by Cara North
Charlie pulled the small pillow from the back seat and placed it near his lap. She slid out of the shoulder strap on the seatbelt and lay across the seat resting her head on Ayden’s thigh. The pillow supported her neck, and Ayden twisted her hair around his fingers as she drifted off to sleep. She had asked him at least a thousand questions, and he answered every one of them.
Ayden was tired the last few hours of the drive. He didn’t realize talking could be so exhausting. Of course, he had probably spoken more words to Charlie on that drive than to any one in his entire life. The woman was insatiable in her quest for knowledge. He couldn’t begin to remember what he had told her. A lot of one word answers about colors, food and things no one thinks about, except apparently Charlie.
He looked down at her sleeping a quiet sound sleep in his lap. Her pale hair was a stark contrast to his blue jeans. Charlie’s nose had the slightest upturn, and her full and delicious lips drew his touch. As he stroked his thumb over her bottom lip, she pulled her lips together and drew a deep breath. Ayden looked back toward the endless road and wished he had stopped hours ago and started fresh the next day.
A few hours later, he pulled down the long driveway to the house. The dogs were too tired to meet the vehicle. They just waited on the porch with wagging tails. His dad sat in the kitchen at the table reading the paper, and he safely assumed his mom was in bed asleep.
Ben Blythe had been up all night waiting for his son to come home. Ayden wasn’t his son by birth, but he loved him just the same. Ayden watched the man hurry to the front door and down the porch steps to his truck.
“Pops.” Ayden hugged him.
“I thought you had company with you?” Ben patted him hard on the back and then let him go.
“She’s asleep.” Ayden moved around the truck and opened the passenger door. Ben was tiptoeing behind him trying to see. Ayden unfastened the seatbelt and pulled Charlie, still sound asleep, into his arms. “Woman could sleep through anything, I swear.”
“Where’d you put the wings?” Ben could not believe what Ayden just pulled out of his truck. The woman was beautiful.
“Horns are more like it.” Ayden laughed and made his way for the porch. “She looks like an angel, but, Pops, she’s the devil in disguise.”
“You always have been a lucky S.O.B.” Ben held the door. “You know the way. Your momma tuckered out about four hours ago.”
“You want me to come back down?” Ayden headed up the stairs.
“No. I need to hit the sheets, and so do you. Day starts early around here.” Ben smiled again and walked past the kitchen toward the bedroom behind the stairs.
Ayden climbed the wide wood stairs and carried Charlie into the guest bedroom. Noel’s old room was across the hall. Ayden was well out of the house when they bought the ranch, but Noel lived there until she married Tom. He crossed the carpeted floor and pulled the blankets back. After laying Charlie in the bed, he debated letting her stay in her clothes.
“Charlie.” Ayden shook her. She swatted and growled. “Charlie, help me out here, darlin’.”
Charlie sat up long enough for him to take her shirt off and put his shirt on her. “Gee thanks.” He mumbled at the sleeping woman.
Ayden unfastened her shorts and pulled them free. He was dead tired and still had his own clothes to contend with. He crossed the floor then shut and locked the bedroom door. He removed his shoes and pants as he walked leaving the trail behind him. Finally, it was time to sleep. He snuggled into Charlie turning her to face him and pulled her right leg up to push his left between her legs. He twisted a lock of hair until he fell asleep.
* * *
Evelyn waited until Ayden got out of sight and headed into his house and straight to Charlie’s room. Something was wrong, and the woman wasn’t talking about it. She searched the room completely and found nothing out of the ordinary. That made her feel even more suspicious. Evelyn was going to need help. She had contacted Stix, an old friend from her bounty hunting days. He had checked on Charlie and found nothing. She had closed all accounts, cancelled her credit card, got a passport, and then left Las Vegas. All things in agreement with her plan to leave the country if Ayden rejected her. It was time to call in the Big Dog.
Joshua knew Evelyn was being a little too nice to him. She always treated him good, but tonight she had prepared his favorite meal, made his favorite dessert, and smiled entirely too much for having done all that.
