by Jenny Penn
“What do you want?”
“You know what I want.”
“Dude—”
“You stole it.” Nick cut off GD’s groan, harping on the one thing he’d never let go.
“I won it.”
“The game was fixed,” Nick insisted, even though he knew it hadn’t been.
“It was over ten years ago.”
“I want my magazine back.”
“Fine!” GD gave in with ill grace. He’d been listening to Nick complain about losing his precious magazine for years. All it was full of was a bunch of naked women. Sure, some of them had gone on to be superstar sex symbols, but a naked woman was a naked woman as far as GD was concerned. Unless, of course, they were talking about Kitty Anne.
“You want the damn thing? You can have it, but if you fuck Kitty Anne…then you get to keep her. Agreed?”
“Please, you might as well just give it to me now.”
Because there was no way Nick was hiring any women. It would threaten his funding. Not to mention the effect it would have on the boys. Girls turned boys stupid, evidenced by GD’s recent offer. He knew Nick couldn’t hire Kitty Anne, but seemed to completely ignore that fact.
“The real problem is, how do we get Kitty Anne out to the camp?” GD muttered, ignoring Nick’s comment and depriving him of the fun of antagonizing his friend. Not that Nick was one to harp.
“Didn’t you say she was a librarian?”
“More like an assistant,” GD corrected.
“Close enough.” Especially since Nick had no intention of hiring the woman. “Saul quit, so I need a new English teacher.”
“That’s perfect.” GD perked up at that. “And I know just how to make sure Kitty Anne gets the message.”
Chapter Seven
Saturday, May 31st
Kitty Anne woke up the next morning feeling better than she probably should. After all, her life was in shambles yet again, but that didn’t matter because today held the possibility of seeing GD. Just the thought of him made her smile. So did the jewelry box sitting on her vanity.
He wanted her to wear his collar. He also wanted to share her. GD had made it a challenge, a kinky one. Kitty Anne loved both challenges and kink. The best part, she couldn’t lose. She either won and they got and sweaty with some other hot piece of meat, or he won and they got hot and sweaty with some other hot piece of meat. Either way, by the end of it all, she was going to get to check off another item on her fantasy wish list.
That just went to prove the game was rigged in her favor because, what GD didn’t know, the idea of wearing his collar actually sent a delicious kind of thrill through her. Of course, the idea of him wearing her collar sent a whole different kind of thrill through Kitty Anne and had her laughing. All she needed now was a collar. That was going to cost money, so first she had to get a job. To get laid, Kitty Anne had to get paid.
She could only imagine what her mom would say to that thought, but it wasn’t so weird. There were a lot of similarities between finding a lover and finding a job.
There was the awkward introduction phase as everybody figured out if there was an actual fit, but even if there was, that didn’t mean that things wouldn’t eventually become too comfortable…and boring. Then it was time to look for the next man and the next career.
Kitty Anne might have already had the man lined up, but she wasn’t certain what she wanted to do next with her life. It was a big decision. So she pored over the classified ads, finally coming upon one that looked quite interesting.
A local real estate agent was looking for an assistant. The best part was that there was no experience necessary other than the ability to answer phones and use a computer. She could do those two things, and more importantly, she’d love to learn more about real estate. After all, she enjoyed watching all the house buying and flipping shows.
That was partly because she’d never actually owned a house. It was a dream she didn’t expect to realize. Hell, Kitty Anne didn’t even live in a real apartment. Most of her paychecks had always gone to her mother. What was left went toward Kitty Anne’s greatest hobby—making her own clothes.
It was her passion, but she didn’t delude herself into thinking she was anything more than a superior seamstress. Fashion, at least current fashion, was not her thing. Kitty Anne liked old clothes and her makeup and her little convertible. Besides, having to live in monthly motel rentals wasn’t all that bad. She had a free pool and cable.
