and then gasped. He had to beat her. He just had to so he could find out who she was. As he made it to the top of the hill, overjoyed for beating the woman and now prepared to interrogate her, he saw she wasn’t there. Instead she was on her knees a few feet back and holding her side. She looked about ready to cry and he felt like such a bastard.

  “Shit. Are you okay? Damn I didn’t mean for you to get hurt,” he said as he slid down and knelt next to her. She sat down and wrapped an arm around her waist and took short, painful breaths.

  “Damn it. Damn it to hell,” she complained.

  “Are you okay?” he asked her and she nodded her head.

  He sat down next to her and his gut clenched. She was hurt. Not from the sprint up the hill but from an injury on her side. There was no way a woman in such physically fit condition would have a cramp or something. Call it intuition or instincts, but he knew she was hurt. Perhaps that was why she carried a gun? Maybe she was in trouble or something.

  “What?” she snapped at him. He hadn’t realized that he was staring at her.

  “You’re hurt.”

  She shook her head and went to move but gasped. He reached over and covered her knee with his hand. He was a lot bigger than her and when he placed his hand over her knee and made that physical contact he felt the heat move over his entire body. His cock even hardened and stood at attention. He was instantly attracted to this woman and he couldn’t even see her face or her eyes.

  “You’re not okay. You’re definitely hurt. An old injury?” he asked.

  She pulled her sunglasses from her face and snapped at him, “It’s none of your business. Just leave me alone please, and go bother someone else.”

  He stared into her gorgeous blue eyes and she stared right back at him.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “What’s your name?” he replied and he watched her lips part and all he could think about was how sweet those lips would taste. He was shocked. He’d never had a reaction like this to a woman before. It was so fast and wild. She was exquisite.

  He raised one eyebrow at her and she held his expression with annoyance written all over her face. However, she must have sensed his stubbornness for she replied softly.

  “If I tell you, will you leave me alone?” she asked.

  He couldn’t resist as he reached up and gently pushed a stray piece of blonde hair from her cheek and held her chin with his thumb and pointer. He held her gaze. “I doubt it. Tell me your name.”

  * * * *

  Lauren was shocked at the rush of emotions and the attraction she had to this stranger. The man was gorgeous, hard, and muscular, and there was a darkness about him. His blue eyes were bold and in great contrast to his tan complexion. He acted so authoritative and in control, and she couldn’t help but think he was someone important or perhaps just believed himself to be important. Like a man who was used to giving orders or even taking action. Why that thought aroused her she didn’t know. She also didn’t need any complications while living in Pearl. She had training to do and fucking around with some hot cowboy wasn’t going to help her to remain on guard and well trained.

  She looked away. “Sally,” she lied. “Okay, now you can leave me alone,” she said as she looked straight ahead. The pain in her side from where her wound over her ribs was actually burned. She overdid it and now she would suffer the aches for the rest of the night, maybe even tomorrow. She hoped it didn’t inhibit her from working out and training.

  “Sally, nice to meet you. I’m
Harper Calloway.” He reached his hand out and she slowly looked at him then his hand. She was afraid to shake it. To touch him again after the attraction and spark she felt when he touched her knee before. But as the stinker raised one of his eyebrows at her and gave her that sassy, sexy look, she fell for it and shook his hand. He smiled softly.

  “Now, that wasn’t so bad was it?” he asked.

  She went to stand up, holding her side as the ache continued. He helped her.

  “Easy now. Maybe you should rest a little longer. I’ll stay with you,” he offered and she shook her head as she cringed and stood up straight.

  “I’ve got it, Harper. Thanks for the adventure. Have a nice day.”

  “Wait. You’re leaving so soon?”

  “I’ve got plans. Besides, I think we’re done here,” she replied and he gave her a smirk. A coy, sexy little grin and wink that made her think this wouldn’t be the last time she bumped into Harper Calloway. She was shocked at the sensations and the excitement she felt at the prospect. Nothing like this ever happened to her. She really needed to refocus on her agenda and not the eye candy.

  “I’ll see you around, Sally,” he said and she felt so badly for lying to him. He was a very attractive guy. Had impressed her with his moves and his methods of flirting with her. Under normal circumstances she would have engaged in more conversation. But then again, she sucked at relationships. Men couldn’t handle her or the fact that she was so independent and had killed before. She was superior in her profession and as good as any male around. That was a turnoff eventually for most men. They wanted to be superior and all the guys she’d ever dated felt inadequate and as if she was their protector instead of the other way around.

  She gave a small nod toward Harper and absorbed his body and demeanor. The man was tall and built very well. He towered over her. She felt his presence and knew he was an Alpha male all the way. She’d never felt this type of instant acknowledgement and a level of equality before. In fact maybe it wasn’t equality but more her match in that area where she dominated most men she met. She wasn’t sure but as she gave a wave and painstakingly headed down the hill with Harper looking on she wondered if she would ever let her guard down and allow a man, the right man, to take care of her and comfort her and make her let go and be free. No responsibility, no fighting, no being ready to shoot and kill on a moment’s notice and no more loneliness.

  She took a deep breath and released it as they reached the bottom of the hill.

  It could never happen. She could never let her guard down. Not being marked for death by the main members of the Tenth Street gang. It just wasn’t possible.

  Chapter 5

  Harper’s curiosity was getting the better of him, but he didn’t want to come off all stalkerlike and follow Sally. He watched her walk away and all he could do was hope he would see her again. In fact, he was already formulating a plan to be in the same place he was today when he first saw her. He did tell her that it was his normal route. That would either make her change hers, or she would purposely run the same path again at the same time in hopes of seeing him, too.

