by Arlene Webb
“Hmm. That explains.”
“Explains what?”
He smirked. “The low population. Intelligent man has been drawn to Texas, where rednecks and cattle vastly outnumber female leaders.”
“Funny guy.” She drew a deep breath. “Wyoming’s constitution includes more than the enlightenment of legal rights for both genders. There’s also a pioneering article on water rights.”
“Interesting read?”
“Blah blah about who owned what, but I found it fascinating. I’m boring like that.”
“Boring is not a word I’d use to describe you, sweetheart. You feeling insecure? I have a bottomless pit of adjectives and stories I could share.” He withdrew his hand. “Don’t be nervous. Even making up stuff, I’m on high alert for actual dubious characters. Always.”
She snickered. “So says the man who conked out the moment we left the motel. The plan is eat and…then what?”
“Grab a room somewhere past Rock Springs and hole up until Lisbon calls. The GPS chip in this car is deactivated. Unless Lisbon puts a trace on my cell phone, no one on the planet should know where you and I spend the rest of today and tonight, and I’ll be a good boy. Promise.”
Oh God, I hope not.
She swallowed hard. “We get something to eat and camp out in a motel?”
“I just said that. It’s okay. I don’t mind repeating things to slow-on-the-uptake recipients of items wanted by crime lords. And know this: I can also watch and listen for bad guys while I sleep. Cool super-power, huh?”
“Wow. I’m being protected by Superman.”
“Nah, the man of steel is a wimp compared to me. Cassi, we could stop at a market if you’d rather. I have another super power. I know how to cook eggplant, steaks, nuke potatoes, all sorts of things.”
“A room with a kitchenette?”
He beamed. “Great idea. I get restless at restaurants. Forget being worried about how far the dishwasher in the kitchen splatters dishwater, there’s a lot of collateral damage can happen in a public place when shell casings go flying.”
***
Ray hadn’t realized before how much fun it could be holding hands. Post and pre-sex, he didn’t mind cuddling, but he’d never been the type to causally stroll through a store, unwilling to release the slender fingers of his companion while he eyeballed every person they encountered with his deadly cop-stare.
Cassi was still quite uneasy with him and her circumstances. Jitterbugs were having a field day in his stomach as well. He knew there was no way he’d keep to any promise of being good. Despite the dilemma of ethics and knowing he could lose his job, he planned to do many bad things to her—with her—multiple times, and he had little doubt she’d say yes. What she didn’t know was that he hovered on a ledge he never thought he’d be lucky enough to find again.
After the itch was scratched, the bad guys put away, he didn’t want to walk away from Cassi Smith. More interesting, before it’d even gone past a couple kisses, he didn’t want it to end. He never thought he could feel this way since his first true love had left him. He glanced at Cassi still clasping his hand as he drove the winding roads toward the Rocky Mountains. Can I have the chance to love another for a lifetime? I really think I can.
He’d paid cash in the organic food market for a hefty bag of dinner and breakfast. He’d skipped the beer and grabbed a six-pack of spring water. Her Thermos was half empty and he didn’t need to help drain it.
Yippee. The sign for Full Moon Lake Lodge in Pinedale said five miles. Laramie and Cheyenne were the closest large cities in a beeline from Denver into Wyoming. Not doing the obvious could keep them safe. Pinedale was more isolated, and he was armed and intent on a night that didn’t involve playing with his Glock.
The sun had set and the past hour disappeared. She made him laugh, ponder, and it wasn’t only his dick jazzed with anticipation and hope. His heart was out there, a wide target ready to close around a one-and-only. He chuckled to himself. A strange one-and-only at that.
Jesus. Awful what’d happened to her and her brother, but to tiptoe around so many things? Uh oh. Falling in love could be a deal breaker if she hadn’t gotten past traumatic shower memories and didn’t like to bathe in a tub, at least.
Nah. She smelled sweet and fresh for a gal who’d been up all night and then faced an intense interrogation. Certainly better than he did. He must desperately need a shave as well. He’d rub his chin to see how badly, but he didn’t want to let go of her hand.
