by J. H. Croix
“Hey Hayden! I’m gettin’ pretty used to seeing your face around here. I might miss you when you go back to Montana,” Roxanne offered with a grin.
“I can’t seem to stay away from here. I know I’ll miss seeing you every day, along with your coffee.” He glanced around. “Seems like just about everyone in town comes here. Can’t say there’s a place quite like this in Montana.” As the words left his mouth, Shana danced through his thoughts. She was the source of his draw to Catamount, but places like Roxanne’s added to its charm.
“I’d like to take all the credit, but my grandfather got this place hoppin’ long before I inherited it.” Roxanne’s eyes traveled past him, her smile widening again.
He turned to see Noah walking up behind him.
Roxanne teased with Noah for a moment before catching Hayden’s eyes again. “What’ll it be for you today?”
Hayden quickly ordered a coffee and a breakfast sandwich before stepping aside to wait while Noah ordered. They headed outside with their food to go and climbed into Noah’s truck. Even though Hayden offered to drive, Noah shrugged it off. After another scenic drive and a few hours of interviews later, they walked outside with Glen Bowen. Glen leaned against his rental car, hands tucked in his pockets, and glanced between Hayden and Noah.
Glen was tall, lanky and weathered with gray hair and bright blue eyes. He loved the wilderness of Montana and was a dogged detective. He was a shifter and happened to be one of the few in law enforcement in their area in Montana, unlike in Catamount where it appeared almost everyone on the police force was a shifter. Glen ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Figure now’s as good a time as any to let you know I’ve had a bead on Clint for about a year now. I can’t tell you how relieved I was when you told me his name came up in one of your interviews with the guys out here.”
Hayden held Glen’s gaze for a long moment. He shook his head. “Why didn’t you say something before?”
Glen kicked his boot against the tire. “Same damn reason you probably thought twice about talking to me and then some. Clint’s your boss and has been for years. For all I knew, you were involved too. When I say I had a bead on him, it’s not like I had anything other than a few unsubstantiated rumors. My guess was if Clint was involved, he wasn’t getting his hands dirty. After today, it’s safe to say that’s the case except for the money trail.”
Fury rose in Hayden, but he batted it away. Clint was thousands of miles away. Getting worked up over his manipulations wouldn’t do a bit of good now. He shook his head and met Glen’s eyes. “I get it. I’d have wondered about me too. What do we do now?”
Noah glanced around the parking lot and gestured to them. “Let’s have this conversation somewhere other than here. You planning to head to Catamount?” He directed his question to Glen.
At Glen’s nod, Noah pulled his keys out. “Follow us then. We’ll meet at Jake’s office and talk.”
Hours later, Hayden drove home through the twilight mulling over what they’d learned today. The only person involved in Catamount who refused to work with them and consider a plea deal was Wallace Peyton. Everyone else wanted leverage however they could get it. Between their discussions and Jake’s legwork, more pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. In sum, Clint used his position to create some cover for the smuggling network in and around Bozeman. When law enforcement requested support checking on suspicious activity in remote areas, Clint only occasionally obliged. At first, the investigators didn’t think much of it because they had plenty of cases to focus on and trying to corral a smuggling network was considered a long-term job. However, last year, Glen heard a few rumors about Clint, so they started doing their own follow up when Clint didn’t offer help. In the end, they’d managed to shut down a few delivery and storage locations. Clint had tried to keep his hands from getting dirty, but he’d done enough to get in the money, which meant he’d allowed the network to use his family’s hunting property outside of Bozeman and served as a main point of contact for the network from out-of-state. According to two of the guys they spoke with today, he also funneled shifters willing to smuggle into the network.
Hayden was still slightly stunned to realize Clint had been doing this right under his nose. He thought back to the first time he’d been asked to help law enforcement and check on a report about unauthorized use on federal lands. Clint had climbed on a soapbox and spewed nonsense about how he couldn’t believe the young shifters would fall for the easy money. When Hayden reconsidered many of Clint’s statements though, ones that stood out were his repeated comments about how they’d likely never get a handle on this because drugs would always be sold and smuggled. He took the position that the best they could do was peck away at the small fry.