Still, she liked to dream and watch as other people fulfilled theirs as they bought their homes. So it made perfect sense that she would love to work in real estate. Reaching for her phone, Kitty Anne dialed up the number listed with the ad and had a pleasant conversation with a Mr. Ruggan, who invited her to come in that afternoon and meet with him.
Giddy that she might actually be able to replace her paycheck before she even felt the loss of her job, Kitty Anne began to prepare herself for the coming interview. First, she needed to pick out the perfect outfit, one that accentuated her body but in a subtle way.
It never hurt to be pretty. However, it could be disastrous to be too sexy. With that in mind, Kitty Anne went through several variations of her best separates and settled on a form-fitting sweater. Its sleeves came down to her elbows, and it had a mock turtleneck collar and was soft and pink, a nice contrast to the chocolate brown skirt that flared nicely and hit her around her calf.
She paired the demure outfit with an appropriate makeup scheme, keeping her eyes simple but with a little shimmer and her lips looking plump and rosy while her cheeks were faintly flushed. Of course that innocent, fresh-faced look required a very structured hairstyle to make sure she looked appropriately professional and not too young and misguided.
A set of heels finished the look, along with a watch, though Kitty Anne debated over whether or not to wear her cross. It was simple and on a thin gold chain, which would fit the whole image she was working for but might be a little over the top, given she had just been arrested for prostitution. She went with the fake pearls instead.
Packing up her purse, she headed out the door and toward her favorite place to grab lunch before she met her fate. A settled and full stomach would help keep her focus and concentration sharp. That was the theory, but the idea met the hard edge of reality as she pulled into her favorite diner’s parking lot and found GD leaning against the back of his truck.
He was wearing a smile, and Kitty Anne knew he was impressed with himself and expected her to be, too, given they hadn’t arranged to meet. Secretly she was, but she’d be damned if she’d give him the satisfaction of knowing it.
Sticking her chin into the air as she rose out of her car, Kitty Anne slammed the door and headed straight for GD. He watched her coming, and she could read the anticipation and laughter building in his gaze the closer she got. What she didn’t see was his expression when she strutted right past him as if he wasn’t even there. While it killed her not to glance back, she didn’t dare. Of course, she didn’t have to control her smile, given he couldn’t see it.
Feeling the excitement sparkling in the air, Kitty Anne shoved opened the diner’s door and was almost instantly greeted by her favorite waitress. Polly waved her over toward the bar where Kitty Anne normally sat so she could gossip with the older woman. She hesitated for a moment before obeying the command, fully expecting GD to stalk after her.
She should have known he wouldn’t be so easily riled, much less respond with anything less than equal measure.
* * * *
GD knew Kitty Anne thought she was playing the winning hand. She was all aglow with her gloat, certain that he’d tracked her here, which he kind of had…yesterday morning when he’d followed her. Just as he suspected, she hadn’t even noticed. Neither did she seem to realize that he’d moved in next door to her at the motel.
He’d had no choice in that decision. GD couldn’t let Kitty Anne live there unprotected and knew better than to invite her home with him. She’d end up in his
bed and he’d end up losing the battle. Then for the rest of his life, he’d be her pet. While GD was pretty certain Kitty Anne wouldn’t mistreat her pets, he also feared that he’d end up dressed up in a frilly outfit wearing makeup by the time she was done with him. That was his Kitty Anne, both smart and a little ditzy.
GD, however, hadn’t followed her that morning. Instead, he was there to meet the detective Chase had called in from Atlanta to solve the mystery of who’d burned down his barn. The damn thing had gone up in flames months back. Nobody had gotten hurt, but it had been a close thing.
Chase’s girl, Patton, had almost bought it, and that tended to make a man thirst for things like vengeance. That was just what he and his brothers wanted. They said they wanted justice, but everybody knew that if the three brothers caught up with the arsonist that man would be in some serious trouble.