He pulled into the drive for the lodge, drew in a deep breath of pine-scented air and homed in on a sprawling, wooden building. Large porch with rocking chairs, restaurant, and the deep blue glimmer of a pristine lake less than a hundred yards away.
He smiled at her and reluctantly untwined fingers. “Our names are Johnny and June Cash and we have no ID to prove that.”
“A pair of married singers, or cheaters with fake names?”
“Married. Happily. Forever.” He turned the car off, left the keys dangling, and caught himself before he leaned in for a kiss. “Hmm, maybe John and May…Pennymore is less suspect. But we’d best be the uptight couple who don’t do more than hold hands in public.”
“Oh.” She flushed.
“I feel like a teenager around you, and there’s only so much a guy can hide.” He unbuckled his seatbelt, took out his Glock, and unclasped his holster. He handed the holster to her. “Shove that in the glove box.”
He tucked the Glock under his shirt behind his back, into his waistband. “Hang a minute…er…on second thought,” he seized the keys, “come with me. Gotta be bears around here.” He took in the dark hair tumbling around her shoulders. “Can you do the ponytail or wind into a knot thing? Put on the baseball cap that’s under your seat?”
“Then I don’t look so much like the pictures online or my driver’s license?”
“Yep. You know those predators with unlimited resources can be anywhere. And speaking of unexpected, if something goes down such as me no longer breathing or gone, and the cabin’s not safe, I’m ordering you to either take the car and scram, or if you have to, run for the safety of this office and get help.”
“Ordering me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her his fiercest look. “No hesitation.”
He heard her soft snort as he hopped out. Damn. He needed to work on his command presence. Certainly her issues with authority wouldn’t extend toward forgetting he was the expendable guy while she was to survive at all costs. Not that anything would happen before they went to Evans Point, other than…his cock jolted while he eyeballed the tight buns facing him as the lady rushed ahead to open the damn door before the distracted hero could usher her in.
A middle-aged woman greeted them. She raised her eyebrows at cash instead of credit card payment for a night in a honeymoon cabin.
His song and dance about being a reformed credit card addict didn’t work. Cassi’s hesitant whispering about a jealous guy who refused to give her a divorce did.
Cabin keys in hand, he sped a mile up the road and sum-bitch, again the lady hopped out before he came round to open the door.
Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, the deep glacial lake promised to be a fisherman’s paradise fed by fast-running streams and rivers. A narrow wooden ramp extended about twenty feet out over the lake, a lovely walkway to view the full circle, rising moon shining over dappled waters. Ray had no intention of checking any scenic spot other than the curves of the woman who carried the bag of groceries inside the rustic cabin he’d unlocked. That is, after he’d made sure nothing more deadly than four-legged creatures prowled the area.
The door opened into a cozy and spacious room with fireplace, couch, and chairs and an expansive kitchen area. The far wall had a six-by-six window showcasing the lake about thirty feet away, not a critter in sight. A wide doorway beyond the living area showed a room with a large bed centered in it.
Cassi crossed past the fireplace and set the groceries down on the counter i
n the kitchen as he headed for a sweep of the bedroom. Closet, large bathroom with full-size shower, under the king-sized bed—all clear. A patio door off the bedroom opened to a rustic wraparound and roofed porch, and he sighed as he saw the pipes leading to a wooden tub beneath a large skylight into the roof.
Hot tub with shower that looked fed by rainwater, and a sniper’s dream. Maybe someday, when there wasn’t a certain hit on a gorgeous head. She’d most likely be the type to not appreciate whatever brewed in hot tubs, either. Hot springs could be something in their future. He smiled to himself. Thinking of a future with someone he hadn’t even slept with yet, and he was thrilled with the novelty and possibility that presented. He left the curtains open, light streaming in, and locked the patio door.
He hurried through the cabin and outside the front door. A click of the key fob popped the trunk, and he grabbed her basket of clothes, his duffel bag, and then the Thermos. He locked the car and took the steps three at a time.
