Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Seduce Their Woman [Wyoming Warriors 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (5 page)

“Keep me informed.”

“Always.” Sahale strode out and back to his truck. It was a two-hour drive to his grandmother’s. He’d better get started.

* * * *

Grandmother Minda was his mother’s mother. From her, Sahale had learned most of his knowledge about his Native American heritage. Like her name, which meant knowledge, she was known as a wise woman. Many people visited her requesting guidance. She seldom asked Sahale to visit. But he made regular trips to see her each week, on one of his days off. He suspected she was aware of the changes beginning to occur in his life. All his life she’d had an uncanny knowledge regarding him. More than once her warnings had prevented him from being harmed.

What would he do if she said to not pursue Ellen? He had always followed her suggestions to his benefit. He speeded up. Restlessness stirred inside him. He did not want to choose between his grandmother’s advice and the woman he’d chosen to be his.

The drive had seemed endless. Finally, he spotted her small cabin set in the middle of an area between two high bluffs. The river curved between the bluffs and behind her house.

Sahale parked in front. His boots made a loud noise on the wood porch.

“It is my grandson who steps so heavily at my door,” Minda said. She always teased him about being heavy footed.

“In my bare feet no one hears me. It is the boots, Nanna,” he said, his usual response. Sahale grinned and hugged the tiny, white-haired woman when she came to the door and opened it.

“Come inside. You have reacted quickly to my request for a visit.”

“Of course.”

She led him into her kitchen. Yellow-and-white curtains hung at the two windows facing the river. Her countertops sparkled, as did all the house. She had refused any offer he made to hire someone to help her.

“Sit. We will have tea. Then we will talk.”

From experience, Sahale knew it was wasted effort to try and hurry her. Impatience pulled at him, but he sat and took the cup she offered.

“This tastes different, Nanna. Is it one of your new experiments?”

“Yes, a mixture of several of the older teas.”

“What will it do, make me tell you all my secrets?” As he’d expected, she laughed. Her laugh had a musical sound, and he loved to hear it. His mother looked more like her Native American father, having dark brown eyes and black hair. Nanna, as he’d been instructed to call her from as far back as he could remember, had light brown hair and aquamarine eyes. The elders said one of her great-grandfathers had come from across the sea and lived with their tribe many years ago.

Nanna’s hair had turned totally white when he was in his teens. But her eye color, which he inherited, had remained bright, and sparkled with intelligence.

“You are quiet, my grandson.”

“I don’t talk much, Nanna. You know that.”

“But the time has come when you must open yourself to another if you wish to attain what you want.”

“You have had a dream.”

She touched her hand over her heart. “We are connected here. There are changes in the wind. I cannot tell yet if they are good or bad. I sense upheaval.” She stood and refilled their cups. “You and Jack have been intertwined for many years. The two of you will need all your skills to protect yourselves and the one you seek to mate. Tell Jack to trust no one but the community.”

“Not even Ellen?”

“Ah, that is her name. There is a darkness in her. I can’t see if it is hers or someone else’s. Possibly a person who is or has been close to her. Be wary with your heart until you know.”

“Perhaps it’s too late to protect my heart, Nanna.”

“Then you must find out what lies inside her.”

Sahale stood and helped Nanna up. He closed his arms around her and took in a deep breath of her fragrance. She smelled like cinnamon and mint, a mixture that always cleared his head.

“I have to go. You are not the first to ask me to find out her secrets. Tomorrow, I will take her on a quest. When we return, I will know.”

Nanna gave him his usual blessing and kissed his forehead before going with him to the door. “You will be in my thoughts.”

“As you are always with me,” he responded.

He felt her watching until he was out of sight. She worried. She only became overly concerned when she sensed danger around him or Jack. They’d better both be vigilant.

* * * *

Sara had helped Ellen move into the small cabin last night. It was the same one where Morgan had stayed until she married Ethan and Justin. Ellen liked the coziness. The rooms were small, but she had everything she needed. She would be glad when Montlief was well enough to join her in her new, temporary home.

If they allowed her to stay, and if she decided that was what she wanted, Sara had explained she’d live in a more permanent home among other residents of the community. Or maybe, Sara had teased, Ellen would be living with her husbands. Ellen chose to ignore her comment.

Ellen stretched. She’d slept well, but woke early. It was four thirty. She turned to her side, determined to sleep another few hours. She’d just dropped off when a knock at the door had her sitting straight up in bed, her heart beating like a drum. It wasn’t quite five o’clock. Who would be at her door at this hour?

She pulled on her pink robe to protect her against the cold morning air. Pushing her long hair out of her eyes, she looked for her slippers and grumbled when the knocking became louder.

