The Effing List
Page 38
Trotting over, Grant grinned at Ghost. “Luca’s a cool kid. As fun as Sophia.”
“You should call us when he comes here,” Connor stated. “We can keep him busy so you can talk with the grownups.”
“That’s a very nice offer,” Ghost said gravely. “His father said you guys are very good with Luca.”
“We’re practicing,” Connor said.
“I see.” Ghost considered the two boys. “And for what are you practicing?”
Grant’s grin was wide enough to show his missing two front teeth. Could a kid get any cuter? “We’re practicing for our new sister.”
Under Ghost’s arm, Valerie’s shoulders were shaking as she tried not to laugh.
Sitting at a nearby table, Nolan had heard them. “We’ve met a young lady—all of four years old—who will stay with us next week, and, if we’re good together, she’ll join the family.”
“We’ll be good,” Connor assured his adopted father, then grinned at Valerie. “Mama wanted to talk to you. Did you talk?”
“You know, we haven’t had a chance. Do you know where she is?” Valerie asked.
“Back there.” Grant waved at the gardens.
“I’ll show you.” Connor held his hand out.
Chuckling, Valerie gave Ghost a quick kiss, then took the small hand. “Lead on, my man.”
Ghost was totally unsurprised when Grant took her other hand. She could lure children in faster than a candy store.
As they left, Nolan told Ghost, “You have a hell of a woman.”
“Agreed. And you have great kids. It’ll be interesting to see them with a sister.”
“Oh yeah.” With a rueful expression, Nolan rubbed his neck. “We wanted to wait another year—gave them a dog instead—then Kari and Dan’s girl came along, and they remembered they wanted a sister.”
Kari and Dan’s two children were both adorable.
It’d be interesting in another fifteen years when all these girls reached dating age. It’d take a brave kid to ask out the hardass cop’s daughter. Or Z’s girls, for that matter.
Or…Nolan with a daughter? God help them all. “I look forward to meeting your new addition.”
“We won’t be the only ones adding on. I hear Sally and Andrea are pregnant.”
“So I hear.” Ghost’s smile faded as he considered the ramifications to the Shadowlands. “Hell. Scheduling is going to be a nightmare.”
“A nightmare is being optimistic.” With a tired grunt, Saxon dropped into a chair beside Nolan. “You’re screwed, dude.”
“I do not need bad news,” Ghost growled.
“Sorry, not sorry.” Unfazed, Saxon laughed. “Most of our Shadowkittens are in the thirties range. Means when their buddies have babies, they’re gonna get the urge.” He opened his fingers to mimic an explosion. “And then…baby boom.”
“Not helping.” Ghost gave the vet a dour stare.
Smirking, Saxon held up his hands. “Hey, I’m innocent. I’m not getting anyone pregnant—I’m single.”
“You are, aren’t you.” The question was why. The Dom had skills and charm, made a good living, and the submissives called him the Viking god.
“Whoa, dude. Uh-uh, I’ve seen what happens when Z gets that expression—hell, speak of the devil.” Faster than George Washington had fled from New York, the Viking god exited the lanai.
“There was a quick retreat.” Chuckling, Z settled into the chair Saxon had emptied. “One does have to wonder why our Saxon hasn’t found the right woman.”
Nolan barked a laugh.
“No, one doesn’t.” Ghost shook his head. “I’m content being club manager, Grayson. I’m not stepping into your village matchmaker shoes.”
“Understood.” Amusement in his gaze, Z watched as Saxon disappeared into the gardens.
Ghost grinned, recognizing the look. The poor veterinarian was doomed.
Chapter Thirty-Two
From the brightness of the room, it was morning. Rolling over, Valerie reached out to the other side of the bed.
Empty.
Her brows drew together. Although it was Monday, her summer school lecture wasn’t until this afternoon. Ghost wasn’t even teaching.
So, what happened to sleeping late—and making love?
I’ve been cheated.