Cassi hovered, twisting her hands beside the counter.
He set the stuff down and pretended to glower. “Don’t just stand there, woman. Throw perishables in the fridge and come check out the perimeter with me.” He winked. “You can do the barefoot and cooking thing in five.”
She snorted and reached for the steaks on top while he exited, leaving the cabin door open.
He ran. On the west of the cabin, he saw another without smoke rising from the chimney, what looked like a good two miles away. Behind the cabin, three boats in the far distance skimmed over the lake. No sign of anyone on their side. Trees obscured any other cabins in the east, and he skipped over rocks, some brush, and jogged to the front. Cassi came down the porch steps, stopping to face him as he halted and wiped the sweat off his brow.
“You want to go down to the lake?” she asked.
“Sure. First things first.” He raked his gaze over her and licked his lips. “Make me a promise?”
Her eyes widened. “To what?”
“To remember your safe word. Stop. No. Asshole. Any of those will do.” He ran forward, scooped her into his arms and headed up the steps.
She laughed. “Ray….”
“Yes?” He entered, twisting to kick the door closed. She fit against him like a part of a whole. He bent her toward the dead bolt. “Could you?”
She reached to turn it and the curve of her neck, the angle of her slender back with that gentle slope down to a heart-shaped butt promised him a ride he’d want to go on and on.
She shifted back against him. “Are we…?”
“Your call.” He crossed the living room. “But I need a shower and a shave, and I never let wanted women out of my sight.” He made no attempt to hide the growl in his tones. “And oh yes, I’ve not wanted anyone this badly in a long, long time.”
He stopped in front of the bed and swallowed back his greed. Her grip on his arm was tight, her eyes glistening. “Um…on second thought, you haven’t eaten more than an apple. You must be starving.” He set her down, stepped back, and bowed. “Watch me transform from caveman to houseboy. I’ll get dinner cooking.”
She pushed to her feet. “Can I tell you what I’d like?”
He blinked. “Of course. Well done, not rare, right?”
“Good guess.” There went her fingers, fidgeting again. “Except later, okay?” She lowered her head. “I’ve never asked this of anyone before.”
Idiot. You’re rushing her. He smiled. “It’s okay. I can be good. I can be professional. I can be a frustrated civil servant.”
“Will you shut up until I’ve asked you?”
He pressed his lips tightly together.
She stared at his feet. “Would you consider letting me have a fantasy? Do what I say without a lot…without any questions?”
Oh God. What does that mean? “I can, with limits. Are we talking a sexual fantasy? And one you want to start as soon as I agree?”
She trembled. Her gaze slowly rose to his chest, and she nodded.
“No handcuffs. Someone lurks, I need to react. And I don’t…I won’t hit you. Not even a hair pull.”
She jerked her chin up. “Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. I just want to take the lead. Set the stage so it’s…so I….”
Ahh, this was connected to OCD stuff. He grinned. “Sweet. I’m your boy toy. Shall I speak? Tell stories? Or be the strong and silent and hard, very big type?”
The soft smile tugging at her lips swelled his cock more than the sight of her breasts rising and falling with the deep breath she took. “No. You aren’t to say anything unless I ask you a direct question. Stay here.”
“Don’t go outside.”
“I won’t.” She hurried from the room.
She came back a moment later, a little black travel bag in hand. He already knew the contents. Unscented soap, organic shampoo, roll-on deodorant, throw-away razor, face cream, toothbrush, and toothpaste. He swallowed back a huge wad of lust as she said, “Take off your clothes and fold them onto the dresser. Remove that coverlet and put it somewhere, leaving the top sheet covering the bed. Wait until I call you.”
Chapter Six
Cassi couldn’t believe she was living a romance novel. In an isolated cabin with a guy who promised sex on a whole new level, and he actually seemed excited to be with her. Not even a single mutter about freaks needing to be thrown into a beautiful lake filled with fish pee, or a hot tub teeming with disease no sane human worried about.
