Page 91 of Her Rugged Guardian

I struggled to hold back, wanting this to last forever, but the electricity was too powerful. I was lost in the beautiful moment, falling into the sweet abyss as the climax rolled through me. I heard my slight scream, but the sound was as surreal as theman. He picked up the intensity, driving the single orgasm into something more spectacular.

I could tell there would be no holding back. The man needed me as much as I needed him.

As his body started to tense, I closed my eyes all over again, squeezing my muscles just seconds before he erupted deep inside.

The heat was oppressive, the weight of his body incredible, and as he brushed his lips across mine, I realized that home was indeed where the heart was, and the man had already stolen mine.

“I have good news and bad news,” Jessica said by way of starting the conversation.

Sighing, I pulled into the driveway, taking my time rolling down the long path. The trees lining the way were swaying in the light breeze, yet even on this beautiful sunny afternoon, they appeared ominous. I half expected someone to jump out of the shadows created by the thick foliage, trying to terrify me all over again.

It was funny that when that didn’t happen, I was almost disappointed. Perhaps it’s because that would solidify my certainty that Malcolm was behind the atrocities the entire city had endured over the last several years. I’d learned more about his misguided attempt at owning this portion of Oregon, which had started with his grandfather decades before.

The family truly believed they should own the majority of the land, turning the area into one big resort full of casinos and expensive condominiums. Greed and the hunger for power had prevented any Robinson from valuing the beautiful landscape, the friendly people and small-town atmosphere. I’d never thought I’d be able to call such a tiny town my home, but that’s exactly what I wanted.

And I was prepared for a battle.

I’d developed marketing plans, some of the best I’d ever done in the almost four days since the initial confrontation with Malcolm. I’d waited patiently until the county offices had opened on Monday, Jake accompanying me while attempting to get a copy of the contract in question. I’d contacted Jessica, begging her to talk to her father about the Robinson family, helping to determine if any of the rumors regarding other city councilmembers were true.

“Okay,” I told her as I pulled in front of the house.

“Which do you want to hear first?”

I sensed hesitation in her voice, the tone I knew far too well when something terrible was about to happen. “The good news. I could use it right about now.”

“Well, you were right. There are several dummy corporations with links to bank accounts in the Caribbean and other foreign countries. They are locked down tight, the financials hidden away but there are billions of dollars in them. In addition, the land owned by these corporations stretched all the way south into California and north into Canada.”

“You’re kidding me.” Excitement tore through me.

“It’s not something to joke about. While some of the actions are legitimate, or least they appear to be, my dad mentioned that at least a half dozen interstate and foreign laws have been broken, including wire fraud.” Jessica was more excited than before, as if she’d just handed me the golden goose.

But I knew a shoe was about ready to drop.

“Is the FBI going to arrest them?”

“Because another country is part of this, the CIA is going to need to be involved, likely officials from Canada as well to make a solid case that will stick.”

I threw the gear into park, rubbing my eyes. I’d slept very little, partially because of worry and partially because Jake had become insatiable. “Let me guess. That’s going to take a long time.”

“Yep. You know how the system works.”

Unfortunately, I did. “That means they can continue operating business as usual.”

“Unless one or more members are caught red-handed in a crime, then you’re right.”

“By then they will likely have bought up half the town.”

“Convince people not to sell.”

I half laughed. Millie and Jolene had opened up to both Jake and me, providing stories that could curdle anyone’s mind about how low the Robinsons had gone to get people to sell. I was more repulsed than ever but there was little I could do about it. “Yeah, easier said than done. The bad news?”

“The contract on Tangerine Sunset appears legit. There is nothing odd or unlawful about it.” Jessica groaned. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not her signature. I’m positive of that. Plus, I swear to you she had some kind of evidence on what Robinson was doing.”

“Have you found anything proving that?”

“No. That’s the thing. I haven’t.”

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