Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) (13 page)

Taking long strides, he went down the hall looking for her room. She beat on his back and screamed, “Put me down.”

“I will, right here.” He dumped her on what he assumed was her bed, and then followed her down putting his body over hers.

“This is the only way I know to control you long enough to talk sense into your head. You are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met.”

“That’s because all the rest of the women were too busy drooling over you.”

“Well, I don’t have to worry about you drooling.”

“That’s damn right.”

He put his finger over her mouth. “Ladies shouldn’t cuss.”

She wriggled, trying to throw him off. “I never did until you came along.”

“What you need is a good spanking. Your mother must have compensated by spoiling you.”

“Oh, you, you…” His lips covered her mouth. Her fickle body betrayed her, going soft and straining closer to him.

When he’d finished thoroughly kissing her and had her heartbeat in overdrive, he raised his head. “This isn’t an argument you can win, sweetheart. If I have to hogtie you, you will fly to Montana tonight. I promise to come get you as soon as we've taken care of Yannell and it’s safe.”

“Who’ll protect you?”

He laughed and kissed her swollen lips gently. “My men, the FBI, my brother. I’ll have plenty of help taking down Mr. Yannell and his group of gangsters. Remember, this is my work. What I’ve done the past ten years.”

“And you’re just getting well from being shot. I’m not so sure you’re good at this job.”

“Ah honey, you break my heart. I’m one of the best. But, there is always danger.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I promise I’ll come get you, marry you, and give you that baby you want. But, I am going to renege on one part of the bargain.”

Brent stared straight into her eyes. She felt his heart beating against her chest and the evidence of his desire hard against her abdomen. She moved her hips causing him to groan.

“Let me finish this before you tempt me anymore. I’ll marry you, but not on a temporary basis. If you want to marry me, you have to trust me enough to take me as your husband, fully, without reservation.”

“Or?” she whispered the word.

Brent frowned. “Or, someone else will be your temporary husband, and I’ll be gone.”

He wasn’t teasing. She saw the determination in his eyes and the set of his mouth.

“You bought a ranch.”

“I’ll give it to Drake.”

“You never did plan on it being a temporary situation.”

“No. I could never leave you and our child.”

Tears seeped out the corners of her eyes. He licked the moisture off. “Don’t cry, honey. You have time to think about this last and final offer while you’re in Montana.”

Reaching between them, he undid her button and unzipped her slacks. He soon threw them and her panties to the side. He yanked his boots and jeans off, then grabbed a condom out of his pocket. Sheathed, he climbed back on the bed and spread her legs.

His mouth covered her clit, his tongue flicking across the nub. He licked and suckled her, and a coil of desire built quickly in her pussy. He raised his head.

“Turn over.”

She did as he asked, and he pulled her ass against his abdomen. His hard cock pulsed against her buttocks. With one hand, he rubbed her engorged nub. With the other he placed his cock at her pussy's opening and entered from behind.

He moved in and out, and she pushed back, taking him in even deeper. Her inner walls caressed him as hot desire swelled into a torrent of ecstasy rolling through her body. He plunged hard one last time. They both yelled out as the orgasm shook them.

Afterward, he lay on his back with her sprawled across his chest. His heartbeat pounded against her ear.

“If you’ve always wanted a regular marriage, why do you keep using a condom? You know I’m on the pill.”

“Just in case you forget to take that pill one day with all that’s happening. I don’t want you having to decide on marrying me because you’re pregnant. If you say yes, it’ll be for the right reasons.”

“You aren’t at all what I expected.” She lay back against her pillow.

This time he looked at her. “What does that mean?”

“You figure it out.” She grinned. “You seem to have all the answers.”

Chapter Nine

Brent reluctantly got out of her bed and dressed. “My next stop is the Cut and Curl. I need to ask permission to use the back room to meet with my men. It’s the one place where I don’t think Yannell or his men would expect to find us.”

“You really think he's coming?”

“My guess is yes. I believe in being prepared.”

“I’ll call Doris and let you know what she says. How is this all going to happen?” Angie sat on the side of her bed, looking up at him.

“When your sister arrives, we'll arrange a meeting. Shortly afterward I’ll have you both on a plane going to Montana. We have a private jet that you’ll travel on. I’ll notify my dad to meet you.”

“And you’ll come get me as soon as this is over?”

“I promise. Pack one suitcase. You won’t need much. But it can be cool at night, even in the summer, so take a jacket.”

“Yes, sir.” She saluted him. He kissed her mouth, and she put her arms around his neck. “You will be careful?”

“Always, darlin’. Got to go.” He pulled her up and held her against his long, hard frame for just a second, gave her another quick kiss, and strode out of her bedroom. She heard the screen shut behind him.

“Lock the door, honey!” he yelled back.

“Wait.” Angie pulled on her slacks and hurried to the kitchen. She grabbed the chest with the letters and key. “Take these, but I want the chest and letters back eventually.”

