“What a dramatic setting. It’s lovely.” She stepped out and her feet sank into the thick carpet. “I assume you didn’t do the decorating yourself.”
Ward punched in another set of numbers and letters to open his front door. “You assume wrong. My mother helped some, but most of the colors and more original items, such as that table, vase, and picture, I chose.”
“A man of many talents.” Britt didn’t want to, but she liked him more as she got to know him. When she stepped inside, it took her breath away.
Here the colors were a soft blue and white, and across the room to the left she saw the twinkling lights of the city. He took her hand and led her to the glass doors. After he punched a button, the doors slid wide open. A breeze and the muted sound of traffic blew around them.
She walked to the waist-high wall. Across the road she saw a great view of Central Park. The veranda ran around the end of the building. It was wide and long. When she turned the corner, the bright lights of New York mesmerized her.
“I think I’d live out here.”
“When I have time, I like to sit at this table and eat.” He motioned to a door. “That leads to the kitchen.” They went into a modern kitchen with light wood walls and stainless steel appliances.
Then they walked along a short hallway and were in the formal dining room. Just beyond she saw the living room where they’d started.
“You could fit my apartment in the living room of your place.”
“How do you keep from getting claustrophobia in that little cubby hole?”
“It’s bigger than where many people have to live unless they want to move miles out from the city.”
“True. I’m going to open a bottle of champagne to celebrate your first visit to my home.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. I had a lot of wine with dinner.”
“That’s all gone by now.”
“Champagne tends to make me silly and giggly.”
“Interesting. I must see that side of your personality.” He turned and went back toward the kitchen.
She wandered around the room, studying the various small statues and vases. They were all unique. The paintings on the wall pictured the prairie and the mountains near the ranch.
“I keep a little bit of my real home with me when I’m in town.”
“Those are wonderful paintings. They look just like the area around Triple Dare County. What local artist did them for you?”
“Why do you think a local artist did the paintings?”
“They show the love of the land, the tiny nuances only someone very familiar with the area would paint.”
“You’re right. It was a local artist.”
She turned to face him and he handed her a glass of champagne. “You aren’t going to tell me who did the paintings?”
“Later, maybe.”
Britt stared at his quiet, noncommittal face. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
“The artist prefers to remain anonymous.”
The idea sprang into her head and before she could stop the words, she said, “You are the painter.”
“No, nonsense.”
But she’d seen a flicker of surprise in his eyes, before he regained control of his expression. He must be the painter and preferred others to not know.
Sipping her wine, she walked across the room to one of the other paintings. “Whoever he or she is, they are extremely talented.”
Ward didn’t comment. He touched his glass to hers. “To us and a lovely night.” Taking her hand he led her out on the veranda to where two lounge chairs sat side by side. He placed the bottle of champagne on the floor beside a chair and motioned for her to sit in the other one.
She lay back and admired what stars she could see. For the first time in days, her body relaxed. No one could get to her up here. They were twenty-five floors up and Ward had the whole floor to himself.
When he spoke, his voice was deep and seductive. “Tell me what happened the other night that has you so scared.”
“I can’t. I don’t want you involved.”
“But I am involved. You ran to me for protection.”
“I didn’t know it was you. I was just running away from Ralph.”
“Why?”
She decided to tell him part of the truth. “He’d made it known that he expected to be paid for the meal and party afterward. I offered him money, but that wasn’t what he wanted.”
Ward sat straight up in his chair and turned to look at her face. “He expected sex from you?” The growl of anger in his voice startled her.
“Many men do. Most aren’t quite so blunt or honest. Why did you bring me here tonight? Aren’t you hoping to seduce me?”
He glared at her, and then took a deep breath. “Yes, but I didn’t just meet you, and I don’t expect it as payment for anything. I want you. I keep a hard-on most of the time I’m around you. But I understand no, and I won’t chase you around the condo if you refuse.”
She smiled at his earnest explanation. “I have casually known Ralph longer than you. There was something about him that kept me from accepting a date. Then he hit me at the right time and I said yes.”
“You were trying to forget us.”
“Has anyone told you you’re very arrogant?”
A slight smile curved the corner of his mouth. “Yes. I’m right, aren’t I?”
“I’ll never tell.” She picked up her glass and took a long swallow of her drink.
Ward studied her. “You haven’t told me the whole story. Why?”
“It’s better you don’t know. This is my problem. I’ll solve it.”
“I think you’re right to be frightened. You may be in danger. You need someone’s help. If not mine, then I have a friend in the FBI who can assist you.”
“How did you come to the conclusion that I was in danger and needed professional help?”
“I checked with my friend and asked about Ralph. The FBI has been keeping an eye on him. They don’t have the evidence they need yet, but they suspect he’s laundering money for the head of one our larger crime rings here in the city.”
“You really believe I’m in danger. It all seems like a show I’d see on television.”
