A Taste of Country Read online

I laugh and watch his eyes light up as his mouth lifts into a smile. “Yeah, good thing or we would have crumbled onto the floor in a heap.” His laughter sounds so good, his chest moving me up and down. His arm begins to rub up and down on mine, those tingles starting up again. Is this how it will always be? Will we always feel this deeply for each other? Being a romance author you’d think I’d know the answers to these questions. You’d think I would have experienced them or at least be able know the answers. But I’ve never had this, never felt these exhilarating feelings of being in love, knowing what it feels like to have someone take your heart and fill it so completely with their love. I’ve only imagined what it would be like to have such a burning desire inside me when I even look at a man who loves me so unconditionally, so fully that they can’t stand to be away from me for even a moment.

  Suddenly, he leans down, moving me onto my back with his body against me and captures my mouth with his. Our kissing becomes heated as he moves over me. Our legs tangled in the sheets as he settles in between mine and pushes inside me. He makes love to me slowly, tenderly, like I’m a precious item that could break. Once we’ve both climaxed and he cleans me with a warm wash cloth, he gets back into bed and pulls me into his arms again. I lay my head on his chest, my fingers rubbing the soft skin over his stomach, happily exhausted. He sighs loudly, and I look up at him. His eyes move down to mine, and then he kisses my forehead reverently then stares at me. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?” he whispers. I shake my head slightly, wanting to hear more of his words. “I love you so much it hurts when I’m not with you. I think about you the entire time I’m doin’ my chores or when I’ve gone somewhere and you’re not with me. As soon as I close my eyes, your face materializes then I dream of you.” He leans down and kisses the tip of my nose and smiles. “So you see. You’re in my every thought, doesn’t matter if I’m awake or sleepin, you’re always there in my mind, heart, and soul.”

  I take a deep breath, his words hitting me so hard. I reach up and place my hand on the soft skin of his face, a little of the day’s scruff feeling even more heavenly to my touch. “I love you too, darling. So very, very much. You’re in my heart with every beat, my mind with every thought. How did I get so lucky?” His head turns and he kisses the palm of my hand then looks back at me with such love in his eyes.

  “I’m the one that’s lucky, darlin’. Now. Let’s get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.” His arm tightens around me as I lay my head back onto his chest, my arm sliding around his slim waist. “Don’t get outta this bed in the mornin’ without me,” he says as he rests his head against mine. “I want to make passionate love to my girl before we start the day.”

  I smile against his chest, my head nodding. “I wouldn’t dream of leaving you.” He sighs, feeling his warm breath flow down onto my face. I become a little nervous about tomorrow, telling everything to a stranger about my life and reliving my past again. It’s hard enough having lived it but then I’ve not really lived until now. I hope soon it can be kept in my past, that I can move on and finally be happy and live a good life with the man I love.

  I want what Sadie has, long for it, dream about it. I think about her telling Memphis tonight they’re expecting their first child, the look of love and happiness on his face as she tells him. I so want that with Colby, living here in our own world, and having Sadie and Memphis close by and Trevor living near me as well. This would make my life complete. This would make me finally have a happily ever after. I shiver with thoughts of him ruining everything. Colby’s arm tightens around me again, probably thinking I’m cold. I look up and see his eyes closed. His light breathing warms me. I nestle into his chest, closing my eyes and pray I can fall asleep and bring back the happy feelings again.

  Chapter Eleven

  Colby

  I awaken to spoonin’ behind her beautiful body. My arm is thrown over her waist and my leg in between hers. Her warmth and softness causes my heart to speed up, her smell invadin’ me when I take a breath. Can it always be this way? Can I keep her? God, I hope so. I’ll do anythin’ to make that happen. Anythin’. Yet, I’d also give my life in order for her to live. I’ll do anythin’ to stop that madman from havin’ her again, terrorizing her or worse, takin’ her life. Knowin’ we need to get into town, even though the sun hasn’t risen fully yet, I wake her by adoring her body. I make love to her then we take a shower together, laughing as we take turns washin’ each other, but then it turns into desire again and I can’t stop myself from makin’ love to her again. There were no complaints from her as she wanted me just as much and I love how we both can’t seem to keep our hands off each other.

