Road to Victory (Dogs of Fire Book 5) (13 page)

“Ooh, that guy was creepy. Pauley and I made a pact to always walk out together and never allow each other to be alone with him.”

“Good plan. He’s been dealt with, Kim, so you don’t have to worry about him, but something else comes up, you let me know.”

I debated asking more questions, but I knew he’d never tell me and my head hurt too badly to get in a fight I couldn’t win, so I said, “I will, Mack. Thanks.” I smiled. “I’m going to check on my horse now, okay?”

Mack nodded and walked me back inside the barn.

“Knight?” I called.

“In here, sugar.” He glanced over Fozzie’s stall and pushed open the door. “Come have a look.”

I stepped inside and Fozzie nudged me. “He looks so much better.”

“Yeah, he’s fine, Kim,” Knight confirmed.

“Cameras are installed,” Booker said, and walked into the barn.

“Where?” I asked, glancing over the door.

“One in the stall, and one focused on his run, one at each entrance of the barn, and one in the hayloft covering his stall.”

“Thanks, Book.”

“No problem, babe. We’re gonna get trackers on Fozzie’s stuff—”

“Stuff?”

“Saddle and ah... what’s the shit called?”

I smiled. “His tack. Bridles, halters, saddles... his ‘stuff.’”

Booker nodded. “Right. We’ll get that done this week.”

“Thanks.”

He smiled, hugging me gently. “I’m gonna head back to Dani.”

I smiled. “Say hi for me.”

“I will. ’Night.”

Booker and Mack left and Knight guided me out of the stall. I resisted... which was futile. “I don’t want to leave him alone.”

“I get it, sugar, which is why Buck’s here until Flea relieves him tomorrow.” He stroked my cheek. I’m installing a chip in the morning.”

“Like what they put in dogs?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Just for an extra safety precaution.”

“Thank you, but I still think you’re missing the point.”

“Nope. The point’s clear, Kim, but it doesn’t matter. You and I are goin’ back to your place to finish what we started.”

I couldn’t stop a delicious shiver. “What if whoever did this comes back?”

“Then I’ll deal with them,” Buck piped in.

“He’s good, sugar. If I was worried, I wouldn’t let you leave him,” Knight promised.

I studied him for a few seconds before acquiescing and facing Buck. “You’ll call if there’s anything weird?”

Buck nodded. “Yeah, babe.”

I chewed on my lower lip as I leaned against Knight. He slid his hand to my hip. “Kim, Fozzie’s good. I’m not even planning on giving him more meds since he appears to be back to normal, he also doesn’t need antibiotics because we caught it early.”

I trusted Knight. He would never lie to me and he had all the markings of a kick-ass vet, so I relaxed with a nod and smiled up at him. “Take me home before I change my mind.”

Knight grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the barn.

Kim

Y
OU LIKE THAT, don’t you, pretty girl?

My dream was changing. Now my uncle’s hands were like vice grips as he pinned me to the bed. I screamed and forced my eyes open.

“Sugar, it’s me,” Knight whispered as I blinked up at him.

It was him holding me down, not my uncle. I relaxed. “Hi.”

Concern covered his face as he released me. “You okay?”

I nodded. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” he said, and pulled me onto his chest. “Shit, Kim, I want to kill him.”

I burrowed into his chest with a nod. “Me too sometimes.” I sat up, straddling him and leaning down to kiss him. “I need you.”

He slid his hands to my hips. “You sure?”

“This is me asking you for some control.”

Knight frowned. “Fuck, sugar.”

“Is that weird?” I asked, resting my hands on his chest.

“No, baby,” he breathed out. “I just hate that you need that.”

“Then make me forget.”

He sat up, keeping me anchored to him as he kissed me. “Happily.”

Grabbing a condom, he flipped me onto my back and slid into me. I wrapped my legs around him and arched for a deeper connection.

“I love you, Kim,” he whispered then kissed me.

“Love you too, honey.”

“I don’t think you fully understand.” He stroked my cheek. “I love you.”

