Billi Jean (10 page)

“Oh, you mean like California or Florida…”

He nodded and shifted in his seat. She’d wondered the same, but the agents had only said this was a good, safe, out of the way place. Perfect for her to start a new life. So was Canada, she’d replied. Or Mexico. They’d stood pretty firm on Troy, saying she needed someplace completely different from Florida. If anyone even suspected she was still alive, they’d never think of looking in a place like Troy, Montana, they’d said.

And now that she was here? Yep, Troy was so different from her life before that it was like a dream, or another universe. But what could she tell Russell? If she knew one thing about SEALs, it was that they were trained to read people and situations. He would probably sense a lie because, basically, she was a horrible liar.

Maybe she could refocus the conversation. It had worked with her dad. Refocusing and redirecting had always worked better than direct confrontation with him. It might work with Russell, too.

“How old is the puppy? I was hoping to get a puppy but maybe I should get an older dog. I’ve always had a dog, you know? An older one. A puppy’s cute, but not much for protection.”

He glanced at her once for changing the subject, but let it go. His look warned that he’d only hold back for now. The man was potent. Suddenly it occurred to her that she had no idea where they were going. And at the same time she realised why she hadn’t even thought of arguing about going out with him. He was so confident.

That was
it
. That was what she was attracted to in a man, she realised. That was what drew her to Russell. His confidence, and that deep, dark side to him. Bad boy with a hint of arrogance, or more like a heaping dose of confidence, was what she was drawn to in Russell Ryland.

“A puppy can grow to be a dog quick enough,” he said, interrupting her wild imagination. Why his deep voice had her heart skipping around, she didn’t know, and she wasn’t certain if she liked how easily he could affect her, either.

She suddenly realised something else.

He might want to come in after dinner and puppy visiting.

Oh, my.

She caught him glancing at her oddly and blushed, looking away. At least it was dark out now and he couldn’t see her blushes, because she was thinking she
might
let Russell in, and not just in the house, either.

Chapter Six

“Well?” Russ guessed he’d surprised Susan by the startled look she gave him.

Made sense—she’d surprised him, so he supposed he could surprise her as well. She didn’t pick at her food like most women he’d seen—she ate her meal. For some reason, that made her irresistible. He’d wanted to leave and take her home and make love to her all night before they’d even sat down, but, after watching her neatly finish off her salad, keep up a surprisingly interesting conversation and then eat her burger and some of her fries, he wasn’t comfortable with her—he was near to exploding for want of her. Who knew eating could be erotic?

“Well?”

He blinked, not quite sure where that had come from until he realised she was repeating him. He was losing it. Longer than six months without sex, a hard-on that wouldn’t quit and he was about ready to beg. Coherent thought had disappeared.

“How was the burger?” he asked.

Smiling softly, she nodded. “Great. Very good, thank you.”

“Not the best ever, huh?” he teased her, sensing she’d had better but not sure why that had made her glance away and down. It was the first time he’d seen her frown since they’d got here. And the last time? The last time had been in the truck, when he’d asked her why she’d moved here. And before that had been when she’d talked about her dad. Maybe she’d had a better burger with her dad? They’d sounded close, but it was odd that he’d not seen a picture of anyone in her home. Not one photo of loving father and daughter.

“No, it was great. Really, I was pretty hungry. Lunch was tense. This was great.”

He was about to ask about that when his phone rang. Checking it, he saw Eagle’s number and grinned. “Eagle, buddy, still got one more of those pups?”

“‘Hey’ to you, too. What pup? The female? Yeah, why? Thought you didn’t want her, said you had enough.”

Susan sipped her water and watched him quietly, looking comfortable across from him.

“I might have changed my mind.”

“Well, it’ll have to wait. Listen, I have to take Katya in to the doctor—nothing serious, but she hurt her wrist today and it’s still sore so we’re headed to Spokane.”

Instantly sobering, Russ sat up straighter. If Katya was hurt even a little, Eagle would be out of his mind. He’d seen it before. No doubt that explained why Eagle sounded pissed off, and Russell would bet his new truck Eagle had wrangled his wife into going to the hospital.

“Do you need some company? I can meet you at the hospital.” He glanced over at Susan and froze, seeing her face draining of all colour.

