STORY EXCERPT

Ellen Simmons was sure she was being followed. Yesterday and today she’d deliberately left work early, parked her car in front of her apartment instead of in the garage, and hurried inside.

She unlocked her door and went to her bedroom. Standing to the side of the window, she looked out. Yes, the same van she’d spotted both days was parked down the street on the opposite side. Her heart was racing. Normally calm and rational, she was beginning to come unraveled. Without thinking, her fingers ran across the bracelet Sara had given her the last time she visited the ranch.

“This is something I want you to have. Mitch gave it to me to keep me safe when I worked with him and Daren. The bracelet is specially made so the person wearing it can call for help.” Sara fastened the gold chain with a little heart hanging from it around Ellen’s wrist. “You’re all alone now that Morgan and I are living at the ranch. If you need us, just push the front of the heart in firmly. You’ll hear a click. And you don’t have to worry about bumping the heart charm. It won’t send a signal that easily. Also, the GPS will let our guys know wherever you are. The signal will go to Mitch or Daren. Promise me you’ll wear the bracelet at all times.”

Ellen had reluctantly accepted her gift. She had no expectation of ever needing to use the bracelet. But there was one man she feared. He hadn’t contacted her in years. Yet she felt him out there, waiting.

She was not going to panic. She’d feed Montlief and herself, and then decide whether to use the safety button. Montlief? She glanced around. Where was he? He hadn’t greeted her at the door, but she’d been so distracted she hadn’t noticed.

“Montlief,” she called out as she went down the hall. Was that a whimper? She stopped and listened. Yes, coming from the front bathroom, where she kept one of his water bowls. She hurried to the doorway.

Montlief was lying on the cool tile floor. He barely raised his head when she entered. His eyes were half-closed and he’d been sick. Something was wrong. She had to get him to a doctor. But as she grabbed her phone to call, something stopped her.

They’d gotten to her dog to force her outside. But how? It didn’t matter. It was dark now. Panic flooded her system.

Sit, think. Her fingers grasped the little heart and pushed against it. She heard the click Sara had described that told her the signal had been sent. Now what? She couldn’t wait too long or Montlief would die.

What were the words, the signal to give Sara when she called? I’m fine? No. I haven’t heard from you in a while. That was it.

Minutes seemed like hours. Ellen paced the floor between her living room and the bathroom. She knelt and brushed Montlief’s fur. “You’ll be all right. Help is coming soon.” She hoped.

The phone rang, making her jump. She ran into the living room and grabbed the receiver. “Hello.”

“Ellen, it’s Sara. I was thinking of you.”

“I haven’t heard from you in a while. How are you?”

“We’re all fine. You should see Caitlin. She’s growing fast. She’s going to be very tall. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine, but Montlief is not so good.”

“Sorry to hear that. He should see a vet soon.”

“I agree. I’ll see to it.”

When she hung up, Ellen knew from Sara’s words that someone was close, here in Rhodes Creek. He was tall, and if she understood correctly, he was a veterinarian. He’d be here soon. Her panic eased a little. But to help her dog, he’d better get here now.

* * * *

Sahale Connor had been trailing the men in the tan van for several days. Daren had sent him to keep a watch on Sara’s friend Ellen. Since Sahale rarely went on jobs stateside, he was the one least likely to be recognized. He wouldn’t need a disguise. Tonight he’d ridden a motorcycle and parked one street over. He’d blended into the shadows where he could watch the van and the windows of Sara’s friend Ellen’s apartment.

His cell vibrated in his pocket. He read the message and headed back to his bike. Gunning the motor, he swung around the corner, slowed, and found a place to park near Ellen’s car. He took his time unfastening his helmet. He reached into his leather saddlebag and took out a paper sack to carry inside. Days ago he’d managed to have a key made for the lock on the entrance door to the apartments.

He took his time and strolled to the entrance. A man came out as he was going in. Sahale greeted him, then walked to the elevators. He’d already checked out the place one day when he first got to Rhodes Creek. Number thirty-nine was the last door on the left, on the third floor. When the elevator doors opened, he strode quickly down the hall and rang the bell once, then twice rapidly.

A fairly tall, brown-haired woman opened the door a crack. She’d left her chain fastened. Like that would help her if I wanted to bust in.

“I’m Sahale, a friend of your friend.” Golden-brown eyes studied him from his head to his feet. “I can help your dog, but not from out here.”

