Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
~SHANE~
“ H oly crap, I’m sweaty,” Ivie says as we hop off the ATV and walk toward the house. “That was quite a workout.”
“You did more than I expected.” I take her hand and smile down at her, proud of her. She kicked ass today. Literally. “I think Curt will need a long soak in a hot bath. It’s a good thing I provide him with excellent health insurance.”
“I don’t like hitting him,” she says softly. “I’m not a violent person like my father was.”
“I know.” We stop on the porch, in the same place we stood last night, and I kiss her forehead. “But you have to practice. You didn’t hit him much. I’m just teasing you.”
“I don’t like hitting at all. And carrying a gun around in my pants isn’t my favorite thing, either.”
“It won’t be forever. Just until we get this mess all figured out.”
She sighs and then nods. “I don’t mean to complain. Thank you for everything you’re doing for me. I’m gonna go hop in the shower and get this ick off me.”
“Enjoy it. I’ll be in in just a bit.”
She walks into the house, and I pull my phone out of my pocket. I dial Carmine’s number and wait for him to answer.
“Yo,” he says in greeting.
“How are things there?” I ask, getting straight to the point.
“Quiet. Rocco and I are in the office, and we were just saying that it’s been very quiet. No chatter.”
“That’s not typical.” I lean on the railing and watch a herd of elk make their way into my pasture about a hundred yards away. “I don’t like it when it’s quiet.”
“I know. The ears on the ground say the same thing. No chatter, pretty mellow right now.”
“That means something’s going to happen.”
“We agree,” Rocco says, clearly on speakerphone. “You’re right to stay there for now. It’s likely the safest place.”
“Agreed,” I say with a sigh. Not because I don’t like being on my ranch. Quite the opposite. It’s the safest place for us, and it’s where I feel the most comfortable. But I don’t like this quiet. Feeling on edge, like the other shoe is about to drop. “I’m waiting for more info from Cox, and I have some feelers out, but I’m trying to be inconspicuous. It takes time.”
“If you need us, we can be there in a couple of hours. Or you can always come here if need be,” Carmine reminds me. “I know you don’t think it’s as safe as the ranch, but we can lock it down when we need to.”
“I know. Thanks. I’ll check in tomorrow.”
“Over and out,” Rocco says, cutting off the call.
Like I said, I don’t like it when there’s no chatter. It’s like when a person has a toddler, and quiet means chaos.
For now, all I can do is what I’m already doing. So, I walk inside, expecting Ivie to be out of the shower by now.
But when I come around the corner, I hear her talking to someone. I slow down, listening.
“I will fuck you up. That’s right, I said it. You don’t want a piece of me. Oh, does that make you nervous? What are you going to do about it?”
I inch forward, wanting to get a glimpse of what’s going on without being seen. If someone’s in there with her, I’ll kill them.
I pull my sidearm from the holster at my back and continue inching forward.
“Are you looking at me?”
I peer around the door and feel every muscle loosen in relief. Ivie’s standing in front of the mirror in just her blue jeans and black bra, her pistol tucked into her jeans at the small of her back. She quickly whips it out and points it at herself in the mirror.
“Are you fucking looking at me ?” she demands and narrows her eyes at herself, leaning forward. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
Then she holsters her weapon again.
I have to clamp my hand over my mouth so I don’t bust up laughing. I wouldn’t miss this show for the world.
She starts to walk away, then turns back quickly, drawing the weapon once more.
“Don’t piss me off, asshole.”
I can’t help it anymore. I can’t hold in the laughter. Ivie stills, and I see her cringe in the mirror as I walk up behind her and rest my hands on her shoulders, looking her reflection in the eyes.
“You’re kind of scary.”
She presses her lips into a line as her cheeks bloom into a bright pink. I want to kiss the hell out of her.
“I didn’t know you were there.”
“Obviously.” I grin and kiss her neck where it meets her shoulder. “You do a great DeNiro impression.”
“You weren’t supposed to see that. Besides, you’re the one who literally just told me that I need to practice drawing my weapon.”
“I did, you’re completely right.” I can’t keep my hands off her. She’s simply irresistible. She spins to face me, and our lips meet in a kiss that starts sweet but quickly escalates to hot and needy.
“I’m too sweaty for sex,” she informs me but doesn’t push me away when I free her of her bra and let it fall to the floor.
