Badass (33 page)

“A 308,” she unzipped the case. “I want to know what your brother thinks about the new reaper conversion I’ve heard about.”

“I know he’s done one, there are a lot of different options to choose from. Let me get him for you.” Dandi held up a finger to pause their conversation and punched an intercom button. “Beau, the Ma Deuce is here.” Harley smiled; it was easy to tell what excited Dandi – the Ma Deuce.

“I’ll be right there,” he released the speaker button to the intercom and picked his cell back up where Indiana was waiting. “Did you have any trouble finding somebody to help you unload Godzilla?” It had taken them a half hour to get a noose over the big bull’s head and another ten minutes to get him loaded in the back of the truck. Beau couldn’t resist weighing and measuring the big gator and he had been an impressive thirteen foot and a thousand twenty-five pounds.

“No, I ran into the Welch brothers and they were glad to help. You know they’re the best trappers in South Louisiana. Did the Ma Deuce show up?”

“It’s out front, waiting on me.”

“Well, get out there and call me when you can. I’ll be waiting.”

“Why aren’t you coming in?” Beau tightened the last screw on a replacement stock for a Ruger 10/22. “Or do I want to know?” Indy was his right hand man, but he pulled double duty and set his own hours.

“I have a date.”

“Whooeee, really?” Beau couldn’t help the little tone of amusement that crept into his voice. “With Nita?” He knew his friend was sweet on an elementary school teacher who lived over near Lafayette.

“Yes, with Nita. Now, quit worrying about my business and take care of your own. It’s not every day something comes into the shop like what you’ve got waiting for you. I suggest you get out there and appreciate what’s fallen in your lap.”

Mon Dieu! Beau stood frozen at the entrance to the lobby, stunned at exactly what had fallen into his lap. If Indiana only knew! This sweetheart was much better than a gun – no matter what the caliber.

There was no way in the world he could take his eyes off of her. She was absolutely delectable. The Ma Deuce was forgotten, he’d check it out, later. He’d much rather talk to this hot little honey. Lord Have Mercy! She had her back to him, but what he could see caused his cock to swell. Tight little blue jeans cupped a behind so round and sweet, he wanted to go to his knees and genuflect. Her hair – swear to God – hung to the top of that little rump and all he could think about was lying beneath her, letting that curtain of dark silk enclose them in their own private paradise. Damn! And he hadn’t even seen her face yet.

She was making a point and he was entranced at the way she moved her hand and cocked her hip. It really didn’t matter why she had come – he would give her anything she wanted. Hell! What if she was married? Surely God wouldn’t be that cruel.

“There you are.” His little sister motioned him over and when she did, sweet-doll turned around and Beau audibly growled. Okay, he surrendered. It was over. This was the future Mrs. Beau LeBlanc. His eyes almost crossed, he couldn’t decide whether to stare at her perfectly adorable face or the two handfuls of tit-heaven that seemed to be begging for his touch. “What’s wrong with you?” Dandi asked. Thank God, his sister couldn’t recognize that he was completely lust-struck. “Come meet Harley Montoya. She has a couple of questions for you.”

Her heart stopped beating. It was impossible – absolutely impossible. Harley couldn’t believe it. She had never expected to see Beau again. And here he was – in the flesh. And he was drop-dead gorgeous. Her mouth went dry and she searched his blue-black eyes for any hint that he knew who she was. Did he recognize her?

He was smiling, but there didn’t seem to be any surprise in his expression. He smiled – and there it was – that little half dimple she had dreamed about so often. Her Beau. God, she wanted to sink to her knees. He was alive - and within touching distance. She had to drive her fingernails into her palms to keep from reaching for him. Harley didn’t know what to do – she was so tempted to just launch herself in his arms. But, she resisted – it was torture. The only thing she allowed herself to do was extend one trembling hand in greeting.

“Hello, cher,” Instead of shaking it, Beau picked up her hand and kissed it. “What a pleasure it is to meet you. I’m Beau LeBlanc.”

He didn’t know her. At all. She didn’t know whether she was relieved or disappointed. “I’m Harley. It’s nice to – uh - see you, Beau.” The name slipped off her tongue like a prayer. She had known that the owner of Firepower Munitions was named Beau – but Beaureguarde and its derivative were common in South Louisiana. Plus, she had never known her Beau’s last name, and he certainly had not known hers. Details like that hadn’t been important – they had been more concerned with just staying alive. Still, she drank in his face with her eyes, her whole body shaking from the shock. “I’ve heard wonderful things about your weapons business.”

