“If you do, then you should trust Randy to do his job and stop interfering.”

  It was her turn to narrow her eyes at Nash. “You seem to be in on every step of the investigation. How’re my few questions jeopardizing anything?”

  Shit, Randy swore as he flicked a quick, silencing look toward Nash. They couldn’t let anyone know Nash was Scotland Yard, here to investigate a possible connection to his case. They needed to keep Bryan and Kevin in the dark about that until he could question the brothers together and gauge their reactions to his inquiries. Not only had he known them for a decade, he was a damn good judge of character and would know if they were holding anything back.

  “Nash’s timing in visiting me is just coincidental to this case going on. He’s leaving the investigating to me and my deputies, not pestering the locals for information I already know they don’t have.”

  “So,” she replied slowly, having caught, yet again, another telltale look passing between the two of them, “he’s just backup for keeping me in line, is that it?”

  “And an enjoyable side benefit of my visit it is.” Nash’s slow, drawled response and unrepentant smile and tone were sexy as hell, damn it. It had become obvious she wouldn’t win this argument between them, so that left her no choice but to play nice while Bryan was still out of town, let them relax their guard, then pick up where she left off.

  With a sugar-coated smile, she waved an airy hand as she swallowed the last morsel of her cinnamon rolls. “I guess my only option then, is to be patient and trust you, as you want me to.”

  “That’s right.” Not fooled for a minute, Randy slid out of the booth, followed by Nash, then they both stood staring down at her a moment before he added, “Behave, Alena.”

  “They’re enough to make a grown woman drool, aren’t they?” Carlee sighed in question when she joined Alena in watching the two men walk out.

  “Unfortunately. They’re not a couple, but there’s more between them than Nash visiting an old friend for a few weeks,” she hinted, hoping the other woman knew more about the sheriff and the Brit’s relationship. Nash showed way too much interest in a case that had nothing to do with him. “What does Nash do for a living?”

  “I have no idea. He just showed up one day and Randy introduced him as a friend from ‘way back.’ I can tell you the two of them have certain… proclivities in common, as I witnessed firsthand at one of Bryan’s parties a few weeks ago.”

  Alena’s gaze grew sharp at that remark, and the look on Carlee’s face spoke volumes. Feeling her out, she ventured, “Cora mentioned those parties also. Are you hinting that the good sheriff and his friend attend sex parties?”

  “Bryan’s parties are well-known, and accepted, among the townsfolk. We don’t sit in judgment of each other, and several of us, like myself and Cora Sue, enjoy the… activities Bryan’s house is set up to provide. But we are careful about keeping them private. A lot of us rely on the extra summer income from visitors and people who own vacation homes in the area, so everyone’s discreet. Of course, his place is secluded and has private property signs posted around it. Anyone ignoring them then getting offended at what they might see have no one to blame but themselves. If Bryan catches anyone trespassing, he’ll either threaten to shoot, file charges, or invite them to participate if they’re so inclined.”

  The mischief lighting her dark eyes answered the question of whether anyone had ever taken him up on the third choice. “Your secret’s safe with me,” Alena assured her as she left payment and a tip in cash and slid out of the booth.

  “Who knows,” she shrugged in nonchalance. “I might be interested in finagling an invite to the next party. They sound like fun.” She had never been to a sex party or club, but she had a good idea what went on, who didn’t? And if attending one gave her the chance to do some snooping inside the Hirst home, then she’d do what she had to to get that opportunity.

  “From the heated looks our sheriff and Nash were giving you, I’d say getting an invite, and having someone to play with, won’t be a problem. I’ll let you know when the next one is.”

  “Thanks, Carlee.”

  Alena strolled down the street to the library next and spent an hour in the peaceful, quiet solitude trying to erase the images of herself engaged in various sexual scenarios with the two guys at a party while flipping through a book on outdoor photography. But not even the helpful tips she jotted down could keep those images at bay for long, and when she stepped out into the bright afternoon sun and spotted Randy leaning with negligent ease against a corner light post, her entire body warmed under his black-eyed, intent gaze.

