Secured by the Lawman (Mountain Force Book 2)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  “Thank you. It’s a surprise to see you both here. Together. I mean, I didn’t know you two were dating.” Holy Mother of God. What demon had possessed her tongue?

  “Oh, we’re not dating. Just dinner.” Joney laughed. “We better get to our table before they give it away. It was nice seeing you again, Lauren.” There she went, tucking her fingers around Steam’s elbow as he gave Lauren a slight nod.

  “You okay?” Selma looked concerned.

  “It’s okay. I think I did a fairly decent job of handling it.”

  “Oh, sure. Yeah…you looked as cool as a cucumber.”

  Hearing the doubt in the woman’s voice, Lauren shifted so her gaze didn’t naturally follow the invisible seam to the table where Steam was now sitting. He must have said something funny because Joney tossed her head back and laughed…and laughed…still laughing almost ten seconds later. Sure, he could be a funny guy when he wanted to be, but he also was dead pan too. So maybe he’d changed. Lord knew she had.

  “You okay?”

  “Never better.” She cut into her salmon but suddenly found it too dry to swallow.

  “Okay.”

  “Really. I was just cut off guard. I didn’t realize he knew my nurse.”

  Selma turned and glanced over her shoulder. “That’s one of the nurses who took care of you?”

  Nodding, Lauren dropped her fork and dared another glance across the room. They were ordering. Probably one of those two-for-one meals set up for sharing.

  Groaning, she was being ridiculous and should be happy for him. They looked adorable together. At least he found the time to take her out when he couldn’t even make their anniversary dinner. Even missed her birthday party.

  Oh sheesh.

  She’d crossed over into cuckoo land.

  “Do you think we could get out of here? Suddenly I’m not feeling so well.” Not feeling well as in she was losing her mind.

  “Sure.”

  Lauren pushed her chair back. “I’ll meet you by the front door. I’m running to the restroom.” She got up and headed to the back of the restaurant. Inside the restroom she stared at herself in the large mirror above the sink, shaking her head. “Well done on making yourself look like the fool, Lauren.” Touching up her powder and gliding on some lip tint, the door swung open and Lauren dropped the tube into the sink. It bounced around the ceramic, drawing the attention of the perky nurse. Her eyes widened and then they scrunched. Did she debate whether she should turn and leave or stay?

  “Oh, hello.” A weak smile finally came to her.

  “Hi,” Lauren said.

  “I need to use the little girl’s room.” She started for the stall but stopped and turned back. “I want to make sure you’re okay…you know…with Steam and me being here. I could tell you were shocked. I mean, I would be too.”

  “No.” Lauren said a little too quickly. “Why would I have a problem? He’s a great guy.” She smiled, but felt it slip with each second.

  “Yes, he is. I ran into him by accident and asked if he wanted to have dinner. You know, I was surprised he accepted.” Her smile slipped some too.

  “Surprised? Why?”

  Joney hesitated. “Well, the way he stayed by your bedside while you were in the hospital would only be something that a man in love would do. I thought you two were married. It’s really great that after divorcing you two are still close. That’s one of the things I really respect about him. Only a good guy could treat his ex-wife with such tenderness.” Her cheeks flushed. “I mean. what’s not to like? Look at him.” Her cheeks flushed.

  It took great effort for Lauren not to show her shock at the woman’s words. Steam had stayed at her bedside. Why? And why didn’t he tell her? Yet, why would he tell her? Feeling faint, she took a step for the door. “Have a wonderful evening, Joney.”

  Feeling overcome with confusion, she pushed through the door and started down the hall, consumed in her emotions, only to run into someone coming her direction. “Oops. Sorry. I didn’t—” her tongue tied when she looked up the wide chest and met that familiar gaze that always sent her reeling. “Steam.”

  “Why?” he growled.

  “Why what?” She forced the words out.

  “Why do you make me feel guilty for having dinner with a friend?” His eyes twinkled, but his lips were twisted. He looked like a man who carried a ton of weight on his shoulders.

