Whispers of the Falls: Book one (Twelve Oaks Farm Series 1) (21 page)

In the light of the candles, her apricot nipples looked beautiful. He took a perky nipple into his mouth and sucked. Her back came off the bed and she pulled his hair so hard he grimaced in pain. The muscles in her arms and legs were toned and tight. He rose above her and looked into her glazed eyes. In them he saw desperation.

She played with his breasts, thumbing the stiff nipples, and then slid a hand down his spine to caress his backside. “You are so firm and rock hard. I will never tire of touching you.” Her breathing was deep and erratic. Her fingers pinched and twisted at his nipple. Her hand slipped lower and wrapped around his shaft.

He whispered in her ear. “That feels so good.” His finger found her moist, sensitive spot and slipped inside. Her quick intake of breath made him feel powerful. “You know all the places I like to be touched, honey.”

She flipped him onto his back and replied in a sexy voice, “I know what else you like.” Her hands slipped to his hips to bring him intimately against her. He was fully aroused when she pressed her breasts against his chest. He clenched his teeth together to hold back his orgasm. Blood raged through his body. For once he would like to get to the many positions of pleasure he promised to show her. He wanted to do wicked things with her.

He pushed at her shoulders. “Stop, Nina. Please, stop.”

She peered at him with a look of fear on her face. “Am I hurting you?”

“Hell no! You’re about to drive me over the edge.” He sat up and took several deep breaths. Roughly, he pushed her into the mattress and kissed her with hard cruel lips. His tongue melded with hers in a deep, savage kiss. He broke away and left a trail of kisses down her neck and stopped at her breasts. He lavished attention on each one before moving lower. His tongue delved into her bellybutton causing her to let out a little scream. Her body quickened and surged against him. She tasted sweet and wonderful. He couldn’t get enough of her. There was nothing gentle about her when she gripped his hair and pulled him to her lips. She was strong and he loved that strength.

“Make love to me, Grant. I want to feel you inside me.”

He rose above her and she opened for him. In one swift, quick movement, he entered her causing her to gasp a sigh of pleasure. He rocked against her, small movements at first but then faster, more powerful thrusts. He reared back, his body bowing as wave after wave of his orgasm rolled through him. He gripped her hips to hold her in place. Loud moans filled the room as her orgasm followed his. Her heart thudded against his when he collapsed against her chest. Too weak to move, he lay there panting for breath. “I don’t think I’ll ever get to show you the other positions for making love. I don’t have the stamina to keep up with you.” He rolled off her, wrapped his arm around her, and she curled against his side.

Silence filled the room and he wondered if she was asleep. He placed his finger under her chin and looked into her eyes. Tears slipped over her perfect cheeks. “Why are you crying?”

She sat up and pulled a tissue from the box on the nightstand. She wiped at the tears but they kept coming. He propped against the headboard and asked again. “What happened? Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?” His mouth was dry and his stomach pitched. He should have been more careful and not have treated her like he was a barbarian. He gave her a few seconds to compose herself.

“The man that came to see you, was he here to get you to go back to the war?”

“Yes.” Distress showed in her eyes and he felt terrible for causing her grief.

She took a deep breath and spoke quickly as if she feared his answer. “Stay with me. Don’t go back to Iraq. Marry me and help me run the farm.” Big blue eyes gazed at him waiting for an answer. When one didn’t come, she turned away. She pulled the sheet up to her neck and propped against the headboard far enough away that she wasn’t touching him. “I know I said I didn’t need any promises, no commitment, but I love you. I want you in my life.”

He raked his fingers through his hair. Guilt consumed him. He didn’t know what to tell her. He didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life. He loved her, but he didn’t know if he was ready to settle down. Didn’t know if he was ready to turn his back on the years he had put into being a Marine. The silence continued.

Nina took his hand and brought it to her chest. “Take some time and think it over. I don’t expect an answer any time soon. The last thing I want is to pressure you.” She scooted under the cover of the sheet and rolled onto her side away from him.

