Chapter Seven
As they sat down for dinner, Gretchen couldn’t help stealing glances at Kian. She was so scared that once he was able to leave, he’d never come back. She knew it was too soon, but she had deep feelings for him already.
No man had ever made her feel the way he did, but she also knew he wanted to get home. She didn’t blame him, she would too, but her heart ached just thinking she’d never see him again.
“Gretchen?”
Startled, she looked at him to see him frowning at her. “I’m sorry. I was thinking about a… painting. Did you ask me something?”
“No. I was telling you about my boss having the idea to announce on the local TV station that I’m missing. But it could make those men come back out here, and I would never want to put you in danger. I told Killian I would see how you felt about it.”
“Oh. That could make them think they need to come back to make sure your body is gone. If it’s announced where your last location was, they could come back.” She shook her head.
“That is a possibility.”
Gretchen shrugged. “If it were me, I’d want to make sure the body couldn’t be found at all. They left you to die and hoped the animals would feast on your body, but they don’t know that for sure.”
“I’ll go back and call Killian after dinner. I told him I would if you had a problem with it, but I agree with you. It’s too risky.”
“It is a good idea, but if those men are hellbent on making sure you’re never found, they could come back.”
“You’re right.” He stood, paced, then faced her. “I have to go call Killian.”
“You can’t. It’s getting dark.”
“I have to. I told him I would. I can’t take the chance that Dave would go through with it. The ATV has headlights. Do they work?”
“Yes, but—”
He strode from the room. She got up to follow him into the spare bedroom.
“Kian, I don’t like you going out there in the dark.”
“I’ll be fine.” He pulled on another shirt, sat on the bed. “I don’t have a choice. Gretchen, please don’t worry. I won’t be long.”
“I’m going with you.”
“No—”
“Yes! You cannot go alone. We’ll leave Lobo here and take the guns, but I am not letting you go alone.”
“You’re not letting me? Woman, I’m a livestock agent, I’ve done this a million times.”
She stepped closer to him. “I don’t care what you are. I am not letting you go alone.”
Kian raked his fingers through his hair. “Damn you are hardheaded.”
“That’s the pot calling the kettle black. Let me get warmer clothes on, then we can go.” She tossed him the keys to the gun cabinet. “Get the rifle and Magnum.”
He caught them and they stared at each other until he swore. “Son of a bitch.”
Gretchen bit her lip to keep from grinning. “I won’t be long.” She turned to walk out of the room, but then faced him again. “Don’t even think about leaving without me or you’ll wish I’d left you out there when Lobo found you.”
When she returned to the kitchen, he got up from the chair and glared at her, then pulled his jacket on.
“Let’s go,” he said, as he turned toward the door.
“Don’t sulk, it’s not a good look on you,” she said. She watched him take a deep breath, then faced her.
“I am not sulking. I am more than capable of going alone.”
“It’s dark—”
“I’m aware,” he snapped.
“Keep it up, Doyle and I won’t let you go at all. It’s too far to walk.”
His eyebrows shot up. “Are you saying you wouldn’t let me use the ATV?”
“That is exactly what I’m saying. Now, do we go together or go watch TV?”
Kian stared at her for a few seconds. “You have got to be the most obstinate woman I have ever met.”
She stared at him, raising her eyebrow, and tried not to grin when he sighed.
“Fine. Let’s go.” He stuck the gun into the waistband of his jeans, opened the door, stepped onto the porch, then jogged down the steps, and headed for the shed.
“I’ll wait here,” she called out to him, as she picked up the rifle.
“Whatever,” he muttered, but she heard him.
Gretchen put her hand over her mouth to keep the laughter from bubbling out. Talk about someone being obstinate. She shook her head, then watched him drive the ATV from the shed, pull up to the porch, and look at her. She chuckled when she saw him shake his head and turn away from her and she knew he was hiding a grin.
She climbed onto the back of the bike, lay the rifle across her lap, wrapped her arms around his waist, then kissed the back of his neck, and heard him chuckle as he shook his head again. He placed his hand on her thigh.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes, hardhead, I am.”
“Sweetheart, I have nothing on you. Hold on.”
He revved the ATV, pulled away from the porch, and slowly made his way through the dark woods.
Gretchen hated being out in the woods at night. She’d seen too many crime shows and it was scary out there, but Kian was with her and they both had weapons.
