Love Me, I Dare You! (Hell Yeah!) Read online

  As they retraced their steps, Emma’s mind went back to the hours she’d just spent with Josh. Just the memory of what they’d done together made a flush of heat warm her body. He’d surpassed her every expectation of what a lover should be. Her body had responded to him completely. Like his reputation promised, he’d given her pleasure beyond measure – over and over again.

  After the first time they’d made love, as he’d cradled her close, Emma could’ve sworn they were on the same page. How could two people reach the heights they’d shared and not feel the same? Like two children, Joshua and Emma had held hands and returned to his kitchen and feasted on the food Emma had brought, fed one another and talked about everything imaginable.

  “Do you know what I want to do?”

  “What?” Joshua wiped a crumb of fried chicken from her cheek.

  “I want to skydive.”

  Laughing, Joshua fed her a bite of brownie. “I’m not surprised. That’s your style, just step out into the unknown and jump.”

  Emma had thrown her arms wide open, feeling like she could embrace the world. “I want to try everything, go everywhere.” Launching herself into his arms, she exclaimed. “You make me feel like I can do anything.”

  Once they’d satisfied one appetite, they set out to satisfy another. Joshua had drawn her back to the bed and taken her again and again, wringing orgasm after orgasm from her body. And when it was over, she’d wanted to stay with him forever. She’d wrapped her arm around his waist and pressed her head into his shoulder. “I could get used to this.”

  A heartbeat or two after she’d snuggled against him and confessed her happiness, he’d eased from the bed. “If you’ll get dressed, I’ll take you home.”

  Emma had sat up in the bed, gazing into the darkness. She couldn’t see him and perhaps it was better that she couldn’t. Seeing regret or uneasiness on his face would have hurt, imagining it and not being totally sure was bad enough. “Of course.”

  Emma rose, pulled on her clothes, then made a short walk of shame to his kitchen where he was gathering her things. “Please, you keep the leftovers. I cook to pass the time; my fridge is full.”

  She’d presumed he’d nodded, because his ‘thanks’ was delayed. The drive back to her trailer was made in silence and when he’d escorted Emma to her door for the first time there’d been no mention of future plans.

  Ruff. Ruff.

  The rumble of concern from her dog yanked Emma from her less than pleasant thoughts. “What is it boy?”

  Emma froze, listening. Did she hear footsteps? “Is someone there?”

  The distant sound of a thud, a muffled crash unnerved her. As a female, being blind only heightened feelings of helplessness. She didn’t even have her purse with her, so no phone, no pepper spray. And while she knew her dog would fight to the death for her, she also knew that she would defend him to her last breath. Another banging noise made her jump. She couldn’t tell if the noise was coming from the bar or from one of the storage buildings. All she knew was that she needed to get inside – fast.

  “Come on, boy. Let’s go.” Emma had to pull hard on Fergus’ leash. She didn’t need eyes to know that his hackles were raised. They made their way back to the trailer, Emma stumbling once as she tried to take the steps with too much haste. Once they were inside, she locked the door, sliding the security chain in place. Had it been her imagination? Isaac and Avery were gone for a couple of days to Colorado. This was one of their infamous ‘research trips’ for her writing. Once, Avery had told Emma tales of their exploits as she related rehearsing scenes with Isaac, getting him to stand in for the hero while she experimented with sexual positions and situations. Emma had been in stitches by the time Avery was through, she couldn’t even begin to imagine how wonderful it would be to have a man so devoted to you that he was interested in every aspect of your life.

  Well…yes…she could imagine it and that imagining had been what got her into trouble tonight. For a few precious moments she’d forgotten their agreement, she’d let herself feel things she shouldn’t – and even worse, she’d let her feelings show. Joshua had pulled away from her so fast that she’d almost been able to hear the air rushing in to fill the vacuum his absence left behind.

  Grrrr. Grrrr.

  “What is it, boy?”

  Emma tensed, she’d been leaning against the door, her thoughts drawn away from the matter at hand by the turmoil in her heart. Was somebody out there? Or was it her imagination? Should she call the police?

