Acres, Natalie - Cowboy Boots and Unsettled Debts [Cowboy Boots 3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever) (7 page)

Abby melted. She made a mental note to fuck that hard shell of a man the second this was all over. Ace had always been at the top of her bucket list…right along with several other hardcore operatives. Hell, maybe after this mission, they’d form a single file and stand in line.

Abby cleared her throat and concentrated on the present rather than her fantasies for the future. This job would’ve been easier if she’d taken time out for some personal business beforehand. That was the problem. She should’ve screwed Ace before she hooked up with Juraz. With her sexual frustration out of the way, she might have been able to concentrate on the burdensome chores ahead.

“So nice,” Juraz growled, taking her hand in his. “I’m already finding myself more and more attracted to you.”

Oh, please.

She lowered her eyes again, and he tilted her chin toward his. “You’re willing, aren’t you, subbie?”

“Yes, Master,” she whispered, realizing a man like Juraz wouldn’t want to waste time with the small detail of earning her respect.

A sudden sound filled her earpiece. She heard Porter’s familiar grunt, a guttural pitch of pure male displeasure.

“Oh, Abby, the things I will do to you,” Juraz whispered across her lips as he pulled her into his arms.

She stared at him blankly, awaiting instructions or permission to speak, convinced her role as Juraz’s new woman had just begun.

“Let’s go to my office. I have something I’d like to show you.”

“But…”

“You’re obviously no stranger to the lifestyle. I want to train you for a way of life I think you’ll enjoy. Are you interested?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Master. I’m interested.”

“All right then. Let’s get acquainted. Then, I’ll send you back to your hotel room. Tomorrow, we’ll fly to
Virginia
together.”

They stood. Juraz immediately placed his hand in the small of her back. “What do you mean we’ll fly to
Virginia
together?” Panic strummed through her veins. This wasn’t part of the deal.

“I have my own private jet. I’ll take you home so you don’t have to travel with your ex-lover. He is, in fact, an ex, isn’t he?”

“Yes, but—”

“Calm down, sweets,” Ace hissed in the earpiece. “Take a deep breath. You’re doin’ fine, sugar.”

Ace was right, and she needed to pull it together. Her team was depending on her.

Her father would want her to remain committed to their cause. Conrad would expect her to perform like the agent he trained, the daughter he raised. He would want her to avenge his death.

Juraz cupped her cheek, and she immediately snapped out of her stupor. “Submissive women don’t question their Masters, doll. Come now, subbie. I have a lot to teach you.”

Abby followed him through the club, ignoring the guys as they passed their table. “I have a few lessons prepared for you, too,” she whispered, hoping her voice carried. She needed her fellow operatives to believe she was slowly coming around. She’d quickly bounced back.

She could do this. She was ready. She was trained.

Speaking louder, she said, “I believe we’ll surprise one another.”

“I know that’s true,” he said, shooting her a toothy grin.

As Juraz pushed through the layers of people, she muttered, “All right, boys. Let’s do this thing. Let’s give Juraz what he deserves. In the meantime, I’ll show you fellas exactly what you’ve been missing.”

Chapter Five

Abingdon, Virginia

One day later

“You’ll never believe what I found in the garage over at the adjoining property,” Casey said, entering the house they were preparing for Abby’s arrival.

“I’ve already seen it,” Brantley said, wondering why Brock Donovan wouldn’t hide something like a Catherine Wheel. Then again, where could he temporarily store it? He damn sure wasn’t about to destroy such a tantalizing piece of equipment. Brantley wouldn’t if he were in Brock’s shoes.

“Have you ever used one?” Casey pried, pacing the expansive porch of the former Donovan family home.

“Of course he has.” Fowler spoke up, peering over the banister. “Can’t you just see him widespread like an eagle and some Dom telling him to play with himself?”

“Oh sure,” Casey muttered. “You know I’ve got that image in my head.”

