Double Jeopardy Read online

  “I love you, Chloe,” he said softly.

  Her eyes grew big and filled with unshed tears. He flicked and rubbed her clit with his fingers and suckled her nipples once again, building her arousal until he knew she was ready for what he had planned.

  “Pull your knees to your chest,” he told her and watched as she obeyed. He ran his finger down her swollen pussy lips to the puckered star below, rubbing the moisture around and inside. He grabbed the oil he’d used to massage her earlier from the table and poured it slowly over his shaft, watching her while she watched him.

  “Just relax,” he said.

  He pushed the plump head of his cock into her anal passage, the small opening devouring his shaft with each small push. He massaged her clit with his thumb as he felt the resistance of her anus give way to allow his entrance.

  Chloe sucked in a deep breath at the invasion, but she forced herself to relax, opening the passageway further so she was helping him penetrate the forbidden orifice. She’d only experienced anal sex once before, on the day she’d gotten the job working for Lucian Deveraux. But the stranger who had introduced her to the act had had a much smaller cock, and it had been over almost before it had begun.

  “That’s the way,” Antoine encouraged. The sight of his thick rod stretching her tiny hole was amazing. There was a part of him that wished Lucien could be there and they could take her like this together, each of them pistoning in and out of her holes until they both shot their seed inside of her.

  “God, you’re so tight.” He gritted his teeth and closed his eyes. Her tightness was too much. He rubbed his thumb in faster circles and shoved in and out of her faster, faster, until both of their moans filled the emptiness of the bedroom and her ass clinched tight around him.

  “That’s it baby, I’m coming.” Each breath was labored, his words barely a whisper. Sweat poured from his brow and his balls tightened painfully. Come erupted from his cock and he filled her ass with his seed. She milked him with every pulse of her own orgasm until he lay drained and exhausted on top of her.

  Neither of them noticed as the last candle went out.

  Chapter Seven

  “Let’s leave this place. Just the two of us,” Chloe said several hours later. They’d bathed again and slept in small increments, waking frequently to make love until the shadowy gray of a rainy New Orleans morning began peeking through the windows.

  “I don’t want to stay here any longer, and I can’t bear to watch Lucien take you again as his lover.”

  “I will have no other lovers now that I’ve found you,” he said.

  “Nor will I,” she promised, “But it is not necessary for you to give up your love of men for me. I’d never ask you to give up that side of yourself.”

  He kissed her brow and squeezed her hip gently, and Chloe knew she’d pleased him with her answer.

  “And I’d already made up my mind to leave while Lucien was away. Now you can come with me.”

  “Why did you decide to go? How were you planning to survive on your own?” Antoine asked.

  “The same way I did when I was forced to find work in New Orleans,” she answered. “My husband was murdered just over a year ago. He and Lucien shared an occupation in common. Both of them were savvy businessmen who decided to make money off contraband whiskey.”

  She ran her hand down Antoine’s bare chest and smiled as he sucked in a breath and grabbed her hand before she could go any lower.

  “I didn’t realize you were a widow,” he said softly.

  “It’s still hard for me to believe sometimes. But Samuel died bringing a shipment to a buyer here in New Orleans. We’d barely made it across the Louisiana border before he was shot.”

  “Samuel?” Antoine asked. “Samuel Monroe?”

  “Yes. I suppose you’ve heard of him. I would think the circles your business leads you to are rather small ones.”

  “You could say that.” Antoine sat up in bed and ran a hand down his face. “Your husband is the reason I decided to break ties with Lucien.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Lucien was the buyer your husband was coming to see. You see, the way Lucien keeps law enforcement under his control is to give them other distributors to disband or arrest. The deal he set up with your husband was a ruse to trap him. When the officer Lucien paid killed Samuel, it just meant there was less competition he had to deal with in the future and the cops made a collar. In his eyes, everybody won.”

  “Except me.”

  “Yes, except you.” Antoine watched her nervously. The sheets were pulled up high over her breasts in a protective gesture and her gaze was distant, as if she were reliving the most horrible day of her life with a different perspective.