I smiled and leaned into his palm. “I understand completely.”

“Yeah?”

Nodding, I arched my hips again. “I feel the same way.”

He grinned. “Good.”

“Now, can we please stop talking?”

“I love it when you get bossy.”

“Really?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, sugar, really.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I pushed him onto his back again and raised up, lowering myself to impale him deeper.

“Fuck, sugar, that feels amazing.”

He reached up and cupped my breasts as I rode him slowly. He let me do my thing for approximately ten seconds before he knifed up, flipped me off of him and onto my stomach, lifting my hips and slamming into me from behind. “Cheek to the mattress, sugar.”

So much for me being in control, but I didn’t care as I did as he demanded and was richly rewarded for my efforts when he reached around my body, his finger connecting with my clit as he continued to surge into me. My orgasm came hard and fast, but I had no time to revel in my climax because he brought me to brink again. Knight lifted me so my back was to his chest and I stretched my arms to loop them behind his head as he cupped my breasts.

“So fucking beautiful,” he rasped.

I mewed as he worked my nipples and pretty much lost my mind when he focused on my clit, managing to hold off my orgasm until he came. Lowering me gently to the mattress, he kissed me and then headed to the bathroom to dispose of the condom, returning with a warm washcloth and settling it between my legs. “Thanks, honey.”

“My pleasure.” He grinned, chucking the washcloth into the corner... again.

Before he could pull me into his arms, I grabbed my phone and texted Buck.

“Sugar, Fozzie’s fine.”

“Hm-mm, I’m sure he is.”

Buck texted back:
All good.

Knight glanced at my screen. “See?”

“Well, considering I can read, yes, I see.”

He chuckled, grabbing my phone and lobbing it on the pile of clothes he’d left in the corner opposite the washcloth. I could see a come to Jesus meeting about organization in our future.

“I need my phone, Aidan.”

“No you don’t,” he countered, tugging me onto his chest. “If there’s an issue, Buck will text me.”

“He’s
my
horse... why would he text you?”

“Are you going to be like this with our kids?”

“I’ll be way worse,” I warned.

Knight laughed. “Can’t wait.”

“You’re insane.”

“Just crazy for you, sugar.” He squeezed my bottom. “A little less crazy now that I know you’re gonna have my kids.”

“Aidan,” I said with a sigh.

He rolled so he could hover above me. “Not goin’ there, Kim.”

“Not going where?”

“Wherever your brain wants you to go in order to escape this.” He slid off the bed with a grin. “You hungry?”

I craned my neck to look at the clock. “It’s like four a.m.”

“So?”

I leaned up on my arms and stared at all his naked glory. “I’d rather eat you.”

I couldn’t stop a smile as he hardened. God, his cock was like a piece of art. I licked my lips and sat up, reaching for him and drawing him into my mouth. His hiss was all the encouragement I needed and I feasted on him.

I whimpered when he pulled away from me, but before I could protest, he’d dragged me to the edge of the bed and slammed into me. I settled my ankles on his shoulders which drove him deeper and I cried out as an orgasm rushed through me.

Knight fell on top of me (gently) and snapped, “Shit, sugar. I forgot a condom.”

I smiled. “It’s okay, honey. We’re getting tested on Tuesday, but I trust you.”

He slid out of me and kissed me. “Marry me.”

A surprised giggle-snort escaped my mouth. “What?”

“Marry me.”

“No.”

He frowned. “No?”

“Yes. No.” I slid off the bed and headed for the bathroom.

“Why the fuck not?” he snapped, and followed me.

“It’s been two days.”

“It’s been almost two years.”

“I need to pee.”

“Then pee.”

“Romantic,” I ground out.

“You’re gonna have to get used to me in your space, sugar.” He grinned. “Especially when we get married.”

“Aidan,” I admonished. I did my thing and then washed my hands, surprisingly unconcerned with the fact he was ‘in my space.’”

He slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me against him. “Wrap your mind around it, sugar.”

“I’m never getting married, Knight, so wrap your mind around
that
.”

