“So you must have lots of young girls throwing themselves at you,” Dare pounced, sensing weakness.
“Surprisingly few,” Dylan said. “And I only have eyes for Tilly.”
She smiled over at him.
Dare seemed unimpressed by that answer.
“How do you intend to support my daughter on a nightclub manager’s salary?” her father asked.
“Daddy, that’s so old-fashioned,” Tilly said. “I can support myself.”
“Waitressing,” Dare said derisively.
“There’s nothing wrong with waitressing for a living,” Simon interjected.
“You were a straight-A student,” Eli said quietly. “You were going places.”
“Until you met that asshole, Javier,” Dare added.
Dylan had known Tilly was smart, but he hadn’t realized how smart.
“Do you know that Tilly was valedictorian?” her father said. “She had her pick of colleges.”
“She threw it all away for what she thought was love,” Dare snarled.
Tilly winced beside him. It was okay if her brothers wanted to pick at him, at what he did for a living, but he wouldn’t allow them to put Tilly down.
“Javier ruined her life,” her father said. “Because of him, she hardly ever comes home. She’s never made anything of herself.”
“I didn’t realize Tilly’s life was ruined,” Dylan said in a cold voice. He gave them all a warning look.
Eli and her father stared back in surprise while Dare just raised his eyebrows. Simon’s gaze grew curious. Asher didn’t appear to be paying attention to any of them.
“Do you consider your life ruined, Tilly?” Dylan asked.
“No,” she whispered. “But I nearly ruined everyone else’s.”
“What do you mean by that, Tilly?” Simon asked with surprise.
She raised her gaze and gazed around at her family with abject misery and guilt.
“I know I made up a lot of excuses about why I couldn’t come home much during the last few years, but the truth is I’ve distanced myself from you all because I’ve been so ashamed,” she admitted. “I brought Javier into our lives. I put you all at risk.”
Her father slammed his fist down on the table, causing all the plates and cutlery to rattle. Everyone turned to stare at him in shock.
“That asswipe is still causing trouble for us, even from the grave.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “You know, you were the one kid I never worried about. You were always so quiet and well-behaved. This lot were always in trouble. Dare came close to getting kicked out of school. Hard to believe he’s now an officer of the law.”
Dare rolled his eyes.
“But not you, Tilly. You never gave me a moment’s worry.”
“Maybe you should have worried about her more,” Dylan interjected, unable to help himself. It seemed to him that Tilly was a bit lost in this family. Oh, they all loved her. That was clear to see. They were extremely protective, which was understandable. But because she wasn’t as loud or assertive as her brothers, he’d bet she was often overlooked.
Her father glared over at him. Then he seemed to think about that, nodding a little. “You could be right. You didn’t always get as much time as the boys, did you, baby girl?”
“I got plenty of time,” she protested. “You were a great father. You are a great father.”
“Really? So why have I hardly seen you in the last two years? If I’m such a great father, you would have talked to me about this already.”
Silence filled the room and Tilly appeared stricken.
“We hated the fact that you were dating him,” Eli told her. “He was too old for you. But we thought you were happy, so we left it alone.”
“Which was a lie,” Dare growled. “We should have known what was going on.”
Tilly sighed. “Dare, you were halfway across the world when I started dating Javier and Simon was at college.”
“But Asher and I were here the whole time,” Eli said. “We were just too wrapped up in our own stuff to realize he was treating you badly.”
“How soon into the relationship did you realize that things weren’t right?” Simon asked.
“Do we have to talk about this?” she asked.
“I think it’s long overdue,” Dare said. “You’re not the only one who feels ashamed. We’re your brothers, it was our job to protect you.”
“And me,” her father added. “You should have come to me as soon as it started.”
“I couldn’t,” she said miserably. “It started off so small. Just a comment here and there. Before I knew it, he had demolished my self-esteem. Javier had me convinced that nobody cared about me like he did. That everything he did was for my own good and that no one would believe me if I spoke out against him. He was so nice to me when anyone else was around, so I believed him. I was young and stupid. But I never knew about the drugs. I swear.”
Her father frowned. “We know you didn’t, baby girl.”
“I’m so sorry I brought him into our lives. I know that I made some foolish decisions. But I wanted to be independent, to be more than just your baby sister. All my life I’ve lived in your shadows. I thought this was me breaking free, only I found myself in this horrid cage and I couldn’t see a way out.”
Everyone seemed shocked at her words, but Dylan was proud of her. She’d done far better than he’d expected.
“God, Tilly,” Simon said, running his hand through his blond hair. “Why didn’t you ever tell us any of that? You weren’t in our shadows. You were the smart one, the one going places.”
“I never thought of it like that. I was always just the King brothers’ baby sister.” She looked over at Dylan helplessly.
“You’re doing well, a mhuirnín,” he reassured her.
“Why do you call her that?” Dare asked suspiciously. “What is that?”
“It’s Gaelic. And stop treating him with such suspicion. Dylan is a good man. He’s kind, honest, and protective and everything Javier wasn’t. He’d never hurt me or put me down. In fact, he’s risked his life to save me.”
