Shifting Targets (7 page)

A rush of heat washed over her followed by a
delightful tingle and flutters in her stomach. He hadn’t let on
during their visit with her parents after dinner that he was still
thinking about marriage. She presumed once he’d gained her father’s
respect that the matter had been pushed aside. His proposal took
her completely off guard. She hadn’t considered settling down and
raising a family.

“I-I’m not sure if I’m ready to start a
family,” she replied in a whisper.

“I want to be with you, Shye. We don’t have
to start a family right away, if we never have children that’s okay
too. We can even wait until the matters at hand are settled before
deciding on a date.” His intense gaze made her shiver. Those
gorgeous smoldering eyes heavily fringed in black lashes. “All I’m
asking for is a promise of marriage…your pledge to be my wife once
we get through all this.”

“Are you sure? Maybe you’re just feeling
pressured by my parents. My life is crazy and you know what I am.
Do you really want to marry a shifter?”

He lowered his head until their lips were but
a whisper’s breadth apart. “I’ve never been more certain about
anything, never wanted anyone as I do you.” His lips brushed hers
as he spoke again in a sensually seductive voice. “I’m only going
to ask you this one more time, babe…will you marry me?”

“Yes.” Her reply rode a quivering sigh. “I’d
love to be your wife.”

His eyes searched hers for several
breathtaking moments before their lips met in a tender kiss. She
released a deep sigh and melted against his hard body as he pressed
her into the soft grass. Curling her arms around his neck, she
pulled him closer until the kiss deepened. He explored her mouth
with his tongue while one hand caressed her body. His deft touch
sparked her desire, making her long to feel him inside.

With a smooth shift of her body, she had
positioned herself beneath him perfectly. He groaned when her legs
slid behind his thighs to urge him closer. His hard length pressed
against her thigh as he laid over her, kissing her with intense
affection. She panted for breath as their passion mounted. Slowly,
gently he pushed into her while easing back from the kiss. She
sucked in a sharp breath as he filled her completely, sending a
ripple of excitement to her core.

His arousal was clearly evident. She’d never
felt this level of potency from him before. Each thrust drove
deeper, forcing a gasp from her with each blissful stroke. Every
inch of her feminine depths had been claimed by his virile
masculinity. Within minutes she cried out as the wonderful
tightening erupted into a series of wicked spasms that seized her
body, taking it captive by his hot love.

“Shye…Shadow…” he uttered in a low growl
seconds before his release. A surge of delectable heat flooded her
deep inside, triggering another wave of idyllic sensations as they
crested the wave of ecstasy together.

He didn’t let up until they were completely
spent and soaked in sweat. Rolling onto his side, he held her close
as they lay gasping for breath in each other’s arms. She couldn’t
fathom anything more perfect. Making love to the man of her dreams
on an enchanting moonlit night beside shimmering waters—just after
he’d asked her to become his wife.

Chapter Six

Morning dawned too soon for Shye. She longed
to bask forever in Trip’s loving arms. Lying entwined together
skin-on-skin in the midst of nature, nothing had ever felt so
right. She watched him sleep as the morning birds broke out in
song.

Her parents had been gracious to permit them
a night alone in a charming grove behind their cabin—the same place
her father had prayed the night she heard the trees calling to her.
She believed this place must be sacred for her to feel such peace.
It was as if her parents had taken a little piece of their farm and
brought it here to the reservation.

She wondered if the residents had been
enjoying the money she’d left. Her nightly runs had blessed almost
all the residents of this village and she hoped they’d share the
wealth with those she had missed. In her heart she believed they
would. Poverty had not tainted the spirits of her people.

Trip seemed at total peace since the first
time they’d met. Long lashes lay sweetly on the high cheekbones of
his ruggedly handsome face. Her fingers toyed with his hair then
trailed over the bulging biceps, down his arms and over his muscled
stomach. Her gaze followed her exploring touch.

“You tease me, woman,” he purred, taking her
by surprise.

“I didn’t know you were awake.” Her cheeks
flushed with heat.

