“You get the letter back in the drawer?” T answered on the second ring.

“Nope,” Aaron sighed. A cocktail of nerves stirred in his gut. He couldn’t quite put his finger on what was wrong but something was amiss.

“How come?”

“Got there too late. Hope already knew it was gone. It’s still on me.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah.”

“You think she’ll say anything to Natalie about the letter?”

“No. She didn’t even want to tell Brock about it. His father is apparently hated by most everyone. I doubt she’ll mention it ever again. She never responded to it.”

“I’m sorry, man. I should’ve just snapped a pic of it. We got sloppy because there’s no security in that town. I never dreamed anyone would figure anything out. I do have a peace offering for you though.”

“I was an ass last night. You don’t need to give me a peace offering.” Aaron hoped that would be enough of an apology.

“You are always in a much better mood after you get laid. How was she?”

“Don’t make me murder you, too.”

T laughed. “You’re not gonna tell me anything? Come on.”

“She was perfect. Now shut the fuck up.”

“I knew it. You never sound this happy after a misstep in a mission. She’s good for you.”

“Fairly certain I told you to shut it.”

“Fine.”

Aaron heard T’s fingers on a keyboard again.

“I am currently looking inside Micheal Camden’s house.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. There’s a tire swing hanging in the backyard which makes me want to murder him twice. It seems anyone who’s had the great misfortune of interacting with him calls him Mick.”

Vomit swirled in Aaron’s mouth. “He’s listed as a sexual predator though, right?”

“Nope. He has a fairly lengthy record but they’re all public drunkenness or drinking and driving. Nothing like what happened to Natalie. That is what happens when families don’t report things. On the other hand, what parent wants to put their kid through having to testify to shit like that? Keeping in mind that this was someone she probably trusted at one time, she may not have even been capable of testifying about it at eleven. Fucked up all the way around.”

“I’m gonna make sure he burns. Don’t worry.”

“Yeah, well, you know we’re going with you if you go.”

“I need to know where I’m going first.”

“He lives in a tiny beach town near Wilmington, North Carolina, called Gypsy Beach.”

“Fuck. That has to be more than a thousand miles from here. I was kind of hoping the postage on the letter was because he sent it on vacation or something.”

“Gypsy Beach is fifteen hundred eighty-seven miles to be exact. He’s lived there since he was thrown off of Camden Ranch. That’s a two-day trip minimum even if you flew.”

“I can’t afford to fly.”

“You want some money?”

“No. Even if I flew down there, beat the shit out of him, did him in, and dumped him in the Atlantic, where the hell am I gonna tell Natalie I’m going?”

“Personally, I’m far more concerned about your new mailing address being in the North Carolina state penitentiary.”

“He doesn’t deserve to live.”

“I’m not disagreeing, but you do.”

Clearly having spent a good deal of time on a cattle ranch lately, Aaron only grunted his response. He didn’t necessarily agree with T’s assessment.

“Tell you what, you stay in Pleasant Glen with your cowgirl and keep doing things that make her smile. I’ll keep eyes on Uncle Mick.”

“What’s that mean exactly?”

“Means he won’t so much as sneeze without me knowing about it.”

“I still plan on choking him with his own sac.”

“Good thoughts. For now, go see if Natalie might be up for another round. You’re getting pissy again.”

Natalie laughed as Buster and Lulu shook the old towel she’d given them to play with back and forth with utter delight. “You’d think it was covered in bacon.” She scratched behind Buster’s ears.

Aaron grinned. “They love you, too.”

All of the discomfort the evening before had provided was gone by noon. In fact, the emptiness she hadn’t missed was returning.

She chanced another glance at Aaron as he downed the last of the Dr. Pepper she’d given him. There was an ease to him now. He was seated on her couch, where they’d taken a nap earlier. His eyes were clear. His beard a little longer than he normally kept it. The muscles that had cradled her so gently all afternoon were still relaxed. Like the picture her mother had taken of her and Sundance on the table nearby, he seemed to belong. The room wouldn’t have felt complete without him.

“When do we have to leave for Saddleback’s?”

“Just a few minutes. I have to clock in at five.”

“That sucks.”

“Believe me I’d much rather stay here, but having a paycheck, small as it is, does come in handy.”

“I know. I was just wishing we had time for you to carry me back to the bedroom.” She tried for a flirtatious smile.

The low hum she’d needed to hear sounded from him. “I kind of pride myself on how long I can go, sweetheart, but that’s awfully damned tempting. Not sure you’re quite ready for us to get down and dirty that fast, anyway.”

“You’re going to stay with me again tonight, right?”

“Unless you’re tired of looking at me.”

“I’m definitely not.”

He lumbered upward and made his way to her. Hungry intention locked in his gaze as he tipped her chin upward. “Don’t worry. As soon as I get you back here, I’m gonna rock you to sleep. Back and forth. In and out. Listen to those sweet little gasps and moans you make when I take what belongs to me.” His lips swallowed down the approving squeak she made. There was a hint of the syrup from the fizzy drink she’d given him on his tongue, she pressed hers deeper needing the flavors of him.

He turned his head and kissed along her jawline. When he nipped her earlobe she gasped. God, who knew ears were an erogenous zone? She ran her hands over his shoulders and down the ropes of muscles that comprised his massive arms.

“You have any fucking clue how much I love the fact that I’m the only man who knows you, baby?” Another kiss on her lips. Another moan. “The only man who knows how sweet you come.” And another, this one slower and deeper. “How sweet you beg.” His hands gripped her ass rocking his erection against her. “The only man who knows how wet and needy you get for me. Knows how good you taste.” Another greedy kiss. “Knows how to make you come. And tonight I’m gonna feel you come on my cock, honey, over and over again.” His raspy tone carried the current of desire directly to her core.

“Oh God.”

His hands slipped to her breasts. He caught her lace trapped nipples between his thumb and index finger. “Yes.” She couldn’t help herself. Every time he touched her there, the entire world tilted off its axis. He pressed harder and she bucked against him, unable to keep herself from him.

“Can’t you be late?” Her nipples puckered and throbbed, begging for more of his touch.

His throaty chuckle tangled her in knots only he could untie. “Anticipation is a good thing, baby.” He took one more kiss before his hands returned to her back and he cradled her to him. “I have a question for you.”

“Should you ask me while we drive?”

“Probably. You sure you’re okay with the dogs staying here?”

“Of course.”