“What are you up to?” Joshua crawled into bed and waited for Evelyn, who was in the bathroom.
“Me?” Evelyn stepped into the bedroom. “Now what makes you think I’m up to something?”
“Damn!” Joshua sat up. Evelyn was wearing lingerie. The woman only wore cotton underwear, and she was dressed to the nines in a silk and lace number that let him know two things. One, she wanted something other than sex. And two, she was probably going to get it from him, whatever it was.
“You like?” Evelyn pulled the silk string loosening her breast line. Charlie had talked her into it, said a man needs to be visually stimulated sometimes. They get used to seeing a woman naked, so they like to see her dressed up. Apparently, she was right.
“Hummina. Hummina.” Joshua wiggled his fingers in anticipation. Evelyn moved slowly as she crossed the floor to the bed. “What’s the occasion, baby?” “Oh, I don’t know. I just thought you might like it.” Evelyn shrugged. She went to touch him, but he pulled back.
“Hold up.” Joshua slid out of her reach. “Did you do something to my truck?”
“No.” Evelyn waved that thought away.
“Then what?” Joshua crossed his arms and shook his head. He wasn’t stupid.
“Oh, I just thought I could get you to help me snoop a bit at Ayden’s maybe.” Evelyn crawled into the bed and sat on his lap running a finger along his crossed arms.
“Are you nuts, woman?” Joshua could have sworn she just asked him to risk his life and hers. Ayden would kill them both and probably had the place under surveillance anyways.
“No, I’m curious about a woman who now lives with my brother, who I genuinely believe loves him, but I also feel is in trouble.” Evelyn batted her eyes at him and then ran her short nails along his abdomen.
“Will you stop that?” Joshua flipped her to her back and held her arms down. “Don’t think because you come in here all sex personified that I’m going to…”
Evelyn lifted up and took his lips shutting him right up.
“Joshua, you should know better than that. I already had this part planned.” Evelyn kissed his neck, and he let go of her arms. “But if you want, we could do them both at the same time.”
“Excuse me?” Joshua peered down at her with his green eyes aflame.
“Well, he does have a new marble countertop.” Evelyn licked his lips.
“Put your coat on.” Joshua was up and dressing in no time. Evelyn had given up a life of danger and adventure to be with him. There wasn’t anything more dangerous than prying into Ayden’s life, or having sex with his sister in his house. “He is going to kill us, you know that?”
“He’ll never know.” Evelyn smiled. Joshua was indeed a dog. He had taken Evelyn in every space of their house. Now he could mark new territory. It worked like a charm.
* * *
Two hours later, Joshua laid butt naked on his back on Ayden’s kitchen floor. Evelyn had worn him out, and now she was getting sleepy, cranky and especially bossy. Sugar was irritating his naked wet flesh.
“Think Joshua. She closed her accounts, got a passport…” Evelyn adjusted so that she remained on his body not touching the cold floor.
“You find the passport?”
“No. No money, nothing. A woman doesn’t carry her life savings in a purse.” Evelyn frowned.
“It’s in one of the safes.” Joshua exhaled.
“What?” Evelyn sat up. When her shins touched the floor, she yelped.
“Cold huh? Try putting your ass on it for the last twenty minutes.” Jo
shua sat up and began searching for their clothes. He wiped at the sugar granules then gave up. “You know we have to clean this place up now.”
“I didn’t mean to knock it over.” Evelyn shrugged. She had gotten, a little carried away, and sugar was now everywhere. “Well, where would you keep a safe?”
“Only one safe would be an option.” Joshua pulled his shirt on. He had sugar stuck to his back and everywhere else, thanks to Evelyn’s kung fu kick.
“How do you know?” Evelyn was annoyed by his arrogance. Joshua had figured out way too much information about her when she was sure to be careful to hide it years ago. Now he was narrowing down options she hadn’t even considered.
“Because when you threatened to kill me all those years ago, that was the safe I put your gun in. You would look for my safe, but you wouldn’t look here…” Joshua pulled his pants on and started opening cabinets.