“This is reality. There are lots of dangerous criminals out there. I don’t like the idea of you getting in their sights. My friend and his men are working on bringing this group to justice.”
“But they’ve been trying and haven’t been successful yet.”
“We’ll keep you safe until they do.”
Britt looked into his blue eyes. His concern made her nervous, but she didn’t want to live her life looking over her shoulder in fear. She wanted this over. Maybe she could help.
Before she changed her mind, she said, “I’d like to help bring him down. Call your friend. I’ll meet with him on Monday.”
“No. Once you’re seen going into the FBI offices, whoever is worried about you may decide you’re too much of a liability. These types wouldn’t hesitate to kill you.”
Her hands trembled, and she hunched her shoulders. She looked off from his intent regard.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“Trust me. Go with me to the ranch this weekend and relax. By Sunday night you’ll have made a decision.”
“I’ll endanger you and Jared. I can’t go without telling you all of it.”
“I’m listening.”
Holding her stomach and with her head bent, she began to tell him about overhearing the man threatening Ralph. Then she stopped for several minutes but finally told him about Ralph’s threats and his demand that she give him fifty thousand dollars by Sunday. She raised her head. “You will not give him the money.”
“No, I won’t, and he won’t hurt you. I’m going to call my friend Chad Stedman. He’s the FBI guy. We’ll make a plan. Hopefully Chad will get the evidence he needs, and you can go back to your normal life.”
Ward got up and went into the living room. Britt stood at the glass do
ors and stared out at the night while she listened to Ward’s end of the conversation.
“Use the back elevator. Here’s the code.” He rattled off numbers and letters. “Got it. Once the door opens, knock. I’ll let you in.”
He put his phone down. “He’s coming to talk to us about his plan. He’ll use my back door entrance. No one will know who he is, or what he’s doing.”
“Does he live close?”
“A few blocks down.”
“He must be another rich man to live in this area.”
“Chad owns a large ranch adjoining ours. It’s doing well, and I’ve been investing his profits for him. Also his mother was a renowned opera singer until she retired. He lost her and his dad in the past few years. His dad first, and then we think his mom died of a broken heart. They’d been married over forty years.”
“They weren’t one of the threesomes and neither were your parents.”
“No, but our parents understood Jared’s and my choice. We’ve always been very close, and we have many friends in threesomes. We like the way it works, especially with me away from home frequently.”
“The two of you are different. I’m surprised you get along so well. And you have totally different looks.”
He grinned. “Jared got our parents’ blond hair and brown eyes. I’m adopted.”
Britt was stunned. “No one mentions it.”
“The townspeople see us as regular brothers and the children of our parents. They accepted me. No one has ever said or done anything to remind me I wasn’t truly family. It’s been amazing.”
“Do you mind me asking how old you were when they adopted you?”
“I was three. A few years later Mom had Jared. There’s five years between us. Mom and Dad were so surprised. I remember how they went out of their way to make sure that I understood I was just as much their son. Mom had me hold Jared and help her at times. He was like a small miracle to me. I loved him from the time he first smiled at me.”
They heard a knock at the door. “Saved by the bell. I’ve never talked to anyone so much about my life.”
“I won’t tell anyone you broke your implacable silence.”
Ward walked down a hall and came back with a tall, muscular man dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. He had black hair like Ward, but gray eyes.
“They sure grow you cowboys big in South Dakota.”
“I gather Ward told you about me being a homegrown boy from Triple Dare County.”
“He did. You don’t look much like an FBI guy.”
“Good. I didn’t want to have someone wondering what I was doing in this area late at night.”
Ward introduced them. “Sit, Chad. Tell us your plan.”
“First, did Ward leave anything out when he called me?”
“No. He told you what I had told him.”
“We need to come up with a plan where you’ll be safe, but we can get the evidence we’ve been trying to gather for several years. This might be the breakthrough we’ve been waiting for.”
“I don’t want her hurt,” Ward warned Chad.
Looking annoyed, Chad said, “I don’t either. What if the FBI gives her the money to pay Winscott? We’d have men covering her the whole time. Afterward, you’ll fly her to your ranch. Does this guy know about Triple Dare County?” Chad asked Britt.
“I don’t think so. I told people at work that I visited my sister in a small town in South Dakota, but I don’t think I ever mentioned the town’s name or the county.”
“I heard your sister married Boyd and Kel. She has a different last name than you. That’s good. It makes it more difficult for the group to track you down through her.” Chad reached for the glass of wine Ward handed him and took a sip.
The memory of how angry Ralph had become the other night made Britt’s heart race. What if they failed, and Ralph took her to the head guy? Would she die?
Ward must have sensed how she felt. He took her hand and held it tight. “I’ll be there if we decide to go along with this plan.” He looked across at Chad. “I’m going along with your men or we don’t need to talk any further about this.”
“I expected you’d say that. I have no objections. My superiors might if it was anyone but you. The men I’ll send with you are my best and most trusted.”
