Riley

Book #3 in The MacKenzie Brothers Quartet Riley MacKenzie is one of the world’s leading experts on Egyptian artifacts. But when Maggie Lawrence walks into his life with a priceless stolen artifact and bad guys on her trail, he has no choice but to whisk her away to the safety of Surrender, Montana. Maggie Lawrence takes one look at Riley MacKenzie and sees everything she’s ever craved and always avoided when it comes to men: Adventure. And she knows it’s only a matter of time before she falls prey to his seduction, especially since she’s trapped with him during one of the worst snowstorms Montana has seen in years. But when the enemy finds them, Maggie’s confronted with a past that could destroy her love for Riley forever.

RILEY The MacKenzie Brothers Quartet 3 By Liliana Hart

Copyright 2011 by Liliana Hart

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Mackenzie Quartet 03 – Riley – Liliana Hart

Chapter One Riley MacKenzie wrapped his scarf around his neck, slipped on thick leather gloves, shrugged on his heavy wool coat and pulled his fleece-lined toboggan down low over his ears. He grabbed his worn leather satchel—ignoring the stack of books that slid off the chair and onto the floor—and didn’t spare a second glance at his overly cramped, disorganized office. In fact, he slammed the door behind him and locked it with what might be misconstrued as glee. School was out for winter break. Finals had been taken. Grades had been given. And he was a free man until January. Well, almost free. He still had one thing to do before he could go home to Surrender, Montana and spend the holidays with his family. He had no idea why he’d agreed to meet Margaret Lawrence, other than the fact he was simply curious. Not about the woman. She’d told him in her email she was the director for the Library of Antiquities in Washington, which in his opinion 5

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meant she was nothing more than a highly paid babysitter to dusty relics. He figured by the terse and direct tone of her email that she was probably a relic herself. Deep lines would be carved into her face from the perpetual scowl she probably used to chase away those who lingered in her hallowed halls too long. But old Mags didn’t concern him in the least. What she had in her possession did. She’d been very withholding of information in her emails other than to tell him her colleague, Dr. Jonathon Scott, had recommended Riley to her. Since Riley was considered an expert in Egyptian Artifacts and he was friends with Jon Scott, he could only assume she wanted him to identify something for her. Her email had said it was urgent, and the tingles of excitement that ran up and down his spine told him she had something he was going to be very interested in. It was the same feeling he got just before he unearthed a priceless treasure while on a dig. The cold Montana wind slapped against his face as he left the Archaeology Building at Declan 6

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College and headed to the faculty parking lot. The smell of snow was heavy in the air, and he hoped he could satisfy Ms. Lawrence’s curiosity and get home before it started. The last thing he wanted was to be trapped in a blizzard. It was already as black as pitch outside, though it was barely six o’clock in the evening. No stars blinked in the sky and the moon was just a hazy glow behind the thick snow clouds. Riley unlocked his dusty 4x4 and slid in, tossing his bag to the back. The engine coughed and sputtered as it warmed up, and he turned the stereo up to teeth shaking volume in hopes it would get his mind off the cold. Margaret had agreed to come to him. She’d seemed desperate behind her written attempt of vibrato, which would have made a normal person hesitate before going into the meeting, but his curiosity and excitement had overridden his internal warnings. Not that throwing caution to the wind was anything new for him. Of the four MacKenzie brothers, he was known as the most reckless. He headed in the opposite direction of Surrender, to a little coffee shop just down the 7

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road. Myrna Springs was a small college town, and Declan College was its main means of support. Riley loved teaching there—as much as he was able to love teaching. He’d much rather be on constant digs and delving into piles of research and writing academic papers that would get him noticed by colleagues all over the world. But something had to pay the bills. Declan College was a private school with a wellfunded endowment, good pay and some of the best professors the country had to offer. He was close to home, his class schedule was full but manageable, he was dean of the archaeology department and he had plenty of time to work on his research papers and plan his next dig. So he wasn’t complaining. The parking lot in front of The Coffee House was mostly deserted except for a smattering of a few cars. No doubt everyone was at home getting ready for the storm. He pushed through the glass door and a warm rush of heat greeted him. He stuck his hat and gloves in his pockets and hung his coat and scarf up on the rack by the door. The interior was suited to the college crowd. Art deco posters framed with thick black wood hung on 8

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light colored walls. The lighting was dim and cozy. Overstuffed red chairs sat grouped around a coffee table in the corner, and a fireplace tiled with hunter green marble took up a good bit of the back wall. Riley found a booth closest to the fireplace, taking a moment to warm his hands in front of the fire. “Hey, Dr. MacKenzie,” Tyler Whidbey said from behind the counter. Tyler had been one of his intro archaeology students last spring. “I’ll have coffee out for you in just a second. Do you want food?” “You bet, Tyler. Thanks. I haven’t had a chance to eat today. Whatever you’ve got handy is fine.” “Good,” he said with obvious relief. “The manager closed the kitchen about an hour ago, so all we’ve got is stew on the stove and some bread.” “Sounds perfect.” Riley looked at his watch and frowned as he saw Ms. Lawrence was late. If she wasn’t there by the time he finished his meal, she’d have to find another expert or come all the way to Surrender. Spending the holidays with his family was the one thing he never missed. It was important to all of them, and this was the first Christmas they’d be spending at the MacKenzie house since his brother Dane had left 9

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Surrender more than ten years before. While Dane had been under his self-imposed exile from Surrender, the brothers spent their Christmases at different locations, usually the beach, where they had the sun, sand and their pick of willing women. But this Christmas was going to be different. It was going to be special. Especially now that two of his brothers had their own families. Dane’s wife, Charlie, as well as their son Jayden would be there, and come spring they’d be adding another MacKenzie to the family. His other brother Thomas had been head over heels in love ever since he’d laid eyes on his girlfriend Cat. It had taken a lot of persuasion of Thomas’s part, but Cat had finally agreed to marry him on New Year’s Eve. Yes, things were good for the MacKenzies. Better than they had been in a long while. They’d all been a little lost after both their parents had died too young, but the brothers were still closer than most of the families he knew. Family was everything. Riley’s thoughts shifted as the door of the coffee shop opened with a cold rush of frigid air. His breath caught in his throat as the most beautiful 10

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woman he’d ever seen walked through the door. He was suddenly as warm as he’d ever been, and his black sweater suddenly seemed like one too many layers of clothing. He watched with fascination as she pulled her hat off and a long fall of white-blond hair cascaded down her back. She unwound her scarf slowly, and he felt his cock swell behind the zipper of his chinos. Layer after layer of her outerwear came off, giving him a torturous strip tease that had desire coiling in his gut. Every inch of the woman screamed class. She wore a black turtleneck, stretched taut over generous breasts and tucked into skin tight jeans. Expensive low heeled boots covered her feet and a gold watch flashed at her wrist. Riley wanted to get on his knees and whimper. The woman glanced around the coffee shop, passing over the few customers that sat scattered around. And then her gaze locked onto his, and he was lucky he was able to keep his tongue from rolling out of his mouth like a cartoon character.