Normally that would have been fine by GD, but he suspected that, this time around, it wasn’t a man they were looking for but Kevin. They didn’t have any proof, but who else could it have been? Nobody far as GD could tell, which was just why he’d bowed out of the investigation himself. He’d even tried to convince the three brothers that there was no hope in finding the answers that they sought.
It had been a futile attempt, and it didn’t shock him that Chase had called in outside help. Neither was GD surprised when Lana, the head of female services out at the Cattleman’s Club, had called to see if GD would mind meeting with Chase’s detective. He had no choice but to agree to the meeting, given not agreeing would have drawn too much notice.
So GD had picked the diner he was pretty sure was a ritual stop for Kitty Anne, given the familiar welcome of the waitress, and, sure enough, she’d pulled into the parking lot not but a minute after him. There was no denying his sense of satisfaction at just the sight of her.
As usual, the cut of her clothes accentuated the delicious curves of her body, making her look both sexy and classy. The soft, fuzzy, pale pink sweater fit her like a glove, highlighting the high, round curves of her breasts and the smooth slide of her tummy that led every man’s eyes to that ass.
God had gifted her, which was really a gift to him because that ass was perfect and perfectly displayed by the cut of her brown skirt. Even better was the way that rump bounced as she walked on by. Kitty Anne moved with a mouthwatering locomotion that instantly transfixed GD and had him turning to follow, like a hound after its mistress.
He was just glad his tongue wasn’t hanging out. He might have tripped over it, and it was hard enough to walk normally with his damn dick threatening to pop out the top of his jeans. GD was hard and hurting but wasn’t about to be ruled by his lusts. He had more control than that.
Nick didn’t.
That sucker was going down. So was Kitty Anne. Neither of them had a clue as to what was coming their way, but GD did. Nick and Kitty Anne were going to be explosive. They were both just that kind of crazy. A part of GD wished he could join in, but he knew he’d just get in the way.
That didn’t mean he couldn’t watch.
There was a certain thrill in watching.
That thought put a smile on GD’s face as he took a booth at the back of the diner, allowing him to watch both his woman and the door.
He ordered up a healthy breakfast for him and Kitty Anne, unable to help but note that she had nothing more than a plate of toast and cup of coffee before her. GD knew she could eat more than that. Sure enough, she didn’t turn down the food that the waitress brought her minutes later. Neither did she turn to offer him any kind of smile or sign of gratitude.
She just ate, and that was all he needed to be satisfied.
Actually, satisfied wasn’t the word for what GD felt as he watched her devour her food. He was hard, hurting, and afraid he wasn’t going to last long enough to demand she wear his collar. Those worries, though, took a backseat as a man fitting the description Lana had given him pushed into the diner.
Dylan Andrews had arrived.
He hesitated for a moment as he glanced around, his gaze finally settling on GD. GD didn’t cut the guy any slack and give him any kind of nod but held Dylan’s gaze as the man strutted up to the edge of GD’s booth with confidence that caught the attention of the other customers, including Kitty Anne.
With her nose buried in a book, Kitty Anne might think she was well camouflaged, but GD knew she was keeping an eye on him and now Dylan as well and couldn’t help but wonder what she thought of the other man. He didn’t like the tinge of jealousy that followed and couldn’t help but take his souring mood out on the man causing it.
“Lana wasn’t lying when she said you were a pretty boy.” Finally breaking the silence, GD started off with that half insult-half compliment just to see which half Dylan responded to.
“And she told me that you were the best private investigator in these parts.”
“I bet she did.” GD snorted, catching Kitty Anne’s brow wrinkling ever so slightly and knowing just what thought was running through her head.
Who was Lana?
He’d have told her if she weren’t being so difficult, but since she was, he decided to antagonize the woman instead, and he lifted his voice as he added on to his comment. “Because every woman knows I’m the best at all things.”
Kitty Anne sniffed dismissively and pointedly turned the page on the book she was reading, causing GD to break into a grin despite his attempt to keep a stiff face. The woman was good, but he still intended to win this battle.
