Signed and Sealed

Table of Contents Copyright Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten About the Author Western Romance from Dreamspinner Press

Copyright Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Signed & Sealed Copyright © 2011 by B.A. Stretke Cover Art by Paul Richmond http://www.paulrichmondstudio.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ ISBN: 978-1-61581-931-7 Printed in the United States of America First Edition July 2011 eBook edition available eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-932-4

Dedication

I would like to dedicate this work to my mother Susan, my surrogate mother Lourdes, and dear friend Pat Marchand. Without you, none of this would be possible.

Chapter One

“William Drake?” the harsh tone of a man’s voice asked. “Yes,” Will answered cautiously. “Are you Katrina Drake’s brother?” The question startled him. “Is she okay? Is there something wrong? Has she been hurt?” As much as he disliked and distrusted his sister, he couldn’t handle hearing that she had been hurt or worse. “She’s fine,” the man cut in quickly and not too gently. “Are you aware that she plans to marry Martin Hunter?” The man sounded very upset, but Will didn’t have a clue as to why. “No, I haven’t spoken with my sister in quite some time,” Will said cautiously. “What does it have to do with you? Who are you?”

“She doesn’t know who she’s dealing with,” he said sharply. “If she thinks she can carry out this blackmail, then she’d better think again.” He was serious and angry. His voice had taken on a deep, threatening aspect. “What are you talking about? What blackmail? What is she doing?” Will scrambled for clarification. “Oh, don’t be coy with me, Mr. Drake. Katrina said that it was all your idea!” He was yelling now. “My idea?” he yelled back. He was not going to be brought into this. Whatever his sister was up to had absolutely nothing to do with him. “I haven’t spoken to my sister in almost two years. After our parents died, we went our separate ways. So don’t you dare try to make me a party to this… whatever it is! If you have a problem with Katrina, then I suggest you take it up with her.” He was furious now. This man had no right to be shouting at him. “You, my dear, had better speak with her before she does get hurt. She will marry Martin over my dead body.” Will tried to lighten his attack but found it impossible. He felt that this man might be telling the truth, but that didn’t lessen his desire to have him take responsibility for the situation and therefore resolve it. “I don’t know what your problem is, and I don’t really care.” With that, Will slammed the receiver down. How dare he speak to him like that? Will had nothing to do with it. The man had left him angry and upset but also cautiously curious as to

what Katrina had been up to. He didn’t sound like someone Will would want to have as an enemy. I wouldn’t want to be in Katrina’s shoes right now, he thought. Apparently, the man wasn’t happy about Katrina’s impending wedding. But what is it to me? he wondered. He found that he was still staring at the phone long after he’d hung up. It didn’t matter; it was not his affair. Katrina was a big girl, and she was well able to take care of herself. “It isn’t my place to save her,” he thought out loud. “Katrina has survived for the last two years without my involvement in her life and she can continue to do so.” William walked out onto the beach with his dog, Todd, a beautiful but intellectually challenged Labrador retriever. He needed to get some air after the upset of that phone call. He had no idea who the man even was, and yet, he left an impression that was hard to shake. It was the threat in his tone that had put Will on edge. Rarely did anyone speak in a manner that left you knowing without a doubt that they were serious and capable of carrying out exactly what they said. This man, Will knew even without seeing, was serious and capable. How did he get my

phone number? Why is he pulling me into this? Why did he call, and what does he expect from me? These thoughts ran through his mind as he watched a freighter out in the distance. “Katrina is not my responsibility,” he said out loud. “Her business is her own, and so are her enemies.” He decided to stop thinking about Katrina and the man on the phone, and with a sigh of resolve looked out across

the large expanse of Lake Superior. Standing there, surveying his life, he realized he had a comfortable existence. At age twenty-four, he owned his own home and seven wooded acres at Whitefish Point, not far from Lake Superior. Will had lived on his own since graduating from high school. He’d decided that the University of Michigan was the best school for him, and so lived in a dorm room for the four years it took him to complete his degree in accounting. It was a decision that had haunted him ever since the car accident that took the life of his parents. Perhaps if he had stayed closer to home in East Lansing, he would have had more time to spend with them, but those were thoughts that inevitably lead to depression, so he pushed them aside. No one could recreate their past, so going forward was a person’s only option. Will was left with only this piece of property from his parents’ estate. They had used it as a vacation getaway. Will would often escape to Whitefish Point and spend weekends and holidays here alone, which brought back depressing memories of time away from his parents, so again he pushed them away. Will considered himself an expert on pushing away anything that was uncomfortable or painful to think about. There were days when he had to nearly shut down emotionally in order to function; guilt and bitterness could be very crippling. The rest of the estate, in its entirety, went to his younger

sister, Katrina. She had inherited more than one million dollars along with all the other property. At the time, the obvious slight had made it tense and unsettling, but over the past two years, he had tried to understand his parents’ reasoning. His parents never fully accepted his sexuality and therefore chose Katrina over him. Will and his sister were never close, so after the funeral, they parted ways and hadn’t seen or spoken to each other since. As he entered the back door, the telephone began to ring. “Hello.” “Hello, Will!” To his shocked surprise came the shrill tones of his sister, Katrina. “Guess what?” “What?” he answered, his voice sounding dry and wary. “I’m getting married!” she squealed. “Married?” Will sat down. “To whom?” He decided to play dumb and see what Katrina would tell him. “Oh, Will, you’re not going to believe this.” “Oh, I would believe almost anything where you are concerned,” Will cut in. Hearing from Katrina after all this time and after all of their bitter fights, it just didn’t make much sense. Katrina was after something. She was never this nice unless she had to be.

“He’s rich.” Katrina began to squeal again and giggle uncontrollably. “Who is he?” Obvious question since Will believed he already knew his name. “His name is Martin Hunter. He owns a huge ranch here in Montana. He has horses, cattle, sheep, and a string of businesses. He’s the wealthiest man I’ve ever known. We’re talking millions here, Will. Millions!” She screamed so loud that Will had to take the receiver away from his ear. “I’m very happy for you,” he responded curtly. “Do you really need millions? I thought Mother and Father had left you plenty of money.” His bitterness was evident, but Katrina chose to ignore it. “You can never have enough money,” Katrina stated coldly. “The reason I’m calling,” she added— Time to cut to the chase, Will thought bitterly—“is I’d like to have you at the wedding.” Silence ensued as Will tried to figure out why Katrina wanted him there. It wasn’t sibling love, he knew that for certain. He figured it had to have something to do with that angry man who called earlier. Will wanted to ask questions but really didn’t want to get any more involved than he already was. “What’s the use of marrying a millionaire if you can’t show off to someone,” Katrina said, and Will started to laugh. Now that sounded more like the sister he knew and loathed. “That’s a valid concern,” Will said sarcastically. “If one is

going to the trouble of marrying someone for strictly monetary reasons, then they should have their friends and family close at hand to witness the event.” “That’s not what I meant, and you know it,” Katrina whined. “I just want you here. You’re the only family I have.” “Okay, sure,” Will said. “I’ll try to be there.” He had no intention whatsoever of attending that wedding. If Katrina was trying to blackmail some Montana rancher, there was no telling what would happen. Those people had the tendency to settle disputes the old-fashioned way: with fists and firearms. “Thank you.” Katrina’s tone had softened considerably. “I’ll call you and let you know the exact date on Friday.” It might as well be the twelfth of never, Will thought, because I

won’t be there.

Will had just gotten home from work on the following day and was about to relax in front of the television, when his telephone started ringing. He never received this many calls, so he assumed it must be Katrina calling with the date of her wedding. “Will?” It sounded like Katrina, but she sounded very different. “What’s wrong?” he asked, although he was pretty sure he already knew.

“I’ve changed my mind, I don’t want to marry Martin Hunter,” Katrina blurted. “Okay,” Will said and waited for her to continue. There were things he would like to have asked, but he decided that, for the sake of his own sanity, he really didn’t want to go there. “Will, I need your help.” Katrina’s voice picked up a grave seriousness that grabbed Will’s attention. “They won’t let me go.” “Who won’t?” He knew better than to get involved, but there was something about that man on the phone that he couldn’t get out of his mind. He was so furious at Will and Katrina. Could he possibly be carrying out some of the threats he had made on the phone? Will really didn’t want to be a part of any of this, but he also couldn’t just stand by and let Katrina be hurt or mistreated. Katrina was an awful person, self-centered and shallow, but the way that man exploded during their conversation, Will was naturally concerned as to how severe his retribution would be. He held very little regard for Katrina, but she was his little sister, and he couldn’t turn his back on her if she were truly in danger. “Elijah Hunter won’t let me out of the contract I signed.” “You signed a contract?” Will asked in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that Katrina would be that stupid. “I have to marry Martin Hunter or pay them $500,000 for breach of contract.” Her voice quivered slightly as she

finished. “Who is Elijah Hunter?” “Elijah is Martin’s older brother.” Will was fairly sure that he now knew the identity of the irate caller. “Why don’t you want to marry Martin? I thought he was the catch of a lifetime. What changed your mind?” Will asked, confused. Yesterday, Katrina was practically squealing with excitement over her pending marriage. “He’s not a millionaire. He’s wealthy but not as wealthy as I thought. All the money, the ranch, everything belongs to his brother. He just works for him, basically.” She sounded disappointed. “I’m not interested in a ranch hand. I will not marry a simple laborer,” she stated emphatically. Will brought her back to the point of her call. “You said you needed my help. What is it you want me to do for you? You got the entire estate, remember? I hope you’re not asking me for a loan, because I don’t have it.” “I need you to come here and talk to Elijah. You’re intelligent and levelheaded, he’ll talk to you.” She was whining again. “I think I already had a talk with Elijah,” Will explained. “He called here yesterday. He blamed me for your behavior.” He paused, hoping that Katrina would admit to implicating him, but that was way too much to hope for. “I doubt that he would be interested in anything I have to say on the subject.”

“I know he called you,” Katrina stated. “He said that if I could convince you to come here, he would consider letting me out of the contract.” “He told me that you would marry Martin over his dead body. So why is he now holding you to a contract that forces you to marry him? I don’t get it. This isn’t making any sense.” Will immediately sensed big trouble. “Mr. Hunter said that you were blackmailing them, is that true?” “Sort of, I guess,” she hedged. “He wasn’t going to propose, even though I’d given him everything, if you know what I mean. He wasn’t going to marry me. So I pretended to be pregnant. That’s all I did.” She was minimizing, of course, but was sure she’d included enough of the truth to be believed. Martin wasn’t the first man she’d given everything to, but he was the first millionaire she’d been with. Or at least she thought he was a millionaire when she slept with him. As it turned out, she should have gone after Elijah and not his brother, but who knew? “I can’t believe that old pregnancy ploy is still being used. I thought you considered yourself a modern woman?” Will was appalled, but didn’t want it to show. “Don’t be sarcastic with me. I need your help, Will.” “Why does he want me to go there? Does he still believe I’m involved?” He paused and then added, “Does he still think this was all my idea?” “He wants to have it out with you in person, I guess. I

don’t know what he will do to me if you don’t come.” Katrina tried to be as pathetic as possible, saying Elijah had been adamant that she get her brother there or else. “Please, Will, do this for me. I need your help.” Will relented. “I’ll see what I can do.” He hung up, wondering what on earth he was getting himself into as he went to bed.

Elijah’s obviously still blaming me for her stunt, he thought, as he lay in bed unable to sleep. If I go there and speak to him about it, he might let her out of the contract, or he might call the authorities and have us both hauled away in handcuffs. It definitely felt like a very bad idea, but he couldn’t just leave her there. She really sounded scared this time, and Katrina didn’t scare easily. If it got Katrina off his back and out of his life once and for all, then it might well be worth the trip. He laughed out loud at himself, and Todd jumped. He patted his head. “It’s okay, boy, go back to sleep. I’m just losing my mind.” “Katrina always gets what she wants,” he muttered and fell into a restless sleep.

