Wilde One (17 page)

“Your dog’s a lunatic.”

“He has a few issues. Don’t we all?”

Griff stopped and clasped her upper arms, turning her to face him. “I’m sorry about last night. Really, I am.”

“You apologized this morning.” She gazed up at the sky instead of at him.

“I know, but everything’s different between us now. I want the easy companionship we had, and it’s gone.” He gently squeezed her arms. “I like you. I’m not going to walk away once this contest is over. Not unless you tell me to go.”

Moonlight played across her features. Her beautiful brown eyes filled with confusion. “So, I’m just supposed to open myself back up to you? I don’t like being vulnerable. You obviously have some serious hang-ups about relationships.”

“Not really.” He huffed out a breath. “Okay, maybe I believe everyone needs to have their own priorities and be able to rely on themselves, but—”

“My parents rely on each other to make the good times better and the hard times easier. That’s the way it should be.” A scowl drew her brows together. “I’ve been relying on myself for years. I’m an independent woman, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be
nice
to lean on someone on occasion. There’s a difference between
wanting
and
needing
.”

“You’re right. I know you are. I’ll work on my issues.”

“You could start by telling me why—”

His stomach twisted. “I don’t want to get into that right now.” He hesitated. “I’ll make an effort. Honestly.”

“You’d better.”

“Your skepticism is warranted.” He tugged her closer, close enough to smell the floral scent of her shampoo. Close enough to want to do more than run his thumbs up and down the smooth skin of her arms. “Hey, it works both ways, you know. If you ditch me, I’m not going to be too happy, either.”

“Somehow, I don’t think you’d lose a lot of sleep over it.”

“Then you’d be wrong. I lied earlier. I’m half dead on my feet from staying awake all night after our fight. Still, I’d rather be here with you than getting eight solid hours in a room full of Gage’s trophies.”

She smiled. “Peyton’s trophies.”

“Whoever. The point is, I like hanging out with you.” Another tug brought her up against his chest. “I like kissing you even more.” Cupping her face in his hands, he lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss warmed him clear to his bare toes. When she responded with enthusiasm, including tongue, the warmth increased to a slow burn.

“Griff?”

He kissed her again then ran his lips along the side of her jaw. “Hmm?”

“We’re making out in a field full of cow pies.” Her breath came in a gasp as he licked her ear. “You know this isn’t going any further, right?”

“I don’t care. I’m good with just holding you. It isn’t always about sex.”

“Speak for yourself.”

He threw back his head on a laugh just as something whizzed past his cheek to hit the fencepost with a hard thud.

Grabbing Ainslee, he threw her to the ground and dropped on top of her. The flashlight flew out of her hand and landed with a thump before going out. From somewhere nearby Rocky yelped.

“Griff?”

“Son of a bitch!”

“What happened?” Her voice was a squeak.

“Someone shot at us. Again.”

A rock dug into Ainslee’s back. Squirming, she tried to shift beneath Griff’s weight—and failed. Finally, he pushed up onto his elbows to take a long look around. As far as she could tell from her prone position, nothing moved in the stillness of the night. The only sound was the distant lowing of cows.
Had the animals been disturbed by a trespasser with a rifle?

“You’re sure someone shot at us?” Her whisper echoed in the silence.

“Something whizzed past my ear at warp speed.” He kept his tone quiet. “And it sure as hell wasn’t a mosquito.”

“Can we get up?” Her voice came out as a weak grunt. “You’re squashing me.”

“If he’s still out there…”

“I’m turning into a pancake.”

“Okay. Okay.”

When Griff rolled off her, she drew air into oxygen deprived lungs before trying to speak again. “Who would shoot at us? This makes no sense.”

In the distance, a car engine started. Gravel crunched beneath tires, but no headlights flashed on.

“Is there a road close by?” Griff rose to his feet and strained to gaze across the corn field. “Sounds like someone’s leaving.”

“There’s a track of sorts to access the barns from the main road.” She scrambled up off the ground.

“That must be what he used. Christ, it’s dark out. I imagine the flashlight broke when it landed.”

“Where’s Rocky?”

Griff stumbled and swore as the dog yelped again. “He’s here by the post. I just tripped over him. Sorry, fella. Ah, found the flashlight.”