  That thought brought a small smile to his face. This was so unlike him. To react to a woman like this. As he headed out of the woods and along the road, he couldn’t help but wonder more about her. Why was she carrying a gun? She hadn’t even hesitated to pull it out as he approached. Was she in some kind of trouble? Had someone hurt her and she was recovering? Maybe that was why the race up the hill was too much for her. Perhaps she was holding her side and favoring an injury. His mind was going through a whirlwind of thoughts and before long he was approaching the backyard of the ranch.

  What would the others think about her? About him reacting to a stranger like this? Should he tell them? Did he want to?

  They lived such dangerous lives and weren’t ready to settle down. They hinted around about sharing a woman just like their friends did. He’d give his life for any of the guys. Hell, they’d all experienced near death. They also did some jobs that weren’t on the up and up. How would a woman like Sally feel about that?

  He ran his hand through his hair.

  “Fuck I’m rushing things along. I don’t even know how to find her.”

  “How to find who?”

  He heard the voice and realized he had spoken aloud. He locked gazes with Mace.

  Mace was six foot three with a hard expression, the quietest of the group but all badass. He stood by the edge of the porch preparing to stack wood for the outdoor fireplace.

  “Nothing,” Harper replied.

  “Don’t you mean no one? You said you don’t even know how to find her. Who is she?” Mace asked and winked.

  “No one. Just forget about it. I was thinking aloud.”

  “Yeah you tend to do that when you’re really high-strung and obsessed with something. Did you meet her in town or on your run?”

  Harper joined Mace by the deck. Mace started to line up the large pieces of wood then reached for the ax and began to split the logs.

  “I was running through the woods, like I usually do and on our usual route.”

  Mace nodded then hit the wood again to split another log. Harper wondered what would have happened if Mace were there with him. Shit, Mace would have disarmed Sally and maybe even hurt her with his quick moves.

  He thought about leaving out the part where Sally drew her weapon, a Glock.

  But then he never lied to Mace or the others. He never held back with them. They were his family.

  He cringed just waiting for Mace to explode on him when instead he heard laughter. Mace found it amusing.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? Some chick in spandex got the jump on you?”

  “What chick in spandex?”

  Harper turned to see Orin join them. He stepped down off the porch with his hands in his front pockets.

  “Some chick was running through the woods on the same route as Harper and when she saw him, and thought he was some pervert, she drew a gun on him.”

  “Shit, Harper. Are you okay? Who was she and what was she doing with a gun?” Orin asked.

  “I don’t know who she was or why she had the gun. She sure as shit knew how to use it though. Pulled it out in a flash and held it with steady hands. Like a trained professional.”

  “Could be retired military. Though I think Wyatt and his deputies would know for sure. Glad she didn’t decide to pop you one,” Orin said as he slapped Harper on the shoulder.

  Harper shook his head at his buddy’s teasing.

  “Shit, that would have truly sucked. You’ve been through war, fucked up major crazy secret missions, and even some dangerous jobs here on US soil, and this Terminator chick could have ended your life because she thought you were some pervert in the woods. Fucking scary,” Mace told Harper.

  “Really fucking scary,” Orin added.

  “Did you find out her name at least or maybe where she lives? Perhaps Wyatt should talk to her about carrying,” Mace wondered.

  “Her name is Sally, and no I have no idea where she lives. It wasn’t a big deal. I think she realized she was safe and put it away as if nothing happened. It was her behavior and actions afterwards that keep me wondering about her.”

  “Oh shit, you got the hots for this woman. Damn, who would have thought that gun play was your thing in the bedroom,” Mace teased.

  “Fuck you, moron. That wasn’t it at all. She was very pretty, had a great body, and a sort of sweet personality,” Harper said.

  “Sweet personality, my ass. She sounds like some psycho feminist on a power trip because she has a gun. You’re lucky she didn’t shoot your cock off,” Mace said in annoyance. He then started carrying on about women wanting to use men.

  Mace didn’t trust easily and that was putting it mildly. He sure as shit didn’t date and never felt compelled to engage in a committed relationship. His sourness about women stemmed from his inability to commit. The military had ruled his life and their lives. Even after retiring they were st
ill putting everything on the line. Instead of for their country that they loved, they did it for kicks, the adrenaline rush, and the money. God knew the government didn’t take care of their soldiers the way they portrayed to the public.

  Harper looked at Orin. His expression serious and dark like always. He had a distinguishing nose, a firm, muscular jaw, and very dark eyes.

  “What’s up with you?” Orin asked Harper. Harper turned toward the woods, his thoughts still on Sally, the mysterious blonde from the woods. He laughed at his own thoughts. He was making her a mystery. Mace was probably right. She was more than likely some psycho woman with the need to feel empowered by drawing a gun on unknowing men. But as he thought that, it didn’t feel right at all.

  “I’ve never seen you like this. Are you spooked from this woman getting the upper hand on you and drawing the gun, or are you interested in finding out more about her and seeing her again?” Orin asked him.

  Mace stopped chopping wood.

  “Are you fucking kidding me? Fatal Attraction could have been based on a true-life story. If Harper pursues this woman, hell, if he fucks her, she could go psycho and try to kill him, maybe chop his cock off.”

  “Shit, Mace. Where the hell do you come up with this shit? Why are you such a callous bastard?” Orin asked.

  Mace got serious and Harper could tell he was angry. He threw down the ax. “You finish up. I’ve got better things to do than stand around here and talk about some woman in the woods that got Harper all screwed up in the head.”

  He walked away and Harper just stared at his back as he left.

  “He can be such an asshole sometimes,” Orin said as he walked toward the wood and the ax.

  “I’ll do that. I need to get things off my mind,” Harper took the ax.

  Orin stepped back. “You know, if you like this woman, you’ll need to find out everything you can about her. Otherwise Mace will, and any little thing she has on her, Mace will bring up.”