Geez, MacKenzie. Man up. It’s just been too long since you got laid. She’s as beautiful as any woman. 11

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His subconscious protested the lie, and he purposefully made his expression one of skepticism and disinterest. He’d had plenty of practice at not letting government officials of other countries read his thoughts. He’d negotiated countries into loaning their precious artifacts to the United States on several occasions. It was high stakes poker at its finest, and he was a champ. Riley raised a brow in question as she started towards him with purposeful strides. “Are you Doctor MacKenzie?” “Riley,” he said, holding out a hand. “I take it you’re Margaret Lawrence?” Dimples fluttered around a lush, amused mouth. “Call me Maggie. Do you care if I sit down?” Definitely not old, he thought. “Have a seat. Do you want some coffee?” “No, thanks. But hot tea would be lovely.” “I’ll have it right out,” Tyler called out, obviously eavesdropping. Riley kept silent as their drinks were served, waiting for her to get her thoughts together and say what she wanted. Despite her composed face, her hands were in constant motion, stirring her tea and 12

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crumpling the sugar packet between her fingers. She was obviously nervous, and every time headlights shone in the windows from the parking lot she turned her head to see who it was. He’d thought when she’d first come in she might be the age of some of his graduate students, but seeing her up close he put her age closer to thirty. Her eyes were a clear gray and her thick sculpted brows were a darker shade of blond. It made him wonder if she was truly blond all over. That thought didn’t help with the fit of his slacks, so he tried to think of something else. “Thank you for meeting me.” Her voice was soft and husky, and he could only imagine how it would sound when he was buried deep inside of her. Somewhere between the time she’d walked in the door and spoken her first word, he’d decided he was going to take her to bed. He couldn’t remember ever wanting a woman this badly. “I realize this is unorthodox, but I needed someone very quickly. I appreciate you seeing me so soon. I’m afraid this is a bit of a delicate situation, and I was afraid it might be too…late if 13

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you waited until after the holidays.” “Too late how?” “Just be patient with me. This has been a difficult week.” Riley nodded and found his interest growing. Just what kind of artifact had she come across? “Before I can show you anything, I need to make sure you will be discreet. This knowledge in the wrongs hands could make things even more difficult than they already are.” Riley didn’t bother to hide his irritation. “I don’t gossip to tabloids, Ms. Lawrence. I work in an occupation that often requires discretion.” “It’s Doctor, not Miss.” “I beg your pardon.” Riley couldn’t help but smile at her narrowed gaze. Color had washed into her cheeks and he had the sudden urge to trace his finger over the gentle curve of her jaw. “And I’m well aware of your reputation. You’re considered something of a renegade in academic circles. A man who likes to pick his own teams and call all the shots when excavating new locations. You can hold your own with grave robbers and government officials alike, and your interns have a 14

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tendency to leave your digs in tears because you yell at them if they mishandle the finds.” “The good interns don’t leave in tears, Doctor Lawrence. The good interns usually end up getting a call the next time I put an excavation team together. I don’t put up with mediocrity.” “I’m not saying you’re wrong. I feel the same way. I’m just stating the facts. Your insistence on not playing the political game and kissing certain asses has held you back somewhat, but your work is solid.” “I’m glad you approve.” “I wouldn’t bring something this important to you without checking the facts. Lives could depend upon it.” She pulled a photograph out of her purse and slid it across the table. He didn’t look at it until her gaze met his in question, letting her know he wasn’t as anxious to see what she had as she wanted him to be—though in truth he was practically salivating with what could be waiting for him. He pulled a pair of wire rimmed glasses from the neck of his sweater and slipped them on, bringing the photo closer with the tip on his fingers. The 15

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sight before him made his chest tighten and his fist clench with anger in his lap. “Is this some kind of a joke, Doctor Lawrence?” “I wouldn’t be here on a joke. Tell me what it is? I wasn’t able to find any information or match a description from my own resources.” Riley grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer, so they were nose to nose across the table. “Do you have it with you? Who else knows about this?” “I didn’t bring it with me. It’s in a safe place. And I’m not sure who else knows. That’s part of the problem.” Riley took a moment to think. This was a find that could make a career or get someone killed. Most likely the latter. They’d have to be very smart how they played this out. “This is a dangerous game you’ve decided to play. If this is the real deal and not an imitation then you need to be very, very careful.” She let out a long breath he hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Looking at her a little closer, Riley realized he’d been mistaken about the nervousness he thought he’d seen. She wasn’t nervous at all. She was terrified. And she had every reason to be. 16

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“Believe me when I say that I didn’t know the rules of the game when I was thrown into it. Please,” she said softly. “Tell me what it is. And then tell me what to do with it. This is way out of my area of expertise. My field of study is the Renaissance.” Riley looked at her steadily, trying to decide if he was the one being taken for a ride by a clever seductress. If he made the wrong decision, the good reputation she’d talked about earlier would be gone in a heartbeat. He’d be a laughingstock in the academic world. “If the item in the photograph is the genuine article, then you have in your possession The Tear of Nefertari. It’s a pearl of the highest quality, more than 254 millimeters in size. It’s supposedly flawless. And the reason you weren’t able to find any information on it is because there’s less than a dozen documented descriptions of the pearl.” “Oh, no,” she said, her eyes big and round as comprehension dawned. “I’m glad you understand the mess you’re in. Ramesses the Great gave it to his consort, Nefertari after the birth of their first son. The same son who 17

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died in childhood as a result of the plagues of Egypt during Moses time. After their son’s death, Ramses and Nefertari hid the pearl, afraid it was the true cause of their gods’ anger. “The last person to see it and claim he’d held it in his hands was a grave robber who looted several of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings in 1817. He wasn’t exactly a reliable source, but there was a newspaper article written about it that described the pearl in great detail. The grave robber was found dead with his throat slit barely a month later and the pearl hasn’t been seen since. The Tear of Nefertari is considered a curse for all who touch it. Its name is synonymous with death. So I’ll ask you again. Where did you get it?” She didn’t hesitate to answer this time. “Jonathon sent it to me in the mail with a letter to contact you if I didn’t hear from him within three days.” Riley narrowed his eyes at the way she’d said his friend’s name. There was a familiarity in the way she used it that told him they’d been close. “You and Jon were lovers?” he asked. She blushed slightly at his bluntness. “We were 18

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lovers. But we are still colleagues. As you know, our world is small. I couldn’t very well disassociate with him completely without hurting my own career.” Riley knew exactly what she was talking about. It was the reason he made it a point to never start an affair with someone he worked with on a frequent basis. He hated awkward entanglements. “Jon said you and you alone could be trusted, and not to even mention that I’d gotten a package from him to anyone else. He said things were tangled and that there were countries and collectors alike who always kept their ears to the ground about rare finds like this one.” “So what you’re telling me is that Jon got in some hot water, and to draw the heat away from himself, he sent you a priceless artifact that dozens of people would kill for. You two must have had a hell of a break up.” She lowered her eyes in embarrassment. “It wasn’t exactly amicable.” Riley would have liked to hear the details, but he had bigger problems to think of. “So where did my good buddy Jon go, and why hasn’t he come back?” “I don’t know. I started searching for him as 19

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soon as I got the package. I called his phones and stopped by his office. I checked my messaging service at the library and even called his mother to see if she’d heard from him. He just vanished. “I knew the pearl was something dangerous as soon as I took it out of the box. But no matter how badly I wanted to be rid of it, I couldn’t just turn a piece of the world’s history over to anyone who wanted it. Though it would have served Jon right if I had. I started seeing shadows around every corner, and I was jumping at every sound. “I waited for his call on that third day, sure he’d come by to pick it up a laugh about the entire incident as if it were some kind of joke. But he didn’t call. So I got in the car around ten o’clock that night and drove back to his apartment. The police were there, and when I went to see what had happened one of the neighbors said there’d been a burglary. So I sent you an email from my phone, drove back home and packed a bag. I think someone followed me from Jon’s apartment. I saw the same black car before I got home and then again on the highway after I left. I think I lost him when I 20

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crossed the state line. I’ve been living out of a suitcase in different motels for the past couple of days. Until you could meet with me.” “Shit.” Riley took his glasses off and rubbed his fingers over his eyes. This was a hell of a mess, and he could only assume that Jon was dead because of his carelessness. And Maggie Lawrence was liable to be next if they didn’t do something quick. “You’re right,” she said, gathering her bag and sliding the photo back inside. “I shouldn’t have contacted you even though Jon told me too. It’s wrong to get anyone else involved in this mess.” She slid out of the booth before he could stop her. “Maggie, wait. I’m not going to let you do this alone. There’s a way to get around this, we just have to be smart. It’s a miracle you’ve made it this long without someone finding you.” He took out his wallet and threw some bills on the table. “Tyler,” he called out. “Yeah, Doctor MacKenzie,” Tyler shouted back from the kitchen. “I’m going to have to cancel on the dinner.” 21