“You’re just going to get sweaty again.”
“It’s different,” she insists and presses her hands to my chest. “Seriously, I need to wash up.”
“Okay.” I kiss her once more, then back up. “I’ll help.”
She quirks a brow. “Will you?”
“I’m an excellent back-washer,” I inform her, keeping my expression perfectly serious. “I’ve been told that I should go into business for myself, washing backs.”
“Told by whom?” She quirks a brow, purses her lips, and I know this is a trap.
Well, shit.
“Uh…”
She laughs and slips around me to start the water in the shower. “Relax, Shane. You’re no virgin. Neither am I, actually.”
I frown. I don’t like the thought of Ivie having had sex with anyone but me. I know the way she sounds, the way her fists clench in the sheets—or my hair. The way she tastes.
And the fact that anyone in the past or the future would have the same knowledge fills me with an all-consuming rage.
“Why do you look like that?” she asks.
“Like what?”
“Like you want to punch a wall.”
I make myself grin and then shrug. “I couldn’t tell you.”
She doesn’t smile back. She just blinks at me, and then, before stepping into the shower, hits me with, “Don’t lie to me again, Martinelli.”
I catch her elbow before she can step into the shower. “I don’t like the thought of other men having been with you.”
She nods once. “That’s better. And I don’t like the idea of you washing someone else’s back. But, we’re both old enough to know that we’ve been with other people. That doesn’t mean I’m sleeping with anyone else now. And for as long as you’re having sex with me , I’d ask for the same consideration.”
I love the fire in her blue eyes. She’s staking a claim, here and now. And as much as I’ve told myself over and over again that this can’t go anywhere, that even though I’m completely wrapped up in her, she can never really be mine, I can’t help but feel my gut clench, and my heart pound in response to her possessiveness.
“Baby, I can’t see anyone but you.” I cup her cheek and bend down to kiss her softly. “Now, let’s get in this shower before we waste all the hot water.”
“Do these still hurt?” I brush my fingertips over her damp skin where the bruises over her ribs have turned from black to green. I reach for some arnica and rub it gently over the wounded area.
“No, they’re just ugly now,” she says and then sighs at my touch. “You’re good with your hands. And now I can vouch for the back-washing praise. You’re hired.”
I grin as I turn to wash my hands, and Ivie pulls her clothes on.
“Shane?”
“Yeah.”
“I’m bored.” She leans on the vanity and crosses her arms over her chest. “I’m getting cabin fever.”
I walk into the closet to put on clean clothes, and Ivie follows me.
“Let’s go somewhere.”
“No.”
“ Shane .” It’s not a whine, but it’s damn close. “We’ve been in this house for almost a week. And while I love your ranch, I need to see something else.”
“And you will. As soon as?—”
“As soon as we figure this out,” she finishes for me. “Let’s just go for a drive. Just a short one where I can see different trees. Your windows are tinted, and no one’s up here anyway. We’re in the middle of nowhere.”
I should stick to my guns and say no, but she’s been restless all morning, and I know she’s not a loner like I am.
“We could drive into town and get lunch at the best deli I’ve ever been to,” I offer. “But you have to stay in the car when I pick it up.”
“Deal.” She hops and claps her hands in excitement. “Perfect.”
“I’ll call ahead and order,” I mutter. “But don’t get used to this.”
“Of course.” She crosses her heart and holds her fingers up like she’s a Boy Scout. “Scouts’ honor.”
“You were never a Boy Scout.”
She giggles. “Well, no. But I promise. Thank you. I’m going to grab my shoes.”
She runs out, and I send a text to Curt, filling him in. Then I call the deli to place an order. Ten minutes later, we’re in my SUV and headed into town, which is only about twenty minutes away.
“The trees are turning,” she murmurs. “I bet it’s gorgeous up here in the fall.”
“Another week, and it’ll be breathtaking.”
She bites her lip, and I reach out to take her hand. “We might still be here.”
She nods.
“You’re always welcome here, Ivie, whether assholes are chasing you or not.”
That makes her smile, and she glances my way. “Is there a private spot where you can pull over?”
“Do you have to pee or something?”
She just smiles again, so I pull over to the side of the road. “This is private. It’s still my property.”
“Geez, Shane, how much land did you buy?”