“Save you from what?” Dare asked.
Dylan cleared his throat. “There was a mugger, nothing too interesting.” The fewer people who knew about what had really happened the better.
“A mugger?” her father said. “I knew living in the city was a bad idea.”
“Daddy, Austin is a perfectly safe place to live. Dylan took care of me. He’s a good man. He was a Marine, you know.”
“Really? How long?” Dare asked.
“Eight years,” he said. “But right now we should be concentrating on Tilly. Do you have anything more to say?”
“It’s not important,” she replied.
“Tilly,” Dylan warned.
Asher glared at him. “I don’t like the way he talks to her.”
“Damn it, Asher, his name is Dylan,” she snapped. “And he wants me to tell you everything so I can come home again without drowning in guilt. I fell for Javier’s smooth lines. He made me feel special. But he was just using me to get access to the ranch.”
“Shit, Tilly,” Eli said. “You were seventeen when you met him. Of course, you were taken in by his fast talk. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
“He had a lot of people fooled,” her father added. “Including us. I can’t believe he managed to hide drugs on my property and we never knew!”
“It helped that he had three of our men on his payroll,” Eli said darkly. “And he moved things quickly. But I feel just as duped by him.”
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I know I disappointed you over and over. First, by moving in with Javier then by not going to college.”
Her father sighed. “Jesus, I’ve done this all wrong, haven’t I?” He studied Tilly, sadness in his gaze. “I drove you away.”
“No, Daddy, really. I needed to find my feet. And my life wasn’t ruined by Javier. I needed to do things for myself, to know that I could. Before I always relied on
someone else to do things for me. But for the last few years I’ve stood on my own feet and although I’m not proud of the way I’ve stayed away from all of you, I am proud of what I achieved. It might not be the life you wanted for me, but it’s a life I built for myself.”
“No, you’re wrong,” he told her. “It is the life I wanted for you. I only ever wanted you to be happy and if you’re happy where you are, then I’m happy.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Really.”
Chapter Thirteen
Two days later, Dylan walked up behind Tilly as she gave her horse some water. Waiting behind while she went out riding on her own wasn’t easy for him. His mind automatically turned to all the bad things that could happen to her. But he tried to rein in his more overprotective instincts. But he was going to have to learn to ride if they were going to visit often.
“How was your ride?” he asked as he leaned against the entrance to the stall.
“Oh,” she said as she stood and turned, placing her hand on her chest. “Can you please make some noise when you walk up behind me?”
“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “Didn’t mean to frighten you.”
“It was good. I’m going to miss riding when we return to the city.”
“Do you miss living out here?” He wouldn’t blame her if she did. There was something about the clean air and wide spaces. He loved the city, but he could probably get used to living out here. If that was what she wanted.
“Yes and no. I love living in the country, but there are things about the city that appeal as well. I’d like to visit more often, though.”
“I just had a call from Rogan.”
She turned to look at him. “About Miller? Is she okay?”
“She’s doing as well as can be expected. He had a talk with her.” Dylan told her everything that Rogan had relayed to him. He felt ill at the thought of what Miller had gone through.
“I knew she wouldn’t betray me. I just knew it. Poor Miller. When can I visit her?” Tilly asked.
“Soon, hopefully. Best just to give things time to settle before we go back.”
“That Iker Florez was a complete bastard,” she said with a scowl.
“Forget about him, a mhuirnín,” he told her. “All that matters is that you’re safe and so is Miller.”
“I’ll feel better once I’ve seen her, though.”
“I know. I’ll take you as soon as I can.”
Dylan grabbed her hand and pulled her along to an empty stall. He had a fantasy which was driving him nuts and he knew he wouldn’t find a better time to enact it. Her brothers and father were all out, either on the ranch or in town.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Watching you wiggle your ass in those tight jeans has been driving me insane,” he told her. He dragged her to the back of the stall then turned her to face the wall.
“Place your hands on the wall and keep them there,” he ordered, pressing a kiss on her neck. She had her hair tied back in a low ponytail.
“Dylan, we can’t do this here,” she said sounding scandalized. But she placed her hands where he’d ordered.
“There’s no one around. Just you, me and the horses.”
“Oh God, this is so wrong,” she groaned as he pushed her t-shirt up, cupping her breasts.
“Then why are your nipples hard? You’re turned on by the idea of me taking you here, aren’t you? Have you ever dreamed about being fucked in a stable, a mhuirnín?”
“Not until now,” she said.
He pulled the cups of her bra down then pinched her nipples firmly. “Oh,” she sighed. “Please, more.”
Dylan bit down on her neck then sucked strongly. He had to hold himself back from marking her. He needed to get a ring on her finger fast. But he hadn’t found the right time to talk to her father yet. They were only here a couple more days, and Dylan didn’t intend to leave without her dad’s permission.
Reaching around her, he quickly undid her jeans. He roughly pulled her jeans and panties down to her ankles and one foot free.
“Bend over a bit more and spread your legs as far as you can.”
Both of them were breathing heavily. He had to be inside her. Placing his hand between her legs, he cupped her pussy. Moisture coated his palm, heating his hand.
