Page 67 of Dust and Desire
“Hi yourself,” I replied, my voice hoarse from crying out.
He smiled, that sunshine smile that had captured me from the first day, but there was something different in it now, something deeper, more intimate. “Let me untie you.”
He carefully withdrew from me, both of us hissing at the loss of connection. With gentle hands, he helped me turn onto my side, his fingers working deftly to undo the rope binding my wrists.As the last loop fell away, he massaged my arms, easing the blood flow back into my hands. In one swift he sat on the couch, wrapped me up in his arms, and threw a blanket around us both. There we stayed, silent and glowing as he twirled his fingers through my hair.
It was in that moment I realized that everything was perfect in my world now. This was the life I’d always wanted, andnothingwould ever take it away from me.
Chapter 24
Alex
Iwished I could’ve stayed in bed. Dustin was so warm wrapped up in my arms and with my dick nestled perfectly between his butt cheeks, I was in heaven. But my alarm went off the same as it did every day. I switched it off before it woke him and held him for a few more minutes, not wanting to let go.
This was where I belonged. My place was with this beautiful man, snuggling him in his bed. But eventually I had to move. I slipped out from under the covers, carefully untangling myself from Dustin’s warm body. He stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent before burying his face deeper into the pillow. God, he was gorgeous in the dim morning light, his dark hair tousled from sleep, his face peaceful in a way it rarely was when he was awake.
I dressed quietly, pulling on my jeans and work shirt, slipping on my boots with practiced movements. My muscles were pleasantly sore from last night’s activities, a reminder I carried with me as I moved through the tiny house. In the kitchen, I started the coffee maker before heading to the bathroom to splash some cold water on my face.
The mirror reflected a man I barely recognizedsometimes. He was content, someone with purpose. The circles under my eyes that had been a permanent fixture for years had faded. I looked... happy. The thought still surprised me.
Coffee in hand, I stepped out onto the porch, breathing in the crisp morning air. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold. It was going to be another hot day, but for now, the world was cool and quiet.
Something felt off. I scanned the property, my eyes narrowing as I took in the empty driveway, the still-dewy grass. Nothing seemed out of place, but the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, anyway. Keith’s little gift from earlier in the week was still fresh in my mind, making me jumpy at shadows.
I should tell Dustin. The thought came unbidden, persistent. He deserved to know what kind of danger might be lurking. But the idea of watching his face change when I explained Keith’s obsession, the way his eyes might fill with worry or realize that I hadn’t been honest with him… the thought was overwhelming.
“Just a few more days,” I murmured to myself. “Let him have this time with Ali without worrying.”
It was a weak excuse, and I knew it. Every day I didn’t tell him was another day I was lying to him. Another day I was putting him at risk.
I finished my coffee and set the mug on the porch railing, taking one last look at the peaceful property before heading down the steps. I’d talk to Marcus again today, see if there had been any sightings of Keith or his truck and take in my statement. Maybe they’d already run him out of town, and I was worrying for nothing.
The walk to the main ranch buildings gave me time to clear my head, to push down the anxiety that had been my constant companion since seeing that red truck. By the time I reached the arena, I’d almost convinced myself everything would be fine.
Almost.
But the moment I came around the backside of the arena, I saw him. A tall figure leaned against the building, his lithesilhouette recognizable almost immediately. I saw that long dark hair pulled back and those cold green eyes staring at me as I came to a stop. A smile spread over his face.
“Hey baby,” Keith said, his voice anything but warm or inviting. “I’ve missed you.”
My blood froze in my veins. Keith stood there like he belonged, dressed in expensive clothes that somehow looked perfectly at home despite the rural setting. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. It never did.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I kept my voice low, glancing around to make sure no one else was within earshot. The last thing I needed was for someone to see us together, to start asking questions.
Keith pushed off from the wall, his movements fluid and predatory. “Now, that’s hardly the warm welcome I was expectin’ after all this time apart.” His Louisiana drawl seemed thicker than I remembered, deliberate in a way that used to charm me but now sent chills down my spine.
“You need to leave.” I stood my ground even as every instinct screamed at me to run, to get as far away from him as possible. “I don’t want you here.”
“That’s a shame,” he replied, taking a step closer. “Because I’ve gone to an awful lot of trouble to find you, darlin’. Did you like my little gifts? The bird was a nice touch, don’t you think? Symbolic-like.”
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “Is that what this is to you? Some kind of game?”
Keith’s smile widened, showing perfect white teeth. “Life’s a game, Alex. And I always win.” He glanced toward the direction of Dustin’s tiny house. “He’s quite handsome, your lawyer. Though I must say, not at all what I expected from you. A bit... soft around the edges, isn’t he?”
The casual mention of Dustin made my stomach lurch. “Stay away from him.”
“Or what?” Keith stepped closer, close enough that I could smell his cologne, expensive and cloying. “You gonna tell your little sherifffriend about me again? That didn’t work out so well last time, did it?”
I fought to keep my expression neutral, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of seeing my fear. “Marcus already knows you’re here. He’s watching for you.”
