Jardin's Gamble (Haven, Texas 9)

“Domineering? Demanding? Sometimes a complete prick?”

“Hey, don’t talk about yourself like that,” Jardin warned, holding back a grin.

Carrick rolled his eyes. Then a hint of vulnerability entered his face. “You really think Thea could want both of us?”

Fuck. He hated that he doubted his self-worth. Jardin knew it was his fault that he felt insecure.

“I think Thea has shown she’s attracted to us both. She wants you. I want you. We just might need to convince her that two are better than one.”

“Hmm, I can think of a few ways to do that.” Carrick’s face grew serious. “What about what’s happening to her?”

“That’s another problem we need to figure out.”

“But if we push too hard, she might run like she did with me.”

“This would be much easier if she were already ours. She’d either tell us or I’d take her over my knee and redden her ass. Something she desperately needs.”

“What if she’s not a sub?”

He shrugged. “She doesn’t have to be a sub for me to discipline her. In Haven, all women are protected. And disciplined if they disobey the rules set by their guardian.”

“But we’re not in Haven.”

“Maybe that’s the problem,” he mused. “I might have to visit Haven. Maddox is riding my ass about it. Think you could take some time off from the garage?”

“The previous owner would likely come in and cover for me. You’re finally going to take me to Haven?”

“You and our girl. And if I get the urge to tie someone up and whip their ass, there’s always you.” Jardin grinned at Carrick’s shocked look. Was that a hint of heat? He thought maybe it was.

Jardin pulled him in for another kiss. “I’m so fucking glad you’re back in my life. I love you, Carrick. And I missed you like crazy.”

Carrick stared down at him then closed his eyes and swallowed heavily. When he opened them again, tears swam in them.

“I love you too.”

Shit. He was glad his meeting was a twenty-minute drive away. He was going to need that time to calm his raging hard-on.

16

This was hopeless.

She couldn’t work. Couldn’t eat. Couldn’t think.

What was she going to do? There was only one way she could think of getting out of this, but she didn’t know how she was going to pull it off.

She had this constant feeling of being watched. Could be paranoia, but she also wouldn’t put it past Silvers to have a goon on her. They’d found her car in the parking lot. They’d left a rose where she worked.

He was telling her loud and clear there was no where she could run to. Except it was run or become his. And she knew she wouldn’t live long if the latter happened. And what about the boys?

Thea’s head spun with all the thoughts, and she leaned her elbow on the desk, propping her head up with her hand.

“Hello there, darlin’,” a low voice drawled.

She let out a screech, jumping up out of her seat, heart racing.

Maddox. It’s Maddox. Not Silvers or his thugs. It’s only Maddox.

“Hmm, not the normal reaction I get from females,” he said, studying her closely. “Something the matter, darlin’?”