Savage Scheme (4 page)

“I haven’t decided that yet.” The hungry smile that formed on his lips caused her breath to stutter.

“You have thirty seconds.”

“You’re making it too easy,” she told him, her attitude cocky as she looked him over one last time before disappearing into the trees. She felt the sense of excitement, the thrill of the chase sweep through her. Along with a sad sense of wistfulness, remembering Randall and this exact game she played with him. By the time she had grown up, even Randall couldn’t find her. Nate had no hope. Libby knew how to blend in anywhere. In the shadows or plain sight, in big cities and as she stared around the field weighing her options, she knew, with a sly smile, that a vineyard may be her easiest challenge yet.

Nate glanced around the trees, waiting, listening for Libby. She wanted to play? He could play, he could definitely play. After five minutes, he cracked his neck in confusion. She was better than he thought. Much better. What else was his little wildcat hiding from him? The wind blew and as he turned his face toward the sky, out of pure luck he caught her familiar floral scent. “Gotcha,” he murmured in victory. Quietly creeping down the row of trees, he stopped at one in particular, its gnarly branches twisting and turning providing an effective cover. He watched as she surveyed everywhere but right underneath her, looking for him. She allowed her leg to dangle from the particular branch she was sitting on. He wrapped his large hand around her ankle after checking her position in the tree to make sure he wouldn’t hurt her. Tugging with enough force he tumbled her out of the tree and into his arms. Her yelp of surprise caused him to chuckle, holding her tightly. Leaning down he stopped himself from nuzzling her neck, instead let his lips feather lightly over the soft skin behind her ear, causing a shiver to run through her.

“I like that you made it a challenge. I think you’re holding out on me Libby.” He felt her immediately stiffen and it stirred both a curiosity and hatred inside of him. He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable and he sure as hell wasn’t going to allow her to shut the door on the vulnerable, natural sensuality she had been showing him all day. He would go at her pace. He wasn’t a man known for his patience, but for Libby West, he was finding it tolerable. Allowing himself to slowly release her, he made sure she slowly slid down his body as he turned her to face him. Holding her hips, he lifted a hand and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “I decided what I want.” He watched a cute little frown form between her eyebrows, wariness still clouding her eyes. “Because I won,” he continued. A smile of relief touch her eyes and she rested her hands on his forearms.

“And what is that,” she asked flirtatiously. And she’s back, he thought.

“Dinner.”

“Dinner?”

“Tonight. Here, at the winery.” She stared into his eyes for a moment while she thought over her answer.

“Okay,” she agreed. “Dinner.” He gave her his best charming grin, one the Savage men were known for and took her hand in his before turning to lead them back to the main house. He felt her halt his actions with a quiet strength. Yet another secret.

“Nate?”

“Yeah?” She took a step toward him and rose up on her tippy toes to press her lips in a soft kiss against his unshaven cheek.

“Thank you for bringing me here today,” she said quietly. “I have had a wonderful time.”

“It’s not over yet, baby,” he told her with a grin as he turned and led them toward the divine smell of food.

Nate sat across from Libby as Nick brought them each a glass of wine, he wasn’t sure at this point how many she had consumed. He knew that he had strategically made it look like he was tasting the wine on the tour, when in fact Nick would distract her with whatever nugget of information about grapes and seasons, so that she didn’t realize he hadn’t had a sip of wine all day. Just by smell alone he knew his friend had brought him what was probably the equivalent to a child’s glass of grape juice. He slid a glance over to Nick, who wore a laughing smile.

“You joining us?” Nate asked him then.

“Unfortunately I have some work to do. Enjoy your dinner, I’ll come check on you later. If you need anything, please let Sarah know.” Nate turned to find the older woman walking toward them, her hair pulled neatly away from her face, a kind smile touching her eyes.

