Chapter Eight

A s soon as Shiloh opened the guest room door, her stomach gripped with hunger. Somebody was frying eggs and something that smelled warm and yeasty.

Though she was a guest in the Malones’ home, she wasn’t comfortable with just wandering into the kitchen to fix herself a plate, but her stomach clenched even harder, yelling that she’d missed dinner and slept all through the night.

She didn’t realize just how exhausted she was until she popped her eyes open to the sun beaming through the blinds in her room.

She’d also awakened with a few new pangs in her muscles where there normally were none.

Her cheeks heated at the memory of Oaks sliding inside her. Stretching her. The man was impressive in size, but even if he wasn’t packing, he knew exactly what to do with it.

The house was quiet. There were no voices ringing through the spaces, no thump of cowboy boots on the floor, only the occasional sound of someone working in the kitchen.

When she approached the doorway, she braced herself to meet a new member of the family. But a very familiar set of wide shoulders greeted her. Without turning from the skillet he was manning, Oaks said, “’Bout time you woke up.” He swung to fix her in his steely gaze. “Sleep well?”

Feeling more than a little nervous about how to deal with the man she’d taken to her bed—very enthusiastically too—she padded into the room and made a beeline for the coffeemaker.

“You shouldn’t have let me sleep so long.”

“You looked so peaceful, I wasn’t about to wake you.”

He’d looked in on her? A small flare of warmth spread through her chest.

No, no, no. That reaction wasn’t for Oaks. Her body was simply reacting with excitement because of the coffee she was about to drink. That was it.

“Hope you brought your appetite this morning.”

She peered over his thick elbow at the skillet. A cast iron pan filled with scrambled eggs sat on one burner. As she looked on, he used a spatula to flip a pancake. Her stomach gave a loud gurgle in appreciation for pancakes while a part much lower appreciated the man cooking them.

“You have maple syrup?”

He gave her a narrow look. “No self-respecting ranch family in Wyoming doesn’t. Top cabinet.” He twitched his angular jaw toward the cupboard near her.

She set down her coffee mug and located the syrup, then carried it to the table. This situation was…odd. She didn’t feel as jittery as she expected to around Oaks. Maybe he was as good at putting people at ease as he was horses.

Maybe she was just starved for everyday human interaction after six months of isolation.

A moment later, he piled pancakes on a platter and switched off the gas on the range. He carried the food to the table and returned to the old wall oven. Seeing the muscled military man don a pair of bright red oven mitts and pull out a sheet of bacon sent new skitters of a different hunger through her body.

How could one romp with Oaks totally flip a switch in her body? After William, she was prepared to be alone for a very, very long time. The man he was—and what she’d become with him—turned her off big-time. She wasn’t looking for anybody to fill her bed.

Yet Oaks had changed all that with that dark look of hunger on his handsome face.

He gestured to the table, and she carried her coffee to it. He set the food down and grabbed a couple plates and some silverware. Shiloh poured him a mug of coffee too. The simple act gave her a funny feeling, like she was living another woman’s life.

“How do you like your coffee?” she asked, setting it near his place at the table.

“With cream.”

“I’ll get it.” She strode to the refrigerator and pulled out an old-fashioned glass bottle. “Is this milk?”

“Yup. We keep a few dairy cows around. Some of the guys in the therapy ranch go through the process of milking and pasteurizing.”

“Wow. I’ve never had fresh milk before.” She brought it to the table and trickled a little into both of their mugs. The white cream swirled into the rich, dark brew. She took a seat and reached for the fork to spear two pancakes, then added a scoop of scrambled eggs.

“You made a ton of food. Isn’t anybody else around to eat it?”

Using a set of tongs, he picked up half a dozen strips of bacon and dropped them on his plate. “I thought Carson and Layne might be around, but they left early. It’s all good—I’ll just eat their portion.”

Judging by his size, she guessed he could pack away calories and never gain an ounce.

She poured a copious amount of syrup on her pancakes and took a bite. The taste of sweet heaven spread across her tongue, and she couldn’t stifle a moan.

Oaks’s stare latched on her face, watching intently as she chewed the bite.

“It’s been ages since I had pancakes.”

“How long is ages?”

“More than the six months I’ve been evading William.” She issued a sigh. “I shouldn’t be talking about my ex. I don’t ever want to think about him again.”

“Well, we are married now. You can tell me anything you want.” He bit off a chunk of crispy bacon and smiled at her as he chewed.

Her stomach fluttered. “Do you think our marriage is actually binding? You didn’t use your real name.”

