Billionaire Romance: MAXIMILIAN (An Alpha Bad Boy Contemporary Mystery Romance) (Mysterious Billionaires Book 3, Anthologies & Collections) (82 page)

Garrett answered after the second knock wearing a white, paint stained t-shirt, worn jeans, and cowboy boots.

“Hi, Jordan,” he welcomed with a smile, “Come in and make yourself at home. I need a minute to clean up.”

He left me in the entryway to run into another room. The smell of fresh paint filled the small space. I poked my head into where he was working. He had painted the room a cream color. A huge mahogany desk peeked out from under a drop cloth. Must be his study.

“Pretty color.”

He hammered the lid down on a paint can. “Thank you. I’ve been trying to give this place a facelift room by room. So far I’ve managed to do this room, the outside, and the downstairs bathroom. I’ve been putting off the kitchen, but the dishwasher just died and some of the cabinets are holding together with duct tape and a prayer so I think it’s time to do that next.”

“And you’re doing all of this yourself?”

“Eh, mostly. Every once in a while I can get one of my hands in here, but we’re gearing up for slaughter season so they can’t really be spared right now.”

I was impressed. Like most farmhouses of the same age it was a fair size with a hodgepodge of different rooms built on as a family expanded and needs changed. It was definitely a project.

Garrett stood up and dusted his hands on his jeans. “Let me wash my hands and then we’ll get in the truck and I’ll show you the field.” He hurried out of the room to clean up so I went back outside to wait for him on the porch. I wasn’t entirely comfortable just hanging out in his house without him around.

He burst through the door with a ton of energy. “Alright, let’s go!”

We jumped in the cab of an ancient Ford F150 that was more rust and Bond-o than actual body, but it ran like a brand new truck.

He took a turn onto a thin dirt road and I slid into him. I froze as our thighs touched in the small space. The foreign yet oddly familiar feeling caught me off guard. It didn’t seem to bother Garrett, without missing a beat, he draped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in close to him. I snuggled in close and laid my head on his shoulder. As the anxiety passed, I began to feel like this was something natural and I liked it.

“Here we are. This is the trial vegetable field. The sweet potatoes are on another acre. Since they’re doing well, I’ll take you to them after.” He hopped out of the truck and offered me his hand. I had to wipe my hand on my pants again so he wouldn’t get a sweaty, clammy mess.

I took his outstretched hand and stepped down. I was glad I changed into my Wellies before I got here because the churned soil had thawed out from the night before and was a little too damp for the high heels I was wearing for work.

Strolling around the field a bit I wanted to get a feel for the layout and how well he had plowed the ground. Everything looked good as far as the manual stuff went. I knelt down and opened my kit. I was going to have to collect some soil from a few different places in the field to test the nutrient levels.

“What do you do for a living that you need all that?’ Garrett had followed me out to the edges of the field to watch me work.

“This is a soil testing kit. I’m actually a mortgage underwriter for a bank in Elk City.”

“Huh.”

I looked up as he furrowed his brow. “I went to college for biology and I minored in botany. I had plans to go into conservation or agriculture sustainability. That’s why I have the kit.”

“How the hell did you end up at a bank then?”

How do I explain it without sounding like a bitter old crone? “I got married and he convinced me to drop out my senior year.” There. That was a good enough answer without going into too much.

Packing up, I set off to another area with Garrett hot on my heels. “Sometimes the nutrient balance is off in the soil so certain things don’t grow well if at all. You’ll either have to plant a cover crop for a year or two to or combine compost and fertilizer depending on what’s lacking.” With any luck all Garrett would be dealing with was human error or something beyond his control like the weather.

I finished packing my last sample and put the kit away. Standing I dusted my hands off and turned to meet Garrett who was much closer to me than I thought. “Hello there,” I murmured.

“Hello,” Garrett echoed before pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. His rough fingertips barely grazed my skin, but he left goose bumps in his wake anyway.

We were edging into dangerous territory. Our bodies were less than a foot apart, energy humming between them. It was all I could do to not reach out and run my hands through his curly blond hair. He wanted to take this thing slow, he said so last night.

“Are you uh, ready to head over to the sweet potato field?” His voice was low and husky.