“Lana also mentioned that you were on a case,” Dylan commented, drawing GD’s gaze back to his as Dylan shot the blonde a pointed look. “I’m not interrupting, am I?”
“Nothing important,” GD assured him, this time keeping his tone quiet enough to assure Kitty Anne didn’t hear or take any kind of offense to that generically polite response. He continued on displaying his good manners as he nodded toward the opposite side of the booth. “Have a seat and tell me what it is I can do for you.”
“I’m looking into the Davis brothers’ barn fire,” Dylan began as he slid onto the vinyl cushion that crackled beneath him. “I understand I’m not the first person they turned to for answers.”
“Nope.” GD glanced back at Kitty Anne, making it a point not to give Dylan his direct attention, even as he gave him the best advice he could. “But they still haven’t got any answers, do they? That should tell you something, don’t you think?”
“I certainly do,” Dylan drawled out slowly, sounding hesitant.
He was thinking, probably figuring that whatever answers he found he wouldn’t like because, if they were easy and simple, they’d have been given already. It was a testament to the type of man Dylan was that he didn’t back down but tilted his chin up determinedly, clearly intent on staying his course.
He had balls, GD would give that to him, and so did the jackass moving in on Kitty Anne. Not possessive or jealous by nature, GD discovered the sick feeling thickening within him once again. He all but itched with the need to do something, but he didn’t dare, knowing that not only could Kitty Anne handle herself but that she’d also be insulted if he tried to interfere.
“Still, I’d like to take a peek at your notes—”
“Don’t have any.” GD cut in with that lie even as he watched the man smiling down at Kitty Anne start to lose his grin. That helped GD find his, and he turned to thump himself in the head as he cast his gaze back in Dylan’s direction. “It’s all up here.”
“So then maybe you’d care to share?”
“Sorry, man, there is nothing up there.” GD shrugged, his gaze cutting back over to the man Kitty Anne had just dismissed. With a rabid kind of satisfaction, he watched her would-be suitor slink off. “After all, you’ve been all over the place interviewing everybody…you got anything?”
“I got an almost completely redacted police report about a kid picked up with a gas tank not but a few miles away.”
Kevin.
He was talking about Kevin. That meant Dyla
n had all he needed to start an avalanche of bad tidings. None of them needed that right then. GD could only hope that Dylan caught that undertone as he shrugged and offered the other man all he could.
“Kid’s not guilty.”
That was just a lie, but there was guilt and there was what could be proven in a court of law. Kevin wasn’t that kind of guilty, and that was all that counted.
“Really?” That seemed to catch Dylan off guard, and he blinked in honest confusion. “If you know the kid’s not in on it, then you got to know who did set the fire.”
“I have an opinion.” That was about all he had because the truth was there was no proof. There was just the obviousness of the answer, but Dylan didn’t have all the details yet to put Kevin’s story together. GD had to stop him before he did.
So he shrugged and consigned his soul to hell as he prepared to do the worst thing he’d ever done before. None of GD’s internal conflict sounded in his tone, though, as he tried one last time to avoid the inevitable.
“But then so does everybody else in this town.”
“Well then, it’s my opinion that it’s the kid,” Dylan insisted, sounding stubborn as all shit and leaving GD little choice in what to do.
“Look.” GD leaned across the table as he dropped his voice down low. “I’m not saying anything, but I did notice that you didn’t bother to interview Lana or those idiot brothers of hers.”
“Lana’s brothers?”
“Yeah, Lana talked Chase into giving them some part-time work, and idiot that he was, he didn’t fire them when he changed over to his new bedmate.”
Why he hadn’t completely perplexed GD because, along with knowing that Lana’s brothers were half-drunk more than half the time, everybody knew they were protective…and violent. Of course, Chase wasn’t a choirboy, and neither were his two other brothers or any of the hands that worked on the ranch.
“What a mess.” Dylan sighed.