by Piper Stone
The damn hinges creaked when I lifted the heavy door, peering under. To my surprise, I noticed a big, sleek black Dodge Ram, freshly washed and without a scratch on it. Positioned beside the massive vehicle was one sweet cherry red Corvette. I bit back a squeal of glee as I headed closer, running my fingers delicately across the trunk. A nineteen-sixty-seven. I knew my muscle cars and this one was in mint condition. As I moved closer to the windows, I was able to see the pristine white leather seats. The car was exquisite, worth a fortune.
I couldn’t help but wonder if Jasper wasn’t just the ah-shucks cowboy I’d believed him to be.
And something told me the brutal-looking truck belonged to him.
Him.
He who should remain nameless as far as I was concerned.
I knew I couldn’t stand but so long admiring something I doubted I’d be able to afford in my entire life. The door didn’t want to budge. Damn it. He would know I’d snooped. After giving it two hard yanks with everything I had, the door finally came down.
With a hard slam.
Great. If he hadn’t heard the intruder by now, he wasn’t home. But the damn bar was closed for the night. Where else could he be?
I’d done my research that afternoon. I’d found enough information on the McKenzie family to know he didn’t have anyone close left in town. I certainly didn’t think he was the kind of guy who wanted to share private information for any reason.
Walking back, I shoved my hands into my pockets, trying to act casual, still debating whether or not I wanted to try to make amends. I’d heard what Brandy had said, although she refused to tell me any reason why she was convinced that’s what I should do. I’d drag it out of her eventually.
Chuckling, I opened the door to the rental, glaring at the aging ranch. If the car was any indication, looks were certainly deceiving.
I steadied the bags of groceries in my arms, debating for the tenth time about what I was doing, darting a quick look at the beautiful sunset. Somehow Brandy had convinced me to hang around Missoula for a little while longer. Maybe her barrage of insults had done the trick. I half laughed, before letting out a long exhale. I didn’t owe the man anything.
In fact, he owed me, and I didn’t see him attempting to figure out where I’d gone. My nerves getting the better of me, I felt completely out of place and definitely not hungry. I moved silently to the porch, creeping up the two stairs and gingerly easing the bags just in front of the door. Maybe he could have a private little feast. All by himself. Exactly what he deserved.
I tried to rush back to the truck I’d rented, but a whinnying sound caught my attention. Within seconds, I found myself drawn to it, making my way toward a long fence a few yards from the house. While I wasn’t the city slicker that Scorpion had accused me of being, my parents owning a nice country estate just outside of Nashville, I’d never spent any time with horses. As I walked closer, two of them snorted and backed away, finally ignoring me as they fed on long grass.
But a beautiful white horse made its way toward the fence, issuing a series of snorts and whinnies. For some reason, I was shaking as the beautiful creature eased its head over the top rail, her big eyes studying me intently, staring right through me. A laugh suddenly bubbled up from my throat the moment I touched the baby’s face, a chill sweeping down my spine.
“Hiya, pretty baby.”
When the horse tilted its head, I realized just how much I liked Montana. I glanced up at the mountains and the way the early evening sun was highlighting the peaks was absolutely sensational.
“What’s the big lug of a man truly like, baby?”
The horse gave another whinny followed by a snort.
“Yeah, he’s pretty rough and tumble, isn’t he? A rugged he-man kind of a guy.”
When the horse stomped on the ground, I chuckled under my breath.
“Only been a couple of days and you already know him, huh? Why do I have a feeling he’s hiding something under that gruff exterior?” Sighing, I leaned against the railing, stroking the baby’s mane as the cool breeze swept across my face.
“You are magnificent.”
“Yes, I agree. She is. So is the woman standing in front of me, although she’s bratty as hell.”
The very masculine voice sent another round of quivers dancing down the entire length of my body for an entirely different reason.
“Bratty? What the hell does that mean?”
“Let me count the ways. Getting tipsy in a bar alone. Flirting with some pretty aggressive cowboys. Near theft of a vehicle. Do you want me to continue?”
I glared at him, narrowing my eyes. “I thought you said those sins were absolved.”
He rubbed his jaw and I couldn’t help but be drawn to the shadow of his three-day stubble covering his carved chin. “Yeah, you’re right. However, we’ll call invasion of private property a brand new offense.”
Grumbling, I should have known the asshole was watching me from the privacy of his house. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you or your things,” I said curtly, stroking the baby’s mane. The way she attempted to nuzzle against me brought a smile. “Tell me. Did you steal the Corvette? Given it’s worth a fortune, that could land you some serious time in jail.”
He snorted as he inched closer. “And you should talk. To answer your question, it belonged to my uncle.”
“You seem surprised.”
“Well, although I didn’t know him very well and we hadn’t talked for years, take a look at this place. There needs to be somewhere in the neighborhood of one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of work done to the house and surrounding buildings alone. I won’t add in the amount needed for the rest of the ranch. Why keep something so expensive in an unsecured location?”
“Trust. Maybe you should try it sometime.”
His eyes clouded over. “I have reasons not to extend trust to just anyone, Caroline. I would think you’d understand that better than most.”
