Dark Desire Read online

  Since then, she’d been as outgoing and bubbly as usual, fluttering around like a butterfly, even more than usual. She never sought him out now and made it harder and harder for him to accidentally run into her.

  Damn it, he missed her.

  He checked in with the widow he’d only recently hired to work as both a dispatcher and secretary, to learn that Beau Parrish wanted to see him. Nodding, he walked out the front door of the small building that housed the sheriff’s department, pausing on the front steps to slip on his sunglasses. He’d have to stop at Beau’s store before he could accomplish one of the more pleasant tasks of being sheriff.

  Since folks watched out for each other here, crime in this town had become practically non-existent. Except for stunts kids pulled, like the idiot who damaged the field behind the men’s club or an occasional problem with Club Desire, it got pretty boring.

  He wanted to keep it that way.

  The fact that three of the town’s women and newest residents had been attacked on his watch still plagued him. Because of it, he and his deputies watched strangers more closely. The men of Desire also tugged the invisible leashes around their women’s necks, keeping them all a little bit closer.

  He clenched his jaw as the thought of him having the responsibility of holding an invisible leash around Hope’s neck made his cock stir. He’d keep a strong hold on that leash to keep her out of trouble and would spend the rest of his life trying to tame a woman who’d never be tamed. Christ, he got hard just thinking about it.

  Pushing the barrage of erotic thoughts back for now, he smiled, lifting a hand in greeting as Boone’s SUV came to a stop behind his.

  Chase opened the window as he approached. “Hey, Sheriff, you’re gonna have to change the sign again.”

  Ace laughed softly as he approached the rear passenger window, peering in to see the newest addition to their family sleeping peacefully in her car seat. “Yeah, I’m on my way out to do it now. I seem to be changing it a lot lately.” He smiled at Rachel, who looked tired but radiant. “All these new people keep coming to town and deciding to stay. The last time I changed it, it was for Erin.”

  Rachel adjusted the light blanket over little Theresa. “What are you guys talking about?”

  From the front seat, Chase stretched out a hand to caress her knee. “It’s the sheriff’s job to keep track of how many people live here. It’s been that way from the beginning. Did you ever notice the sign as you drive in to town? It’s Ace’s job to keep it updated.” Gesturing toward the baby, he grinned. “Now he has to add one.”

  Ace nodded. “It’s one of the happier aspects of being sheriff. It’s depressing when someone dies and I have to subtract one. I wanted to be out there changing it when you rode by, but I got delayed. I’m going out there in a bit.” He moved aside, a little surprised when Beau Parrish came up beside him.

  “Well, if she doesn’t just look like a little angel.” Grinning, he winked at Rachel. “And so does her mother. Hello, darlin’.”

  Rachel beamed. “Hi, Beau. Isn’t she beautiful?”

  Beau inclined his head. “Absolutely. She’s gonna be breaking hearts all over town before you know it.” He grinned and congratulated Boone and Chase. “It’s gotta be some sort of irony when the town flirt has a baby girl.”

  Boone turned to his brother. “I told him his flirting would get him in trouble one day.”

  After a few more minutes of small talk, Ace waved them off, hiding his curiosity until the Jacksons drove away. Once they left, he turned to Beau. “Talia said you wanted to see me. I was just on my way over to your store. What is it?”

  Walking with Ace back to the sidewalk, Beau’s expression hardened, something Ace rarely saw. “You’d better do something with your woman. She came to my store earlier asking all kinds of questions about some of the merchandise.”

  Ace blinked, stunned. “Hope was there? Damn it, she’s not my woman. What the hell did she ask? What was she looking at?”

  Beau’s face relaxed, his smile reappearing. “If she’s not your woman, how the hell did you know who I was talking about, and why are you so interested?”

  Ace clenched his jaw. Hope would be the death of him. “Spill it.”

