Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

D enise

I would soon be forced to get one of those tee shirts with something crazy written on it like ‘naughty girl.’ Or perhaps ‘stupid’ was more fitting.

After fucking in a public bathroom, something I could easily be fired for, we’d finished our drinks and walked to the parking lot together. I’d fully intended on sending Shephard on his merry way, but we’d bantered again, played a little rough and ended up kissing for a full five minutes.

After that, he’d shoved me into my vehicle’s passenger seat after snagging my keys. The big he-man had to be in charge. After jumping into the driver’s seat, he’d instructed me to tell him where I lived. I hadn’t been a smart enough girl to insist he bring his vehicle as well. That would have taken brains and I was still in a sexual fog at that point.

I didn’t live but a few miles up the mountain, the road leading to it less than a half mile away from Shackles, the bar where we’d… God. Fucked. I couldn’t believe I’d done something so sinful.

We were damn lucky the bartender hadn’t said a word when we’d gotten back to the bar.

As we pulled up in front of my cabin, Pepper was already barking. She knew a mile down the road when I was almost home.

There was absolutely no typical foreplay in our world of passion. We weren’t chatting about our lives or providing each other with any details that would matter. I knew who he was by accident and I hadn’t told him my job. But of course I’d also allowed him to see the Glock I’d been carrying at the motel and I’d seen the weapon in his jacket.

Did that make him dangerous enough I should be nervous? Not at this point. With his lineage, his father being a vital member of this community, I wasn’t worried he was the killer. I only knew he was one badass man with an ax to grind against the entire world.

Our bodies slammed against the front door as I fumbled to unlock it, Pepper likely going nuts from the sounds. He was an incredible kisser, more so than a few nights before. We were far too much into each other sexually and a part of me screamed this couldn’t continue.

But it would for tonight.

Once I managed to get the door open, we almost fell onto the floor from how hard he shoved it open. Pepper was right there and the moment I took a breath, I noticed her intense scowl. A walk would need to wait until we were finished.

We were like two teenagers, ripping each other’s clothes off as I backed us into the bedroom. I hadn’t brought a single man here and it had never been my intention to do so. This was way too unexpected, but as much as he annoyed the crap out of me, I enjoyed the rush of adrenaline while spending time with him.

Once inside the room, he was the one who managed to turn on the light on my dresser. It was an old one, the bulb providing little light, but that was just fine by me. We were both now fully naked, Shephard tossing the extra pillows onto the floor. But this wasn’t about a quick, brutal fuck as had happened an hour before.

He picked me up, tossing me in the middle of the bed and immediately crawling on top. I wasn’t in the mood and neither was he for my previous antics. He had my legs bent, up and back with my knees against the comforter before I could take a deep breath.

Every sound he made was more like a wolf’s growl, low and throaty. I loved it as it added to the carnal passion we were sharing.

With the first swipe of his tongue, I was panting. There was no removal of the haze surrounding my eyes, or the strange series of vivid stars trying to fight their way through the fog.

I was digging my heels into the comforter, barely able to recognize my own voice as I moaned. He held me down to the point all I could do was tangle my hand into his long hair, gasping from the way his beard tickled my labia.

My heart thudded as I tossed my head from side the side, the way his tongue worked magical. He knew when to suck on my clit and when to back off, allowing me breathing room. He was gentle then rough, and I sensed he was watching everything I was doing.

I had no clue how I wasn’t climaxing from him stimulating my overly sensitive little bud. I chalked that up to his expertise. He was truly masterful with his mouth and tongue. But he proved his long, thick fingers were damning as well by driving several into me. I was slickened from his cum and mine, but I was still tight.

Of course, I purposely clamped down on his fingers, which forced him to laugh. He rarely allowed himself the freeing moment, his gruffness a tremendous part of the armor he wore. Sighing, I could feel myself spinning out of control. Within seconds I was lost in the fervor of the sweet moment, jerking up from the bed as an orgasm swept through.

I was startled at the sound of my strangled scream, the hoarseness entirely different than I was used to. This felt way too incredible and I was ready to beg him not to stop.

He didn’t as if sensing my need, even lifting my torso into the air, issuing a stark rougher growl and feasting as if this was his last meal.

Between his tongue and his fingers driving into me, I could no longer function at all. There was no thinking and I wasn’t positive I was breathing. The incredible moment lasted for a long time, so much so one climax rushed into another. I was crazy as I was driven into a sweet moment of ecstasy.

“Oh. Oh. Yes…” They were the only words that formulated. The pure nirvana was incredible.

When I came down from the rafters, I closed my eyes so I could enjoy the moment.

I should have known the big hunk of a man wasn’t going to allow me to rest. He pulled me up onto my knees, forcing me to straddle his body.

I was no longer shocked by anything he did. When he wrapped his hand around his cock, rubbing the tip up and down my pussy as he kept me kneeling, I planted my hands on his shoulders.

“You want this?” I asked, as if I didn’t already know the answer.

“I’m taking it.”

His gruffness was attractive where it wouldn’t be on another man. He pulled me down more gently than I thought possible, allowing me to buck against him.