She didn’t dare look behind her, but she heard the sounds of his zipper coming down, the rustle of clothing dropping, as she entered the bathroom. In the roomy shower, she placed her soap and shampoo on the ledge. The big, fluffy white towels crackling with cleanness had heat pooling in her belly. She took off the baseball cap, loosened her hair, and gave herself a stern talking-to as she got to work.
Carpe diem. This may never happen again. She took down the shower curtain that appeared fine—but who knew—folded it up and slid it into the cupboard under the sink. Regardless, the view would be one she didn’t want obscured. She sacrificed one of the towels to assist the mat lined up with the shower stall, readied to absorb splashes on the shiny, beige ceramic floor.
Take it slow…oh no, screw that. Hurry and get him in here. The shower looked spotless. She turned the water on, unhooked the overhead nozzle, and shot the steady stream to rinse the walls. Hooked it back up and left clear water running warm to hot.
Do it…do him right. She pulled the sticky shirt over her head, folded it, and set it on the counter. Her jeans joined the shirt, sandals lined up in the corner. Thank God, she wore her red and black lined bra with matching panties.
Do not jump his bones the moment you see that cock. She stood back from the doorway. “Ray…come in and get in the shower.”
He didn’t disappoint. In a heartbeat, he stood in the doorway all lean, chiseled, well over six feet of him. His cock, quivering, dangled and dangled and dangled from a nest of curly dark hair. His gaze raked over her, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
She gestured him to the shower.
Ohgodohgod. She clenched her thighs together as he showed that muscled backside and stepped under the water.
“Hands behind your back.”
He did as told, and she stumbled in with him. His dark eyes gleamed, and he bent to drop a kiss on her shoulder as she reached in front of him for the soap.
“Naughty boy.” She turned, her breasts bobbing, and spanked him lightly on his firm, muscled butt.
A muffled groan came from his throat. The groan grew louder as she dropped to her knees behind him, water slashing off his shoulders to hit the back of her head. She started with his feet and began soaping her way up.
His legs trembled beneath her fingers, his calf muscles tight. She dug her fingers in. “You may press your hands to the wall.”
A large hand brushed the top of her head, and she shivered. “I can’t do this if you don’t listen.”
He made an exaggerated gulping noise, slapped his palms on t
he wall, and widened his stance.
When she reached his upper thighs, she inched her head around to see past his leg. The glistening head of his long, thick and fully erect cock leaked more than drops of water. Silky translucent pre-cum slid as well. She swallowed hard, shifting back to look forward at his tightened balls. Soapy foam on her hand, she couldn’t stand it. She reached to fondle him and he gasped as she rolled his balls around in her fingers and caressed gently between the pair. A firm press of her thumb in that spot jerked a harsh grunt from him.
She pushed to her feet and reached around his hips, did a fast sweep along his inches, over the weeping head, and back down. She didn’t dare look up at him, but the way his butt quivered as she moved away from his cock told her he was suffering.
She straightened, her panties and bra soaked, and moved faster. Her arms wrapped around him from behind. His chest was so broad, and she loved tangling her fingers in the dark hair trailing down to meet his cock.
“On your knees. Keep your hands on the wall.”
He slid to the floor, and the moment she began shampooing his hair—the bastard—twisted his body, his palms in place, and pressed his face into her panties. She gasped. I can do this. I can. I can.
She didn’t jerk away, and she shivered as he rubbed into silk, grinding the material against her.
“Stand,” she blurted out and scampered aside as he did so. “Don’t stop touching the wall and rinse your hair.”
He dipped his head beneath the cascade as she raced her hands down his back. “Bad man. I didn’t say you could touch me. You’re finished.”
“Ohhh….”
He is so beautiful. She kissed between his shoulder blades and shifted back. “Step out. Don’t dry. Go directly to the bed and lay on your back. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll forgive you.”
He turned to face her. She couldn’t raise her gaze to meet his. If he had that look, the what-the-hell look, she’d kill herself.