After taking their orders, Nate sat back and watched as Libby continued to relax, basking in the glow of the glass of white in front of her. He could almost see her barriers crumbling with each glass she consumed, her eyes a little glazed, the smile warm and inviting on her lips. Lips he couldn’t think to do anything with but devouring them with his own. He could see the wild spark in her eyes, the low simmering, underlying fire that she tried to keep carefully concealed. He would pull the information he needed from his little wildcat and then he would try and satiate the painful hardness that was currently pressed against his zipper. He allowed himself the luxury of calling her his because in the time they spent together that was exactly what she was. Hell, his jaw was starting to hurt from clenching his back teeth together. She was driving him crazy the way she innocently brushed up against him, and then when she pressed her lips tenderly to his cheek in her gratitude. He was too close to pushing her up against a tree like a caveman and wrapping those long, feminine legs around his waist and taking her like a man possessed. After he fulfilled the mission he would let her go and she would move on with her life and he would be a distant memory. He didn’t know why that thought tore at his chest painfully. Returning his attention back to her he was deciding how to carefully construct the questions he had to ask.

“So,” he started.

“So,” she copied with a seductive smile.

“Tell me about yourself.”

“You first,” she countered.

“That’s not how this works,” he stated, raising an eyebrow.

“Oh really? And how does it work exactly?”

“You start by telling me a fun fact about Libby.”

“Like what?” She picked up her wine glass, sipping slowly in an effort to stall he realized.

“Anything you want. I just want to know more about you. Brothers or sisters?” he prompted, even knowing the answer.

“No.” He could see her walls starting to fall into place and knew he had to keep the conversation light. He wondered why she was so closed off. Almost as if the person she was now, the free, fun, sassy Libby was desperate to distance herself from her past, to completely forget the memories that accompanied it. What he needed were those memories, anything to help him gain information on her father.

“Ah, a single child. That explains it,” he said matter of factly, causing her to giggle.

“Oh really - and what exactly does it explain?”

“You know, the entitled, spoiled, selfish act you have going on,” he described sarcastically, waving his hand around. Her exaggerated outrage was comical as she threw a piece of bread at him. Nate chuckled. “I’m kidding. So were you a mommy’s girl or a daddy’s girl?”

“Neither.” She lifted her napkin, placing it over her plate to signify she was finished. He had a feeling was finished with more than just the dinner. The personal conversation was over as well. He would have to concede defeat at this moment, he wasn’t willing to ruin their evening by pushing her too hard. He would get the answers he needed, he always did. Nate was known to maneuver and manipulate. He would do what he needed to do with a target to gain information. And Libby was just another target.

After Sarah had cleared their plates, he could see that Libby had a nice buzz going, the wine making her more inhibited, more open. Without saying anything, he stood up and held out his hand which she accepted without question. Pulling her to her feet he guided her to the balcony outside that overlooked the vineyard now bathed in bright moonlight. Maneuvering her so she stood in front of him, he bracketed her within his arms as he placed his palms on the railing. He allowed a small smile to touch his lips as she quietly leaned back against him. He couldn’t help but think how perfectly her soft curves complimented his hard angles.

“Have you enjoyed your day?” he asked quietly.

“More than you can know,” she whispered. He wondered at the resigned wistfulness he heard in her voice.

“How do you feel about staying here tonight?” She turned so she was staring at him now, her eyebrow raised in knowing amusement. “I’ve had too much to drink to drive home.” He clenched his teeth as she moved her body so her front was now pressed against his, her curves tempting him like nothing else in his life ever had.

Looking up at him a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “And where exactly are we going to stay?”

“In the guesthouse.” Nate felt her move impossibly closer, the wine making her more daring as she placed her palms against his chest.

“And how many bedrooms are in the guesthouse?”   

Bringing her to the winery was the best idea he’d ever had, he thought, fighting back a grin. He couldn’t take it anymore, she was testing his control and his desire for this woman was about to win. Wrapping his fingers around the nape of her neck he leaned down and slanted his mouth over hers, swallowing her surprised breath. He felt her hesitation at first, right before his cock tried to surge through his jeans as she melted into him. Her sharp little fingers dug into his chest as he teased her lips with his tongue. Nipping at his lips he groaned as he took advantage of her impatience and plunged into her mouth, his hands moving down to her ass as he lifted her to sit on the railing in front of them. He spread her legs so he fit perfectly in between, her knees squeezing his hips. Her hands moved up, cupping his jaw before her fingers threaded through his hair. He felt his own running up and down her tight, jean-clad thighs. He was becoming a desperate man, the need to feel her skin against his, to drive into her sweet heat was an all-consuming hunger that was taking over. He felt like a damn caveman, he’d never had such a desperate reaction in his life. He tore his lips away from hers and trailed them across her cheek, grazing her jaw with his teeth.