He cupped both breasts as I rocked against him, flicking his thumbs back and forth across my nipples. Watching him, including the shift in his eyes, was powerful. He was a man full of emotions but didn’t like to show them. The moment he pinched my taut buds, I cried out; it wasn’t from the pain, but from the shock as another flash of electricity tore through both of us.

Everything about this would remain private and something special. Not that I had any girlfriends to tell.

The seconds ticked into minutes and I squeezed my pussy muscles to try to encourage him to come. He wasn’t ready. His answer was to pinch both nipples, twisting them until a wash of anguish mixed with the wave of pleasure.

He was rock hard and so big I knew I’d be sore in the morning, but it would be well worth the discomfort.

Just when I thought for certain he was going to let go, he pulled me off. As he’d done before, he acted as if my body was his to play with, turning me over onto all fours. This would never be considered romantic, but I didn’t care. This was incredible.

He wasn’t going to waste time and he thrust his cock deep inside. I could swear he’d reached my overheated core. He repeated the move several times before cracking his hand against my backside.

What the hell?

All the wiggling I could do didn’t matter as he smacked my bottom several times. I’d be damned if he wasn’t ambidextrous, using his other hand to ensure both cheeks were equally covered. The pain was more exhilarating than it should be. Then again, he wasn’t spanking me harshly. It took me a few minutes to realize what he was doing.

Too late.

He shoved his thumb deep inside my asshole and I threw my head back. Only this time, my scream was silent. The discomfort was entirely different and as he drove it inside a few times, he kept his cock thrusting deep inside.

There was no mistaking what he was going to do. I was tense, uncertain I could go through with it. I had the distinct feeling he wasn’t going to let me scramble away.

Shephard took a deep breath and pressed the tip against my asshole. He was surprisingly gentle as he pushed in an inch at a time.

I was gasping for air and ready to scream to the heavens.

At least at first. As the flashes of pain began to fade, I was shocked how pleasurable the moment became. I relaxed, my breathing becoming easier.

He growled his approval, saying nothing at all. We simply didn’t need to at this point. After he was fully seated inside, he took a few seconds, his breathing labored but more even.

That was the only reprieve I was getting. He started to fuck me, sliding in and out with an even rhythm. A few seconds later, I met him thrust with thrust, arching my back as I clawed the bedding.

It was a spectacular moment. We were more like animals, but I didn’t care. This was special and exactly what I needed. He gripped my hips tightly, powering into me over and over again. I had no idea how he had so much stamina, but he wasn’t backing down, taking what he wanted as if a promise was made.

I was already exhausted, but in the best way possible. As his body started to tense, every sound he made was different. I enjoyed every one of them. I was also unable to keep the smile off my face.

With three brutal grunts, he unloaded deep inside my ass.

The breathless moment afterwards was as close to being romantic as I knew we’d come. When we collapsed on the bed, both barely able to control our breathing, once again I closed my eyes.

Sadly, I remembered why I wanted nothing to do with men. But it wasn’t about him. Not really. Yet my mind was pressing me to send him packing. He was in my home, in my space, something I’d promised myself would never be allowed.

No. There wouldn’t be another time.

And yes, I would do all I could to avoid him.

Period.

The silent treatment was alive and well and being utilized by the brooding guest standing in my kitchen. At least I knew he was alive, his chest rising and falling occasionally. Stoic wasn’t the right word for the man. More like he was a statue. I couldn’t read a single expression, including from his dark eyes.

After climbing from bed and retrieving both our sets of clothing, he’d said a single additional word—whiskey. So much for pillow talk. I might be a wine drinker, but on a cold winter’s night, a good glass of bourbon was the only drink that could warm the cockles of my heart. If I had a heart. At least that was according to Cane.

He’d milk getting his nose broken for days. Weeks. Now I stood with the sexiest mountain man alive drinking in the middle of the most awkward silence I’d ever experienced.

What the hell was he thinking? Had he enjoyed the sex? Did he think I was hot? Oh, hell, no. I wasn’t going down that road. I wasn’t that kind of chick. I wasn’t perfect, a little too rounded in the hips, maybe my breasts a little too small for a gigantic man. I also wasn’t a baby, my thirty-three years spent trying to remain bold and opinionated.

My mother told me I came out of her womb a sarcastic little wench. She hadn’t minced words either.

I did wonder about Shephard’s background, something I would check using my old sources now that I had his name. I did that with almost everyone, which is how I’d found out Cane was such a womanizer. He was lucky he hadn’t been beaten to a pulp more than once by the husbands of married women he’d fucked.

No wonder he’d been provided with a transfer.

This hunky guy was a Marine. I’d seen the tattoo. I was certain he’d seen mine, but he hadn’t asked anything about my past. I hadn’t dared ask him about his. Somehow, I knew the subject was way off limits. Which, of course, made me want to look into his background even more.

He polished off his drink, his deliberate move of thudding the cheap rocks glass onto the counter his way of telling me he was ready to be taken back to his truck. This was when I really regretted not forcing him to drive. Maybe the only girlie part of me hadn’t wanted him to find a reason to change his mind.

