by Jane Jamison
“Your cunt feels so fucking good.”
Smiling, she leaned forward as Mitch added lube to the mix of water cascading between her butt cheeks. “You don’t feel so bad yourself.”
She exhaled as Mitch plunged into her, driving hard as though to meet his cousin halfway. He fondled her ass the way she liked it as he panted against her shoulder.
Winding her hands into the softness of Wy’s hair, she urged him to go faster, harder. Where the previous lovemaking was slow and steady, she was more than ready for a roller coaster ride of sex. She brought his mouth to hers, thrusting her tongue inside his mouth. Still, she loved it when he pulled her back to nibble on her lip.
The two men who had come to mean more to her than life itself thrust into her, catching her in the middle. One cock filled her from each side as their hands flowed over her body, finding places she’d never realized were erotic. Their passion filled the shower to mingle with the steam floating toward the ceiling.
“Fuck, Chey.”
“Yes,” she muttered. “Fuck me.”
“Fuck you, babe.”
She answered Mitch, giving him the same answer she’d given Wy. “Yes. Fuck me.”
And they did, pounding into her until she couldn’t hold back yet another heart-pounding climax.
* * * *
Wy wished he could turn around and head back out of the office. Whatever Mitch had to tell him wasn’t going to be good. “What’s up?”
“I got a call from Bruce.”
They’d been expecting their PI friend in San Antonio to get back to them, but Bruce had taken longer than they’d liked. “Yeah? So tell me. What’d he find out?” He slid into the other large leather chair next to the window.
Mitch rolled the whiskey around in his glass then gestured to the open bottle next to him. “Get yourself a glass.”
“Naw. I’m good. Just spit it out.”
“Bruce did a lot of digging, even going as far as visiting George Glasson’s house.”
“Which means his digging didn’t do him much good if he was willing to get that close to the subject.”
“Right. Anyway, he went to Glasson’s house and pretended to be a working for the electric company. Said the man answered his door so he was definitely at home. Then, still masquerading as the electric worker, he pumped a couple of the guy’s neighbors for information. He struck gold with the elderly woman across the street.”
“Struck gold how?”
“Well, maybe not gold, but definitely silver.” Mitch slugged back his drink then poured another glass. “Where’s Chey?”
“Upstairs doing whatever girls do in the bathroom. Go on.” He wasn’t much of a drinker, but if Mitch didn’t get a move on soon, he’d have to down a shot to steady his nerves.
“Anyway, the old lady said she’s seen George at home for several days now. Including at the time of the rodeo.”
“We already knew he wasn’t here.”
“Yeah, but I wanted Bruce to confirm it.”
“In a way it’s good news. But it’s bad, too, considering it also confirms the existence of another shooter.”
“Maybe not another shooter. Could be the guy at the hospital wasn’t Glasson, either. Could be Chey’s got someone else who’s after her and old Georgie’s threats are just that. Threats and nothing more. We could’ve gotten sidelined by him while the other shooter went unnoticed.”
“Well, shit.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
Wy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “We’re back to square one. Maybe even worse off than before.”
“Maybe not.”
“I swear, cuz, getting you to talk is like pulling teeth out of an alligator.”
“The lady also mentioned that she hadn’t seen George’s son, Warren, for a while. Right after he and his dad had one hell of screaming match.”
Wy settled back into the chair. “Now that is interesting. You don’t think he got into it with his son and killed him, do you? Either on purpose or accidentally?”
“Where’d that come from?”
“I don’t know. Just thinking out loud.” Trying different scenarios never hurt. “Maybe the son found out what his dad was planning and tried to stop him. Or threatened to turn him in. Maybe Glasson had to take his son out. Or, like I said, maybe they got into it and had an accident. It wouldn’t be the first time it’s ever happened.”
“Fuckin’ A, Wy. Let’s focus on the problem we already have. Not the one you’re dreaming up. You watch too many crime shows.”
“I’m just saying it could happen, is all.”
“More likely, the kid had a fight with his father and they had it out. Maybe he took off to a friend’s house to get away from his old man’s craziness.”
“Was the son at home when we were at the rodeo? Has the son ever talked about wanting to get Chey for letting his mom die?”
“Not that anyone’s ever said. Bruce checked with Al and several others at the hospital. They said the son had always seemed to take his mother’s death fairly well. That he’d been upset at his father for threatening Chey. Remember he was the one who tried warning her at the hospital that night.”
“Then he was never a suspect.”
“No reason for him to be.” Mitch screwed the cap on the bottle.
“None of this is very helpful.” He’d hoped for so much more. Like finding Glasson in his car along with several rifles and other guns. Although they hadn’t recovered any bullets from either shooting, at least they’d known he had the means to hurt someone if he wanted. He had three guns registered in his name. He’d kind of hoped they could get him on unrelated charges.
“We know for sure Glasson was at home at the time of the rodeo. And we know his son got upset enough to leave home. Like you said, maybe he found out something his father is planning.”
“Do you think we’re overthinking it? Could be Glasson’s finally come around. Maybe he doesn’t intend on hurting her any longer.”
“Could be, but someone fired those shots.” Mitch let out a long, frustrated sigh. “One more thing.”