Grumbling, she slid out of bed. The party had run late, and when she’d finally headed to bed, Ghost and Saxon had stayed out on the lanai, talking about the Shadowlands. She had no idea when her man had finally come in.
After a long yawn, she shook her head tentatively. Well, all right. She had no headache and no hangover. Ghost’s advice had worked. As she was heading in to bed, her protective Dom had reminded her to drink a glass of water and take aspirin.
Because he loved her.
As she picked up the clothing she’d tossed onto her dresser, she uncovered the planner she’d brought from her apartment.
Opening the book, she studied her effing list:
Fitness: She flexed her biceps. Her muscles had certainly worked well when punching Piers. Maybe she should feel guilty, but no…she still felt like a badass.
Friends: She smiled, thinking of how Linda and Olivia had shown up at her place to help. Of the Shadowkittens gatherings. Of the wonderful time she’d had last night.
Family: Wasn’t it funny how the mess with Barry had brought her and the children closer? Now, Finn was talking about taking her to Scotland to meet his mother and half-siblings. The thought of a bigger family was…nice.
Finances: Good enough and would improve when she let her apartment go at the end of summer. Because she was ready.
Fun: Got that one covered.
Friskiness…and Finn: She scowled. Those two items were definitely problematic. Her Colonel had taken himself right out of her bed this morning.
Well, she knew how to fix any lack of friskiness. Although Ghost had rescinded the naked-at-all-times rule a while back, she hadn’t forgotten the lovely side effects to a lack of clothing.
Smiling, she took a quick shower, then used the lotion from the spa. Ghost had enjoyed the scent of it so much she still had bite marks on her butt.
She tousled her hair, tossed it back, and strutted out into the living room.
“Colonel, I woke up and—” Her voice strangled in her throat.
It wasn’t Ghost who sat at the dining room table—it was Saxon.
The big blond Master had a cup of coffee in his hand. He lifted an eyebrow and took himself a leisurely perusal of her very naked body, then glanced at the kitchen where Ghost stood. “I must say, I’ve never seen a more attractive advertisement for giving up the single life.”
Oh gods. She gave Ghost an outraged look, saw his eyes crinkle, and fled back to the bedroom.
She fumbled for clothes in the dresser. Honestly, what did one wear after a total mess-up? She pulled on her briefs and was fumbling into a bra when Ghost came up behind her.
“Oh, now, I don’t think you need to put anything on just yet, lass.” He took the bra and tossed it on the bed.
“Stop it. You have company.” And didn’t that sound irritable?
“He’d already finished breakfast when you came out. He’s gone.” Ghost pressed a very thick erection against her ass. “You know what seeing you naked does to me, woman. There is a penalty for getting me into this condition.”
He gently bit the muscle at the top of her shoulder, then whispered in Arabic in his deep harsh voice, “And you knew what would happen when you waltzed out, showing me everything you own. Everything I intend to enjoy.”
“I think you’re mistaken.” The huskiness in her voice made the protest completely ineffectual. Because she had wanted exactly this.
“It’s time for some give and take.” He moved her a step toward the bed, murmuring, “You are going to take everything I give you, orgasm after orgasm, until you beg me to stop.”
As his powerful hands squeezed her breasts, everything inside her started to melt.
&
nbsp; His unshaven cheek rubbed against her ear as he whispered, “And I’ll take your heart and give you all of mine in return. I love you, lass.”
Her legs went weak. “I love you. So, so much.”
“Yes, you do.” His laugh was deep and satisfied. “We’re going to have a wonderful life together.”
“We are.”
She should add a new item to her list—fulfillment.
Got it covered.
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Have you tried
the SONS OF THE SURVIVALIST series?