Hayden came to a stop in the circular driveway in front of the guesthouse. As soon as he pulled up, his mind shifted gears, thoughts of Shana racing to the fore of his consciousness. Every night he spent with her only deepened his feelings. Shana was like no other woman. She called to him on every level of his being—human and lion, mental, emotional, and physical. He sensed she had reservations about them and kept turning over in his mind how to convince her she needn’t worry. He knew beyond any doubt she was meant to be his. He’d already considered and reconsidered what to do about the potential geographic challenges. He’d decided he’d return to Montana after this and hopefully be able to close the door on the smuggling network before returning to Catamount. There wasn’t enough tying him to Montana to keep him there. Shana alone was enough reason to relocate to Catamount, but there were plenty of other benefits. He’d already put a few feelers out on whether he could transfer to a position in this area and found some promising options.
He stepped out of the truck, his body humming with anticipation when he walked through the door to be greeted by the view of Shana’s delectable bottom as she leaned over to look for something in one of the kitchen cabinets.
Chapter 10
Shana pulled a baking tray out of the cabinet and moved to stand up, only to come to a quick stop when she felt a sharp tug on her hair and noticed several loose strands of her hair caught in the hinge on the door. She set the tray down and carefully untangled her hair, jumping at the sound of Hayden’s voice.
“Stay right there as long as you want.” His words slid over her, warm and smooth. She could hear the smile in his voice.
She couldn’t help the giggle that escaped. Hayden had that effect on her. After years of heaviness in her heart, he elicited a light, frothy feeling inside. Even with her mental machinations over him, when he was near she forgot all of that. With a smile, she freed the last strand of hair from the cabinet hinge and picked up the tray again. Hayden’s warm, strong palms curled around her hips and stroked down around her bottom as she stood. His touch instantly sent her pulse skittering wild and flutters twirling through her belly. By the time she set the tray on the counter and turned, her breath was short, her body was suffused with heat, and she was slick with desire.
His warm caramel eyes met hers, teasing and dark. Without a word, he brought her flush against him and fit his mouth over hers. His tongue swept in her mouth and his hands cupped her bottom, firmly pulling her against his arousal. He felt so good—so, so good. She’d come to crave the delicious quiver he sent racing through her veins. Hot, liquid need pulsed through her with every beat of her heart. He gentled his kiss, slowly pulling back. His breath came in short pants. She was dazed, barely able to think. All she wanted was to tear his clothes off and have him. Inside of her. Now.
“Hey there,” he said softly.
He slid one of his hands slowly away from its grip on her bottom, stroking up her side, curling over a breast and thumbing a nipple before lifting it to trace her lips. She couldn’t resist flicking her tongue out and drawing the tip of his finger into her mouth. His eyes darkened when she swirled her tongue around before releasing it.
“Hey,” she finally replied. “How was your day?”
> His eyes sobered. “Hard to say. Productive, but depressing. Yours?”
Worry flickered in her mind. She knew he’d gone back to the county jail with Noah today to meet up with the detective from Montana.
“Mine was busy. But I only worked a shift and a half today, so I’m not dead on my feet, just pretty damn tired.”
Hayden’s fingers circled her lips once more before moving to sift through her hair. Soft shivers raced through her. Every touch fed into the fire between them. She tilted her eyes up to his. “I was about to start something for dinner.”
He grinned, but didn’t step back. The heat of his shaft rested against her belly, hard and pulsing. “We could eat later.” His grin widened when he trailed his fingers down the side of her neck. She shuddered, taut with need. He traced a sizzling path down between her breasts and began methodically unbuttoning her shirt. By the time her shirt fell open, she was on fire, need coursing through her. She yanked at his clothing. His shirt joined hers on the floor while she tore his jeans open. She hummed her pleasure at the feel of his velvety hard cock in her hand.