What was he thinking?
You don’t take a date to an ER.

Eagle sounded like he was adjusting his clothes before he said, “No, no way. I wanted to let you know—you’ll have to feed the horses tomorrow morning, you know how long this shit can take. We’ll probably be there hours.”

“Yeah, they’re always a long wait. No problem, I was going to take the men up and check fence lines anyways after I feed the horses. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Yeah, later.”

“Later.” He clipped the phone closed and shifted in his seat. “Sorry, that was Eagle, Tim, you remember him?” When she nodded slightly he went on, “His wife, Katya, hurt her wrist. No puppy tonight, but they still have her. She’ll be a good dog for you to have. She’s still only a few weeks old, but a cattle dog. Smart, loyal, good at protection,” he added, because Susan wasn’t saying anything, simply watching him closely. He almost checked his chin for crumbs.

“Is she all right?”

“Ah, I think so. She hates to go to the hospital.” She was still frowning at him, her blue eyes dark next to the sudden paleness of her face. He settled back in the booth. He felt like he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was so expressive; her face reflected her thoughts clearly. She gave him that teasing look that said she thought he’d sprouted nonsense.

“Who
likes
it?”

Yeah, not him. No way. “So, how did you hurt your leg?” he asked, suddenly wondering if she had been in the hospital for it and, if so, for how long. Obviously, that was the wrong question to ask, because the colour she’d got back in her cheeks drained again. She touched the scar on her face briefly, then seemed to realise it and shoved her hair back with her hand. “Did you hurt your head at the same time?”

He startled her with his question. She dropped her hand to her lap and looked down at her plate. “Yep, but it’s not a story for after eating… Did you want to leave?”

No, he didn’t—but, then again, hell, yeah. He’d been thinking about leaving since he’d sat down. Going home and to bed, with her. Only that wouldn’t be happening tonight. He wasn’t a fool. There was a lot going on here that she wasn’t saying. A lot. But he had time for all that.

“Sure, let’s go. I didn’t mean to upset you with the question about your scar, Susan.”

She bit her lip and nodded. “Yeah, that’s okay. It’s there, not like it’s not. Better to ask than speculate, I suppose.”

Speculate, huh?
“Well, I didn’t mean to pry. It’s barely noticeable, anyway.” He paused and glanced down at his watch. “It’s late—we’d better hit the road before they kick us out.”

Susan glanced around at that and seemed surprised. So, she’d enjoyed this as much as he had—good. It was closing time and they’d been here the entire evening, talking, having a few beers and eating. It was the best meal he’d had in ages—what was he thinking? It was the best meal he’d
ever
had. She was quick, funny and liked to listen.

He wasn’t certain, after talking to Susan, if anyone had ever really listened to him before. Even his men might not have listened as well as she had. She seemed interested in everything. Even his swearing. Which was funny on the one hand and frightening on the other, because he was more than willing to give his mouth a new set of terms if she was willing to listen like she had tonight.

“Thank you, it was very nice. I appreciate the lock, too, even if you did scare me to death, Russell,” she murmured on the way out.

The teasing lilt to her voice made him hot. He had to lock his arms to his sides to keep from grabbing hold of her and kissing her senseless. There would be a kiss tonight, though. A long, hot kiss. He needed something. And it would be torture, but a good kind of torture, because that brief taste in the store hadn’t been enough. He moved a hand to her lower back, loving the way her body’s lines felt under his palm. He wanted her this way, that tight ass in his hands, his cock deep inside her and her beautiful back and shoulders in front of him for his pleasure. And hers. Yeah, he was going to make it good for her. So damn good.

Remembering he was on a date with her—not that she would admit it—he calmed his horny brain down and helped her into the truck.

“You’re welcome, Susan. I had a great time, too.”

He turned the heater up as soon as he had her settled, and tried not to stare as she got all curled up and comfortable, like a kitten. Did all women look so sexy in a truck, or only her? It had to be her. He wanted her in his truck all the time. Everywhere he went would be great.

She smiled at him warmly and he felt his face split in a grin. He couldn’t have stopped it if he’d tried and he didn’t want to. Shit, it seemed like he’d been wanting her near him forever when it’d only been a few days. She sighed and settled back even more in her seat. At least she wasn’t scared of him or giving him those looks, like he was coming on too strong. Did that mean he could come on a bit stronger?

