Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

D enise

“What is wrong with me, Pepper?” I asked, which I’d done now three or four times.

My dog had the same whining response. She had no better clue than I did. I’d asked a man I couldn’t stand over for dinner. A private dinner. Okay, maybe he just got under my skin and it wasn’t that I couldn’t stand him. I certainly enjoyed his body.

“This isn’t a date. Right? I caught him in a lie.” Which wasn’t exactly the truth either. He’d simply not been forthcoming about who he was. Why should he be since we were like oil and water?

Pepper woofed once.

“You’re right. It’s a damn date.” Enough of one I’d dug out one of three dresses I owned. Why? I couldn’t answer that question, but I’d put on more makeup than my typical mascara and blush and allowed my hair to remain ponytail free. If it wasn’t a date, then I didn’t know what I was doing.

Which was apparent anyway.

Maybe I’d just needed to grill someone since I’d been tossed off the case. The correct term was that the FBI had taken over. While the sheriff and his team were working point with them, it was felt the talents of the park ranger system were best utilized elsewhere.

It was a nice way of putting that we weren’t wanted, and the case was classified.

I’d kept some information to myself, including my thoughts on the poison Shephard had mentioned. I planned on grilling him about his knowledge. He knew exactly what he was talking about.

If the case wasn’t classified, at a minimum it was something they didn’t want the public to learn about. That I couldn’t blame them for. The valley had had a shitty winter with little snow the year before. Hysteria no one needed. However, that didn’t mean I was going to let the case go so easily. Nope. I’d spent an hour or so on my laptop, adding to my whiteboard while trying to piece things together.

I hadn’t seen any prison escapes on the news or any bank heists. I was still trying to work on the case even though I’d been forbidden to do so.

I’d gotten my ass into trouble for doing that many times before.

After adjusting the wineglasses until they were just so on the table, I shook my head. This was getting ridiculous.

“Oh,” I hissed and glared at the pot on the stove. The vodka sauce was simmering, the penne pasta ready to go into water; the salad was already made and the bread was ready to pop into the oven. In addition, I had two bottles of wine cracked and even made dessert.

And I hadn’t made dessert in years.

Okay, so the truth was I’d picked up a key lime pie from the local store, but still. I was going all out for a man I didn’t like. I’d even been caught doing so by one of the gossip girls. After the stunt pulled at the resort, I had a feeling Shephard and I were linked together by every soul in town.

I checked my watch and rolled my eyes for a second time. It was a few minutes before seven. Would the guy even show up? That was debatable. He would if he thought he could win some battle. Why was it that I kept thinking he wanted to know what I’d learned about the case? I’d seen it in his eyes.

Working together in the background?

I debated it and laughed. We’d kill each other.

With my thoughts all over the place and still angry from our usual confrontations, I knew I needed a drink. I’d already poured myself a whiskey just to try to calm down.

I’d even made certain the fire was just so. There was a nice chill to the air, a light breeze that accentuated the scent of pine outside. A perfect setting. Fascinating.

And troubling.

I leaned against the counter, counting off the minutes. Maybe I was a little excited after all. He was a powerful dude who challenged me every step of the way.

As I sipped on my drink, I was dumb enough to allow my thoughts to drift to my ex. I didn’t even like to think his name. The event had been humiliating at best, a nightmare at worst. And it had taken me months to get over it to the point of functioning.

Both physically and emotionally.

He wasn’t going to win again. A happy wedding and the girl would only learn after it was too late what a scum bucket he was.

I must have allowed myself to think about the man for longer than I’d thought. Pepper’s sudden series of barks startled me enough I almost dropped the glass. My guest had arrived.

Opening the door was harder than I’d thought it would be. I was way out of practice, rusty at being a woman let alone remembering how to date.

No, I couldn’t think of this that way. This was a grilling session.

“Who the hell are you?” I asked, shocked to see his appearance.

“Just some old man.”

With a bottle of wine in his hand, his beard and mustache trimmed close and the man wearing some kind of exotic aftershave, I was no longer certain what this was.

