“I’ve noticed that.” She nuzzled into my hand. “As far as why you couldn’t find my graduation certificate, it’s because I’m using my maiden name. Well, my mother’s name. I never formally used it until I had to.”

  “Does anyone else know?” Including whoever had beaten her.

  “No. It was something I knew I had to keep to myself. I was forced to use every last name in a foster family when enrolled in school. I don’t know if it was a requirement of the agency who farmed me out to people or not. Maybe since they hadn’t bothered to look for family, they thought the choice better than giving me a fake name like Smith or Jones. I just went with it. I had almost nothing of my mother’s, except for a letter she’d written me about why she’d dropped me off in a hospital trashcan. No name. I had it safely stored in plastic and had a friend who was able to get DNA off it. One thing led to another and I was given her information.”

  “I’m sure that gave you relief.”

  “I don’t know, Jagger. She didn’t want me. She preferred sticking a needle in her arm. But she had a name and I had a connection to someone who had my blood. So after all the shit with my ex, I adopted it when I left Baltimore. I do have my diploma. I locked it away in a safe box inside the Mercedes, a vehicle you hate.”

  “I didn’t say I hated it.” I knew she was teasing me, but I was far too angry with circumstances to feel anything but fury.

  “Yes, you did,” she retorted, her laugh returning. “But that’s okay. I don’t blame you. I hate it too.”

  “Then we’ll get you a new one.”

  “With all that money you earn?”

  Now I laughed. “You’d be surprised what a hired mercenary earns, sweet lady. I didn’t need much either so I’m worth a pretty penny.”

  She inched closer. “I’ll keep that in mind. Maybe I’ll marry you for your money.”

  “I don’t think I’d mind.”

  “Don’t tempt me.” She even rested her head on my chest.

  I stroked her hair, feeling her entire body shivering. “Why are you running, baby? Why is this asshole texting you with threats?”

  It took her a full minute to lift her head. “I’m married, Jagger.”

  I immediately pushed myself away. “Married?”

  “Separated, the divorce final any day. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I just wasn’t certain what this was or if I could trust you. You don’t know how powerful my ex is.”

  “What’s your married name?”

  She hesitated before telling me. “Bella Brockford.”

  Brockford. The name sounded vaguely familiar.

  “You couldn’t trust me with sharing you were married?” Something was very off about this.

  “With telling you he’s a monster.”

  “What do you mean, a monster?” The tension immediately shifted into every joint in my body. I fisted my hands even though I made certain to keep her close.

  “He wants custody of Cally and he didn’t adopt her, but he’s threatening to force the adoption papers through without me being there to sign them.”

  “He was the one who hurt you, wasn’t he?”

  She looked away.

  “Bella. Tell me the truth. Did he hurt you? The bruises. The pain you had. He did that. Didn’t he?” I couldn’t even recognize my own voice. I held her face again, forcing her to look in my direction. “Didn’t he?”

  “Yes, Jagger. He did. And he’s still contacting me. That’s why I can’t stay here. That’s why I can’t care about you. If I do and he finds out, he’ll kill you too.”

  Kill.

  Some snot-nosed lily-white surgeon thought they would take the life of such an incredible woman? And try to take me out in the process for standing in his way? The fucker had another think coming. “Fuck that. He’ll get a bullet in his brain.”

  “Don’t do this. This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you,” Bella said sharply.

  “I won’t let him hurt you or Cally. Not a chance on this fucking earth.” I wasn’t certain if I’d ever been so angry in my life. I was pacing the deck, already on another glass of bourbon. All I could see was blood in my eyes.

  “Please, Jagger. Just calm down. Joel is in Baltimore.”

  “But you think he’ll manage to find you so he can ruin your life? Let him come here.”

  “You just don’t know what he’s capable of or what his father is capable of. Plus, they have police and even members of the FBI in their back pockets. I won’t be safe anywhere.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, lady. You’re safe here. With me.” Yeah, I had plenty of guns in the house, all of which I’d need to ensure were locked up because of Cally.

  She moved away, holding her glass close to her face. Soon we’d perfect the art of silence. I was beginning to hate it with everything I had inside of me. “I don’t want you hurt. Your brothers either.”

  “You don’t know my brothers very well. Maybe we’ll have to change that. There are things that can be done to ensure Joel won’t be able to find you and if he does, I assure you the sheriff will have his ass locked up.”

  “I don’t know if I can do that.”

  “Then you’re going to allow him to win by running.”

  “Which is exactly what you did, right?”

  Ouch. “I deserved that.”

  “No, you didn’t.”

  Yeah, I did. I closed my eyes, rubbing my hand through my beard. “I have friends who can help.”

  “No one can help. No one.” When she turned around to face me, she tilted her head to the side. “Is the hot tub on because I’m freezing.” She took a purposeful step away, crossing her arms over her chest and making a ‘brr’ sound.

  Lord, God above. We could go from having a frank, difficult conversation to overheated in the matter of seconds. That intrigued the fuck out of me. She had two distinct sides.

  Just like I did.