Brent brushed a light kiss across her mouth. “Will do.” He strode across the lawn to the truck.

She watched as he turned onto the road and disappeared. Fear and excitement filled her chest. Her heartbeat quickened. She tried to remain calm.

Finally, twenty-one years later, all her secrets were coming out. Soon, she’d meet the baby sister they’d left behind. Would she hate Angie for being the one chosen to go with their mother? Angie tried to think how she’d feel. If she was Lily, she’d definitely resent Angie being taken along with Mother and Lily being left.

Yannell might soon know where Angie was living, if he didn't already. She remembered his eyes that day he’d beat her mother. She had started in the room to speak with her mother and stopped and hid behind the door. When he rushed out, he’d never seen her. His eyes had blazed with anger and hate. Her mother was sobbing and covered in red marks, and places beginning to bruise.

Angie had hated Yannell then, and still did. She hoped they put him in jail for the rest of his life. Still, he was her sister’s father. That was going to be another loss for Lily. What a tangled web.

She pulled a suitcase out of her closet and threw in jeans, shirts, underwear, two sweaters, and shoes. She’d carry her jacket and wear another pair of jeans, a long-sleeve shirt, and her boots. A small makeup bag added on top, and she’d be ready when Brent called. She pushed back what Brent said about the change in their bargain. There’d be time enough to think about that in Montana. She’d meet the rest of his family. Maybe that would help her decide if she really did want to make their deal permanent. Her body was saying
yes, yes, yes,
but her mind was not quite ready.

* * * *

While driving back to Drake’s ranch, Brent called his brother. “Can you meet me at the ranch house, or are you too busy?”

“I’ll be there.”

Next, he contacted Mick. “How soon will the sister be here?”

“According to Smithy, he's our guy who's following her, they’ll probably get into town in the late afternoon. I’m flying in. My flight leaves in thirty minutes. I’ll rent a car in San Antonio, and drive the rest of the way. The other men will all be there by tonight.”

“Good. I’m pretty certain if Yannell has found out where his daughter is headed and has guessed the reason, he’ll come here. Maybe I'm wrong, but we'll be ready. See you soon.”

Just as he’d parked the truck at Drake’s, Brent’s cell phone rang. It was Nate.

“I’m at the rental car office in San Antonio airport. I’ve got directions to Saddle Creek.”

“Don’t go into town.” Brent told him how to get to his ranch. “There’s nothing there, but it’s a good place to have everyone meet initially. I’ll call with further directions later.”

“All right. See you soon, friend.” Nate clicked off. Drake met Brent at the door.

“I need your help now, Drake. I want the jet to land at Jackson’s air strip, and be ready to leave for Montana at a moment’s notice.” Brent followed his brother into his office.

“Have a cup of coffee. You look like you need it,” Drake said, and motioned Brent to sit in the chair across from his desk. “Now tell me all the plans.”

* * * *

Angie let Brent know Doris would leave her back door unlocked for them. Doris had questions, but had kept them to a minimum and agreed to help. She’d been a good friend to Angie and her mother.

The clock hands moved slowly. Restless and scared, Angie went back to the kitchen, iced her cake, and made two dozen brownies. She’d take them with her as a thank-you to Brent’s parents for having them.

She had to admit to being curious about the rest of Brent’s family. She’d always liked Drake and had met, very briefly, the younger brother and their parents at Drake and Janice’s home several years ago. At least they wouldn’t be complete strangers.

Still, she had difficulty leaving Brent behind to clean up her and her mother’s problem. In a way, she wanted to face Yannell. She’d tell him how much she hated him for what he did to her mother and her life.

He wouldn’t care. He’d probably laugh. Brent was right to get her and her sister out of sight. But closure wouldn’t come for her until she did face him here or in court.

She licked a dollop of chocolate frosting off her big spoon. It was good. Glancing around the room, she wondered how her life would have changed by the time she returned to her little house. And would she stay here, or take the leap and marry Brent for real? She had better stop thinking about Brent and get her shower and dress. That way she’d be ready whenever he got back.

The cool water helped take away some of her tiredness. She dressed in comfortable jeans and a blue top. She’d just started to brush her hair when she thought she’d heard a noise.

What was that
? She raised her head. She’d locked the door, but—she’d left the kitchen window open. She started toward her closet where she kept her rifle.

“I wouldn’t do that if I was you.”

A voice from her past sent chills down her spine. When she turned, Yannell stood in her bedroom doorway. He held a large black gun pointed at her.

“I’ve missed my lovely stepdaughter.” He moved into the room. “You’ve grown into a beauty like your mother.” He glanced around. “Where is she?”

“Out of your reach forever.”

“Ah, then she must be dead. This makes my work so much easier. Harold,” he called out. A tall, stocky man came into the room. “Tie her hands. We’ll tape her mouth after I get some answers. Where are the papers your bitch of a mother stole from me?”