“Thank you, I’m proud of it,” he was staring at her face so hard, she just knew any moment he would realize who she was. But he didn’t. “Do you live near here?”

“Yes, I just moved from Southeast Texas, before that I lived near San Diego.” Why was she being so specific? There was no need for her to share so much, unless she intended to remind him of days gone by. Would he want to know? Harley wondered if Beau would even remember the thirteen year old scrap of humanity named ‘nothing’ that had clung to him like he was a life preserver.

“Well, welcome to the Atchafalaya Basin. I’m sure you’ll love it here. As a home-grown boy, I sure would be glad to show you around. Would you like that? ” He looked so expectant that she had to smile. His voice had the same sexy Cajun cadence she remembered from their youth. Sixteen years might have gone by, but she would have recognized him anywhere. His hair was the same – longish, slightly curly and black as sin. High cheekbones, a chiseled face and a smile that would make any woman in the world sigh with longing – it was all just as she remembered – except mature and perfect. The last time she had seen him, he had been climbing out the window to safety while she had stayed behind to provide a distraction as he escaped. Harley had never seen Beau again, until this moment, but she had often wondered how he had fared. Hopefully, better than she had – Pell had beaten her six ways to Sunday for aiding in the loss of his star pickpocket. And that wasn’t all he had done. But, she pushed the painful thought from her mind. No use dwelling on that nightmare. The only good that had come from that sad-sorry day was that Pell’s final attack on her had given Harley enough courage to escape. After all, with Beau gone – there had been no reason to stay.

Wait! What had he said? He was asking her out? Harley was so distracted by the wonder of finding him again that it was difficult to process simple English. She was about to try and answer him – but Dandi cleared her throat, reminding them both she was there. “Harley wants to talk to you about a conversion job.” It was obvious she was growing bored with their by-play.

Beau’s mind was fogged by arousal. Conversion job? He wasn’t familiar with that term; all he could think of was blow jobs, hand jobs – you know - critical jobs. “Did you bring your weapon with you?” He didn’t need for her to answer that; he could tell she was fully armed and dangerous. And he was cocked and primed and on a short fuse. Hell, he was beyond aroused!

“Yes, I do.” Harley tore her eyes from his and unzipped the gun case, removing the Remington rifle for his inspection. “I’d like to see about getting a reaper conversion, and having it accurized, if that’s possible.”

Beau held his breath while he asked the next question. “Is this a surprise gift for your boyfriend?” There was no way this baby-doll could handle a gun like the Remington, there must be another explanation. Everything within him hoped her answer was no.

Boyfriend? Harley paused before answering. “No, there’s no boyfriend. This is a birthday gift. Do you think you can do it?” She didn’t explain that the gun was a gift she had given herself. Boyfriend? That was almost funny. If he only knew her crazy history.

To start off with, she had lived the first three years after leaving Brownwood as a boy. After Beau had left, and she had escaped Pell, Harley had run off into the night. She had hidden underneath one of the bridge overpasses near the river. A homeless man had loaned her a knife and she had sawed off all of her long, dark hair. In her mind, it was safer if the world thought she was a boy. After what had happened with Pell, if she could have stripped herself of her total femininity, she would have. She handed the 308 to him, anxious to get the focus back on the gun and off of her.

No boyfriend. Okay, the coast was clear. She sure as hell fascinated him. All he could think about was what her kiss was going to taste like and how it would feel to run his hands all over her incredible body. Taking the gun from her, Beau admitted that Harley handled the firearm pretty well, for a girl. Beau was intrigued. He had seen women shoot big guns before, but the thought of this woman handling a rifle was turning him on no end. God, he’d love to feel her hands on his weapon. “Well, sweetheart, it would be my pleasure to do this for you.”

“Okay, good.” Harley felt so torn. What should she do? But, he deserved the truth, didn’t he? “Beau, there’s something that I need to. . . .”

“Here are the brochures,” Dandi breezed back in and gave them to Harley. “Have you brought in the Ma Deuce, yet?”

That got his attention. “You’re the owner of the 50 caliber?” Damn! He hadn’t even thought about the machine gun. She was just so beautiful everything else had slipped his mind.