  And tonight, I planned on taking full advantage of this one. Who wouldn’t?

  But after tonight, I would hunt the fucker down.

  “Yeah, it’s on. And very hot. Just like someone standing in front of me.” To prove a point, I moved to the cover, flipping it off in two moves. Steam rose into the air.

  She cocked her pretty little head, daring to fold her arms. I reached down to the controls, turning on the colorful lights and the jets. Within a few seconds, the water was bubbling.

  “Do you think that’s hot enough for you, little lady?”

  “Mmm… Let me think. I don’t have a swimsuit.” Her words were little more than a ragged whisper. If she was trying to arouse me, it was working.

  “Who needs a swimsuit?” I tugged on her coat, yanking her against me with enough force that she smacked her hands against my chest.

  “What are you doing?”

  I tilted her into a slight arch. “Do we need to keep going over that? Taking you. Which is all I want or need right now. Say no and you’ll see what happens.”

  “I think I’ll tell you no just to do exactly that.”

  “So you’re telling me no?” I challenged.

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying, grumpy guy. Do I need to spell the word for you?”

  Dropping my head, I blew across her face a few times. She moaned, but the sound was meant to tease me. My balls were already blue from the intense craving.

  “Your actions and disobedience have consequences.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Her two little words were nothing more than a purr.

  “Oh. Yeah.”

  Bella rose onto her toes, planting one hot kiss on my lips, her actions forceful enough she managed to open my mouth, driving her tongue deep inside. Why was it that the taste of her was somehow better in the frigid temperatures? I wasn’t usually the kind of man to enjoy all this taunting foreplay, but my mind needed the break from the dark craving.

  I would handle Joel Brockford myself. She would never need to cower in fear or worry the bastard would ever touch her daughter again.

  But there was nothing I could do right now.

  It was time to play.

  And show her who was boss.

  I allowed her kiss, enjoying the way the light breeze whipped across my skin, the softness of her lips and the building excitement from both of us letting go. But as usual, my patience was waning.

  She shoved me away, slip sliding on the snow immediately. Her laugh floated into the night sky, the sound sweeter than ever before. As soon as she started to rip off her clothes, her boots going first, I did the same.

  We might be nuts doing something like this, but it almost felt like I was a young man again, experiencing the joy of tasting a woman for the first time. She had that kind of effect on me.

  When she was completely naked, she jumped through the remaining snow in her attempt to get to the hot tub. I was having none of it. She was such a tiny thing in comparison to my big, bulking body that all I had to do was reach out with one arm, lifting her off her feet and crowding her against me.

  I had a distinct advantage.

  She was naked.

  I still had my boots on.

  No cold feet.

  “Oh, no, you don’t!” she squealed softly so as not to wake the sleeping child.

  “Oh, yes, I do.” I started humming, another first in my lonely world, and brushed snow off the railing of the deck. When I planted her over the edge, the look she gave me was a clear indication she would lay in wait.

  But without a doubt she would get me back.

  “You wouldn’t dare,” she hissed.

  “Wouldn’t I? You’ll learn I’m a man of my word.”

  With that, I brought down my hand on her naked bottom.

  CHAPTER 20

  Bella

  The brutal crack of his hand not once but twice was jarring.

  Maybe I was in shock, but I didn’t move. Heck, I couldn’t breathe from the frigid air.

  Prickly points of electricity jolted every nerve and tendon in my body. I kicked out, trying to plant my foot on any part of his body to drive him off. However, with a man like Jagger, when he put his stubborn mind to something, there was no turning back.

  He would always be successful in getting what he wanted.

  His hum intensified the moment, making it almost surreal. Here I was, outside on the night after a deep snow, ice crystals all over the railing from limited melting, steam from the hot tub washing across my back.

  If this wasn’t a sinful moment, I didn’t know what was.

  Jagger was having a good ole time spanking me like a wayward child, bringing his hand down in a perfect rhythm. I wanted to scream and throw a tantrum, but even with the roaring noise of the bubbling water, I held back.

  I could only imagine what people would think if they saw us.

  Maybe we were a little nuts.

  I wiggled and gyrated my hips to no avail, the cracking sound of skin connecting with skin becoming a strange but powerful aphrodisiac. Panting, I finally dug my nails into the wood, the pain jetting through me irritating and deliciously enticing.

  My pussy already ached, throbbing deep to my core. Whether from cold or arousal, my nipples were hard like diamonds. But one day soon I would get the man back.

  “Ouch!”

  “Hush, little girl. This is exactly what you need and deserve.”

  “No fair.”

  “All is fair in my world when I say it is.”

  His big he-man attitude was attractive. Maybe a little too much so. I’d seen the look of fury in his eyes. He would never allow Joel to get away with hurting me in any manner. I liked that.

  Who was I kidding? I adored his vicious need to break my ex’s neck.

  A smile flew across my face and I finally closed my eyes, accepting my punishment. I could easily get used to this man.

  Maybe far too easily.