Unable to move, he sat there wondering what he would do. At the moment, his mind needed to be on the investigation his uncle threw in his lap, not on the beautiful woman curled against his side.

His life was in danger. Collins would probably send someone else to kill him when Clay didn’t return. By now he knew something went wrong. Tomorrow he would talk to his uncle and demand he go ahead and arrest Collins. He would just have to use the evidence he had. Most important was Nina’s safety.

Chapter Sixteen

Grant stood in the middle of the room drying off. The shower had helped to clear his mind some but there were still a lot of problems he didn’t quite know how to solve.

Nina sat up and rubbed her eyes. She had tossed and turned most of the night and didn’t sleep any better than he did.

There was a knock at the door. “Breakfast is ready,” Juan shouted through the door. “Come and eat while it’s hot. I’ve got to leave for school in a few minutes.”

“We’ll be right there.” Nina gave him a weak smile. “I’m gonna get a shower.” She threw back the covers and padded to the bathroom.

With haste, Grant dressed in the clothes that littered the floor from last night and stepped into the dining room to find it crowded with people. It was loud as everyone talked at the same time. Josh and Juan were arguing over who was going to fill the dishwasher after breakfast. Maria, Beth, and Lacy sat at the table talking while they waited on Nina. He moved to the cabinet, took out a plate, and spooned eggs, and grits onto his plate. Topping off his plate with bacon and canned biscuits, he sat at the table. “Good morning, ladies.”

Beth asked, “How about a cup of coffee?”

“That would be great, thank you.” She moved to the coffeemaker and filled his cup already at his place. He poured a dollop of milk from the tiny pitcher in the middle of the table. He peered at Lacy over the rim of his cup. Last night when she joined them by the pool, she had very little to say. She laughed and joked with Juan but seemed a little shy and nervous around him and Josh. Before he took a sip, he replied, “Good morning, Lacy.”

“Good morning, Grant.”

While Beth looked nothing like Nina, Lacy did. The blond hair, blue eyes, peaches and cream complexion, she was a younger version of her older sister. “Nina tells me you have a free ride to Duke University in biomedical engineering. You must be very smart.”

“I have a 4.0 GPA.” She wasn’t bragging, she was just being honest.

Nina entered in her work attire of cut off jeans, tank shirt and work boots. Hair still wet, she filled her plate and took her place beside him. Everyone stopped talking and looked at her.

Juan teased, “About time. I thought you and Grant were going to stay in bed all day.”

Nina’s cheeks turned pink. Of course everyone knew something was wrong. Sorrow showed in her face. Not one to hide her feelings she looked as if she would cry. To break the tension, Grant asked, “Josh why don’t you say Grace.”

Josh dropped the piece of bacon he had just taken a big bite of onto his plate. It wasn’t something they did at home so Josh looked like a deer in the headlights. “Why don’t you do the honors, brother? I believe you are the oldest one at the table.”

Beth offered, “I’ll say Grace.” Everyone bowed their heads.

Dear God,

Thank you for this food you have provided. Thank you for the love of family and friends. Amen.

Josh gave Beth a dazzling smile. “I could have done that.”

Teeth gritted, she offered, “The next time we’re all together, you can say the blessing.”

Josh reached across the table and took her hand. “One can only hope there will be many times we are all together” Beth rolled her eyes and jerked her hand out of his grasp.

Nina stood and dumped her food in the bowl on the counter, then placed her plate in the sink. “I’m going to clean the pool house. We have new guests coming today.”

The moment she disappeared through the door everyone looked at Grant. Beth asked, “Is everything okay?”

Instead of answering, he replied, “Please excuse me.” He stood and went in search of Nina.

He opened the door to the pool house and found her in one of the two bedrooms stripping the sheets off the bed. He took her hand and pulled her into the chaise lounge chair against the wall. “I haven’t made up my mind what I’m going to do, Nina.” Should he tell her he loved her? In the end he decided it wasn’t the wise thing to do. “I have strong feelings for you. You are an incredible young woman. Problem is I won’t marry if I go back to Iraq. It is not the kind of life I want for you, always worrying if I’ll be killed or injured.”