Not a Hero
“I couldn’t have asked for a better start to a new and absolutely ADDICTING romance series! I was only left with one question…how quickly can I get my hands on the next one?!” ~ Shayna Renee’s Spicy Reads
In the Alaska wilderness, four streetwise boys became men—and brothers
Now the crazy ex-military survivalist who plucked Gabriel and three other boys from an abusive foster care home has died. But the sarge leaves them a final mission: Revive the dying town of Rescue.
Gabe is done with being a hero
Wounded in body and soul, the retired SEAL simply wants to remain holed up in his isolated cabin. He sure doesn’t want to be chief of police in some defunct town. Nevertheless, he has his orders.
Audrey needs a place to hide
After the Chicago librarian discovers a horrendous crime, she wakes to an assassin in her bedroom. Injured and terrified, she flees, covering her trail every inch of the way. New name, new ID. New home. As Audrey learns to survive in Rescue, she begins to fall for the town…and the intimidating chief of police who protects it.
Can the shy introvert and the deadly police chief find a life together?
Despite the discord in town, Gabe is finding his own peace…with the quiet young woman who seems to have no past. She’s adorable and caring and so very lost. But how can he trust someone who lies to him with every breath she takes?
In no hurry, Gabriel MacNair strolled the business section of Main Street—two blocks—reached the end, and headed back on the other side.
It’d take a while to get his footing here. Get to know the place. When visiting Mako, he’d only come into town to pick up groceries.
But police work was police work, no matter the size of the town.
He’d been a police lieutenant in LA. Led a merc squad. Fuck knew, he could handle paperwork. Didn’t mean he looked forward to dealing with an entire station’s budget.
He glanced at the store he was passing, saw it was Dante’s Market, and entered. The owner was a Vietnam vet, and the reason why Mako had chosen Rescue as a place to live.
Not spotting Dante, Gabe glanced around.
Only one person was in the store, a white adult female perusing the cookie section. She had stunning hair. The thick, wavy tangle was every shade of gold and reached halfway down her back. About five-five, she wore jeans and a flannel shirt bulky enough to disguise her curves.
Before he could speak, she picked up a box of cookies and tucked it into her purse.
Well, fuck. Disillusionment washed through him. Even here, people were no good. Odd, he hadn’t realized how much he’d hoped for different until that desire was crushed.
He cleared his throat.
She spun, saw him, gasped, and began backing away down the aisle. Hand on her throat, she looked so terrified, he almost had a moment of pity.
Or not.
* * *
Staring at the man, Audrey retreated as fast as she could…and he came toward her. Oh God.
He blocked the narrow aisle completely. Her heart began to pound painfully inside her rib cage. She glanced over her shoulder at the back door, but the locked door would take time to get open.
She turned to face the man. He was frighteningly big. Over six feet tall, with short brown hair. The beard shadow was darker than his outdoorsman’s tan. Harsh lines bracketed his unsmiling mouth, and he looked…threatening.
Could the hitman or his people have traced her?
A glance didn’t reveal Spyros; the man was alone. Besides, she hadn’t left a trail. People disappeared all the time into remote Alaskan towns.
No, she was safe here. Surely she was. “Wh-what do you want?”
He crossed his arms over his chest—a very broad chest. “It’s simple. Hand me everything you stole, and then we’ll go down to the station and have a chat.”
Have a chat? She wasn’t going anywhere with him. The rest of his sentence registered. Station… Oh my God, he was the police.
She stared at the badge on his black fleece-lined jacket.
Wait, what did he mean “stole”?
“I didn’t steal anything.” Fear blossomed anew. Although her photo ID looked real enough to her, it wouldn’t hold up to a police background check. She took a step back.
His eyebrows lifted slightly. “I saw you. Bring your purse up to the counter.”
Outrage swept through her, vying with anxiety. “I’m not stealing. Dante said I could take whatever I wanted to eat.”
“Mmmhmm.” Disbelief was obvious in the man’s deep voice. “Let’s ask him.”
Audrey crossed her arms over her chest, imitating the man. “He’s not here.”
