Unleashed: Volume 4 (Unleashed #4)

by Callie Harper

  “The guy’s shady,” my lawyer, Stephen, confirmed on the phone. “He wanted to rob her blind.”

  “But it’s done?”

  “You made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

  “Greedy little fuck.” I flicked a paperclip off my desk. It crashed into the wall, then fell to the floor. I’d like to do that to Lymon Culpepper. I didn’t like giving that slimy rat money, but honestly it wasn’t much to me. And it got the job done. He was out of the picture, effective immediately.

  “It’s all taken care of. Money wired into his account. And I’ve arranged to have the deed delivered to her by courier, as you requested,” Stephen continued.

  “When will it arrive?”

  “End-of-business day today.”

  I exhaled with frustration. Stephen knew me well enough to understand without my saying. I wanted it there sooner.

  “It’s a long ways away, Declan. Even five o’clock is a stretch.”

  “Yup.” I knew it was true. She lived out in the middle of nowhere. But I wanted that piece of paper in her hands. I couldn’t rest until I knew her anguish was eased.

  “And my name?” I asked.

  “Kept out of it entirely.”

  “Good man.”

  As per my instructions, my attorney, Stephen, had purchased the property under the auspices of an anonymous buyer. There was no need to put my stamp on it, get involved personally. My name wasn’t on any of this.

  I wasn’t a good man. But for once in my life I could try. I could attempt to do something selfless, not take credit, not grab the apple from the tree but let it hang there to ripen full. I knew she’d suspect I’d done it, but I didn’t want to take credit. That’s how the good guys did it, wasn’t it? They made the rescue happen, but didn’t need to have their photo front and center in tomorrow’s papers.

  Lord knew I was no good guy. I was a dark beast of a man. But I was a dark beast who’d at least seen movies about good guys. I could copy them, imitate that kind of selfless altruism. Even though deep inside I wanted to pedal-to-the-metal all the way to Kara’s, grab her and shout “mine!” I wanted to tell her I’d rescued her, given her everything she’d wanted, and drag her off to a cave. But that was the selfish bastard in me.

  I wanted to keep at her about Courtney, too, keep insisting she was wrong. The fact was she hadn’t seen what she’d thought she had. She was wrong about Courtney. But she was right about me in general. I didn’t keep it in my pants. I’d licked, sucked and fucked countless women, many whose names I didn’t know, sometimes multiple girls at once. It didn’t matter that now I felt different, that now monogamy appealed in a way I’d never understood before. It sounded like bullshit even to me, even when I knew with certainty at the core of my being that if I had the chance to bury myself in Kara every night, I’d never want anything more.

  But there was a time for beating someone down, a battering ram forcing submission. And a time for big, showy displays, for bowling someone over with jewelry and designer dresses and nights on the town. I’d tried both already. Now it was time for a different approach.

  This time, I’d show restraint. I’d do a good deed and leave it at that. If you loved someone, you were supposed to set them free. I’d always hated that sappy song by Sting. But that was what she’d asked from me. So now I’d try to stay away from her, let her be free of me. She’d have her ranch. I’d let her go.

  She might respond to me with her body—and hell yes I liked the way she did—but I honestly couldn’t do it to her if she truly didn’t want me to. All the protesting and restraints only worked, only got me hard if she felt real desire on the other end.

  Last night, she’d looked me clear and strong in the eyes and told me to leave her alone. She didn’t want what I offered. And I didn’t blame her. She had a kind, generous, sweet heart. I preyed on people like her. I plundered, pillaged, raided, scanned others for weaknesses and opportunities and then took full advantage.

  I had it in writing. I’d had it told to my face. She didn’t want me. I knew what I had to do.

  §

  At six o’clock that night she called. I let it go to voicemail. I didn’t know what to say. I hadn’t been sure she would try to get in touch. I’d made certain that my name wasn’t associated with any part of the real estate transaction. She’d never know for sure it was me who paid for and gave her back her ranch.

  Now that she had called, I felt confused. If she asked me had I done it, should I tell her the truth? Or should I lie? I had no rulebook, the good guy’s code of conduct. This was all new to me.

