Like Arrows (Cedar Tree #6) (20 page)

"I know what I want," Emma says.

"Me too." This from Katie who had already collected Emma's menu and along with hers, stacked them at the end of the table.

"I know," I say, feeling for once in absolute control with my little black dress on, my face and hair done up and two
real
friends by my side. "I just wanted her to come back to the table that one extra time."

This time it's Katie who busts out laughing, Emma not far behind and I can't hold back a smile myself.

"You are positively evil."

"Remind me never to piss you off."

I just shrug and play with my menu some more. When I see Mia tend to a table next to ours I wave her over. She's not happy, as is evident from the dirty look she sends me.

"Are you ready to order?"

"I think we are," Emma says, still snickering, while placing her order. Katie is next and I'm left for last. Perfect.

"So,
Mia
," I say her name with emphasis after I give her my order and she's about to walk away. "How
is
Peter?"

Her body stiffens, her face pales and I'm instantly regretting calling her out. I've experienced it enough myself to recognize the hit of a painful blow. "I don't know," she bites out. "He didn't—"

I cut her off with my hand up. "I'm sorry. That wasn't nice of me. Forget I said anything."

"No," she says softly. "I'm the one who's sorry. I can't even blame it on him. He was a dick, albeit a charming one. I don't regret causing you to get rid of his ass, since it's obvious you have found bigger and better places. But I betrayed you in the worst possible way. Don't even know what I was thinking. I realized it that moment, on that day and it was already too late to do a damn thing about it."  With that she turns and takes our dinner orders with her.

"Well," Katie pipes up after we collectively watch her go, her shoulders slumped. "That sure didn't have any of the fireworks I was expecting."

"I feel sorry for her," I say, watching as the other two swing their gazes at me.

"Say what?"

"I mean, she's right. I did go on to bigger and better things, even though I'm technically unemployed right now. I own a nice house, drive a car that's only four years old and well-maintained and I have good friends. She doesn't look like she's that lucky."

Our food is served by another waitress and we don't see Mia the rest of the three hours we're there. I manage to eat most of mine, which is a small victory in itself, but after we pay our bill and the girls are ready to hit the club, I'm suddenly hit with overwhelming fatigue.

"Guys, I'm gonna head back to the condo. I'm wiped. Why don't you guys go on ahead?"

"Can't," Katie says, "I'm supposed to be here looking after you—not painting the town while you walk the streets alone."

Without warning a large hand clamps on my shoulder.

"I've got her."

M
al

It had taken me less than five minutes to make up my mind. Another five to track Gus down and get his support. It took me longer than that to gather up Boo and his stuff, and pack a bag for myself. Luckily Boo and my brother's dog Blue hit it off right away when I dropped him off.

It had taken me all of half an hour to get sorted and on the road. The trip that would take any normal person at least seven and a half hours to make, took me six. This is one of those times when having a gadget geek for a colleague pays off big time. With Neil's 'upgrades' to my truck it was easy to steer clear of any speed traps. A good thing since I was doing at least eighty miles an hour for most of the trip.

By air it would've taken me at least as long. Also would've been easier to track.

When I get to Vegas, I head straight for the condo, but when I check my missed messages quickly before getting out of the car, I spot one from Katie that came through about three-and-a-half hours ago. A picture and a message.

This girl is smokin'. Should draw some attention at Tao.

When I pull up the image, my mouth goes dry. Kim with her hair all shiny and big around her pretty face and her body perfectly displayed in a black dress that looks fucking amazing on her. Katie must've taken the picture in the bathroom. Kim is leaning forward doing something to her face and the reflection in the mirror shows her curvy front, and with the shot coming from behind, I have an even better view of her splendid ass.

I immediately toss my phone in the console, start the car and turn toward the Venetian.

-

I
have no trouble spotting the three of them as they stand right outside the restaurant chatting. The only one spotting me is Katie, but like the trained operative she is, her only 'tell' is a slight pull at the corner of her mouth. Oh yes, my sister-in-law is playing some game. She knew exactly the impact that snapshot would have.
Minx.

"I've got her," I say as I sneak up behind Kim and put my hand on her shoulder. She smells fucking fantastic when I lean in and stick my nose in her hair. She stiffens at my touch, but I can tell the moment she realizes it's me, her entire body seems to relax prior to turning around with a big smile on her face. I let my eyes roam her body up and down, before coming to rest on her face.

"Never had cause to complain before, but babe, tonight you look especially stunning."

A deep blush appears on her cheeks and she looks at the floor, but with a little smile still lingering.

"Something wrong?" Emma says once she gets over her shock of seeing me here.

"Not a thing. Decided it's been a long damn time since I've been in Vegas."

Lame excuse, but I only wanted to make it very clear that I'm not gonna talk here on the sidewalk inside the Venetian. A message both Emma and Katie seem to receive loud and clear.

"You guys go have some fun. I'll take Kim back."

"You sure?" Katie directs the question more at Kim than at me. When she nods, Katie gives her a quick hug as does Emma, before they head off.

Despite outward appearances, as fine as they are, Kim does look tired. She also doesn't object when I put my arm around her shoulders and start walking her toward the valet station. 

Once inside my truck, she doesn't hesitate to turn to me. "What's wrong?"

So deceptively docile, she is, but her perceptions and instincts are sharp. I tell her the truth.

"A combination of things. Mostly because I'd feel better if I could keep my eye on you myself. Especially after our call earlier this afternoon. Seemed like a good enough excuse to come check on you."