I wasn’t certain I wanted to know what the hell he was getting at. “Fine. As I said, I’m sorry I bothered you.” I gave the horse one last nudge, determined to leave before another fight started.
“Interesting. So, you were just planning on leaving food on my doorstep and running? I didn’t take you for a chicken, Caroline. I see you as a very strong woman who insists on speaking her mind.”
Hissing, I jerked around to face him, making certain he knew exactly how pissed I was.
There was no mistaking his lust-filled eyes as he shifted them down the length of me, his jaw clenching. Even his chest was heaving when he slowly lifted his gaze.
The man hungered to devour me.
I was flustered by his blatant desire, still trying to keep my cool as well as making certain he knew exactly how I felt. “Look here, buster. That’s not it at all and you know it.” Why did Scorpion have to look so damn sexy? Why did he have to look like some calendar model? Every part of my body tingled, and I did everything I could to fight the attraction. This had been a big mistake.
Huge.
But I was going to fix it.
“Oh, I do?” he asked, grinning like a son of a bitch. “What is it then?”
“I just thought that...” Why the hell did the words have to fail me now? “I wanted to... Oh, to hell with it. I came to apologize. For what, I’m no longer sure. I was an idiot last night, but you know what? I have my reasons. While I do believe that Raunchy Ride might work for certain bands, I doubt you have the nerve or the drive to do anything outside of your comfort zone. I hope you enjoy the pasta, if you can actually enjoy anything. However, this just isn’t going to work.” I gave the horse another glance before moving quickly, making a wide berth around him, determined to get away.
The move was quick, his hand snapping around my arm, giving me a rough jerk. When I was crushed up against his chest, my heart racing, my body reacted on instinct, my arm lifting.
He caught my hand before I even had a chance to think about slapping him, shaking his head a
s he hovered over me. “We’ve been through this before, darlin’. You might think you have control but trust me. You don’t. You are one bratty mouthed little girl who needs discipline and I’m just the man to give it to you.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
His damn eyes sparkled with mischief as well as amusement. “Think again, sweetheart.”
Even as I fisted my hand, smashing it against him, I knew better than to think I was getting away. He shifted his hand to the back of my neck, digging his fingers in as he dragged me onto my tiptoes. “You’re nothing but a brute.”
“You’re right. In this part of the country, a man takes what he wants. And what I want is you.” He crushed his mouth over mine, the kiss immediately becoming a passionate roar.
My mind buzzed with energy as electricity ravaged every inch of my body. I could feel his heartbeat, the hard thudding matching mine. I shouldn’t want this, but I couldn’t resist his intoxicating scent or his sheer brawn. As his tongue dominated mine, I shivered to my very core, my nipples aching to have him pinch and twist, suck and lick. I was crazed with the thought as he raked his nails down my back, cupping and squeezing my bottom.
He growled into our heated passion, the kiss becoming more manic until I had difficulty breathing. The hungry man was powerful, making certain I understood that he was in full control. He slipped his hand down my side, brushing the tips of his fingers ever so slowly, leaving me breathless. When he managed to lift the hem of my way-too-short dress, I was unable to hold back a series of whimpers skating up from my throat.
I was shocked that something as simple as a light touch could pull me into utter rapture. My pussy was so damn wet, the scent of my desire wafting between us. There was no doubt the fragrance alone had tossed fuel onto the fire. He aimlessly rubbed circles and zigzags on my skin, all the while easing his hand between my legs. The moment his fingers touched my panties, I would have fallen if he hadn’t been holding me firmly.
He continued the action until I was wet and hot all over.
The second Scorpion ground his hips against me, I shuddered in his arms. I adored the feel of his hard cock, my desire skyrocketing. I wanted nothing more than to have his shaft in my mouth, savoring every last drop of sweet cum. I craved for him to take me in an unrelenting manner, proving that he was indeed in complete control. The realization was no longer shocking, although heat crept up along my jaw, the flush threatening to give away my body’s betrayal.
I continued to shiver at the thought of his firm hand, his stern discipline. I couldn’t want that. I wasn’t that kind of woman.
Yet I simply couldn’t resist him.
When he broke the kiss, he issued another series of husky growls, allowing his hot breath to dance over my face, his chest heaving. “First, I’m going to give you a strong reminder that bad behavior deserves harsh punishment. Then I’m going to feast on your sweet pussy. After that, I’m going to take you in every hole.”
I was shocked by his vehemence as he cupped my chin, rubbing his thumb across my lips. “And this time, you’re getting fucked in the ass.” I shoved my hands against him, breaking free, only I was turned around, heading toward the fence.
Scorpion growled, pushing me against the rails with ease. As he fisted my hair, he crushed his pelvis against my bottom, grinding back and forth. “I think you need an immediate lesson about who’s boss around here.”
The rush of excitement surging through me was like wildfire, my heart skipping several beats. I tried to catch my breath as my arms and legs tingled from his savage actions. When he lowered his head, nipping my earlobe, a moan slipped past my lips. Damn, the man turned me on like no other.
“I think you like it when I spank you, keeping you in line,” he whispered, only fueling the flames.
“Na... No, of course not.”