When his gaze pinned her in place, she saw his eyes weren’t black—they were midnight blue and brimmed with skepticism. “He wouldn’t leave his store unattended.”
“He asked me to mind the register.”
“And steal the goods?”
“Listen, sheriff—“
“There are no sheriffs in Alaska. Call me Chief.”
“Chief.” Oh, she was so screwed. He wasn’t merely a small town cop, but the Chief of Police. She swallowed. Where was Dante? Shouldn’t he be back by now? “Chief what?”
“MacNair. And you are?”
“Juliette Wilson.” She’d done her homework. Wilson was almost as common as Jones, Johnson, and Smith. Juliette was a popular name, too.
“Wilson, huh?” His mouth flattened in a cynical way.
The door opened. As Dante moseyed into the store, relief filled her.
Only a few inches taller than she was, the wiry grocery store owner had receding white hair and a thick white mustache and beard.
He saw her, and his bushy brows pulled together. Turning to Gabe, he snapped, “Yo, buddy, leave my girl the fuck alone.”
When the chief turned toward him with a scowl, Dante blinked. His face lit. “It’s Gabe, isn’t it? I’ll be. You’re really here?”
The chief didn’t even notice Dante’s delight. “Ms. Wilson here was stuffing her purse with groceries and says you left her to mind the place.” The cop’s deep voice held enough sarcasm to fill a lake.
“Heh, working in L.A. done made you cynical, boy.” Dante might’ve left Oklahoma behind a long while back, but the southern twang in his voice remained.
“She told the truth?”
“Yep, she sure ‘nuff did.” Dante stepped behind the counter and set down a travel cup and white paper sack from the coffee shop. “She’s working now and then in exchange for one of my rental cabins and some groceries. Room and board, you might say. Keeps me from having to close up every time I want to leave the store.”
Audrey’s muscles began to unknot.
“I see.” The chief glanced at her, and his sharp gaze lingered on the yellowing bruises on her face. His suspicions didn’t appear much abated, although he said, politely enough, “I’m sorry to have bothered you, Ms. Wilson.”
“Quite all right. I can appreciate how guilty I must have appeared.” If she’d been a criminal, she’d be running from him as fast as possible.
To her relief, he nodded and joined Dante at the front.
After the two men shook hands, Dante glanced over. “Julie, how about you unpack those boxes of cereals?”
Yes, she totally needed something to keep her hands busy
. “I would be delighted.”
“You shopping or walkin’ your beat,” Dante asked the chief.
“There’s no food in my cabin, but I’ll shop later.” The chief shrugged. “I wanted to see what I had to deal with here.”
“A lot, boy. A lot. Get yerself settled in and then we’ll talk.” Dante’s smile widened. “You might check on your brother across the street. There was a shit-ton of swearing coming from over there.”
Pretending not to listen, Audrey blinked. The man had a brother. There were two of them in this town. What an awful thought.
“No surprise. He hates paperwork.” The chief’s lips didn’t move, but the sun lines beside his eyes crinkled.
Oh. Dear God, the man would be lethal if he ever really smiled. She realized she was staring.
He noticed. His eyes narrowed, and his face hardened. Even though Dante’s explanation should have placated the cop, he obviously didn’t trust her at all.
A chill washed through her because she knew she must have looked guilty as hell.
Also by Cherise Sinclair
Masters of the Shadowlands Series
Club Shadowlands
Dark Citadel
Breaking Free
Lean on Me
Make Me, Sir
To Command and Collar
This Is Who I Am
If Only
Show Me, Baby
Servicing the Target
Protecting His Own
Mischief and the Masters
Beneath the Scars
Defiance
* * *
Mountain Masters & Dark Haven Series
Master of the Mountain
Simon Says: Mine
Master of the Abyss
Master of the Dark Side
My Liege of Dark Haven
Edge of the Enforcer
Master of Freedom
Master of Solitude
I Will Not Beg
* * *
The Wild Hunt Legacy