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Tyler came out to the counter with a bowl of stew in his hand. He looked at Maggie and then back at Riley with admiration shining in his eyes. “Completely understandable. You guys have a nice night.” “I need you to do me a favor, Tyler? If anyone comes in looking for my friend here, tell them you’ve never seen her.” Tyler’s expression sobered and he nodded. “I was just thinking it might be a good idea to close up early and head home before the storm hits.” “Good idea,” Riley said, ushering Maggie to the door and into her coat. He threw his own gear on and took a long look through the glass door and into the night. Nothing looked suspicious, but his neck was tingling. “Wait, what about my car?” Maggie asked as he ushered her into the front seat of his Jeep. “Where are we going?” “Your car will be fine. The police will just think it got stranded with the storm. But you need to ditch it because whoever was following you will recognize it.” “I told you I lost them.” 22

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“Honey, men who keep their ears to the ground about rare artifacts almost always have enough money to find what they’re looking for. They’ll find you. If they don’t have your phone traced they will. They’ve probably already checked your email, which means they’ll be able to find me. Now give me your keys. I’ll get your bag.” She handed over the keys without a word. A sense of urgency was ticking away in the back of his mind like a timer on a bomb counting down to zero. He grabbed her bag from the trunk and threw it in his backseat. He hopped in the Jeep, and for once it started without a fuss. Riley didn’t let out a breath until he was a couple of miles away from the coffee shop with no sign that anyone had followed. “I’m going to have to break my promise to you,” he said, looking her in the eye as they stopped at a light. “What do you mean?” “Discretion is not going to help us in this case. The quieter we keep this, the more danger we’re going to be in. The tabloids and media need to become our best friend. The only problem is we’ve got a bitch of a snowstorm moving in on us, and we 23

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won’t be able to call a press conference until its run its course. We’ll have to be on our guard and lay low until then.” “Where are you taking me? I’ve got family who’s going to be worried. And I’m not just going to shack up in a hotel with a man I’ve just met.” “We’re not going to a hotel, darling. We’re going to Surrender.” “It sounds like the same damned thing to me.” “Only if you ask nice.”

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Chapter Two Taking Maggie to the MacKenzie house was out of the question. He had no intention of endangering the rest of the family. In fact, he’d feel a hell of a lot better if no one was staying in the MacKenzie house at all until this was over. It would be the first place anyone searching for him would look. He kept his eyes on the road as the first snowflakes started to fall and dug in his pocket for his phone. He hit speed dial and waited for someone to answer. “What’s up, Riley?” his brother, Cooper, asked on the other end of the line. “Just listen for a second, Coop. I don’t have time for questions right now.” He could feel the tension across the line as Cooper did what he asked. “I need you to have the family move in with Dane and Charlie for a few days. They’ve got the room, and it would be best if everyone stays together. I don’t want anyone in the house until I clear it.” “What the hell is going on Riley?” “I’ll tell you once I get back to Surrender. Just 25

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do what I ask. If you wait too much longer the storm will be too bad.” “I’ll take care of it,” he said. “Anything else?” “I need to borrow your apartment for a couple of days. I want to be close enough to call out for help if we need it.” Cooper was the Sheriff of Surrender and the city provided him with a two bedroom apartment just above the station. Riley knew there was always someone on duty, so it was the most logical place for them to stay until the storm was over. “Who’s we?” Cooper asked. “I told you I’d explain later. I want you to have your deputies looking for any strangers in town. Hell, they could already be there. Don’t count anyone out. This is life or death, Coop. I mean it.” “I’ll take care of it all. And you’d damn well better believe I’ll be wanting an explanation as soon as you drive into town.” “I’ll give you one. Just get the family taken care of.” Riley disconnected and checked his rearview mirror. They’d reach the outskirts of town in another hour. Surrender was the best chance they 26

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had at survival.

*** Maggie watched Riley out of the corner of her eye while they drove down the long, deserted stretch of highway. Snow already covered the ground, and the windshield wipers were going at full speed. She was fascinated with his hands. They were long fingered and bronzed, and there was a white jagged scar across the top of his knuckles on his right hand. He handled the car and weather with ease of long practice. The picture she’d found of him online hadn’t done him justice. She hadn’t known his eyes were the color of the deepest part of the ocean with silver flecks that caught the light like starlight. His skin was swarthy, a testament to the time he spent outdoors, and his face was lean and beautiful. It would have almost been perfect if not for the slight offset of his nose. It had obviously been broken at some point. His hair was dark blond and cut neatly over the ears and neck. The start of a five o’clock shadow stubbled his face and the glasses, God, she loved the glasses. The only thing that could have made 27

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them better was if they were horn-rimmed. He was every fantasy she’d ever had and then some. Maggie admitted she probably hadn’t given him the best first impression. She’d been scared and tired. She’d barely slept at all the last two nights for fear of someone slipping into her room. She hated to rely on anyone to solve her problems for her, but Jon hadn’t really given her a choice. She closed her eyes with embarrassment, remembering the look on Riley’s face when he’d asked if she and Jon were lovers. She’d never felt so ashamed in her life. Jon had been her biggest mistake. A young woman’s crush over a handsome man who was leading the life of excitement her parents would never let her have. The Lawrences were not thrill seekers. And they certainly didn’t marry them. She could hear the voice of her mother even now. She shuddered to think what her mother would have said about Jon. They’d had a single night of drunken passion after she’d finished her doctorate and gotten the coveted position at the library. She’d been a virgin. And he’d gladly taken advantage. Just as he was doing now by expecting her to keep that 28

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damned pearl safe. Jon knew she’d spent most of her life at boarding schools with her head buried in her studies. But he’d seduced her anyway, and though she was an adult, she was naïve enough to think that seduction meant love. Boy had she been wrong. And now here she was with Riley, and she could see the adventure practically vibrating off his body. It was an aphrodisiac that was hard for her to resist. But she’d learned her lesson. As long as she kept her distance from Riley things would be okay. The next few days were going to be pure torture. Maggie held her breath as the 4x4 crept slowly over what seemed like a mountainous sized hill. She couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of the car, and her nails bit into her thighs the harder the snow fell. “Thank God,” Riley muttered under his breath. “This is a bad one. We’re lucky we left when we did.” “Thanks God, what?” Maggie asked. “Are we there?” “Yeah, see the blue glow there in the distance?” 29

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It took Maggie a minute to see what he meant. There was a soft blue light coming from somewhere. It was the only thing that penetrated through the dense wall of white. “Oh, yeah. I see it.” “That’s the beacon we’ve got set up at the edge of town for occasions just like this one. My brother is probably waiting there to escort us the rest of the way.” She lifted a brow at the tone of his voice. “Is this the same brother you were talking to on the phone?” “Yeah, but don’t worry. Cooper’s bark is way worse than his bite.” Riley thought of the sexual games his brother had a reputation for and then shook his head. “Sometimes,” he amended. “Is he your only sibling?” “Nope, I’ve got three others, and they all live here in Surrender. I’m next to youngest.” “Wow, must be nice. I always wished I had a brother or sister.” She winced at the obvious wistfulness in her voice. She’d mostly wished she had another sibling so there would be someone to share the burden of being a Lawrence with. 30