  We eat breakfast. The talk light as I listen to Trevor and Shiloh recount memories of when they had some happy times together. Now I can see how much they are like brother and sister, not that I was that worried. Okay, yes, I was, at first. But then I saw them together, of course after she told me. Now it’s obvious. That was the first time I’d ever experienced jealousy and didn’t like how it made me feel. I didn’t even know the guy and wanted to scratch his eyes out for even lookin’ at her. Once we cleaned up breakfast, Trevor states he’s goin’ with us, sayin’ he wants to be close to her. Can’t argue with him. I think she’ll be a mess after talkin’ about everythin’ to Henry anyway so I agree.

  We get into the truck, and I notice she has copies of her two books sittin’ on her lap. Her eyes lift to mine, and I’m sure she can tell I’m confused. She looks over her shoulder at Trevor then back at me. “Well, it’s up to him of course, but I thought after we talk this might be the best way to see what I’ve been through, what he’s like. I dunno. Might be a stupid idea but….” She looks down at her hand coverin’ the books. “Maybe he can see a pattern or something.”

  I reach over and cup my hand under her chin, pulling her face up so she’ll look at me. “It’s not a stupid idea, darlin’. In fact, it’s brilliant.” She smiles and the feeling of pride swells inside me. That’s my girl.

  Trevor was right in comin’ along. By the time we’re done there, about two hours later, she’s shakin’, all the color drained from her face, and her tears dried on her beautiful face. I was glad Trevor said he’d drive my truck home, so we could sit in the back seat and I could hold her. She laid her head down on my chest. My arm tightly wrapped around her shoulder. Her hand fisted my shirt makin’ her knuckles white with her firm hold. When we got home, Trevor let us out by the front door, and I walked her straight up to my room into the bathroom and drew a hot bath for her. I helped her remove her clothes and started to walk out to give her some privacy, but she grabbed my arm. She didn’t need to say any words. I knew what she wanted by the way she looked at me. She let go of my arm, and I got undressed, steppin’ into the bathtub then takin’ her hand to help her in. She laid against me and we just sat there in silence.

  She strokes my arm, lost in thought. “Are you okay, darlin’?” I lean down and kiss the top of her hair, gently. “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

  She sighs. “It had to be done. Just hard telling it though, reliving it again.” She looks up at me then kisses my jaw. “Thank you for taking such great care of me. I couldn’t have gone there without you.” I smile, tryin’ to lighten up the mood. She looks back down and continues to rub my skin. “At least Henry said he’d read my books, hoping it would help to see what he’s like, and maybe any kind of patterns.” She moves her head against my shoulder lookin’ up at me again. “I hope when he runs the information I gave him through his computer, he’ll come up with something but not knowing his real name doesn’t help much. He’s always called himself Mikael and never said a last name. I’m not even sure that’s his real first name.”

  “If he finds anything, he’ll be all over it.” I kiss her nose, and she nods. A knock sounds on my bedroom door and then I hear the door open.

  “Hey, Sadie and Memphis are here. Just thought I’d let ya’ll know,” Trevor shouts into the bedroom.

  “Than
ks. Be right out,” I yell back.

  She starts to move, and I hold onto her tight. “You gonna be okay, darlin’?”

  She sits up, turnin’ around until she’s on my lap and presses her mouth against mine. We kiss for a few minutes then she places her hands on the sides of my face and looks into my eyes. “I will be as long as you’re with me.”

  I lean up and capture her lips. My hand moves to the back of her neck, pullin’ her against me harder. When I feel like we need some air, I release her swollen lips and stare into her eyes. “We’ll always be together, darlin’. I’ll make sure of it. Believe that.” She nods, her beautiful eyes sparklin’ with love.

  We get dressed, knowing we took a little longer than we should have and then walk downstairs. I hear their voices in the livin’ room, so I pull on Shiloh’s hand, keepin’ a firm grip as we walk in there. She sits down on one of the leather chairs, and I stand beside her, not wantin’ to be away from her. “Hey, guys. What’s going on? Did you wanna stay for dinner?” she asks. I love how she’s become friends with mine, how she feels comfortable askin’ them to stay, like this is her home. It is her home, for as long as she wants. Hopefully forever.

