by Jane Jamison
He’s bad. Through and through.
She took a step back, then stopped when she remembered what had happened the last time she’d done that. The last thing she wanted was to be flat on her back with this guy standing over her. A part of her screamed to get away. Or to call out to anyone who could hear her.
But that was ridiculous. He hadn’t done anything to make her think he was a threat. All she had to do was tell that to the fear tightening her body.
He repeated his question. “Are you Carolina Tallens?”
“Yes. Do I know you?”
He ambled forward, an easygoing, “hey, I’m just a good old boy” kind of walk. It seemed as fake as a holiday card from Big Foot.
“No, no. I’m just one of the guys on the ranch. We heard we had a visitor.”
Hadn’t she thought it strange earlier when the other hands hadn’t greeted her? And then when only a few of them had acknowledged her presence in the barn, she’d started to worry that it was her. Was she putting off a bad vibe? Yet here was one of them trying to be friendly, and she was acting like he was the gatekeeper of hell.
“That’s me.” She didn’t offer any other information. Letting him know too much didn’t feel right. Or safe. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get cleaned up.”
“I’m Bill Winton.” He offered her his hand, waited a moment until it was obvious she wasn’t going to take it, then dropped it to his side. “Sure. You go on.”
Not that she needed his permission, and had it been anyone else, she might’ve told them as much. Feeling a little guilty for her rude behavior, she gave him a weak smile, then started for the main house. “Okay, then. Well, it was good to meet you, Bill.”
“It’s a damn shame, you know.”
Damn.
She turned to face him again. “What’s that?”
His small, dark eyes filled with bits of amber, and a wash of panic swamped her. She’d ask the men about the amber thing later. For now, all she wanted was to get into the house, safe and sound.
“It’s a damn shame for those boys to treat a lady like you that way.” He made a disgusted face. “Yep. A damn shame.”
Oh, hell. Had the spectators to their time in the barn spread the word? “Well, uh, thanks. Good-bye.” She picked up her pace, but it wasn’t quick enough.
“If I had a woman like you, I’d do more with her than put her to work shoveling shit.”
She froze when she heard him again, stalling her once more. Enough was enough. “Look, whoever you are—”
“Like I said. It’s Bill. Bill Winton.”
“Bill, I’m sure you mean well, but I’d rather not continue this conversation. Now if you don’t mind…” She paused and waited for him to say anything more. When he didn’t, she spun around and hurried toward the main house. If he spoke again, she’d ignore him and keep going.
Once she was at the door, she gazed back over the yard between the house and the barn, but he was already gone.
That guy creeps me out.
* * * *
Kruger chewed the straw of hay from one side of his mouth to the other. The more he thought about it, the more he liked changing his plans to include Carolina. After taking her, he’d go after her friends Rae, Wyatt, and Stone. Whatever he did to her would make them pay, not with their own skin, but with their hearts. After losing his brother, Jac Ribsom, to the Sterling Pack when Jac had tried to attack Wyatt, Stone, and Rae on Nashville’s Skywalk Bridge, Kruger had learned just how painful emotional torture could be.
“Yes, sir. It’s a damn shame the way they’re treating her. You’ve got to wonder why they’d rather put a woman like that to shoveling stalls than to lock her up and use her whenever they want.” He snorted. “Makes me wonder if they’ve got cocks or pussies between their legs.”
He watched the house long after Carolina had gone inside. His mind kept going over his plan, loving it more and more. He’d not only make her pay for their sins, but he’d do it in two different ways. Each way as enjoyable as the other. At least, enjoyable for him.
He could already see her, nude, bloodied, hanging from a branch and swinging back and forth with the wind. His cock twitched in anticipation. Until then, however, he had work to do.
I need to spend time with the little wolf.
He wasn’t sure how she’d work into his plans, but having her on his side couldn’t hurt. If nothing else, it pleased him to see how easily he could manipulate her.
He chuckled, noticed one of the other hands heading his way, and cut his mirth short. “Evening, Norton.”
“Evening.” The man, one of the longstanding pack members, gave him a curt nod and kept going.
Kruger bristled at the slight, his inner beast ready to jump on the man from behind and tear out his throat, but he shook it off. It didn’t matter if none of them liked him much, but he had to keep playing the game.
* * * *
Carolina wasn’t one to spend a lot of time on her appearance. She took it for granted that she was good-looking. Most of the time she opted for a little color on her cheeks and lips, and nothing more. That was why she was amazed when she finally noticed how much time she was taking to get ready for dinner.
Yet the dinner she had planned wasn’t going to be any old dinner. If she had her way, it’d be the start of something great. Great for later that night, and if she had any luck, it just might be great for the rest of her life.
That was another surprise. She’d never been one of those girls who jumped into relationships. Instead, she’d take her time, getting to know the man for several months before going exclusive. But there was something about Charlie and Jesse Martin that drew her to them. If anyone had asked her, she’d swear she could sense a real connection with them. A connection that included a physical, mental, and emotional bond. Was it love at first sight? Before she’d met them, she would’ve scoffed at the idea. But now? Now she couldn’t help but think that instant love might just happen. When it came to love, wasn’t anything possible?