  Stephen, my lawyer, called to confirm that he’d spoken with her. He’d simply identified himself as an attorney and told her that the terms of her property transaction had changed. She was now the full owner of her ranch, paid off completely. The deed had been delivered to her by courier and she’d signed her acceptance.

  “How did she sound?”

  “Excuse me?” Stephen wasn’t used to that kind of question. Terms of agreements, i’s dotted, t’s crossed, that was his comfort zone. Emotions didn’t factor in for him, nor did they usually for me.

  “Did she sound happy?”

  “Well,” he hesitated. “It took a few repetitions to make her understand. And then she started crying.”

  “Happy crying?”

  “It was on the phone.”

  “I know, but could you tell?”

  “No, I could not.” He paused and I could almost hear him thinking ‘what the fuck?’ in the silence. But he didn’t say it out loud. He was too professional. And I paid him too well. “I’d have to guess yes, wouldn’t you?”

  I went to the gym. Seven o’clock she called again but I let it ring through. I had boxing gloves taped to my hands. That would only last so long, though. Sooner or later I’d have to answer it.

  Eight thirty. I’d jogged back to the condo and showered off. Drink in my hands, Kara called again. This time, I picked up.

  “What did you do?” She sounded breathless, elated. My hand clenched on the phone. I wanted to see her like that, the light in her eyes, joy in her heart.

  “What do you mean?” I cleared my throat.

  “The ranch!” she exploded in delight. “I know you did it! I have the title in my hands!”

  “I’m happy for you, Kara.”

  “Declan!” She laughed, maybe cried, I couldn’t tell, just that she sounded happy, so overwhelmed with happiness. “I can’t believe it.”

  I didn’t say anything, just listened to her delight, taking it in, letting it wash over me. No one did happy like Kara. She brought it right up to the top, overflowing, and I could feel it through the phone.

  “Thank you,” she murmured and I could tell she said it smiling, suffused with emotion. I nodded though she couldn’t see me, neither confirming nor denying. She knew I’d done it. Though I supposed I could still take some pride in the fact I hadn’t taken credit, hadn’t immediately shot my hand up in class waving it and shouting, “Me, me it was me!”

  “I don’t know what else to say,” she sighed, satisfied. “Guess I’ll just go with good night, Declan. And thank you.”

  The call ended. She hung up. I stood there like a wooden statue—man with phone at ear.

  What would a good man do? Probably, that would be it. He’d put down the phone and not call back. He’d go about his business, respecting the distance others requested. That would be what a good man would do.

  I wasn’t a good man.

  Ten o’clock and I’d made good time. I only had another couple of hours before I got to Kara’s ranch. And it really was her ranch this time, not Harlan’s, not Lymon what-the-fuck’s, not a bank-owned property. She owned her ranch and I loved that, hoped she felt the true freedom and gift of independence. I remembered how it felt to own my first property, the American Dream come true.

  I wasn’t going there to take credit. I swore I wasn’t. I was going to see Kara to say one last thing before I walked out of her life forever. There
was one thing remaining, one last piece of unfinished business. Then I’d turn away and leave for good this time.

  It had to be close to midnight when I turned into her property, the dust pluming out behind the wheels of my truck. It hadn’t rained in over a week, hot as hell, and the crickets greeted me loud and insistent as I stepped out.

  Hand up to the door, I paused, realizing I’d likely be waking her. Other people slept. In my exhausted state, I’d managed five hours last night, but some people slept eight hours every night.

  Then the door opened as I stood there, hand hovering in a loose fist. She looked radiant, her hair down in golden waves over her shoulders. She wore a simple t-shirt and shorts, nothing fancy, but I wouldn’t want her any other way. Not a hint of makeup, glowing and perfect, standing before me in the entryway.

  “Sorry to wake you.” My voice sounded gruff, awkward.

  She laughed, musical and light. “I wasn’t asleep.”

  “No?” I stood there, big and dumb.

