Ransom Read online

  “Yeah, he doesn’t fuck around with his tug toys.” I laugh as he picks it up, shakes it, tosses it in the air, and then completely rips it apart. “Which is why they don’t last long.”

  Setting my beer down, I go over to the side of the deck, where I have a tennis ball and launcher. Those last longer. Using it, I rear back grunting with the force it takes to get it all the way to where my fence is. It hits the wood with a thud, before Rambo runs after it. “There.” I watch as he lays down in the shade of a tree. “Looks like he’s tired himself out.”

  “How’s he doing? Didn’t you say he got shots?”

  “Good.” I take a drink of my beer, watching her as she situates herself on my outdoor furniture. Right now I thank God that Mom decided to put a couch there, because Stella’s sitting cross-legged, causing her shorts to ride up those smooth thighs of hers. “The more he moves the better off he’ll be. He’s just like a human – if he sits for too long he’ll get stiff. This is the best thing for him.”

  I close the top on the grill, having a seat across from her. We’re quiet for a moment, each looking at the other.

  “I didn’t mean for you to actually grill the meat.” She gestures to where I’d been standing. “The plan was for me to cook you dinner.”

  “You did the hard stuff.” I wave her off. “I’m just sorry it took so long for me to get back to you on the invitation.”

  “Busy at work?”

  I’ve never been sure how much members of the MTF tell their families, but I like Stella, and I feel like if we’re going to have anything other than a friendship, I should probably start off being honest. “Yeah, we’ve had some new product shipping through here. Not being made here, but they’re using Laurel Springs as either a loading or an unloading point. The interstate is hot, as is the backroads out next to where the property my mom owns is.” I reference the farm that’s been in my mom’s family for years. After my great-grandfather died, she didn’t do anything with it, and now my dad seems to think people are using it for what it was built for many years ago.

  “What’s she gonna do about it?”

  “I’m not sure. The property went to her since her dad died in jail a few years ago and Brooks didn’t want it. She’s always said to let it rot, but Dad’s afraid somebody noticed it was abandoned and saw the operation that still sits on the land. We’re going out in the next couple of days to dismantle it.”

  “I can’t believe nobody has dismantled it before now.” She pushes her blonde hair back from her face, exposing her long neck and the pearl earrings she always wears.

  “Guess it wasn’t a priority.” I shrug as I get up and check on the steaks and shrimp. “Ohhh, these are done, can you go get the plates?”

  She springs up, her long legs eating up the space to the back door. When she comes back, I allow my gaze to follow. Her legs are muscular, and her arms are strong too. When she sets the plate down, I put the potatoes on there, and then divide the shrimp and steak up. “You wanna eat out here or inside? If we eat out here, I have some candles we can light to keep the bugs away.”

  “Out here.” She bites her bottom lip, scrunching her nose up in a gesture that can only be described as cute. “I’m stuck inside all the time. I kinda hate it.”

  “You must get that from Renegade; he hates being in the office, which is why he turned down the supervisor job and gave it to Menace.”

  “I know Mom wanted him to take the job, because it would mean he’d be off patrol more, but he didn’t want to. In the end, she let it go.” She holds up her finger, going back inside and then coming out with two more beers. “This’ll be my limit since I’m driving home tonight.”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her to stay, but what we have is way too new for that and I don’t want her to feel like I’m pressuring her. But damn if I don’t want to ask her to stay. Rambo comes running up the steps as I start cutting into my steak. “Be good and I’ll give you some when we’re done.” I point to the dog bed he has out here. He goes to it immediately.

  “You’ve done a good job with him.” Stella grins as she starts cutting into her steak.

  “It’s all our trainer, Tucker,” I tell her. “He does amazing things with the dogs and with us. Makes it so that we can continue the training at home.”

  “Do you train a lot?” She takes a bite, groaning as she does. “You did a good job on this, too.”

  Taking my own bite, I groan right along with her. “No, that’s the spices and marinade. We make a good team.” I wash it down with a generous swallow of my beer.