  “I make you feel guilty?” she emphasized each word. “That’s crazy. I don’t care that you’re here with the nurse. But just so you know, she isn’t looking for friendship, pal.”

  “Really? You spent ten minutes staring at us from across the room, seething. I just couldn’t tell if it was me or Joney who was on the receiving end of that death-glare.”

  She laughed, but it fizzled on her lips. “What look?”

  “You know exactly what look I’m referring to.”

  “You’re being preposterous. However, I do find it interesting that you have more free time on your hands these days. Joney should appreciate the time you give her.” She started to brush past him, but he took her hand and pulled her down another corridor that led to the emergency back door. “What do you think you’re doing? Take your hands off me at once,” she snapped.

  “You piss me off,” he said quietly, tearing a hand through his hair, pacing back and forth.

  She slammed her fists to her hips. “Excuse me? How do I piss you off? For being at the same restaurant as you and your perky date? That’s just like you!”

  “See, right there. That’s what pisses me off. You say ridiculous things like that and it boils my blood.” He stopped pacing and leaned in, their faces within inches of each other. She could feel his warmth into the core of her bones.

  “Just so you know, I’m pissed that you’re pissed.” She caught his scent, spice and sandalwood, and it made her knees weak. “I have a bone to pick with you. Why did you stay with me at the hospital?” She shouldn’t have asked. She should have let it go then got away of from him as fast as her weak knees could carry her.

  He blinked, then swiped a hand down the thin layer of whiskers on his jaw. “Don’t take it personal. I would have done it for anyone,” he grumbled.

  She would have been hurt if she thought it was anything but his pride talking. “Why didn’t you say something to me the other day? Told me that you were there every day.”

  “Would it have changed anything? Or would it have just been more ammunition to use against me?” he seethed.

  “I don’t use anything against you. We’re divorced. I’m not sure why we’re even standing here having this discussion. I hope you’re happy. I want you to be happy. Joney is a perfect fit.”

  His chest skimmed hers and she took a step, her back pressing against the wall. Her nipples tightened and she held her chin high, looking at him, not wanting to falter under his heated stare. He always could pin her with that look.

  “Is that right, sweetheart?” He braced both his hands on either side of her head. “Why don’t you just admit that you miss me and you’re jealous that I’m here with Joney?”

  He was so close now she could feel the heat radiating from his body, smell masculinity and musk that made her crave what was underneath his clothes—craved his touch and the fire he could build within her. It had been so long—too long since she’d been in his arms. Leveling her stare, she cleared her throat. “You always did have a football field sized ego. Jealous? Pfft. You wish. I hope you two have a lifetime of dating.”

  His smile stretched from ear to ear. “You’ve forgotten, baby, that I can read you. I can see past the hard-knocks and into your heart and soul. Why fight it? Why fight the draw between us? Why not just allow yourself to do what your body wants?”

  The husky tinge of his voice combined with her hypersensitive emotions weakened her wall. He managed to reach in and scrape away some resistance, reducing the thickness of her layers. She needed to put some safety between them and she pressed her hands against his chest, feeling the
broad muscle under her fingertips. This was the same chest and shoulders she’d cried on. Relied on. He’d always made her feel secure, safe, desired. The sinewy avenues of his strong arms, flat stomach and his hands that played her like a magical harp on those nights when she succumbed to his pleasure. Every memory came rolling to the forefront of her mind and her skin became bare nerve endings. “Never, Daniel. I’ve been there and I’ve learned my lesson.” If only her voice didn’t quake she could have sounded convincing.

  He bent closer, their noses almost touching, gazes connected. “I swore I’d leave you alone. Made a promise to myself and God that I’d live through this torture just to give you what you want. I swear I’m losing control. Losing grip. Tell me to ignore the desire I see in your eyes, the flush in your cheeks, and the tremble in your lips. Tell me, sweetheart. I’ll ignore the scent of your desire that fills my nostrils and soul, driving my thirst to a point where I want to lap up every drop of juice between your legs. Just. Say. The. Words. I’ll go now. It’ll kill me but I’ll go.”