It was early morning when Will boarded the small plane in Billings that would take him to a remote airfield near the

Hunter estate. There were only five people on board: three older women together, an older man by himself, and a young man, also alone. The older gentleman seated across from him attempted to engage him in conversation almost immediately after they boarded the plane. “Where you headed?” he asked. “To visit my sister.” Will didn’t maintain eye contact and hoped the man wouldn’t pursue it any further. He wasn’t in the mood to discuss this matter with a planeload of strangers. But, unfortunately, that wasn’t meant to be. “She lives pretty far off the beaten track, doesn’t she?” The man smiled as he continued his idle questioning. “She’s staying with friends.” Will knew it wasn’t exactly true, but didn’t know what else to say without telling more than he should. Will again tried to avoid eye contact and began reading a pamphlet, but the questions persisted. “Who is she visiting? I know most of the folks in this area.” “She’s staying with the Hunters.” The silence fell hard. He could feel the speculation circulating through the plane like a tornado. Before, everyone had been talking amongst themselves; now, everyone was listening to them. The plane was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. “Elijah Hunter?” the man asked, considerably taken aback by his statement.

“Yes, she’s staying with Elijah and Martin at their ranch.” Will again tried to end the conversation but the man was tenacious. “Do you know the Hunters?” he asked, his eyes searching Will’s face as if he wasn’t sure how to proceed. “No, I don’t know them at all.” His tone was a little sharp, but the man did not pick up on Will’s irritation. “Elijah Hunter is a hard individual to get close to. He’s a self-made man, you know,” the old gentleman began without prompting. “He built that small ranch into an estate that is the largest in the county and one of the largest in the state.” He pondered a moment before continuing. “Elijah is a formidable man and not someone to trifle with, I’ll tell you that. Ask anyone who has dealt with him and they will tell you he can be as hard as a rock and as tough as nails.” He sounded as if he spoke from experience. “Martin, his brother, isn’t so bad. Martin can be reasoned with, and he has an even temper. Elijah is cold and unpleasant, every day of the year.” He paused for a few minutes. “Your sister must be very special. Elijah doesn’t usually tolerate guests.” “Oh, she’s special, all right,” Will answered sarcastically. The man rambled on for quite some time, or so it seemed. He explained that Elijah was very suspicious and even antagonistic with most people, strangers in particular. He’d had a long, hard life and it had taken him many years to achieve his present financial level. Will continued to nod appropriately throughout this conversation, which made it

appropriately throughout this conversation, which made it appear as if he were actually listening. There wasn’t anything that the man was telling him that he was at all interested in. He couldn’t care less how Elijah built his fortune or what his opinion of others were based on, but he continued to listen and nod. All that was expected of him was to meet with Elijah, see if he could be of any help to Katrina, and then leave. Will had no intention of remaining at the Hunter Ranch any longer than absolutely necessary. Besides, it seemed like the entire situation would be best handled legally. Katrina didn’t have $500,000 left and probably had little prospects for more, so what could they really do? If they couldn’t prove the blackmail angle, then all they had was breach of contract. It seemed like days before the plane finally landed rather than the actual twenty minutes it took to arrive. Will was thankful to leave behind that prying old gentleman. The young man who sat directly behind them had also interjected a comment here and there throughout the course of the flight. He had informed Will that Elijah was thirty-four. He also told him that Elijah had taken custody of his brother at the age of eighteen; his brother was nine at the time. He didn’t elaborate as to the reason for this, which left Will wondering what had become of their parents. He didn’t care enough about it to ask. The airfield, to his relief, had a car-rental service. He chose a small, compact Ford Focus. Katrina had given him directions to the ranch, but Will wasn’t very good at finding his way in unfamiliar territory. As he drove on with nothing in sight except fields and fences, trepidation and slight nausea

began to rise in his stomach. I shouldn’t be here, I shouldn’t be getting involved. What the fuck am I doing? His thoughts began to wander back to the initial phone call from Elijah and that follow-up call from Katrina. Her initial call was simply to brag, and her second was to ask for help. Elijah’s call was much more intriguing, and though it embarrassed Will to admit it, that was part of the reason—or maybe all of the reason—he had agreed to come. Will wanted to meet Elijah face to face. He wanted to see if he was as intimidating in person as he was on the telephone. Elijah had needed to blow up at someone, Will supposed, and it just happened to be him. But Will wasn’t about to be the fall guy for Katrina’s mistakes, and that was why he had hung up on Elijah. It probably irritated the hell out of him that Will had the audacity to end the call so unceremoniously. He obviously considered himself lord and master and wasn’t used to being cut off.

That is most likely why he wants this showdown, demanding to see me in person. Will smiled to himself at the thought of Elijah’s ridiculous accusations. How dare he accuse me of concocting Katrina’s whole scheme, the nerve of some people. Will wondered how Elijah handled the news of Katrina’s pregnancy and how the contract came into play. He knew he should have asked Katrina more questions when she called that second time, but the statement that Elijah would only consider releasing Katrina if Will would come to the ranch and speak with him personally had been

completely unexpected and bewildering. Trying to figure why Elijah would force him to the ranch was foremost in his mind. It was probably just a power play. Will’s thoughts continued to run in this general direction until suddenly, he heard a loud bang, and the car pulled hard to the left. “Damn!” he declared hotly. “Not a flat tire.” He pulled off the road as far as he could and got out to survey the damage. Flat tires were nothing new to him, and he was more than able to change it, but he would certainly get filthy in the process. He’d dressed carefully that morning in a white cotton shirt with the top button undone and dark blue slacks. His medium-length blond hair was styled to perfection. Would his look, so thoughtfully put together this morning, survive a tire change on a dusty road? Probably not, but his choices were limited, so he carefully removed his jacket and placed it in the backseat. That way, if he made a mess of his shirt, he could attempt to cover it up with a clean jacket. He had the car jacked and was in the process of attempting to loosen the nuts when he heard a car approaching from behind. It was a large, black car with tinted windows. There was more than enough room for them to have passed him on the right, but instead they pulled up behind his vehicle and stopped. Will stood up, brushed the dust off of his pants, and ran his fingers through his hair, which was now sticking to his face in sweaty tendrils. A very tall, dark man exited the vehicle. Although Will always considered himself rather tall, this man made him feel small as he looked up at him. His clothing was dark—black pants,

gray shirt, black jacket, and black boots. His face was partially hidden by a black hat, like a cowboy hat, but not exactly. He removed the hat, laying it on the roof of Will’s car, and ran his right hand through his short black hair. Will could now see radiant blue eyes that stared down at him with humor and… was that a little superiority or condescension he saw there? The man suddenly smiled at Will, and he found himself drawn into the man’s gaze, and before he could stop himself, he smiled back. “May I help you?” the man asked. His voice was deep and quiet. Will was surprised and a little appalled at his own reaction to his presence. Why was he feeling so breathless and why was his heart racing? If only the man had ignored him and just kept going, were Will’s thoughts as he struggled to respond. “No, I can handle this, thank you,” he stated, breathless yet firm, but it was as if the man hadn’t even heard him. He casually took the tools from his hands, pinning Will with his gaze as he did so. It was a challenge that he did not question or resist. Something told him it would be useless. Will continued to back up as the man moved toward him until he was gradually and completely edged out of the way. Without another word, the man began changing the flat tire. The lug nut which Will had been struggling with for some time came off with ease under his pressure. He completed the job in silence, but as he finished tightening the last lug nut and began lowering the jack, he asked, “Where are you

going?” The silence had been intense from the moment he began working. Will had been staring at him, watching him work quickly and easily with minimum effort, and his sudden question startled him. He stared at Will, and he was no longer smiling. “The Hunter ranch.” He considered telling the man to mind his own business, but something told him that would not be a good idea. Just stay cordial and get this over with, he told himself. “My sister is there,” he added without any forethought. The man didn’t seem surprised, unlike the people on the plane. He simply nodded and put the tools back into Will’s trunk. “You’re going in the wrong direction,” he stated casually. Although he said very little, his eyes never seemed to leave Will as he studied him. The scrutiny made Will very uncomfortable, although he tried unsuccessfully to hide it. Will took a tentative step toward him while pulling the slip of paper from his pocket that had Katrina’s directions scrawled on it. He showed it to him. “I’m trying to follow this map, but I can’t seem to understand it. Maybe you could help me?” he asked, hopeful that the man would correct any problems in it. Will wasn’t ready for the flash of awareness that shot through him when the man reached out and brushed the hair back from his face. The gesture was friendly, but the touch of the man’s fingers on his face lingered for a very long time. A slight smile touched his lips at Will’s reaction and quickly,

without comment, he took the paper from him and corrected it. “Follow this and you’ll get there.” The man handed it back to him. Will was careful not to touch him as he took the map. He had no idea what was happening, but Will did know that he’d never been so acutely aware of someone in his entire life. He took the note from the man’s muscular hands; they were strong, capable. Will’s eyes also took in the fit of his shirt across his chest. He had to force himself to look the man in the eyes and stop taking inventory. It startled him to see the intensity with which the man regarded him. “Thank you, sir,” he said sincerely, “for the map and the tire change.” As he watched the man walk back to his car, Will’s inventory continued. His jeans fit in all the right places. The man was in very good shape and walked with an extremely confident swagger. Will wondered lustfully, for a moment, what he would look like without his well-fitting clothing. “You’re welcome,” he answered without turning around. His response pulled Will from his disturbing thoughts and he blushed. Thankfully the man didn’t see it. He got into his car and pulled away, passing Will and continuing out of sight.

That was intense, he thought as he, too, got into his car and drove away in the same direction. “I wonder who he is?” he said out loud after realizing he hadn’t introduced himself. Will hadn’t found himself that attracted to someone in a long ti me. No, I’ve never been that attracted to anyone, he

corrected himself. Even his one and only boyfriend of two and a half years hadn’t brought out these sensations. George had been a kind and loving man, but there had been nothing really between them. After those years of trying to build a feeling other than friendship with him, Will finally broke it off. To his dismay, George hadn’t seemed all that upset about it and within two weeks had found himself a boy toy. This man was something completely different. Will doubted that the stranger would walk away so graciously from a breakup. The man struck him as someone used to getting exactly what he wanted. But then again, he considered, who in their right mind would dump him? He was compelling and handsome, his eyes so blue…. “Oh Jesus, get a hold of yourself,” he stated aloud, exasperated with the direction of his thoughts as he shifted the front of his pants uncomfortably. He probably has a wife and a whole herd of children back at the ranch. He again forced himself to shake off whatever it was that had possessed him and focus on the problem at hand. He needed to concentrate his thoughts on Katrina and the Hunters. Elijah, in particular. What is expected of me? Why does he want me here? What’s in it for Katrina? He kept his thoughts under strict control, and it wasn’t long before he came upon the ranch in question. He was met with an enormous, iron entrance gate that arched over the roadway. Will couldn’t see anything of the ranch beyond it, but he knew it was the right place once he saw, written in heavy black