  She tilts her head, grinning at me. In the low light of the sun setting, her eyes soften and that smile nearly unmans me. “Yeah we do.”

  It’s like everything stops as she says those words, but I manage to clear my throat and answer the question she’s asked. “We have a group training once a week, and we do a couple of specialized things a few times a month. The tri-county area has twenty K-9’s, so we all work together. I’m the first one here in Laurel County, but we’re hoping to get a few more.”

  “It’s amazing to see the bond between the two of you.” She looks over at Rambo.

  “He’s my best friend, and he’s got to be. I trust him with my life, he trusts me with his. We work as a unit, we’re partners in the truest sense of the word. The bond has been forged with hard work.”

  “How old is he?” She breaks off a piece of her steak, holding it out to him.

  “Two.” I put my hand on her thigh and sparks travel between us. “Tell him to stay,” I instruct her. “Put a little bass in your voice and tell him to stay. Keep telling him until you’re ready to give him the food and then say okay in a tone that’s not as harsh.”

  She does as I instructed, and Rambo does exactly what he’s supposed to do. “Good boy.” I let the tone of my voice go high, in the one he responds to the best.

  Watching her, she moves her hair back, making me notice the pearls again. “I like that you wear pearl earrings.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

  “Oh, Mom thinks every good southern girl should have her pearls. Dad got these for me for my sixteenth birthday. He got me a necklace and Mom got me a bracelet, but I absolutely love these earrings, I barely take them out.”

  “And are you?” I ask on a whisper, noticing for the first time I haven’t removed my hand from her thigh.

  “Am I what?” She uses her tongue to swipe a bit of steak sauce from her bottom lip. Swear to God my dick jerks.

  “A good southern girl.”

  Between us the air has become heated, our dancing act has ceased, and we’re staring at each other. Her pulse jumps at her throat, her eyes are wide, and her hand has come down to where mine is on her thigh. A sassy smile pulls at the side of her mouth.

  “Until I’m convinced otherwise, I am.”

  “And what would it take to convince you?” I scoot closer to her, food forgotten, Rambo forgotten, my attention just on her.

  “Not a lot, Ransom. I’m more than positive you can figure it out.”

  Chapter 5

  Stella

  To my disappointment, after I kinda issued the challenge, Ransom hasn’t made a move. Not that I thought he would, it was a little more direct than even I’m used to. If there’s one thing I do know about him, it’s that he’s a gentleman, because that’s what his parents raised.

  Yawning, I flip my phone over from where it sits beside me. At some point we moved to the outside couch, Rambo laying in the middle of us, surprising me by putting his head in my lap. When I see the time, I almost have to do a double take. “I didn’t realize it was so late.” I show him the screen, already having flipped to midnight. “I have to work tomorrow.”

  “Shit, I’m sorry,” he apologizes as he slightly nudges Rambo off the couch. “I didn’t even think about it. I don’t go in until a mid-shift.”

  “Don’t be,” I stick my feet in my shoes, standing up to stretch. “I had a really good time, thanks for letting me
come over.”

  As the night has progressed, his slight beard has grown in more, his eyes have gotten a little more lazy, and the man who stands before me is one of the hottest I’ve seen. It’s still muggy, but the night has cooled slightly.

  “I’m glad you came over. Let me walk you to your car.”

  Always a nice guy.

  “We can go through the gate.” He motions to the fence in the back.

  We walk over slowly. When I stop, he reaches around, pulling the lever so that the gate opens, then shuts as we walk through it. “Can’t be too careful, sometimes Rambo can beat it. He likes to roam, even if he is trained to do as he’s told most of the time.”

  “Isn’t that all of us?” I wrap my arms around myself. “Don’t we all like to roam, even though we know we should do what we’re supposed to?”

  “I think that’s true.” He nods as we get to my car.

