“And I hope you try.”
I continued her discipline, her growls turning to yelps and moans. Yes, daily spankings were certainly in order for her.
All while trying to figure out how best to develop a plan. I would and as soon as that happened, I’d go after the son of a bitch.
Maybe I hadn’t learned from the past.
If he attempted to lay a single hand on her, it would be the last thing he did on this earth.
CHAPTER 25
Grace
Lingering tendrils of warmth from the morning passion tickled my skin.
The humid day had started off with an incredible moment in the shower, allowing me all the feelings of falling in love.
Viper’s touch had been electric, so much so with every step I’d taken, a sigh seemed to slip past my lips.
In the two days since he’d returned home from the horrific fire, we’d explored each other’s bodies while enjoying the down time with the dogs and the horses. He’d even had an incident with the chickens that had left me in a fit of laughter. After my exclamation with the reporter, he’d been unwilling to discuss my warning again.
Other than to remind me that threatening a monster wasn’t in my best interest.
However, I did leave a nasty message with the owner of the Super 8. It had been no easy feat to discover his information and would do me little good, but I felt much better.
But I’d seen something in Viper’s eyes, a fire and brimstone gaze when he didn’t think I was looking indicating he had no intention of letting the arsonist get away. Maybe he truly was the town’s hero after all.
I’d had three perfect little patients, including a sick kitty the owners had been terrified would need to be euthanized. I’d had my first hug being a veterinarian when I’d provided the news an antibiotic should work.
Before Viper had left for work, I’d gotten a call from Shannon that there was to be a celebration at Ziggy’s for the smokejumpers, both Axe and Viper mentioned specifically. Evidently, their fan club bunnies wanted to see them.
And be close to them.
And have selfies taken with them.
And perhaps have hot passion with them.
Nope. Not with my man. I giggled from the thought even now. But at least I’d convinced him to take a change of clothes with him just in case he didn’t have time to come home. I refused to allow him to get away with not going. We had a little line dancing to do. Now that provided a series of hot images in my mind.
I rolled my eyes as I pulled into a parking place. Tolerating the girls swooning over him had plucked my last nerve. Especially since he’d seemed quite happy with his newfound popularity, which I never would have guessed possible. A couple had evendropped by in their short shorts, prompting me to turn into the town bitch. Something I’d be proud of later.
The celebration was for all the smokejumpers, which was wonderful. They deserved to hear and share in the joy of how that we valued their care and protection. That’s what Shannon had said, telling me when and where to be. So I’d used the same tactic on Viper.
Just thinking about him made me a happy girl, more relaxed than I’d been in a long time.
I’d remain that way until he had to go on another mission.
As I seemed to do more often as of late, I was running errands, dropping off a painting I’d felt inspired to tackle on Sunday after the big July Fourth festivities.
They’d seemed more precious this year, to everyone in town as well. All because of the heroic actions of several fine-looking men.
And not just Viper and Axe. The others on the Zullies had been heralded as heroes given the fight they’d had on their hands with the wind and wild storm. Things could have been so much worse.
I pulled the painting from the cab of the truck, giving it one last inspection before heading down the sidewalk. Suddenly, I was also a little famous and I wasn’t certain I liked that one tiny bit. At least a few chicks were giving me the side-eye. Too bad. They could get over it.
Going to the grocery store the day before had turned into an autograph event, although I had to admit the ladies had been farmore interested in obtaining a picture with Viper than talking to me. I’d wanted to be insulted.
“Tell Viper we said hello,” one of the girls said.