letters on the gateway, the name “HUNTER.” No one was around, and the gate was open, so he decided to proceed. Will drove several miles onto the property before he came to yet another, less formidable gate. Behind it he could see a large, sprawling group of buildings of varying sizes. He was shocked by the immense size of the ranch, which seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. A huge main house, barns, outbuildings, and smaller homes covered probably several acres or more. The sight of it brought on an apprehension that caused him to stop and stare for a while. There were no neighbors within sight and therefore no visible means of escape. A man in jeans and a work shirt standing near the gate came over to speak with him. Will rolled down the window, and the man leaned into it in order to speak to him. He smelled of grass and fresh air. “Go right on in, sir. They’re expecting you.” He registered Will’s surprise, so he added, “It’s okay, go ahead.” He smiled warmly and waved him onward. “They’re expecting me?” he questioned out loud to himself. How can that be? No one knows that I was planning to arrive today. Katrina didn’t even know. He thought that perhaps the ranch hand at the gate had gotten him confused with someone else until he saw the large, black car parked in the shade near the main house. So that’s why they’re expecting me, he thought knowingly, Mr. Tire Change must

have come directly here to tell them that I was on my way. So much for the element of surprise—they were ready and

waiting. He pulled the car up toward the end of the drive and stopped. The same anxiety that had gripped him earlier came on again. He sat in the car and took several deep breaths before he was able to gather his nerves and head toward the house. Will slowly approached the massive pair of oak doors, which were on the other side of the endless stone porch. Before he could knock, the doors swung open and an older woman, probably mid-sixties, was there to greet him. She was short and stocky, but had a pleasant face and a friendly smile. “Good afternoon, sir. Come right in.” She led him into what looked to be a small living room. “Wait here while I get Mr. Hunter for you.” She smiled at Will and then quickly left the room. “Thank you,” Will mumbled to her retreating back. This

is too weird. She didn’t even ask what I was here for. She just knew. He scanned the room for somewhere to sit and saw a plain straight-back chair by the large window on the east side of the room. He sat down and waited. “This doesn’t feel good,” he mumbled under his breath. After awhile, his eyes wandered to the large window, and he noticed that it gave a full view of the horse yard. A beautiful, black horse was currently being led about by a young man. Will was so engrossed in watching the large, graceful animal that he didn’t hear the man entering the room until he was standing directly over him.

“I just purchased him for breeding. Magnificent, isn’t he?” The suddenness of his words, spoken so close, made Will jump to his feet and swing around abruptly. He was surprised and embarrassed to see the same dark man who had changed his tire standing there, towering over him. He acknowledged Will’s shock and smiled, but it wasn’t a particularly friendly smile. He demonstrated a reserve and distrust that hadn’t existed out on the road. He’d obviously sized him up and found him wanting, Will considered as he watched the man reach out his hand. “Elijah Hunter,” he introduced himself. “I’m very pleased to meet you, William.” Will tried to gather his thoughts, but they refused to come together and form a sentence. He simply stood there for several seconds, staring at him and holding his hand. Finally, he snapped out of it and, very much embarrassed, released his hand. Elijah looked mildly amused. “Where is… Katrina?” Will asked. He’d come so far with purpose and intent, and here he was, reduced to a quivering idiot. Why does he make me feel so inadequate?

Why can’t I put it… him… away like every other unmanageable or unpleasant feeling? Will quickly averted his eyes when Elijah tilted his head in a puzzled manner. He was studying him again, like he had before. He was continually weighing and measuring. Will didn’t like it, but there was nothing he could do about it at present. “She’s not here,” Elijah said softly and then asked,

“would you like to sit down?” He led Will over to a large sofa with a gentle hand on his arm. Will was so caught up in his nearness and touch that he almost missed the “she’s not here” statement. “Where did she go?” Will asked, perplexed by his casual manner. “I thought there was a big problem. I thought I was supposed to come here to help her. I thought you were holding her to a contract that she signed, some sort of marriage contract.” He moved away from Elijah on the sofa when he realized Elijah’s proximity wasn’t doing anything for his thought processes. “Didn’t she tell you?” he said with what looked to be a hateful grin. Will didn’t appreciate whatever game he was playing. His back stiffened, as did his features. “Tell me what?” Will wasn’t amused. He turned to regard him with the most derisive stare he could produce, although it seemed to have little or no effect on him. Elijah stood and walked over to a small bar. He poured Will a brandy and brought it to him. “Here,” he stated, “I think you’re going to need this.” Will’s previous infatuation with the man was disappearing and was being replaced by a growing fear. It took all of his control not to let it show. His stomach tensed as he accepted the brandy. Elijah sat back down beside him and put his left hand over Will’s as it rested on his thigh. He wished he had the nerve to pull his hand away but he didn’t

want to antagonize Elijah just yet. Will would hear what he had to say, and then he would react. He pulled his strength together again and met Elijah’s eyes. “Katrina left about half an hour ago,” Elijah began. His voice was deep and clear, as if he were a lawyer advising his client. “Norman drove her to town. You probably passed them on the road.” Will remembered a dark blue sedan with an older man at the wheel and someone in the backseat. He hadn’t paid them much attention. If he had been able to see them, then Katrina certainly could have seen him. He wondered why Katrina hadn’t stopped. If she were no longer being held here by the Hunters, then there was no reason for this visit. Elijah seemed to sense that his thoughts had drifted; he squeezed Will’s hand to recapture his attention. “I allowed Katrina to leave because she said that you were arriving to take her place. After I met you on the road and found out that she was telling the truth, I returned and released your sister to go home and try and come up with the money or a good lawyer. She left immediately.” Will was floored by his declaration. “I’m not here to take her place.” Will tried to stand up, but Elijah kept him seated. It was then that he took a full swallow of the brandy. “What do you mean? Katrina asked me to come here and speak with you, that’s all. I’m not taking on her problems,” Will stated emphatically. “Oh, but you are,” he said too smoothly. “She said that this entire scheme was your idea. You persuaded her to go

after a rich husband and to secure that husband by any means. You’re as guilty as she is.” His eyes narrowed as they scrutinized him closely. “No morals, no integrity, no class. What kind of man are you?” That was enough. Will jumped to his feet and turned on him brutally. “I’m the kind of man who isn’t going to sit here and listen to your wounded-male attacks on my character. You do not know me; you don’t know the first thing about me. If you are so naïve that you believe the lies that my sister has been spreading, then I think you got exactly what you deserved.” He stormed toward the archway that led to the front door. Before reaching it, he swung around to regard him once more. He was sitting on the sofa watching him with the coldest of expressions. “She obviously played you both for fools, and judging by what I’ve seen, I doubt it was very difficult.” He had to get in the last sarcastic remark. He just couldn’t let it go. Before he could reach the front door, Elijah was on him. He grabbed Will’s arm and jerked him back against him. The shock of Elijah’s hands on his suddenly overly sensitized skin and being roughly slammed against his chest disoriented him for a moment. Fear spread through him. Will stared up at him with all the indignation he could muster “Where do you think you’re going?” Elijah spat out, his anger evident in his grip and his tone. Will tried to pull away from him, but Elijah held him firmly. Will could feel his breath against his cheek and the thudding of his heart against his chest. Will also sensed an unwelcome reaction to their

closeness. His own heart was beating as rapidly, and he felt the same stirring in his groin that plagued him after their first meeting. Just breathe, he told himself as he tried to mask the growing tightness in his trousers and calm himself. “I’m going home,” Will stated with considerably less bravado. “I have nothing to do with this. I only came here to see if I could help Katrina. I am not a party to any of this, and you have no right to keep me here.” His gaze faltered slightly under the dark look in Elijah’s eyes, and he focused instead on the top button of his shirt. He should have known that Elijah wasn’t the type of man who would sit back and take cruel sarcasm, but then he never was a very good judge of people. “I don’t even know exactly what it is that Katrina did to you and your brother.” Elijah tilted Will’s head up with a finger under his chin. Will managed to hold Eli’s gaze this time. To look away now would be total defeat. He struggled to hold his tongue; he was angry, not stupid. Pushing Elijah any further at this point was not a good idea, so he remained silent. He was a very powerful man. His hands held Will immobile with virtually no effort. He pondered the realization that Elijah felt as good as he looked. Standing there, pressed against him, he could feel all the solid muscle that lay beneath his clothing. Elijah could easily restrain him for as long as he pleased. “Your sister pretended to be pregnant because my brother refused her marriage proposal.” He spoke softly, but with great force and meaning. “What could he do? He’s an

honorable man. Believing that she was indeed carrying his child, he agreed to marry her. She demanded that Martin sign a contract promising her the marriage would take place within the year. She wanted to be married before the baby was born, she said.” He sneered unpleasantly. “If he refused to sign, she said she would run away and have their child in secret, and he would never see her or the baby.” His expression of repressed anger and disgust remained as he related the rest of the story. “I knew that Katrina’s only motivation in this was money. She thought Martin was rich, and she wanted a piece of it. I told her that if Martin were to sign, then I wanted her to sign also. It was the exact same contract. It stated that if she refused to marry Martin then I could hold her in breach of contract. This breach would cost her $500,000. It was the same amount she wanted from Martin if he reneged on his agreement. I thought it was only fair.” He smiled, but it wasn’t a kind smile. “It was only after she found out that Martin’s riches were minimal at best that she decided to try and back out. She told him that she wasn’t pregnant, and that it had all been nothing but a money-making scheme concocted by her brother William.” Will’s face went pale, and he mumbled under his breath, “God, I hate my sister.” Elijah continued to stare at him silently and hold him in place. After a few minutes of this tense nonverbal exchange, he released Will slowly and stepped back, his eyes never leaving his face. “What do you plan to do?” Will asked and then became

more specific. “Why are you treating me like this? I haven’t spoken to my sister in nearly two years, until last Friday when she called to tell me she was getting married and then called me back to beg for my help. I have done nothing to either you or your brother.” Will kept his voice as calm as possible and maintained his eye contact. He knew that was important. If he was to convince him of his innocence, then he had to be able to see him. Eli remained silent for a long moment. He was again studying Will, taking his measure. “I think we would do better to discuss this in private,” he said, more amicably than Will expected. He approached him, and with a gentle hand on his back, led Will down the hall to a dark room on the right. Eli went in first and switched on the lights. There were heavy curtains over the windows that blocked out the daylight and made the room darker than necessary. At first glance, it looked to be a very masculine room. There was a leather sofa and chair, a heavy wooden desk, and a thick, dark green carpet that blended with the thick, dark green drapes on the windows behind the desk. There were many books lining every wall, and a couple business machines: a fax, computer, and a copier. There weren’t any frills here, but it was a handsome room. Eli directed him to sit on the sofa, and seated himself immediately in front of him on the carved oak table. He positioned his legs on either side of Will’s, pinning him to the spot. To Will’s dismay, he realized that their legs would touch if he moved to one side or the other more than a fraction of an inch, so he concentrated on sitting very still.

“Katrina asked to be allowed to leave the ranch in order to go and raise the money needed to release her from the contract. I told her that the only way I would let her go was if you took her place.” Will attempted to speak, but Eli cut him off. “She told me you were on your way. When I met you on the road, I assumed you were coming here to take her place, so when I returned to the ranch, I allowed her to go.” “But I’m not… I didn’t….” He couldn’t get his words or thoughts together. “Katrina couldn’t get out of here fast enough. I thought she would stay to speak with you, but apparently she wanted to leave before you found out she’d set you up.” Eli smiled again, more friendly this time. “I’m not staying,” Will stated firmly and attempted to stand, but it was impossible considering the way they were seated. “Legally, you cannot keep me here.” “Let me explain something to you, William.” Eli grew very cold with the tone and the look he was now giving Will. “I plan on going after Katrina legally if she doesn’t carry out the marriage as planned or if she doesn’t come up with the money. I realize that she has little or no assets. From what I have learned, she inherited quite a lot when your parents died, but she has gone through it rapidly. On the other hand, I have the right to go after any of her late father’s holdings that remain.” His eyes hardened as he studied Will’s reactions and expressions. Eli couldn’t read him this time. Will sat rigid and seemed to be trying to disconnect.

