by Susan Arden
“No.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I won’t be under your thumb.”
He laughed. “Baby, I don’t want you under my thumb. I love your fire and spirit. Now under my body, we can discuss.”
Her face heated. Is that what he thought? Mention sex and she’d swoon? “Brandon, I have plans. And just where would we go?”
“We have the apartment above the club. You’ll be safe.”
“What about my friends and my project? I meet with students. It won’t work!”
He inhaled deeply, but kept silent. The tension in the cab of his truck grew, thickening with the drumming of his fingers on the steering wheel. “Then you’ll come to Evermore with me. It’s only a thirty-five minute drive. Lots of folks do it. Miller lives farther than that and makes the drive during the week.”
“Go live at the ranch?” she asked. “Where most of your family lives?”
“Yep. It’s big and you can have your whole department meet there. Whenever you need. I want you to listen to me, and not just because I’m the man in your bed. Beau Humphrey can’t be trusted. When I told you to go back inside and held him down, he made some depraved threats.”
“He’s full of it. He likes to pretend like he’s big and tough. He won’t hurt a—"
“The man has a history,” Brandon yelled. “Savagely beat a woman. His family paid off the girl to keep it out of the papers. Seems like some of the police officers were on the take as well, so the case was thrown out of court for the way evidence was questionably collected. Whatever happened, the girl was shaken up enough to refuse to pursue it further. A regular cover-up.”
“How do you know all this?”
Brandon met her stare and responded in a low voice, “Through a trustworthy contact. Hear what I’m saying, Mia. That sick fuck offered the woman to his clients, to entice them into a deal. When she wouldn’t do what one client requested, Humphrey beat her until she was unconscious for ruining his deal. Do you want to see the file? Her police statement is there.” He reached around to the back seat and brought a manila folder to the front, placing it on the console. “It’s your choice.”
Warm blood turned to ice in her veins. It sounded all too familiar. She looked up at him, then back at the folder. It had a tab with the words 'Fraud Case' typed across the label. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“Back to your place.”
Her fingers holding the file were numb. “I haven’t made a decision.”
“Read,” he said softly. “I didn’t want to have to show you, but if it means you’ll let me protect you, you need to know the twisted truth. I’m sorry.”
She opened the file and sorted through copies of loan documents. It appeared that as long as this Val woman had paid her loan, the S & L would never have known anything about being used as collateral or how much she’d borrowed.
“You’d never have found out about the loan, it seems.”
“I would have when we begin to build the restaurant. We would need a construction loan. Val didn’t know we were thinking of adding a restaurant. Probably thought with the renovation done, we’d sit tight. She was looking for something when she came back. I don’t know what, but something.”
“She had copies of your identification. And paperwork.” She stared at a marriage certificate, trying to make sense of the document. “Are you married?”
“Looks like she went and got a certificate. I never married her, and that’s one of the first things I’m taking care of. I’ll have it thrown out. I want justice, and I’m going after those two. What are the chances that both of our exes were in on a scheme of this magnitude, and that we’d meet?”
“Seems like we were destined to meet.” And fall in love. How far was she willing to run, if he was the man she was meant to fall in love with?
Oh, talk about projection and denial. She was a textbook case for rationalizing her fear of failure if she latched onto Brandon. A woman could get over a love affair. She could not get another chance at a career. She would not continue to make decisions that were illogical and impetuous.
“Things will be a bit over the top at the ranch, and that could be a good thing. So much is going on it’s easy to get lost.”
“We’d just disappear into the scenery?” she asked.
“Yeah, only we could get lost together.”
She glanced down at the photographs of the woman Beau had brutalized. Her face and body were badly beaten and bruised, eyes swollen shut. She’d been repeatedly raped as well, and was still in therapy because of what had happened, according to the records. More than likely she was too scared to make trouble, regardless of how much money she’d been paid. “Where did you get the medical records? They’re confidential.”