She shoved him back against the counter and knelt down. She pushed his jeans down around his hips and stroked her tongue along the underside of his cock. His breath came out in a long groan and his hand laced in her hair. She took her time, licking, stroking, and sucking, savoring the salty tang of his pre-cum. His body was taut, his thighs rock-hard under the slide of her palms. In a swift move, he tugged on her hair.
“I need to be inside of you,” he bit out.
She gave him one last stroke, drawing him all the way into her mouth, the head of his cock bumping against her throat before standing. His gaze burned into her, notching the heat higher inside. Her sex clenched, drenched with need. He shoved at her jeans, yanking them down. She kicked them free. He fumbled in his pocket and swore, his eyes slamming up to hers.
“Forgot to pick up condoms today.”
He didn’t pause and slowly curled his hands around her hips and lifted her to the counter. “Have to do this.” His palms slid up her calves and thighs, the calloused surface sending slivers of fire through her. He pushed her thighs apart and looked up as he stroked a finger into her folds, dripping with desire. Her breath came out on a groan as he slid one finger and then another into her channel. She forced herself to focus and held his eyes. “I’m on the pill, you know. Until you, there was no one for three years.”
As she spoke, she wondered if she was half out of her mind, but she trusted him completely. She wasn’t worried about protection. The tiny corner of her that worried she was in too deep tried to speak up, to say it wouldn’t be smart to let herself feel him the way she wanted. But that voice couldn’t be heard over the din of need crashing through her, the primal instinct driving her to get as close as possible to Hayden.
He held her gaze for an electric moment before nodding once sharply. Then, he circled his thumb around her clit as he pumped his fingers in and out of her channel. Her breath came out on a sob as pressure tightened inside of her. His eyes fell from hers when he leaned forward to bring his mouth against her. She spiraled into a place of need and sensation, everything narrowing to the feel of his fingers inside her throbbing channel and his tongue stroking around and through her folds. On her gasp, he drew her clit into his mouth sending her tumbling over the edge. Her orgasm ripped through her, pleasure streaking outward from her core in waves. By the time he drew away, she could barely move.
He dragged his fingers up, leaving a wet trail of her desire over her belly and circling her nipples. He nudged her chin up with his knuckles and brought his mouth to hers in a breath-stealing kiss. Just when she couldn’t have imagined wanting more, he started the process all over. Hot, wet, drugging kisses. His lips, teeth, and tongue wreaking havoc on every inch they covered. The feel of his cock nestled against her slick folds. When she begged, he dragged the head of his cock back and forth until she was writhing against him, desperate to feel him inside of her. In a swift surge, he sank into her. He curled his hands on her hips and dragged her to the edge of the counter.
The feel of him filling her and stretching her pushed Shana closer and closer to the brink. He held her roughly as he pounded into her. She curled her legs around his hips, frantic to have him closer and deeper, savoring the scrape of his stubble on her neck, the bite of his teeth on her nipple. The coil of need tightened with each stroke. A quick flick of his thumb where their bodies joined as he thrust deeply inside, and she toppled over, pleasure ricocheting through her. As her channel clenched his length, he ached back on a cry, pulsing into her. He dipped his head forward on a breath, his forehead coming to rest against hers.
Several long moments later, Hayden lifted his head slowly. Shana opened her eyes to find his on her. Without a word, he leaned forward and took her lips in a leisurely kiss. He adjusted his grip on her hips and lifted her against him. Without releasing his grip, he shouldered his way through her bedroom into the bathroom. She rested her head against his shoulder, secure in his hold. He eased her down once they were in the shower and steaming hot water cascaded around them.
***
The following afternoon, Shana headed home, planning first to stop by Dane’s house to drop off seedlings for Chloe’s greenhouse. A co-worker at the hospital tended to go overboard when it was time to prep for gardening and always had more than she needed. Her phone rang as she wound along the road toward home. She tapped the screen on her dash to answer.