“My father has no holdings,” he answered in a monotone. “Everything he owned went to Katrina and it’s all gone.” Did he detect sadness in Will’s voice? Is this sadness for the loss of his father or the loss of his property? he wondered. “There is one thing that still has Ronald Drake’s name attached to it,” Eli said snidely. The awareness struck Will like a slap in the face. He couldn’t possibly mean that he would try to take his home. He’d left his father’s name on the title out of sentimental reasons and now it seemed it would be the means by which Mr. Hunter would exact his revenge on Katrina. This can’t be happening. Eli saw the change in Will’s demeanor as he immediately jumped to defend what was rightfully his. “Are you threatening to take my home? You have no right to…. You can’t be serious?” He felt the panic rising. Again he tried to stand, and again Eli held him to his seat. Will flashed him a scowl that would have crippled lesser men, but he did not react. “You are here as collateral,” he explained. “Katrina has until the end of the month, the thirty-first, to decide her course of action. Either she pays the money, marries Martin, or hires a lawyer. As of the thirty-first, I enforce the contract. Your being here simply buys her time and hopefully secures my interests.” “What you are saying is, regardless of whether I stay or

not, it has no bearing on you taking my home if Katrina breaches the contract. So what is the point of me staying?” he said with the edge of panic still evident in his voice. “I can tell you now, without having to wait ’til the thirty-first, that Katrina is never coming back, and you certainly will never see a dime of that $500,000.” “If you stay until the thirty-first and Katrina returns as agreed, I may feel magnanimous enough to let you both go.” Eli didn’t smile. “Katrina isn’t coming back.” Katrina rarely cleaned up a mess once she made it. She was a runner. Katrina would never darken this doorstep again. “If Katrina never returns, then the collateral is forfeit.” “Yes? What does that mean?” Will asked dryly. “It means that I get to keep you and your home at Whitefish Point.” He laughed at the look of shock and alarm on Will’s face. Will believed Eli was joking, but a part of him cringed at the thought of being his sister’s collateral. Katrina had taken everything and now she’d managed to take Will’s home and freedom as well. “This won’t do at all,” Will said sharply. “Why would you want to keep me here? You obviously despise Katrina, and I’m sure your judgment of me isn’t far from the same. Why would you want me around? Is it simply because I don’t want to be here? Anyway, you can’t keep me, holding me against my will is against the law.”

Elijah regarded Will for a long time before answering. “I want someone to take responsibility. Regardless of your current relationship, you are her brother and therefore you will be the one to take responsibility.” His words were clear and accusatory. “Now, come,” he stated abruptly. “I will see to your comfort. I promise you will be well cared-for during your stay.” Before Will could speak, Eli had taken him by the upper arm and was now leading him out of the study. It was a gesture that seemed rather controlling, but Will knew better than to resist. He wasn’t going to be reasoned with, so Will would just have to find a way out. Somehow he would have to get away from here. All Elijah was holding over Will were his home and land. Is it really important enough to forfeit my home over? He would stay, for now, but at the slightest sign of anything derogatory or off-color directed toward him, he would leave. His home was important, but so was his selfrespect. “Where are you taking me?” he asked curtly. “To your room.” Eli took him up the main staircase that led to the second and third floors. Will was so bowled over by his audacity and need to control that all he could do was follow. “I’ve taken the liberty of having your luggage taken from your car and placed in one of my guest rooms. Dinner is at seven. Lunch is on your own, and if you would care to have breakfast with me, I eat at 6:00 a.m.” As they reached the second-floor landing, Will pulled

away from him. “I don’t want to stay here,” he said. “I don’t want to cause trouble for you. I’m gay, and you’re a very respectable man in a small town. What will your neighbors think of us staying here together?” He was hoping to appeal to his morals or maybe his need to maintain a good reputation. “I can stay at the bed and breakfast by the airport, and I give you my word I will not to leave before the thirty-first.” He was pleading and he knew it, but his options were running thin. “I will check in with you daily, I promise.” Will had to get out of here. One month with him and his Katrina-hating brother… how was he to get through without saying the wrong thing? Will had a sharp tongue, and when provoked would let loose comments that were rarely helpful. Elijah started to laugh. It was a low, thunderous sound. “Your virtue, my dear, is safe with me. And personally, I don’t concern myself with what my neighbors think.” Will stiffened at Eli’s remark. He didn’t for a second think that Eli would want anything to do with him in that sense. He wasn’t the kind of guy that men went crazy over, but to have him state it so clearly and cruelly was a little painful. It cut him deeper than he had expected. “I wasn’t implying that anything would happen,” he bit out. “But it is obvious that people around here don’t need to necessarily know the truth in order to make up their minds about the reputations of others. I’d hate to have the townsfolk burning me at the stake for my sexual proclivities.” Eli listened, but made no comment on his statement.

“Come,” he said as he took Will’s arm and guided him down the hallway. He left him in one of the bedrooms and told Will he would collect him in about an hour for dinner. Will knew that he was trapped, for a while anyway. His discomfort over staying waned a little when he took in the splendor of the room he had been given. This bedroom, like everything else in this house, was stunning. The bed looked to be antique, large, and comfy. It had a down comforter and nearly a million pillows. The room also had its own private bathroom. There was a large enamel-inlay desk, a wardrobe, a sofa, a chair, and it just went on and on. Will took his one suitcase and arranged a few of his things. He wasn’t planning on staying long, if at all, so there was no need to unpack.

Chapter Two

Will washed up and changed into a pair of jeans and a white shirt with a cardigan. He wasn’t sure how they dressed for dinner here, but this would have to do. He hadn’t packed much because he hadn’t planned on staying long. Two days,

that’s all, long enough to either be successful or to fail miserably. He never considered that he would be staying here at the Hunter ranch. Although Eli stated that he would strive to make Will’s stay a comfortable one, Will knew better. Elijah was keeping him for a reason, and it was likely that his stay would be anything but comfortable. He was here to pay a price for whatever Katrina had done, and she was gone, but here he was, left to clean up Katrina’s mess once again. “I have only myself to blame,” he said out loud. I didn’t have to come here. I could have ignored Katrina. His gut had told him to stay home right up to the point of entering the property. He knew all along he was making a huge mistake,

but he proceeded anyway. Will considered this a little further and then conceded that, although he would have had his home taken from him without the slightest warning, he did not doubt that Elijah would have taken it even if he hadn’t shown up here and so conveniently offered him a pound of flesh. The thought of losing his home was the only thing that kept him here and kept him listening to that hateful, controlling man. He probably had enough money and influence to do what he claimed. Men like him never made empty threats. If I ever get near Katrina, I will strangle her with my bare hands. He punctuated his last thought by slamming his fist on the dresser top. “Be careful, you’ll hurt yourself.” Elijah’s voice was deep and soft, but it still startled Will. He hadn’t heard Elijah enter. Will turned and saw that he, too, had changed and was now wearing black pants and an off-white pullover. “I knocked, but apparently you didn’t hear me,” he said, explaining why he entered Will’s room without permission. “If you’re ready,” he said, “I will escort you to dinner.” Will nodded and said, “I’m ready.” Dinner, he thought to himself. I can’t even begin to imagine what awaits me there. Eli approached him, and with a hand on Will’s lower back, ushered him out of the room. “Is your room satisfactory?” he asked as they descended the staircase. “Yes, it’s very nice.” Eli was being the perfect host, so attentive. This was something Will had not at all expected.

Here’s something you don’t see every day: a rough, powerful Western rancher leading another man to dinner. What am I, a debutante? He kept his hand firmly placed on Will’s back as if he really cared about his comfort. His behavior was a little puzzling. “I would like to talk with you further about… my situation, when you have time?” Will asked. “Of course,” he answered very politely. “After dinner.” “Thank you.”

Elijah was surprised by Will’s sudden complacent attitude, but he wasn’t completely buying it, either. Will was a very handsome and astute young man. Eli looked forward to figuring him out. Is he the cold, callous designer of Katrina’s

plan? Or is he who he claims to be, just an innocent bystander? It will take time, but I will find out the truth. There was a lot more to Will than met the eye or the ear. He was tough and guarded, but there was warmth and depth to him, which intrigued him. Will claimed to have had no communication with his sister in the last two years, yet he still came to help her when she called. On a more carnal note, he also appreciated how good he smelled, how nicely Will’s upper body filled out the white, cotton shirt and navy blue sweater, and how his strong back muscles felt against Elijah’s hand. Katrina was a very tiny,

delicate girl who gambled everything on looks and her figure. She was the type of girl that some men, including Martin, found attractive. Eli, on the other hand, never cared much for the female form; he preferred a well-proportioned, strong, healthy man who knew what he wanted out of life and was more than capable of getting it. He looked down at Will, walking so stiff and careful beside him, and wondered, Who

are you?

When they entered the dining room, there sat a young man at the long dining table. He was drinking from a stemmed glass and reading. He quickly set the papers aside when he saw them. This man was tall, but not as tall as Elijah. His body was muscular and lean. His hair was light brown, slightly wavy, and a little longer than Elijah’s. Apart from those differences, the family resemblance was obvious. Overall, he was a very good-looking young man. He smiled and stood up when he saw Will. “You must be William,” he said warmly. His voice lacked that deep, thunderous quality of his brother’s. He shook Will’s hand and asked about his trip. Will felt rather awkward standing there between them as if he were a welcome guest. “This is my brother, Martin,” Elijah stated. He then seated Will to his right, he took the head, and Martin sat to his left directly across from Will. It was a fairly long table,

could probably seat at least ten. At the moment, Will wished there were ten. Sitting there with the two of them was certainly not going to give him a good appetite. Tension knotted in his stomach once again. “It’s just basic steak and potatoes,” Elijah commented. “I hope you’re not a vegetarian.” He smiled. He seemed so approachable and warm when he smiled. He’s keeping me

prisoner here and threatening to take my home. All that’s left is to tie me to the railroad tracks, and yet I sit here admiring his smile. I must be deranged, Will chided himself. “I’m not a vegetarian,” he answered. “I would enjoy a cup of coffee, though,” he hinted in hopes that he might get one. He hadn’t had a cup since early morning and was desperately in need of one. He thought his present headache was due to the stress of the situation, but perhaps it was simply caffeine withdrawal. When the housekeeper entered with the first course, Elijah said, “Mrs. Coleman, would you please bring a carafe of coffee for our guest?” He then turned his attention to Will. “If you ever need or want anything, don’t hesitate to help yourself.” He reached over and took Will’s hand, holding it firmly in his. “We would like you to be as comfortable as possible.” Martin stopped with his fork midway between his plate and his mouth. Silently, he looked at Elijah and then at Will and then back to Elijah. He then broke into a huge smile. “Thank you, I will,” Will lied. No way would he be so

presumptuous as to help himself to anything that belonged to Elijah Hunter, but this wasn’t the place to say that. Just say

thank you and move on. The coffee was excellent and it did relieve his headache, which was good considering he had that “talk” with Elijah waiting for him after dinner. Will would try again to convince Eli to let him stay at the bed and breakfast. He had to know he didn’t have anything to do with Katrina’s scheme, but still he seemed to need to blame him. Five hundred thousand, that is a lot of money, he was thinking. There is no way Katrina will ever come up with that kind of money. Was Eli keeping him here just to prove a point? Prove that you don’t mess with the Hunters and then just walk away? What does he want from me? These thoughts chased each other across his mind as he studied his dinner plate. Suddenly, he realized that both men were staring at him and he looked up to meet their gaze. “I asked if this is your first visit to Montana?” Martin smiled as he repeated his question. “Yes,” he answered and was about to elaborate when Elijah interjected. “You’ll like Montana. The people who visit usually end up staying.” He gave Will a look that baffled him; it seemed almost inviting, or was he alluding to carrying out the forfeit of collateral that he mentioned earlier? He looked away, feeling oddly embarrassed, and the scarlet blush that overtook him was witnessed by all. Will fumbled for a response to defuse

the moment and his discomfort. “I’m sure I will be going home. Montana is very nice, but I have a life in Michigan, and I need to get back to it.” He went back to cutting his steak and attempted to eat while avoiding all eye contact. “How long are you staying?” Martin asked. Will was thankful for the benign question. “From what I understand, I am required to remain here until the thirty-first, at which time Katrina is supposed to return.” He spoke clearly and formally. Martin shook his head. “I wouldn’t count on Katrina returning. I think she left you here without any thought of coming back.” Will took a long sip of his coffee, enjoying its relaxing aroma. “Whether she returns or not, I can’t stay any longer than the thirty-first,” Will clarified. “I have to get back to work.” “Katrina said that you work as a piano teacher,” Martin commented. “I teach piano for extra money, but I’m actually an accountant for a local farmers’ cooperative.” He continued to drink his coffee and push his food around on the plate. Elijah immediately refilled his cup when he emptied it. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome,” Elijah said. “You haven’t eaten very much,” he commented. “Is there anything special that I can

get for you?” “No, thank you. I’m just not very hungry.” Will was surprised by his attentiveness. “You work hard,” Elijah stated offhandedly, yet very impressed by his ambition and self-reliance. “I have to. I have student loans and exorbitant property taxes. But I like what I do,” Will added. “Where did you go to school?” Martin asked. “University of Michigan.” “Your parents must have been very proud of you,” Elijah commented. “I wouldn’t know.” Will’s response had a sadness to it that he didn’t hear, but Elijah did.