  “Oh, that would be nice. Thank you,” Sadie replies, her eyes wide and hands fidgetin’ in her lap. She looks like she swallowed the canary instead of the cat. She’s got somethin’ that she’s dying to spit out.

  “Great. I’ll go start….” Shiloh begins to rise but Sadie stops her.

  “No! I mean, not yet.” Sadie smiles and looks at Memphis. He grins and they just stare at each other. I watch him take her hand, threadin’ his fingers with hers, smilin’. She looks at us. Somethin’s different. She looks different, like her face is brighter or somethin’. “We have some great news.” She takes a deep breath. “Memphis and I are gonna have a baby.”

  Shiloh immediately jumps out of the chair and walks over to Sadie, huggin’ her, whisperin’ something in her ear. Memphis stands as I walk over to him, shakin’ his hand and pattin’ his back. “Congratulations, man. That’s awesome news.”

  His smile is wide. You can see the happiness on his face. “Thanks. I couldn’t be happier.”

  Shiloh and I trade and I wrap my arms around Sadie, kissin’ her cheek. “So happy for you.” She kisses my cheek and smiles, her face glowin’. “Guess that means I’m gonna be an uncle, of sorts.” I laugh. Trevor is with Memphis givin’ his congrats as I take a step back. “Well, I think a drink is in order and some fine cookin’.”

  The guys and I have a few beers while Shiloh has a glass of wine and of course Sadie has water. Supper was great, the conversation even better. I don’t think we’ve relaxed like this in a while and Shiloh really needed it. That night we didn’t make love. I just held her in my arms, runnin’ my hand along her arm and listened to her light breathin’. A baby. Memphis and Sadie as parents. I want that. I want to have a family. I can envision Shiloh, her tummy heavy with child. My child. Our child. Her skin glowin’ as I rub her stomach and kiss it gently. I can see her holdin’ our baby in her arms, a little girl who looks just like her. She’s happy. We’re happy. Everythin’ is behind us and now only happiness is in our lives.

  My eyes open to a knock on the door. Trevor doesn’t wait and opens it. It’s hard to see him in the darkness of the room. He walks over to my side of the bed and leans down. “There was a delivery this mornin’.” I look over at the clock. It’s only three-thirty in the mornin’. What the fuck? I look down at Shiloh. She’s still sound asleep. I’m careful to get out from halfway underneath her and watch as she rolls to her other side, huggin’ her pillow. I cover her up more and then get outta bed, followin’ Trevor out of the room and down the stairs.

  “What the hell kind of delivery is made at three-thirty in the fuckin’ mornin’?” I grumble as we get to the table in the foyer. There sits a bouquet of fresh flowers and a large manila envelope. “What the fuck is this?”

  “I didn’t open it.” He looks at me, worry all over his face. “You might want to use somethin’ to open it with. Fingerprints.” I nod and walk to the front closet, removin’ my work gloves from the top shelf and put them on as I walk back to the table.

  I pick up the envelope open the top and pull out several 8x10 glossy pictures of Shiloh and a few with me holdin’ her hand and kissin’ her cheek. A note drops from in between them onto the table. I grab it, holdin’ it up and read.

  You can’t hide

  You should know this by now

  The punishment will not be kind this time

  You were warned

  “Fuck! It’s that maniac.” My hearts begins to speed up, my eyes lookin’ around. Trevor takes the photos from my hand, his already covered with gloves.

  “He’s here.” His eyes raise to mine. “Call Henry, now. I don’t give a shit what time it is. We’ll have to take these to him but it would be better if he can come here. We can’t be out with Shiloh anymore or leave her alone. Too risky.” I nod and go into the livin’ room where I’d left my phone chargin’ on the desk in the library. By the time I walk back across the room with my phone I hear a loud thump and run the rest of the way into the foyer. Trevor’s holdin’ Shiloh in his arms, her body limp. I run over and grab her, liftin’ her lifeless body into my arms, and take her into the livin’ room, laying her gently on the couch.

  “What in the hell happened?” I ask as I run my hand over her forehead and hair.