****
As Kian drove through the woods, he could only see what was in the beams of the headlights, and he knew it was dangerous, but he had to get in touch with Killian to make sure they didn’t announce him missing.
“It’s so quiet out here,” Gretchen whispered in his ear.
“Yeah, except for all the noise we’re making. I’m hoping it will keep any animals away.”
“It should. I never come out here this far when it’s dark.”
“We’ll be fine.”
“I know. I trust you.”
He grinned and squeezed her knee, then drove down toward the creek. When he slowed to cross it, he heard a wolf howling in the distance.
“That sounded close.”
“Could just be echoing. They do hunt at night though.”
“Oh, that makes me feel so much better.”
“We’re fine. They’re too afraid of the noise from the bike, and it will keep them away.”
“I just want to get home.”
“You’re the one who insisted on coming with me. I could have done this alone. I am a livestock agent, you know.”
“Wolves are not livestock, so don’t pull that shit bullshit on me,” she snapped.
Kian laughed. “Yes, ma’am, but I did study animals, so just relax. As soon as I can call Killian, the sooner we can head back.”
“Okay. Just a little further and we should have a signal.”
Once he reached the clearing, he stopped the ATV, and glanced over his shoulder at her.
“Check it, please.” He could feel her getting the phone out of her pocket.
“We have one. Here.” She handed him the phone over his shoulder.
Kian stepped off the bike, then called his brother.
“Kian? Is something wrong?” Killian said when he answered.
“Tell Dave not to announce me missing. I’m afraid that will make those men come back to look for me to cover their tracks, and they don’t need to find Gretchen’s place.”
“Yeah, we discussed it and felt the same way. We’re just trying to figure out what to do.”
“Nothing for now. Wait until I get back and we’ll all work on it. I can look through mugshots. Maybe one of them is there. I know I’d recognize them.”
“Alright. Are you calling from the cabin? I thought you didn’t have cell service there.”
“We don’t, but your hardheaded brother had to come out in the pitch dark to call you,” Gretchen said.
Kian laughed when Killian did.
“I believe, big brother, you have met your match.”
“No shit.”
“Kian? Take me off speaker for minute, please.”
Kian looked at Gretchen, shrugged, then he took the phone off speaker and put the phone to his ear.
“What is it?”
“Sheila is in Clifton. When you went missing, Dave asked me for some of your contacts. I knew he’d want to know who Shelia was, so I gave her name to Dave. He called her to see if she’d talked to you.”
“Damn. Did you see her?”
“Oh, yeah. She came into the office, glared at me and asked where she could find Dave, then she went into his office without even knocking. He told her we hadn’t heard a word from you and were hoping she had. If I’d known Dave was going to do that, I wouldn’t have mentioned her, but you know as well as I do, we have to make contact with people. Past and present. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Killian. I know the routine. Tell her I’ve been found, and she can go back to Helena.”
“She sounded genuinely upset.”
Kian glanced over his shoulder to see Gretchen sitting on the seat, then spoke into the phone.
“I don’t care. She’s not important anymore.” He sighed. “We have to head back, it’s too damn cold out. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Alright. Hopefully those temps will rise enough to melt some snow.”
“Yep. Talk soon.” Kian disconnected, handed the phone to Gretchen and shrugged. “They already decided not to do it, but I had to call him.”
“Whatever. Just get me back to the cabin. I’m freezing.”
“You know you didn’t have to—”
“Stop. Don’t you dare say it, Doyle. Let’s go.”
Kian grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
He turned the ATV around and drove back to the cabin.
****
Gretchen climbed off when Kian stopped the ATV beside the porch, and quickly made her way inside. She sighed at the warmer air and laughed when Lobo barked at her.
“We weren’t gone that long, but I bet it felt like it to you though, huh?” She rubbed his big head, then removed her coat, hat, and gloves. She wondered why Killian asked to be taken off speaker. Shrugging, she supposed it was either something personal or had to do with the men who tried to kill Kian.
After hanging up her coat, she put the rifle inside the gun case just as the door opened and Kian entered. He took off his coat, pulled the gun from his waistband, and handed it to her.
“Thanks. I’m glad we didn’t have to use them.” She stared at him.
“Me too. It was best to have them though. We wouldn’t have seen anything coming at us.”
