Page 16 of Easy Rider
I turn back to Emma and take her in. Her smooth, luminescent skin, the way her lips curve when she smiles. Now I get a whiff of her plum-scented, woodsy, exotic-smelling skin, and I’m back in bed fucking her again. I don’t think I’ll ever smell that scent again and not think of her tight pussy milking my cock.
I’ve had my share of women, but it’s not like I’m a man-whore. I’ve just been around enough to know the difference. And I’ve never been with a woman who’s had the same effect on me as Emma Lockhart.
“So, Cletus Johnson was in the parking lot,” she groans, glancing at the entrance. “I think he knows I threw the chair at him the other night.”
I bolt upright. Any semblance of control I had is about to go out the window. “Did he say something to you?” I ask, surveying the premises for that scum.
“No.”
I run my fingers along her chin and tilt it so she has to look me in the eye. “Did he touch you?”
“No.” She keeps her voice soft and low. “No.” Emma shakes her head. “It wasn’t anything like that. He was just... staring at me in the parking lot. And he and Buck were at Flying Hearts Ranch today, too. I get the feeling they’re following me.”
What the goddamn fuck? I take a breath, trying to control the rage burning through my veins. Emma’s finally back in town and Cletus has the nerve to threaten her? Does that dumb fuck have any idea thatshe is mine?
I fantasize about ramming Cletus face first against the bar, and ramming, and ramming. You have to stop those Johnson fuckers in their tracks. You can’t give them an inch of leeway, or they’ll take you down faster than a bear escaping a trap.
“Why didn’t you tell me today?” I run through my memories like a photo album, flipping images and moments like pages. I don’t have any recollection of him being at Flying Hearts Ranch. I’d spot his truck a mile away.
“W-well,” she stammers, and I can see they scared the shit out of her. “Cletus and Buck were in this beige truck I didn’t recognize. I didn’t know it was them until they pulled out in front of me on my way to Stew’s office. But they didn’tdoanything. And I needed to focus on the meeting, so I—I guess I just decided to ignore it, but I thought it was weird for them to just show up out of nowhere.”
“But they didn’t get out of the truck?”
“No.”
“Didn’t point anything at you?”
Emma frowns. “Like a gun? Shit no, they didn’t even give me the finger.”
I shift on the stool, formulating my plan. “And they didn’t roll the windows down and yell at you?”
“No. Nothing. Same thing tonight, only it was just Cletus, no Buck.”
“Well, you’re staying with me, Emma. From here on out, you are staying with me. They will not touch you. I can promise you that. No one will.”
Emma narrows her eyes at me. “Not stay at Misty’s?” She lets out a nervous laugh. “I can’t do that. I’m good.”
“No, I don’t think you are.” She stares at me, and I can tell she’s not buying my plan. Emma doesn’t realize the severity of the situation. “Look,” I say gently. “Misty is a doll, but she has a baby. She’s distracted with her own family. I’m sure she doesn’t want anything to happen to you, but I’m not sure you two have the capability topreventCletus or Buck or, God forbid, both from hurting you the way I can.”
“Shit.” Emma shakes her head and does a half-swivel on the stool, scanning the bar. “Now you have me worried. Should I be packing a gun or something? I mean, it’s been a while, I need practice, but I know how to use one.”
I lean in and run my thumb along her cheekbone. “Consider me your hired gun, darlin’. You don’t have to worry about anything.”
“So you think they were going to attack me?” Her voice tremors as worry lines trace across her forehead. I don’t want her to panic.
“No,” I respond honestly, clasping her hand. “If they wanted to, they would have already. I don’t know what they’re up to, but I don’t like that their attention seems to be directed at you.” Fucking druggies are unpredictable.
“Well,” she says, looking uneasy and taking a quick peek behind her. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m going to have to think on it for a while.”
“Fair enough.” I give her hand a squeeze and smile, trying to make her feel more relaxed. I don’t tell her that if she doesn’t stay at my place, I’ll be sleeping in my truck, right outside Misty’s front door, guarding her.
Travis finally comes around and delivers our drinks, which thankfully lightens the mood. Emma lifts her glass and toasts the air. “To you helping me with the Flying Hearts Ranch deal.” She gives me a little wink before taking a sip.
Ah, we’re back to all business again. Not exactly what I was hoping for, but I don’t push it.
I take a drink and watch her rummage through her purse. “So I have this list of assets, and I thought maybe you could help judge the fair market value of the horses.” She’s biting her lip again. Why is she so nervous around me? “One of the horses is listed for seventy-five grand. There are two others at twenty-five grand each. That seems a little high.” Emma hands the sheet to me. “If you don’t mind, would you take a look? I mean, only if you want to.”
“I’m happy to help.”