“In the kitchen?” Evelyn pulled her lingerie back on and realized it did nothing to cover her or help with the chill in Ayden’s house. He kept the air set so cold. She flipped open cabinets, and sure enough in the back of the second, one she looked into was a safe.
“You think you are so damn smart.” Evelyn crawled farther into the cabinet to pull out the safe. A big hand landed on her butt cheek, and she really howled. “Oww”
“Be nice to me.” Joshua was now on his knees next to her, and he soothed the afflicted area.
“I’m sorry.” Evelyn rolled her eyes because he couldn’t see her. She still didn’t like apologizing.
“So what do you think the combination is there, big bad bounty hunter?” Joshua laid his head on her back, so he could see into the cabinet. “Birthday, high school graduation…”
“Anniversary.” Evelyn punched in the day she understood meant the most to Charlie. The safe cleared. “Like a charm.”
“Damn you’re good.” Joshua sat back and leaned against the cabinet. Hopefully, Evelyn would find a passport, a few bucks, some jewelry, and they could go home and never spy on Charlie again.
“Huh.” Evelyn sat back on her heels. Looking at him, he held out his T-shirt for her. He really was her personal savior. “There’s an envelope of newspaper articles.”
Joshua was not going to be that lucky. He pulled up and got a note pad. They could find the articles online and decide at home what they meant.
Chapter 19
Charlie woke up in Ayden’s arms snuggled into his neck and apparently in a bed somewhere. She had to use the bathroom in the worst way, but it was still dark and she had no idea where they were. Ayden was sleeping, and she hated to wake him up, but under the circumstances, she had no choice.
“Ayden?’ Charlie whispered.
“Uh?” He grunted. Ayden had just started to doze off and now Charlie was awake. He was getting too old for all nighters.
“I have to go pee.” Charlie spoke softly and felt her way around his body in the dark finally finding his face.
“Bathroom’s in the hall, darlin’.” Ayden smiled under her palm pressed against his lips.
“You come with me.” Charlie didn’t like being in a strange place, and the hall could be two feet or two hundred feet away for all she knew.
Ayden growled and let her go. He flipped on the switch to the lamp on the nightstand and rolled out of the bed. “You coming?”
“Ayden, this is such a nice room.” Charlie took in the soft colors and the soft carpet as her feet hit the floor. It was warm cozy and country, with cowboy hats lining the top of the wall as a border.
“You can tell my momma in the morning. I need to sleep.” Ayden ushered her two feet out the door to the bathroom. Charlie’s voice was a little hoarse from all the talking on the drive. “You sound like me, darlin’.”
“Wait for me?” Charlie smiled and shut the door. She was wide awake and excited about meeting his family and horseback riding and Graceland. All the things Ayden told her he had planned for them to do.
“Why the hell not?” Ayden stood with his hands on his hips in the hallway waiting for her. In a few more hours, his mother would be awake and then Noel, Tom and the baby would come over. That was the routine. Ayden kept running over the schedule in his mind trying to find time for a nap since two hours would not sustain him anymore. He was getting older and needed sleep.
“Did you know there’s a lasso in that bathroom?” Charlie came out of the bathroom with bright eyes and a big smile.
“Did you know that it’s real and if you don’t let me get some sleep, you’re going to find yourself tied up with it?” Ayden huffed.
“Is that a promise, cowboy?” Charlie actually looked as hopeful as she sounded at that prospect.
“Behave.” Ayden swatted her on the butt and redirected her to the bedroom. That wasn’t the reaction he had wanted, but it almost gave him a second wind, definitely something to dream about.
Ayden crawled into the bed and turned out the lights. Charlie’s big blinking eyes were looking at him the whole time. He lay on his back and folded his arms under his head. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath.
“Ayden, are you asleep?” Charlie whispered.
“Woman,” Ayden warned.
“I know. I just wanted to tell you I’m glad we came here.” Charlie snuggled into his side. It would take some self restraint to keep from talking. She would try.