“But there was a priest.”

“A dirty one.” She stabbed into her pancake too hard and the fork tines screeched on the dish. She flinched and tried to calm herself.

“We’ll figure this all out, honey. I promise.”

His tone eased her, but his use of the endearment flooded her with memories of him calling her that while in the throes of ecstasy, knotting her up again.

They ate in companionable silence as he worked his way through two pancakes and all of his bacon. When he reached for more, she snagged two off the baking sheet.

“I’m not going to let you hog it all.”

His teeth flashed white in a grin. “Guess I’ll fill up on pancakes.”

Eyeing him, she stabbed a third and flopped it onto her plate. His eyes crinkled at each corner, and he let out a low chuckle that sent just as much liquid heat between her legs as the deep, throaty growls she’d heard from him in bed.

“What about your family? Do they know what’s happening to you?”

His question threw her for a loop. Staring at the table, she set her fork down. “No.”

“You mentioned a sister.”

She had, out of desperation when she learned a man she didn’t know and had just been forced to marry was putting her on a plane.

She shook her head. “My sister does live in Brooklyn, but she doesn’t know I was ever in the city. I dropped all contact with her as soon as this all went sideways with William.”

“That’s rough. I’m sorry, Shiloh.” He paused in eating and watched her carefully. “And your parents?”

“I don’t speak to them. They kind of…disowned me when I started seeing William.” Should she explain further? She felt he deserved to know after all he’d done to help and met his gaze. “They told me I was getting above my station in life and if that was my choice, then I shouldn’t come home.”

His jaw firmed. A dark glint came into his eyes. “Sounds like my old man.”

“Where is he?”

“Dead, thank god. He was an alcoholic and a total bastard to all of us kids. We sort of formed a tighter family unit because of it.”

Unable to find the words, she reached out and touched the back of his hand where it lay clenched beside his plate. At once, he unfurled his fingers and twisted his hand upward to intertwine their fingers.

The warm, rough touch soothed her more than she could ever begin to explain. Marveling at the strange feelings kindling inside her, she studied him. “And your siblings?”

“I have six brothers.”

“Six!”

“Yup. This ranch was a second home, a place to vacation and stay for the summers. Layne’s family lived a short distance from here—she and Carson were sweethearts. They lost touch with each other and recently found each other again.”

“Wow. That’s wonderful.”

He looked at her and her plate. “Let’s finish breakfast and head outside. I’ve got chores to do, and the fresh air will do you good.”

She smiled at him. The movement of facial muscles that had gone unused in months of hiding, felt foreign to her. But it felt good too. As he stared back at her, his eyes warmed.

After their meal, they cleaned up the kitchen together and went outside. Shiloh blinked at the bright sun peaking over the majestic mountains. Not far off, a couple guys were walking out to the barn. As they went, they tossed Oaks and her a wave.

Oaks lifted a hand in return. “That’s Veccio and Harkness. They’re both with the program.”

She watched the men. One had a noticeable limp, and the other walked slowly to keep pace with him. “I think it’s wonderful what you’ve built here. It gives the ranch so much meaning.”

He compressed his lips. “I had to do something after…”

They strolled along in silence as he seemed to struggle with whether or not to tell her more.

Just then, a tall, beautiful woman with dark hair flowing down her back whipped around the corner of the garage. She spotted Oaks and jogged over, throwing her arms around his neck.

“Hey, cowboy!”

Shiloh eyed the woman draped all over Oaks. Her husband—at least on paper.

Green jealousy sprouted inside Shiloh as Oaks patted the woman on the back and gently set her back on her cute little cowgirl boots.

The woman couldn’t be more than twenty-five. Much too young for him.

She turned to Shiloh. “Who’s this?”

From some dark place she didn’t know she possessed, Shiloh stepped up to the model-esque woman and looked her dead in the eyes. “His wife. Shiloh. Who are you?”

“His little sister.”

Oh gawd . She’d just acted like a total fool. Heat exploded in her cheeks, and she lowered her eyes, but not before she caught Oaks’s knowing smile. Her emotions had gotten the better of her, and he’d seen it.

The woman grinned, and Shiloh almost let out a groan. Now that she knew the connection between them, she saw the resemblance easily. The same gray eyes in a similar shape. Their hair was the same shade of dark brown too.

“I’m Willow.”

“Nice to meet you.” She tried to force her voice into some semblance of evenness.

Willow tipped her head toward her. “I like this one. She didn’t punch me.”