After dinner, Martin excused himself, saying that he had business to attend to. He had read the look in Elijah’s eyes and knew he wanted to be alone with Will. Like Elijah, he, too, did not know what to make of him. He appeared to be so completely different from Katrina that it was hard to believe they were siblings. It was also hard for him to believe that Will could have had any part in what Katrina had tried to carry out. He was shy and extremely careful with his words. He seemed fearful, yet also too proud to admit it. Will was

nothing like Katrina. Katrina blew into this house like she owned it. The first time she talked down to Mrs. Coleman, treating her like a personal maid, was the last time she was allowed to speak to Mrs. Coleman. Elijah tore into her and made it clear she would show respect or she would be sleeping in the stable. Elijah never made idle threats, and she knew it. Katrina harbored very intense hatred for both Elijah and Mrs. Coleman after that episode. Elijah and Will moved to the large living room to have their discussion. Elijah poured him a glass of brandy and, handing it to him, stated, “Just in case.” He was laughing when he seated himself next to Will on the sofa. He rested his arm on the back, directly behind Will’s head. He was much too close for Will’s comfort, but he wasn’t going to pull away. Elijah was baiting him and trying to put him off balance. Will was beginning to recognize some of his game. “Tell me about yourself, Will,” he prompted. “I know you’re an accountant, you went to school at U of M, and you live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Tell me more about you, personally.” “There isn’t much to tell,” Will answered, a bit too grim. “Can’t be that bad,” he chided him good-naturedly. His statement was a trigger, and Will took immediate offense to what he saw as his condescending attitude. Throughout his life, people always responded to his troubles with, “Can’t be that bad,” or “I’m sure you must be overreacting.” His parents, Katrina, George, no one ever took

overreacting.” His parents, Katrina, George, no one ever took him seriously. Why did everyone treat him like he was not important? No one in his entire life had ever heeded his call for help. “Will is just overreacting,” “Will can take care of it himself,” “Will doesn’t matter.”

Eli isn’t interested in my life. He has already said in the most unflattering way possible that he finds me undesirable and considers me to be a party to blackmail. There was no danger that he would ever damage my virtue. All of these feelings came to a startling head as he responded coldly to his statement. “No, of course not. How could anything in my life be that bad?” The indignation he felt began to flow and became unstoppable. He was done playing games. “I don’t like you, Mr. Hunter. I think you are the worst kind of man. The kind that gains a little money and with it, a little power. Suddenly you believe that the rest of the world is beneath you and there strictly for your entertainment. Sure, you can jerk Katrina and me around for a while with your promises, but in the end, you will do as you please. What we say and do will have no bearing on your need for satisfaction and a good laugh.” Will stood up. “I’m not going to stay here and try to jump through your stupid hoops. Do whatever you need to do. Go ahead and take my land. I’ll sign it over and save you the trouble of fighting it out in court. I can’t afford a lawyer, anyway.” He was walking away in a most impressive huff when Eli grabbed him by both shoulders and swung Will around to face him. His face was a mystery. His expression

kept changing. Will couldn’t tell if he saw anger, confusion, or compassion. “Where in the hell did all of that come from?” Eli nearly shouted. Will tried to shake loose of his grip, but Eli just pulled him closer in order to keep him still. When Will looked up, Eli’s face was just a few inches from his. Elijah stopped squeezing Will and moved his hand to Will’s back, pressing him close even though he tried to resist. He soothed him and relaxed his outraged muscles by running one hand up and down Will’s spine while his other hand pressed Will’s head to his chest and massaged his scalp. He rested his chin against the top of Will’s head. He kept up the pressure and the rhythm, and it wasn’t long before Will’s resistance gave way and he found himself molded against Eli’s body. Every curve, every muscle, every movement was apparent. He felt warm, comfortable, secure; he felt very good. Will began to calm, and his breathing slowed. It almost felt as if Eli were hypnotizing him with the movement of his hands and the rhythmic beat of his heart. “I never said that your problems weren’t important or that they didn’t matter,” he said very softly against Will’s ear. It sounded as if he actually cared that he had upset him. “Whatever I said and however you interpreted it, I never meant to offend you.” “It doesn’t matter,” he said flatly. “It’s just me overreacting.” His voice was muffled against Eli’s shirt.

“You don’t strike me as someone who’s in the habit of overreacting.” He spoke very softly, but still with definite authority. “I think I struck a nerve.” He was all too correct on that point. “If you’d like to talk about it, I’m more than willing to listen.” His fingers continued their slow circular motion. Will hadn’t realized it, but at some point his arms had come up to encircle Eli’s waist. He was using him as a support and holding Eli almost as tightly as Eli was holding him. Eli slipped his hand down along Will’s jawline and tilted his face up to his. Eli’s eyes traveled his face before settling on his mouth. Will dropped his arms and began to move away from him as Eli’s head descended toward him, but Eli’s arm brought Will up tight against him; there was no way of escape. Will froze in disbelief as Eli’s lips, warm, moist, and sensuous covered his completely. He moaned softly as the thrill of it surged through his body, killing all reservations as blood rushed away from his brain toward a very different piece of his anatomy. Eli pressed deeper and deeper until Will’s lips were forced apart and he was free to plunder the softness within. Will had been kissed before, but never like this. George’s amateurish attempts at passion didn’t even come close to the power of this simple, heart-stopping kiss. Eli’s touch, his taste, his smell, all ganged up on his ability to think and to reason. All Will wanted was for this feeling to never end. He responded, returning Eli’s kiss as ardently as he was giving it. Eli’s tongue was in his mouth, doing things to him that set his senses aflame. He heard and felt a low sensual

groan start in Eli’s abdomen and echo all the way to his fingertips. He could feel the muscles in Eli’s arms and chest flexing and crushing them together. Suddenly, there was a noise from behind them. Someone was coming into the room. It was just enough diversion to force Will back to reality. Elijah felt his resistance, but instead of releasing Will, he only deepened his kiss and pulled him even closer. Will became embarrassed and frantic in his need to pull away. Finally, Eli moved his lips from Will’s mouth across his cheek to rest against his ear, but still he held Will solidly to him. Eli drank in the scent of his hair and his skin. He’d never known a man to smell so damn good. Why do I have to feel like this… about

this guy… this gold digger? Will seemed to struggle to compose himself, yet Eli didn’t care that someone was going to see them in this intimate embrace. He wasn’t ready to release Will… not just yet. He’d had the urge to kiss him ever since they met on the road. He looked amazingly sexy all disheveled and sweating. At the time he thought it was pure hormones, but the urge never left. “Excuse me, Mr. Hunter,” Mrs. Coleman stammered and quickly exited the room. She was bringing a fresh carafe of coffee for Mr. Drake, but then realized that coffee was probably the last thing on Mr. Drake’s mind at the moment. Elijah slowly loosened his hold, but kept Will within the circle of his arms. His eyes went immediately to Will’s,

silently searching. Embarrassment flooded Will’s face. Will wanted to speak, to say something, anything. “To think I wondered why you weren’t afraid of your neighbors calling you gay,” Will said with more sarcasm than he meant to. “If you tell me you didn’t enjoy that, you are a liar.” Elijah flinched at the harshness of his words. Will pulled away from him and stepped back, his eyes dark and angry. “I will not stay here.” He turned away from him toward the door. “Not so fast, Mr. Drake.” He spoke formally and with an undertone of immense authority. “You would do well to rethink your desire to leave. You agreed to stay until the thirty-first. If you renege on that agreement, I will, with all the power and influence I have, take your home, and I will make your life and the life of that miserable sister of yours a living hell.” He stood over Will, looking down at him as he drove home the seriousness of his statement. “Do not make the mistake of underestimating me.” “What guarantees do I have that my home is safe even if I stay? Tell me why, exactly, I should trust you.” Will tried to match the hardness of his tone but fell short. “There are no guarantees, but there is hope.” He reached out and pushed a stray lock of hair back from Will’s face. Will flinched, but didn’t move. “Stand by your word to me, and I will consider tearing up the contract. Break your

word, and I will destroy you and Katrina.” Will didn’t remember agreeing to stay. He remembered listening to Eli telling him he was staying, but he never agreed. Eli must have assumed that by saying nothing, he was agreeing. There was something about the man that just got his back up. He brought out every unpleasant aspect of Will’s personality. George used to complain that he was too aggressive when they argued, which was rare since George wasn’t good with confrontations. If George had witnessed the last few minutes, he would have been floored, but Elijah wasn’t the least bit fazed by it. Apparently it would take a lot more than a few harsh words to get the best of him. “I will abide by the agreement,” Will said without emotion, “but I maintain little hope. Good night, sir.” He turned on his heel and left the living room, returning to his bedroom. He sat for several minutes on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. The memory of Eli’s embrace was burned into his consciousness. He would never forget how Eli touched him and how good it felt. Will would also remember how Eli belittled and embarrassed him. He’s a big cat playing with a

little mouse, and he will keep playing until it isn’t fun anymore. “Why is it that he can make me feel like this, stirring up emotions and needs that I don’t have time for right now?” he said out loud. It was probably the stress and uncertainty of the entire situation that had him so off balance. Will needed to get his bearings and figure out what Elijah really wanted. Eli is keeping me here for a reason other than

collateral. What sort of satisfaction is he after and what part

collateral. What sort of satisfaction is he after and what part will I play in his quest for such? Will was suddenly jolted out of his considerations by the telephone ringing. He had a telephone in his bedroom and was duly impressed. Will recognized Katrina’s whiny tone instantly. “I’m sorry, Will,” Katrina began and then sobbed. “I didn’t know what to do. He was letting me go, but I had to leave before you arrived.” “That’s not what he told me. He said it was your choice to leave before I got here. I would like to have spoken with you before you hung me out to dry.” Will was sharp and impatient. “I was afraid he might change his mind if I took too long.” Katrina’s explanation was feeble. “I knew you would do this for me. It’s just until the thirty-first. He really wants you there.” She was rambling, trying to come up with something that Will would accept. “The exchange was his idea. He spoke with you on the phone, and then I told him about you, and then he demanded that I get you to Montana.” “Why didn’t you warn me that I was going to be a prisoner here?” Will was barely holding his temper. “I didn’t know that part. I didn’t know he was going to keep you and let me go until today.” She sounded sincere, but Katrina was an impeccable liar. Will remained doubtful of her ignorance.