  “I guess I should have expected it from the beginning. I’m sure Lucien found great hilarity in the fact that I knocked on his door to ask for a job.”

  “Lucien would think it was convenient that he didn’t have to hire men to keep track of your whereabouts.”

  “And did you know what he planned to do to my husband?”

  “I swear to you, I did not. I didn’t find out what had happened until too late. I started making my own plans to leave the next day.”

  “Then you must follow through with your plans, as I must follow through with mine,” Chloe said.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I swore a vow of vengeance on whoever took the life of my husband. I plan to fulfill it.”

  “You can’t do that, Chloe. It would be the same as suicide. Lucien is protected in ways that you could never dream of.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Lucien must be stopped.”

  “And he will be. We will both leave here today. Can you drive?”

  “Yes, of course,” she said awestruck at the authoritative tone to his voice.

  “You’ll take my car and head northwest until you reach the mountains in Colorado. I have land there and a small house with cattle and horses. The men who work the ranch know me as Billy McKenzie. I’ll send a letter with you explaining to them that you’re my wife and you’re to make yourself at home. I’ll follow a couple of hours behind you taking a different route to make sure no one is following us. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, but how does us running like cowards make Lucien pay?”

  “I have information to turn over to the federal authorities in Washington D.C. There’s a man there who’s known for being a straight arrow, for never succumbing to bribes. He’ll take care of Lucien. Do you trust me?”

  “With all my heart.”

  “Then let’s get going before the sun decides to come out.”

  Chloe packed the few belongings she had quickly and tucked the letter Antoine had written proclaiming her as his wife into her handbag. She followed him through the servant’s stairs to the basement and watched as he opened a hidden door that was made to look like the rest of the stone walls. They fled through a long, dark corridor that smelled of damp and must. By the time they reached the end to the cluster of rocks and brush that hid the tunnel from view, rain was falling in heavy sheets and she was panting for breath. She smelled the mud and silt of the Mississippi as the rain churned it toward the surface. She knew they were down by the docks.

  Antoine grabbed her close and put his mouth to her ear so she could hear over the echoing rain that pounded outside the tunnel walls. His warm breath sent shivers over her chilled skin and she held him close, knowing they’d be separated all too soon.

  “The docks are empty at this time of day,” he said. “My car is just a few steps away. Do exactly as I told you and everything will be all right.”

  “Antoine,” Chloe said softly. She touched her hand to the side of his face and brought her lips up to his—a last kiss until they met again.

  “God, I want you still,” he said.

  Chloe felt his arousal against her mound and moaned into his mouth. “One more time,” she said, fisting her hands in his hair.

  The wall was c
old against her back, a combination of dirt and rock soiling the back of her dress. They were both frantic in their need. Lips and tongue clashed and hands roamed possessively. It was lust at its core. Fucking in the truest sense of the word. He pushed her dress above her hips and ripped her bloomers from her body, lifting her legs so they wrapped around his waist. He plunged into her wet heat, shooting her to a shattering climax in seconds. She felt his body stiffen and his hot seed pour into her moments later.

  They both panted for breath, holding on to each other to keep from falling to their knees. They righted their clothes and didn’t speak. Tears ran down Chloe’s cheeks, mixing with the rain, as she left Antoine in the dark tunnel.

  Chloe didn’t miss the irony in the fact that she was leaving Lucien Deveraux’s home much like the way she came. Her clothes dirty, her hair disheveled and come running down her legs.

  Antoine watched Chloe leave and knew his chances of ever seeing her again were few. He had papers to gather—the information he’d promised Chloe he’d send to Washington, and a few legal papers declaring Chloe and any children they might have conceived his legal heirs. He’d have a fake marriage certificate drawn up and sent to her. She’d be taken care of. No matter what.