“And that is exactly why we shouldn’t have been out there.”
“Yeah, I get it, Gretchen, but you’re the one who said those men might come back. I was more afraid of them finding you.”
“My land is posted—”
“Do you honestly think your signs would make them stay away? They wouldn’t. If they were dishonest enough to kill wolves for just their pelts, and shoot me, a sign would be the least of their worries. Besides that, they left me on your property.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”
“It’s okay, baby, but I told Killian I’d let him know.” Kian grinned. “The department was already ahead of me on that.”
Gretchen smiled. “Did he tell you something about those men?”
“What do you mean?”
“When he asked to be taken off speaker. Was it about the men?”
“Uh, no. It was nothing.”
She folded her arms and stared at him, but he wouldn’t look at her. She sighed.
“Okay. It’s none of my business anyway. I think I’ll make popcorn, and we can find something to watch. Sound good?”
“Actually, yes, it does. Let me get these wet boots and jeans off. I’ll be right back.”
“Alright. I’ll put it in the microwave.”
Kian started out of the room but turned to face her, walked toward, kissed her lips, and left the room.
She sighed as she got the popcorn from the box. She’d bet it was personal, and that’s why he didn’t tell her. Had it been about a woman? Oh, she didn’t like that. Not that she had any claim on him, but it meant he lied about being involved.
Gretchen stared at the microwave watching as the bag of popcorn grew bigger. She almost had a heart attack when Kian’s arms slipped around her waist from behind. He placed his chin on her shoulder.
“It smells good,” he murmured, then kissed her neck, making her shiver. “Cold?”
She turned to face him and frowned. “You know it has nothing to do with being cold Kian, so stop trying to be funny.”
“But I am funny.”
She laughed. “I bet you think you are.”
He chuckled then stepped back when she opened the microwave door, removed the hot bag, opened it, and dumped it into a bowl.
“I’ll take that. How about you grab us something to drink. Water is fine with me.”
“Water? You want water with your popcorn?”
A frown marred his brow. “What’s wrong with that?”
“You have to have a soda when you eat popcorn.”
“Is that a rule?”
“It’s my rule.”
Kian grinned at her. “Okay. What kind of soda?”
“Well, any kind really. I have cola in the fridge. I don’t drink soda very often, but I have to have it when I eat popcorn.”
“I’m not going to argue with you.”
“Smart man. Go sit down, and I’ll be right there.”
“Alright.”
When he left the kitchen, she opened the fridge and removed two cans of soda, then entered the living room. When he moved to get up, she waved him down.
“Did you find us anything?”
“What do you want to watch?”
“Maybe a comedy.”
“Okay, let me look.” He switched through channels until he found a movie they were both interested in.
Gretchen placed the sodas on the coffee table and sat down. Kian had the bowl of popcorn in his lap.
“You’re going to have to share that, you know.”
“I was waiting for you.” He set the bowl on the sofa between them, opened both cans of soda, and slid one closer to her.
“Thank you. It feels good in here after being outside.”
“I hope it warms up like Killian said it was supposed to.”
“It’s April, so who knows?” She grinned.
“Very true. You know when I drove here, I saw your… driveway, I’d guess you’d call it. I thought it was just a backroad until I saw the private property signs. My truck couldn’t have been very far past it.”
“Someone took it, but who, and where is it?”
“I bet those men took it and probably set it on fire. All they had to do was look at the registration since they had my ID.” Kian shook his head. “They wanted to make sure I was never found. Dead or alive.”
“I agree with you. It could have been taken somewhere and destroyed, set on fire, anything to try to cover up who the truck belonged to.”
“And if they burned it, I’m sure everything else was too. Except maybe my gun. It would be easy to identify even if they tried to burn it. The serial number would show who it belonged to. As much as they tried to remove it, there are ways to make it legible.”
****
Kian knew he’d recognize those men if he saw them again. He could see them in his mind and he wanted them so bad he could taste it.
“True,” she yawned, stretching her arms above her head, revealing the slightest hint of her smooth, toned stomach. The room filled with the sound of her breath, slow and measured, as if she were savoring the moment.
“Once this movie is over, I’m off to bed.”
He nodded, watching as her eyes grew dark and filled with a desire that he ached to fulfill. Kian couldn’t tear his gaze away from her, and the tension between them crackled with electricity.