Or who.

I was flabbergasted, unable to take my eyes off him. He was amused as usual at the fact I was uncomfortable. “I hope you didn’t do that for me.”

“I only do shit for myself.”

“There’s the grumpy bastard I remember. You can come in.”

Still, we stared at each other as Pepper jumped on him, something she never did.

“Pepper. Down. I don’t know what’s gotten into her. She knows better.” I backed away, allowing him in and trying not to regret my decision to invite him in the first place.

He said nothing, but it was obvious he was studying my dress. Or me in the dress. I wasn’t certain and I wasn’t ready to get into anything with the man.

We’d bantered easily, but talking was next to impossible. I had a lump in my throat. Plus, his aftershave had already intoxicated me. So exotic and unlike him.

Shephard handed me the bottle of wine and while I suspected he was clueless about vintages, I noticed he’d chosen a bottle from his own reserve, the Foxhead wines something I’d always wanted to try. At least I knew the merlot would be decent.

“Do you want a drink before the wine?” I finally managed to ask like a normal person would.

“Sure. Whiskey?”

“Yeah, I have plenty.” At least getting him a drink allowed me to do something. I busied myself, but sensed he was hovering right behind me. After dropping two ice cubes in, I turned around to hand it to him and he was right there. Far too close.

“Let’s get something straight from the start. We can play the game of twenty questions and continue snarking at each other all you want. I enjoy the intellectual banter. I can tell you everything I’ve learned about you, including some issues you had in Charlotte that I know you’d like to keep as private as possible. Then you can throw out the fact I don’t exist after my illustrious military career, grilling me until I’ve finally had enough.”

“Or…”

“Or we can enjoy each other’s company to the best of our ability. We ain’t gonna have a relationship, but what we are sharing is something I think we both need. Who knows. Maybe we can share our thoughts on the recent murders if you can ever learn to trust me.”

He allowed the comment to hang as if waiting for my reply. Trust was next to impossible for me, but I would love to pick his brain. “Maybe.”

“It’s your choice. But if you decide on option one, I’ll finish my drink and while I’d hate to miss a nice dinner, it will happen. I can’t afford to have anyone delve any further into my past. My family is here and try as I do to disown them at times, I refuse to allow them to become targets.”

This was as frank as I’d ever thought he’d be. “Understood.”

“Good.”

“Your brothers did the same thing. Didn’t they?”

“You’re going to pick until you find what you want,” he growled. “Yeah, they did and they’re fucked up too. And given your military background, you know some missions must be left confidential. My parents think all three of us really fucked our lives after retiring from the various military branches.”

“That must be tough.”

He laughed. “We’re not close with our father. He’s always been… difficult.”

“Thank you for telling me that. I’ll try and trust you.”

“Why were you pushing me anyway?”

I grabbed my drink, not entirely certain what I wanted to say in return. I understood danger. His life and the secrets he’d kept were ones that people would kill to keep from coming out in the open. That was similar to how undercover agents managed to stay alive. One slip and their cover could be blown.

“Because it was very obvious you have talents that would be useful with the ongoing situation. Now the case isn’t in my control any longer and that pisses me off. The Feds don’t give a shit like I do.” My tone was far too venomous, which of course he noted.

He sighed. “I don’t know how I can help you other than tossing ideas around, Denise. But you won’t because it would be unethical in your mind and you are a rule player. I don’t know shit about you, but what I do know is that you have integrity and you take your job seriously. I’m here in this town to do this job for a year and then I’m out of here.”

“I’m not who I once was. That was beaten out of me.”

Shephard rubbed his jaw and I was still thrown by his utterly gorgeous appearance. I hated when he gave me the silent treatment.

“Plus. My gut tells me you’re one of the most highly trained men I’ll ever meet. And my guess is you know every horrible monster in the world.” Maybe I was tossing out cookie crumbs hoping to attract the danger junkie inside of him.

It took one to recognize one.

His sigh was way too heavy and full of guilt. “I’m not a good guy.”