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Someone else to be reminded to have impeccable manners and socialize with the right crowds. “There he is,” Riley said, breaking her away from her thoughts. A large black Tahoe with red and blue flashing lights was suddenly right in front of them. The Tahoe beeped its horn twice and started driving slowly away. Riley pressed his foot to the gas and followed. Maggie didn’t take an easy breath until they were parked behind a bricked two-story building. Riley grabbed both their bags then opened the car door, letting in a frigid blast of wind and snow. He came around to her side of the car and helped her out. She grasped his hand hard as he led her up the stairs attached to the back of the building. “What the fuck have you gotten yourself into?” It was the first thing she heard as she was led into a small apartment. It was Spartan and neat—a couch, a chair, television and dining table for four sat in view of the front door. The kitchen was partially hidden behind a bar. Most importantly, it was warm. “Ease off, Coop, and I’ll explain.” 31

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Maggie crossed her arms and stared at Riley while he relayed the events that had led them there. She hadn’t yet found the courage to look at Cooper MacKenzie, but after hearing his bark for herself, she didn’t believe for one second that it could possible be worse than his bite. A man like Cooper MacKenzie would never take prisoners in his own personal battles. He was ruthless. “I take it the woman shivering behind you is Doctor Lawrence?” Coop asked. “Yeah, sorry. You didn’t exactly give me a chance to introduce her earlier.” “My apologies,” Cooper said sarcastically. “I’ve just spent the last hour trying to convince a bunch of stubborn MacKenzies to move in with Dane and Charlie. Dane isn’t happy with you by the way.” “When is he ever? Better safe than sorry though.” “Agreed. They’re all there under protest, but they’re there.” He turned toward Maggie. “It’s nice to meet you, Doctor Lawrence. I’m Cooper MacKenzie. You’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need to.” Maggie gathered her resolve and brought up the 32

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training that had been instilled in her since she was a small child. She looked Cooper in the eyes and pasted on a smile. “Please call me Maggie. I’m sorry we couldn’t have met under better circumstances.” It was a shock to look into eyes the identical shade of Riley’s. The only difference was that she didn’t think Riley’s eyes could be that hard if they were made of glass. Cooper MacKenzie was no one to mess with. “I’ll be trading off rotations with the deputies,” he said. “Someone will do a drive by every hour just to make sure you’re okay. We haven’t had any visitors the last couple of days so that should ease your mind, but we’ll keep a look out. Call if you need me.” Coop shut the door behind him and Riley immediately turned the deadbolts. It didn’t take long for the reality of her situation to sink in. She was going to be stuck in an apartment for several days with a man she’d only known a couple of hours. Granted, he was a professor, not an axe murderer, but still. Not to mention they were pretty much trapped here if the bad guys did find them. There was one way in and one way out. 33

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“Are you hungry?” Riley asked. “No, I don’t think so. I think I’d just like to go to bed. I haven’t been sleeping well lately.” “I can imagine,” he said. “Come on. You can stay in the front bedroom.” She followed him in to a small room that barely held a full-sized bed and a dresser. “The bedrooms connect, so I’ll be next door if you need me. The bathroom is across the hall.” “Thanks.” She hesitated, unsure what to say next. “Thanks for not leaving me alone to deal with this. I feel like things will work out okay now that I’m not alone.” He nodded and closed the door behind him, leaving her alone. She stripped out of her clothes and put on a t-shirt. She hung up the things she’d brought with her and noticed the big wooden chest against one side of the closet immediately. It was finely crafted and made of dark wood. The drawers had gold pulls and went from floor to ceiling. It looked Chinese in origin and very, very old. She ran her fingers over the beautiful piece and decided to open a drawer. She didn’t worry about snooping through Cooper’s things. He wouldn’t keep 34

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something like this in the guest bedroom if it held his personal belongings. Maggie gasped as she pulled open one of the drawers in the middle. She felt her cheeks flush with heat, and she tightened her legs together automatically. Inside the drawer was an array of sexual toys. She had no idea what most of them were, but she could certainly guess. She stroked her fingers over the items and then eagerly opened another drawer. Her nipples tightened against the cotton of her shirt as she saw there were two full drawers devoted to different kinds of vibrators. Her panties dampened at the thought of doing something completely naughty. And it wouldn’t be hard considering she could use Riley to spur her fantasies. The thought of what would happen if he accidently walked in on her quickened her breath and had her adrenaline spiking. She grabbed one that was flesh colored, her sense of adventure not great enough to masturbate with what looked like alien genitalia. It was close to eight inches long and she could barely fit her fingers around the base. With as turned on as she was, she 35

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didn’t think the fit was going to be a problem at all. Maggie turned on the bedside lamp and shut off the big overhead light, leaving the room in a soft glow. She turned down the covers and pulled the night shirt over her head. It had been a long time since she’d come. Months. She’d been busy, but she also felt that masturbation was so impersonal. She didn’t mind doing it when her body absolutely needed the release, but other than those times she didn’t bother. She flicked the button at the base of the vibrator and jumped in surprise with the amount of power that purred in her hand. She slid her panties down her thighs and crawled onto the bed, staying on her knees and facing the headboard. The dildo pulsed across her sensitive nipples as she rubbed it in slow circles over the pointed tips of her breasts. The vibration was felt all the way down to her pussy and she moaned low and long as nectar dripped down her thighs. Her eyes were closed, and it was Riley she saw in her imagination. Kneeling before her and lapping at the juices there until his mouth closed around her in an intimate kiss. It was him she saw as she 36

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trailed the vibrator down her body to the soft curls that covered pussy, imagining it was his fingers that touched her intimately. She held the base of the vibrator against the bed and spread her thighs, anchoring herself by placing her hand on the headboard. And then she slowly sank down with a torturous moan of pleasure. It was all Riley between her thighs as she began to ride. The bed squeaked as her hips pistoned up and down. Her legs quivered with the anticipation of release and her fingers found the hidden nub between her folds to help move things along. Just a flick of her fingers had her legs tensing and her back bowing in a graceful arch. She sat down hard on the vibrator and ground her throbbing pussy against the mattress. She bit her lip to stifle the screams that wanted to escape. Once her body was sated, she dropped to her stomach in an exhausted heap. But still it was Riley who starred in her dreams.

*** Riley knew exactly what caused the low humming noise he could hear through the thin wall. 37

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Their beds were practically back to back. Sweat popped out on his brow as he heard the first soft moan come from her lips. “Shit. You’re kidding me. God must hate me.” He rubbed his hands through his hair and finished stripping off the rest of his clothes. It was a good thing Maggie hadn’t wanted a tour of the apartment. It would have been hard to explain the manacles Cooper had attached to one wall of his room and the mirror that hung from the ceiling. Or maybe it wouldn’t have been hard. She’d obviously had no trouble snooping through the chest of sex toys in the other room and picking one for her pleasure. The bed began to squeak and he could hear the light tap of the headboard as it hit the wall. He flipped the light switch off and lay down in the dark. His cock was as hard as it had ever been and his balls were drawn tight. He grasped his shaft in a firm hold and began to pump with smooth strokes in a tempo that matched the metronomic headboard. Her moans grew louder and he could picture her clamped around his cock, riding him with the same enthusiasm. The thought of her heavy breasts 38

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hanging over his mouth, her nipples begging to be sucked, had his hand moving faster. The bed hit against the wall with a jolt and he heard her long, ragged cry as she found release. Just the sound of her pleasure was all it took to send him over the edge. “Fuck, yeah.” Come boiled in his balls and shot up his shaft, exploding from his body with an intensity that stole his breath. Thick ropes covered his hands and thighs and stomach, and he kept stroking until he was wrung completely dry. He grabbed his shirt from the floor and cleaned himself up. Coming to the sounds of Maggie’s orgasm had been as good as some of the actual sex he’d had in the past. He couldn’t imagine what it would feel like once he was inside her. And he would be inside her, he vowed. Just as soon as he could get his breath back.

