Page 107 of Shephard
“Maybe. Hopefully. I just…”
“And you’re stuttering. Yep. You are in love, girl. I’m all for it, even if you haven’t known the brooding mountain man that long.” She handed me the drink and I almost dropped the glass.
“Why didn’t I go with him?” Another clap of thunder was so loud I jumped.
“It’s going to be okay and you didn’t go because it’s dangerous, over your pay grade. Besides, you’ve had a busy week with getting Cane fired, saving several tourists, berating the sheriffuntil he finally agreed to send a brigade of deputies, ignoring the rules, and falling in love with a dreamy dude. Drink.”
At least she could still make me laugh. No, I wasn’t head over heels in love with the man.
But I was getting there.
As soon as the brutal knock interrupted the moment, I shoved the drink back into her hand, taking two long strides toward the door. When Pepper growled, my heart sank. I almost couldn’t open the door. When I did, the sight of Hunter and Jagger standing in the doorway brought a wave of agony. They were soaking wet, pained expressions on their faces.
“No. No!”
“Move the fuck aside,” the deep voice snarled and Shephard came barreling through. He grabbed me around the waist, jerking me into the air. The crush of his heated body was unlike anything from before.
“You’re wet,” I exclaimed, unable to find any other words.
“Isn’t that something I’m supposed to say, sweetheart?”
I pummeled my fist against his shoulder. He was so callous, ignoring all sense of logic. I wanted to be furious with him, but I was so relieved, tears sprang to my eyes.
There were such deep emotions between both of us, the crackle of electricity having nothing to do with the horrible weather.
“I thought something happened to you,” I said. It was tough holding back the tears, but I was determined.
“Nothing will ever happen to me, sweetheart. I’m invincible.” He crushed his lips over mine, squeezing me even more tightly than before.
“Here we go again. Don’t you guys have another house to cohabitate and do the hanky-panky in?”
Shephard barely broke the kiss, holding up his middle finger to his brother. Yet his eyes never left mine. “Just because you saved my life doesn’t mean shit.” He even flashed one of his tough guy looks at the both of them.
I glanced at Jagger then Hunter. Shephard wasn’t kidding. Whatever had happened, the man I… was falling in love with wouldn’t be standing here today if it hadn’t been for family.
Maybe giving my mother a call later was something I would do. I’d been so afraid to tell her much of anything, praying Jameson would leave my family alone.
I gently eased his face back so he’d be looking at me and no one else. “Just kiss me, cowboy mountain man.”
“Christ,” Hunter breathed.
As Shephard thrust his tongue inside my mouth, I heard Maggie issuing several oohs and aahs. After all the exclamations I’d made regarding giving up men totally, I was glad I hadn’t taken my own advice.
Even if Mr. Grumpy had been a tough nut to crack.
Yet, I’d do it all over again.
Shephard
“You’re sure about the information Denise collected? I mean she double checked so we’re not going to accuse the wrong person?” Hunter was suddenly full of the warm and fuzzies. He’d been that way in the week since I’d almost been shot and killed by Boris.
“You don’t know Denise. Bulldog in the making.” I glanced over the file that I’d added to recently. There was no denying the evidence she’d collected, including using the person’s desktop webcam to capture two transactions of theft. Coupled with the family troubles and depleted bank account, it left little room for doubt.
I wanted to have more compassion, but for all the changes I’d seen in myself, losing my edge or tough demeanor wasn’t one of them.
“Then the plan is in motion?” Jagger asked.
“Yes. A half an hour from now. It should be interesting.” Interesting wasn’t the correct word. I wasn’t certain I was happy with how Denise was going to handle it, but she’d managed to convince me. “Hunter, I hope you’re ready to put something on Indeed and other sites.”