“Neither am I.”

At least that got me a smile. “Then we’ll see.”

“Fair enough. I am curious though. Why are you here in Danger Falls?” I might as well try to get all the personal information out of him I could. I had a feeling the well would dry up soon enough. I was certain he wasn’t going to answer. Back to square one. “Fine. Don’t bother talking to me.”

“Did anyone ever tell you how impatient you are? Because my father is ill. He was going to sell the place out from under my brothers and me if we didn’t agree to run it. I’m not happy about being here as my family and I don’t get along under the best of circumstances, but I have no real choice.”

“You need the money or is it family obligation?”

His eyes lit up and he pulled his glass closer to his succulent lips. “I definitely don’t need the money. I do love my mother and she’s hurting. I won’t allow that to continue.”

“Maybe you’re not such a bad guy after all.” I could tell he was well off. I couldn’t care less about money any more than he did, but he had me curious. His truck had seen better days like mine, although I’d consider it a tank. I would take a bet monetary things meant nothing to him.

“Yeah, your first instincts were right, lady. What I’ve done in my life, the things I’ve seen and experienced ripped any concept of goodness away from me.”

“Maybe not. You saved my life. If you’re such a bad guy, why did you bother?”

There was something entirely different about the look in his eyes tonight. I wasn’t used to seeing anything but an icy glance into his blackened soul. But I suddenly realized that he’d purposely painted himself using ebony because he believed his actions warranted a horrific label.

I felt differently even if the spirited girl who’d sparred with him had insisted otherwise. I’d never been shy, including around a man. Even after what my ex had done. At this moment, I’d never felt so awkward and I was hiding behind my glass of whiskey. As if liquor was going to turn this into something other than what it was.

Carnal need.

“Because your life is definitely worth saving.” His deep voice held more than just a seductive tone. It was possessive, enthralled, and exciting in all the wrong ways. The man and this connection weren’t good for me, but I wasn’t certain either one of us cared about that.

I brushed my hand across the bottom of his beard, even tangling my fingers into the coarse mass before tickling his upper lip by toying with his mustache. “You know. You would look even hotter without the fur.”

“I thought you liked furry creatures.”

“Yes, but I also adore seeing chiseled faces and high cheekbones. You are a sexy guy after all.”

“I’ve had the beard and mustache for years.”

“A disguise. You can be anybody you want.”

He chuckled. “Something like that.”

Somehow, I knew it was true. He was hiding his true self, not just from the people he’d been forced to deal with, but from even himself.

He cupped the side of my face, pulling me onto my toes. The woman I’d allowed myself to become, sheltered and still partially shell shocked, was finally opening up. This could be nothing but a lingering nightmare, but for some insane reason, I trusted the man. It wasn’t just about him saving my life, but about the care he’d taken in doing so, the fear that I was hurt.

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” I whispered. Our lips were dangerously close.

“Maybe not. You need to decide if you’re going to follow your ancient rules or not.”

He had a way with words. “I choose not to.”

Shephard hadn’t needed to say it. He hadn’t been required to tear down my walls and armor. They’d come down of their own accord.

As he tugged me so close I could feel his thudding heartbeat, I fought the last of my inhibitions around him. The truth was there were none. I wanted him like he craved me.

It was dangerous and precarious, but what did it matter?

So was life.

The kiss was perfect, the rush of hunger so powerful I was quivering all over. I’d never felt so exhilarated by a man before and it still threw me, but the joy in letting go was amazing.

He had a way of kissing that would make any woman swoon. The moment could be rough and insatiable just like the man himself. But it could also be tender enough to break through his personal wall of fortitude as well.

Tonight, it was as if I’d allowed him to be himself for a change. Maybe because I hadn’t fought back with what he’d said regarding his past. Maybe because he knew I had one of my own. Or maybe it was because our connection was so strong. There was no pushing back any longer.