She studied her outfit again. Too bad she didn’t have any of her own clothes to wear. The slacks and blouse were nice, but they didn’t show off her curves the way she’d have liked.
“Carolina, are you decent?” Lisa-May stuck her head around the edge of the door.
“That’s a matter of opinion.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind.” Carolina was getting used to Lisa-May’s innocence. How could anyone look so much like a younger version of herself and yet be so oblivious to what the world was about? When she was Lisa-May’s age, Carolina had known things. Lots of things.
“Do you have a sec?”
She couldn’t turn Lisa-May down. Even with her never-ending mouth, the girl had grown on her. She reminded her of the kid sister she’d left behind in Dallas. “Sure. Come on in.”
“It’s okay, Joey.” The male version of Lisa-May sauntered in along with her. “Carolina, this is my little brother, Joey. He’s gay.”
Joey’s mouth dropped open. “Damn it, Lisa-May. How many times have I told you not to tell anyone?”
The young man didn’t look like anyone’s “little brother.” He wasn’t as muscled or as tall as Charlie or Jesse, but he looked like he could take care of himself.
“It’s okay,” added Carolina. “I’m fine with gays.” Why had she said it like that? When most people said it that way, they were actually the complete opposite. “Uh, I mean, I don’t know if you’re hiding it or not, but you don’t have to around me.”
Joey’s gaze, so much like Lisa-May’s inquisitive one, slid over her. “Naw, that’s not it. Everyone knows and I’m not trying to hide anything. Though it’s not the first thing I like to lead with when I first meet someone.”
Carolina stuck out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Joey. I’m guessing keeping any kind of secret around Lisa-May would take nothing short of a miracle.”
“You got that right.” He put his finger to his lips. “Is that what you’re wea
ring to dinner? Lisa-May said you’re having dinner with your men.”
Your men. Was that Lisa-May’s and Joey’s way of talking? Or did they mean it in a more literal way?
“Well, yes. Is it okay? I don’t have a lot to choose from. Not that everyone hasn’t been very generous in loaning me their clothes.”
“Would you like something better to wear? Maybe a dress?” Lisa-May plopped onto the end of the bed. “I could see what I can find.”
“Good idea, Lisa-May. You go and do that.” Joey pulled his sister to her feet and pushed her toward the door. “Go on now.”
Carolina gave him a suspicious look when he turned back. “What’s up? Why’d you want to get me alone?”
“Well, not for any action, that’s for sure. I’m holding out for my intended mate.” He took a seat in the rocking chair by the door.
“Mate? You mean partner?”
He took a beat too long to answer and gave her the same deer-in-the-headlights reaction she’d gotten from his sister. “Yeah, that’s what I meant. Partner. Anyway, Lisa-May wanted me to meet you even though your men told everyone to stay away. I’m guessing they won’t mind me getting near you.”
She took a seat on the edge of the bed. “There are those words again. ‘Your men.’ What does that mean anyway? And don’t think I won’t know if you’re lying.”
His grin was as big and as bright as his sister’s. “I like your spunk.”
“And I like you, too, but don’t go trying to change the subject.”
“All right. We’re calling them your men because they’ve got a thing for you.”
If she hadn’t already been sitting down, she would’ve dropped to the floor. “They do? How do you know? Did they say that?” Did she sound too eager?
“They don’t have to. Everyone can see it all over their faces when they’re near you.” He crossed his legs, ankle on top of the knee. “And we can see it on your face, too. You want them and you want them bad.”
She didn’t know how to respond. Lying wasn’t an option since she figured he’d call her on it. But she couldn’t admit it, could she?
She was saved from making an impossible choice when Lisa-May barged back into the room. “I found two dresses I think will look terrific on you.”
“Especially with your body.”
She lifted her eyebrows at Joey.
“Hey, don’t go wondering. I might be gay, but I still have eyes. You’re drop-dead, smoking hot, and you know it.”
“Oh, hush, Joey and get out. We girls need our alone time.”
He pushed out of the rocker, gave his sister a tug on her hair that spoke of their younger years, and left.
“Here. Take a look. What about this red one?” Lisa-May held up a slinky, satiny dress that had a slit on the side.
“That’s really pretty, but I’m not sure about the tears in it.”
“Tears?” The girl held it farther out and saw what Carolina had seen. The front was torn as though slashed with a knife. “Oh, for honeypot’s sake. Never mind then.”
“What happened to it?”
She shrugged—she shrugged almost as much as she talked—and threw the dress to the floor. “Beats me. Okay, then, how about this blue one? It’ll make your eyes pop.”
The dress was shorter than the last one, with no slit and no tears. “I think that’ll do. Are you sure it’s okay for me to borrow it?”
“I’m sure. I asked Mina, and she said it was okay.”
“When do you think I’ll get to meet the other women on the ranch?”
“Oh, soon. Real soon.” She handed over the dress. “Go on and get dressed. Come on downstairs whenever you’re ready.” With a flip of her ponytail, she was gone.
“Will do.” Carolina held the dress next to her and liked what she saw. “Okay, guys. Tonight’s the night. We finish what we started in the barn.”
