The Rented Bride (Highland Billionaires Book 1) (26 page)

“That’s a good thing, I hope?” Marsh said.

She smiled. “It is a high compliment.”

“By God,” Angus cursed.

The car horn blared and the cab jerked left. A thud sounded and Ava slammed into Marsh’s shoulder. The iron band of his arm yanked her against his chest. She seized his shirt and glimpsed the headlights bouncing across the ground in front of them.

Angus cursed again. They dipped, rumbled over the ground, then leveled out. The car slowed, but Ava felt as though she were spinning.

“Are you all right, Ava?” Marsh demanded.

She wanted to answer, but her heart beat so fast she couldn’t command her voice to obey.

His arm remained firm around her waist. “Angus, are you all right?”

“Aye.”

“Can you turn on the overhead light?”

A light flared. Ava jammed her eyes closed and buried her head in his chest. Marsh gently rubbed her arm.

“You’re shaking like a leaf. It’s all right,” he soothed. “Angus, what the hell happened?”

“A cow, sir.”

“A cow?” He blew out a frustrated breath as a door clicked open. “I’ve forgotten how much fun these country roads can be at night. We’re damned lucky this wasn’t a mountain road.”

“Cows aren’t usually on mountain roads at night,” Ava said.

“You’re feeling better, Ms. Binghamton?” he asked.

She was, which made her realize he still had his arms around her. Ava pulled back. Angus’s door stood open and he was walking in front of the car. The headlights illuminated him as he ran a hand along the edge of the hood. He walked to the side of the car and bent forward, examining something over the wheel, then stood and returned to the driver’s seat.

“Sideswiped the beast on the left side,” he said. “We must have hit a sharp rock. The tire is flat.”

“That’s not terribly hard to fix,” Marsh said.

“Nay,” Angus replied. “If I had a jack.”

“How does a taxi driver not have a jack?”

“Why have a jack when I have no spare tire?”

“We’ll call a tow truck.” Marsh reached inside his jacket, pulled out his phone, then tapped the screen. “No bars. Where is the closest garage?”

“Garve,” Ava said in unison with Angus. “That’s five miles back the way we came,” she added. “But Highburn is only a mile down the road. I can walk there, then call someone to come for the car.”

“I’ll stay with the car,” Angus said.

“Can you have a car drive me back here?” Marsh asked her.

“Of course, but you needn’t walk with me. I know the way. I can send someone from Highburn, as well as call for a tow truck from Garve.”

“I’ll walk with you, if you don’t mind the company.”

Despite the casual tone, Ava caught the finality in his voice. This man was accustomed to having his way.

“It’s up to you,” she said. “I assume you’ll be all right, Angus?”

“Aye, Miss.”

“If by chance you get a tow truck before I return, I’ll meet you at the garage,” Marsh said. “I’m almost afraid to ask if you have a flashlight.”

“Of course, I have a flashlight,” Angus replied. “Ye never know when you might need one.”

“Of course,” Marsh said. “It’s good to know that you have your priorities straight.

KyAnn Waters

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

To Serve and Protect

COPYRIGHT 2015 by KyAnn Waters

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [email protected]

Visit www.KyAnnWaters.com

Publishing History

Second Edition, July 2015

First Edition, November 2011

Published in the United States of America

Prologue

Lightning flashing across the sky in jagged forks, thunderous clashes echoing through the halls, and the deafening sound of rain to drown out the wail of death would have perfected the atmosphere. Instead, the summer sun cast a warm glow over the day.

Chills broke along Elliot Porter’s arms, the coarse hairs tingling. He’d taken risks, six months’ worth of risks. The scourge of society had become his best friends. A chuckle bubbled forth. A fool and his money were easily parted. Almost too easily. Only his associates were more than fools. They were deadly…but then, so was he.

He rubbed his hands together. The time had come. The best part of his plan was the chance to shed the twenty-five year old albatross that had been hanging around his neck. His bitch of a dead wife had saddled him with the responsibility of raising her brat. He’d sacrificed the prime years of his life. No more. From now on Elliot came first…regardless of who might get hurt. The time had come for him to start thinking of himself.

Gray hair receded to the back of his head, crow’s feet clawed at his eyes, and misery pulled at his thin-lipped mouth. It was hell waking up one morning to look in the mirror and know more than half your life was gone, having never really lived at all.