“There is one other concern,” Britt said.
“What?” Chad asked.
“My brother is living in Triple Creeks Township, for now anyway. But the phone in the cabin where he’s staying isn’t listed in his name. The bad guys probably won’t know about him.”
“Does he have a cell?”
“Yes.”
“Tell him to cut it off and use temporary cell phones until this is over.”
“I’ll call him tonight. Do you think they’d look up my parents? They have an unlisted number. They’ve had it a long time. Dad had his business number before he retired, but that’s been transferred to the new owner.”
“Let’s see how this plan goes. Once you go into hiding, call your parents and tell them what’s happening. At that time, I’ll ask their local FBI office to keep a watch on their house and them until this is all over.”
“All right. I want to know they’re protected.”
“Then you agree with the plan?” Chad looked surprised.
“I want this to end. I can’t think of any other way to accomplish getting my life back to normal. I’m scared.”
“Good. If you weren’t, I’d be worried. I don’t want someone too cocky or sure of themselves.”
Britt took a deep breath. She felt sick at her stomach. “You will be right there?” she asked Ward.
He lifted her onto his lap. “They’ll have to kill me before they hurt you. I’m more dangerous than they know.”
Britt glanced across at Chad. “Why wouldn’t your superiors object to Ward going along?” She noted the quick eye contact between Chad and Ward.
“He’s helped us before. We trust him.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to trust you all with my life.”
Chapter Four
Ward saw Chad out after they’d made the final plans. A courier would deliver the money to Brittany early the next morning at her apartment. He came back into the room and saw Brittany was out on the veranda. He walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. Nuzzling her neck, he whispered in her ear.
“Having second thoughts?”
“Enjoying the view and trying to not think about tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to do this. Jared and I will keep you safe at the ranch.”
She turned in his arms and shivered. “I do have to, or I’ll always be looking over my shoulder. I can’t live at your ranch forever.”
“Maybe you can.”
“You aren’t sure you want me for a wife. Don’t you think I’ve seen the uncertainty in your eyes? You’re all for an affair, but anything more serious”—she looked directly at him—“you don’t know what you want.”
“I won’t lie. You’re right. I’d like to take you to my bedroom and slide my cock deep into your sweet pussy.”
“I want the same.”
Ward raised an eyebrow at her. “Are you certain?”
“Yes. I have to get back to my apartment in a little while. What are you waiting for?”
He scooped her into his arms and took long strides down the hall on the left to a large master bedroom. The curtains were drawn back from a wall of windows. The twinkling lights of the city shone below. Ward put her on the king-size bed and took off her heels. He stood back and admired her.
“Your beautiful hair and the color of your eyes and skin look incredible against my green bedspread.” He kicked off his shoes and sat her up where he could unzip her dress and remove her bra. Once her upper half was bare, his attention focused on her luscious breasts.
“What happened here?” He lightly touched the bruise on her one breast. Britt bit her lip. “Tell me, please.”
“Ralph squeezed my breast when he was i
nsisting I go into the ballroom with him.”
“I hope before this is over that I get a chance to knock a few of his teeth out,” Ward growled.
“It’s over. Forget it. The FBI capturing his friends and him will be enough satisfaction.”
His fingers brushed across the velvety soft skin, and he kissed the bruised area. Then he knelt in front of her and licked her pointed nipples. When Ward glanced at her face, he caught the flash of desire in her gorgeous eyes. His cock ached it was so hard.
He pulled her up and the dress fell off of her. He slid one finger under each side of her bikini panties, and then glided them down over her hips and along her gorgeous legs. Her pussy was right in front of him. He took a deep breath of her seductive scent then he lifted her back onto the bed and put her clothes on the nearest chair.
Ward felt her eyes following his every movement. He quickly unbuttoned his shirt and pants. In a very few minutes he was naked.
She reached for him as he put his knee on the bed. His heart pounded like it might burst out of his chest. He lay beside her and let her explore his body.
Her fingers stroked his face, across his mouth, and down his neck. Then she leaned forward and kissed where she had touched. She electrified him.
When she kissed his mouth and opened her lips, he rolled her on her back and took control. The interior of her mouth was sweet and soft. His tongue raked along the sides and dueled with hers. He sucked on her tongue, and her moan aroused him further.
Ward pulled back and stared at her face. Her green eyes shone like jewels, and her rosy lips were puffed from his kisses. He kissed the skin of her neck and at the spot where her pulse beat fast and hard.
She reached out and placed her hand around his hard cock. It jerked in her hand.
“He wants to be inside of your pussy.”
“I want to taste you.”
His cock hardened more. “Can you feel your answer?”
Brittany grinned when he moved to her side. She slid down and took his cock into her warm mouth.
“Ah, damn that feels good,” he managed to say with a groan.
Her tongue brushed across the crown of his cock and down the side. Then she began to go up and down his length.
Seductive Surrender [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 3