No not really
. “Sure let’s go.”

When we got back in the truck I made it a point to press myself against the passenger side door. It was a close call in the field and the slightest touch was going to blow the intimacy door wide open.

“So here’s the sweet potato field. You can see a couple of my guys there pulling up the last few by the tree line there.” I followed where Garrett was pointing and was relieved – and slightly disappointed – to see a pair of guys working away. They were pulling up the late season crop of potatoes and loading them into big wooden crates resting in the bed of another ancient pickup truck.

“Great. Take me down there so I can take a look at the crop and get a sample from this field too. If the potatoes are healthy and a fair size, that might be a good indicator that it’s not the soil that’s the problem.”

The sweet potatoes were enormous and a healthy red-orange color. I borrowed a pocket knife from one of Garrett’s employees and cut a potato open to reveal a bright orange color. “Everything looks good. I’ve got my soil too so we can go back to the house so I can run my tests real quick.”

“Really? You can do all this here? I thought you’d need a lab or something.” Garrett opened the passenger door for me.

I climbed in before answering him. “Nope. I’m just looking for a chemical reaction with a couple of liquid solutions. All I need is a countertop.”

Chapter 4

My phone vibrated in my pocket on the way back to the house. It was Jason. I hadn’t heard from him all day so I just assumed he was taking a breather. His batteries were all recharged because his text smacked of anger and bravado.

Who are you with? You aren’t at home.

Shit. I forgot to turn my phone off. He was tracking me.

I’m not with anybody. I’m not your concern anymore. Leave me alone!

Within seconds of sending my text I got Jason’s reply,

Like hell you aren’t. I’m in front of some yellow house with your car parked next to a big ass black truck. Now I’m going to ask you again, who are you with?

I covered my mouth to stifle a gasp. Jason had found me and was waiting in Garrett’s front yard. I couldn’t believe how stupid I was to not think he wouldn’t come hunt me down. My wishes meant nothing to him, I guess I thought that divorce papers would get the message across.

“Is everything okay?” Garrett slowed the truck down when he heard me gasp.

I stared up at him wide-eyed. “It’s my ex husband. He’s here.”

Garrett stomped on the brake. And put the truck in park. Turning to me stone-faced I knew I was going to have a conversation I really didn’t want to have with a guy I wanted to date. “You’d better start talking.” I didn’t like the chill in his voice.

“I served Jason, my ex, with divorce papers a little over a month ago and he seems to think I didn’t mean it. He’s controlling and emotionally abusive, cutting me off from my friends and family while slowly chipping away at my self-worth. He’d track my phone and keep tabs on my friends using their social media accounts,” the tears were coming, hot and fast now. Garrett still hadn’t softened his expression. “I was so excited to come see you today that I forgot to turn my phone off so he couldn’t track it. I am so sorry.”

We sat in near silence while I sobbed. I couldn’t look Garrett in the eye. Because of me he was dragged into a situation he really didn’t need. How could I be so stupid?

“Did he ever hit you?”

I wasn’t sure I heard him correctly. “What?” I asked while wiping my nose on my sleeve. I felt like a little kid.

“Did he ever hit you? This guy sounds like a real dickhead and now he’s at my house. I need to know how bad his temper is so I’m not caught off guard if he starts swinging.” Anger tinged the edges of his voice.

“N- no. His way was mind games. Oh, and sleeping around.”

Garrett softened and pulled me into his chest where I crumbled and finished the rest of my breakdown. His arms were so warm and comforting. Being bundled up against him steadied my nerves and just plain felt right.

He held me a little longer, even after I settled down again. I tipped my head up and kissed him on the chin. “Thank you.” My phone vibrated again; another message from Jason.

You’d better show yourself you little slut. You’re coming home with me.

Garrett kissed the top of my head and scooted me off his lap. “No thanks needed. You don’t deserve this and I’ll see that it stops. Let’s go take care of this punk.”

Garrett put the truck in gear and took off at a turtle’s pace. If Jason wanted to make a scene on a stranger’s lawn, he was going to have to do it on Garrett’s time; and he was going to make him wait.