  Emma had taken no more than two or three steps toward the table where she’d lain her purse before it happened.

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  She jumped. “Joshua?”

  For just a moment she hoped he’d returned for her, changed his mind, realized he didn’t want to go to sleep without her in his arms.

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  But no – this wasn’t Joshua. The pounding wasn’t coming from the door. It was coming on the side of the trailer.

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  She jerked, her breath coming in ragged grasps. “Who is it?”

  Fergus was barking hysterically, running from one side of the trailer to the other.

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  And then the trailer began to rock. Someone was actually standing outside her tiny home and pushing against it with great strength.

  “Oh, my god!” Was she about to be raped? Murdered? Who would do this?

  Holding out a hand to steady herself, Emma managed to find her purse. She grabbed her phone, praying that it had a charge. Usually she was so careful, but lately she’d been too preoccupied with thoughts of Joshua to have good sense.

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  Taking the phone, she began to press buttons. 9-1-1, then her door began to rattle. “Help!” she screamed into the phone even before the dispatcher came online.

  “What’s your emergency?”

  “This is Emma Zachary. I’m in a trailer behind Hardbodies Bar on the river. Someone is trying to break into my trailer. They’re beating on the walls and banging on my door.”

  “An officer will be right there, ma’am. Stay on the line with me.”

  Emma did what the woman asked, so scared she began to cry. When Fergus came near, she clutched him close wishing she owned a gun.

  BAM! BAM! BAM!

  “Who would do this? Who would want to terrorize me like this?”

  “I don’t know ma’am, but stay calm. Someone will be with you in a few moments.”

  “I hope they hurry,” she whispered as her door rattled, Emma could hear the chain shake as a powerful pressure was put upon it. Emma bent double, feeling sick.

  “Are you still there, ma’am?”

  “Yes.” She answered, every cell in her body tense. She sat up, listening. The noise was gone. Had he left?

  CRASH!

  Broken glass sprayed the back of her head as a loud thud sounded at her feet. just as the blessed sound of sirens split the momentary silence. “Oh, thank God,” she moaned, tears flowing down her cheeks.

  In just a few minutes there was another banging on her door, but this time it was accompanied by a voice. “Ms. Zachary? This is Sheriff Kane Saucier. Are you all right?”

  With a sharp cry of relief, she ran to the door and opened it. “I’m okay. Someone was beating on the walls and rattling the door.” She pointed inside. “They broke my window.”

  “Sir?” Another voice sounded from a distance. “The club’s been broken into, but the alarm didn’t go off. We’re going in.”

  “Ma’am, if you’ll come with me. I’d feel better if you and your dog were sitting in my squad car while we look around.”

  “Okay.” Shaking, she let him lead her out.

  “Is there someone you could call?”

  She thought of Joshua, then dismissed the thought. “Doris, maybe. Isaac and Avery are out of town.”

  “We’ll be getting in touch with the McCoys. I’m sure one or more of them will be right down. Why don’t you try t
o call Ms. Doris, while we see if we can figure this thing out? I don’t think you want to be sleeping in that trailer tonight.”

  After she and Fergus settled in the backseat, she sank into a corner, her dogs head in her lap. Pressing Doris’s number, she waited while it rang. And rang. “Foot-a-duck,” she whispered, then laid the phone in her lap. It was humbling to realize she didn’t have anyone she felt comfortable enough to call for help.

  As she waited, Emma laid her head against the window, assessing her situation – her fear, her panic, her helplessness. For the first time she wondered at the wisdom of living alone, of pretending to be equal to those who lived in a sighted world.

  Like any other person would, Emma leaned her face against the window and stared out into the darkness. She could hear voices, she heard a vehicle pull up, some shouting but no gun fire. Fergus whined at her side and she rubbed his ears. “It’s okay.”