  He knew what Chloe had said was true. Lucien Deveraux had to be stopped. And the only way he would be stopped is if he was dead. Antoine was the only man who had enough inside knowledge to see it done properly. He’d leave New Orleans, just as he’d told Chloe he would, but he’d head north on the road to Chicago and meet Lucien on his way back. If he was lucky he’d kill Lucien and get away before his guards could retaliate. If he wasn’t so lucky…

  At least Chloe would be safe.

  Chapter Eight

  The further Chloe drove from Antoine and New Orleans, the worse the feeling in her gut. Antoine’s plan wouldn’t end well. It would take a miracle for him to survive such a suicidal mission.

  She drove straight through the day and night, stopping when she could for fuel, but not to eat or sleep. Her tears had dried somewhere in Texas. She stopped and bought a new dress—a respectable dress—at a store in Dallas. And just outside of Boulder, Colorado, she stopped to comb her hair and pinch her cheeks. A new home waited for her. A new life. And she wasn’t going to arrive there looking like the maid she’d been for the past year. If she was lucky Antoine would meet her soon. If she wasn’t, she’d never see him again. Either way she’d survive. Just like always.

  She stopped the car outside of the McKenzie ranch and stared at the big iron M on the gate. There was land for as far as the eye could see—rolling hills dotted with cattle and horses. She couldn’t see the house from the road, but a large barn sat to the left and a small, ramshackle cabin sat to the right.

  Chloe took a deep breath. “I’m Chloe McKenzie. This is my home.” And she pressed her foot down on the accelerator and drove through the gate. The road to the main house was graveled and rutted, and she bounced in the seat uncomfortably. And then the main house came into view.

  It wasn’t what she’d been expecting.

  Two stories of rustic wood sat in front of her. Split logs darkened with age, and a wrap-a-round porch newly painted in bright white. A porch swing and two large rocking chairs sat on the porch. The windows of the house were open and white curtains billowed with the breeze. It looked…nice. Comfortable.

  She got out of the car and an older woman came out onto the porch with an apron tied around her ample waist. She held her hand up to shade her eyes and squinted in Chloe’s direction.

  “Can I help you?” she called out.

  “I hope so,” Chloe said with a friendly smile. She made her way up the steps to the woman and held out her hand. When the woman took it she said, “I’m Chloe McKenzie. Billy’s wife.”

  The woman’s mouth dropped open for a moment in surprise, but she quickly gathered her wits. “Well, my goodness. I didn’t know Billy had gotten married. Is he with you?”

  “No, but he sent a letter. He had some business to see to and plans to meet me here in a few weeks.” Chloe pulled the letter from her hand bag and handed it over to the woman. She read it quickly and put it in her apron pocket.

  “Well, I’m Mrs. Peace, the housekeeper. Let me get your things and I’ll show you to your room. I’ve still got something hot on the stove if you’re hungry.”

  “Yes, please. I drove straight through. I’m famished. Don’t worry about my bag. I’ll get it later”

  Mrs. Peace gave Chloe an odd look, but she held her tongue. In all honesty, Chloe didn’t want the housekeeper to see her meager possessions.

  “This way Mrs. McKenzie,” the woman said and turned to go inside the house.

  “Please call me Chloe.”

  She nodded. “Chloe, then.”

  “Have you lived here long?” Chloe asked.

  “Mr. McKenzie hired my husband and me when he bought the ranch last year. My husband is the foreman. We live in a little cabin toward the back of the property.”

  “I saw another cabin up by the barn. Who lives there?”

  “The hands live there. So they can get to the animals quickly if need be.”

  The wood floors in the house were all polished to a sheen. The furniture was overstuffed and colorful rugs were scattered throughout. Paintings of native landscapes hung on the walls, and fresh flowers decorated the tables, giving the house a fresh smell.

  Mrs. Peace showed Chloe to a large bedroom on the second floor. The bed was big enough for a family a four and covered by a patchwork quilt in shades of blue and green.

  “It’s a lovely room,” Chloe said.

  “If you want to wash up, I’ll get your supper ready.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Peace.”

  She nodded and left the room.