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Chapter Three Maggie’s eyes popped open the following morning with startling clarity. Her cheeks heated in remembrance of what she’d done. And the proof was staring back at her from the nightstand. The vibrator stood tall and proud, mocking what had seemed like a good decision the night before. She sat up slowly and dropped her head in her hands. What had she been thinking? She’d not only never be able to look at Riley again without blushing, but she’d also never be able to look at his brother. It was obvious the sexual toy chest belonged to him. Which made her ask the question,

What kind of sheriff was he exactly? The smell of coffee assaulted her senses and she squenched her nose up in disgust. There was no way she could avoid Riley in such a small space, so she got out of bed and mentally prepared herself for the task. She walked over to the window and pulled the heavy curtain back. The snow was still blowing hard enough that she couldn’t see down to the street 40

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below. It meant they were safe for the time being. She gathered her clothes and the offending vibrator and headed to the bathroom. Once she’d washed herself (and the toy), she dressed in loose gray sweats and left her hair damp around her shoulders. She rubbed cream on her face and didn’t bother with makeup. It’s not like she was trying to impress anyone. It was harder to convince herself of that little lie than she thought, so she deliberately turned away from her image in the mirror and snuck back into the guest room. Once the toy had been returned to the chest she started to breathe a little easier. Now if only she could bring herself to face the man who’d starred in her fantasies.

*** Riley poured the egg batter in the frying pan as soon as he heard the shower turn off. Things were about to get very interesting with his house guest. He’d barely slept a wink thinking of the little show she’d put on in her room. They were going to have to fill the next few days of boredom, and it might as well be something they both enjoyed. He’d decided at some point before dawn that 41

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sleep just wasn’t going to happen, so he’d pulled on a pair of jeans and tried to keep himself busy until she woke. His hair was still tousled and he hadn’t bothered to shave. The force of the wind from the storm rattled the windows and he turned the heater up another notch just to make sure Maggie was warm enough. He turned to face her as she came in, planning to treat her as if he hadn’t listened to her pleasure herself the night before. But his mouth dropped open at the sight of her and his tongue felt swollen and useless. His muscles tightened with desire and his breath clogged in his lungs. Even without makeup she was beautiful. He caught the gentle scent of her and the sudden need to taste her almost brought him to his knees. “You’re up early,” he said. “I thought you’d sleep a lot later considering the excitement you’ve had the last couple of days. Her face was as red as a tomato and he couldn’t help but smile. Did she know he’d heard every moan that came from her sweet lips the night before? “I’m an early riser,” she said softly. 42

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“I’ve got some hot water going in the kettle, and I found a couple of tea bags in the pantry. I know you’re not a fan of coffee.” “Thanks.” He served up the eggs and waited until they’d both finished before speaking again. “We’re going to be cooped up here a couple of days at least. What do you think we should do to pass the time?” Her head popped up and she was finally able to meet his eyes, though not for long. “I hadn’t thought much about it. I’ve got some work I can do in my bag. Maybe we can watch movies.” Oh, they’d definitely be watching movies. Cooper had one hell of an erotic video collection. “Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” He took the plates to the sink while he waited for her answer. “I…I guess so.” He walked back to the table. Her gaze was feverish and her breaths became shallow as she devoured his body with her eyes. They grew big and round as they locked on the erection straining behind his zipper. He loomed over her and bent down so they were face to face. 43

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“When you came last night, who were you thinking of?” She gasped and dropped her gaze, her face heating even further, though he hadn’t thought it possible. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I think I’m going to go back to my room and get some more sleep.” She tried to get up, but he brought his other arm up and put it on the back of her chair so she was caged. “Tell me the truth. I heard every moan and gasp that came from your mouth, and do you know what those sounds did to me?” He leaned closer so his lips grazed her ear and felt her shiver. “No,” she said. “What did they do?” Riley flicked the lobe of her ear with his tongue and the bit down gently. “It made me hard. Almost as hard as I am right now.” He kissed his way around the curve of her jaw to the corner of her lips. “I didn’t have any choice but to wrap my hand around my cock and jerk off. I’m not afraid to tell you that it was you I imagined as I came. So I’m going to ask you again…who did you think of while 44

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you worked that vibrator in and out of your pussy?” Her head dropped back with a moan as his fingers found a rigid nipple, and he groaned as he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra. He jerked her up so she was standing in his embrace. “Answer me,” he said a little more firmly. She licked her lips nervously but looked him in the eye when she answered. Her hands came up to his chest and he sucked in a breath as they skimmed down so her fingers rested at the open snap of his jeans. “You,” she rasped out. “I imagined it was you inside me.” He kissed her then. Her mouth opened under his, wet and hot. She was timid at first, but soon became as ravenous as he for more. He plunged his tongue inside and growled as she sucked him farther in. “I’ve got to have you fast this first time. I’ve wanted to fuck you since the moment you walked into the coffee shop. I could have bent you over the table and slid deep inside and not cared that everyone was watching.” She shivered at the image he’d painted and he 45

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pulled her closer, so her hips cradled his hardness. “You like the idea of people watching us?” he asked. “I felt your shiver. And your nipples got harder. Do you have a kinky side, Doctor Lawrence?” “I…don’t think so.” Her breath was heaving like a steam engine. “I think you do. Did looking at all those toys in my brother’s cabinet turn you on? Did you see something you’d like? Maybe the nipple clamps?” He took her nipples between his fingers and squeezed hard, watching as her eyes practically rolled back in her head with pleasure. “Ohmigod, Riley,” she screamed. “Oh, yeah. I think you’d like them a lot. What else did you see in there?” He took her hand and guided it to his zipper. She grabbed the tab and pulled it down slowly until he spilled out in her hand. Just the warmth of her touch had come boiling in his balls. He pushed his jeans down so he stood naked before her. “Would you like me to wear one of the cock rings you saw?” he asked. “I could fuck you for hours without coming. I’d get to feel your tight 46

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pussy clench around me over and over again until you passed out from the pleasure.” “Yessss,” she hissed. “What about the whips? Do you want to be spanked?” He ran his hands down her body until he came to the drawstring of her sweatpants. He untied it and pushed them to her ankles, leaving her bare from the waist down. “Mmm, no panties. Did you do that knowing I was going to fuck you today?” “Just hoping,” she admitted. He took a handful of her ass and squeezed just before giving her a light spank. Then a harder one. Her hand still had his cock in its grasp and she moved out of the reach of his hand. “I don’t think I enjoy the spanking.” “That’s fine. We’re going to spend all this time discovering what we both like. If there’s something you don’t want me to do, just tell me. And I’ll do the same.” She breathed out a relieved sigh and moved back into him. “Thank you.” Riley kissed her again and brought her flush with his body so his cock probed at her nether lips. He 47

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felt the moisture along her slit and moaned at how ready she was for him. He pulled her shirt off and stood back to look at her. Her skin was the palest marble and her breasts were large and firm—more than a handful. Her waist dipped in and her tummy was slightly rounded. And her pussy was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Only a thin strip of dark blond hair was visible—her lips were completely bare. “Fuck. I could come just looking at you.” The fist that clenched tight in his chest was worrisome. This was one of those moments he knew would change his life forever. “Tell me what else you saw in the chest that interested you,” he said before he could blurt out something completely stupid. Like asking her to stay with him forever. “The pearls,” she said. His cock jumped in reaction. “Do you know what they’re for?” “No.” “I think you’ll like the pearls. A pearl is the reason we’re here in the first place. It’s only fitting.” He trailed a finger down her chest, swirled it 48