  For the life of her she couldn’t wrap her tongue around the words that would release her from this cage. Couldn’t say what he needed to hear so that she could move on with her normal life. Normal? There was nothing normal or average about this. Why couldn’t she do the logical thing? Send him away for good. Because she still loved him. Still needed him. Wanted him. Even if just for one moment.

  He took a step back.

  Her heart pounded.

  “I—I…no, Steam.”

  “What?” the word came out on an exhale of ragged breath.

  “Love me. Just love me,” she whispered.

  He ate up the distance and his lips covered hers. His arms snaked around her waist, dragging her hard against his chest and abs. She swore she could hear the internal rubber band snapping as all resistance disappeared.

  On her tiptoes now, she wrapped her arms around his neck, body to body, soul to soul, breath to breath. She didn’t care that they were in the shadowed hallway of the busy restaurant or that they could be caught in a lustful moment at any time. All that mattered was the avalanche of erotic need spiraling through her, suffocating restraint. She couldn’t have denied her body the dessert of his touch, even if she had to choose between this moment or taking her next breath.

  She barely registered that he was pushing her deeper into the hallway. The squeak of a door sounded and he backed her into darkness. A soft click of the closing door meant they were completely alone now. She couldn’t see him, but she could feel him. His kiss developed into a raging need and his hands cupped her swollen breasts through the thin material of her top. When the barrier became too much, he dragged the material down to her waist. A hungry growl escaped him.

  Her nipples tightened against the cooler air but only for a millisecond before his mouth covered one breast. She arched into him as he sucked the torrid flesh, his hands molded the other breast, gently squeezing and rolling his thumb along the sensitive skin. She was as charged as an electrical current.

  Waves of pleasure and pain pounded over her. His mouth left a moist trail between the cleft of her breasts, downward over her stomach where he swirled the tip of his tongue inside the well of her belly button. She bit her bottom lip to stifle the moans crawling into her throat.

  A fire unlike anything she’d ever felt ignited in her core, threatening to engulf her in a flame that only he could extinguish with his body.

  Entwining her fingers in his hair, she tugged at the strands as he continued to move her toward the bittersweet bane of nirvana.

  His fingers were on the elastic band of her panties, then a brush of his breath against her quivering inner thighs before his tongue dipped into her passage. She could hear the gentle slurps and sucking as he sampled her juices as he’d promised he would. No one had ever licked her the way he could. He had a magical tongue that had her panting within minutes and her toes curling in her sandals, testing the leather straps for durability.

  She jerked slightly when he slid his fingers inside her. She could no longer hold back and her cries filled the closet with wild abandonment from a woman reaching climax. He thrusted his fingers in and out of her opening until a shudder formed, growing in intensity until the fireball exploded in heavenly bliss. His name tore from her lips and tears filled her eyes.

  “Please. I need you,” she whimpered. “My God, I need you.”

  She heard his agonized groan and the rasping of his zipper before the tip of his erection pressed against her wet entrance.

  “I’m going to take you, baby,” he demanded sharply. His fingers were on her skin, his breath was hot against her cheek.

  Shyly, still wrapped up in the blissful kiss of post-orgasm, she flitted her lashes, trying to see his face in the shadows. “Y-yes.”

  “I’ll never be finished with you. Not ever. A hundred years can pass and I’ll still want you. I’ll always want you. God help me, I’ll always love you.” In one thrust he drove his cock deep inside her, filling her as her slick opening stretched to accommodate his size. It had been so long since she’d been touched and he must have sensed it because he slowed his pace, his ragged breath proving his internal struggle, his fingers entwining in her hair as he controlled himself. “This pussy…so tight. So fucking sweet. I-I don’t think I’ll last long.”

  She swirled her hips, a silent demand that he put out the fire that spread through her faster than a forest fire. He wasted no time and moved, jerky moves that warned her he was about to explode. She was pressed between the wall and the iron wall of his muscled chest. He pounded her over and over, in and out, burying his face in her shoulder. Sweat slicked their bodies as he ground against her, so fast and hard that her bottom struck the wall, knocking stuff around inside the room. She grabbed onto his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh, as she held on, blanketed by something so strong that an earthquake couldn’t have dragged them apart.