“Are you ready for me, baby?” he asked as he kissed his way over her shoulders. “Do you want me inside you?”
“Yes. God, yes,” she panted.
“Beg me for it.”
“Please, Dylan,” she replied. “Please fuck me. Hard.”
Dylan grabbed a condom from his jeans pocket and hurriedly rolled it over his aching dick. He had to bend his legs slightly. She was a bit too short for this to work seamlessly. If it wasn’t for his injured arm, he’d have picked her up and held her against the wall.
Dylan lined his cock up then drove himself inside her. They both let out loud groans.
“So. Damn. Good,” he said through gritted teeth. There was no holding back. His need was urging him on, driving out everything else. There was only her. Just her.
Every time he took her was hotter and more incredible than the last. He reached around and stroked her clit.
She let out a low moan, shuddering in his arms.
“This is so fucking hot,” he told her. Leaning down he nibbled his way along her neck. “Christ, I’ve wanted to take you like this for days, but someone was always around.”
She giggled then groaned as he slammed inside her. “Hard place to get any privacy.”
Dylan cupped her breasts, rolling her nipples between his thumb and fingers.
“Play with your pretty clit. Make yourself nice and hot.”
“I already am,” she told him, but she reached down with one hand to tease herself.
“Oh, Dylan, please. I can’t last much longer.”
“I’ve waited so long. I don’t want this to end,” he told her as his movements sped up, his need slamming through him. “Damn it. I can’t last much longer, baby. Come with me.”
She tightened around him and he knew she was close. Two more thrusts and he came, biting down on his lip to hold back the yell of satisfaction trying to break through.
A few breaths later, she followed. Her warm passage pulsated around him, making him shiver, the pleasure almost too much to bear.
Dylan slipped free of her and pulled her tight against him, holding her securely with his good arm.
“Thank you, babe,” he told her.
She glanced over her shoulder at him with a tired grin. “For what?”
“For indulging my fantasy.”
Turning in his arms, she raised herself onto her tiptoes to kiss him. “You never have to thank me for that. You make my fantasies come to life every day.”
***
Dylan walked out of the stables ten minutes later, knowing he had a ridiculously large grin on his face but not really caring. He immediately spotted Dare leaning against his truck.
“You look pleased with yourself,” Dare drawled.
Dylan raised his eyebrows as he walked towards Tilly’s brother. Of all her brothers, Dare was going to be the hardest to win over. Not that the others were easy to get to know, but Dare was suspicious of everyone outside of his family.
Dylan had no doubts that one day he’d make a great Sheriff. He’d been surprised that Dare hadn’t picked up on what Javier was doing. But he’d learned that Dare had been overseas, only returning a few months before Javier’s arrest.
“How long have you been here?” Dylan asked.
Dare narrowed his gaze. “I just pulled up, why?”
Because Tilly would be mortified if she thought one of her brothers had heard them making love. She was still inside, doing some final tidying up.
Dylan shrugged. “Just thought you were working today.”
“I went in to do some paperwork. I looked into that mugging you told us about. There’s no record of it with the Austin PD.”
�
�Actually, it happened in San Antonio,” Dylan said smoothly. “But you won’t find any record of it there, either.”
“Why? Because it didn’t happen?”
Suspicious bastard. Dylan should have known he wouldn’t let it rest.
“No, because we didn’t report it. Nothing was taken.”
Dare widened his gaze. “Some asshole tries to mug my sister and you don’t report it?”
“He was punished enough.” Dylan left it at that.
“That so? Is that how you hurt your arm? You favor it sometimes,” he explained.
“Yes, that’s right. I strained it.” Damn, he hadn’t realized he was favoring his injured arm. Dare had sharp eyes.
Tilly left the barn and strode toward them.
“She’s changed,” Dare muttered quietly. “She’s more confident. Because of you?”
Dylan shook his head. “Because of Tilly.” He held out his hand to her with a smile. She took his hand, smiling back at him. Leaning down, he kissed her cheek.
“Ready to go, babe?”
“Yep,” she replied. “Dare, what are you doing here?”
“Day off. I just went in to work to finish a few things up.”
“I was just explaining to Dare why we didn’t file a police report about the mugging,” Dylan told her, drawing her against his side.
She leaned into him. “You’ve been checking up on us?”
Dare folded his arms across his chest. “The two of you are lying about something. He’s way too protective not to want some guy who tried to mug you locked up.”
Tilly sighed. “Dare, I know you’re just trying to look out for me, but there’s no need. I’m not the kid you knew before. I’ve grown up a lot. You’re going to have to trust that I have a good reason for keeping something from you.”
“I don’t like it.”
She stepped away from Dylan and patted her brother on the arm. “I know.”
“You’re my baby sister. I’m just trying to watch out for you.”
“I appreciate that, but I can look after myself. And I have Dylan now. I don’t think he’s going to let anything happen to me.”
She glanced over at him and he winked at her. He knew she could do anything she put her mind to and he would always have her back. But when it came to a physical threat then he was always going to stand between her and any danger.
Sinfully Yours, Sir Page 18