I rolled my hands over his shoulders, the taste of whiskey and peppermint mixing with the touch of a thick forest and spices from his aftershave. Everything about him was intoxicating, including the way he dominated my tongue. I was lightheaded, but I wanted to remember and recognize every moment of this.

As I tangled my fingers in his hair, he bent me backward, somehow managing to slide glasses and plates across the table without breaking them. My heart raced as he brushed both his hands up and down my back, finally crunching the hem of my dress in his fingers. A flash of strange embarrassment hit me as I realized I was wearing nothing more underneath the light sweater dress than a bright red thong.

I’d never felt that way around him before, but this was entirely different. What we were sharing had shifted. I didn’t know what it meant and I couldn’t think about anything coherent. Except for enjoying the feel of his cock.

I tried to shift my hand between us, but he wasn’t yet ready to give up control. His rough side shifted to the forefront as he wrapped a finger around the thin elastic of my thong, snapping his wrist quickly.

Maybe the old girl would have been shocked by his actions, but the girl who now refused to follow rules loved it. Every second of his brusque behavior. I managed to break the kiss, immediately biting down on his lower lip. My imitation of his growl brought a strange howl from Pepper’s throat. Shephard’s eyes highlighted his desire and his delight.

He yanked my dress up to my hips, immediately sliding his hand between my thighs. When he cupped my mound, using the tip of a single finger to tease me, I returned the favor.

I managed to place my hand across the thick bulge, marveling in the way his shaft was throbbing in my hand. Which barely fit, of course. Breathless, I was crazed by the matching scents of our longing. I was already so wet. I knew my juice had slickened my inner thighs.

He seemed as excited as I was, his hunger knowing no bounds as he toyed with my clit, finally pinching it between his thumb and forefinger.

The pain was surreal, but the pleasure was greater. I squeezed his cock before doing my best to unfasten his belt. There was something quite powerful about a soft leather belt worn by a man. I rubbed my fingers across the smooth grain after unbuckling it, savoring the sensations. I also had a crazy thought about the man using it to spank me.

I’d never had these kinds of thoughts before.

Sinful.

Filthy.

But I wanted what I wanted and everything with him was new and delightful. Was that a word that could be used with dirty hot sex?

When I managed to finally unzip his jeans, I shifted my hips back and forth, finally able to slowly drop to the floor. I was surprised he didn’t stop me. As I peered up, I could tell by the way his chest was rising and falling that he was just as overwhelmed with need as I was. Perhaps even more so.

Once on my knees, I took my time jerking down the dense material. The food could wait for a little while. Besides, I hadn’t made an appetizer, had I? He was the perfect one, his long and thick cock making my mouth water. When I finally freed the beautiful monster, I licked my lips.

He laughed in his dark and husky way before fisting my hair. “You’re fucking beautiful.” It was the first real compliment he’d paid me and for some crazy reason, it sent a little thrill through me.

Every move was exaggerated as I ran my finger down the side of his shaft, teasing him as he’d done with me. I couldn’t help but glance at his heated expression, the lust that was threatening to destroy his last bit of patience. When I darted my tongue around his cockhead, I noticed his legs were shaking from tension or adrenaline.

I repeated my action and was pleasantly surprised when I was rewarded with a few beautiful, glistening drops of pre-cum. As I ran my tongue through them, his breathing became even more labored.

In my mind, I knew I couldn’t tease him but for so long or he’d never allow me to finish. I brushed my nail down the underside of his shaft, lightly flicking it across one testicle then the other. He issued another guttural sound, a clear indication that I should be very careful with what I was doing.

I offered a sweet smile before rolling his balls between my fingers. When I dared to squeeze, using more pressure than I normally would, he allowed me to hear his soulful animalistic roar that I’d already come to love. What was not to like about it? As I blew across his slit, he cocked his head and laughed.

“You’re a very naughty woman as well. I can tell I need to tame you.”

If he thought he could, the man was out of his mind. But I would enjoy watching him try. I slipped his cockhead into my mouth, using my strong jaw muscles to suck. It was a little bit like sucking on a Tootsie Roll Pop. The analogy was sinfully bad.