“A thousand acres.”
She blinks over at me in surprise. Once I’ve put the vehicle in park, she unbuckles her belt and leans over the center console.
Her hands dive for my jeans.
“Here?” My voice is high and breaks as if I’m a fifteen-year-old kid.
“Here.” But she doesn’t climb on top of me, she takes my cock in her hand, jacks me twice, and then sinks that sweet mouth of hers over the head. I’m immediately lost to her.
“Fucking hell, Ivie.”
The woman is a master with her mouth and with her hands.
I push the seat back so she has more room, and so I can lean back a bit and enjoy the ride. She never fails to surprise me. And just now, as she cups my balls and sucks gently, I see stars.
“Jesus.” It’s a prayer and a curse, and before I can stop myself, I’m coming. I watch as Ivie laps up every drop, then sits back, buckles her belt, and wipes her mouth.
“Well, that was fun.”
I bark out a laugh as I tuck myself away. “What did I do to deserve that?”
“You’re taking me for a drive,” she says simply. “And I appreciate it.”
“You’re easy to please, sweetheart.”
“Not really.” She shrugs as I put the vehicle in gear and start once more toward town. “But you’re irresistible.”
My eyes narrow into slits as we get closer to town. I survey the streets, looking for anything out of place, but it looks the same as it always does. Like it’s something out of the Old West.
“Wow, it’s like a time capsule,” she says, echoing my thoughts.
“It was a booming gold town about a hundred years ago,” I inform her. “When it seemed that most of the gold had been mined, people left to find other claims. Some stayed. There’s always been working mines here, but it slowed down considerably. The downtown area looks pretty much the same as it did back in the old days. The buildings have withstood the test of time.”
“It’s very cool,” she says. “I’d love to wander around and take it all in.”
“Another time. I promise. Today, I’m anxious to grab lunch and get back to the ranch.”
“I understand.” I glance over when she lays her hand on my arm. “Honest, I do.”
“Good.” I park right in front of the deli. “Lock these doors. Do you have your weapon?”
“Of course.”
“Keep it handy. Keep your eyes open. Don’t look at your phone or fall asleep.”
“You’ll be gone for all of thirty seconds,” she reminds me.
“Sometimes, that’s all it takes.” I lean over and kiss her cheek. “Do as I say.”
“Yes, sir.”
I hop out of the car and nod in satisfaction when I hear the snick of the locks. Ivie isn’t careless, and I know she’ll do as I ask.
“Well, good morning, handsome.”
Mrs. Ullrich is sixty-five if she’s a day, and she’s a hopeless flirt. She’s also been married for forty-seven years and has eight children, some of whom are my age.
“Hey there, Mrs. Ullrich. Do you have those sandwiches for me?”
“Right here.” She fetches a brown paper bag from a shelf. “I added it to your tab.”
“Thanks. Appreciate it.” I toss a five-dollar bill into the tip jar and turn to leave. “Have a good day, ma’am.”
“You, too, you handsome devil,” she calls after me, making me grin.
I haven’t exactly become a member of the community. I’m not one to attend town hall meetings and get acquainted with my neighbors.
But there’s value in knowing who’s here, who I should watch out for, and letting the community know that I’m not someone to be wary of.
I’m an outsider. I know that. But I keep to myself, and I don’t make trouble. In return, the townspeople have been cordial, and I trust that I’m safe here.
Which is more important now than ever before.
When I walk out of the deli, I feel my blood fucking boil.
“In the car,” I bark to Ivie, who’s standing on the sidewalk, covered in puppies. “Now.”
She smiles at the teenager who’s walking them, gives one a kiss on the head, and then climbs in next to me.
“Don’t yell at me, Shane. They’re puppies. ”
“I don’t care if they were the cutest puppies on the planet?—”
“Which they were.”
“I told you to stay put. What if there had been a sniper in one of these buildings?”
She stares at me as I pull onto the road and head back toward home.
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“No, I’m not.”
“There are no snipers. ”
“That you know of.”
“For God’s sake, Shane, I was out of the car for less than fifteen seconds. I wanted to pet a puppy.”
“Fifteen seconds is all they need. Trust me. We won’t be leaving the ranch again.”
“So now I’m being punished? I’m taking that blowjob back.”
I want to laugh. But I’m too fucking mad.