  Beau shrugged. “You know I keep an eye on her and Charity. Hope’s like a little sister to me. It made me as uncomfortable as hell when she came into the store and asked about butt plugs.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me. Now, Ace, you know I’m not the least bit shy and I think everyone should have toys to play with, but damn it, I don’t want to discuss the wide variety of butt plugs and the pros and cons of each one with a woman who one day may very well be my sister-in-law! You’ve got to do something.”

  Leaning against his truck, Ace crossed his arms over his chest. He’d known of Beau’s interest in Hope’s younger sister for some time and had been waiting for Beau to claim her since she came home from college. Knowing damned well he didn’t have the right to ask, he did anyway.

  “Are you claiming Charity?”

  Beau grimaced. “Not yet. She’s convinced herself that all I want to do is play and don’t take life seriously. For someone so young, she’s entirely too serious. Funny, isn’t it?”

  “What’s funny?”

  Beau shook his head. “You’re too serious and you fall for the sister who likes to play. I like to play and fall for the serious one.”

  Ace straightened. “Don’t get any ideas about Hope.”

  Beau laughed. “We’d drive each other nuts. Like I said, she’s like a little sister to me. A pain-in-the-ass little sister, but a little sister all the same.” Sobering, he lowered his voice. “So you’d better do something about her. She can’t come in and ask me which butt plugs are the best and if I can recommend a vibrator for her. She’s your woman. Keep her the hell out of my store unless you come with her.”

  Ace sighed and started to get into his truck. “She’s not my woman, and she can shop there just like anybody else.” He got into the truck and started it, quickly lowering his window as Beau started to move away. “Did she buy anything?”

  Beau turned, his pretty boy grin almost making Ace give in to the urge to smash it in. “If she’s not your woman, that’s strictly confidential, Sheriff.”

  Ace put the window back up, cursing a blue streak as Beau turned and strode away. He didn’t run out of curses until he’d gotten to the edge of town. Watching for traffic, he did a quick U-turn and stopped in front of the sign. Getting out, he jingled the keys in his hand as he stared at it.

  Desire, Oklahoma

  Population 397

  The first time he’d seen the sign, the number hadn’t been much lower.

  Because of the lifestyles people in the town embraced, outsiders were under close scrutiny, and when they said or did anything to insult someone, they quickly became outcasts and were run out of town.

  He’d been intrigued by the rules of Desire from the first day. They’d moved here when his father remarried after inheriting the property and oil company from a grandfather he’d never met. Through his father, who got himself elected sheriff, he’d learned even more of the intricacies of the regulations and customs of the town and had become even more intrigued.

  But as strange as the laws of Desire appeared to be, no one could argue with the results.

  Just as they did over a hundred years ago, men guarded and fiercely protected the women who lived here. The resulting arguments were a source of amusement, but no one could deny how well their system worked. As much as their methods sometimes angered the women, he’d never in his life seen a happier group of females.

  Getting his mind back on the task at hand, he unlocked the plastic plate that covered the population number and smiled as he thought about little Theresa all bundled in her pink blanket as he changed the seven to an eight. He’d just relocked the case and started back to his truck when a little red car shot past him.

  Grinding his teeth, he jumped into his vehicle and
took off, kicking up a hail of dirt and stones. Flipping on his siren, he tightened his hands on the steering wheel to relieve the itch in them to turn Hope over his knee and paddle her ass.

  The little brat would kill herself on this road one day.

  When he saw the stricken look on her face as she looked in the rear view mirror, he couldn’t prevent the cold smile from spreading on his own face. It appeared she’d finally realized she’d gone too far.

  Relieved when she slowed down, he pulled in behind her as she came to a stop at the side of the road and jumped out of her car to race toward him.

  He scrambled from the truck to get to her before another car coming by could hit her. Getting a grip on her flailing arms didn’t prove to be easy, but he managed it, practically dragging her to the side of the road as she spoke non-stop.