“He came back to the ranch after helping you change your tire, and he told me to leave.” Katrina’s voice picked up a high pitch that she used when she thought she wasn’t being believed. “I’m telling you the truth. You can ask him yourself.” “What are your plans?” Will decided to move on to a more practical and important issue. “I don’t have $500,000. I have no idea what I’m going to do.” Will knew that statement to be the truth. “I have to return to the ranch by the thirty-first and give him all that I have, which isn’t much. My bank account is less than $10,000, and I haven’t much property.” “Just remember to come back, please,” Will said firmly. “I’ll figure something out, and I’ll be back. I promise,” Katrina assured him. It was a shallow pledge, but it was better than nothing.

Elijah went to bed earlier than usual. He lay there thinking about nothing except the young man in the bedroom next to him. It was obvious he wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight. His mind continued to analyze Will’s every word, his every action. Will had a lot of anger in him, he noticed. No one knew anger and its destructive capacity more than he did. His thoughts drifted back to the living room. Will felt so right in his arms. If Mrs. Coleman hadn’t interrupted, who knows what might have happened. Will had responded to

knows what might have happened. Will had responded to him; he tried to resist, but it didn’t last. Is he sincere, or is he playing me? He would find out in time. No one could maintain a facade of conservative purity for too long if it was not truly part of their character. He smiled ruefully and drifted to sleep.

In his own room, Will could hear a whimpering sound. Someone was in distress. “Where are you?” he asked. Their cries were so clear, but he couldn’t find them. “Will, Will, wake up.” Who was that calling for him? There was someone with him. He woke with a start to see Eli leaning over him. He was seated on the edge of Will’s bed, and his hand was stroking his face. “Elijah? Where am I?” was his first response as he quickly sat up. “You’ll remember as soon as you’re fully awake, and you can call me Eli,” he said. He moved closer to Will and gently smoothed his hair back from his face. “What were you dreaming?” Will stared at him for a moment before realization hit him, and with it came a sudden rush of embarrassment. He glanced at the clock; it was 2:48 a.m. “I‘m sorry that I woke you,” Will said apologetically, his eyes taking in the soft smile that barely curved Eli’s lips yet

shone brightly in his eyes. He looked different, gentler, in his cotton pajama bottoms and ruffled hair. Will liked this look, although the sight of Eli’s bare chest, with its dusting of black hair, and the blatant masculinity of his muscles caused his heart rate to quicken a bit. Will averted his gaze back to Eli’s dark eyes that were, at present, studying him closely. “What were you dreaming?” he repeated. “I was picking blueberries,” he began, struggling to recall the content of his dream, “I was with my family and then all of a sudden I was alone in the woods and it was dark. Then this black bear came out of nowhere and started chasing me. I kept running and running, but every time I looked behind me, he was still right there on my heels. I eventually found myself lost and alone in a dark forest. I heard someone calling out to me, but I couldn’t find them.” He was slightly breathless from reliving the dream. “Thank you for waking me.” Will gave him a weak, grateful smile. “You’re welcome.” Eli slipped his arm around Will and pulled him closer. Will looked up at Eli and instantly knew what was going to happen, and he did not object. Quite the opposite, actually. He brought his hand up and rested it on Eli’s warm chest with its tantalizing, silky-smooth, tanned skin. Slowly he moved his hand across to Eli’s shoulder, feeling the muscles and sensing the tension as Eli lowered his head toward him. “I promise you, Will,” he said, his voice a husky whisper, “if you’re going to be eaten up, it won’t be by a bear.”

“if you’re going to be eaten up, it won’t be by a bear.” Eli kissed him long and deep, and Will kissed him back enthusiastically. He wrote off his inability to resist him to the weakened state of his mind and body. Having been awakened abruptly from a frightening dream, he simply wasn’t thinking clearly. With his guilt and responsibility pushed aside, he wound his arms around Eli and pressed himself against the hard wall of his chest. Eli reciprocated immediately with arms that bound them together with such force that the breath was squeezed from Will’s lungs. Will’s growing erection pressed hard against his boxer briefs as Eli gradually laid him back against the pillows, his mouth continuing its unrestrained exploration of his face and then trailing down Will’s throat. Will ran his fingers through Eli’s thick, black hair and held him, reveling in the sensations Eli was provoking with his mouth, his hands, and his body as he pressed Will into the lush comfort of the pillows with the weight of his body. Gradually, rational thought began to overcome Eli’s need. He really did not know this man. He shouldn’t get this involved. As much as he believed he was in control, he knew that Will’s desirability was overwhelming him. His heart was thudding, and he was breathing as if he’d just run a marathon. He shifted as his hard-on brushed against Will’s thigh, eliciting a gasp of pleasure. With great strength of will, Eli pulled himself away, far enough to break the searing contact with his body. “Oh, Will,” he groaned. “You should never have sent

Katrina to do the gold digging.” His words cut across the bleary haze in Will’s mind. “Never send a girl to do a man’s job,” Elijah stated. “You, my darling, are much more adept at the skills required to capture a rich husband.” Will lay there in stunned silence. How could this hateful man be the same man who was so gentle and loving a few minutes ago? “Next time, Will, do the gold digging yourself. I guarantee you will hit the mother lode.” With that, he stood up and threw the blanket up to cover him. He walked toward the door, and Will watched his back in stunned silence, still trying to come to grips with what had just happened. Eli turned around before leaving and said, “Good night, and sleep well.” “Go fuck yourself, you miserable pig,” Will answered in shockingly strong language, and Eli turned back to regard Will’s cold expression. “I’ve been called worse.” His tone was no longer sarcastic. “Color me surprised, now get out of my room,” Will declared, shutting off the light.

Chapter Three

Morning came very quickly. Considering the fact that Will thought he’d never fall asleep again, he actually slept quite soundly. He didn’t wake until the sun came through his window and shone on his face. It took him a few minutes to remember where he was and remember the events of the previous evening. The memory came on him like a physical blow. He groaned and with effort, pulled himself out of bed to stand at the window. In the yard below, he saw several men standing together talking. One of them was Elijah. He looked up at him as if he knew Will was watching him. When their eyes met, he raised his hand in acknowledgment. When he did that, the other four men instantly looked up at his window. Will glared at Eli, quickly closed the curtain, and stepped back out of view. He went back to the edge of the bed and sat down to think. It was but a few minutes before he heard a gentle

knock on his door. It was such a light touch, he assumed it was Mrs. Coleman and said, “Come in, it’s open.” To his consternation, Elijah entered. He was dressed in jeans and a chambray shirt, both of which were worn and dusty. He must start his day very early, Will thought in passing. “Good morning,” he said and walked over to sit down beside Will on the bed as if he had every right to be there. How dare he act like nothing happened? His belittling words of the previous evening were still very fresh in Will’s mind. “Good morning,” Will responded as he ran a hand through his hair in order to try and bring it under better control. He didn’t look at Eli; instead he kept his gaze on the floor in front of him. “Sleep well?” Eli inquired nonchalantly. “Better than I expected, thanks for your concern.” Eli continued to act as if life was normal, and it annoyed Will to no end, although he refused to let it show. “Martin and I are going to the south range this morning, and we probably won’t be back until late this afternoon.” He turned to look at Will as if he was waiting for a reply, but Will just continued to stare at the floor. It was safer that way, or so Eli thought. Will was very far away from him right now, and Eli could feel it. He was cutting himself off and building a wall that would be, in time, impenetrable. Eli wanted desperately to touch him, to lay his hand on Will’s thigh, to put his arm around him, feel his lean

torso, anything, but Will would not allow it, he knew that much. Everything about him screamed, “Leave me alone.” He had humiliated Will last night. It had seemed necessary at the time, but now it just seemed… cruel. His thoughts last night that Will was scheming to get him into bed in order to blackmail him as his sister had done to Martin now seemed absurd. The silence hung there for a while. “I’m sorry about last night,” he stated. Will still did not look at him, but was surprised by his apology. Does he mean it, or is he going to follow this statement with another painful insult? He waited to find out before speaking. “Not for kissing you,” Eli clarified with feeling. “For those I make no apologies.” Will appreciated the fact that he didn’t try to touch him, although he sensed that Eli wanted to, but he was probably wrong. I’m not his type, he thought. Eli might enjoy tormenting and embarrassing him, but that was all there was to it, or so he convinced himself. “I’m sorry for what I said. I’m sorry if my words hurt you.” He didn’t elaborate any further. He got up and started walking back toward the door. Making apologies seemed pretty foreign to him. Will doubted he did it very often. “Mr. Hunter,” Will called to him as he was leaving. He stopped at once and returned to the room. “May I go to town and pick up a few things? I wasn’t originally planning to stay

very long, and I didn’t pack much.” It galled him that he had to ask his permission to leave the ranch. “Of course,” he said. “Be back by dinner, and please… call me Eli.” “Yes, master,” he replied sarcastically. Eli grinned. “And don’t you forget it,” he said as he closed the door behind him. Will had still refused to look at him, and it bothered him more than a little. “Well, this has certainly been a wonderful beginning to my stay,” Will said out loud to himself in disgust. He showered and dressed casually in simple jeans and a T-shirt. Thoughts of Eli’s kisses, both of them, and his own behavior, invaded his mind constantly. He tried desperately to push them away and think about something, anything else, but they kept returning, as did the unmistakable tightening in his groin. There was nothing he could do to change the past twenty-four hours, but he did have control over the next month, making sure it never happened again. Keep my distance. Remain

aloof. Be strong. He was well aware that it was Eli who had stopped the progression of their encounter last night. If it had been left up to him and his flimsy resolve, he would probably have awakened this morning beside him. Where did that wanton behavior come from? He never acted like that. In the two and a half years that he and George were together, never had he felt heat like that. The sex was monotonous and boring; lots

of thrusting, but little passion. Other than that, there was nothing more than a few less-than-spectacular kisses. Why was it that he had so little control with Elijah? I don’t even like

the man, so why is my dick still hard thinking about him? “Whoa, slow down!” he chided himself. No way did he want anything like that from Elijah Hunter. The man was cruel and heartless. To become involved with someone like him would be sheer hell. He has made it clear that he has no respect

for anyone and certainly no respect for me personally. “All I have to do is make it through until the thirty-first and then get the hell out of here.” He said this out loud as he prepared to leave his bedroom and venture to the kitchen.