  After what seemed like forever, the sheriff came back to his car. “Miss Zachary? We’re not going to get any further on this till morning. We’ve secured the premises, there is evidence of a break-in, but as far as we can tell nothing was stolen or damaged except for your window. When daylight comes we’ll look for footprints and car tracks. My deputies have dusted for prints, but we’ll know more when we can see better. Now, where will you be going? Can I take you somewhere?”

  “You don’t think it’s safe to stay here?”

  “No, I don’t. I’d feel better if you slept somewhere else. Friend? Boyfriend?”

  Closing her eyes in embarrassment, she said the only thing she could think to say. “Do you know where Joshua Long lives?”

  * * *

  “No, I’ll be fine, Deputy. Thank you for the ride.”

  Emma stood in Joshua’s drive until she heard the squad car leave. Turning, she walked toward his door. Her heart was in her throat. This was almost worse than facing whoever had been terrorizing her earlier. What would he think? As she let Fergus lead her up the walk, she considered all the things she’d rather be doing like going to the dentist or standing on a fire ant hill. Joshua was going to think she was chasing after him, pushing her way in after he’d eased her out. But what choice did she have? Surely he’d understand that she wouldn’t have done this if she didn’t have a choice. Heck, she should’ve asked the Sheriff to take her to the Women’s Shelter.

  But how humiliating would that be?

  No relatives. No friends to speak of. No man in her life. Just acquaintances. She had a wealth of acquaintances and no meaningful relationships. Not even Happy was in the area anymore, she’d married and moved to Boston.

  Climbing the steps, she held onto Fergus’s halter with one hand and the stair railing with the other. Some of her footsteps produced loud creaking noises. Emma expected Joshua to throw open his door at any moment and demand to know what she was doing there. Mounting the last step, she took a deep breath, moved the three or more feet to the door and raised her hand to knock.

  But she couldn’t do it. She just couldn’t.

  Had he heard her?

  She turned, cocking her head and being very still. There was no noise in the house, no noise in the yard, just the distant sound of a horse snorting and the occasional roar of a vehicle on the highway.

  Remembering there was a swing, she nudged Fergus and they moved silently down the porch until she found it. “This will be good. Won’t it?” Emma whispered. “We’ll be safe here on Joshua’s porch. Jump up here beside me. We can sit here till morning, then go about our business. How’s that?”

  The only answer Fergus gave her was a big sigh. At least she was safe and that assurance relaxed Emma enough that she was able to fall asleep.

  * * *

  “How about some breakfast, Long?” Denver asked as he tilted his hat up and squinted out the window. “Where are we?”

  “About ten miles out of Abilene.” Joshua checked the gas gauge. “We’re going to need to refuel soon anyway. Watch for a place to stop.”

  He’d been surprised when Lance had contacted him last night. He’d just dropped Emma by her trailer when he’d gotten the call. There was a private sale at the Parker River Ranch and Joseph had managed to wrangle them an invitation. The McCoys had been anxious for Tebow to be represented, not only were they interested in obtaining one of Parker’s bulls, they also wanted to see about finding a market for some of their breeding stock. “Ever been out here before, Bolden?”

  “Nope, I’ve never seen such desolate country. Miles and miles of nothing but fence and cactus. I’m beginning to think we should’ve brought a thermos of coffee and some snacks.”

  Snacks. Heck, he could’ve brought those brownies Emma left with him.

  Emma.

  Dammit! He could still see the hurt in her eyes when he’d told her to get out of the bed, that it was time to go home. But it was for the best. He’d more than fulfilled his end of the bargain. If he counted right, he’d given her eight toe-curling orgasms and he’d cum so hard himself, he’d thought the top of his head was going to blow off. Just the thought had him moving in his seat, dammit. He had to think of something else, all he needed was to get a hard-on sitting in the truck with Denver Bolden. Josh smirked. The man would think he had the hots for him or something.

  “How’d your date go with the little blind bartender?”

  “Okay. How was yours?”

  Denver propped his arm on the open window, giving a conduit for the morning breeze to infiltrate the truck cab. “The girl who bought my fine ass was a hot little number. She lives in Austin, a legal secretary. We’ve got another date lined up, this time I’m paying. How did you handle your date being blind? Did it make things difficult? I don’t think I could deal with it, to tell you the truth. I don’t really relish the idea of being a glorified babysitter.”