“Mm…pretty hard to sleep with those dainty
hands roaming over my body.” He smiled up at her then with ease
lifted her so that she straddled his waist. “Make love to me, sweet
thing…before our morning swim.”

Excitement raced through her at his
initiative. “You behave as the young warriors of long ago…so at
peace with nature. Perhaps there is Indian blood in your
veins.”

An easy smile touched his face yet he said
nothing.

She loved the perfect blend of sweet strength
in this man. Having never made love to a man in this position she
felt a little shy at first but he quickly vanquished her
inhibitions with smooth and loving caresses. Before long the ache
between her thighs had returned and she craved his hot passion
again.

He gazed up at her with those sinfully
seductive eyes while moving inside. She found it very easy to keep
pace and enjoyed watching his face while they made love. His wildly
tossed shiny black hair and a shadow of facial hair gave him an
untamed appearance, making their morning tryst feel decadently
forbidden.

Her hair tumbled forward, brushing the sides
of his face. Reaching up, he slid one hand into the thick locks and
swept them to one side. “You are beyond stunning,” he murmured
between jagged breaths. “I look forward to waking up beside you
every morning like this.”

“Mm…if every day as your wife will be like
this…I can’t wait.”

Shye enjoyed a light breakfast with Trip and
her parents before they decided to ride into town. Her father had
been sitting in his chair on the porch using his sleek new knife to
start a new woodcarving.
Ina
was at his side when they drove
away, already working on Shye’s wedding dress. Her spirit rejoiced
over the happy visit and their acceptance of Trip. Even more
exciting was the wedding dress. Though she wore her soldier on the
outside, inside her heart was still very much a woman’s. Donning a
white doeskin dress handmade and intricately beaded by her mother
was an occasion every Native American girl treasured—tomboy or
not.

After an exhilarating hour-long ride, they
rumbled into town free to walk about in public without hiding. Even
so, he chose to park at the end of town under a shady grove. She
gathered he didn’t feel comfortable here. He’d never actually
mingled among the commoners but always stayed just out of reach
from the first day she’d seen him—as if always on guard.

Shye pointed to a large brick building across
the street from a burned out shell. “That’s Gage’s office.” She
stared at the charred remains of the bank. “Wow…that RPG did an
awesome job.”

“Don’t say that too loud,” Trip said with a
teasing wink. “Looks like they contained the fire fairly well. None
of the adjacent buildings suffered much damage.”

“I’m glad. I waited for everyone to get
outside before firing. I didn’t want to hurt innocent
bystanders.”

“I know, babe.” His gaze swept over the area.
“I don’t see any sign of Draven. He’ll be keeping a low profile
until the smoke clears.”

Shye looked up with sad eyes. “I’m sorry. I
know you’ve waited a long time for justice and I sent him deeper
into hiding.”

“No.” He placed both hands alongside her
face. His eyes penetrated her soul. “Everything is as it should be.
Draven is using your land for his drug running. Once you get that
mattered settled he’ll be forced to find a new location and we can
move your parents back onto the farm. Don’t worry, I’ll get
him.”

“Will you want to live on the farm or start
our life elsewhere?”

“Baby…” he said with a sensual sigh. “As long
as I’m with you it doesn’t matter where we live.”

Standing on tiptoes, she placed a soft kiss
on his lips. “Thank you.”

Strong arms lifted her off the ground for a
hug. He buried his face against her neck and drew a deep breath
before letting her slide to the ground.

“Are you sure you can handle Gage? Don’t
forget the company he’s been keeping.”

“I’ve known him all my life. He may have
fallen in with a bad crowd or made a mistake allowing Carter to
involve him in this mess, but Gage would never harm me. He was
nowhere near the farm when Pike held me captive there.”

A peculiar expression shadowed Trip’s face.
She couldn’t quite discern it, but something in his eyes sent a
chill up her spine. Shrugging it off as paranoia, she forced a
smile.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” she told him,
wishing she felt more confident than she did.

“I’ll be in the diner next door waiting for
you.” He lifted her chin with a gentle finger, gave her a parting
kiss and strolled across town.