  “Afternoon, Ms. Malloy. Enjoy some reading at our fine library?”

  Two could play this game, she thought as she returned his congenial greeting from across the street. “Afternoon, Sheriff, and yes, I did. Thank you for asking.”

  Ignoring the little smirk turning up one corner of his mouth, she took her time returning to her car, glancing back once to see him entering the library. Just as she suspected, he was most likely checking up on her.

  * * *

  The next morning, Alena woke early, drove back to Main Street and located the bakery, thoughts of warm donuts and two men who were just as bad for her keeping her awake most of the night. Taking a deep breath as she entered, her mouth watered at the yeasty aroma of freshly baked sweets.

  “Morning. What can I get you?”

  “One of everything?” she teased the gray-haired, short, round woman who beamed at her.

  “I like a girl who isn’t afraid to eat. Just pulled the chocolate long johns out of the oven. How ‘bout you start with one of those?”

  “One of those and one cherry turnover for later.”

  After adding a cup of coffee to go, she exited her now favorite shop in Blue Springs only to come face to face with Nash leaning on her car, taking a big bite out of a bear claw as he gave her a teasing wink. “I see you were of like mind this morning. Damn, but that woman can bake.”

  So that’s how they were going to play this. Well, two, or in this case, three could play that game. Shoving aside her irritation, she bestowed on him a smile as sweet as her little bag of goodies.

  “Mind if I join you on my car?” Hopping on the hood next to his relaxed pose, she dug her donut out and moaned loud and long with the first bite. “Oh, good Lord. You are so right. This is to die for.” She almost laughed when he scowled at her. Hadn’t expected me to be so accommodating?

  “You’re in a good mood,” Nash commented, wondering what the little minx was up to.

  “It’s a beautiful morning, I’ve got a delicious treat in one hand, a cup of hot coffee in the other, and a hot guy next to me. Lots to be in a good mood about.”

  “You think I’m hot? As hot as Randy?”

  Rolling her eyes, she laughed at the light of mischief in his eyes. “You’re both hot, and you both know it.” Popping the last bite in her mouth, she hopped off her car, waved her hand to shoo him to the side, then stepped around to the driver’s door. “You have a nice day, English.”

  Glancing in her rearview mirror after pulling out, she watched him enter the donut shop. So predictable, she mused with a smile.

  * * *

  Nash watched out the bakery window as she drove back toward the marina, shaking his head at her contradictory moods. He knew damn good and well she had no intention of stopping her prying, so he wasn’t fooled by her congenial acquiescence. But he sure liked the way she kept them on their toes. Almost as much as he had enjoyed reddening that delectable ass. If, by some miracle, she did have a change of attitude, he’d just have to find another reason to turn her over his knee, only next time he wouldn’t stop at a spanking.

  * * *

  “I can help you with that.”

  Alena turned at that deep voice, cursing her body’s ‘sit up and take notice’ reaction, and forced herself to smile nice at Randy. She wasn’t surprised to see he had picked up where they left off yesterday in keeping tabs on her. “Why, Sheriff, that’s very hospitable of you.” Handing him the two largest of her three grocery bags, she thanked the high-school checker and let Randy follow her out of the small grocer’s to her car. “The citizens and visitors of Blue Springs are lucky to have such a conscientious sheriff.”

  “All right, Alena. Cut the crap.” Setting her bags in the back seat, he glared at her, not happy to discover Nash had been right. She seemed pleased with their tailing her movements instead of put out, which just wasn’t right. She was up to something.

  She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing aloud at his peeved expression. “Why, whatever do you mean? I just gave you a compliment. I suppose Nash deliberately left out that I find you as hot as him, didn’t he? Is that why you’re bent out of joint?”

  “No, he did happen to mention you said that.” And under other circumstances he’d have been thrilled at the prospect of a few nights with her, but mixing business with pleasure was never a good idea, especially given how much he wanted her. “We’re both flattered, but I still have to insist you stay out of my investigation into Ashley’s disappearance.”