A moment later, a light beam struck her eyes. “Yikes!” She raised a hand to shield her face.

“Sorry.” He lowered his arm. “Not broken, after all. It must have landed on the switch after it flew out of your hand.”

“That’s good. I didn’t relish the idea of stumbling through cow pies all the way back to the house.” She bent to scoop up the trembling dog. “It’s okay, boy. Were you scared?”

“Hell, yes. Some idiot shot at us.” Griff directed the light at the fencepost. “The bullet should be lodged at the top. I heard it hit.”

“I was talking to Rocky, not you.” Ainslee stroked his quivering back.

Griff’s only answer was a snort. “That’s weird.”

“What is?”

“No bullet hole.” The light flashed around the area before Griff hunched down then held up a round rock about an inch in diameter. “I wonder…” Standing, he frowned.

“So, no one shot at us, after all?”

“Not with a gun. He must have thrown a rock. But unless he has an arm like a major league pitcher and stood a whole lot closer than I figured, there’s no way a small stone would have sailed past my head with that kind of velocity.”

Ainslee’s hand stilled. “Peyton had a slingshot when we were kids. He killed a squirrel with a rock once. I was so upset I wouldn’t talk to him for a week.”

“Good call. A slingshot would definitely do the trick.”

“What would kids be doing out here at this hour?” She hugged a still-trembling Rocky a little tighter. “Older teens, obviously, since they drove away.”

“They wouldn’t. I refuse to believe we were the victims of juvenile delinquents twice in the space of a few days. This had to be deliberate, which means the shot in New Orleans was probably also intended for one of us.”

A shiver coursed through her, and she laid her cheek on Rocky’s back. “I don’t get it. Our only real connection to each other is through the treasure hunt. Is that what these attacks are about?”

“No one ever tried to kill me before Victor sent us on this wild goose chase.”

“Is killing us some madman’s intention?” Her voice rose as panic squeezed her chest. “Does someone want one or both of us dead?”

Griff stepped closer to pull her into his arms with the dog pressed between them. She held on tight, despite Rocky’s irritated growl.

“Maybe dead is a little too strong. Doesn’t seem like a slingshot is the most effective or accurate weapon.” His grip eased slightly when the dog squirmed harder, back feet kicking in protest. “Possibly whoever is behind these attempts simply wants to scare us off.”

“If that rock had hit you in the head…” She let out a shuddering breath.

“It didn’t, and the bullet or pellet or whatever it was in the parking lot in New Orleans barely grazed your shoulder.”

“So, either a lunatic with bad aim is trying to maim or kill us, or a maniac with exceptional skill just wants to frighten us into giving up the treasure hunt? Either way, the guy is certifiable.”

“I won’t argue with that.”

After lowering the still wriggling dog to the ground, she rose to rest her cheek against Griff’s chest. The steady beat of his heart calmed her jumping nerves. “What now?”

“We take a little more care than we have the last few days and keep our eyes open for the suspects. I refuse to let some chickenshit loser who’d resort to taking potshots at us win Victor’s prize.” He stroked the hair back from her face. “Doesn’t mean you have to put yourself in danger, though. I’ll still split the treasure with you if you want to quit now before the crazy bastard tries something else.”

She shook her head. “I’m not a quitter. At least I don’t plan to surrender until I’ve given the situation one hundred percent of my effort, and we aren’t even close to finishing yet.”

He threaded his fingers through her curls. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“Ditto, but you just said you won’t give up.”

“No, but—”

“If you tell me I’m a little woman who needs protecting, I might have to kill you myself.”

He snorted with laughter. “Would I do that?”

“I hope you have better sense.”

Griff cupped her face in his hands to drop a kiss on her lips. “I still don’t like putting you at risk, but I respect your determination.”

“Thank you.” She let out a sigh. “Why us? Why are we the target?”

“Maybe this person is harassing the others, too. Or he sees us as his biggest threat to claiming the prize.”

“He, who? One of the other contestants? Is that what you’re thinking?”

“Makes sense, and I use
he
generically. I suppose Marietta could be a whack job with bad aim.”

“He—or she—could also be one of Victor’s relatives. His grandkids might be pissed off the old guy bypassed his own descendants to fork over the treasure to one of us.”