Brantley laughed. “I know how they’re used, yes. But I doubt any of us will have the pleasure of seeing that thing in motion.”

“I’ve figured out how to operate the wheel,” Casey informed him. “I’d just like to see my girl on it.”

“Your girl?” Fowler asked.

“Oh, you haven’t heard?” Brantley asked. “Since Donovan laid out the details of this mission, Casey has been running around here calling Abby ‘his’ girl.”

“She’ll love that,” Fowler said.

“She’s been our girl since the day she was assigned to our unit.” Casey acknowledged Ace with a tilt of his head when he joined them. “And don’t any of you try to deny it. She can hop in bed with anyone she likes, but when the end of time comes, she’ll be strapped to that wheel, yelling out my name. Mark it down. I’ll make sure it happens.”

“Like hell,” Brantley grumbled.

“I’m talking straight here, boss,” Casey assured him.

“Stop with the boss thing, already,” Brantley said, leaping over the banister to the other side of the porch and checking out the handiwork Fowler just completed. He stretched his neck and studied the brown wiring affixed to a few red twigs sprouting from a nearby bush.

“You’re sure the whole house is tight?” Ace asked.

“This place is more secure than Fort Knox. Our main command post is over at Sam Kane’s former residence. Every room in this baby is wired for sound and high-definition pictures. Even though we won’t be staying with Abby, the features in place assure she’s never alone.” Fowler waggled his brows and added, “That reminds me, what time are we expecting the pretty lady?”

Brantley frowned. “I’m concerned about that, as a matter of fact. Abby is still in
Chicago
.”

Ace was enraged. “What? Why?” He clenched his fists. “I knew we should’ve stopped her from flying solo. It was too soon.”

Brantley held up his hand. “You didn’t have a lot of choice in the matter. Juraz and Abby clicked from the start. He’s escorting her home and plans to start living with her as soon as they complete her training.”

“Fuck!” Ace shouted, running his splayed fingers through his tangled hair. “You know what this means, don’t you?”

“She’ll be under some kind of magic spell before we have a chance to save her?” Brantley teased, picking up some leftover wire Fowler failed to use. “Ace, I’m not happy about this, but Abby is a big girl. She’s well trained and prepared to handle this operation.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Porter said, joining them. “Ace, tell him. She wasn’t the same last night, was she?”

Ace slowly shook his head. “He’s right, man. She may not be able to pull this off. She’s too close.” A beat later, he said, “I’ll catch you guys later. I have some bunkers to check out. Donovan sent a text and said he left us a few surprises down under. I gotta see what he’s talking about.”

Ace disappeared into the woods behind the house. Brantley addressed Porter. “I’ll have a word with her.”

“Just because you’re the big man around here, don’t start with this superior mentality,” Porter teased.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Brantley said, still coming to terms with his recent leadership appointment. “For that matter, you can have a word with her.”

Brantley may have been in charge now, but they were still a team as far as he was concerned. Right after Conrad’s death, the guys sat down and discussed the possible command placement options. They’d feared the higher authority would transfer Colt Candy from Nevada. Colt was probably the best operative in the world, but he was also an arrogant ass. He’d been interviewed for promotions in the past, right along with Riley Donovan.

While Riley was talented and would’ve been an asset, Brantley and the others didn’t want an outsider appointed to their team. Then again, the most logical choice was Abby. She was Conrad’s daughter and probably the most qualified. He shuddered at the thought.

She would’ve been a dead woman walking, too.

Yes, Brantley was the right man for the job. The quicker he started thinking like an agent in charge, the better.

“Fact is, I’m worried about Abby,” Porter admitted.

“Me too,” Fowler mumbled.

Clearing his throat, Brantley quickly reassured them. “Look, I spoke with Abby last night. She said once they were alone, she and Juraz made small talk.