“Why aren’t you getting married?”

“Because it doesn’t work.”

His hand gave my bottom a gentle squeeze. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“It’ll work with us.”

“You’re delusional.” I tried to pull away but he held firm.

“You figure out your dress, sugar, I’ll handle the rest.”

“You are
not
planning our wedding,” I snapped.

Knight laughed. “Okay, sugar, you wanna plan it, I get it.”

“You should talk to Dr. Grace. You need some serious medication.”

He smiled down at me as he stroked my cheek. “Lean in, Kim.”

“I don’t want to lean in.”

“Pickin’ up on that. But the sooner you lean in, the easier your life will be.”

Despite the fact my hands couldn’t stop stroking his chest and abs, I said, “I’m not marrying you, Aidan.”

“I like the idea of a fall wedding,” he mused.

“Stop it.”

“No?” He pulled me closer, running his fingers down my side. “Okay, how about winter? Summer’s not really my jam, so spring might be good... kinda soon, though. You might need more time to plan.”

“Stop.”

“’Course, we could just head down to the courthouse. I don’t need a big shindig.” He smiled. “How about you?”

“I don’t want anything big—” I groaned at his laugh. “Stop it. We’re not getting married.”

He shifted so he could kiss my collarbone. “I’m gonna make somethin’ to eat. You in?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Not even for Chunky Monkey?”

How the hell he knew my favorite ice cream flavor was more than somewhat disconcerting. “How did you know...? Never mind.” I wrinkled my nose. “Regardless, I don’t have any Chunky Monkey.”

“Yeah you do.”

“I do?”

“I bought some.” He kissed me gently. “Naked ice cream, sugar. It’s the best.”

“You bought me ice cream?” I whispered.

“And wine.”

“You bought me ice cream and wine?”

“Yeah, baby, I did.”

“I love you,” I admitted, adding quickly, “But I’m not marrying you.”

Knight laughed again. “We’ll see.”

“Am I allowed panties?”

“Fuck, no.” He took my hand. “Naked means naked, sugar, and it will give me an opportunity to eat ice cream and you at the same time.”

I shivered at the thought. “Sounds sticky.”

He grinned. “Let’s test that.”

I bit my lip and followed him into the kitchen. “I’m in.”

* * *

One week later, I walked a very healthy and well-guarded Fozzie to the mounting block outside the covered arena, settled myself in the saddle, and then guided him inside. Knight stood in the middle of the arena, his arms crossed, studying me.

“Posting trot, Kim,” he directed. “Pull your feet out of the stirrups first.”

“What? Why?”

“Just do it.”

“I’m not six, Knight.”

He smiled. “I know, sugar, but I want to see how many bad habits you’ve collected since you were.”

I rolled my eyes, slipped my feet out of the stirrups, and crossed them over the saddle. “Why are we doing this again?”

“Humor me.” He closed the distance between us and ran his hand up my leg. “I’ll make it worth your while tonight.”

“Oh, really?”

“Definitely.”

Because he was so tall, I was able to lean down for a quick kiss before he made his way back to the center of the arena and I guided Fozzie into a posting trot. Good God, I forgot how hard this was.

“Heels down, Kim.”

“I know, Aidan. I’m working on it.” I gripped the saddle harder with my thighs, relaxed my calves and lowered my heels.

“That’s it, sugar,” he encouraged. “Canter, right lead.”

Fozzie slid seamlessly into the canter and we moved as one. I always believe he was the greatest horse on the planet and right then it was confirmed.

“Cross through the center on the diagonal and switch leads,” Aidan continued.

This was where things got a little hairy. Fozzie did not like his left lead and, as much as he loved me and worked hard for me, he tended to get a little stubborn when he was on that side.

“Kim, bring him to a stop.”

I sat back, exhaled, and Fozzie stopped immediately. Knight walked toward us and lowered the stirrups. “I get those back now, huh?” I said.

He smiled and helped me slide my feet in. “I want you to approach those two jumps on his left lead, then we’ll do it again on his right, okay?”