Guilt should have tickled his conscience, that is, if he had one. A car pulled into the driveway. He turned at the sound of the engine cutting off. Going to the windows, he pulled back the drapes careful not to disturb the sheer beneath and let out his breath in relief.

He rushed to the foyer. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, opening the door. A grin split his lips. The time had finally come.

He was followed up the hardwood stairs, down the hall to the master bedroom. They walked toward the bed…and there was blood.

Chapter One

Damn! Late again. And so like her. Why couldn’t she be more like her best friend? There Dawn Wilson sat, her pouty pink lips twitching.

McKenna Porter waved at Dawn through the front glass windows of Conversations. McKenna and Dawn were at home in the intimate street level coffee house. Historic Twenty-Fifth Street was the gathering spot for hippies, yuppies, students from the local university, and those like Dawn and McKenna who came to their weekly yoga class at the studio on the second floor of the old building. People milled about sipping cappuccinos and appreciating works by the community’s local artists hanging on the whitewashed brick walls.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

“Where’ve you been?” Dawn already enjoyed her usual mocha latte, heavy on the whip cream. If her attempt was to appear annoyed, she succeeded. “I ordered for you.” McKenna’s usual—a tall, skinny, sugar-free vanilla with an extra shot—waited on the table.

McKenna dropped her duffel bag containing her yoga mat, towel, and water bottle next to her chair. “Mmm…” She took a long drink of her cooling latte and wiped foam from her upper lip with a napkin she took from the dispenser in the center of the table.

“What kept you? I’ve been waiting…” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Twenty minutes.”

“I—”

“Wait. I don’t want to hear about it unless it involves a man, preferably a naked man. A naked, good-looking man with a big cock”

McKenna smiled. “It doesn’t.”

Dawn tilted her head to the side. “I didn’t think so. But one day I know you’re going to come walking in here with a limp because someone has finally rocked your world.”

“I don’t want my world rocked. I like it nice and predictable.”

“It doesn’t really matter because Gabriel’s teaching tonight. We can get our testosterone fix.”

McKenna didn’t say anything, but her expression must have revealed her thoughts. She wasn’t interested in Gabriel. And she didn’t think Gabriel’s testosterone cup overflowed.

Dawn rolled her eyes. “It would be a damn shame if he turns out to be gay. He’s too beautiful. But then it seems all the best looking men are into each other.” She put her hands flat on the table. “Mickey, people think
you’re
gay, and you don’t care.”

McKenna smiled around her straw and drank more of her latte. “It’s not that I don’t think he’s attractive, he is. I admit it, just like his class, he’s hot. But I’m not interested. I appreciate men, I do. I just don’t want to date one.”

“You’re hopeless, and who said anything about dating? I’m talking about hot sex after hot yoga.” The yoga class took place in a room heated to one hundred and five degrees. The purpose was to cleanse both the mind and body with deep meditative movements while sweating out the toxins. Too many weeks, hell months had passed since McKenna had participated in any other activities that could sweat out the toxins. Lately, her options on men capable or rocking her world, or even creating a minor ripple, had dwindled. And she didn’t have the time or energy to do anything about it.

Dawn played with the straw in her cup. “So Gabriel isn’t your flavor,” she said. “I’m glad about that since I want to sample him myself.”

“I don’t sample men like you do. Dating isn’t supposed to be a buffet line.”

“Speak for yourself. I tire of the same meal all the time. And don’t change the subject, Mickey. We’re talking about your sex life.”

“I don’t have one.”

“Exactly.” Dawn kept on talking as if McKenna hadn’t interrupted. “What about Steven? The only reason he comes to this class is to watch you bend your body into what he imagines are erotic, sexual positions. Even I can see he’s taking notes.”

“I’m not interested in Steven. I want my life uncomplicated.”

“Oh, hell. Steven would screw you in the backseat of his car,” Dawn whispered in a conspiratorial tone. “There’s nothing complicated in that, except maybe getting comfortable. Doesn’t he drive a compact? You’ll need to grab Elliot’s Caddy.”

“I’m not having sex in my father’s Cadillac. I’m not having sex in a car.” She chuckled. “I’m not having sex.” But there were certainly times she wished she were. Dawn had an active calendar and shared all the juicy little details.