“All I can say is, I have my sources and we cover each other’s backs. You’re with me now, and they’ll protect you, too.”
A chill ran up her spine, thinking about Beau offering her to his friends and clients. “Fine. I’ll go, but what about my roommate? What about Dani?”
“She can come, too. I’m serious about keeping you safe. And that goes for your friends. I don’t want you upset.”
*
Dani understood the situation, but couldn’t leave with her back-to-back clinicals, so she’d opted to stay with friends in town until Beau was arrested. Mia packed a bag as Brandon paced in her living room. She drove behind him out to the McLemore ranch in Annona, and he was right; it was only a short drive on the highway. What he hadn’t come clean about was how freaking ginormous his family’s ranch was. Not a clue really, she thought as she rolled to a stop behind his truck at the copper gates.
She followed his truck past the sign informing her that the ranch had been established over a hundred years ago. Holding tight to the steering wheel, she smiled at the men who waved, noticing that Brandon waved back, and then followed him when he turned down a road winding over flat land, where cattle were being rounded up.
When he pulled up to a stone house sitting between a barn and a garage, she’d wondered if this was a brief stop to see family…maybe this was his parents’ house. Here goes nothing.
“Do you want to go in alone?” she asked, ignoring the clenching of her stomach muscles.
He smiled and laughed. “I didn’t bring you here to sit in the car.” He took her keys out of her hand and popped her trunk.
“Am I staying with your folks?” She peered at the large house with the veranda and rocking chairs.
“Baby, I want you with me. All the time.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a key ring. “Here. The key to my house. Be careful, it’s also attached to my heart,” he murmured.
She stared at him, then down at the key. Tell him! Her heart thudded. “Ummm… This is your house?” she asked, not knowing what else to say.
“The one and only. Come on in, and then I’ll take you on a tour of the ranch.” She clutched the key in her hand and walked alongside Brandon up the paved walkway. The yard was large with several trees, more than she could count in a few seconds. The land dipped and outlying rock was evident along ground. A paddock held twin golden quarter horses. Beautiful creatures and she recognized them. “Oh, my. Are those…?”
“Santero stock, my own. Who would have thought?” He led her up the front steps and opened the door, setting her bags down. “If I only get this one chance, I’ll take it now. Remember, I want it all. Everything you have to give to me. For three months, or the rest of your life. I love you, Mia. I won’t pressure you into staying, even though I want you more than anything I’ve ever desired in life.”
She stared up at him, drowning in his eyes. “I’m torn. The other night at the cottage did we both…say those words?” She had to find out if she’d told him she loved him.
“Is that what you remember?” he asked, then lowered his head and slid his mouth across hers, lightly sucking and nibbling on her bottom lip.
Her body hummed. Her lips tingled from his kiss, and more so from her need to tell him again. I love
you. C’mon, say the words, she thought. Yell them. But all she could choke out was a husky, “Yeah.”
“Baby, I’m here to give you what you need. I’m not into twisting your arm.” Brandon returned her stare and the beat of her heart flared. “Don’t go backtracking darlin’—not after all that we’ve done together. Promise me.”
“Always. I promise.”
He picked her up and carried her over the threshold, then kicked the door closed and marched her into his bedroom, leaving her baggage forgotten outside.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ten days later.…
Mia’s fragrance surrounded him as he stood in the living room. She’d been gone since daybreak, returning only minutes before, just in time to change for the wedding.
He hadn’t had the chance to say more than boo to her after they’d been woken this morning by a surprise phone call from his mother. “Son, bring Mia to the house by six.”
“Excuse me?” he asked still half-asleep.
“Brandon. We’re getting our hair done. I told you last night at the rehearsal dinner.”
“No, Ma’am. I don’t think so.”
“Son,” his mom had sighed. “Do I need to come over to your house and fetch her myself?”
“I’m on it,” he replied in defeat then hung up, catching the time on his cell phone. “Baby, wake up,” he whispered.