They’d agreed beforehand to remain casual in
public and not flaunt their deepening relationship. Both wanted to
avoid any unnecessary gossip if possible. She watched him walk. He
had a slight swagger in his step but not a hint of arrogance—just
raw confidence swathed in undeniable charisma.

A knot formed in her stomach as she made her
way toward Gage’s office. Her last encounter with him hadn’t ended
well at all. She worried over how he’d treat her now and if he knew
anything about Trip. Unsure of how deeply involved Gage had become
in Carter’s criminal activity, she had no way of knowing if Pike
had told Gage about the incident in the barn.
Such a tangled
mess,
she thought.

After straightening her half-top, smoothing
her pants and finger combing her hair so that she looked
presentable, she opened the door to his foyer. She breathed a huge
sigh of relief that La wasn’t at her desk. Shye was not in the mood
to deal with her today. Her mind raced over how to break the ice
with Gage.
How do I ask him about my farm without putting him on
the defense again?
Looking around, she didn’t see anyone about.
His office was quiet today.
Thank goodness.
She stared at
the closed door to his personal office.
Is he in there? Maybe
he’s with a client or on the phone? Why am I suddenly so nervous?
It’s only Gage.
An eerie chill settled over her.

The thought of nosing around flitted through
her mind but she dismissed it. Even if Gage had been involved, he’d
have destroyed anything incriminating after Carter’s arrest. Her
nerves began to calm as she realized she’d probably done Gage a
tremendous favor. Her gaze moved around the lobby area, which
housed numerous bookshelves and a few replicas of famous paintings.
Nothing unique, just boring colors and stifling décor, how anyone
could function in this oppressive atmosphere baffled her.

She lived to breathe fresh country air, enjoy
the sounds and smells of nature, and roam free. The longing to
regain ownership of her land that was rightfully hers consumed her.
She could almost smell her mother’s venison stew roasting over an
open fire and hear the melodic music of her ancestor’s—hauntingly
sweet tunes that had been passed down for generations on handmade
wooden flutes.

Ate has not played the music since I’ve
been home.
She felt sad. Though her parents pretended they were
okay on the reservation, she knew in her heart that their spirits
grieved the loss of something so precious.
Surely Gage will help
me. He’s known them all of his life.
She summoned the nerve to
rap lightly on the large oak door to his private study.

“Who is it?” he asked from the other
side.

“Shye,” she replied in a soft voice. “May I
come in?”

No reply. The sound of papers shuffling could
be heard through the door, then footsteps approached. The door
swung open.

“Shye, what brings you to my office today?”
he offered her a welcoming smile but suspicion lurked in his eyes.
Handsome, polished and wealthy, he had no trouble attracting
women.

“It was a little hard for me to come around
with Carter ranting like a madman. Now that he’s where he belongs,
I hope to get on with my life.”

“I’m very pleased to hear you say that.” He
took her by the hand. “Come, sit down. Would you like something to
drink?”

“Do you have any cold cola?” She arched her
brows and pouted her lips, knowing her puppy-dog expression always
warmed his heart.

“I always keep some in here just for you,
darling.” He handed her a cold can and a crystal tumbler filled
with ice. “Tell me, what have you been doing since you’ve been
home?”

“Spending time with my parents and checking
in on the farm.”

Gage sat down across from her in his office
chair. “Really? What’s going on with the farm?”

“I guess you really didn’t know.” She sighed
with relief. “Carter was using it to sell drugs. He hired some
half-breed thug to chase me down then tried to set me up to take
the fall.”

“Yes, I read all about Carter’s drug
dealings. Shocking, isn’t it? I’m sorry you got involved.”

“I know you were mixed up with him somehow,
but I thought maybe he was holding something over you, like your
mortgage or other money issues. Everyone knows if you owed that man
money that he’d use it against you.”

Gage rested a bent elbow on his desk and
propped his chin on one hand. “What would make you think I was
involved with Mike other than legal business?”

She wanted to believe that Trip was wrong
about Gage, that her longtime friend had been blackmailed into
using his office as a front while selling drugs out the back
door.