  He rubbed my aching bottom, likely gathering heat in his hand. But he started up again, one brutal strike coming down after another. I was almost in awe, a strange place to be when someone spanked you. Maybe a small part of me believed I deserved such harsh punishment.

  Whatever the case, I was shivering all over and there was no way the electric sensations were for any other reason than being with him.

  “Four more, lovely lady.”

  My heart fluttered when he called me that. It was a term of endearment, one I doubted he’d offered to anyone else in his life. I really did want to get to know more about him, but that would take time as well as peeling layers away from the onion.

  I was certain he felt the same about me.

  The four strikes were equally as savage, the heat on my bottom a direct conflict of the chill in the air.

  When he lifted me off the railing as if I weighed nothing, a rush of air was pushed from my lungs. He cradled me against him as he’d done so many times, the sound of his boots thumping against the deck somehow comforting. He didn’t seem to care as he dropped to one knee, easing me into the water with utter gentleness.

  If only I could take a picture of the naked man in boots and nothing else. I was certain the town gossip would be hotter than normal. Exhaling in appreciation, I moved to the other side of the oversized hot tub, already basking in the warmth of the water.

  Even if my butt hurt and likely would for a few hours.

  He knew how to provide a decent spanking.

  The thought made me blush.

  Jagger was still in the mood to taunt me, taking his time removing his boots. The lighting presented a gorgeous figure of perfection for a few precious seconds before he slipped into the water.

  We swam around each other for a full two minutes before he advanced. He was without a doubt a true predator, the look in his eyes confirming my belief. But I was a girl who wanted to be caught, captured, and kept for a long time.

  Could I stay here and be happy?

  I’d been so uncertain before, but I knew I could find a fabulous life here. If only I allowed myself to do so. Maybe things would work out. Maybe…

  He pushed me back against the solid surface, his growl a clear indication of what he had planned for me. I teased him by rubbing my leg against his thigh, pursing my lips on purpose as well.

  The way he spun me around in the water made me laugh. “What do you want, big man?”

  “Not grumpy dude any longer?” he asked.

  “Oh, you’re grumpy as hell, but I kind of like that. You’re a bit ruffled.”

  “I’ve been called many things, lady, but not ruffled.”

  I brushed the back of my hand across my face. “There’s a first time for everything. Right?”

  “Yes.” When he captured my mouth, I moaned immediately into the kiss. Just the way he held me was special, entirely different than before. We’d bared our souls, allowing the other to learn our darkest secrets.

  The thought of doing so was still painful, but as he kissed me as if I’d never been kissed before, all the fears slowly started to melt away.

  I slipped my arms over his shoulders, delighting in being able to tug on his long hair. His thick beard scratched me more than it had before, which allowed a bubbling laugh to surface. It broke through the kiss and I pushed him away by a few inches.

  “You don’t like my beard,” he said gruffly.

  “I don’t think there’s much about you I don’t like.”

  Our lips were so close together, only centimeters apart. He was breathing heavily, his haunted eyes dipping down low.

  “Where is this going?” I asked, which shocked me. Only hours before I’d done everything in my power to shove him away.

  “I don’t know. Does it matter?”

  “Not right now.” The admittance was freeing. Whatever this would turn into had allowed me to feel something I’d never felt before.

  Someone who truly gave a damn.

  Not because he wanted to have arm candy on the side or because he needed a family to show off to the press and his associates. Jagger was real and we were right here together.

  He kissed me again, more roughly this time, acting as if maybe this was the last time we’d be able to connect. As our growls and moans filled the night sky, I wrapped both legs around his waist. The warmth was incredible, but the feel of his weight was even better.

  As the pure intimacy continued, I felt every muscle that had remained tense since I’d gotten here fall away, relaxing because I knew I was safe.

  Even if just for now.

  His tongue dominated mine, pushing a level of heat I’d never known existed before. They were dancing together, but I knew he would completely dominate mine. That was the kind of man he was.

  With the sky clearing, the moment he broke the kiss, I glanced up at the stars. I used to make wishes to them, only to find out not one had come true. But I made another one, my mind hopeful.

  That I could make Danger Falls my home.

  Jagger shifted his hand between us, pressing the tip of his cock against my pussy. He wasn’t blinking, barely moving as he studied me with such emotion in his dark eyes. The moment he slid his shaft inside, I clung to his shoulders.

  On this night and for whatever time we could carve out, we were as one. No matter what happened, I would remember this very moment as one of the best in my life.

  “So tight,” he whispered and drove the last few inches deep inside.

  “So huge.”

  His grin was lopsided and, in the twinkling, vividly colored lights of the hot tub, I could tell he was lost in his own level of pure ecstasy. I never would have believed he could find such peace in sharing something between a man and a woman. Maybe first impressions weren’t my strong suit.

  As he pulled out, I jutted my hips forward. I needed him inside of me as much as I did the air I was breathing. He sensed my longing, driving inside with careful actions. But I pressed him harder. I needed the roar of excitement and the rush of adrenaline. He repeated his actions, still watching me carefully as if I was going to break into a thousand pieces.

  I knew now I was much stronger than that.