Page 15 of Sheltered by the Lawman

Chapter 5

“I WON’T TAKE no for an answer.”

Cull looked at his Ma who was taking a casserole out of the oven. “She’ll only be here a few days and I’m sure she’d rather be alone this evening.” He sipped at the glass of homemade lemonade. No one made it like his Ma did. No one did anything as good as his Ma did. When she complained that he wasn’t married, he always used the fact that she’d spoiled him as a comeback. Although he didn’t like the idea of sleeping in his childhood room with the too short bed and lumpy mattress, he couldn’t bitch too much. He reached over and grabbed a piece from the corner of the noodle dish, which earned him a swat on the back of the hand. “I’m hungry.”

“Don’t change the subject. I insist on those clothes. And dinner. I’ll not have a guest staying at this ranch without joining us. Who do you take me for, son?” Beatrice eyed him through her lashes as she rolled out a piece of foil over the dish.

“She’s only a client. That’s all. She was down on her luck and needed a place to crash for a few nights. Then she’ll be…well, off on her next journey.” He’d keep the details to himself. He wasn’t embarrassed that he brought home a criminal, but he also didn’t have all the information or facts.

“Listen to me, Cullen Dean Cade. You take those clothes I set aside for her over there this instant and invite that gal to dinner tonight. If you don’t,” she waved the wooden spoon at him, “you’ll have to go find your dinner elsewhere, son. Hear me?”

“Don’t you think we’re going a little far by dressing her?” He leaned against the edge of the counter and crossed his ankles. He wasn’t sure what his ma thought, but for Cull it seemed a little too close for comfort.

She snorted. “Is everything she owns in that bag she had on her shoulder?”

“Were you watching from the window?” He lifted a brow.

“Of course. I know everything that goes on around here. I found some of your sister’s things I thought our guest could use. Some even have tags left on them. Now scoot and let me finish dinner.” She waved a hand toward the back door.

When his mother got that look, the one that told him her patience was worn thin, he knew not to argue. So, with his armful of clothing, he headed back across the yard toward the garage to do as his mother requested. Damn, he couldn’t wait to have his own place.

“Where are you going? Aren’t we going to ride?” He was almost to the apartment stairs when he saw his brother Kace riding up on one of the newest colts. “I can’t. I’m busy,” Cull mumbled.

“Busy? Got another criminal to hunt down?” Kace laughed.

“We have a guest staying in the garage apartment and I’m taking her a few things.” Cull hoped he said it as matter-of-factly as possible.

“Woman or man?”

“Woman.”

“Is she cute?” Kace chuckled.

“It’s not like that.” Cull sniffed.

“Yeah sure.”

“Go be with your wife.”

“And you go enjoy your guest.”

“Mind your own business.” Without another word, Cull took the stairs two at a time. He knocked, but he didn’t get a response. Instead he heard muffled voices inside. Opening the door slightly, he saw that the TV was turned on “Hello?”

The bathroom door was closed and the exhaust fan was on. He guessed she was still in the shower.

He’d make this quick and get the hell out. Here was his opportunity. He could tell his ma that she was in the shower and he didn’t get a chance to ask her to dinner.

Cull started to place the pile of clothes on the floor in front of the bathroom, but then movement in his peripheral grabbed his attention.

Oh shit!

He was speechless.

Monica was standing in the bedroom. He started to open his mouth to alert her to his presence when she dropped the towel. Shit, shit, shit! She was naked, and gorgeous. He swept his gaze down her, admiring each delectable, satin curve. An indescribable need washed over him, taking his breathing hostage as his body reacted as it was intended to do. He inflated, and his worn jeans suddenly became two sizes too small. He swore he heard seams rip. Her long, red hair hung in damp coils over her slender, bare shoulders, reaching her perfectly round, firm breasts. Her nipples were hard and velvet pink, matching the color of her pouty lips. He roved his gaze over her flat stomach, taking in the soft flare of her hips until he settled his attention on the patch of dark hair between pale inner thighs. In those few seconds that seemed to crawl by like centuries, he revered every detail of her naked form and he knew then that her body would forever be tattooed in his mind. He’d dream of her—fantasize of touching her.

When he heard her alarmed squeal, he looked up to find her staring at him with wide eyes and open mouth. She reached for the towel and dragged it over her body, covering the treasure of her nudity, but it was too late. He’d already drawn her on every cell of his body. Fuck! He should have done the right thing and turned away, but he stood in his spot, boots glued to the laminate floor, staring while his body was hard and full of lust. Holding his gaze on her face, her eyes were still round and her cheeks were as pink as her nipples. She was as beautiful as the angels an artist had painted on the walls at church. When he was young he’d stare at the paintings and believe they would come alive. Now he knew angels were real.

Get back on track!

---