  Stifling her annoyance, she slid into her car, saying only, “Have a nice day, Sheriff.”

  * * *

  Needing a break from the irritating night sounds emitting from the surrounding woods as she bobbed on the lake, Alena opted to spend that night at Blue Springs quaint B & B. The queen-size bed with its quilted comforter was more comfortable than the small bunk on her boat rental, and the secluded, two-acre lot two streets over from Main was a lot quieter, yet she awoke Saturday morning as out of sorts as every other morning since she’d driven into this town.

  Groggy from another restless night, she rose cursing the happy birds singing outside her window, her sister for leading her on this wild goose chase, and the guys for making her body ache for something she couldn’t put a name to. After a long, hot shower, she took advantage of the complimentary breakfast of juice, coffee, fruit, and an array of pastries from the bakery.

  “Oh, this is worth ten times what you charge for a night,” she complimented her hosts with a sweep of her arm over the table laden with sweets set up in the small parlor. Mort and Edna Wolford, the owners of the three-story, restored Victorian manor, beamed at her as she piled her plate with several pastries.

  “We’re glad you like it. Please come visit us again while you’re here,” Edna said, her eyes warm on the younger woman.

  “I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be around. The rumors about that missing girl have me a bit worried, traveling alone and all.” Okay, that was pouring it on a little thick, but she was desperate to find something she could give the authorities in Portland to follow up on. Or maybe she was just desperate to get back to her life in crowded, noisy, smog-filled New York City, she thought with longing. At least at home there weren’t any men whose erotic threats and intense, soul-probing gazes kept her on edge and awake at night.

  “Oh, Sheriff Janzen’s on that, and that’s never happened around here before. Our town’s as safe as they come. If that young girl was last seen at one of those wild Hirst parties, why, there’s no telling who she left with or where they went.” Mort didn’t appear miffed or disapproving about those parties, but neither did he seem overly concerned about what might’ve happened to Ashley.

  “Yes, I’ve heard about some of the private goings-on at that lake house,” she admitted. “Thank you for the to-go bag. I’ve already put my overnight bag in my car. Thanks again.”

  In a hurry to get away from them before she gave in to the urge to ream them for hinting Ashley was at fault somehow, even though she couldn’t argue that point, she left the B & B and returned to the marina where she took out on foot instead of boat. With her little bag of treats, a bottle of water, and her camera, she vowed to spend the afternoon doing nothing, thinking of nothing except taking pictures. Why she’d even brought up Ashley’s disappearance she didn’t know. Her subtle inquiries into her disappearance had gotten her as far as the endless hours she’d spent spying on the Hirst house, absolutely nowhere. As far as she or anyone else knew, her sister hadn’t been seen anywhere except The Well, the local bar just outside the city limits, and at the Hirst house.

  When she had signed the rental papers, Bill had pointed out all the well-marked trails around the lake, and had even given her a map, which she’d left on the boat. Having already traversed a few of them, she had a general idea where they led and set off at a brisk pace.

  An hour later, she sat on a fallen log to rest, pulled out a blueberry muffin and her water, and refreshed herself before deciding which direction to take next. The dense forest allowed for only swatches of sunlight to peek through the leafy branches, but she still managed to work up a sweat without a breeze to cool the upper seventies temperature.

  Taking a long swallow of water, she was enjoying listening to the gurgle of a nearby creek, thrush trilling and squirrels scurrying in the trees overhead when the distinct sound of slapping flesh followed by a high-pitched cry startled her out of her contemplative mood.

  “Bryan, please.” The soft voice whimpering from close by came on the heels of another flesh-smacking strike.

  That voice sounded familiar, the woman’s pleas revealing frustration and need instead of coming across as pain-filled or scared. Curiosity more than concern spurred Alena to creep through the brush then hide behind a large tree when she came upon a small copse, the Hirst house sitting just beyond. Tied naked with arms stretched above her to a protruding tree limb, Carlee writhed and cried out as Bryan Hirst laid a switch across her already bright, red-striped buttocks.