The thought had him driving faster. His cock was so erect, so swollen, that he was in serious pain. He was going to be hobbling soon. And he had to be sporting a permanent mark from his zipper, because this bad boy had been up all night. Every time he glanced at her—and he’d watched her all night—his cock had tried to jerk upright to attention.

“I think I like your silences. Do mine bother you?”

If she knew what he was thinking she might not feel that way, he thought, trying to get his brain off his dick and her plump, round breasts under that sweater. Or her ass in those cords. But, yes, he liked her silences. She was comfortable with him if she could sit and be so relaxed. “Yeah, I don’t talk much. So, yeah, I like your silences. Means you’re warming to me.”

She sniffed. “I thought you did rather well, talking tonight, and I’m not warming to you,” she said.

She was tough on a man.
One kiss.
He pulled into her long drive and cut the engine behind her little Chevy. She was tucked up on her side of the truck, but he grabbed her hand and exerted a little pressure.

“Come here, Sunshine.” He tugged her seatbelt off and pulled gently on her arm while he tried to keep his heart rate under control.

She slid him a look and resisted, holding his eyes with her big, blue ones before biting her bottom lip, making him want to groan.

“You’re going to kiss me, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I’m burning, baby. Just a kiss, I swear.” His voice was husky with need.

She made him wait before she gave in to his subtle tug on her hand. Thankfully, his seat was far enough back from the steering wheel that she could fit her tiny body on his lap without having to move the seat back. He wasn’t able to think clearly enough to do more than try to keep her off his cock, let alone worry about a wheel digging into her curves.

“Are you burning a little, honey?” he asked, then slowly lowered her onto his lap. She straddled him easily, as if she belonged there. He kept her off his aching groin with a willpower he hadn’t known he had. Cradling the back of her silky head, he brought his other arm tightly around her waist and pulled her to his chest, slowly lowering his mouth to hers.

The first slow glide was so good it was like coming home, only he’d never had a home. But if he had, God, this would be it. She was so hot that the kiss burned into his brain, erasing any other kiss from his memory. A low groan escaped before he could hold it in, but he kept his kiss gentle, soft and light until he felt the tension slowly ease out of her back and neck. She reminded him of a nervous colt, ready to lunge away at any sudden moves. And he needed fast and hard, but he slowed down, concentrating on her flavour, her sweetness and the velvet heat they were creating.

When she eased against him even more, he licked her mouth gently, tilting his head to fit his mouth firmly over hers. The first taste of her was electrifying. It wasn’t sweet or soft, it was pure sex. So fantastic he forgot everything but his tongue sliding into warm sunshine. She tasted like the ice cream they’d shared, but wicked and all woman. Her tongue met his exploring mouth and hot white desire flooded him. She moaned and her hands came up to shift through his hair, scratching along his scalp with just the right amount of burn. His cock swelled so tight under his jeans, she had to feel it. He shoved the demands for more down, too caught up in what felt like the first real kiss he’d ever had to ruin it with more than Susan was already giving him. Holy hell, she tasted good. The woman could kiss. She kissed him like no one ever had.

 He pulled her closer. Her full breasts pressed against his chest and, God, what he wouldn’t do to have both of those beauties in his hands right now.

He lifted his mouth from her lips reluctantly, but he had to see her face. She was beyond beautiful, so warm and giving he was close to an orgasm. Her pink, swollen lips parted, and she blinked her blue eyes open. “Mmm, Russell.”

“Damn, honey, you taste like sunshine.” He breathed her in and took her mouth with another hungry kiss. He was on the edge of losing control. He could feel his thighs tense, his stomach muscles clench, but he wasn’t ending this. Not now that he finally had it.

He’d never been a kisser. Sex was hot, long and wet. But he’d not been heavy on kissing. This was more erotic than any sex he’d ever had, in so many ways. He was lost to it. And, thank God, so was Susan. She pressed against his body, touching his jaw with her fingers before skimming those beautiful hands down his neck and shoulders. She caressed her way down his arms, then back up again to mould her hands around his shoulders and back.