“Nate...” he could hear her own need mirroring his. God he loved the sound of his name on her lips. He wanted her screaming it beneath him. Laying a stinging kiss beneath her ear, he slowly pulled away from her. Resting his forehead against hers, he watched as she stared up at him, a saucy little grin pulling at her kiss swollen lips.

“You make a man want things he shouldn’t,” he muttered. Leaning in he pressed one last soft kiss to the corner of her mouth before helping her down and taking her hand. He lead her to the smaller ranch house that he knew Nick left unlocked for them.

Pulling her into the darkened living room he didn’t bother to stop to turn on any lights, making his way toward the small staircase that led to the master bedroom and more importantly the king sized bed. Gripping her hip he felt her press her body against his, their lips infused once more. His palm slid from her jaw slowly down her neck where he felt her heartbeat against his thumb, a manic rhythm that matched his own. There was no individuality anymore as they shared the same breath, the same need, the same desire. The backs of her knees hit the bed that had them both tumbling onto the mattress. He didn’t think he had ever felt something so all consuming - the need to be over top of her and inside of her at the same time. He wanted to touch every inch of her perfect flesh first with his fingers then his tongue. He knew the taste of her was already branded into his senses, one he had a feeling he would never be without, the perfect combination of sweet and stormy. He should be turning on the lights he knew, he wanted to memorize every moment to have with him when she was no longer. Just as he was about to do just that, to slow them down, he felt her fingers grip the hem of his shirt and rip it over his head leaving his chest bare and vulnerable to her slaying lips that were now peppering his chest, his neck. He heard the guttural rumble in his throat, a sure sign she was stealing his control. He needed her bare skin against him. Quickly divesting her of her clothes before the rest of his own, he took a moment to drink in the sight of her soft curves in the dim moonlight shining through the window. He knew for the rest of his life, he would never forget this moment. Never forget the way the dark shadows played mysteriously against her, the sly smile that was forming on her lips as she allowed him to take in his fill.

“Nate,” she urged, her leg wrapping around his thigh, gently tugging him toward her.

“You’re so fucking gorgeous,” he whispered against her lips before selfishly taking what he wanted. What he should have done was ravage her. He should have run his tongue along every inch of her, pushed her over the edge, more than once before he stood at his own. But when her heaving chest pressed against his, the greedy fire between them took over and had him positioning himself against her after almost forgetting to protect them. He had never forgotten a condom in his life, but the little wildcat beneath him was making his head spin with her sharp little nails marking his skin as her murmured words of need spurned his own higher. Lifting her hips to meet his, he gave them what they both wanted and found himself drowning in what had to be heaven. Needing to pause as he felt her quiver around him, he rested his forehead against hers trying to drag air into his breathless lungs.

“Just give me a minute, baby. God damn, you’re so fucking tight. So perfect.”

“Nate,” she breathed, her legs wrapping around his waist. “You feel so good. Please.” It was her words that undid the thin veil of control he still held. He started moving, their hips meeting in perfect synchronization until he felt her entire body tighten and clench around him before his name fell from her lips in a passionate cry. His own climax took him by surprise, making him see stars as he pounded into her. He breathed her name into the soft skin of her neck, his breathing rough and laboured. He was boneless. She had sapped all of the strength he possessed and it took everything he had in him to move next to her and pull her into his side. It was the way her body fit so perfectly against his and the soft purr of contentment that struck against the part of his chest that remained cold.

Listening to the sound of Libby’s steady breathing, Nate slowly pulled his arm away from her warmth and climbed out of bed making sure not to disturb her. He winced as he pulled his jeans over himself, unsure for the first time in his life if his desire for the woman sleeping in the too-big bed, where he should be, would ever go away. It was the hottest, most passionate sex he’d ever had in his life, and it was a night he knew no matter how hard he would try to forget would forever be branded into his memory. Padding quietly down the hall, he escaped the guest house and made his way toward the main ranch where he knew his friend was waiting on him.