Dawn picked up her cup and drank the last of her coffee. “If you ask me, you need a bit of excitement,” she continued. “Class is starting.” She stuffed a napkin into her empty cup. Several people started up the winding metal staircase in the corner of the coffee shop to the yoga studio above.

“Your brand of excitement doesn’t appeal to me.” McKenna grabbed her gear off the ground and followed Dawn up the stairs.

The humid, musty-smelling air filled their lungs. Gabriel stretched in front of the mirrors running the entire length of the room. He immediately acknowledged McKenna and Dawn with a lift of his brow as they unrolled their mats in their usual spots.

“Full class tonight.”

“Yeah, and here comes Steven.” Dawn wagged her brows. “And looking hot.”

“Yeah, because it’s over a hundred degrees in here. Everyone looks hot—because it’s hot in here.”

Dawn rolled her eyes. “Hardy har har.”

McKenna smiled at Steven as he unrolled his mat next to hers. Then she glanced back to Dawn who smiled mischievously. “Go for it,” she mouthed. Then Dawn pulled off her sweatshirt and fluffed her cinnamon-colored hair with her fingers. A mint green, tank top molded to her compact figure. Drill team, prom queen, and never without a boyfriend in high school, Dawn still carried the air of snobbery that came from confidence.

McKenna, on the other hand, had excelled scholastically. Those high IQ points hadn’t translated into a lucrative high tech career. Although being an insurance agent had its occasional moments. Predictable moments for the most part.

After adjusting the volume of the tribal music, Gabriel stood in deep breathing position. “Welcome, my friends,” he said before demonstrating the first series of movements.

McKenna allowed her body to ease into the difficult stretches while her mind drifted on the hypnotizing rhythm of the music.

Class progressed and McKenna stretched, pushing her body. Sweat dripped from her elbows and ran down the back of her knees. Damp tendrils of hair stuck to her cheeks and temples. Saturated, her yoga top clung to her small breasts.

She inhaled through her nose, exhaled slow and steady. Each pose moved into the next. Glancing at the mat next to hers, she noticed Steven had difficulty balancing and holding positions because he couldn’t watch her ass and arch his back at the same time.

Oh god, and he had a hard-on. McKenna smiled, tried to refocus on her movement, and turned away. Now she faced Dawn.

“What did I tell you?” Dawn went from bracing her weight with her arms, buttocks pointing straight up to the ceiling, to skimming the mat with her chest, stretching her neck and reaching her chin as high as she could.
And it’s big
, she mouthed.

McKenna jumped her feet back between her palms where they rested flat on the mat. “Not now, Dawn.” Standing, she reached her hands over her head and inhaled. Between Dawn’s prodding and Steven’s ogling, her relaxing workout was stressing her out.

After the final stretches and cool down, Gabriel clapped his hands and thanked everyone for coming. McKenna grabbed her towel and dried her face and neck. Sweat dripped from her hair.

“Hey, Dawn.” Steven didn’t actually look in Dawn’s direction but kept his attention on McKenna. “Do you two want to get coffee downstairs?”

“I can’t,” Dawn said as she picked up her bag. “I already have plans tonight, but McKenna would love to.” She winked then drank greedily from her water bottle.

McKenna’s mouth dropped open. “I can’t either,” she interjected.

“Do you have a date?” Dawn asked, knowing she was attempting to trap her into accepting.

“Um, no, just tired.”

Steven grinned and McKenna could have bit off her tongue. She should’ve said yes, but she hated lying. Maybe if she was good at it, but she wasn’t.

“Don’t let her off the hook, Steven. I’ve got to go.” Dawn swung her bag over her shoulder and hurried to Gabriel before someone else had a chance to grab his attention.

“Show a man a little mercy.” Steven held his hand over his heart.

McKenna didn’t want to offer any encouragement, but she didn’t see an easy way to get out of coffee. The image of his erection flashed through her mind. Maybe she did need a distraction. “Okay. Sounds good.” Before she had a chance to put her bag over her shoulder, Steven took it and escorted her back down the stairs.

They ordered coffee. “I think Dawn will find Gabriel a bit hard to impress,” he said as he carried their drinks outside to an umbrella table.

“If anything, Dawn is tenacious…and determined.”