He rolled over, his cock harder than a hammer, and had only one thought. His searing need to climb between Mia’s legs tore at him. If he didn’t do something soon, he’d be in a foul mood all day.
“Who was that?” Mia asked, reaching over and running her hands through his hair.
“Wrong number.”
“You so suck at lying.” She scratched his scalp with her nails and the feeling was next to nirvana…until she stopped. “Who was it?”
He opened his eyes. “Do you have a hair appointment?”
She bolted upright. “Yes! I forgot to set the alarm!”
“You’re in luck. I promised I’d have you at the house by six so you’re good.” He pulled her back down and wedged open her legs with his knee. He traced the belly chain around her waist, and growled. “God, you’re so fucking sexy.”
“I love your family. Your sister invited me to have my hair and nails done with everyone else. I need to get ready, and you’re going to have to deal with this on your own.” She gave his hard-on a quick squeeze.
“Hell, no. I need more.” He wrapped his hand over hers, curling her fingers around his cock and pumped in and out of her warm grip. “This is good to start.”
“Oh really? Let me see if I can do this myself. No helping.” She laughed deep in her throat and smiled, arching a brow.
“Mia—” He stifled a growl and let go of her hand, enjoying her solitary fingers around his dick.
“Is this what you’re thinking about, Sir?”
Oh sweet relief. The pressure in his balls started to build and he groaned, “Yes. Tell that mouth of yours she’s invited to this early morning party.”
Mia stroked her hand up and down his cock then let go. He watched in disbelief as she peeled the covers off and stood up. Naked. And his.
“RSVP: mark sorry. No can do. My hands, lips, and other body parts have plans. Sorry to disappoint and run. We don’t do double bookings.” Hands on slender, curvy hips, she sassed him good.
“Promise, I won’t tell.” He sat up, balancing on one elbow. “Baby, come back. I can get us off in five minutes.”
“I’m already late. Nothing doing.”
“That’s ten. Just so you know, and I’ll be seeing your rear end on that little matter.”
“I.O.U.” She acted out the arm motions like a sexy cheerleader, then sashayed across the bedroom, swinging her pert ass into the bathroom and shutting the door.
“You don’t know what you’re missing,” he grunted. “Fuck. I’m adding another ten, Miss High and Mighty.”
He took hold of his cock and stroked himself. The shower started and that was it. She wasn’t coming back and he finished the job himself, imagining her hot mouth on his flesh. Even after coming, he felt absolutely one-hundred percent worse. Jerking off only primed him.
With his motor revved, he stared at the ceiling, weighing the choice of joining Mia in the shower or making coffee. He and his cock voted for the shower; his jackass conscience reminded him that coffee wasn’t going to make itself. Considering how late they’d gotten to bed, he better mosey out to the kitchen. His little warrior would need a cup before he took her to his parents’ home.
Of course, these arrangements were last minute. He muttered to himself, “The women of this family know exactly how to ruin a man’s plans.”
All it took was one phone call to upset the apple cart on his solution to surviving a wedding day with Mia surrounded by his family. He had the day organized for how he’d deal with his need—more like bottomless lust—where Mia was concerned. All his intentions were sailing along in some handbasket to hell, and he’d been left with a hard-on that wouldn’t quit.
BRANDON fidgeted with the link for his sleeve, standing in front of the patio doors. A log crackled and splintered in the fireplace, and for a January day, the sun was high in the cloudless sky. Picture-perfect is what his mother had said when she’d called and let him know Mia was ready to be picked up. She’d had the audacity to ask him if he’d gotten his tux. Had the whole family believed he was incapable of showing up to one wedding properly dressed?
Stephen, the brother who’d been voted the least likely McLemore to ever settle down, was getting hitched. In an hour, to be exact. Somehow, after Stephen had proposed to Gillian, the baton for being the man no one would bet on settling down anytime soon—don’t even mention marriage—had his name emblazoned on the side.