* * * *
Aw, crap? Why didn’t someone warn me?
At first, Carolina was afraid she’d spoken out loud. And who would’ve blamed her if she had. She’d waltzed into the dining room to find not only Charlie and Jesse, but a whole lot of other people as well. Most were casually dressed in jeans and T-shirts. The men outnumbered the women by at least two to one, but the women didn’t appear to be intimidated. Instead, they seemed very satisfied, even smug, as though they shared a secret.
She smiled as all eyes turned her way. “Hi. I’m Carolina, and I’m way overdressed.” She sounded like she was at a meeting of an Overdressed Anonymous support group.
The reactions that came her way made her feel better. She went around one side of the long table, nodding and smiling until she was beside Charlie. The smile remained plastered on her face while she glanced down at him.
“Charlie, could I see you in the kitchen for a minute?”
“Sure.” He stood, took her arm, and with Jesse behind them, led her into the kitchen. “What’s up?”
Was he kidding? “What’s up? You’re really asking me that?”
The kitchen was bright and airy with white cabinets and a gray-white granite countertop. Professional stainless steel appliances filled the room along with railroad-style tile along the backsplash. A generous-sized table sat in an adjoining area with a row of windows that filled the area with light during the day and gave a picture-perfect view to the bunkhouse and the land beyond it. Copper pots and pans hung from a rack above a large island. On top of the island were several pizzas.
“You’re the one who dragged me in here. So yeah. What’s up?”
She wasn’t one to beat around the bush, but so far, with these two guys, she’d done a lot of bush beating. “Okay, I’m going to say this right out. I thought you invited me to dinner.”
“We did.” Jesse motioned toward the pizzas. “See? Dinner.”
“Along with a few dozen of your closest friends? So it wasn’t a real—” She shut her mouth, all too aware of her mistake. Still, what else could she do but forge ahead? “This wasn’t a date, was it? Like a real kind of date?”
Both men looked like they’d gotten hit over the head with a lightbulb as they realized what she meant. Charlie looked contrite, while Jesse tried hard to keep from laughing.
“Uh, sugar, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you thought this was a date.” His perusal skimmed her body. “But if it makes you feel any better, you look really good.”
Jesse sidled up next to her. “Yeah. Really good. Good enough to eat.”
Either she was getting used to the sizzling sensation between them or she’d been too embarrassed and angry moments before to notice it. But now it hit her with full force. The room wavered a little, and she reached for the countertop. Instead, she found Jesse’s arm.
“I just thought— I mean, after what happened in the barn—” She wasn’t making much sense, but it was the best she could do. With them so close and the quick flash of what had gone on before racking through her body like memory in her muscles, she did well to stay on her feet.
“We thought you were inviting yourself to dinner.” Charlie skimmed a hand along her arm.
“But what about all that stuff you said about dessert?”
“We still want dessert.” Jesse strode over to a huge aluminum bowl filled with meatballs. “Until then, we figured you could help us make dinner.”
They had all the nerve in the world. Even more than her. “So, not only did you not invite me to dinner, but you expect me to make dinner? For all those people?”
“That’s only a few of us. We didn’t want to overwhelm you.”
She gaped at Charlie, unable to wrap her mind around it. How had she gone from an almost giggly girl looking forward to a date with two hot men to a woman overdressed and stuck in a kitchen making pizzas for people she didn’t know?
“Come on, babe. It’ll be fun.”
“Yeah. You’ll get your hands in all our meat.” Jesse lifted a large sack of shredded cheese and held it out for her. “You want your hands all over our meat, don’t you?”
“Right now I’m not so sure.”
Charlie slid next to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. The instant he cupped her breasts, her anger and disappointment washed away. The sizzle of his body next to hers was like a switch turning on a brilliant light of yearning. She leaned back, and knew without a doubt that she could stay that way forever.
“We’ve got four pizzas already in the oven. Once they’re done, you can take them out to everyone.”
Not many people could throw her a curve, but Jesse and Charlie were pros at it. She didn’t know whether to run back to her room or start spreading cheese. Either that, or forget about the pizzas and offer them their dessert. Not knowing which way to go, she opted for the safest choice. She took the bag then turned to the island. “Shouldn’t I put sauce on them first?”
“Naw. We like it with just the pizza crust and the meat. We only use the cheese to hold it all together. Might as well get moving.”
She sought out Charlie, who only shrugged. “Sorry about the mix-up, but we’ll make it up to you later.”
The chiming of the oven saved her from putting her hand up to feel the warmth in her face. She picked up an oven mitt, opened the huge oven, and pulled out first one, then another pizza. The steam and heat hit her face, warming it even more.
The pizzas, although lacking the sauce she would’ve liked, smelled amazing. Cheese bubbled while the meat balls roasted on top. She placed them on the counter. “This smells amazing.”
“It’ll do.”
Jesse’s hand skimmed over her shoulder as he passed by her to grab another sack of cheese. “How are you adjusting to ranch life?”
She laughed, then realized that he wasn’t kidding. “You make it sound like I’m going to live here. Which reminds me. How are the roads now?” Suddenly, she tensed, hoping she hadn’t given them a reason to tell her to leave.