Ayden lowered his arms and pulled her on top of him. She had hoped that maybe he was going to kiss her. Instead, he pushed her head to his chest and patted her softly. Charlie tried to be still, but she couldn’t help it. Her fingers started to trace his shoulders and neck.
“I’m going to get the lasso.” Ayden rolled her to her back.
“What?” Charlie gasped.
“You won’t let me sleep.” Ayden kissed her neck. He was awake now.
“I’m sorry. I just can’t help it.” Charlie stroked his back.
“You will have to be quiet.” Ayden gently nipped her neck. “Later I’ll take you out to the barn and then you can scream.”
“Promise?” Charlie adjusted her legs around him. She was still sore from yesterday. Ayden was a large man in all aspects of the word, his personality, his body, his cock. Charlie doubted he could ever date a petite woman without snapping her in half.
He pulled her panties off and then pushed his boxers down. Charlie was already wiggling to reach him. He slicked a hand between them and spread her apart. She surprised him by reaching down and guiding him in.
Ayden rocked into her gently taking her as slow as he could force himself to go. Charlie kissed his neck and urged him on with a husky whisper. All the while, lovingly stroking his back and quietly moaning. Her teeth bit into his shoulder, and his eyes closed on a low guttural moan of sensation.
Nothing in the world was better than making love to Charlie. It cost him sleep, cost him his heart, and would probably cost him his life someday. Ayden shook that thought from his head. He wasn’t sure how it got there.
Charlie felt his full weight bearing down on her, and she relished it. He covered her like a hot blanket from head to toe. His breathing grew slow and deep and she knew he was finally asleep. She pushed up a little trying to get more air in her lungs, and he rolled to his side.
After a couple hours, she could see him more clearly, as the first bits of light peaked through the curtains. The downstairs of the house was beginning to move about with noise, doors and the smell of food. Charlie kissed his forehead and slipped out of bed. Ayden needed to sleep, and she needed a shower.
“Where are you going?” He mumbled.
“I need a shower, sleep.” Charlie was amazed at how in tune he was to her. Charlie could sleep through anything. It scared her so much she had three bolted locks on her apartment in Las Vegas. With Ayden near, she could sleep sound and not worry about anything. He would protect her should the occasion arise.
“I’ll go get your bags.” Ayden opened an eye.
“You didn’t bring them in last night?”
Charlie sounded surprised, and that struck him the wrong way this morning. “I brought you in last night. Maybe I should have brought in the luggage and let you sleep in the truck. At least then I would have gotten sleep.”
There was the morning Ayden she knew. Cranky, maybe he was only cranky all those years ago because he wasn’t sleeping. “The bags are in the bathroom. That’s why I asked. Go to sleep, Wolf, before I really use that lasso.”
Ayden huffed and pulled the blanket over his head. Shit. His Pop must have brought them in last night. He thought he heard someone in the hall but assumed it was the dogs. They would have been in his bed had Charlie not been there. He drifted back to sleep, deciding to get up when Charlie came back.
Charlie was finished with her shower and dressed when she heard Noel and Tom’s voices downstairs. She didn’t need Ayden to meet them the first time. They could introduce her to his parents now.
Charlie entered the kitchen, and Lacy Blythe all but lit up like the sun itself. She wasn’t much bigger than Noel, and Charlie was amazed something as big as Ayden had ever been a part of such a tiny woman.
“Hi, I’m Charlie.” Charlie realized with the kitchen acoustics she really did sound more manly than not.
“Oh you poor thing. Do you have a sore throat?” Lacy bustled over to her and tiptoed up to feel her forehead. “No fever, come, sit.”
“I think I talked too much yesterday.” Charlie hugged Noel and waved to Tom. Finally, she sat at the table.
“You have one of those cell phones too, huh?” Lacy made a look of disgust. “I hate it. If I’m off in the woods somewhere, it’s because I don’t want to talk to ya’ll, no offense.”
“No.” Charlie shook her head. “I don’t like them either.”
“There is a very real and practical use for a cell phone, especially if you are off in the woods alone. What if you need help?” Tom locked Page into her high chair.