  When Chloe entered the kitchen a few minutes later her stomach was growling painfully. The sinful smells from the stove were promising and she sat down at the large oak table with eagerness. Mrs. Peace sat a heaping plate in front of her and a cold glass of buttermilk within easy reach.

  Chloe had just picked up her fork when the front door opened and the screen door slammed. Heavy footsteps echoed across the wood, and a deep voice called out.

  “Mrs. Peace?” the stranger called.

  “In the kitchen, Mr. Bradford.”

  Mr. Bradford? Chloe wondered. He was obviously comfortable in the McKenzie house whoever he was.

  “One of the hands mentioned a strange car had driven up. I thought maybe…” His sentence tapered off as he caught sight of Chloe at the table. “I thought maybe Billy had finally made it back.”

  “Not yet,” Mrs. Peace said. “Sit down and I’ll fix you a plate.”

  He moved across the kitchen like a predatory animal, his eyes never leaving Chloe’s. He sat down across from her. “Then whose car is out front?”

  “Mrs. McKenzie’s,” she said as she put the plate in front of him.

  “You’re Billy’s wife?” he asked, obviously surprised. It made Chloe wonder if this man knew of Antoine’s sexual preferences.

  “Yes. I’m Chloe. Billy will be here in a few weeks. Once his business is finished.” She name rolled off her tongue with difficulty. It didn’t sound natural. He stared at her a little longer, and she couldn’t help but stare back. His hair was dark blonde and streaked with the sun. His face was weathered and tanned, and a darker shade of blonde stubbled across his cheeks and chin. But it was his eyes that held her captive. They were pure grey. And she recognized the look in them as she fought the urge to squirm in her seat to relieve the pressure building in her loins.

  He finally took his fork and began to eat, and she did the same. Chloe didn’t know how many minutes had passed, but she realized as she looked around that Mrs. Peace was nowhere in sight.

  “Ranch life is hard,” he said to break the silence. “You have city hands.”

  Chloe lifted her brow at the challenge. “I’m a fast learner, Mr. Bradford. I know how to work hard.”

  “You
can call me Jack. I own the neighboring ranch, and I’ve been helping out here until Billy gets back.”

  “So you and Billy are…friends?” she asked meeting his gaze directly.

  “Yes. Good friends.” There was heat in his gaze, and a vision of Jack and Antoine filled her mind with explicit clarity.

  “He’s lucky to have someone like you.”

  “I think I can say the same.” He pushed his plate back and stood to leave.

  Chloe devoured every inch of him with her eyes. He was tall. Taller than even Lucien had been. His clothes were dusty with the days work, but they were in good repair. He turned back at the kitchen door and caught her appraisal. And obvious approval. He smiled, showing straight white teeth and a hint of dimples.

  “You say you’re a fast learner and not afraid to work hard. Do you want to learn to ride?”

  Chloe’s breath expelled in a gush of air, and she went lightheaded at the double meaning. She squeezed her thighs together and knew her nipples stood proudly against the thin cotton of her dress.

  “Yes. I would like to learn to ride.”

  He nodded with satisfaction. “I’ll see you in the morning then.”

  Chapter Nine

  As good as his word, Jack showed up the next morning to teach Chloe to ride and show her the workings of the ranch. Mrs. Peace had dug out a pair of men’s trousers for her and old boots for her to ride in. They were a little snug through the hips, but the way Jack followed her every move made her revel in the attention.

  For five weeks he took her out for a morning ride. She learned how to mend fences and herd the cattle. She went to her bed at night sore from working and incredibly frustrated. She had only her fingers to relieve the pressure. Jack’s heated looks and casual touches were making her crazy. But he never made his move. And she began to wonder if unlike Antoine, Jack’s interests didn’t lie in both directions like she’d originally thought.

  When she came back to the house after her daily rides with Jack, Mrs. Peace always had lunch waiting for her. But one afternoon there was something else waiting for her instead. A packet of letters had been delivered from the postman.