  “Ace, I’m sorry. I swear I wasn’t trying to get your attention. I didn’t even see you until I passed you. I got caught up shopping and left town late this morning and then I spent too much time looking at baby clothes—you know Rachel’s coming home today—and I lost track of time. I have a woman meeting me at the club, and I’m going to be late for my appointment, and Charity can’t go because she’s at the dentist. It’s the same woman who was at the club the other night when Rachel went into labor and the women want her to come back. We have a lot of questions for her and—”

  Ace lifted his hand. “Enough! Jesus, you’re wound up today. I don’t give a damn how much of a hurry you’re in. I’m putting my foot down about this damned speeding. I’m tired of you risking your life by speeding up and down this road whenever it suits you, and I’m not going to tolerate it anymore.”

  * * * *

  It figured. The one time she hadn’t wanted to get his attention, she somehow managed it. Hope had told him the truth. She’d been in a hurry because she’d had such a good time picking out the perfect gift for baby Theresa, and she really did have an appointment, but she could always take the time to speak to the good sheriff.

  Especially when he looked so damned good in his uniform and had decided to put his foot down.

  But she didn’t want a damned ticket.

  Now she had a dilemma, but she just might be able to turn it to her advantage. Taking a step closer, she ran a finger down his chest. “But Sheriff, you and your deputies have already given me a bunch of tickets. I’ll lose my license if I get another one. Besides, my insurance rates have already gone up.”

  Ace narrowed his eyes suspiciously and grabbed the hand moving lightly over his chest. His lips curved into a smile that could only be described as evil. “You should have thought about that before you came speeding into my town.”

  Everywhere their bodies touched, heat sizzled and memories of what he’d done to her the other night weakened her knees. Batting her lashes, she pouted as she brushed her body against his, thrilling when his cock pressed against her stomach. “There must be some other way you could teach me a lesson. I really need my driver’s license.”

  “It appears to me you were late because you had to stop at Beau’s store this morning. What did you buy?”

  Hope shrugged negligently, lowering her eyes so he wouldn’t see the triumph in them. Growing up here, no one knew better than she did how the men all stuck together. She’d known Beau would go running to Ace as soon as she left his store, which was the only reason she’d stopped by in the first place.

  “Just some things. Ace, about that ticket—”

  “What. Did. You. Buy?”

  Touching his sleeve, she looked up at him pleadingly, barely able to contain her laughter. “Ace, please. Isn’t there anything else you could do to punish me besides a ticket? I can stop at the store and pick up some more ginger.” Pretending to consider it, she nodded. “I know. You can spank me. Right here.” Tugging her arm free, she hid a smile at his look of amazement as she draped herself over the trunk of her car. Staring over her shoulder at him, she wiggled her ass. “I’m ready. You can spank me and then I can keep my license. Can you hurry up, though? I’m going to be late for my appointment.” She knew trying to order him around would be a sure fire way of upping her punishment.

  Jeez, he was so damned hot, especially in that uniform. If he knew just how many fantasies she had that featured him in that tan uniform and his handcuffs…

  The icy heat in Ace’s eyes made her nipples pebble. He lifted a brow, staring at her ass as he fingered the handcuffs, the curve of his lips telling her she’d gotten herself in deep.

  Her stomach clenched at the cool assessment in his eyes, and she realized she just might have bitten off more than she could chew.

  He moved fast for such a large man, and before she knew it, he had her wrists pulled behind her back and handcuffed together. He slid an arm under her belly and helped her straighten before leading her to the side of his marked sheriff’s SUV and away from the road. With a hand on her shoulder, he held her against the side of the truck where no passing motorist could see her and lifted her T-shirt almost to her shoulders. With a flick of his fingers he unfastened her bra, exposing her breasts. “What did you buy in Beau’s store?”

  Need, sharp and hot, went through her like lightning as Ace’s gaze moved over her breasts. God, she wanted him to touch her so badly, but remembering her vow to make it a little harder for him, she smirked, knowing from experience what that would do to a man from Desire.

  “A little kinky, huh, Sheriff? I have to admit, though, these handcuffs used to be a big part of my fantasies.”

  Ace’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean ‘used to be’?”