“Good morning, Mrs. Coleman,” he said, more cheerfully than he was feeling. “Good morning, William.” She looked at Will and smiled graciously. She was washing and cutting vegetables and preparing what looked to be a stew. Must be for dinner, Will speculated as he took a mug from the counter and filled it with wonderful-smelling black coffee. He took the first gulp and savored it. The first cup in the morning always tasted the best. “Can you sit for a while and talk?” Mrs. Coleman asked. “Sure. I’m going to town to pick up a few things, but I

have all day for that.” Will sat down at the breakfast table, and Mrs. Coleman dried her hands on her apron and joined him. “I was so glad to hear that you would be staying, at least for a while.” She sounded sincere, but Will had his doubts. “Do you know why I’m staying?” Will asked, uncertain if Elijah would have shared the entire story with her. “Yes,” she answered, “Katrina left and you are staying in her place.” “It all seems pretty weird, doesn’t it?” Will took another long sip of his coffee. “What do you mean?” Mrs. Coleman asked curiously “A couple of days ago, I didn’t have a care in the world, and look at me now. I couldn’t be in the middle of more trouble and confusion if I tried.” Will took another sip and then speculated, “If I hadn’t answered the phone last Saturday, I wouldn’t be in the situation I’m in now. I need to get that thing disconnected.” “It will all work out for the best, I’m sure,” Mrs. Coleman sympathized. “Try to look at it like a vacation and enjoy yourself.” Will wondered if she was referring to the scene that she interrupted last evening. Will smiled at the simplicity of Mrs. Coleman’s statement. He decided that he liked this woman. She was obviously very loyal to Elijah and his brother and would never say a word against them, but she also tried to

put the best face on what she recognized as an uncomfortable situation. She was loyal, but she wasn’t blind. “Vacation… hmm… I’ll try to do that.” Will chuckled. What worried him was the part that Elijah Hunter had to play in this vacation of his. He finished his cup and poured another. “Elijah won’t do anything to hurt you,” Mrs. Coleman stated, as if reading his mind. “He’s worked hard to get to where he is. It has not been an easy road for him… ever.” She sighed. Will kept silent, hoping that she would continue. “He was only eighteen when he took custody of his nine-yearold brother. It wasn’t easy taking on the responsibility for the health and welfare of a child. He raised him well, though, taught him to be strong and honest and to be a man.” “What happened to their parents?” Will was curious. “Their father was not much in terms of responsibility.” She snorted, showing her contempt. “He ran out on the family just after Martin was born. Elijah was only nine at the time.” Pride began to show in her eyes as she related the rest of the story. “Elijah took care of the family as best he could. He worked, went to school, and took care of their small farm. When he was eighteen, he bought his own place with money he’d saved. Within weeks his mother was diagnosed with cancer. She only lived ten months after that.” That was so sad; Will patted his eyes, trying not to show that the story was having an effect on him. “He built that small ranch into this thirty-thousand-acre estate and also raised his brother. The

man is more than people think, much more.” “You seem very loyal, Mrs. Coleman.” Will did not mean this sarcastically. He admired her for it. “People who really know Elijah know him to be a fair, kind, and generous man.” “What about the people who don’t know him?” Will ventured to ask. “They think that he is cold, hard, and uncaring. He can be cold and hard if the situation warrants it,” she added. “I’m not saying he’s a pushover, far from it, but he doesn’t hurt people just for sport.” Mrs. Coleman was definitely one of Elijah’s admirers. Will hoped he paid her well for the level of loyalty that she exhibited. “What about Katrina? What are your thoughts on her situation and his handling of it?” “It’s my guess that he is trying to teach her a lesson.” “Is he teaching me a lesson too?” Will was less cordial. Mrs. Coleman merely smiled that thin smile of someone who thought they knew something no one else did. “Can I offer you some breakfast?” she asked abruptly, changing the subject. “No, thank you. I thought I’d have something in town while I’m there.” Will wanted to question her further, but knew that her loyalty to Elijah would prevent her saying anything that he didn’t want her saying. Why did she act so strange when

questioned about Elijah’s intentions with regard to me? What is he planning? Will stood and walked over to the sink to rinse his mug and then placed it back on the counter. His mind was consumed with possible motives for Elijah wanting him there. What lesson is he planning on teaching me? he wondered. Whatever Eli’s plan, Mrs. Coleman wasn’t going to tell him. “Before you leave,” Mrs. Coleman said, her voice breaking into his thoughts, “Elijah asked me to give you this.” She handed Will a bank card. “What is this?” “It’s Elijah’s bank card. He called and arranged for you to have full access.” Will was stunned. “When did he do this?” “Before he left this morning, just after he spoke with you,” Mrs. Coleman said casually. Will laughed uneasily. “I can’t take this.” “He said for you to feel free to purchase anything you need.” Mrs. Coleman was beginning to act uncomfortable. “It’s okay, Mrs. Coleman. I just can’t use his bank card. He doesn’t owe me anything. I’m not his responsibility.” Will tried to smile in order to put Mrs. Coleman’s mind at ease. Mrs. Coleman nodded. She understood Will’s reluctance to accept such a generous gift, but what Will didn’t know was how unlike Elijah it was to make such an offer. He

must have a great deal of trust in him, Mrs. Coleman thought to herself, because that bank card would give him access to many thousands of dollars. She wondered if Elijah was testing William to see if he was as money-hungry as his sister. If that was the case, then giving him his bank card would be a rather large risk. Will placed the card on the table. “I appreciate the offer, but I cannot take advantage of his generosity.” Mrs. Coleman was pleased to see how different William and his sister Katrina really were. If this was a test, she thought to herself, then William definitely passed. Will left the ranch just before noon. Mrs. Coleman had drawn him a map directing him to the mall. It looked to be an easy drive—the town was a little over thirty miles away. He was planning on making the most of his time away, since he didn’t know whether he would be allowed to leave again. Five hours and many packages later, he was sitting at a table in the food court having a cappuccino. If I could spend every day like this, he was thinking, the next few weeks would be a breeze. He was finally pondering the idea of starting back to the ranch when he saw an all-too-familiar frown headed in his direction. He noticed that Eli was dressed as he had been that morning, although more dusty and worn-looking. He looked as if he’d had a long, hard day, yet he walked with speed and purpose. Eli’s eyes never left his, as if he thought Will might try to bolt and was ready to give chase if need be. He garnered a lot of attention from the

passersby and the idle shoppers. They actually looked startled to see him there in the mall. They watched him as he made for the food court and the young man sitting there. Curiosity over his identity became the talk of the day. Will remained seated and resumed drinking his cappuccino. He refused to get upset and jump to Eli’s command. Eli could look as sinister as he wanted, Will would not be frightened by him. He told himself this as Eli came to stand beside Will’s table, towering over him with a look of angry frustration. Will looked up at him with an expression of complete innocence. “What can I do for you?” he asked. Eli’s irritation was evident, but Will tried to remain oblivious to it. “Don’t get me started with a question like that,” he said harshly. “There are many things I want you to do for me, but none are appropriate for the mall.” His tone took on a low huskiness that Will didn’t recognize. Was he baiting him into an argument, or trying to embarrass him? Eli bent down close to Will, leaning one hand on the table in front of him. “Just when were you planning to return to the ranch, if ever?” he asked accusingly. “You said,” Will began hotly, “be back by dinner. Dinner is at seven, so I translated that as meaning, be back by seven.” He made an exaggerated gesture to the clock on the wall. “It’s barely five o’clock. I have plenty of time.” “You’re going to push me, aren’t you?” he said in a tone that was neither light nor friendly.

“Only if you get in my way,” he retorted, more stouthearted than he was feeling. His mood darkened considerably. If they hadn’t been in this very public place, Will was certain that Elijah would have shown him very clearly who was in control. But as it was, he could only glare. “If you’re finished, I will drive you back to the ranch.” It wasn’t a question. He abruptly reached down and retrieved all of Will’s bags from the floor and turned toward the door. Will finished his drink and fell into step beside him. Eli shifted all of his bags to his left hand and took hold of Will’s hand with his right. His grip was firm and his irritation was communicated clearly. Will felt like a child being scolded and marched out of the store. Once outside, Eli stated abruptly, “I see I will have to keep you on a very short leash from now on.” “Short leash!” Will exploded. “I just went shopping.” He attempted to jerk his hand away, but Eli wasn’t letting go. “I needed a few things. I hadn’t planned on being here for more than a day or two,” he tried to explain as Eli continued to haul him through the parking lot to his car. Suddenly, he stopped, and looking down at Will with the darkest of blue eyes, he stated, “If I give you an inch, you will take a mile.” His voice was not harsh, but there was finality in his tone. “Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t own me. Just because my sister tried to blackmail your brother, that doesn’t give you the right to treat me like a prisoner.” He stepped back and

came up against the side of his car. There was no escape. Eli dropped his bags and pinned him to the car with an arm on either side of him. He bent his head seductively toward him as his body pressed against Will and his hands gripped his shoulders. His nearness was making Will very uncomfortable. He fought for composure. “I do own you, and you would do best not to forget that fact.” His eyes bored into Will. “Until your sister returns, you belong to me. You will do as I say and not ask questions. Understood!” Will gave Eli his blackest stare. “I’ll stay until the thirtyfirst as agreed, but I’ll kill myself before you ever own me. Now let go of me before I do something we’ll both regret.” William infuriated and excited him at the same time. No man had ever affected him the way he did. When Eli had returned to the main house this afternoon, only to discover Will wasn’t there, his first thought was that he’d left, gone home. After last night, Eli knew he’d gone too far, too fast. All day, it was in the back of his mind that Will might decide to leave. Eli knew he’d planned to go to town, but was certain that he should have been back. How can anyone shop for five hours? he thought. It is impossible. He’d jumped into his car and raced to the mall. He was desperate to find Will. He left his men more than a little puzzled by his behavior. The thought of Will getting away was unacceptable, and he was prepared to bring him back no matter where he was. He was not going to be allowed to

leave until Eli determined his role in this scheme of his sister’s. If he was a player, he would deal with him as harshly as he planned on dealing with Katrina. If he was innocent, he would release him, no questions asked. But regardless of the outcome, William would play by his rules. He even telephoned his pilot to stand by in case he needed to fly to Michigan. When he’d first seen Will sitting in the food court, he was flooded with conflicting feelings of relief and a need to strangle him. Will had no idea what he’d put him through. He never was one for public displays, but that was before Will. Right now, all he wanted was for him to understand who was boss. Will could feel the car door press against his back and gradually became aware that people were watching them. “Let me go,” he hissed. He didn’t want to cause a scene by pulling away from him, but they needed to end the exhibition. “I refuse to be your prisoner.” Will looked at him with eyes filled with rage and passion, a combination that excited Eli beyond his ability to control it. He couldn’t help himself; he kissed Will hard and exacting, conveying a promise and a need for much more. It was brief yet mind-numbing. Will’s brazen disregard for Eli’s authority, his attitude of unyielding independence, and his ability to melt in Eli’s arms caused a level of arousal in Elijah that was slow to subside. This morning, in Will’s room, Eli had wanted to put his arm around him, but he knew Will would not have allowed it. His words had put up a solid wall between them. Will was so distant from him that he wasn’t

even sure he was aware that he was in the room. The way he ignored him and stared at the floor rattled him so much that he immediately apologized in hopes of getting him to at least look at him again. Elijah couldn’t remember the last time he’d ever apologized to anyone. He wasn’t sure he ever had. Will was at least looking at him now. He was as mad as hell, but he could see him. “I was too harsh; I didn’t mean what I said. You’re not my prisoner, Will. You’re my guest and my responsibility. Whether you like it or not,” Eli said all-too-knowingly. “Yes, sir,” Will responded as coolly as he could, considering his face was flushed and his body heated by Eli’s embrace. “But let it be known that I really don’t like you.” Will mentally pulled himself together and looked up at him. Eli smiled and stepped back from him. He seemed calmer all of a sudden. “Get in,” he commanded after stowing Will’s bags and opening the door. “I have my own car,” he said bitterly. “Don’t worry. I will have it brought back to the ranch for you. For now, I want you with me,” Eli said firmly. Will conceded, and they were soon on their way.

