Master of the Abyss

Sierra Nevada?

Logan’s rough voice from inside the lodge indicated his brother was awake, and when Rebecca’s laugh floated out, Jake knew breakfast wouldn’t be too long in coming. And a damn good breakfast since Rebecca cooked like a dream. Logan had lucked out to find himself such a soft, sweet woman-well, she did have a temper, but that simply added some spice to a relationship. Very feminine, though; in fact, she’d worn tailored shirts and designer jeans on her first visit to the lodge.

Jake grinned and shook his head, thinking of Kallie Masterson, the direct opposite of feminine for whatever reason. He’d known women who worked in male-dominated fields. Some downplayed their charms when on the job, but not all the time. He might have thought she preferred women, but the notion had bit the dust last night when she’d warmed so sweetly under his hands and eyes.

He took a sip of coffee. A man had to wonder how she’d react to a more… personal…touch. And what she was concealing underneath those flannel shirts and baggy jeans. His hands had curved around a nice waist, one that flared out to what was probably a lushly rounded ass. When the thought of peeling her jeans off to see that ass made him harden, he huffed a laugh and shook his head. Not going there.

The way her beautiful eyes-so dark a brown they were almost black-had widened at his command told him she wasn’t experienced in the games he enjoyed playing. And he sure as hell didn’t want another vulnerable woman. The thought of Mimi’s face as she had knelt before him and pleaded with him to keep her stabbed his heart. He wasn’t cut out for a serious relationship-didn’t need one, didn’t want one.

Especially a submissive who didn’t even realize her nature, let alone one living in Bear Flat. He’d dated quite a few women from town but kept the dates strictly vanilla. When he required a submissive for some BDSM play, he went farther afield. Considering how badly he’d screwed up with a sub once, he never sought anything more than light play.

He watched as the sun warmed the mountain slopes and patches of white fog drifted upward. No. He wouldn’t pursue anything with Kallie. Besides, he and Logan were discussing a business agreement with the Mastersons and their guide service.

Yet she appealed to him so much that he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Which was rather odd. Since she’d returned to Bear Flat a couple of years ago, he’d never said more to her than good morning, had only been aware enough of her to be irritated by her manner and clothing.

Perhaps he should have been impressed instead. She was a good guide, he knew. And apparently a good friend. He grinned, remembering her defense of the women last night. All that courage in such a small bundle. She’d gotten knocked ass over teakettle and hadn’t whined, hadn’t cried-just cursed like a lumberjack. When he’d helped her up, she’d fairly vibrated with energy.

And heat.

She wanted him. Jake took a sip of coffee, remembering the feel of her, the sexual sizzle between them. She wanted him and didn’t like the fact. He didn’t either.

And it didn’t seem to matter, especially against the memory of her melting under his command. A submissive.

Jake tipped his head back as an eagle soared high, becoming a black speck in the pale gray sky. As he lifted his coffee, his hand stilled. Submissive. Business. Hell. He tossed the remainder of his drink into a nearby bush and headed into the lodge.

As he entered the kitchen, he saw Rebecca smack Logan’s knuckles with a wooden spatula.

“Keep those fingers away from the bacon,” she snapped.

Logan shook his hand, then grabbed her arms and lifted her onto tiptoes. “Little rebel, you’re going to pay for that.”

The sub’s body went limp. She smiled at Logan and said in a throaty voice, “Okay.”

Jake snorted a laugh.

Frowning, Logan set her down and glanced at Jake. “Can’t even scare her these days. What am I going to do?”

“You’re too easy on her, and she gets off on being spanked.” Jake leaned a shoulder against the door frame. “Try a whip.”

Logan crossed his arms and studied her. “Possible…possible…”

Rebecca’s eyes widened, and she sidled away from him, abandoning her bacon.

“Speaking of whips,” Jake said. “If I could have your attention before you start stripping her down, there’s something we should discuss with the Mastersons.”

“That would be?”

“What happens on a guide trip when one of our guests pulls out handcuffs? Or a flogger.”

* * *

A few days later, Kallie took her time picking stones and crud out of Midnight’s hoof and ignored the sound of Wyatt and Morgan fidgeting behind her. Thank God Virgil had chosen to be a cop, or she’d have all three of her cousins behind her.

The normally comforting scent of straw and horses clogged her throat as she carefully examined the horse’s frog and checked the horseshoe. Pity that this was the last hoof to clean. Couldn’t stall anymore, despite the bomb her cousins had dropped on her. At least she’d managed to get her face smoothed out to unreadable, although her stomach churned as if she’d chugged a pitcher of beer.

The late afternoon sun streaming into the barn made the dust in the air glow as she turned to face her cousins. “Now what do you mean, we’re going to be seeing a lot of the Hunt brothers?”

With her cat sitting at his feet, Wyatt leaned against the opposite stall, a pleased smile on his face. Morgan had the same smug expression. Good-looking guys. Sure they loomed over her like every other person in the world, but she figured they’d be a lot shorter after she killed them dead.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Well?”

“We talked about this before, cuz,” Wyatt said, taking point as he always did on the trails, leaving Morgan to bring up the rear. “You said they wouldn’t be interested, but we ran into them at the feed store last week, and they thought it was a great idea. We’ve had a couple of discussions, and it’ll work out well.”

Oh wonderful. “So Logan and Jake will pimp our guide services, and in return, we’ll book our incoming clients at their lodge instead of in Yosemite Village.”

“Yep.” Morgan grinned. “Means more business for all of us. Jake will still handle the day trips for their guests, but we’ll get any overnights or longer. If our clients spend the night locally, we’ll be able to hit the trails earlier.”

Fine, it was a practical idea, but it meant she’d be running into Jake Hunt all the time, and that wasn’t a comfortable thought. Either the man ignored her or wore a faintly disapproving expression- both were damned annoying. Then again, the way he’d looked at her last weekend…might be worse. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it.

But to say I don’t like the way Jake Hunt looks at me to her cousins? No way. So she’d deal with it. It’s not like Jake would come on any guided trips, and she could probably avoid him when picking up the clients at the lodge. Trouble is, will I want to? “I suppose that makes sense.”

“The only drawback we’ve found is that the lodge has a rep for accommodating kinky groups.” Wyatt’s brows drew together. “We’d heard rumors about the place; Logan confirmed they’re true.”

“Kinky like what?” Jake and kink. The thought took her breath away.