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around her bellybutton, and then went lower to the wetness dripping from her slit. He swiped his finger through the syrupy nectar of her pussy and then moved his hand around her body so it rested on her ass. “The pearls are for something forbidden,” he whispered seductively. He moved his moistened finger to the tiny entrance of her anus and circled it gently. She fell against him with a moan of surrender and he held her tight around the waist so she wouldn’t fall. “You’re so sensitive here. Imagine what it will feel like when I slip the pearls inside you, one by one.” He entered the tight hole with the tip of his finger and she clenched around him. “Oh, God,” she cried. “I can feel it all over my body. I feel swollen. And I throb. Right here.” Maggie took his other hand and placed it over her pussy. And then she went wild in his arms. Her mouth found his as she lifted her leg so it wrapped around his waist. His cock slid along her drenched slit and the need to be inside her was so strong that spots flashed behind his eyes. He grabbed hold of her tightly and stumbled them both towards the wall 49

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until her back hit something solid. And then he lost all thought because he was pushing inside of her. He pulled her other leg up so they were both wrapped around his waist. He worked his cock in, bit by bit. He knew he was larger than normal, so he always made it a point to go slow, but she was tighter than any woman he’d ever felt before. Tight enough to be a virgin. “I thought you and Jon were lovers. Please tell me that wasn’t a lie. Please tell me you’ve done this before,” he said as beads of sweat popped out on his brow and his teeth clenched as he struggled for control. “I’ve done this before,” she said with a gasp. “Once.” “Thank God. I’m not sure I could handle it if you were a virgin. It’s already killing me as it is.” He pulled out to gather more moisture and slid a little further on his way back in. “You’re not going to hurt me, Riley. I need you inside me.” She took him by the face and looked him dead in the eye. “Fuck me. Hard.” The little amount of control Riley had vanished. He plunged into her to the hilt and swallowed her 50

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scream of pleasure with a kiss. She was already coming around him before he could pull out for a second stroke. The sensation was too much for him to handle. He thought of birth control and tried to pull out before he came, but she tightened around him again and he was lost. “Fuck,” he shouted as he slammed home one final time and lost his seed deep inside her. His body spasmed four…five…six…times before he slumped against her in exhaustion. “Please tell me you’re on birth control,” he said once his breathing returned to normal. “I’m on birth control.” He let her legs drop to the ground and the movement caused them both to shudder with pleasure. “Good. Because I couldn’t imagine not feeling you skin to skin. Not coming deep inside you.” His cock twitched at the thought and he pulled out of her before he could be tempted to take her against the wall again. They had a lot of time to kill, and he wanted to make sure they took full advantage of it.

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Chapter Four Maggie woke up in a haze. She didn’t know if it was day or night. Or even what the date was. Her body felt used and treasured at the same time, and her senses were primed to recognize every imaginable pleasure. They’d barely made it to the couch before making love the second time, and somehow ended up on the floor when all was said and done. Riley was better than her fantasy. And she was afraid no one else would ever measure up. It was hard to keep her heart and her head separated. She’d always been one of those people who associated sex with love. And it would be really easy to love Riley MacKenzie. They’d lied on the floor, still wrapped in each other, and talked for she didn’t know how long. And when her eyes had become heavy, she’d felt safe enough in his arms to sleep. The room was pitch black when she woke and she stretched languorously across satin sheets that felt like a cool cloud against her heated body. But 52

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she found out she could only stretch so far. Something soft wrapped around her wrists and kept them over her head. She moved her legs and found they’d been bound similarly. “I was wondering when you were going to wake up. It’s been hell on my control to watch you sleeping the last few hours.” “Why am I tied up?” Her voice quivered with fear and excitement and she pulled against her restraints again. “Can you turn on a light?” “I’ve got candles lit all around the room. Can you smell them? Open your senses and it will heighten your pleasure.” It was then Maggie realized she’d been blindfolded. Her nipples puckered and they scraped sensitively against the satin sheet with every movement. The candles wax was scented with vanilla and she inhaled deeply, catching another scent she was unfamiliar with. Something spicy that sent tingles through her body. “Riley,” she moaned. “I want you to touch me.” “I’m planning on it. But first I thought we’d play a little game. I went searching through the toy chest in your room and thought we’d try a few 53

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things. What do you say?” The whimper that escaped her lips must have been answer enough for him. The sheet that covered her slid sinuously down her body until she lay bare before him. “You’re wet even now,” he said. “I can see your desire. Let’s see what this does.” She felt his finger trail over the pulse in her neck and move down her body, leaving a wet path in its wake. The spicy scent was stronger now, and she knew it was some kind of oil. He came back again and touched each of her nipples with the liquid, and she moaned as her body began to heat. Her clit felt swollen and her pulse raced. And then his mouth was on her breast and she jerked against her restraints, fighting to get closer to the pleasure. “Mmm, Riley. Please. I can’t take this.” “Ssh, sweetheart. You can take it.” He gave the same treatment to her other breast, his tongue swirling around the rigid nipple. The gentle nips he gave with his teeth only made them more sensitive. She groaned in protest as he pulled away, but gasped when she felt something cold and hard clamp over her nipple. The pain was sharp and 54

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instant, but faded quickly into throbbing heat. “Ahh,” she screamed as he clamped something else to the other nipple. She felt a cold length of chain between her breasts and all the sensations were driving her mad. “You look so fucking sexy like that. The paleness of you skin against the black satin sheets and your nipples decorated with gold. You look like a Pagan goddess, stretched out on an altar. Let’s see what this oil does to other places.” Maggie yelped in surprise as she felt her legs being lifted by some kind of pulley system. She had no control over where they went, and she turned her head to the side in embarrassment as her legs were spread wide and her knees brought back towards her chest. Every inch of her was visible to her lover. “Beautiful,” he whispered huskily. “Your pussy is dripping for me.” She felt the cool oil as he poured it at the top of her vulva and the beaded moisture dribbled over her sensitive lips where it began to heat immediately. Her breath came in shallow pants as she felt her clit swell even more. And then Riley’s 55

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mouth was there, laving her folds with his tongue, and that was all it took to send her over the edge. Her body shook with prolonged pleasure and her restraints were taut as she writhed against his mouth. She’d never behaved so wanton in her life, but she was past the point of reasonable thinking. “You taste sweet,” he said. “Like honey.” He blew across her swollen clitoris and her flesh pebbled with the sensation. “Now be very still for me, sweetheart. You have one more clamp to go.” She automatically tensed as she felt the cold metal against her most intimate place and she tried to close her legs, but her restraints wouldn’t allow it. “Riley.” Her voice was panicked, and then she felt the sting of the clamp as it pinched her clit. It was sheer pain. It was pure pleasure. Her body was a mass of contradiction and confusion. “There, sweetheart. You can take it.” He skimmed his fingers across her stomach and pulled on the chain between her breasts, tugging at her nipples. “It’s a damned good thing I’ve already come twice today, because you would have already felt my seed hit your stomach. The sight of you is 56

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enough to bring a man to his knees.” “Riley, please fuck me. I can’t take this any longer.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Just for a little while. Until you come again.” He crawled onto the bed between her thighs and adjusted her restraints so her bottom was lifted off the bed and her ankles were over his shoulders. He reached over her, and she felt the tip of his cock along her slit. They both bit back a moan as he grabbed two of the bed pillows and put them beneath her ass so she was more comfortable. “There we go. You look like a gift ready to be opened. But I’m one of those people who takes his time unwrapping a gift. I like to prolong the pleasure.” His cock was thick and her folds were already swollen with her last orgasm. She remembered how huge he felt the first time he’d taken her. He felt twice that size now, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. Once the bulbous head was pushed in he gave her a second to adjust before sliding the rest of the way home. Her breath caught and her lungs seized. His 57