She cupped her hand against his cheek. “I understand, Grant. I’ll be okay.” Lips pressed against his, she hugged his neck. “Let’s just enjoy what time we have left. Whatever decision you make, I just want you to know the past eleven days have been the best of my life. You have showed me passion and happiness.”

“Nina, are you going to walk me out?”

Both glanced up to find Beth standing in the doorway. “Sure.” Nina stood, tucked her arm into Beth’s, and led her outside. Grant watched from the window as they said their goodbyes. A conversation ensued and he wished he could hear what they were saying. Nina hugged Beth then Lacy. They climbed into the compact car and drove away. Minutes passed as Nina stood in one spot staring off into space. Grant felt like shit. He had caused that pain.

****

The next day Grant parked his Camaro at the location his Uncle Tate said to meet him. An FBI agent pulled up in a cream colored SUV, lowered the passenger window, and asked, “Are you Grant Wilson?”

Grant nodded his head. “Get in and I’ll take you to the murder site. You won’t be able to get there in your car.”

Grant opened the door and slid into the seat. The conversation was strained because he wasn’t in a mood for small talk. Too much plagued his mind. After approximately a mile of driving, he understood the need for the four-wheel drive. The road was full of ruts and mudholes. Limbs scratched at the sides of the SUV.

Another mile and a half of driving and they arrived at the crime scene where the Mendez sons and men were murdered. The marijuana crop had been burned to the ground and so had the crime scene. Charred tents and a burned out camper were the only things left. The acrid stench of pot was still strong. Crime scene investigators scoured the ground looking for any shred of evidence to connect Randal Collins to the crime. Several casings were gathered in hopes they would find some fingerprints.

When his uncle saw him, he left the FBI agent he had been having a conversation with and hurried to his side. “We have some evidence.” Obviously excited he had a huge smile plastered on his face. “The bug Josh planted in the pool house gave us what we needed. Clay had a conversation with Randal Collins before he attempted to kill you. The only thing we have is Clay talking, but from his dialog it is obvious Collins put a hit on you. All we need is Clay’s phone. We didn’t find it when we checked the pool house so that means Mel or Callie may have taken it. I’ve got an officer picking them up now.” He placed his hand on Grant’s shoulder and squeezed. “It’s just a matter of time and Collins will be behind bars.”

“Glad to hear it. I don’t guess I have to tell you how worried I’ve been.” Grant watched the many detectives as they scoured the burned out tents and terrain for evidence.

“Next we are going to raid the marijuana site on Miss Reynolds’ land. Would you like to accompany us?’

“I don’t think so.” Reporters would be all over the story so he didn’t want Nina to see his face plastered all over newspapers before he could explain everything to her. It was possible it might even make the evening news. “It’s obvious I can do nothing here. I’m going back to Nina’s until you have apprehended Randal Collins. I worry he might do something to harm her.”

“I’ve posted several men in the woods in case Collins sends another hit man. It’s possible he might hire a professional this time.” A huge smile split Uncle Tate’s face. “We couldn’t have done this without you son.”

Grant took the hand his uncle offered. “No problem. It’s been a great distraction, just what I needed.”

“When I have everything wrapped up here, I would love to talk to you about working for the FBI. You’d make a great agent.”

It wouldn’t hurt to hear what he had to say. Just in case he decided not to go back to the Marines, it was nice to know he had other options. “Sure, call me and we’ll have dinner when you’ve got the time.”

“Agent James!” The agent that drove him to the site hurried over to Uncle Tate. “Please take Grant back to his car.” He slapped Grant on the back. “This whole ugly mess is almost over. A huge part of our success is owed to you.”

As he walked toward the SUV with James, he thought about Nina. Memories of the times he made love with her surfaced and he could hardly breathe. Beautiful, strong Nina. It was cruel beyond measure that he had fallen in love with her. Crueler still was the fact she was in love with him. Guilt and pain enclosed around him and he was powerless to fight his way out of it. He opened the door and slid into the seat. He rested his head on the back of the seat and took several deep breaths. Furious with himself, he worried what came next as they bumped and dipped over the road that wasn’t fit for travel.