“Too bad, Caroline. That’s exactly what you’re going to get.” He took a step away, bringing his hand down against my backside. The thin fabric of my dress did nothing to hold back the pain coursing through me. I was shocked at his vehemence, the rapid fire of his hand moving from one side to the other stealing my breath.
“Stop. Stop!” I managed as I wrapped my hands around the railings.
“Oh, I’m just getting started. You’re going to learn that there are rules to follow.”
“You don’t own me.”
“Think again.”
This was just as humiliating as being spanked in the middle of the bar, although there were only horses around for as far as the eye could see. Still, I was shocked how embarrassing the moment was. When he jerked up my dress, caressing my already bruised bottom, I could do nothing but drop my head, trying to steady my nerves.
“Oh, God. Oh...”
“You do enjoy being spanked, Caroline.” He eased his hand between my legs, fingering my lace-covered mound.
Gasping, I closed my eyes even though light flashed in front of my periphery of vision. Everything was surreal, as if I was standing outside my own body. Maybe he was right.
Maybe I’d needed this for a long time.
No.
I refused to believe it.
But your panties are soaked.
I ignored the ugly little voice, concentrating on attempting to catch my breath.
I lost count of how many swats he gave me, finally closing my eyes as the painful sensations wrapped around my muscles. Even the sound of several of the horses whinnying their disapproval did little to comfort me.
Or maybe they were actually approving the ridiculous... horrible... another moan left my lips and I slumped against the railing when he stopped. I had no idea what the man had in store, but I knew he had other ideas in mind.
There was no hesitation. He simply swept me into his arms, taking long strides toward the house.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded.
“As I told you. I keep my promises.”
There was no stopping him. Even though I struggled initially, pounding my fist against him, I knew there was no chance I was getting away. I clung to him as he moved up the stairs, surprised that the grocery bags had already been taken inside. The man was presumptuous.
Arrogant.
A jerkoff.
Sexy as fuck.
My head was swimming as he kicked in the door, using the heel of his boot to slam it shut. He charged into the living room, acting as if I weighed nothing. When he finally planted me onto my feet, he pointed toward the corner. “Go and stand with your nose pressed against the wall.”
“What?”
“You heard me. Now.”
Everything about his deep baritone was thrilling, the sound reverberating all around me. I couldn’t believe I was even considering obeying him. Who the hell did he think he was?
Yet I did.
But I took defiant steps in the direction of the wall, tossing my head over my shoulder to give him one hell of a nasty glare before obeying his orders. I clenched my fists as I shifted closer, realizing that the brute was simply asserting his authority, pretending as if he owned me.
Fat chance in hell.
Then why are you still here?
The thought rumbled around in my mind, creating a surge of butterflies in my tummy. I’d spent my entire life trying to be in charge, pushing my way into whatever I wanted without regard to consequences. Maybe that’s what Maverick hadn’t been able to tolerate.
As if I gave a shit.
Brandy’s words drifted into my mind. If Scorpion was a regular bad boy, did that mean I was searching for something more...
Dangerous?
Chapter Seven
Scorpion
Breathtaking.
I’d been shocked to see her standing at the corral. I’d been even more surprised that she’d taken it upon herself to snoop where she didn’t belong. Caroline was one tenacious woman, refusing to back down from anything.
Including me.
While a part of me had wanted nothing but a quiet night to settle i
nto my temporary surroundings, seeing her beautiful form in the waning sunset had shattered my resolve. I had no intentions of letting her out of my sight.
At least not for several hours.
While Hawk’s warning remained in the back of my mind, I had an inkling that Jasper’s desperate calls to Music City Promotions had a double meaning. I just needed to figure out what the hell that was. I’d even wondered whether Caroline was nothing more than a liar, a plant Cashen Kane had used in order to garner information. I refused to be used on any level.
So, I’d checked out her father’s firm, including picking up the phone and calling them. From what I’d read and was able to glean from their website, they were one of the best in the business, at least for B-rated bands. Hell, I’d be lucky to get a D-rated band in Raunchy Ride. From what I’d heard, the musicians had been local yokels performing for beer money.
I had a bad feeling that I’d be walking into a snake pit tomorrow night. I would get the bar under control while I delved into what my uncle had been attempting to accomplish. Would there be opposition? Hell, yes. No one liked change.
Then there was the concern about Billy and Cashen Kane. While I hadn’t wasted too much time, I’d found out enough about Cashen’s rather unscrupulous reputation to know Hawk’s warning was well founded. The man had been on the city council for over a decade, also owning several large pieces of property, turning the majority into expensive tourist destinations. He was rich, powerful, and hated.
Maybe he’d had his sights set on Raunchy Ride for the land alone. Well, I was determined to find out what the fuck had been going on.
I didn’t think Caroline had any idea what she’d been in store for upon arrival. I also knew the girl was out of her element. She wasn’t even listed on the roster of promoters in the family website. That meant she had a story of her own.
Or something to hide.
One thing was certain, my uncle had been more of an astute businessman than I’d realized. Perhaps I needed to delve more into the man’s finances. Shit, the Corvette sitting in the garage was worth more than the damn house. What else could he have been hiding?