“As if we need more. What is it?”
“Bruce said Warren’s got a knack for computers.”
“So?”
“So he was busted a year ago for hacking into a company’s computer. Said he did it to prove he could.”
Wy’s gut twisted. “Which means he might have the skill to hack into the hospital’s computer system. Or check for a money trail.”
“Yeah, but we don’t know that he did either one of those things. And Chey hasn’t used her bank account or her credit cards.”
They weren’t getting anywhere as far as Wy was concerned. “So, until we figure out what’s really going on, we keep on keeping her safe.”
“Exactly. And keep her here with us.”
“Sounds like a plan to me.” He was good as long as she stayed where she belonged. At home with them. “You know we’re not going to be able to keep her inside and locked up much longer.”
“Yeah, I know. She’s a stubborn one.”
“Hardheaded like someone else I know. But I’ll do whatever I have to do.” Wy finally gave in and poured himself a drink. “Even if it means fucking her every time she thinks about leaving.”
“Damn straight we will.” Mitch laughed. “Whatever it takes.”
* * * *
“If you two get any closer, you’re going to freak Copper out. He’s already nervous as hell.” Her horse jerked his head up and down as he plodded in between their horses.
“That makes three of us.” Mitch tugged his hat lower, keeping a watchful eye over the pasture.
She wasn’t about to get into another argument. It had taken her five days to talk the men into letting her go riding. She couldn’t spend the rest of her life locked up in their house.
She pulled the cowboy hat they’d given her lower then jerked on the oversized shirt. Part of their agreement to go riding was that she’d wear their cloth
es and put her hair inside the hat. They’d tried to make her look as much like a young man as was possible. She didn’t think it had worked. Instead, she felt like a girl being swallowed in men’s clothing.
“Let it go, Mitch. We already gave in.” Wy, too, was being very watchful. “I’m not sure how she did it, but she talked us into letting her out in the open again.”
“Guys, the president of the United States doesn’t have two eagle-eyed men keeping track him like I do. Even the Secret Service doesn’t get this close to him. I’m as safe as I can be.”
“Not as safe as you’d be inside your bedroom.”
Or as hot as long as they’d get in the bed with me. But I can’t spend the rest of my life in bed, no matter how great it would be.
“Mitch, damn it. Give it a rest.” She gave Copper his head along with a gentle heel to his side. The horse jolted forward, breaking into a full gallop. She laughed as the wind struck her face and blew her hair back over her shoulders. Their shouts for her to slow down didn’t stop her.
This is what living is really like.
She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed riding since moving to San Antonio. Because of her work, she’d voluntarily missed out on a lot of things. Men and riding horses being just two of them.
Perhaps it was having a man out to kill her. Perhaps Wy and Mitch had opened her eyes up to the world around her again. One or both reasons didn’t matter. She’d come alive again, truly living and enjoying her life. If she were to die tomorrow, she could say she’d die happy.
They drew their horses next to hers. To her surprise and delight, they didn’t try to rein her in or cut her off. Instead, they were into the race as much as she was.
She laughed, feeling wild and free. Riding fast over the pasture wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but she didn’t want to stop. Taking the risk was worth the triumphant sensations.
Wy and Mitch pulled ahead of her, keeping her between them. They were leading the way, showing their knowledge of the land and keeping her horse away from deep holes. Their bodies would block most any attempt to shoot her, but she shoved the thought away. Too many days had passed since the rodeo. Was she supposed to live the rest of her life in fear?
By the time they reached the fence running alongside the road leading into town, she was out of breath and her face heated. She pulled Copper to a skidding stop then leaned forward to reward him with a few pats. “Good boy. You can move when you really want to, can’t you?”
Wy and Mitch steered their mounts closer. They were gloriously sexy in the saddle, and the heat between her legs stirred to life. Could she convince them to make love out in the open? She gazed up at the sun then closed her eyes as the warmth spread over her.
“Good riding, Chey.”
She opened her eyes to find Mitch appraising her. “You sound surprised.”
“Yeah, sort of. I know you can ride. You’ve proven it enough times. But I guess I’ve got this image of you in your white doctor’s coat and I can’t shake it loose.”
“A girl can be both a doctor and a horsewoman, you know.”
“And a she-cat in bed, too,” added Wy.
“Damn straight.” She looked around. They’d have to find a different spot, one with more green grass than small bushes, and one farther from the road, but it was worth a try. She gave them her best sultry look. “Guys, what would you say to a little fun in the sun?”
“You’re not talking about going to the beach, are you?” Wy’s long legs stretched out forever as he repositioned his body in the saddle.
“Nope.”
“Or going skinny dipping?” asked Mitch.
Even Mitch is lightening up. Finally.
They’d mentioned the ranch had a large pond. “I wouldn’t turn down the chance to go swimming, but I was thinking of a different kind of fun.” She took her hat off, shaking out her hair, knowing it would catch their attention.
“Hey, keep the hat on. We agreed,” argued Mitch.
“Too late now.”
“Give it up, cuz.” Wy winked, showing her he was on her side. “I know the perfect spot. There’s enough grass to make it soft and it’s in the trees so it’ll give us some cover.”