He’d heard the remarks, some whispered, others shouted. If his family only knew, they’d choke themselves silly. He’d found the woman, and she wasn’t ready to settle down. Destiny sucker punched him and had kicked him in the balls as well. He’d fallen so hard for Mia, he didn’t know which way was up.
He kept thinking that if Mia agreed, he’d push Stephen and Gillian out of the way and wed her today. Staring out the French doors, he wondered if by some chance being here had changed her mind. At all.
In the panes of glass, Mia’s reflection rippled and broke apart his musings, and he turned. She entered the living room silently, wearing the dress and heels he’d picked out. And sweet Jesus, it took his breath away just to look at her.
“You’re stunning.” It was all he could get out.
She wore a short, formfitting dress; some version of pale coral was how the saleswoman had termed it. And fuck. It was the heels. Laces wrapped around her calves. He’d had an ongoing fantasy about her on her back and those heels thrown over his shoulders.
“Not so bad yourself, cowboy.” She laughed, tilting her head, “I need your help.”
With her hair pinned up, done in a fancy style probably recommended by his sister or sister-in-law, she had him wondering why’d he’d agreed to her wearing this outfit anywhere besides their bedroom…his chest squeezed.
He crossed the room and she pirouetted, giving him a teasing view of the back, and he stopped dead in his tracks. “Did I agree to that?” he asked, his voice lowered into the range of I-need-to-fuck-you-now.
“You were there when I tried it on,” she smiled shyly over her shoulder.
The edge of the dress rode on her hips, the back completely bare and the two dimples winking just above her hips played hide-and-seek with his imagination. He’d ridden her, taking her from behind in the most intimate and erotic of ways, and the mere sight of those dimples had him stiffening in his pants and a firm ‘No’ ready on his lips.
“That dress didn’t seem to be so…revealing. Where’s the rest of it?” he demanded.
“Before you dive off the deep end, I’m wearing the accompanying jacket. I just wanted your help with this; in exchange, I’ll deal with your links and
studs. Stud.” She held out her hand and a platinum chain dangled from her fingertips.
“You remembered.” He reached for the chain, eyeing the collar encircling Mia’s slender neck. An overt symbol and she’d accepted, signifying he owned her. Shit, it didn’t feel like it, though.
“I want you to like it. I heard this is one blow-out bash, and the competition is pretty stiff around here,” she said.
“That’s not the only thing stiff,” he muttered.
She reached behind herself, and ran her hand down the front of his pants. “Oh, you’re well beyond stiff. I can feel the outline of your crown, and that vein that gets swollen. You know, right before—”
He couldn’t get the clasp to work and stared at his collar around her neck. “What are you trying to do to me?”
“I’m only agreeing with you.”
“You’re torturing me, and I don’t get it. I want to marry you and stay with you for the rest of our lives.”
“Brandon, no, you don’t.” She stiffened and he heard her take a deep breath.
Heat flared up his neck and zinged down his arms. He reached up and held the collar, attaching the chain that snaked downward, sensually outlining the dip of her spine. He watched, mesmerized, as it swiped across the curve of her hips, right over her ass cheeks, and he could just imagine doing some very hot things to her later. The more she argued, the more he wanted her to agree.
“Yes. I do,” he replied firmly.
She pivoted and faced him. “Please. Let’s not do this now.”
“I’d marry you today if you agreed. What is it that you’re afraid of?”
“I need to stand on my own two feet. It means more to me than…anything.”
Anger boiled in his blood. “Or anyone,” he snapped. He reached down and grabbed her jacket. “This stays on the entire time. If you take it off, know you’re waving a red cape in front of my face. I’m so close. Do you understand?”
“Babe, then don’t push me either. You’ve got a career and a business. What have I got? College loans, without a degree. I want my own piece of the pie. Don’t deny me.”