  A flash of anger slapped Joshua in the face. “I enjoyed my time with Emma.” Understatement. “She’s a lady and I didn’t have to babysit her. She’s just like everyone else.”

  “Well, not exactly. She’s lacking…”

  “In nothing. She’s lacking in nothing.” Joshua spit out the words.

  Denver sat up straight, rolling up his window. “Now, Long, don’t get your BVD’s in a wad, I didn’t mean anything by it. I didn’t know you two were involved.”

  “We’re not involved.” Joshua stated flatly.

  “Are you sure?” Denver snickered. “Me thinks you protesteth a little too much.” He feigned a Shakespearean tone.

  “No, we’re not involved. I’m not involved with anyone. You know my rep, I play the field – a wide, highly-populated field.” Guilt ate at the lining of his stomach, like acid. He was beginning to feel like the Apostle Peter denying his friend, all he needed to hear now was the crowing of a damn rooster.

  “All right, all right, if you say so. Hey, look up ahead. I think I see a McDonald’s. Hell, I’m glad to see those golden arches, I was beginning to think we might starve.”

  …Back at Hardbodies, Emma was helping Doris take a close inventory of everything.

  “How many bottles of tequila did I say?”

  Emma checked her list, listening to the voice of the specialized tablet in her ear. “Fourteen.”

  “Okay, all here.” Doris came to stand by Emma. “There’s nothing missing. I’m not sure what’s going on? Why would someone break-in if they weren’t going to steal anything?”

  “I don’t know.” Emma admitted, rubbing her face. She was tired, not having slept much the night before. As soon as the sun rose this morning, she and her dog had made their way home. She’d completely relied on Fergus, knowing he would keep them on the path. If anyone would’ve seen them, they would have looked like silent ghosts keeping just inside the tree line.

  “It just doesn’t make sense, does it?”

  “No,” Emma agreed with the bar manager, “it doesn’t.” Nothing did. She’d heard Joshua leave this morning, he’d left his house by the back door to go to his truck. He’d never been aware he had
a visitor during the night and if Emma had her way – he never would.

  As the morning wore on, Emma did everything she could to aid Doris and to provide the Sheriff and his men with whatever they needed to finish their investigation. Levi, Isaac’s former bartender, came back in to give them whatever support he could. He’d started his own business, making custom solid wood furniture. Levi volunteered to repair her window and Emma had gladly accepted his offer.

  “Now, that’s a man for you, Emma. If you didn’t have your eye on Joshua Long, Levi would be perfect. Rumor has it that he’s hung like a Texas longhorn.”

  “Oh, my goodness. I don’t have my eye on Joshua, I don’t have my ‘eye’ on anyone.” She laughed at her own self-deprecating joke. “I think I’ll just embrace the single life for a while. Concentrate on work. I might take a few online college classes; I’ve always wanted to get a degree.”

  Doris patted Emma’s arm. “I am constantly impressed by you. You don’t let anything stand in your way. Nothing gets you down.”

  Emma didn’t tell her friend that she was wrong. The events of the last twenty-four hours had definitely gotten her down. “What more can I do to help?”

  “I don’t think there is anything else to do until we open. Why don’t you go take a nap? You look like you need one.”

  She did. “All right, you won’t get any argument out of me on that subject.” With her window repaired, Emma felt safer, but she still dreaded the night to come. Perhaps if she slept now, she would be able to stay up and watch over things tonight.

  “Come on, Fergus.” She found her faithful friend waiting in his usual spot. Emma hadn’t gotten two or three feet down the hall before her phone rang. “Hello?”

  “Are you okay, Emma?”

  “Avery.” She brightened. “Yes, I’m fine. How are you two?”

  “We’re good. I was shocked when I heard about the break-in. Kane was telling Isaac that whoever it was, scared you to death.”

  “Yes, I was afraid. It was something right out of a horror movie.”