“Oh thank god you answered!”
Phoebe’s greeting startled her. “Could we start with hello?” Shana countered.
“Fine, hello. I’m calling to tell you Dane knows about you and Hayden. I thought you’d want a heads up before you see him.”
“What?!”
Shana didn’t want to care what Dane thought of her relationships, but he’d been overprotective and worried about any woman he cared about ever since Callen died and two of Callen’s associates from the smuggling network kidnapped Chloe. Shana also hadn’t the heart to talk with him about the true state of her marriage to Callen before he died, so she didn’t know how he’d react to learning she was involved with anyone. He’d probably be pissed Hayden hadn’t told him. Which infuriated her. Dane would think he had a right to be her gatekeeper when he didn’t.
“Jake says Dane stopped by the guesthouse last night and saw you two kissing through the window,” Phoebe explained.
“Great, just great. I’m on my way to his house right now. I promised Chloe I’d drop off the seedlings from Helen at work.”
Phoebe’s sigh was audible through the car speakers. “If I were you, I’d just go talk to him. It’s not like he gets to have an opinion about your personal life, but you know he’ll have one. Jake usually isn’t an ass, but he was all brother-in-charge when it came to Lily. He had enough sense to listen when I told him he needed to back off, but still.”
“Dammit. This is not what I wanted to deal with today.”
“If it’s any consolation, Jake says Dane respects Hayden.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not. He probably expected Hayden to ask for permission or some bullshit like that.”
Phoebe chuckled. “Right. Well, I didn’t want you to bump into him without knowing.”
“I know. Thanks for calling. I’ll let you know how it goes.”
Her stomach knotted as she turned into the driveway that wound past the guesthouse where she was staying and ended at the colonial farmhouse Dane shared with Chloe. Trying to come to terms with her feelings about Hayden was complicated enough without her brother inserting his opinion into the situation. Shana parked quickly and grabbed the two trays of seedlings, stacked atop each other inside lidded boxes, and carried them to the front door. When she climbed up the steps, the front door swung open. Chloe stood there smiling.
“Hey! I heard you pull up. Let me get those.” Chloe reached for the two trays and carefully shifted their weight into her h
ands. Her honey blonde hair was tied in a ponytail. Her green eyes were bright as she glanced over her shoulder and nudged her head, indicating Shana should follow her. They walked through the formal entryway and living room before moving down a short hallway into the kitchen at the back of the house. Chloe set the seedling trays on the kitchen counter and lifted the lids to examine them.
“This is perfect! She’s got tomatoes, herbs and more in here.” Chloe glanced up at Shana. “Thank you so much for bringing these for me. I can’t wait to get a garden going this summer!”
Shana shrugged. “No problem. Helen goes a little crazy with gardening every year, so now she knows you’re into it, she’ll send more your way. If you want to stop by the hospital one of these days, I can introduce you to her.”
“Awesome! Maybe I can swing by later this week.” She spun away and gestured to the coffee pot. “Coffee?”
“Sure.” Shana sat down on a stool by the counter. When Chloe slid a cup of coffee over to her, she caught her eyes. “Has Dane mentioned anything to you about me and Hayden?”
Chloe bit her lip and scrunched her nose. “Yeah. I was going to warn you he might say something to you about it.”
Shana brushed her hair away from her face. “Phoebe called because I guess Dane mentioned it to Jake. Just tell me what he said.”
Chloe sighed. “He said he stopped by last night on the way home and saw you two making out through the entry window. He was all huffy about it last night, but I reminded him you’re thirty-one years old and way past the age where he has a say in what you do. I don’t know if it helped much.”
Shana took a sip of coffee and stared at the counter, tracing the edges of the tiles. “Dane wasn’t horrible when we were younger, but it’s not like he had much to get overprotective about. I didn’t date too much in high school and started seeing Callen when I was a sophomore in college. We got married and that was it.”