By the time the house came into view, my panic had reached a fever pitch. I had to sit on my hands at bite the inside of my cheek to maintain my composure.

Garrett stopped a little ways from Jason’s Camaro and watched. Jason saw us pull up and saw his face grow red when he realized I was in the cab with another man. Garrett just smirked and draped his arm over the seat behind me.

“So that’s him?”

I nodded. “Yeah. Please don’t bait him. This is going to all blow back on me in the courtroom.”

Garrett’s soft brown gaze caught mine and in an instant the panic ebbed. “When I’m done with him, I’m going to tell you a little story,” he closed his eyes and pressed his mouth to mine. His lips were soft and suggestive, gently opening mine and drawing me in.

I knew Jason was watching and while I didn’t want to put on a show for him, I no longer cared about hurting his feelings or feared his reaction. I was free and it took a strapping cowboy to teach me that.

We broke apart, Garrett was smiling and I was left breathless.

“We can pick this up later. Right now I have to get rid of this guy,” through the haze I heard his door click open, “Please stay in the car. I want you safe in case things get ugly.”

I nodded stupidly. I didn’t want to go out there. I had a legal battle ahead of me; I didn’t want to be a part of one outside the courtroom too. Besides, my knees were so weak I wouldn’t be able to step out of the truck without landing on my face anyway.

Garrett approached a furious Jason. I rolled the window down a crack to hear what they were saying.

“You’re trespassing on private property. I have to ask you to leave.” Garret’s arms were loose and hanging at his sides. Somehow he managed to keep calm.

“Fuck you. I’m not going anywhere without my wife.” Jason’s hands balled into fists and his body tensed. He hadn’t ever been in a fight as far as I could remember, but that didn’t mean anything.

“Who, her?” Garrett pointed at me with his thumb. “Jordan seems to think you’re her ex husband now. Didn’t she serve you with papers recently?”

“Mind your own business, redneck. I saw you kissing that little slut. She’s mine.” Jason stepped up so he and Garrett were nose to nose. This just turned into a pissing contest.

“Get off my property now before I put you out myself.”

“You threatening me cowboy?”

With a laugh Garrett backed away. “Just go. She doesn’t want you anymore and you aren’t welcome here.”

I had to admit it was seriously sexy that Garrett kept his cool. Jason reeled back and took a swing. My scream echoed throughout the cab, but it didn’t matter. Garrett was ready for it.

He ducked and caught Jason in the gut with a jab, but Jason didn’t go down. The scuffle got more heated from there as the two men traded blows.

I was rapt as I watched Garrett make easy work of my ex husband. Then Jason got off a lucky shot to Garrett’s temple. I found my legs again and dashed out of the truck towards the two men to end the fight.

“Stop!” I screamed. “Stop it right now!” I wedged my body between theirs’ to break them up. When enough space was between the two men I moved to check on Garrett. He had a small cut on his lip and was a little woozy, but was otherwise fine.

“Come here!” I heard Jason growl as he snagged me from behind. He dragged me screaming and writhing towards his car and tried to stuff me inside. I fought with every cell in my body to get away. I knew that if he got me in that car, I would never see the outside world again.

“No! Let me go!” Jason forced a kiss on me. I could taste the salty sweat as he tried to jam his tongue in my mouth. Pressing his body against mine, he pinned me to the car. I tried to turn my head, but he refused to let up.

I swatted at his hands as he tried to unbutton my trousers. “No! I said through gritted teeth. Jason grabbed my wrists and pinned them to the roof, bending my back in a painful angle.

Garrett came out of nowhere and grabbed Jason by the scruff, tossing him off me. Jason hit the ground hard on his left arm. Garrett was done fooling around and pulled his handgun from it’s concealed holster and leveled it at Jason. “Get off my property now.”

Jason knew he was beat. I sidled away from the car and ran up on to the porch. My presence was no longer needed on the lawn.

Jason’s hands went up and he edged closer to the car. Garrett kept the barrel of the 9mm trained on Jason until he got in his car and left. Garrett watched the dust trail as Jason booked it off the property.

I held my breath and waited. Garrett turned towards the house and breezed past me into the house. I followed him into the kitchen where he put his gun on top of the fridge and tossed the empty leather holster on to the counter.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, “are you hurt?”