ADULT EXCERPT

She smiled at Jack. His blond hair was wavy on top, and fell in silky strands to his collar. Sherry-brown eyes had darkened to a chocolate color. Sensual lips were curved in a soft smile. He had a firm jaw. His broad shoulders filled out his light blue flannel shirt, and tight jeans hugged slim hips and long legs. He made her blood warm and race through her veins.

“See something you like?”

“Maybe. I’d have to unwrap the package to be sure.” For the first time she could remember, she was joking with a man.

Jack pulled her out of the tub and wrapped a towel around her. He dried her and carried her to the side of the bed before putting her down.

“Now you can unwrap your package.”

With hands not quite steady, she began at his top button. As she undid each button, she breathed in his musky, masculine scent. Her lips brushed across his chest as she managed to open his shirt and take it off. She stepped back, her legs bumping against the bed, and admired him.

He cupped her face in his hands, and gently kissed each eyelid, her cheeks, and briefly touched her lips. “Is that all the further you’re going?” The teasing lilt of his voice made her insides melt.

“Oh, no.” She undid his belt and button. Then moved his zipper slowly down. She glanced at his boots.

“No problem, sweetheart.” He sat on the bed and pulled first one and then the other off.

She pushed him backward onto the bed and yanked at his pants, pulling them and his underwear down and away. His large cock was fully aroused. When her hand circled him she felt the heat and pulsing. Kneeling between his legs, she explored the texture of his skin, the smooth top, the long ridge on the underside. A pearl of liquid tempted her. Her tongue licked across, taking the salty taste into her mouth.

Jack groaned. She looked at him. “Don’t stop now, darlin’.”

With one hand, she cupped his sac. With the other she held him firmly, and put her mouth over his satin hardness. She heard his sharp intake of breath. His fingers raked through the strands of her hair.

“Do you like that?”

He gave a harsh chuckle. “Do I like breathing?”

Becoming more confident, she moved her mouth up and down his cock as her pussy clenched and unclenched and desire swirled deep in her abdomen. Her lips tightened around his girth and her tongue ran across the top of his dick and along the edge.

Strong hands stopped her. “Darlin’, I want to be buried in that sweet, hot pussy when I come. Come here.” He pulled her up and over him onto the bed. In seconds he had their positions reversed. He’d grabbed a condom out of his pocket and tore the packet open with his teeth, then rolled it on. Spreading her legs, he tasted her and scraped his teeth across her nub.

Fire raced along her nerve endings. She bucked under him as his tongue licked along her pussy lips and his thumb rubbed her clit. An ache built inside her. “More, more,” she moaned.

His heated gaze speared her. He rose and moved upward, taking her pebbled nipple between his teeth. His hand cupped her other breast and his fingers brushed across her peak. Then he spread her legs wider with his knees, moved his cock into position, and pushed inside. She came apart instantly. Her body filled with extreme pleasure. Her moist pussy clamped around his cock as her inner muscles rippled around him, draining all he could give.

“You two are having fun without me.”

Ellen raised her head to see Sahale undressing, putting on a condom, and joining them. “Wait. I don’t—” She didn’t know what to say next.

Sahale moved onto the bed at her backside and pulled her hair aside to kiss her neck. “You don’t what, honey?”

“I’ve never been with two men.”

“I’d hoped not.” Jack spoke from where he lay close against her front. He slipped down and sucked on her breast.

She was surprised to feel her body respond again so quickly. Her heart gave a lurch when Sahale kissed all along her spine. His hands cupped her buttocks and massaged. She felt moisture flowing out of her pussy.

They didn’t give her time to think. Jack rolled her to face Sahale. Sahale took her mouth in a hot, hard kiss. His tongue raked the soft interior, demanding a response. Before she realized it she was kissing him back.

His fingers played over her already-sensitive breasts and tight nipples. He moved down and nipped at one. “You smell like roses and taste like strawberries.” He suckled hard on her breast and her pussy tingled.

When she groaned, Jack reached around and slipped two fingers into her hot, moist pussy. He moved them in and out while his thumb rubbed her most sensitive spot. Her whole body was on fire. She wasn’t sure where one of them began and another took control. They kissed her, touched her, brought her to a peak, and then pulled back until she screamed, “Damn it, take me.”

Jack held her back snug in his embrace while Sahale pulled her legs apart and entered her fast and hard. His tongue went in and out of her mouth, matching his rhythm below. Jack kissed her along her back and whispered in her ear. “Your pussy is hot and wet perfection. Give it all to him, baby. Suck his cock dry.” His naughty words made her hotter and her pussy clench tighter. Sahale reached between them and put pressure on her nub.