“I never thought of that. It’s definitely a possibility.” He kissed her again, this time on the forehead. “Smart woman. We’ll have to be on the lookout for people we don’t recognize lurking around the clue locations.”

She pulled away, feeling like a bright student who’d been given a gold star. Not exactly the emotion she wanted to inspire in Griff. “Let’s head back. I’ve had enough excitement for one evening, and I need a shower. I’m filthy. Maybe I’ll throw in a load of laundry while I’m at it.”

He turned toward the barns but kept one arm around her shoulders. “Sorry about smashing you into the dirt. Seemed like the right response at the time.”

“I appreciate your noble intentions.” Ainslee glanced over her shoulder. “Let’s go, Rocky.”

They reached the house a few minutes later. The outdoor light illuminated the tiny lines fanning out from the corners of Griff’s worried green eyes as he faced her. “You’re sure you won’t stay here, maybe extend your visit with your family while I’m in Wyoming?”

“Positive.”

He pressed his lips tight. “Do you intend to tell your parents what happened?”

“Are you kidding?” She tapped one of the support posts holding up the porch roof. “My mom would tie me to the railing like she used to do with Gage to keep him from wandering off when we were little. No point in upsetting her.” She touched the small gauze pad on her shoulder. “Dad wouldn’t be too happy about the situation, either. I told him I scratched myself on a tree branch when he asked about the bandage.”

“They’d want to protect you. I can relate.”

She let out an unladylike snort. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Give it a rest, Griff. With or without you, I’m heading to Wyoming tomorrow morning.”

A quick smile slipped out along with a sigh. “With. Definitely with.”

“Glad that’s settled. I’m going to hit the shower, wash a load of clothes then get some sleep. All of a sudden, I’m exhausted.”

He stepped closer to run his hand up her arm in a gentle caress. “I don’t suppose you’re interested in sneaking down the hall to my room after that shower?”

Her brows rose. “I thought it wasn’t all about sex?”

“Not all, but I wouldn’t mind squeezing a little in around the edges.”

She clamped a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. “You really do have a death wish. My mom—”

“Got it. No getting naked in your parents’ house.” He tilted her chin to plant a slow, lingering kiss on her lips. “Thanks for forgiving me.”

She took a moment to gather her scattered thoughts before she spoke. “Let’s just say you’re on probation. My mom’s old fashioned notion about her daughter and sex isn’t the only reason I’m not jumping into bed with you.”

“Fair enough.” He stepped back. “Good night, Ainslee.”

“Good night.”

* * * *

Ainslee gripped the armrest and frowned. “Hey, you missed the turn. The highway’s in the other direction.”

Griff cruised into Cloverdale and slowed. “I know, but I want to swing by the post office to see if…yes!” He pulled to the curb and pointed. “Look who’s here. I wondered if any of the others were around.”

A dark-haired woman slammed the door of a red sports car then tottered across the uneven pavement of the street on four-inch heels. Moments later, she disappeared through the open glass doors into the post office.

“Marietta.” Ainslee smirked. “Did you see those shoes? Somehow I can’t imagine our wannabe movie star out in a cow pasture flinging rocks at your head.”

“The image does tend to boggle the mind. Wow, that was fast. Here she comes.”

Marietta let the door swing shut behind her then paused for a moment on the sidewalk, a padded envelope held tight against her thigh. With a little toss of her head, she turned then stopped. Brown eyes narrowed.

“She’s spotted us.” Ainslee’s hands clenched on top of Rocky. “Looks like she has something to say.”

“This should be interesting.” Griff pressed the button to lower the driver’s side window and smiled. “Hey, Marietta. Looks like you found the next clue.”

She blinked a couple of times. “You know who I am?”

Rocky stood up on Ainslee’s lap and growled.

“We’re not stupid. Of course we know—”

“Griff, I have a proposition for you.” The actress’s rich voice drowned out Ainslee’s comment as she leaned in closer. One hand, complete with French manicure, clutched his arm where it rested on the open window. “I could use a little help.”

He shot a quick glance toward Ainslee before turning away. “Um, I already have a partner.”

“So, ditch her.” Bright red lips pouted. “Driving around alone is getting old. I asked Parnell when I saw him back in New Orleans, but he wasn’t interested.”