Oaks rolled his eyes. “That was one woman, and I wasn’t even dating her. By the way, you and I are having a serious talk later.”

“Oh great. I bet I know what porcupine got into your shorts. Anyway, I’ve got work to do. Talk to you later, big bro .”

Shiloh’s face heated again.

“Bye, Shiloh.” Without more, Willow tossed a wave over her shoulder and was off in a whirlwind of denim and dark hair.

Oaks pinned Shiloh in his gaze.

She wanted to sink into the ground rather than own up to that bit of jealous behavior she’d just exhibited. “ Ugh. I’m sorry about that. I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore. I’ve just been in hiding so long. I’ve gone nowhere, haven’t spoken to anybody, not even the people who delivered my groceries to the apartment. I’m really a people person, and being alone made me so unhappy. Shopping was really nice, being out with you and Layne, around other people. I actually felt real again. I could breathe. ”

He eyed her. “I understand. It’s not very different from some of the positions I’ve been in. Hunkered down for long stretches of time, waiting for my enemies to pop up.”

She nodded, feeling even more of a connection spark between them .

“Maybe we can get out more.”

She blinked. “Where?”

“What do you say to dinner?”

“Out?”

He nodded.

“At a restaurant?”

He nodded again.

Suddenly so light and carefree she felt she could fly, she bobbed onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek. Not on his lips—that was still a little out of her comfort zone. But the smile he beamed on her told her that he was very pleased.

* * * * *

The heels of Shiloh’s new boots tapped on the pavers of the sidewalk as they approached the restaurant. Oaks held the door for her, and she stepped inside with a soft sigh.

When she took a step toward the host’s station, he caught her arm and urged her toward a second door leading to the kitchen.

Her pale brows pinched. “We’re not sitting?”

“We are, just not here. I’ve got a special place planned for us.”

He could see by her crestfallen expression that she thought he was going back on his word to treat her to a meal out. But he couldn’t exactly flaunt her in plain sight either.

Marrying her had gotten her out of the hands of the Russians, but she was still hiding from them.

She still had information she wasn’t sharing with him, but he suspected that her ex wanted all along.

The place oozed sophistication. The warm glow of candlelight and the low murmurs of diners in the restaurant added to the allure of the experience. She would probably prefer to sit out there with other customers. He only hoped this would satisfy her need to get out—and feel real, as she said.

“This place is really stunning.” She looked around at the wood beams that were original to the barn that had been transformed to a restaurant.

He dipped his head in a nod. “Come on. Let’s see what you think of this.”

With a hand on her elbow to guide her, he pushed open the black swinging door leading to the kitchen. The rich scents of grilled beef and savory herbs filled the air. A chef and other kitchen workers bustled around the space.

“Um, are we lost?” Shiloh whispered.

He smiled at her. “No. This way.” He led her to a special table in the corner of the kitchen. A bottle of wine already chilled in a bucket of ice, and a single candle made the china and flatware gleam.

He drew out a seat and waved a hand for Shiloh to sit.

Suddenly, her eyes rounded, matching the rounded oval of her rose-colored lips. “Oh! This is a chef’s table.”

“Yes. I’ve never had the honor before, have you?”

She shook her head, soft blonde hair swishing around her shoulders as she sank to the seat. When they shopped, she had picked up mostly practical clothes—jeans and simple tops. But Layne talked her into a long skirt that hugged her body all the way to her ankles. Shiloh paired it with a long-sleeved top that also fit her slim torso like a lover’s hands on her body.

She had no jewelry, but she didn’t need any. She was stunning just as she was. Her sparkling blue—or were they gray?—eyes were better than any jewels.

Damn, he was really off his game with Shiloh. Keeping a professional distance with her had been a battle from the minute he decided to chase after her on the street. But marrying her created a level of confusion, as if his mind actually believed it.

He took the chair next to her, so both of them faced the kitchen. It was a unique experience to watch the chefs prepare their creations.

Shiloh turned her head to look at him. “This is unexpected, Oaks. And very special.”

Why did his chest warm at her words?

The polished oak table was settled in the corner. Private enough that Oaks could slide his hand over her thigh beneath the table. Maybe tug up her skirt and feel the sleek muscle of her toned thigh.

A vase of fresh herbs on the table didn’t mask the light vanilla scent of Shiloh’s body. His cock hardened at the memory of his promise to suck her nipples until she came for him, and to bury his tongue inside her sweet heat and taste her.

“I’m glad you like it,” he said simply, in opposition to the war taking place inside his body.