“It’s in my vehicle.”

“She drives a Hummer.” Dandi gave out that information like she was whispering the most delicious gossip.

“Dehelyousaye?” There was more to this woman than met the eye, and he couldn’t wait to peel back every layer – of clothing. Feeling his cock jerk in his jeans, Beau found himself smiling, again. “Shall we bring it in? And what do you want to do with it?” Fighting to regain a little decorum, Beau couldn’t believe he was acting like a sex-starved teenager – and liking it.

“Sure,” Harley felt like she had gotten a reprieve. It would give her a few more minutes to get her thoughts together about her confession. “I inherited the machine gun, and I hoped you could help me find a buyer for it.”

“Damn! I’d sure love to have it.” Beau ran a hand through his thick hair, ruffling it.

Harley was entranced by his hands. They were strong – wide, capable – the veins stood out prominently on the top and she found herself wanting to trace them with her tongue. Land sakes! What was wrong with her? Beau was talking; she tried to focus on what it was saying.

“Depending on the condition, those things are going for fifty to fifty-five thousand dollars.”

‘This was perfect,’ Harley thought. “It’s in mint condition. Of course, I encourage you to check it out.” She could get rid of the gun and do something nice for Beau. “If it passes your inspection – how does ten thousand sound?”

“Ten thousand?” Beau was flabbergasted. “Why? If it’s all you say it is, I could find you a buyer in a couple of days that would be glad to pay you full price.” Was she that hard up for money? He had no desire to cheat her.

“No, I’m not interested in making a lot off of it. I just want to get rid of it. So, if you’re interested, it’s yours.”

“Hell yeah, I’m interested.” This was turning out to be his lucky day – in more ways than one. “I’m interested in the gun, but I’m more interested in you.” Beau grinned, he was happy – there was no two ways about it. And he wasn’t shy, so he just decided to lay all of his cards on the table. “You are the most incredible looking woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Behind him, Dandi choked. Crap! He had forgotten about his sister being in the room. And his little bombshell, Harley – she blushed! Good Lord in Heaven, the little darling blushed!

Digging the keys out of her jeans pocket, Harley held them out to him. “You’ve just bought yourself a 50 caliber machine gun. It’s in the back of my vehicle. Let’s go get it.” She decided not to comment on Beau’s admission that he found her attractive. It would be better if she just ignored it. Her body seemed to have other ideas, however. Harley felt her nipples puffing up and her pussy began to swell and an unfamiliar ache started deep within her sex. God, she was turned on! A myriad of emotions flooded through her. This type of reaction to a man was unheard of for her. But this was no ordinary man, this was Beau. “Come on.”

She led him outside and Beau had a good time trailing her. Fuck! He couldn’t decide if she looked better coming or going. If he had ever seen a hotter woman, he couldn’t remember it. She walked with confidence, yet sensuality defined every step she took. The sway of her hips had him mesmerized and he vowed he would have his hands on that ass before the week was out. Now, that he had found this tempting morsel, he wasn’t going to let up until he was pumping between her thighs. Damn! He shifted his package around in his jeans, grateful that she was a couple of steps ahead of him, unaware of his aroused state.

“Here we are.”

Beau looked up. He had been so captivated by Harley; he hadn’t noticed he was in the presence of another beauty. “Wow.” Now, this was a ride! “You drive this?” He loved powerful machinery and the Hummer sitting in the parking lot of his shop was the ultimate. This wasn’t just an H1 – this was a custom, military-outfitted Humvee – the real deal. It even had the helicopter hook, so it could be picked up and moved through the air to another destination.

“Yeah, I manage to keep it between the ditches.” His skepticism about her driving ability was something she had heard before, too many times. Standing back, she watched him open the double doors to the large storage compartment. “Actually, I’ve owned this vehicle for a couple of years.”

What in the world was all of this? Beau stood at the rear of the Humvee in amazement. “Baby, what kind of work do you do?” He had never seen so much technical looking hardware in one place. The Ma Deuce was there, within easy reaching distance – but it was surrounded by other equally intriguing items. Electronic gadgets and tools were neatly arranged – and he had no idea what they were for. His fingers itched to pull them out and inspect them more closely. “This stuff looks like Radio Shack on steroids!”