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fingers were hot against her hips, branding her skin as he thrust in and out of her in long slow strokes. She found the bars of the headboard and closed her fingers around them, searching for an anchor of some kind. All she could do was feel. Sensations rioted through her body. She was molten from the inside out, and she was on the verge of something indescribable. She cried out in frustration as the feeling eluded her. Her head tossed and her movements became jerky. “Riley,” she screamed. “Please. Do something. I want to come.” “Not yet, sweetheart. Just feel.” Tears poured down her cheeks and her cries of frustration mingled with her moans of pleasure. Riley kept up his gentle thrusts from tip to hilt and grabbed on to the chain that attached her nipple clamps. They pulled taut and the bite of pain made her clench her muscles around Riley’s cock. “Oh, God, sweetheart. Don’t do that. You’re already too tight.” “Why can’t I come?” Her cries had turned to genuine sobs as she hovered just on the edge of pleasure. “Please, please, I’m begging you.” 58

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“If I let you come do you promise to continue trying the different toys from the chest? No matter how exhausted your body is?” Maggie thought of the other items she’d discovered in the forbidden chest and moaned. She didn’t know if she was physically capable of taking any more pleasure. But she’d agree to anything if he’d let her come. “Yesss,” she hissed. “Just do it.” He chuckled at her forcefulness and did as she asked. His thrusts became harder. The bed shook under the weight of his power, and the head of his cock touched the deepest part of her. But still she couldn’t find fulfillment. And then she felt a tug at the clamp around her clit and her body began to tingle. He tugged on it again and again until she thought she’d lose her mind from the torture. Then he removed the clamp all together and blood rushed into her engorged part. Heat gathered low in her womb and exploded in deafening waves as her orgasm finally came. She felt the rush of liquid between her thighs and heard Riley’s groan of pleasure, but the pleasure didn’t stop. 59

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Her body was no longer hers. Feelings and emotions overcame her until the blackness swallowed her whole.

*** Riley was in pain. Pain like he’d never experienced before. He’d never witnessed anything like Maggie losing control like she had, and he wasn’t sure he’d ever see anything like it again. He looked down at his engorged shaft and grimaced. The cock ring had done its job, but he needed to come. Preferably inside Maggie. His shaft was swollen and red, and his sac was tight. And when Maggie had come around him with a flood of her juices, he’d thought he was going to lose it. He moved off the bed and loosened the ropes that held her, and then he grabbed a soft blanket from the closet and placed it beneath her to cover the wetness of the sheets. She was passed out cold, and Riley couldn’t help the cocky smile that crossed his face. Maggie was good for a man’s ego. The thought of another man discovering what he had brought a scowl to his face. No, not another man. Only him. 60

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The thought didn’t scare him near as much as it should have. He turned her to her stomach, leaving the pillows propped beneath her, and traced his finger down her spine. Goosebumps chilled her skin and she shivered with an exhausted moan. “Come on, sugar. Naptime’s over. You promised me more.” She mumbled something into the pillow and he smiled at her surliness. “What’s that?” he asked. “I couldn’t hear you.” “I said you tricked me. I need a nap first.” “I don’t think so. Feel how hard you’ve made me. Now it’s my turn to come.” He took her hand and led it to his swollen shaft. It jumped in her hand when her tongue flicked across her lip. “I want to see it,” she said. “I want to taste it.” “If you take that blindfold off, sweetheart, I’m going to be lost. Looking in your eyes is like seeing my soul.” “Then let me taste.” She moved her head closer without waiting for permission and he groaned in torment as her mouth found its target. Riley moved closer so he sat on his knees by the headboard, and he helped Maggie up and over so 61

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her body was draped across his lap. He ran his fingers through her hair and massaged her scalp just as she was massaging him with her tongue. “I can taste both of us,” she said. “Salty and sweet.” “Christ, Maggie. Are you trying to kill me?” “Turnabout’s fair play,” she purred. Her hand pumped all the way to the base of his shaft and her fingers toyed with the cock ring. “Mmm, I wish I could see it. You feel even bigger than you did before.” “Enough, Maggie. I can’t wait any longer.” He repositioned her body so it lay in the center of the bed, and he adjusted her restraints so her hands had no choice but to clasp around the iron bars of the headboard. He added another pillow beneath her stomach and removed the clamps from her nipples. “Why’d you take them off?” “Because I don’t want your pleasure points to be scattered for what I have in mind next.” “What are you going to do to me?” “Don’t you want to be surprised? Where’s your sense of adventure?” 62

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“I’ve never been allowed to have one,” she said softly. “Oh, sweetheart. I recognized you as a kindred spirit from the moment you sat down across from me. You can’t hide that kind of nature. And why would you want to?” “I…I don’t know.” He massaged her breasts as he took his place behind her. “You’ve got a definite adventurous side, Doctor Lawrence. I can feel the adrenaline surge through your body every time I mention something naughty. Something depraved. You’ll never be able to hide your true self from me.” He’d left her legs unrestrained, but she was still spread wide open to him. He left the cock ring on because the sight of the puckered star of her anus would have had him shooting off like a rocket. He’d only had anal sex once because most women couldn’t take his size in such a sensitive area. He wouldn’t take Maggie there today, but someday…once she got used to him, he’d show her how wonderful it could be. Riley took the stimulating oil and poured it over her back entrance, watching as it snaked in clear 63

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rivulets across her open pussy lips. “God, it’s so hot,” she moaned. He massaged the oil into her skin, not stopping overly long in any one place. He pushed one long finger into her pussy and then pulled it out again, trailing it up until it rested over her anus. He pushed his finger in slowly, letting her adjust to the foreign invasion. “Someday I’m going to fuck you here,” he whispered against her skin. Her head shook in denial, but he pressed on. “I’ll spend all day preparing you to take me. Maybe one day in the summer so you can wear a short cotton dress and no panties. I’ll insert different plugs here throughout the day so you’re ass is stretched and ready for me. And when night falls, I’ll see you walking around with that sexy dress on, knowing you’re ready to take me, and I’ll come after you. I won’t care where we are. I’ll just bend you over the nearest piece of furniture and lift your dress up to your waist. I’ll take a minute to stare at the lovely sight of your ass being stretched by a plug the same size as my cock before pulling it out slowly. And while you’re still whimpering from 64

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the pleasure, I’ll push deep inside you with one thrust, until my balls slap against that pretty pussy of yours. “Ohmigod, Riley.” She pushed back on his finger until he was completely buried inside her. Her muscles clamped around him and he couldn’t imagine what it would feel like around his cock. “Just like that, baby.” He pulled his finger out and took the cold length of pearls he’d found in the chest. They were spherical and marble sized, and one by one, he began pushing them inside of her. Her body was moving back and forth on the bed, her muscles quivering, and mewls of pleasure escaped from her lips. He pushed them all in except for the last three, and then he sat back on the bed and admired the view. His own heart was pounding in his chest and his body was slicked with sweat from restraint. He pulled off the ring around his cock and felt the circulation of blood return to his shaft and the come rising from his balls. Riley moved behind her and grabbed hold of her 65

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hips, not giving her a warning as he thrust inside her with a forcefulness that rattled the headboard against the wall. She screamed into the pillow and immediately tightened around him. He grabbed the pearls and pulled them out swiftly, intensifying the sensation of her orgasm. Come shot from his cock with a force that slumped him over her still twitching body. He grasped her hands around the iron rungs and kept thrusting, shouting as he filled her with his seed.