  “Come, baby girl. Come for me. I want to feel your hot juices all over my cock,” he said in an agonized voice.

  And just like that…

  The feeling started in her toes and slowly climbed, engulfing her ass and pussy with warm, sweet, beautiful sensation.

  He grunted then rammed her, protecting her from hitting the wall too hard and a second later he arched his back as the tip of his erection speared her. A minute passed, each reveling in post-release. Their ragged breaths worked in unison. As the spasms started to fade, realization of what they’d shared showered her with reality—the reality that she’d fucked her ex-husband who she vowed she’d never get close to again.

  Giving him a tiny push, he lifted his head. She couldn’t see his expression, but she felt the slumping of his shoulders. His cock was still hard as he pulled it from her body and disappointment flooded her. It could be so easy to ask him to stay here, to hold her a while longer, but she couldn’t fall back into that path again. She’d lose herself and she’d only just started discovering herself again after she’d been attacked.

  “Let me go,” she whispered.

  “Okay.” He took a step back and she hurried to fix her clothing, but she doubted there was anything she could do to erase the rumpled look of being screwed. No doubt he knew how to make a woman feel like she’d been made love to and fucked all in one.

  She heard the zipper of his jeans. The sigh of his breath. She held out her hand, feeling for the door and once her fingers were wrapped around the knob, she said into the darkness, “I don’t want to see you again. Give me five minutes to get out of here before you follow.” And then she opened the door, peeked out to make sure no one was around, and headed down the hallway. Her knees were wobbly and her inner thighs were warm and wet. Shit. Realization came to her like a blast of arctic air. They hadn’t used a condom. Hadn’t even thought about it.

  There was no way she could be pregnant. They’d tried the entire time they were married with no luck. One quickie in a broom closet wouldn’t be the one time.

  Taking a deep bre
ath to calm her nerves before she stepped into the outer room, she hurried around the tables and stepped outside where Selma was waiting for her. Her eyes widened slightly. “What the hell? Were you swallowed by the toilet?”

  “No. Sorry. I got caught by Steam. He wanted to speak to me.” She turned her gaze to a couple walking down the sidewalk, not wanting her friend to see the obvious signs of what happened in the restaurant.

  “Hmm. Is that a tear?”

  “Huh?” She followed her friend’s pointed finger to her blouse that had a two-inch split, showing off her deep cleavage. “I guess it is. I wonder how that happened?” She knew exactly how it happened. Steam had gripped the delicate material and practically tore it from her body.

  “Yeah, that’s a mystery. That wouldn’t have anything to do with a sexy lawman would it?”

  “Of course not.” Her voice squeaked.

  “I won’t pry, but you might want to fix your smeared lipstick.”

  *

  By the time Steam exited the restaurant, Joney was long gone. Guilt plagued him, not only that his date was gone, but mostly because he’d pushed Lauren too fast. He’d wanted her and lost all grip on judgement.

  Her scent lingered on his face and his lips, her taste was thick on his tongue. He’d never rid her from his body and blood. She belonged with him, but why couldn’t she see it?

  “It’s about time, lawman.”

  He looked across the parking lot where he’d parked his Jeep and saw his date leaning against the passenger door, her jean skirt high on her thighs and a knowing smile on her lips.

  “I’m sorry,” he muttered pathetically.

  She shrugged and pushed herself from the door. “Don’t mention it. If it’d been a snake it would have bitten me. There’s something between you two that isn’t quite finished yet. My advice, lawman, find out if it’s truly over. Love is rare.”

  “Can I at least take you home? It’s going to rain soon.” That was the least he could do.

  “I’ve already called for an Uber. They’ll be here in a flash. You take care of yourself. Just sayin’, if you two find out it’s truly over, you look me up.” She winked and started across the parking lot, but stopped and turned back, yelling, “The money I spent on a sitter was worth every cent.” She waved and continued toward the restaurant.