  “No.” She smiled. Her lips looked so plump, glistening and lush. “Would you like to come in?”

  “Huh?” I looked down at her. I’d forgotten why I was there. I really wanted to kiss her.

  “Do you want to stand on the porch or would you like to come in?” She teased me, that sweet kindness in her eyes again. But I knew what I was there to do. I wasn’t there to ravage her, smother her in kisses, pin her to the floor and fuck her senseless like I wanted to, like I had many times before.

  No, this time I’d be a good guy even if it killed me. And looking at her standing there, barefoot, no bra on, her breasts luscious and full, I realized it just might. It really might kill me.

  But I could do this. I’d done harder things. Right? Hadn’t I? Nothing came to mind.

  I cleared my throat. “I’m not staying. I just came here to say something. Then I’ll get out of your hair.”

  “Thank you, Declan,” she interrupted me, softly. “I know you did it. And I can’t tell you how much…” Her voice started to break.

  “Kara.” I thrust my hand up into my hair so I wouldn’t touch her. Christ, she was making this hard.

  “I’m so…” She continued to try to thank me. “I’m amazed—”

  “I should have done it the morning you walked into my office.” I shook my head, disgusted with myself. “I should have helped you straight off instead of being a selfish bastard. I’ve caused you so much pain.”

  “No.” She started to protest, always too generous with me.

  “Yes, I have hurt you, Kara. I have.” Now my hand fisted in my hair, nearly ripping it out at the roots.

  I stopped and took a deep breath. This wasn’t about me. This wasn’t my time to flagellate myself. There’d be plenty of time for that, years and years. This was about showing restraint, being the good guy. She wanted to be set free and I’d do it.

  “I’ll go,” I exhaled, staying calm, focused, controlled. She stood trembling before me and it took all my strength not to wrap her in my arms, bury my face in her neck, sweep her up and into the house and onto a bed. But that wouldn’t solve anything. Her body would comply, but her brain would fight it. She didn’t trust me. She didn’t want what I had to offer. I needed to respect her wishes.

  “But there’s something I need to say first.” My boots planted firmly on the ground, I looked up steady into her eyes and spoke the truth. “I love you.”

  “What?” Her voice soft, she met my gaze, her pink lips parting.

  “I love you,” I repeated, sure as I’d ever been about anything in my life. “I love you. Always have. Always will.”

  Then I turned my back on her for the last time. Out of habit, I’d parked next to the old cabin. That stretch of dirt driveway had never felt longer, every step heavy as lead. But I’d do it, for Kara, because I loved her enough to leave her.

  CHAPTER 6

  Kara

  Emotion welled up in me as I watched Declan walk away from my front porch. His massive shoulders and broad chest stooped and downcast, he made his way to his truck. I wanted to call out but words stuck in my throat. I couldn’t process everything that was happening, everything I’d gone through that day. I felt dizzy and shocked and amazed.

  He loved me?

  Wait, he couldn’t leave!

  I ran down the stairs fast as my barefoot feet could take me. He’d almost made it to his truck. Shock had made me that stupid and slow.

  “Declan!” I cried out, hand up to his shoulder.

  “Kara.” He turned around in an instant.

  “Don’t go!” I pleaded. He crushed me to him, kissing me like a starving man, searing me on my mouth, my cheeks, my throat.

  “I love you,” I cried, kissing him back, not wanting to remove my lips from him for an instant but needing to say it to him. “I love you.”

  “Don’t cry,” he whispered, wiping my tears with his fingers as he kissed them away.

  “I didn’t know I was.” I smiled and kissed him some more, my fingers twining up into the hair he’d nearly pulled out moments ago. I drew him closer. I never wanted to let go.

  “I love you, Kara,” he murmured into me and we kissed with an intense tenderness that sealed my heart, making it whole. “I’m so sorry for what I’ve put you through.”

  “Shh,” I whispered in his ear, hands caressing his shoulders. “That’s all behind us now.”

  “I should have done it the second you asked,” he continued, torturing himself. I couldn’t take the anguish in his voice. I had to make it better, soothe him. Reaching up, I kissed his mouth so he’d stop, kiss me back instead, meld our two breaths as one. Our tongues licked and danced together, promising and guiding, loving each other.