“You know,” she began, her voice low and seductive, “I have a king-sized bed.”
Kian’s pulse quickened, his mouth going dry at her words, and he leaned in closer. He could smell the subtle scent of her shampoo, a heady mix of jasmine and vanilla, intoxicating him as she continued.
“It’s more than big enough for two.”
Her hand reached out, resting on his thigh, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. The contact sent waves of pleasure through him, setting every nerve ending alight.
“Are you offering me a spot in your bed, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice gravelly and rough with need.
She nodded, a sly grin spreading across her face. “I sure am. I’m saying you don’t have to sleep on the floor.”
He chuckled, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face, savoring the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips. “I think we can both agree that’s a much better option.” He cocked his head. “Your hair is so black, it looks blue and with those green eyes, you are one stunning woman.” He grinned when she blushed.
“Thank you.”
As the credits began to roll at the end of the movie, they stood and made their way to her bedroom. The tension between them growing thicker and more palpable with every passing second. He took her hand in his, feeling an electric current pass between them, as if they were two magnets drawn together by an unseen force.
Kian leaned in, closing the distance between them, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. She responded with equal passion, their tongues moving together in a frenzy of pent-up desire and longing.
Her hands roamed over his body, tracing the lines of his muscles with a touch so soft it nearly drove him mad. His hands followed suit, gripping her hips as he deepened the kiss, exploring every inch of her mouth with an insatiable hunger.
Their breathing grew heavy, mingling in the stillness of the room as their bodies pressed together, clothes growing damp with sweat and desire. He could feel her heart racing against his chest, mirroring his own rapid pulse.
He tugged her T-shirt over her head, dropping it to the floor and revealing the soft curves of her breasts, encased in a lacy bra that left little to the imagination. He unhooked the front clasp, slid the straps down her arms, letting it drop, then he dipped his head, his mouth finding one pert nipple, teasing it with his tongue until it pebbled beneath his touch.
Her breath hitched in her throat, a soft moan escaping her lips as she threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him close as if she never wanted to let go. He sucked and nibbled, savoring the taste of her skin, salty and sweet all at once.
She reached down, her hand finding the bulge beneath his sweatpants, and he groaned as she began to stroke him through the fabric. He was already painfully hard, desperate for more of her touch.
He gripped the waistband of her pants, tugging them down her legs as she stepped out of them. Her panties followed suit, leaving her bare before him, and he couldn’t help but stare at her perfect form as he stripped out of his clothes.
She kicked her pants aside, reaching for him once more as they stumbled toward the bed. They collapsed onto the mattress, their bodies entwined and desperate for more.
He trailed kisses down her body, reaching her damp slit and dipping his tongue inside her. She gasped, arching her back as he licked and sucked at her clitoris, driving her wild with pleasure.
Her fingers tangled in his hair, holding him close as he devoured her, tasting her sweetness and feeling her tremble beneath him. It wasn’t long before she cried out, her orgasm ripping through her as pleasure washed over her.
He crawled back up, positioning himself above her as he looked into her eyes. “Are you ready for me?” he asked, his voice strained with desire. “Are you, Gretchen?”
“Do you want me to beg, Kian?”
“Would you? Would you beg me for it, Gretchen? Because, baby, I would get on my hands and knees for you.”
“Please,” she whispered as she touched his cheek.
“Say it. Tell me what you want me to do to you,” he growled, as he removed a condom from the drawer and rolled it onto his hard cock.
Gretchen looked into his eyes. “Fuck me. Hard.”
Kian groaned at her words. “I will. Ready?”
She nodded eagerly, spreading her legs wide as she welcomed him inside her. He thrust deep, filling her completely as they began to move together in a dance as old as time itself.
Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, slick with sweat and passion as they chased their release. He could feel her tightening around him, her walls gripping him like a vise as she cried out again and he slammed hard into her.
After he came, they both collapsed onto the bed, spent and satisfied.
As their breathing slowed and their heart rates returned to normal, she looked at him and smiled. “I think you’ll find my bed much more comfortable than that floor.”
“I’d be fine anywhere as long as you’re with me,” he murmured and kissed her forehead.
The moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a soft glow over their entwined bodies as they drifted off to sleep in each other’s embrace.