After tucking Ginger in for a nap, he slipped on a pair of jeans, grabbed his phone, and walked toward the office, dialing Marcus as he went. Since Marcus was an hour behind him, they’d have plenty of time to talk.

“Marcus, what do you have?”

“Man, the email was sent from a public access computer in Riverton Crossing.”

“So who sent it?”

“The Riverton Crossing Public Library.”

“What?”

“I can tell you where it came from, but I can’t tell you who. Anyone could’ve used that computer. They could’ve set it up weeks ago to send automatically at a specific time if they knew what they were doing. The library should have security cameras, maybe you can look through the feed.”

“Was this picture ever released?”

“Yeah, for a short period of time. Apparently, someone thought they were all removed, but unfortunately once something is on the internet, it’s never truly gone. A few publications ran the picture, but pulled it after a couple of days. Looks like someone with Cowboy Heaven has some leverage.”

“What?”

“The band, dude. You didn’t know she dated David Whitehouse? He’s their lead singer.”

“I know who he is. I just didn’t know that was him. Dammit. Okay, anything else?”

“No, but I’m on this weekend if you need anything.”

“Thanks, man.” Evan disconnected the call and stared at the picture. Now he knew the fuckhead that screwed with Ginger’s head and heart. Even though Evan would take great pleasure in beating his ass, it would be sad because Cowboy Heaven was one of his favorite bands. The longer he stared at the picture the more he focused on David. Was he the guy across the river today? Could be the same height, but not the same build unless David had put on weight. Evan searched for a current picture of him and was looking at the picture of David with Ginger along with the new one of David when he heard a gasp behind him.

Evan turned to see Ginger staring at the computer screen so he walked toward her. “What are you doing?” she asked.

“I spoke with Marcus, darlin’. The picture was sent from the local library. I needed to see if David had gained weight because the man we saw today had a bigger build than the man in the picture. David hasn’t changed much, so I don’t think he was the man we saw. Unless he’s in town, I don’t think he sent it.” Evan wrapped her in his arms and kissed her head.

“Who else would’ve known about it?”

“I don’t know, but he’s issued me a challenge to keep you safe. And I will,” he said as he rubbed her back. “Nobody’s getting to you. Let me turn off the computer and we’ll go find dinner.”

“I don’t want to go out.”

“Good, because we’re staying in.”

As they made their way to the kitchen, Evan could tell her mind wasn’t in a good place. The only way he knew to redirect it was physically. He knew they had so much to talk about, but also wanted them to have one night to themselves. “Hey, Gin, why don’t you go put on that short dress thing you had over your bikini this morning?”

“From the pool?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s see through.”

His devilish smile spread across his face. “That’s why it’s perfect.”

She furrowed her brows. “I’ve never done that.”

“What?”

“Walk around basically naked.”

“This is the weekend for firsts, darlin’.”

“What about you?”

“What about me? I don’t have a shirt on at all,” he said with a chuckle.

“But I can’t see you.” Her gaze dropped to his crotch.

“No, but I’ll make sure you feel me.” He wiggled his brows up and down.

“I thought earlier would’ve calmed your raging libido.”

“Not when you’re around, dressed or not. Seriously, you’re beautiful. I wanna look at you. I want you comfortable with me looking. The only way for that to happen is to do it. Remember, open and honest? No secrets.”

“I think you’re taking this a little far,” she said with a giggle. She shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m letting you talk me into this.”

While she went to dress, he turned on a playlist he’d used before. He opened a bottle of wine as they cooked dinner and made sure to touch her every time he was in the same room. It may have only been a brush of her ass, a graze of her breast, or a kiss on her neck. It didn’t matter what he did, with Marvin Gaye in the background he was sucking her into his vortex, and she was coming willingly. He had her intoxicated on lust with an undercurrent of what he hoped was love, and by the time dinner was ready she was so high on him he wasn’t sure if she could eat.

“So tell me about this article you wrote today.”

“It’s about you taking me riding.”

He cocked an eyebrow in question.

“I’m not telling them about the steer,” she said. “It’s more about learning to ride as an adult. I never thought I would since I didn’t grow up on a horse, you know?”

“You’re not that old. What, twenty-four? Twenty-five?”

“Twenty-four. I’m a year younger than Kayla.”

“That’s not too old to learn how to ride a horse. You did great. Did you enjoy it?”

“I did. Anyway, I’m going to send it to an equestrian magazine as well as a lifestyle blog I’ve worked with before. The magazine will pay more, though.”

“It’ll get picked up. You know what you’re doing.”

She was staring out the window and looked to be deep in thought with a smile on her face when he pressed against her back and braced his arms against the counter on either side of her. “What are you thinking?”

“That I’m doing mundane things basically naked, and that I’d do them for you as much as you want until Mitchell and Kayla come home.”

He snaked his arms around her while one hand headed north to her breasts and the other south toward her pussy as he kissed her neck. “This is what I enjoy. I wanna drive you crazy with need.”

She slowly rubbed her ass against his cock and moaned, and he groaned as his phoned pinged with an incoming text. He kissed her shoulder. “Hold that thought, darlin’. This should be Roger telling me who’s coming tomorrow.”

“I didn’t think the guys worked on the weekends.”

“Normally they don’t, but I want extra eyes around here until Mitchell and Kayla get back,” he said as he pulled out his phone and responded to the text. “Daniel Brown will be here. Have you met him?”

“Doesn’t he work after school?”

“Yes, he’s the bigger one.”

“I haven’t, but I know who he is.”

Evan stuffed his phone back into his pocket and said as he turned her, “Now, I do believe your ass was about right here.” He blew out a heavy breath when she wiggled it against him.

He moved her hair to expose her neck as he moved in closer. “Your hands weren’t on the counter earlier,” she softly said.

“No, darlin’, they were right here.” He replaced his hands where they were before. “You wanna finish this here or move it to the bedroom?”

“Bedroom.”

Ginger turned and Evan lifted her as she wrapped her legs around him. He loved the feel of her breasts pressed against his chest as he walked them to their room. He laid her on the bed and lowered his zipper. When she went to scoot back, he grabbed her hip. “Stay right there.” She was open to him as he stood on the side of the bed and pulled her to him as he slid in to the hilt. Her moan was louder than ever. “That’s right, darlin’. I wanna hear you.” With every moan, his thrusts increased and her breasts jiggled more. It wasn’t long before she was calling his name and he was whispering hers.

“Aw hell, darlin’. That felt good. I love watching your skin flush.” He cupped her breasts and massaged as he said, “And these are perfect.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

They made their way to the bathroom to wash up and get ready for bed. When Ginger emerged from the bathroom, her step faltered as her eyes fell on the gun Evan had placed on the table next to his side of the bed. Guns didn’t bother her. Hell, she could even shoot, but what changed? “Why do you have that out?”

“We’re here by ourselves. I told you no one would get to you.”

“Do you think someone could break in?”

“No, but I’m not taking any chances.”

“Okay.”

“This is what I do for a living, Gin. You’re safe.”

“I know.”

“Then come on to bed.”

She climbed in the bed and kissed him. “Thank you.” A playful smile spread across her face. “You know I’ve noticed you’ve been calling me Gin. Don’t get me wrong, I like it. I’m just wondering why.”

A corner of his mouth tilted up. “The night in the hotel room I remembered Mitchell said he wanted Kayla to have a nickname specific to him, and Gin almost slipped out. I knew what I was feeling, but wasn’t sure we were on the same page yet. So I decided that night if it ever just came out, I wouldn’t stop it again. Today, it just felt natural.”

With a sweet smile on her face she admitted, “I really like it.”