He would have to tell Nina the truth. Just the thought of confessing his reason for coming to Twelve Oaks in the first place caused an intense pain around his heart. He raked back his hair and tried to focus on the road. How was he going to make her understand he never meant to hurt her?

****

Nina nervously clutched the towels as she crossed the yard and entered the front room of the barn. An hour ago she watched from the kitchen window as Grant and Josh had a serious conversation. Something was going on and she wished she knew what secrets they were keeping from her. She saw Grant open his trunk and hand Josh a folder then he drove off. Curious, she had to know what was in that folder. For some reason she felt it contained information that pertained to her.

The door to the bedroom was ajar so Nina pushed it open and stepped into the room. Everything was neat and in its place. She placed the clean towels on the bed. She opened the top drawer of the dresser but found nothing but clothes. In the second drawer she found a pistol tucked beneath a neat stack of tee shirts which she presumed belonged to Josh. She opened the bottom drawer to find several folders with the word confidential typed in huge, black bold letters on each one.

Her hands shook as she took out the top folder and placed it on the bed. Should she open it to see what was inside? Seconds ticked by as she stared at the folder. She sat on the edge of the bed and flipped the folder open. Her picture was the first thing she saw. She felt an intense pain as if she had been struck by lightning. Why would Grant have a picture of her in a file? Under the picture was a map. She unfolded it and recognized it as an area map of her land. On the south end an area was circled and labeled marijuana site. She was shocked. Who was growing pot on her land?

****

By the time he drove past the twelve oaks that lined the last leg of the mile long drive, his heart was pounding. He parked by the old blue truck and got out. With slow deliberate steps he made his way to the garden to look for Nina. He didn’t see her anywhere. Hearing the four-wheeler in the distance, he watched Josh clear the rise with several bushel baskets of okra on the trailer. His brother parked the four-wheeler in the shade of the enormous oak beside the barn.

“Have you seen Nina?”

“Not since early this morning. She said she’d help me gather the okra and tomatoes but she never showed.” Grant looked at his watch. It was one o’clock and she should be helping with the crops.

Josh got off the four-wheeler and sat the baskets off the trailer. “What’d you find out about the Mendez killings?”

“Uncle Tate has a warrant out for Collins. The bugs you planted in the pool house did the trick. Clay received a phone call from Collins telling him to kill me. Hopefully he’ll be in custody soon.”

“Then why are you so glum? News like that should have you smiling from ear to ear.”

Grant raked his hands through his hair. “I have to tell Nina the truth. Now that Collins will be arrested, the whole story will come out that he has been growing marijuana on her land. It’ll be in the newspapers tomorrow, possibly the evening news at six o’clock.” He pulled his shirt to his nose. He needed to change his clothes because the pungent smell of marijuana clung to his shirt and shorts making him feel a little lightheaded. “I’m going to change before I speak to Nina. Maybe she’s in the house.”

He crossed the yard and entered the front room of the barn. The door to the bedroom was open. He stepped inside to see Nina sitting on the bed surrounded by the folders his Uncle Tate gave him to look over. Now he wished he would have left them in the trunk of his car. A look of confusion on her face, she peered up at him. “What is all this?”

He dropped to his knees and took her hands into his. “I can explain.”

She jerked her hands away from him and balled them into fists. “I’m waiting for an explanation.”

He stood and began to pace the room as he talked. “After I got out of the hospital my Uncle Tate came for a visit. He asked me to come here and help him with a case.” He drew in a deep breath having trouble with the words that he knew would devastate her. He jammed his hands into his pockets and moved to the window. He peered out at the gorgeous farm to help calm his nerves. Squaring his shoulders, he turned and gazed at her gorgeous face. “Marijuana is being grown on your property and my uncle sent me here to find out if you knew.”

The whole time he had been talking she never looked his way. Suddenly her gaze riveted on him. “There is no marijuana being grown on my land. You must be mistaken. Someone is making up lies.”