Her mouth twitches as she tries to hold on to a smile. I'm glad I have that effect on her and I hate bursting her bubble.

"See, after you told me you'd actually spoken to Hartnett on the phone, I realized we may have underestimated the threat you pose to him. Jacob Hartnett is a very powerful man. He is one of the largest Texas oil barons, but with the least scruples. He's used to getting what he sets his sights on and doesn't mind paying whatever the cost to make sure that happens."

I see a light dawning in her eyes. "He's behind the land deals. I'm guessing he was the one Martin was meeting with in Texas when he disappeared. You think something went wrong at the meeting?" She looks at me expectantly like I hold all the answers, but her guess is as good as mine.

"Looks that way. Vedica made a mistake coming back to the office because they obviously had been keeping an eye out. Tracked him down quickly and killed him in an attempt to get rid of loose ends. Only thing is, if they haven't already, they will soon realize you are another loose end."

I pull back into the same spot outside the condo building, turn the engine off and turn in my seat just in time to see Kim take a big swallow.

"That's not good news," she says looking solemn.

"It is and it isn't. Yes, he's powerful but now that we have confirmed his connection to Vedica, we know what we're up against. Drew is calling in the FBI. I've no doubt they would've swarmed in at some point, considering what we're dealing with, but with Drew beating them to the punch, it becomes more of a collaborative effort than a turf war. In the meantime, my focus becomes keeping you safe until they can pin him down."

"Haven't you been doing that from the start?" she points out smartly, making me smile.

"Yes. But now I get to devote all my time to it." The implication is thick and she gets it. Gives it away with the sharp inhale of air and the quick look down at her hands.

I slip out of the truck and move to the passenger side to let her out, craving the opportunity to put my hands on her to help her down. Her body is so soft and warm, I can't resist wrapping my arm around her waist and pressing her against the door. With the back of my fingers I stroke the skin of her cheek.

"So soft," I murmur. "Every bit of skin I've touched on you so far has been softer than anything I know. Can't wait to explore every last inch."

Her eyes grow large at my hungry words, and I'm sure the raging hard-on pressing into her belly is not going unnoticed either. I lean in for a taste of her mouth, but before I have a chance to explore too deeply, someone clears their throat nearby. I look up to see an elderly couple patiently waiting to get into their car. The one parked right beside my truck.

With a smile of apology, I move from between the vehicles, pulling Kim along with me.

"Where is Boo?" she finally asks as we step into the elevator.

"With Caleb at his place. He's got a big mutt, Blue. I thought the two might get along. Seem to be so far."

"Blue?"

"Actually Katie's dog. Walked up to their house a stray and he kind of adopted Katie. Has proven to be very protective of her and Mattias. He is very alpha, which didn't seem to bother Boo much. I'm sorry to say, your dog rolled over on his back the moment those two met. Totally submissive."

Kim giggles out loud, despite the hand she puts over her mouth. Love that joyful, unrestricted sound. When the elevator doors open, I grab her hand and walk her to the door, where she stops. Pulling her hand from mine, she starts digging through her purse for the key card. I reach around and take it out of her hand, sliding it in the lock and pushing the door open.

Without a word, she drops her purse on the dining room table, and turns around to face me.

"Do you want a drink? We don't have beer, only wine. Or coffee? I could make some coffee." She wrings her hands nervously as she slips past me into the kitchen.

I don't let her get far before I come up behind her and cage her in between my arms leaning on the counter. With my head bent down I breathe in the scent of her, my lips skimming the shell of her ear. I can feel a shiver running down her body.

"Turn around,
Nizhóní
."

Her body turns slowly, before her luminous eyes make it all the way up to mine. I make no effort to hide the hunger I feel for her and I can see a touch of fear and a whole lot of uncertainty in her face. But the moment her small white teeth bite down on her bottom lip, I put my hands under her arms and lift her on the counter. As her eyes widen in surprise, I put my hands on the outside of her knees, pushing her dress up as I go. Her skin is so fucking soft and smooth. Wedging my hips between her legs, my hands find her luscious ass and I press my hips into her heat at the same time my mouth slams down on hers. A small sound of protest escapes her but in the next instant her hands come up and curl around my neck. The small grunts she makes in the back of her throat drive me wild. So fucking responsive. I can feel her nipples pebble against my chest. I revel in the feel of the soft stroke of her tongue against mine, the lush flesh of her ass pliant in my hands. I have to have her. With one hand on her ass, I bring the other around to stroke over her thigh up to the slick evidence of her arousal.

"God," I pull my mouth from hers, "you are so ready for me." I look down and watch my two fingers slide inside her tight channel and pull away slick. "Lean back," I tell her before pulling her ass to the edge of the counter and sinking down to my knees. In one swift move I have her panties down her legs and her feet propped up on my shoulders, her shoes discarded on the floor beside me. The view is fantastic. The trimmed patch of soft dark hair stark above the flushed deep pink of her pussy. Her scent is even better and I lean in to have my first taste.

"There is nothing as eloquent as a rattlesnake’s tail."

~ Navajo

K
im

"Mal..."

His name slips from my mouth when the heat of his tongue touches me. My feet are up on his shoulder and my knees fall open wide when he presses the inside of my thighs with his hands. His thumbs spread me open and the long rasp of his tongue along my crease, just shy of my clit has my back arc up off the counter. Another stroke, firmer, this one also stopping just short.

"You're delicious," he mumbles as he licks me a third time, but this time he flicks just the tip of his tongue over the little bundle of nerves, already screaming for his attention. My thighs clench around his head, my clit already almost too sensitive to the touch.