  “She walked down the stairs and I didn’t hear her. She saw the photos laid out on the table, got to the last step, and fainted. Let me have your phone. I’ll call Henry.” He takes the phone from my hand as I stare at her. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have been so careless. This has sent her over the edge, shattered what was left of any hope that she’d escaped him. She thought she was safe here, somewhere she thought he’d never find her. Dammit! Sometimes I just don’t think. I should have put them back in the envelope until I could sit her down and talk to her. But for her to see them blatantly out there was too much. I keep rubbin’ her forehead and watchin’ her as my thoughts keep speedin’ through me. She’s so strong, has had to be, but I’m afraid everythin’ is takin’ its toll on her.

  Shiloh

  Pictures of Colby and I sitting in the coffee shop, holding hands as we walked down the sidewalk and one of me standing by the lake, holding my hair back from my eyes, looking out at the view. Oh, my God! He’s found me. I’ve endangered everyone I know here but he’ll go after Colby to punish me. He won’t let anyone else have me. He won’t let me have someone else. He won’t ever let me be free. But then after he destroys my happiness, he’ll kill me.

  I open my eyes and look directly into the worried eyes of Colby. My brows lower as a migraine begins but the feeling of him rubbing my forehead helps keep it at bay. Flashes of those pictures run through my mind and my heart rate increases. I start to sit up, his hands on my arms immediately helping me. I blink rapidly. He continues to look at me. His hands not letting me go. “I should…. I should leave. He…. He found me. I….”

  He reaches up and pushes some of my long hair behind my ear, keeping his hand on my face. “No, darlin’. He may have found you, doesn’t mean he will get to you. I won’t let him. He’ll have to kill me first.”

  My eyes widen as my eyebrows lift. “That’s what I’m afraid of. I can’t let you die for me, Colby.” I look around him at Trevor. “None of you.” I turn back to Colby, wetness has already formed in my eyes. “Don’t you see? He’ll hurt or kill everyone I love, everyone in my life, just to prove a point. I can’t let that happen.”

  “No, dammit!” he shouts, and I cringe. He notices and rubs his thumb across my cheek. “I’ll fight for you, Shiloh! We all will. You need to understand, I’m in this for life, through thick and thin and your friends are our family too. We take care of our own.” He searches my eyes, pleadingly. “You deserve to be free of him. You deserve a happy life and I aim to see you get it.” I nod, my body shaking.

  “Henry’s on his
way out,” Trevor states and then walks over to us, sitting down beside her. He puts an arm around me, and Colby lets go of his hold. “Don’t talk like this, Shiloh. We aren’t gonna let him have you or let him do anythin’ to us. Let us help you. You’ve tried to do it on your own, your way. Now it’s our turn. Trust us?” A tear rolls down my face as I nod slowly. He pulls me into his side, my hand moves around his waist as I lay my head on his shoulder. His hand moves up and holds the back of my head as he leans his head against mine. “Good. Time to get this shit done and end it.”

  I look up at Colby, sitting on the coffee table watching us. He nods eagerly. “He’s right, darlin’. Time to let others help end this. You’ve fought for a long time. Let us fight now.”

  I take a deep breath, trying to hold back the rest of the tears threatening to fall. “I’m so tired.” A sad smile appears on his gorgeous face. “Tired of running.”

  Trevor gets up to go make coffee and Colby takes his seat, letting me lean against him. Waking up so early, the shock of seeing those photos, knowing he found me and shedding tears, makes me start yawning and soon my eyes grow heavy. “Close your eyes, darlin’. Sleep. Dream of us.” His soft words, the warmth of his body, and his hand rubbing my arm, lull me to sleep.

  My eyes open to the bright light of the sun shining through the windows. I stretch, with my arms over my head and my legs out, curling my toes, and look around. I’m alone. I sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and walk to the kitchen. Dallis is sitting at the table drinking coffee. Odd. He looks up and smiles. “You’re awake. Good. Colby said to tell you when you woke up that there’s an omelet in the fridge for ya to heat up.” My stomach growls, and I nod at him and walk over to the fridge, finding the omelet and put it in the microwave. I turn around, placing my hands on the counter behind me and look at him.