“He explained what he expected from a submissive partner, and told her that he was interested in seeing where a relationship between the two of them might lead. Then, his driver took her back to the hotel. According to Abby, Juraz didn’t rush her and she never felt as if her life were in danger.”

“I didn’t see her after she returned to the hotel last night,” Porter said. “Did any of you?”

Fowler crossed his arms. “She debriefed Casey and Ace. I followed Juraz back to the club. He spent the night with his current sub. Ace was the last one with Abby last night. This morning, Juraz’s driver picked her up and gave her a lift to the airport. That’s the last time we made contact.”

“Wait a minute,” Porter said, his voice pitched an octave higher. “Ace and Abby were alone together?”

Fowler shot Brantley a quick wink. “Yes indeed. Ace said to make sure we have extra wiring in the bathrooms, wherever there are countertops and mirrors. I worked all morning in an effort to accommodate Ace’s demands.

“Apparently, Abby loves taking cock through the back door. She likes to watch the action, too. You know how she is. Abby can’t stand to miss anything. When we’re working, she wants a play-by-play of whatever she fails to witness for herself. I guess she behaves the same way in the bedroom. She must be a little kinkier than any of us realized.”

Brantley couldn’t play along. He was sick to his stomach with a simple mention of Abby in any sexual situation, considering her present companion.

He was ill because he had cause to worry. If things didn’t go according to their plan—and they were already spinning a little sideways—Abby could find herself in a great amount of danger.

She represented the one possible casualty Brantley and the others simply couldn’t risk. If they lost her, they’d never be able to move on without her.

* * * *

“Are you comfortable?” Juraz asked, taking a seat next to her.

“I’m fine. Thank you,” she replied, staring out at the clouds.

“I have something for you.” He retrieved a box from the aircraft’s overhead bins and set the wrapped gift on her lap. “I think you’ll enjoy this special treat.”

“You shouldn’t have…”

“At! At! At!” Juraz said, producing a noise similar to what her grandmother once used when she knocked away dirty hands, preventing them from snatching freshly baked sugar cookies. “I can buy gifts for you, Abby. You need a reward. You didn’t put up a fuss about flying back to
Virginia
with me.”

“Why would I?” she asked. “Look at this plane. I’m traveling in style. The guys from work are flying coach.”

Abby placed the box against her hip and turned, ready to delve into the task of unwrapping the package. Before she had the opportunity, Juraz’s arms closed around her, and he pulled her against his chest.

As soon as she was in his arms, he kissed the top of her head and patted her cheek. “My sweet sub,” he whispered, nuzzling her ear. “You have no idea what your willingness to submit does for a man like me.”

“I’m glad,” she said.

His brow furrowed. “You’re glad?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Much better,” he said, pointing at the gift. “Open your present.”

She ripped off the exterior wrapping. “Oh my,” she mumbled. “What have we here?”

The oblong container displayed a short, fat dildo. She thinned her lips and looked up at Juraz. She should’ve been thankful he gave her a toy instead of his cock.

Unusually polite, he said, “Remove it from the packaging, please.”

Abby wondered then when she might see his true face. His mannerisms were almost overkill.

“I’d like for you to insert the dildo.”

“Here?” she screeched, thinking if she hiked up her skirt, things between them could get out of hand sooner than she’d planned.

The guys might indeed spank her if her relationship with Juraz progressed too quickly. They’d threatened the act many times before. While the thought of their hands caressing her ass provoked a smile, she couldn’t ignore the rumbling warning in the pit of her stomach.

She wasn’t prepared to move forward without backup. She couldn’t cope with Juraz’s advances without her team in place.

She should’ve found a reason to fly commercial.

Juraz’s gaze fell to her chest. “I’m a fair man, Abby. I’d be lying if I told you I don’t want to take you to bed. Then again, we’re adults. I can practice patience if it’s necessary. The end result will be the same, and we both know where this is going.” He moistened his lips. His hooded eyes suggested his lust wouldn’t be contained long.