Page 31

J uliette

Whoever said taming the wild beast could be delicious and fun was an idiot.

I’d spent the better part of two days doing just that and all I could say was doing so was exhausting. I’d been funny and cute, even honing my skills as a barista by whipping up some cream and making a smiley face in his mug of coffee.

He groused and stormed into the kitchen for a spoon.

I’d been playful, hitting him in the chest ‘accidentally’ with tennis balls when tossing them with Tank outside.

He’d left Tank and me alone, slamming the door after heading inside.

I’d been helpful, cleaning his kitchen and rearranging the dishes and glasses so the organization made more sense. He’d immediately taken a full hour to put everything back where they’d been.

Including leaving a few items on the counter.

Right in front of me.

The pancake with peanut butter and maple syrup experiment had gone horribly awry. Even Tank had turned his nose up at the gooey mess after Kage had refused to eat it. The trash was heavy this week.

The last straw had been when I’d made my famous fettuccini carbonara and he’d eaten a single bite before taking his plate with him to the library.

Slamming the door again.

The only win had been he’d eaten every last bite, the plate so clean I was certain he’d licked the stoneware himself.

I’d been trying to make amends for flipping my personality at the last minute, but Kage just managed to get under my skin every time.

He could be so kind, got so angry at the thought of anyone hurting me and that was endearing.

Then he turned around and acted as if I was a bother.

What I knew more than anything was that his demons trumped mine.

If there was such a thing as comparing tragedies.

At least he’d left Tank with me constantly.

My guard dog. Maybe when I got my life together, I’d end up with a furry companion.

It was obvious even grown men were too much to deal with.

I kept telling myself that Kage was just concentrating on the mission, but I honestly didn’t know what the mission was any longer.

Yes, I understood bad guys were still out to get me.

But why? Not for ransom money like I’d experienced before. A payback of some kind?

Something didn’t feel right.

I’d asked if I could contact my father more than once and all Kage had said the first three times was a resounding no. When I threatened to poison him, he’d finally admitted it was far too dangerous.

But I was determined to try again.

“Don’t you have a satellite phone like the spies do in movies? You know what I mean, the ones that direct your call through Istanbul and Nairobi so it can’t be traced?” I questioned as I walked into the library. Tank followed me inside, dutifully moving toward his master.

Kage barely lifted his head, but I could see the fury on his face from the fact I’d knocked only once, refusing to wait for him to allow my entrance before walking into his space, as he’d called the room where we’d fucked.

He had his nose buried in the laptop on the desk, just like I’d seen him do numerous times.

“You’ve been watching too many movies. Besides, I’m retired.

Remember?” His gruffness was accented by the fact he hadn’t shaved since I’d met him.

The full beard was sexy, but at the same time I knew it was just a defiant moment for the man.

Next, he’d stop taking a shower in some continued effort to turn me off.

The sad part was that I didn’t think that was even possible. Bad boys were obviously my thing.

The man was hard, hungry, and rough.

Or at least he had been before he’d shut down.

“I don’t really have time to watch movies, but I need to talk to my father. I don’t understand why you won’t allow me to make a single phone call. Hell, I’ll settle for an email.”

“Emails can be tracked easily and I didn’t think I needed additional security on my uncle’s laptop.”

“You don’t own one?”

“Never felt the need.”

“So why keep me from my father? Don’t you think he’s going nutty not knowing whether I’m dead or alive?” I walked further into the room.

His eyes narrowed, his kissable lips twisting in another round of frustration. “He knows you’re safe.”

While I breathed a sigh of relief, I could tell he wasn’t sharing everything with me. Arguing with the man was pointless, but at least it remained entertaining. “How long will I be here?”

He lowered his head, concentrating on whatever was on the screen. “Too long. Why don’t you go read a book and let me work?”

The moment we’d shared at the bar seemed like a little breakthrough, but as usual, I’d allow my insecurities to get in the way. That was no excuse, not at my age, but for all the posturing I’d done in my life, I’d never felt as strong as I’d acted.

I remained where I was, not easily deterred even though he was exuding a closed-off aura. “You know what? You’ll get a lot more flies with honey than you will with vinegar.”