I took another sip of my drink, immediately heading for my jacket and keys. Sleep was important and delaying the obvious wasn’t something I normally did.

Pepper huffed and I glanced at her. When she moved toward the visitor, I sighed. “Yes, baby girl. You can come.” I knew Shephard would follow me. He had to.

Once inside the Jeep, it took him a few seconds to buckle up. Meanwhile, Pepper was leaning her head on his shoulder from the backseat.

“Bomb or drugs?” he asked in his deep voice.

I thought I’d already bragged about that before. “Both.” I started the engine, hating the awkward feeling. As I backed out, he took a seriously deep breath. Did he think I was a bad driver too? Oh, there I went again.

“War or civilian?”

Now he was pushing the need for information. Civilian didn’t mean retired, which Pepper wasn’t officially at this point. “Both.”

“Thought so.”

Why did I have a feeling that was all I was getting?

I’d made it only one mile down the mountain road when my cell phone rang. I used to hate the cell phone towers were everywhere, but without them, there would never be any reception up here.

Grimacing, I slowed to a crawl when I realized my boss was on the other end of the line. Did the man ever get his beauty sleep? Nope. That was also obvious.

“What’s wrong, Greg?”

“Are you anywhere near Foxhead Resort?”

I hesitated before answering. “Why?”

“Because now, there’s a missing fucking tourist.”

The fact it was dark was about the worst scenario possible, especially to start a hunt. “What about your boy, Cane?”

“Drunk as a skunk.”

“I thought I’d been suspended,” I told him.

“You’ve done your time. Don’t beat anyone up again. Go find this kid. He’s got rich parents who are very influential. You get what I’m saying?” Other than with the other murder case, Greg wasn’t normally political or swayed by money or clout, which meant whoever I would be dealing with, and there was no choice, was a party boy with a huge trust fund and his future mapped out for him.

I glanced at my passenger and grimaced. The resort was close, the woods behind it dense. All I’d need to do was take the limited access road that was coming up in a mile and I could be there much quicker than if I headed all the way down the mountain and dropped him off at his truck.

Great.

Time was of the essence in these situations so it would appear I had no choice. “Fine, but you owe me one.”

“I’ll send you what I have from the hysterical parents. Find him,” Greg insisted.

“One question. Why is rich boy hiking at night?”

“He’s not. Wedding reception and he got into a skirmish with his buddies and walked off. And… he’s intoxicated.”

“Perfect.” That meant his senses were dulled or dead. That would mean he had no sense of direction or even the instinct of upcoming danger. Like falling off a cliff. The odds of finding him were bad and the location was considered treacherous at night. Shit. Shit. Shit.

“What the fuck is happening?” Shephard asked after I disgustedly tossed the phone onto my dashboard.

“Well, you’re in for a ride, but you’re a civilian and you will need to stay in the Jeep.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

The man wasn’t too happy with being forced into a situation. That was easy to see. “It means I have a lost tourist that must be found up the mountain a couple miles. I have no other choice. It’s just my job.” I hadn’t wanted him to learn more about me, but there was no other choice.

“You’re a fucking park ranger.”

“I am. So what?”

He chuckled, as if it was something he should have figured out. “Lost tourist.”

“Yeah, some rich kid attending a wedding. Not the best odds. Grab the bag from the back for me, will you? Double check the flashlights. I’m going to need them.”

I sensed he was reluctant to do anything to help, but finally did as I asked just as I turned on the access road. This wasn’t the best scenario to deal with. Damn it.

The silence by the time I’d driven four miles was oppressive. At least I knew the flashlights were working fine. I’d already known that, but I’d wanted to break the tension. It hadn’t worked. As soon as we closed the distance to the area, I could swear Pepper could smell something was wrong.

Her growl could raise anyone’s hackles, including mine.

I checked the coordinates, trying to envision the area in my mind as I parked the Jeep. I opened the door, stepping out and grabbing what I’d need. I had hooks to keep various pieces of equipment attached, especially in the dark. He wasn’t even looking in my direction. A typical guy who acted tough, but knew this wasn’t his forte. Good.

Maybe.

“Just stay here. Hopefully, I won’t be too long.”

Pepper jumped out, joining me as I turned on the larger flashlight. My weapon was within easy reach, but hopefully the light would keep the critters away.

I took a deep breath and headed deeper into the woods, using markers to keep me on track. There was a small clearing ahead, which would be perfect to send off a flare. Even drunk, the missing tourist would see the bright orangey-red light. Or so I hoped. I had a very bad feeling about this.

I’d gone maybe two hundred yards when I felt a presence behind me. Stopping short, I hissed. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“What I know how to do.” His tone held no air of arrogance, just certainty.

“You’re a resort operator.” Yes, I was goading him into telling me more.

“Not tonight.” He flanked my side, another flashlight in his hand. It wasn’t one I owned, but it was powerful. I had no clue how it could fit anywhere in his clothes given the tightness of his jeans.

I had a feeling the man would refuse to obey my orders.

“Just stay out of my way,” I told him. “You have no clue what you’re doing or what you’re getting in the middle of.”

His answer?

“Bet me.”