Justice Burning (Hellfire #2)(22)

Now that he’d had her in his arms and buried himself inside her, he couldn’t let her go. He wanted to get to know this woman who’d turned her back on her life in the city, with servants taking care of her every need, to start over in Hellfire.

Nash prayed she didn’t change her mind. Following his first prayer, he asked to keep her safe from the men who’d attacked her. He hoped he would be smart and brave enough to deflect any future attempts on Phoebe’s life.





11





Phoebe snuggled against Nash for over an hour, reveling in the warmth and security of his muscled chest and rock-hard biceps. Skin to skin, she’d never felt more beautiful or cherished. In the back of her mind, she knew she should feel guilty that she was in another man’s bed barely a day after the death of her fiancé.

But she couldn’t feel the guilt. Only sorrow for a life ended before his time. Now that she knew what real passion was, Phoebe realized she’d never felt more than a brotherly liking for Ryan. Even that feeling had been a product of her father’s encouragement and approval of the match. She’d been stupid to agree to the wedding in the first place, when she didn’t love the man she was to marry.

She ran her hand across Nash’s broad chest, feeling the strength of his muscles beneath skin stretched tightly over his frame. This was a man she could fall in love with. Nash was a veteran, a man of honor who’d fought for his country and now served his community as a deputy, making it a safer place to live. And he protected her from a man who’d been determined to put a bullet through her.

As a shiver rippled across her body, she fingered her grandmother’s locket at her throat. If the shooter’s aim had been a little more to the right, Nash might have been killed.

His arm tightened around her. “Are you cold?”

“No.” For a moment, she pressed her cheek to his chest then she pushed up enough to look into his eyes. “But I need to get ready to work at the saloon tonight.”

“Or you could call Audrey and tell her you can’t make it.”

Phoebe bit down on her bottom lip. “Remember, she hurt herself last night. If I don’t show up, she might decide she needs to be there and rip a stitch or something.”

Nash leaned up and kissed the tip of her nose. “Then you’d better get ready. You can have the first shower.”

“I have a better idea.” She rolled off the bed, took his hand and tipped her head toward the door. “Why don’t we shower together?”

With a grin spreading across his face, Nash leaped out of the bed, snatched a second condom from his wallet and hurried for the door. He opened it and stuck out his head. “Beckett? Kinsey?”

No one answered.

“Come on.” Holding her hand, he led her across the hall to the bathroom.

Phoebe smothered a giggle and closed the door behind them. Once in the shower, the giggles continued as she chased the bar of soap around, bumped into all parts of Nash and sloshed water all over the floor. In between playing, they made love again.

Nash lifted her up, wrapped her legs around his waist and braced her against the cool tiled wall. Nothing could chill the heat from her body, not when Nash sheathed himself and drove deep inside her. She’d never felt so incredible. As Nash thrust into her, Phoebe shot into the heavens on the best orgasm she’d ever experienced.

He held her there, buried deep inside until they both returned to earth under the cooling spray of the shower. Nash eased her to her feet, rinsed her body, and then shut off the water.

Phoebe rose up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. He held her wet body against his. She loved his hard, muscular chest and the steely strength of his arms.

As much as she’d rather go right back to bed with Nash, Phoebe had a promise to keep. She reached for a towel and dried Nash’s body as he dried hers. More laughter ensued until they stood dry and breathless.

“Hey, everything okay in there?” a deep voice called out.

Gaze narrowed, Nash pressed a finger to her lips. “I’m fine. Just fine.”

Phoebe kissed his finger, swallowing another giggle. Who knew making love could be so much fun?

“I’m not worried about you. I’m concerned about the woman you’re holding prisoner in there,” Beckett said. “Knock three times if you’re being held against your will.”

Phoebe gasped and answered, “I’m fine, too.”

“Good,” Beckett said with a chuckle. “I was afraid I’d have to call the cops on my cop brother.”

“Jerk.” Nash shook his head, a smile pulling at his lips.