Foot traffic was brisk because of the free evening concerts at the outdoor amphitheater. Tonight a sassy saxophone carried on a stifling summer breeze along with the appetizing aroma of brick oven pizza from the open-air restaurant on the corner. McKenna had to admit, this was nice. Steven was nice. God, everyone she dated was nice. Nice and boring.

“So you’re saying she’s stubborn,” he said interrupting her thoughts.

McKenna chuckled. “She certainly wouldn’t let a little thing like a man’s sexual preference get in the way of her efforts.”

“I wish her luck, but going after someone who isn’t available seems like a waste of time. I’d rather put my efforts into someone more receptive.” His gaze settled on McKenna’s face, leaving no doubt to the implication he made. Her tummy tightened.

“Steven, you’re a nice guy, but I’m not interested in seeing anyone.” She sighed and wrapped her hands around her coffee. Damn Dawn for pushing her into a situation she didn’t want. “But I’d love to be friends.”

“In other words, I’d have better luck with Gabriel.”

“You’d do better than I did.” Dawn plopped into the empty seat between them. “Such a waste.” She took a sip of McKenna’s coffee. “I’m out of here. I need to grab a shower before my date.”

“You’ve got a date while you’re trying to make a move on Gabriel?” Steven asked.

A mischievous grin stretched her sparkling pink-tinged lips. “I like having options.” Dawn hauled her bag over her shoulder. “See you next class,” she said to Steven.

“I told you she’s tenacious.” They watched Dawn walk away. McKenna picked up her bag.

“Do you have to leave, too?” he asked.

She briefly chewed her lower lip. “I really should. Thanks for the coffee. I’ll see you next week for class.”

“I’ll be here.”

“Great. Okay then, see you later.” Awkward was an understatement. Dawn had an active social life and needed to stay out of McKenna’s. With a couple of long strides, she caught up with her.

“Don’t ever volunteer me again.” She fell into step beside Dawn as they walked in the direction of the outdoor amphitheater.

“Next time I’ll suggest the back seat of his car. Did you see his dick?”

“It was hard to miss.”

“Yes, it was definitely hard.”

McKenna didn’t laugh.

“Fine, Mickey, I won’t push. What are you doing tonight?” She glanced over to where Steven had picked up a conversation with another guy from yoga class. “You could’ve had a date. At the least, gotten laid. So are you going to go home and hang out with your dad?”

“Don’t give me grief. You’re twenty-five and still live at home, too.”

“But I have a social life,” Dawn said with a bit too much condescension and tossed her yoga bag into the backseat of her cherried-out Hyundai. Black tinted windows, bass thumping stereo, and soft leather seats in a fifteen thousand dollar car. McKenna thought it was a waste of money, but then she wasn’t entertaining in the backseat of her vehicle. Evidently, Dawn had.

“I told Elliot I’d bring him home dinner. After we watch some television, I’ll listen to him bitch and moan about the state of affairs in this country under the watchful eye of the President.”

“A night with dear old dad.” Her lips smirked. “Sounds fun.” Dawn climbed in behind the wheel and started the engine. “Like a trip to the gynecologist.”

McKenna rested her hand along the frame of the open door. “You said your gynecologist was better than your last boyfriend. At least Dr. Nelson was thorough.”

Dawn’s eyes widened. “Remind me to schedule another yearly tomorrow. I’d forgotten that.”

“You’re terrible.” McKenna stepped back.

“Yeah, and you love me for it. See you later.”

“Bye.” She shut the door, then Dawn gunned the engine. Standing on the curb, she watched her best friend zip out of the parking space.

She glanced down the street. The sax was now playing a seductive melody that pulled McKenna to the stone bleachers to bask in the ambiance for a few minutes. The crowd had thinned to a few dozen. She found a place in the back of the amphitheater and let her eyes drift closed while the sax played right into her soul. This she understood; the sound of solitude.

* * * * *

Overhead, the ceiling fan stirred hot air, rippling the thin sheet covering Detective Dustin Pearce from the waist down. Through the open windows, sounds of the river mingled with the rustling leaves on the giant oaks surrounding the riverfront apartments. From the bedroom, he had a pristine view of the complex’s gardens. Small, murky streams harboring giant goldfish, mossy lily pads, and pond frogs slowly wound by the side of walking paths between the buildings. Cotton pollen looked like drifts of snow along the edge of the river.