A tall man in a pristine chef’s coat approached the table, his smile as inviting as the aromas around them. “Good evening. Welcome to Prairie Ember.”

“Hello,” Shiloh responded.

Oaks nodded in greeting.

“Welcome to my kitchen. I am Chef Laurent. Tonight, I will take you on a journey through food to many regions, beginning with the wine. May I pour you each a glass?”

He felt the fizzle of excitement running through Shiloh. It was contagious. Though he was more of a bar food and beer kind of guy, he found himself getting excited about the experience too.

After the chef poured wine into their glasses, he swirled the liquid in the glass before he handed one to each of them. They sipped, savoring the flavors as the chef set two small plates before them.

“For your first taste, an amuse-bouche.”

“A what now?” Oaks eyed the small dollops that looked like mashed potatoes to him.

“Truffle-infused potato foam with just a touch of caviar.”

He waved at Shiloh. “Ladies first.”

She picked up the spoon and gave it a taste. Her face lit with her smile. “Incredible.”

He tested the dish as well and was surprised by how good it was, considering it was just a fancy mashed potato.

After the chef promised to return with more dishes to taste, Oaks and Shiloh settled with their wine.

“Thank you for this, Oaks.”

“Not a problem.”

“I know you had to find a way to take me out and keep me safe at the same time, but really, it’s such a special treat.”

She’d told him about her parents cutting her off, saying she was getting above her station. He could understand how she was pulled in by her ex. William carried himself with an air of importance that would easily sweep a woman off her feet. And he’d obviously seen the talent for technology in Shiloh and used it to his advantage. Maybe he even dragged her into his dangerous games without her knowing it. Once she realized, it was too late. She was mired in it.

She set her glass on the table and shot him a trepidatious glance.

“Say what’s on your mind,” he told her.

She fiddled with the stemware, swirling the wine before setting the glass down again. “William flaunted his money. At first, I thought my parents just hated him for having it. But I’ve had six months to think about it.”

“What did you conclude?”

“I realized they didn’t like him because of how he acted toward them. Maybe they didn’t despise the money he had. Maybe they just despised him .”

He nodded, encouraging her to go on.

“I’ve spent my whole life waiting for the bad parts of people to be revealed to me. Other people around me, then my parents. Even my sister, who I was so close to. I didn’t think it would come out in William…but it did.”

“I can see you don’t trust easily and you’ve been burnt a lot.”

She nodded and took another sip of wine as if using the drink to distract herself from the moment. Then the chef returned with a dainty salad on two more dishes.

As soon as the chef returned to his work, Oaks murmured, “Looks like something my horses would like.”

“Oaks!” She let out a giggle that sent warmth spreading through his whole chest.

The dinner date couldn’t have been more perfect after that. Shiloh relaxed and enjoyed every moment and every bite. He had a great time too. After thanking the chef profusely and agreeing to return again for a new experience, Oaks led her back to the vehicle.

She chatted about the food and wine as he took a route off the beaten path back to the Black Heart Ranch. There wasn’t much traffic to speak of on this road, especially at this time of night. But soon a set of headlights in his rearview mirror drew his attention.

The car traveled a fair distance back, but mirrored every turn he took.

They were in the middle of nowhere. Nobody lived on the roads he took—they only linked ranch to ranch.

Shiloh suddenly grabbed his arm. Her fingers bit into him. “I think we’re being followed!”

She obviously had a little experience with this kind of thing. Enough to be hyperaware.

“It can’t be William. It’s not possible. I didn’t just hide us—I buried us!”

He gave her a sharp look. When he told him she was going to bury the information about their flight, he believed her capable of some basic undercover work. But she just suggested something much bigger.

“I changed the tail number of your jet in ten different places, altering the number each time and creating a paper trail as I went. I made the most confusing breadcrumb trail imaginable. There is no freakin’ way anyone followed that!”

“There was a stretch of time between when we took off and landed, though. Maybe someone got hold of the information before you put everything in place.”

She let out a moan. “Oh god. This is exactly what I was worried about. I thought I covered all my bases.”

He shot a look in the rearview and then focused up ahead. “Hold on.”

He made a turn that cut off the headlights behind them. Then he whipped the SUV into a U-turn. Shiloh rocked in her seat as he backed into a spot between trees and cut the lights.

Her fingers curled into his forearm again, and her breaths came fast and shallow. “Will this work?”

“If not, there’s always plan B.”

She jerked her head to stare at him. “That’s not helpful, Oaks. I’ve seen what your plan Bs look like. And since you can only get married once, that option’s off the table.”