“Damn right,” Becket returned. “One of us has to keep a level head. As the oldest, I feel like it’s my responsibility.”

Nash rolled his eyes. “We’re going to the Ugly Stick again tonight, if you and Kinsey want to join us.”

“I think we’ll pass on the saloon. Shower sex sounds like more fun.”

“Beckett!” Kinsey cried out. “You don’t have to announce our plans to the world.”

“You mean our plans to have sex in the shower?” Beckett laughed out loud. A loud smacking sound followed. “Ouch! You didn’t have to hit me that hard.”

“Quit crying, baby. And leave those two alone.”

“I take it Phoebe’s not changing her mind about getting married since the groom is apparently dead.” Beckett’s voice moved away from the door. “Oh, by the way, in case you haven’t heard, they found the car and the body in the trunk.”

Nash wrapped a towel around his waist and yanked open the door. “What did you say?”

Gasping, Phoebe tucked a towel around her body and leaned around Nash to see Beckett and Kinsey standing in the hallway.

Beckett nodded. “Got your attention, finally.” He tipped his head toward Kinsey. “We were in the diner when Sheriff Olson got the call.”

“Where did they find it?” Nash asked.

“In the old gravel quarry east of town. That poor car is completely totaled. From what the sheriff said, whoever stole it ripped up every seat and tore out the door panels and headlining. Then, they burned it.”

Phoebe reeled backward, the blood rushing from her head into the pit of her belly.

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“You would probably know if you’d answered your phone.” Beckett’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “Of course, answering your phone when you’re having sex in the shower with a beautiful woman can be difficult.”

Kinsey backhanded Beckett in the belly. “You’ve teased them enough.”

Beckett winked at Nash. “That’s my cue to shut up and put up.”

Kinsey took his hand and led him toward the master suite, calling out over her shoulder, “If you need us, you know where you can find us.”

Nash waited until Beckett and Kinsey disappeared behind the master suite door before leading Phoebe back to the bedroom across the hallway. As soon as she crossed the threshold, Phoebe clutched her belly, a sick, awful feeling forming. “If they have the body, they now have reason to take me in on suspicion of murder.” She turned to face him. “Oh, my God. Nash, you just made love with a potential murder suspect. What will happen to you? What will we do?”



Nash’s gut tightened. He didn’t give a damn that Phoebe’s dead fiancé had shown up. Deep down, he knew Phoebe didn’t have a mean bone in her body. She couldn’t have killed the man, and she sure as hell couldn’t have stuffed his body in the trunk. “What we’re doing is continuing on as though nothing happened. You’re going to work at the Ugly Stick and I’ll go along to keep you safe. Just like the sheriff ordered.” He tipped his head toward her towel. “You might want to put on some clothes. I know they prefer the girls show some skin, but you’re a little underdressed even for Ugly Stick standards.”

Phoebe yanked off her towel and popped him with it.

He tackled her on the bed and ended the argument with a deep, soul-wrenching kiss. When he finally came up for air, he wanted nothing more than to remain in the bed, making love to Phoebe through the night.

She stared up into his eyes. “What happens next?”

He knew she wasn’t asking about getting dressed and going to work. “Let the sheriff decide. They will probably take me off the case due to conflict of interest.”

She curled her fingers around his arms. “Will the sheriff remove you from bodyguard duty?”

“He might.” Nash rose from the bed and held out his hand. Not that he’d obey an order to stand down from his duties as bodyguard to Phoebe. He couldn’t imagine leaving her unprotected, or entrusting her safety to someone else.

Phoebe placed her hand in his and let him pull her to her feet.

Nash enveloped her in his embrace and held her naked body against his, his cock nudging her belly, ready for another round of lovemaking. “We’ll figure out this thing.”

Nestling close, she wrapped her arms around his waist. “I hope so.” Then she straightened and smiled, though her lips appeared a little tight and strained. “Right now, I’d better get dressed for the Ugly Stick.” Phoebe pulled on the cut-off denim shorts and tank top she’d worn earlier and the cowboy boots she’d found at the thrift shop.