  I lean up against the passenger side door, not wanting this night to end, but knowing it has to. If I don’t go home and get some sleep soon, I’m not going to be worth a shit in the morning. My eyes watch Ransom’s arm as he lifts it up, grabbing the back of his neck. The gesture is hot as it makes his bicep tighten, showing off the tattoo he has there. He grins, seemingly knowing that I’m looking.

  “So…” He moves his arm down, putting his hands in his shorts pockets as he shuffles his feet slightly.

  I giggle, because I can feel it between us, but I’m not giving in that easily. “I’ve done it all so far, you’ve gotta make the next move.”

  His green eyes shine bright in the dimness of a security light next to his garage. A wry smile showing on his face. “Oh really?”

  “Yeah, I mean I’m a good southern girl with pearls and all.” I bite my lip as I give him a wink.

  He laughs, slightly throwing his head back. The move shows off his strong neck, his Adam’s apple prevalent as it bobs up and down with his laugh. When he looks at me again though, his gaze is serious, all humor gone. He steps closer to me, getting all up in my personal space. His hands are still in his pockets, and I want so badly for him to pull them out, to touch me. When I can’t stand it anymore, I lightly fist his tank top in between my fingers.

  “Ransom…”

  “Shhh.” He pulls his hands out of his pockets, bringing one finger to my lips as he quietens me. His other hand curls around my hip, pulling me so that our bodies touch.

  The air between us is thick, heightened with the electricity bouncing between us, a storm ready to erupt. I’ve never felt anything like this in my life. When he speaks, his voice is low, barely a whisper. “Thank you for coming over, thank you for bringing me food, bringing my dog a toy, and for being amazing company tonight.”

  Letting go of his tank top, I wrap my arms around his neck, holding on tightly. When he removes his finger from my lips to curl his hand around the back of my neck, I inhale deeply. These lips of mine are suddenly dry and I can’t help but lick them.

  He moans, an agonized sound deep in his throat. When I lift my gaze up, I see his is zeroed in on right where I left a trail of moisture.

  “You’re welcome,” I answer, whispering back to him, digging my fingers into his hair at the nape of his neck.

  “Stelle,” he starts, but then shakes his head. “Aww hell, whatever.”

  Those are the last words I hear before Ransom Thompson’s lips cover mine. This kiss? It’s a claim, in every sense of the word. It doesn’t start out slow and teasing, he doesn’t ease his way into it. He owns, dominates, commands with a slight pressure on the back of my neck, tilting me the way he wants me to go. His tongue sweeps, coaxing me to open for him, and open I do. The force of the kiss is so much more than I thought it would be. I stumble back, letting my car take most of my weight. Ransom uses that to his advantage as he presses a thigh between my legs.

  Moaning against him, I let one of my hands travel down his body, curling around his waist, holding him closer to me. The hand at my hip trails down to my ass, big fingers holding me firmly against him allowing me to feel his hardness pressing against the heaviness of my core.

  When we finally break apart, both panting, staring wide-eyed at one another, I’m shocked. I knew we would be explosive if we ever allowed ourselves to light the fuse, but I’m not prepared for this sexy man in front of me.

  His palms cup my jaw as he leans in again. “You gotta go, Stelle. You can’t stand here in my driveway all hooded eyes, bruised lips, and panting chest. I can’t take it.”

  And who knew Ransom had this way with words. Wiping his lip of the Chapstick I put on after dinner, I moan when his tongue chases my thumb. “You have no idea what you look like, because if you did, you’d question the sanity of me leaving. But I agree.”

  Regretfully I let him walk me around to the driver’s side door and open it up for me as I slide in. “I get off work around eight tomorrow. I know that’s late to have dinner.” He lets the invitation hang in the air, letting me decide what I want. “And it’s easier to come here because of Rambo.”

  “Okay.” I grin up at him. “I’ll be here.”

  “We’ll order pizza or something.” He leans into the car door. “It’s not easy to date me, Belle. I’m a lot of long, weird hours, broken promises, and at the mercy of criminals.”

  “That’s okay.” I lift up, kissing his jawline. “I know what I’m in for, and I know it isn’t easy. I’m not afraid of late nights and unknown plans.”