His reaction was like every other one he’d given me since returning from the bar a couple of nights before. His expression was simply one of annoyance, as if I was the fly that he’d smash instead of attracting with honey.

This time, it wasn’t worth challenging him any further. I turned and walked out the way I’d come in, interrupted only by a deeper, gruffer voice than before.

“Close the door on your way out.”

I left it open.

Both hands were fisted as I headed into the living room. I’d purchased two books. They’d both been read. If he’d allow me into the great library, maybe I could find something else to read.

But no…

I stared at the camera on the coffee table. The only good news in the last couple of days was that I’d convinced Kage taking photographs didn’t mean our location would automatically be found.

Unless the bad men were mind readers or something.

I’d gotten several incredible shots of the land and scenery out back, the background absolutely gorgeous.

Mountains. Trees so green, just the barest hint fall was on the way with a few leaves turning different colors.

Even the plot of grass, other than where Tank had trampled it, was plush and so thick, it was like walking on carpet.

Plus, Tank was a willing subject, his cocked head and soulful eyes easily gaining me hundreds of new followers on Instagram.

If I was ever allowed to post pictures there again.

I’d even been able to sneak around, taking a couple of photographs of the grumpy man. All of them sexy.

What had piqued my interest the most was the barn and fenced area like a riding ring. Had Kage’s uncle owned horses? I’d always wanted to learn to ride, but growing up in New York City didn’t equate to jumping into nature other than walking in Central Park. Not the same.

I grabbed the camera, glancing over my shoulder before grabbing the light jacket I’d purchased and slipping out the door. Instead of Tank, I’d been the one on a leash when going outside. Never without my big, brooding Navy guy either.

Well, what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. I made my way to the fence, climbing on the lower rung and aiming the camera at the barn. With the sun just beginning to lower in the sky, the shimmers created on the surface added another dimension to the bold colors and surrounding trees.

I snapped several photographs before hearing a noise. A vehicle of some kind was rolling up the long driveway. While I doubted my brutal captors would appear in the late afternoon, I raced toward the house, remaining on the side. That allowed me a perfect view of anyone approaching.

When the vehicle came into view, I couldn’t have been more surprised.

A Ford F-350 with a trailer hitched to the back. A horse trailer. What? I shot a look at the barn and almost bit my tongue from the huge smile crossing my face. Had Kage bought a horse?

There was a single man inside the cab, the bed full of bales of hay. When he stepped out, he instantly shielded his eyes from the sun before landing his eyes on me.

Shit. I’d been seen. I wiped my hands on my jeans and headed for him. “Can I help you?”

“Hey there. You must be Mrs. Rollins.”

“Um… What can I do for you?” Maybe news traveled fast.

“I have a delivery for Kage Rollins.”

“A delivery.”

“Yep. You want me to put her in the corral?”

“Her?” I glanced at the trailer.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Something told me the delivery wouldn’t go over well. “Why don’t I get Mister… I mean my husband.”

“Sure thing. I’ll just get everything ready.”

Nodding, I backed onto the porch, trying to figure out how to tell Kage. The element of surprise might tip him over the edge. I all but skipped toward the now closed door, knocking several times before immediately sticking my head in.

Rewarded with a growl, I added a boost to my smile. “Darling husband of mine. You have a gift waiting outside.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ll need to come see.” I winked and he gritted his teeth. At this point, I was surprised he had any left, he’d done it so often.

As soon as I walked back outside, I was in awe of the beautiful horse being led from the back of the trailer.

She was huge and reminded me of Black Beauty with her sleek midnight coloration and thick mane.

With her long legs and swishing tail, her appearance was magical.

But when she was turned to the side, I noticed a horrific burn on her right side, the discoloration mottled gray.

A horrible realization entered the back of my mind.

The majestic creature had been in a fire.

The man tied the horse’s reins around a small tree. Almost immediately, the horse whinnied and took in her surroundings. As I looked into her eyes, I didn’t see fear, only trust. I couldn’t imagine how that was possible after what she’d been through.

Kage came rumbling outside seconds later. I could tell by his brusque manner he hadn’t purchased the horse. His expression turned sour, angry eyes briefly drifting in my direction.