I was worried. He didn’t say anything, just stared out the window. “Garrett?” I tentatively rested my hand on his shoulder. He exhaled and finally looked at me.

“I was Special Ops in Iraq. I did two tours before I got out and the military tried to get me third. I can’t tell you a lot about what I did, but I’m not afraid and won’t ever back down to a threat.” He cupped my face with his palm. “Your ex threatened me today and he’s been threatening you for a lot longer.” His hands came to a rest on my shoulders. “I won’t allow him to do that to you anymore, Jordan.”

I could feel the emotion pulsing through my body. This man that I was just getting to know stepped up and did more for me in one afternoon than my husband did in the ten years we were married. What was I so afraid that I stayed trapped in a loveless marriage for so long?

Garrett pulled me in to kiss me again. What started as slow and affectionate quickly became more urgent and needy… for both of us. My body melted into his as I held on to the thin cotton of his t-shirt like a lifeline.

His hands snaked around my waist and up the back of my blouse, leaving a trail of tingles on my skin. I needed to get my clothes off immediately.

I backed away and without bothering with the buttons, pulled my blouse over my head. The satisfaction I felt at the way Garrett lit up when he saw me drove me to press farther. I pushed the hem of Garrett’s t-shirt up over his chest. “Take this off,” I whispered.

When I saw his bare chest you could have knocked me over with a stiff breeze. His body was work hewn and hard as a rock. I drove my fingers into the dark hair that decorated his chest and stomach, smoothing them up over his pecs and nipples. The little pink nubs rose to attention much like a bigger part of his anatomy.

Garrett hooked his fingers in the waistband of my pants and roughly pulled them down, underwear and all. He picked me up and sat me on the counter so his head was level with my breasts. Kissing me, he explored my body with his hands, kneading and touching my sensitized flesh. I moaned as his mouth took possession of mine again. He tasted salty and sweet at the same time.

My hands traveled around his neck as my legs hooked him closer. I tipped my head back against the oak cabinet as his mouth roamed further south, catching my nipple in his mouth. He sucked and licked, culling more sighs and moans of pleasure from me until I couldn’t take anymore.

“Garrett, please,” I begged as I ran my hands through his sandy curls. My eyes were closed in ecstasy as his fingers found the wetness between my legs. He suckled me as he worked over my clit. It was too much; I would come in his hand and I needed so much more.

Garrett slipped his hands under my ass and guided me to the edge of the counter. He fumbled with his belt and fly, his mouth never once leaving my body. He refused to let up and I was perfectly okay with that.

I heard the clang as his belt buckle hit the tile. I spread my legs wider to accommodate. I felt the head of him press against me and my curiosity won out. I looked down between my legs and to my pleasant surprise Garrett was perfectly proportioned to the size of his body. He was a big fella and I found myself smiling like a cat with cream.

My hand splayed on his back and I lightly pushed him to guide him inside me. I stretched as he slowly filled me. For a second I didn’t think he’d get all the way in, but before long I could feel the hair on his pelvis brush against my swollen clit. “Oh my god,” I whispered as he edged out of me, the head of him stroked over my g-spot.

Garrett groaned and tensed with the effort to keep control, but I didn’t want control. I wanted – needed him to take me. It had to be rough; I wanted to feel sore later. I had spent too long either getting half-assed effort, let down, or nothing at all, that slow and gentle simply wouldn’t do.

Cupping his chin, I lifted his face to meet mine. “Don’t worry. You won’t break me.” After a pause for him to process what I said, Garrett picked up the pace.

I dug my nails and heels into his back and held on as he thrust into me, each stroke coming harder and faster. The sound of his skin smacking against mine was so unbelievably erotic and the roll of his hips kept a steady rhythmic pressure on my swollen flesh.

One, two, three more times sent me over the edge. I cried out his name and bucked against the counter as the orgasm tore through my body. Garrett grunted and groaned and buried his face in my breasts as his last few pumps finished him off.

We stayed coupled together for a minute just reveling in the afterglow. I ran my hand over the sweaty skin on his back and realized not only was I free, but I was free falling into something new.

THE END