  “If you’re willing,” he trails off. “I’m willing.”

  “I’m more than willing,” I assure him. “Just maybe between us for a while. If this doesn’t work out, I mean family and friends could be affected. I don’t want Kelsea to feel weird, or my dad to feel weird around you at work. Being able to work with him is essential to what you do every day. But I’m not willing to give up this attraction we have.”

  “Agreed, there’s more to think about here, besides us. I’m not willing to give up on this attraction either. And make no mistake about it, Stelle, we have chemistry. We go on a few dates and see how it goes. When we’re ready, we’ll let everybody know. Sound good?”

  “Sounds good to me,” I agree, wrapping my arms around him.

  He kisses me, this time chastely, before he shuts my door. I start the car and roll down the window. “Just let me know if you’re gonna be late or on time tomorrow.”

  “Trust me-” a lazy smile spreads across his face, “-you’ll hear from me before then. Let me know when you get home?”

  “I will.” I blow him a kiss as I back out of the driveway, and when I finally get far enough away, I let out a scream so loud I’m almost sure he can hear me. I wonder if what just happened was some sort of crazy dream, but as I put my fingers up to my still tingling lips, I’m convinced it was real.

  Not able to wait any longer, I Bluetooth Kels - who cares what time it is?

  When she answers, telling me that Nick is still there, I don’t even feel bad. We all need one friend to confide in, and that girl, she’s always mine.

  “Kels, you aren’t going to believe what just happened…”

  Chapter 6

  Ransom

  S: Thank you so much for the flowers! They were completely unexpected, but greatly appreciated. Kels said she’s never known you to send anyone flowers before. I’m feeling pretty special.

  R: That’s because you are!

  S: I know you’ve got a busy day, and we’re slammed here. So I’ll let you go. Just wanted to say thank you.

  R: I wanted you to know I had a great time with you last night, and no matter how busy we are, I want to make this work.

  S: I do too! See you tonight! XOXO

  I’ve pulled up to the property my family owns and shut my SUV off. I’m amazed at the number of cars that have showed up. It looks like there are members of the tri-county SWAT team, State Troopers, the rest of the MTF, our K-9 trainer, and some of the Laurel County Sherriff’s Department. I park while Rambo makes noises in the back, scratching to get out
.

  “Not yet, bub,” I say to him. “I gotta see what’s going on first.”

  Getting out of my SUV, I walk over to where some other members of the MTF stand. Nick and I joined the MTF around the same time, so we tend to gravitate toward each other when it comes to group events. I stand next to him as Menace and Renegade confer on a paper they’re holding between them.

  “Ransom.” I hear Renegade’s strong, loud voice. “You and Rambo will be with me. Havoc mentioned he wasn’t sure if people are using this empty land to grow things they shouldn’t be growing or not. While everybody else dismantles the old stills, we’ll see what Rambo can track.”

  “Sure thing, he’s ready.”

  “Nick.” Menace points to the man standing beside me. “The two of us are going to search the house. It’s been vacant for years, but we don’t know that there aren’t people using it for whatever they want. Everybody else will take their orders from Havoc. Let’s get to work.”

  Nick nods, but I see the fear in his eyes. It’s hard not to laugh, because Mason intimidates him like no other. “Try not to tell our supervisor you have a thing for his daughter.” I keep my voice low as we walk back to where Rambo is.

  “Like I don’t know where you were last night.” He crosses his arms over his chest as I reach in to get Rambo out.

  “How the fuck do you know where I was?”

  “Kels and Stella are BFF’s,” the duh very apparent in his tone.

  “So what? Stelle and I are your favorite topic of conversation now?”

  He grins. “Nope, but we did have a bet on if she would come home last night or not, and I’m sorry to say I lost that bet when she walked through the door.”

  I grin back at him. He’s not fooling me. “Which brings me to my question of why you’re at their apartment after midnight? Stelle didn’t leave until a little after. What were you up to?”