  Hope shrugged, trying to hide the fact that she was living one of her fantasies right now. “I haven’t seen you. I figured you got tired of me already.” Smiling, she leaned back against the truck. “Unless you want a quickie right now?”

  The look on his face would have had her doubled over in laughter if he hadn’t chosen that moment to tweak her nipples. “You like playing with fire, don’t you, baby?”

  Hope wondered if he noticed that he used endearments with her whenever he became aroused. Batting her eyelashes, she whispered huskily, “So do you.”

  Gathering her against him, he tangled a hand in her hair to pull her head back. “You’re going to be late for your appointment. Tell me what you bought in Beau’s store, and I’ll give you a spanking instead of a ticket.”

  Hope pouted, hoping the excitement didn’t show in her eyes. “That’s blackmail.”

  Ace traced a finger lightly over her nipple, making her gasp. “That’s an ugly word. I’m only trying to help you, but if you want the ticket and the spanking…”

  Clamping her thighs closed against the rush of need that centered there, Hope moaned. “No. I can’t have another ticket. Oh, Ace, do something.”

  Bending, he sucked her nipple into his mouth, using his tongue to stroke it. He had to hold her up when her knees gave out. Lifting his head, he cupped her breast again, letting the cool air touch her moist nipple. “Tell me what you bought at Beau’s store, and I’ll make you come and give you that spanking tonight instead of a ticket now.”

  Hope’s head fell back, desire flooding her system when he took the other nipple into his mouth and released it to the cool, crisp air. “Oh, Ace. It feels so good.” Although she knew they were well hidden from anyone passing by, being exposed outside this way excited her in ways she’d never thought of. Being handcuffed by the big, burly sheriff and fondled by him while he promised to spank her nearly made her come on the spot.

  He bent, brushing his lips over hers, their breath mingling. “Tell me.”

  Another tug on her nipple made her cry out. “A butt plug and a vibrator. Oh, Ace, please.”

  “Have you used either one of them?”

  Arching against him, Hope trembled. “No. I just got them. They’re in my car.” She nearly melted when Ace unfastened her pants and slid a hand down inside them and into her damp panties. “I’ll use the plug on you tonight for your spanking. Are you going to ac
cept your punishment like a good girl, or am I going to have to give you that ticket?”

  Hope forced her eyes open to meet the heat in his. The fact that he not only played along with her game but upped the stakes convinced her more than ever that he was the right man for her. “I can’t get a ticket, Sheriff. I’ll do whatever you want me to as long as you don’t give me a ticket.”

  His fingers moved lightly, too lightly over her clit. “And no more speeding?”

  Hope tried to arch to make better contact, but of course he denied her. Jeez, nobody did foreplay or fantasy better than Ace. “No more speeding. I promise.”

  Tightening his grip on her hair, he forced her head up. “If I catch you speeding again, I’ll tie you to my bed and tease you all night…but I won’t let you come. You be a good girl and obey the speed limit, and I’ll take good care of you.”

  Hope whimpered as his finger moved in circles over her clit, not hard or fast enough to allow her to come. “I’ll be good, I promise.”

  Ace leaned close, his breath warm on her ear. He stroked her clit a little harder. “Good girl. Come for me.”

  Hope’s legs gave out completely under his unrelenting strokes as she came apart in his arms. The sharp waves of release washed over her one after the other as he held in her place for his intimate caress. Just when she thought she couldn’t stand any more, he eased his strokes, finally allowing her to come down.

  Gathering her against him, he unlocked her handcuffs and righted her clothing, all the while holding her upright.

  Hope wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his throat as he carried her back to her car. Weak and trembling, she pressed her lips to his jaw. “How about that quickie? I know you’re wearing a pistol, but that’s not what was pressing against my belly.”

  Ace set her on her feet. “Are you okay to drive?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “I’ll follow you back.” He tapped her nose, running a hand down her hip as she got into her car. “I don’t want a quickie, but tonight after your spanking, I’m sinking my cock into that smart mouth of yours. Give me the stuff you bought at Beau’s.”