  He held me to him, pressing me close against his chest and fast-beating heart, burying his face in my hair. “I don’t care if you just want me for my money, Kara. I’ll give it all to you. I’ll give you everything I have. I don’t care.”

  “Shut up, Declan.” I brought my mouth to his again.

  “But I want you to know,” he broke away again, frustrating the hell out of me, “there’s nothing going on with Courtney. I know I’m a dog. I’ve been a dog. But when you saw us I wasn’t kissing her. She was all over me.”

  “OK.” I placed my fingers to his lips, so wide and full, those lips that worked such magic on me. “OK,” I repeated, stroking him now, caressing his lower lip with my thumb, licking my own lips in anticipation. Because right then, I did know. He was telling me the truth.

  “I love you,” he repeated, his arms surrounding me, binding me to his broad, hard chest.

  “I love you so much, Declan.” My heart felt so full as I said it, brimming and overflowing, finally released as it had needed for so many years. We kissed as we repeated the words to each other, kissing and telling each other what we urgently needed to say.

  With a groan of victory, he swept me into his large, powerful arms and strode to the nearest building, his old cabin. Unlocked, unused with our reduced ranch staff, Declan and I tumbled in. Fumbling hot and needy in the dark, he pressed me up against the wall. He tore my shirt up and over my head and ripped off my bra as if it had been insulting him. My heart beat fast as I reached out for him, wanting him bare as well, skin against skin. Kissing, moaning, pulling, we undressed each other in haste, unable to bear another second without full contact.

  Up against the wall, he brought his hands under my ass to position me exactly how I fit best, like two interlocking puzzle pieces. My legs splayed open around his broad girth, I dug my heels into the backs of his thighs. It felt like being claimed by a lion, licking me all over, holding me with his strong paws, his huge, hard body stretched over me as he tasted every inch of me, scenting, marking, devouring me.

  “Mine,” he growled, hungry, possessive.

  “Yes, Declan.” I shuddered into him.

  He grasped my thighs and spread my legs even wider apart, pressing the full, hard length of his cock against me. I threw my head back at
the feel of him, so dominant, so male. I wanted him so badly, inside of me, driving, pounding. But he moved away, and I whimpered with loss. Until he kneeled, spread me wider with his fingers and I felt his hot, demanding tongue licking the full, straight length of my slippery slit.

  “Ah!” With a scream, I already felt close to orgasm with the ferocity in his movements, the unrestrained lust.

  “Mine,” he declared again, holding me fast with his hands, widespread for his access. His wicked tongue plunged into me again and again, up to circle my clit, work the sensitive bud, then down along my slit and inside of me, making me frenzied.

  “You belong to me!” he hissed, angry, possessive. Circling my clit, he commanded, “Say it!”

  “I belong to you!” I cried out, nearly undone, tears at my eyes.

  Just as I was about to come, he stood up suddenly and repositioned his hands, keeping my legs spread wide and tilting my hips toward him. I nearly came at the feel of his hard cock at my wet entrance, the thick, wide crown pushing aside my folds. He plunged into me, full throttle, all the way to the hilt. I came, shuddering, screaming and clasping his shoulders. He supported my weight in his hands, his broad palms underneath my ass cheeks. But he didn’t give me any time to recover. Relentless, pounding, he began straightaway to fuck me long and strong and hard, bruising my hips as he plunged into my wet pussy again and again.

  “Yes, Declan, yes!” I could feel a few tears on my cheeks, fresh or from before I couldn’t tell. I had so many intense emotions coursing through me. All I knew was that I loved this man, so much, so completely.

  “Do you know how many times I wanted to do this to you?” he growled into my ear, fucking me against the wall of his cabin. “How many nights I laid here awake in this cabin thinking about doing this.” He thrust into me, his hips pinning mine to the wall. I opened my thighs wide and tilted my hips up to take everything he could give me. “I’ve wanted you so long, so much.”