“I’m coming.” She walked across the cold wood floor in her bare feet. Before she opened the door she looked out the small window. Seeing Sahale, her heart dropped. She yanked the door open.

“Montlief is dead.”

“No. He’s fine. What made you think such a thing?” He frowned at her.

“What other reason would have you at my door at this hour?”

“I’ve come to take you on a trip. Pack a small bag and wear layers. It’s cool out now, but later the sun will warm us.”

“I don’t want to go on a trip. I’m going back to bed.” She started to shut the door.

He easily pushed in. “Then I’ll go with you and we can travel later in the day.”

Her heart jumped at the thought of being in bed with Sahale. His scent tantalized her. His strong body enticed her to touch him.

“Whoa, you’re not going to bed with me. I hardly know you.”

“We know each other on a different level. Your body has already recognized me and Jack as your men. Only your mind needs convincing.”

Stunned, not sure what to say, she stared at him. “No, no, and no.”

“Either we leave on our trip, or we go to bed.”

“You can’t force me.”

“Ah, love, I’d never make you do anything against your will. You want me. Soon, you’ll admit it.”

“I will not. But since I can’t budge you, I choose the trip.”

“Hurry and pack. We have a good distance to go before we reach our destination.”

Am I crazy to give in to him?
If she called Sara, Mitch or Daren could stop him from annoying her. She stopped throwing a change of clothes into her small overnight bag and thought about that option.

Her rational side, the one that had guided her this past ten years, said to call for help. Another part of her wanted to see where he was taking her, wanted to explore the new sensations he and Jack were bringing to the surface.

“Are you packed?” Sahale stood in her bedroom door.

“Why shouldn’t I call Sara and ask her husbands to make you quit bothering me?”

He stepped in and seemed to take up most of the space. Heat rushed through her as he came closer. “Because they asked me to deal with you.”

“Deal with me? What does that mean?”

“We need answers about what you know that these men don’t want you to tell. I told them I would be honest with you. I decided going somewhere quiet and peaceful might make it easier for you to share whatever you’ve held close all these years.”

“It’s none of their business, nor yours.”

“It became our business when you called us for help. Get dressed. We leave in ten minutes.” He turned and started out. “Put some walking shoes in your bag,” he said and went out, closing the door.

Her hands shook as she put in the shoes and closed her overnighter. She dressed quickly. Did she fear telling her secret or being alone and tempted by Sahale? Maybe both.

Picking up her case, she went into her living room. “I’m ready.”

“Good girl.” Sahale took the small luggage from her and his warm hand covered her lower back as he directed her to his truck.

When he got in the driver’s seat, she asked, “How long does it take to get where we’re going?”

“About three or four hours according to the conditions of the road. Take a nap. I’ll wake you when we’re there.”

Yeah, like she’d sleep being this close to him, to his scent, to the heat radiating from his body. She might not know what she wanted, but her body was yelling at her to let him in. Her pussy clenched with desire. Feelings held back had begun to spill over into her bloodstream, creating a hunger she’d denied for a very long time.

She closed her eyes. She’d pretend to sleep.

* * * *

He smiled when he noted her respiration slow, and knew the sleep she’d fought had finally overcome her. The morning was clear and bright. Fresh air blew in the windows, but still her scent clung to his nostrils.

When she’d come to the door in that thin, pink robe with her gorgeous hair hanging past her shoulders, he had wanted to pick her up and carry her to bed. Bury his cock deep inside her. He’d had a hunch she hid her beauty deliberately. Her brown hair flowing down her back had gold and red strands scattered throughout. With her robe pulled tight, her curves were accentuated. She’d surprised him by having bright red toenails. He’d wanted to start at her bare feet, massage her body into a puddle of desire, and slide into what he knew would be a hot, wet pussy.

All his training of restraint and patience barely held him back from taking her. Not against her will. She wanted him. He’d have her admitting it before they returned.

Just thinking about making love to her had his cock hard and pulsing. He took deep breaths and utilized the teachings of his grandmother to center himself. First, he had to get her to talk. To share what had put her in danger.

Ellen woke about thirty minutes from their destination. He glanced at her.

“You got some rest, good.”

“A little. I was awake part of the time. The mountains are much closer.”

“We’re going to my house. It’s built at the top of a bluff overlooking the spot where the wild horses gather.”

“Your house must be close to Mitch’s. Sara told us about the wild horses she saw when she went to his private place.”

“We’re not close. My place is on the opposite side of the canyon and backs up against one of the mountains.”

“Oh, it sounds lovely. Do you go there often?”

“When I can. The peace and quiet restores me.”

“You are part Native American.” It wasn’t a question.

“Yes, my mother’s side. She met my father and chose to marry him and live in the community. He built a cabin for my grandmother, and she lives here, too.”