He kept his firm hold, pulling on my hair every few seconds as his body swayed from the adrenaline and tension. I kept my fingers wrapped around his balls while I stroked his thigh. As I switched between blowing across his cockhead and darting my tongue out, he continuously growled.

I adored the sounds he made, a man who appreciated what a woman could do. It was rare, certainly given my limited experience with pretty boys who only wanted to do the dirty deed and nothing more.

The way I pulled his cock past my lips continued to make my mouth water. He was so large, my jaws ached almost immediately. I swirled my tongue back and forth as I took his shaft down inch by inch. The moment I was halfway down his thick shaft, I started pumping it into my mouth. Just listening to his heavy breathing fueled my actions. I could do this for a long time, but I had the distinct feeling he wouldn’t let that happen.

He was a man who refused to give up control to anyone. Strong. Powerful.

Downright barbaric, but it was exactly what excited me.

I closed my eyes, trying to keep my concentration level high. It was nearly impossible since he was making animalistic sounds. As I tried my best to relax my throat, taking him down another two inches, I realized how much my body was trembling. He had that kind of effect on me.

Shephard shifted his body position, jutting his hips forward. That shoved the tip of his cock against the back of my throat. Without a second of notice or hesitation, he pushed my head down, keeping me in place.

I almost gagged but willed myself to relax, still swirling my tongue as much as possible. As expected, he took over control, his fingers digging into my scalp as he forced me up and down on his shaft.

There was nothing I could do, not that I wanted to be anywhere else. My eyes still closed, I relinquished any concept of control as he fucked my mouth. There was something heavenly as well as sinful about the moment. He pumped hard and fast, nearly choking me.

When he suddenly stopped, pulling his shaft completely from my mouth, I gasped and automatically reached for his cock.

He was having nothing of it, yanking me to my feet and placing me on top of the edge of the table. After spreading my legs wide open, he positioned the tip of his cock against my wet and swollen folds.

His smile was more like a smirk as he stared into my eyes, unblinking. It was almost like a warning and one I accepted, giving him a wry grin back. Whether or not my actions were an okay didn’t matter. He thrust his cock inside and my pussy muscles were screaming with joy. He fit perfectly, as if his cock was meant to be inside.

We were both sweaty, clawing at each other’s skin. He had such an intense look on his face that I was certain he would devour me in two seconds. I dug my fingers into his arms before ripping at his Henley shirt, finally driving my hands underneath. The feel of the heat of his chest was crazy, searing the tips of my fingers.

“Fucking hot,” he murmured.

“Not hot enough.” I laughed after making the statement.

He laughed in such a deep tone that I tilted my head. “Oh, yeah?”

“Oh, yeah.”

The hard jerk as he pulled my legs around him forced me to slam my hands on the table. One slapped down on a plate, the constant clapping of the side against the table adding to the crazy moment. The man could swivel his hips like no other, fucking me harder than I’d ever felt before. Every sensation was electrified, every dancing vibration jarring.

Panting, I tried to keep from climaxing, fearful he’d stop the Olympic event.

“Do it,” he growled.

“Not yet.”

“Do as I say.”

“You’re not the boss.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, I am.”

My pussy was clenching and releasing so hard I couldn’t have stopped the orgasm under any circumstances. I threw my head back, offering the kind of howl that should make Pepper stand up and take notice. The climax was raw and powerful and he continued plunging hard enough skin slapped together.

And I was certain the cheap plates wouldn’t survive.

As a series of lights flashed in front of my eyes, another even more masterful orgasm tickled my toes before sweeping through me.

I thought for certain I was going to pass out.

With no thought to how he’d react, as I came down from the rafters, I squeezed my muscles with what energy I had left.

There was nothing more exciting and pleasant than hearing a man roaring like a wild animal as he erupted deep inside of you.

As he lowered his head less than two minutes later, nuzzling against my neck, his hoarse whisper was just something else to keep me fully aroused.

“We’re just beginning.”