“Hey, you two, we agreed to a ride, but anything else that’ll draw our attention away from keeping her safe isn’t a good idea.”
Shit. Mitch was sticking in worry mode. “It’ll be fine. We haven’t heard or seen anything in days. Even the police think it’s over.”
“You got shot.” Mitch glared at her. “An inch to the right and you’d be dead right now.”
She saw the chances of making love in the open flying away. “You said it yourself. People get to drinking and fooling around. It could’ve been a wild shot by one of the other cowboys or spectators. What if it had nothing to do with me?”
“And what if it did?” Mitch reined his horse closer. His gaze bored into hers. “I’m not willing to take the risk.”
“When, Mitch? When will you believe the danger has passed?”
“When we find out who’s after you.”
Damn, the man was exasperating. And Wy, being his usual quiet self, wasn’t helping. “Mitch Wilson, you are the most bullheaded, stubborn—”
“Those are the same thing, baby.”
She shot Wy a glare that should’ve had him curling into a fetal position.
“And you’re the most hardheaded woman I’ve ever known.” Mitch was angry, but he always managed to keep his tone calm. “I guess that makes us even.”
“Yo, Wy! Mitch!” A man ran down the middle of the road, his eyes wild, his face tormented.
Chapter Nine
Chey startled at the sound of another man’s voice. Had Mitch been right? Had she put them in danger? Yet the man looked more frightened than angry. Plus, he wasn’t carrying a weapon.
“Bill?” Wy swung his horse around. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s…Lucille.” Bill slowed to a stop then bent over as he panted out the words. “She’s having…the baby.”
“Where is she?” Mitch swung off his horse and stalked to the fence separating the pasture from the road.
Bill dragged in a long breath and put his hand against his ribs. “My truck broke down on the main road. We were in such a hurry to get to the clinic that we both forgot our cell phones. Damn it. Please, you’ve got to help us.” He centered his attention on her. “Are you the doctor?”
“Yes.” She caught herself before she told him her name.
Mitch had been right. Going to the rodeo had let a lot of people know she was there. They’d counted on no one talking about her to outsiders, but that wouldn’t have kept the local gossip mill from spreading the word. She glanced at Mitch, ready to see an “I told you so” glare, but he was already hurling his body over the fence.
All that didn’t matter any longer. She had to help Lucille. She was about to tell Wy to phone Dr. Varner, but he was already on the phone. Mitch motioned her over then reached out to grip her under the arms. He lifted her over the fence with ease.
“Wy, take our horses back with you. Get the truck and meet us. Where exactly is your truck, Bill?”
“Right at the turn into town. By the old red barn.”
“Got it.” Wy bent low over the side of his horse and caught the reins of Mitch’s and Chey’s horses. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Bring some clean towels and water, too, if you can.” She took hold of Bill’s arm. “Take me to her.”
Bill nodded, then spun around and started running back down the road. She and Mitch rushed after him.
Who knew what she might find? She hated to think of delivering a baby without all the equipment and safety protocols of a hospital, but she’d do whatever she had to do. Delivering a baby in a car would be a first.
She could hear Lucille’s cries well before she rounded the curve in the road. The pickup sat off the side with both doors wide open and the hood up. Although Bill had maneuvered the car onto the main roa
d leading into Garner, he hadn’t gotten very far. She dashed around to the passenger side.
A pretty young woman, probably in her mid-twenties, gripped the worn cloth seat. Her hair was wet and hanging in strands as she leaned her head back. She’d been looking up in the air until she heard Chey come up. Terrified, her eyes were wide and her face scrunched in pain.
“Bill! Where are you?”
“I’m here, Lucille.” Bill climbed into the driver’s side. “I didn’t have to run all the way to their house. They were out riding along with the doctor.”
Going into her usual professional demeanor, Chey put on a reassuring smile and grasped the moaning woman’s hand. “Hi, Lucille. I’m Dr. Chey Kirkland. Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be fine.”
“Oooh. Please. My baby…” She groaned, morphing the rest of her sentence into garbled words Chey couldn’t understand.
“Bill, get out of the truck. Do you have any blankets or towels?”
He stared at Lucille. At first, Chey wasn’t sure he could answer.
“Bill?” Hopefully, the force she put behind his name would get him to snap out of it. His gaze slowly shifted to her.
“Blankets? Towels? Do you have any?”
He shook his head, his mouth slack, panic stiffening his body.
“Mitch, I want you to help me. I don’t think Bill’s up to it.”
“Sure thing. What do you want me to do?” He winced as Lucille let out an ear-shattering wail.
“Get behind the wheel. On your knees on the seat.”
He shot her a questioning look, obviously not understanding what he’d be doing, but climbed into the truck anyway.
“Good.” She put her hand on Lucille. “Listen to me. I want you to do what I say and it’ll all turn out fine. You’re going to have your baby right here, right now.”
“What? No.” Lucille whipped her head around to search for Bill. “I’m going to have my baby in the clinic. Or the big hospital. I can’t have her in this fucking shit hole of a truck. Fuckin’ A. Damn it. Shit, shit, shit. Please make it stop hurting!”