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Chapter Five Riley and Maggie spent the next two days in a dreamlike, sexual haze. They talked and made love with equal curiosity, wanting to know as much as possible. When they had started to run low on food, Cooper had brought them a casserole and some other groceries from Dane’s house. As soon as Cooper had come through the door, Maggie’s face had turned beet red and she’d headed for the guest bedroom. Cooper had waggled his eyebrows as he handed over the groceries. “I guess you guys are making good use of my supplies,” he said. “I’m glad someone gets to use them.” “I’m always glad to help one of my brothers out,” Riley said. “I’m real giving that way.” Cooper’s expression turned serious. “The snow has all but stopped and the plows are out. It might be another day or so, but I want you to be on your guard. You know the combination to my safe. Use it if you need to.” Cooper was referring to his gun safe. He kept a 67

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good selection of firearms and extra ammunition just in case. This was one of those “just in case” times. “Be safe brother, and take care of your woman. I like her.” Riley’s mouth was still open in surprise. Cooper never accepted anyone into the fold that easily. Maybe he just knew it was a lost cause, because Riley had no intention of ever letting her go. As the day went on, the tension in Riley’s body increased. The snow had stopped completely and the plow had made easy work of the streets. He and Maggie had spent the afternoon cuddling on the couch and watching movies. But the feeling of dread kept getting stronger. Riley locked the door and made sure one of Cooper’s guns was in the drawer next to the bed. He made love to Maggie with an intensity that shook them both and then held her as she drifted off to sleep. He must have dozed off at some point, but he came awake with a start in the pitch black of the night. There wasn’t a sound anywhere in the apartment—not the gentle hum of the refrigerator 68

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or the whir of the heat. Someone had cut the power. He knew the generator would kick on in another few minutes and he wrestled with his need to protect Maggie and the need to charge into the next room ready to fight. He put his hand over Maggie’s mouth and kissed her eyelids until she woke against him. “Stay here, sweetheart,” he whispered against her ear. “We’ve got company.” He felt her nod against his hand and then slipped out of bed. His sweatpants were on the ground and he pulled them on before grabbing the gun from the door. Adrenaline surged through his veins. He’d spent enough time at different excavation sites hunting down thieves and protecting his artifacts that the feel of a weapon in his hand was second nature. He slipped out of the bedroom and down the hall. A rustling sound was coming from the other bedroom, and anger surged through his veins. It was damn lucky that Maggie wasn’t sleeping in the room. The buzz of the generator hummed through the apartment, and Riley was just at the bedroom door when the electricity came back on. Riley hit the switch on the wall and the room was flooded in 69

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light. “Get your hands up,” he commanded. “Now.” Jon Scott turned around with his hands above his head. One side of his face was bruised badly, but Riley recognized him immediately. The things in Maggie’s bag were scattered across the bed. Papers, clothes and makeup were a disorganized mess. “Well, Jon. Fancy seeing you here. We thought you were dead.” “Your bitch tried damned hard to make sure I was.” The gasp from behind his shoulder told him Maggie hadn’t listened to his orders. Riley pointed the gun in Jon’s direction. “Have a care, Jon. I get jumpy when people break into my house in the middle of the night.” Jon’s hate-filled gaze raked over them both, noticing their states of undress. “I see it took you as little time to talk her into bed as it did me. A little wine and a couple of muscle relaxers go a long way.” “You son of a bitch,” Maggie said, charging around Riley’s body. He held out his arm to block 70

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her path, but it wasn’t easy when he had the same desire to pound Jon’s face in. “Easy, honey. Let’s get some facts before we do him any damage.” His voice was calm even as his body trembled with rage. “Why don’t you tell us how you came to have the Tear of Nefertari in your possession? And be quick about the answer. I don’t like hearing the woman I love has been taken advantage of, so you can imagine why my patience is running thin.” The look in Riley’s eyes must have convinced him because Jon started talking. “I got it from an underground dealer I know in Cairo, who occasionally does work for the museum. He stole it from the vault and asked if I could find a buyer for him. Apparently Egypt has always had possession of the pearl. Everything was going according to plan until my dealer opened his big mouth and miss sticky fingers got her paws on it.” Jon shot Maggie a scathing look, and Riley pushed her farther behind him. “Once my dealer let it know that the pearl was on the open market, I was having to dodge all kinds of nefarious businessmen who wanted the pearl in 71

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their possession, and they didn’t care whether they bought it from me or killed me for it. So I sent it to Maggie for a few days to get the heat off my back. But she fucking stole it and ran to you.” “You told me in your letter to go to him, you moron. What the hell else was I supposed to do?” “I told you to go to him if you hadn’t heard from me in three days. You did not wait three days. As soon as you saw the cops at my place you got scared and started running. If you’d waited another two hours I would have come and gotten it. This whole mess is your fault.” “So you helped facilitate the theft of a national treasure and this is all my fault?” she asked incredulously. “I think you should just shoot him, Riley. Prison is too good for him.” “Just give me the pearl and I’ll walk away. You’ll never see me again,” Jon said. “Unfortunately, two-thirds of us in this room have scruples, so that’s not going to happen,” Riley countered. “I’m afraid he’s right, Doctor Scott,” Cooper said as he came into the room with one of his deputies. Their guns were drawn and pointed straight at Jon. 72

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The deputy began reading him his rights while Cooper cuffed him. “This isn’t over,” Jon yelled over his shoulder as he was led away to the jail one story below. Riley pulled Maggie close and stared at Cooper. “Thanks for being here. How’d you know?” “I had a sensor installed on the outside of the door that detects movement. As soon as he broke in an alarm went off downstairs and I got a call.” Cooper turned to Maggie. “We need the pearl. We’re going to have to return it to the Egyptian government.” “Sure.” Maggie bit her lip and she wiggled uncomfortably against his hold. “What is it, sweetheart? You told me you had the pearl in a safe place. Where do we need to go to get it?” “Not very far,” she said. Her face was turning an interesting shade of pink. “In fact it’s right here in this room.” “You had it with you the whole time?” Riley asked. “Where is it?” “It’s, umm…well, I found this…” she stuttered. Cooper started laughing before she could finish 73

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her sentence. “Let me guess. You found the hidden drawer in the bottom of the chest in the closet.” Cooper was bent over with laughter, and Riley was beginning to see the humor in the whole thing too. He leaned down to whisper in Maggie’s ear. “You know, someone with an adventurous spirit wouldn’t care if my brother was watching you dig through his chest of sex toys to find a priceless artifact.” Maggie pulled out of his arms and shot him a dirty look. “Fine. As long as you’re the one to tell him where all the missing toys have gone. Because I’m not giving them back.” “Consider them a welcome gift to the MacKenzie family,” Cooper said. Maggie knelt on the floor of the closet and pushed against a small notch in the wood. The bottom of the cabinet moved around like puzzle pieces until a drawer was revealed. She pulled it open and took out the pearl, wrapped completely in black silk. She stood up and handed it to Riley first. “Go ahead,” she said. “I know you’ve always wanted to see it.” 74

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He pushed back the silk and his breath caught at the history he held in his hands. The sheen was lustrous and he could see his reflection as clearly as if he were looking in a mirror. He looked at Maggie. “It’s absolutely breathtaking,” he said, but he was speaking directly to her. By the soft smile on her lips, she understood exactly what he meant. Riley wrapped the pearl back up and handed it over to Cooper. “I guess I’ll leave you two alone,” Coop said with a smile. “When do I get my apartment back?” “A day,” Riley said. “Maybe two. Now go away.” Riley waited until the door closed and he heard the key turn in the lock before drawing Maggie into his arms. “I love you, Maggie.” Her face paled and her breath trembled. “I wanted you to so badly,” she said. “But I thought it would never happen. I feel like I need to give you fair warning, my mother is going to absolutely hate you.” “I don’t care. I love you, Maggie,” he repeated, waiting to see if she would share the words he didn’t realize he needed to hear. “I love you too, Riley. Take me to bed and 75

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welcome me to the MacKenzie family properly. And he did.

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About the author: Liliana Hart is the pseudonym for an author of more than a dozen books. She lives in Texas with her husband and cats, and loves to be contacted by readers. Connect with me online: http://twitter.com/Liliana_Hart http://facebook.com/LilianaHart My Blog: http://www.lilianahart.com/blog

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