  Alena cringed with the snap, but her body shocked her by responding much the same as Carlee’s, with tightening nipples and moisture-seeping excitement. The canopy of overhead tree limbs kept her shrouded in the dim, quiet woods, making her confident she wouldn’t be seen. Fascinated by their scene, and her growing arousal, she watched him strike her butt again then run one finger over the puffy welt it left behind.

  “Very pretty, Carlee. I love how easily your skin marks.” He slid his finger between her buttocks and stroked her slit. “And how you respond to the pain.”

  Carlee jerked against that teasing finger and Alena’s own sheath spasmed. When he reached around and pinched her nipple, a low moan slid past Carlee’s compressed lips and her hands clenched above her. Alena could recall only too clearly her two spankings, and her response to them, most notable her startling arousal at the exposure and pain of the bare-bottomed one Nash administered.

  So engrossed in her recollections and the couple she spied on, she never heard someone coming up behind her until a hard hand covered her mouth and a tall, solid body pressed against her back. A deep voice she recognized whispered in her ear, “You just won’t give up, will you?” and her body responded with a surge of shuddering heat.

  Randy sighed in frustration as his friend switched Carlee’s breast next, catching her nipple and setting off her orgasm. “Bryan doesn’t mind an audience, but he won’t tolerate spying. Promise to keep quiet and I’ll take my hand away. Give us away, and I won’t be responsible for the action he’ll demand.”

  When she nodded her head, he slid his hand down her neck and cupped one unfettered breast, her thin tee shirt leaving little to the imagination. Her stiff nipple beaded into an even tighter, pronounced nub when he rubbed it with his thumb.

  “I… I didn’t plan this,” she whispered, finding it difficult to speak with his hand kneading her plump flesh, his thumb rasping over her nipple.

  “And I’m supposed to believe that why?”

  Bryan bent his head and sucked Carlee’s abused nipple into his mouth. The way she laid her head back and moaned low and long gave every indication she enjoyed his suckling.

  “Look, I was just hiking and happened upon them,” Alena whispered with fierce determination to get herself under control. Unfortunately, Randy took that moment to slip his hand into her loose shorts and found her bare, damp crotch when he palmed her. His low, knowing chuckle reverberated through her as her hips thrust against his hand of their own accord.

  Those callused fingers teased the soft flesh of her folds, light strokes meant to titillate and arouse. A tight pinch on her nipple forced her to bite down hard on her lower lip, the quick sharp pain responsible for another uncontrollable thrust of her hips into his palm.

  “Maybe, but it seems you’re very happy about this chance encounter. You like what you see, Alena?” He slid his middle finger past her slit and buried himself in her slick, wet heat. “Christ, what you can do to a man, girl.” He pushed his jean-covered erection against her ass to let her know exactly what he meant.

  “I… oh, good Lord,” she breathed when he took a leisure exploration of her vagina and her channel convulsed around his finger, her body breaking out in a sweat. The press of his cock against her butt had her aching to feel that thick stalk invading her flesh, her clit swelling to almost painful proportions.

  Randy shifted the arm wrapped around her waist down then under her shirt to glide his hand up her perspiration-damp waist and fill it with the soft, abundant flesh of her breast, her pointed nipple stabbing his palm. “You are so fucking soft everywhere, and so damn responsive. Do you know what a turn-on that is?”

  She had never given much consideration to her abundant figure. Her fondness for everything related to a donut showed in her hips, breasts, and everything in between, as well as her thighs. Since she was comfortable in her own skin, she never tried to conform her figure into something that might draw more attention or men might find sexier. They either liked her the way she was or didn’t. The sweet rush of pleasure that consumed her at his remark was both surprising and unwelcome. Damn it, she didn’t care if he, or his sexy, British friend, found her attractive or desirable.

  “No, I don’t, and don’t care. Please, do something… more,” she pleaded when he kept his finger thrusts light and shallow, avoiding all contact with her pleasure button. Right now, that small piece of flesh throbbed with need so intense, it left her shaken. It didn’t help when Bryan took that moment to drop his switch, release his raging erection and palm Carlee’s buttocks to lift her onto it.