“Did you really think that I had left for good?” Will asked after

they had been driving for a while in silence. “Yes.” Eli gave him a quick glance, daring him to deny his intent. “I admit it did cross my mind, but I fully intended to be back by seven.” Eli said nothing and continued to stare at the road ahead. “I agreed, and I will fulfill my obligation to you,” Will added. “Your obligation?” He snorted. “You could try to enjoy yourself.” He gave an exasperated grunt. “Why don’t you treat this like a vacation? Make the most of your time here?” Will started to laugh. This was the second time someone referred to his time here as a vacation. People in Montana must have very strange ideas of vacations if they thought this was one. “Sure, while I’m here on my very short leash, I will try to enjoy myself and treat it all like a vacation.” His sarcasm made Eli laugh. It was strong and genuine and filled the car. “You could try,” he stated with suppressed humor. “I promise to give it my all.” He said it jokingly, but the look on Eli’s face when he turned to regard Will was very serious. “I’ll try to be a better host,” he stated with what sounded

like real sincerity. He wanted Eli, Will admitted to himself, but there had to be more to it than that. Jumping into bed with the first hot guy he saw was not William’s style; he wanted love, a real relationship. He didn’t even know this man, and most of what he did know, he didn’t like. Still, he was ready to give him everything, every part of his being. Never once did he feel any of this with George; their relationship should never have been taken further than friendship. After two and a half years with George, he never felt compelled to give this kind of passion, yet all Elijah needed do was look at him with those dark eyes and all rational thoughts scattered. Have I become

so shallow, so pathetic, that my need for a man has driven me to this? No, he discounted that thought immediately. If he were simply needy, then any man would do. He only felt this way with Elijah. It must be the location and the element of danger. He tried to write it all off as normal, considering the circumstances. They drove on in silence until Will felt the need to get out of his own thoughts and talk for a while. “So, did I pull you away from anything important?” It’s an idle question, just a conversation starter, Will thought. “Nothing is more important than you,” Eli said. He stared at Eli, not sure if he’d heard him correctly, then decided he must have been speaking sarcastically. “I suppose you’re right, considering I’m $500,000 worth

of collateral.” He sighed thoughtfully. “I’ve never had a dollar amount placed on me before. I was hoping to ring in a little higher, but $500,000 is significant,” he stated softly. “I would gladly have paid ten times that amount to have you here,” Eli said, but he kept his eyes on the road. Will couldn’t read him. He sounded serious, yet it had to be a joke. “Then I guess you got a bargain,” he said cynically. He turned to look at Will directly with a big warm smile that softened everything about him. “That I did.” Will wished Eli would quit playing with him and say what he really meant. He seemed to be alternately nasty and then nice. It was impossible to read or understand him, and it was equally impossible to stop thinking about him. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to stop at Adam Gerard’s. I have some business to attend to that I was unable to deal with earlier.” Eli’s tone indicated that he was the reason. Will nodded. “That’s fine.” “His ranch is just south of mine.” Eli removed one of his hands from the steering wheel and placed it on Will’s knee, indicating a familiarity that Will was far from reciprocating as he glared at the intruding appendage. “Adam’s a horse trader and has made claims that the current Thoroughbreds he has purchased are the best to arrive this year.” “I’d love to see them,” he stated enthusiastically.

Eli turned and looked at him with renewed curiosity. This was the first time Will had shown any real interest in anything. Will maintained his reserve, his distance, and his disinterest at all times, except when they were kissing, of course. He was pleased with Will’s response to his suggestion and the look of excitement he saw in his eyes. Will loved horses. Eli should have realized that when Will was sitting watching Steven lead the big, black Thoroughbred around the yard. He was so fascinated by the animal that he hadn’t even heard him enter the room. He smiled to himself, knowing that he’d found his hook. They arrived at the Gerard ranch shortly before six o’clock. Elijah pulled into a long, gravel drive that ended in front of a large, two-story house. The ranch was a working ranch much like Eli’s, but it lacked the extra care and attention that was plain throughout the Hunter estate. There were no flowers or shrubs, no landscaping of any kind that Will could see. The house was in need of a fresh coat of paint, and the grounds were worn and neglected. The horses, though, were magnificent. Elijah took his arm as they walked together toward the large fenced-in yard adjacent to the stable. There were three men standing together, leaning on the gate. They watched as Elijah and Will approached. Their surprise was obvious in their expressions, which they quickly tried to suppress. They were expecting Elijah, but never had they observed him escorting a man, especially not to a business meeting. He was holding Will’s arm, and he looked to be especially pleased with himself. They said nothing until

Elijah introduced them. The older man was Adam Gerard, and the others were two of his ranch hands. They all shook Will’s hand and stated how pleased they were to meet him. Shocked was more the word, but they tried not to let it show. He didn’t seem like Elijah’s type, they were all thinking, whatever type that was. He seemed to be sweet and shy, definitely not someone they would normally link with Elijah Hunter. He was handsome but not gorgeous. Elijah could probably have any man or woman he wanted. He was cross and difficult and unpleasant, but he was the richest man in the area, and he was considered handsome in a rough, dark sort of way. What did he see in this guy that caused him to hold him so tightly and watch him so closely? They’d seen him with men a few times during social gatherings, which he rarely attended now, but he never seemed very comfortable or satisfied. He would usually pass them off and then promptly disappear. They doubted he would ever pass this one off. Eli held on tightly, as if he thought Will was going to try and run away. Will spoke with Mr. Gerard, who was the first to step forward and shake his hand. “You have a nice place here.” “Nothing compared to the Hunter ranch, but I like it,” he answered with a smile. “Are you enjoying your stay here in our neck of the woods?” he asked politely. Will wished he could tell him the truth; he hated every minute he was trapped here and was being held prisoner because of the actions of a sister who wouldn’t be long for

this world once he got his hands on her, but instead he answered, “Yes, very much. This is a lovely area. I’ve never seen so many… mountains in my life.” Mr. Gerard seemed like a nice man. He was gruff and weathered, but very polite and accommodating, a true gentleman. Will noticed several horses in an adjacent yard and asked Mr. Gerard if he could go take a look while Elijah continued with his business. “You go right on ahead, that is, if Elijah has no objections.” He added the last part when he noticed the intensity with which Elijah was watching him. Elijah was actually reluctant to release Will, but in the end, let him go. “I’ll meet you when I’m finished here,” he said and watched him closely as he walked away. Is he truly the shy, polite boy he presents himself to be? This was the thought that pervaded his mind as he watched Will. He believed it to be true, but he’d met some very cunning men in the past who had presented themselves as harmless in the beginning. He couldn’t equate Will with those men, though. If he was pretending, he was by far the most talented actor Eli had ever met. He saw a few of the men in the yard watching Will as he walked over to the corral. Suddenly and quite unexpectedly, Eli was hit with an intense jealousy. He wanted to make them stop looking. With effort, he pulled himself back to the business at hand and shifted his gaze back to Adam and the stock. Adam saw very clearly that Elijah cared for this boy. It

was surprising to see someone like Elijah so smitten. He wondered when Will would become a permanent part of the Hunter ranch, although he didn’t comment on any of his observations or thoughts. Elijah wasn’t the sort of man who discussed such things and would have been sorely affronted if Adam had tried. Will watched as the two horses were led around the yard. They seemed especially graceful and even noble in their movements. “Hello,” came a vaguely familiar voice from behind him. He turned to see the young man from the plane. “Hello,” he responded and smiled. The young man introduced himself as John Gerard. He came up to stand beside Will at the fence. After a moment, he shot Will a speculative glance and asked, “You’re staying with Elijah Hunter?” “Yes, but just for a couple of weeks,” he answered without looking at him. “The Hunters never have visitors,” he stated and then added in a lurid tone, “except for your sister Katrina, of course, but she was allowed to stay because she was sleeping with Martin.” His voice was low and his meaning was clear. “I never thought I’d see the day that Elijah Hunter was taken in by a handsome face. Many have tried, mind you, but you are the first to succeed.” He turned to regard Will fully, his leering expression sickening him. “You must be

treating Elijah… very well. Maybe you’d be willing to share some of this with a farm boy like me,” John said with a wink, while grabbing Will’s ass. Will stared back at him until John shifted his gaze, suddenly embarrassed by his own words and actions. “You hardly know me well enough, Mr. Gerard, to be commenting on my character,” he answered coldly. “I’m a guest at the Hunter ranch and nothing more. Sorry to disappoint you. If you ever touch me again, I’ll rip your balls off.” Will’s candor caught him off-guard, and John attempted to apologize. Unfortunately, at that moment Elijah appeared at Will’s side. “Hello, John.” His voice echoed the harsh look on his face. “Hello… Elijah,” John said while backing away. Elijah took Will’s hand, holding him securely. He then subjected John to a dark and menacing stare. Elijah hadn’t heard what had been said, but he didn’t like the familiar way in which John was behaving with Will. He’d never trusted John and made certain that his business was always with Adam, exclusively. Adam was a decent man, but his son was not. Elijah had never tolerated disrespect directed at himself or anyone associated with him. John finally found the words to excuse himself and hurried into the stable. He knew he’d barely escaped a severe thrashing. It wouldn’t have been the first time Elijah had dealt with someone in that manner. His short temper and

his physical strength were well known. Once John was gone, Elijah turned to Will and attempted to sound casual when he asked about how he knew John Gerard, but his question came out with an edge to it. Will didn’t like his tone but answered him anyway. “I met Mr. Gerard on the plane from Billings. He sat behind me. There is no relationship between us other than that,” he explained, but Elijah’s expression remained severe. He knew that something had passed between them, something that had left Will agitated. “What did he say to you just now? You looked upset,” Eli said, pressing for answers “Nothing worth repeating,” he said with disgust. Will’s behavior left Elijah consumed with the need to know what John had said. He intended to deal with this in his own way. His business with the Gerards was over for today. “Shall we go, then?” he said in a much lighter tone, which elicited a quick smile from Will. “Yes,” he said and headed toward the car. Eli continued to hold his hand as he led Will back to the car. There was something between them, he was sure. Adam Gerard was more than a little concerned that his son’s behavior toward Mr. Drake would prove more damaging than just the loss of a sale today. Adam Gerard depended on Elijah Hunter for a good share of his yearly sales. The loss of Elijah Hunter as a client could prove

devastating for him. Few people in this area could afford the caliber of animal that Elijah demanded. Adam gave Elijah a brief wave as he drove by him and continued out of the gate. Elijah did not return the pleasantry. The set of his features and the look in his eyes told Adam all he needed to know.

Chapter Four

Dinner that evening was simple, but delicious. Martin was there and presented a cheerful face, as always. Will was puzzled by the fact that Martin seemed indifferent with regard to this entire situation. He was under the impression that Martin did not want to marry Katrina and yet he was okay with his brother enforcing the marriage contract that would either force her to marry him or pay $500,000. What would he do if

Katrina suddenly changed her mind and agreed to marry? he wondered. Elijah was noticeably quiet and withdrawn throughout the meal, although he did question Will about his refusal to accept his financial help. “Mrs. Coleman tells me you would not take the bank card that I had left for you?” he asked while they were having dessert. It was the first time he’d spoken since the meal began, although Will noticed that he kept him under close scrutiny, as always. What’s wrong? He

wondered. What’s he looking at or what’s he trying to find? “I didn’t need it,” he said. “I do appreciate the offer, though,” he added politely. Eli didn’t say anything to that. He just looked at Will long and hard. After dinner, Elijah and Martin excused themselves to take care of some sort of mechanical problem in one of the stables. Will followed them as they left the room. At the front door, Elijah turned around and reached out suddenly, taking him by the shoulders and bringing him up snug against him. “I’ll see you before bed,” he said with that same expression that seemed to be trying to look through him. Martin witnessed the embrace but acted as if it were natural and expected. He wasn’t the least bit surprised. Will began anew to feel the trap and the set-up coming together around him. The desire to run came on him with considerable force. If only he could grab his bags and walk out that door, but then Eli would simply come after him. He’d made that very clear when he showed up at the mall. Mrs. Coleman told him that he’d even put his pilot on standby. He was prepared to fly to Michigan if need be. It wouldn’t be easy for Will to get away. He was tied to this man for a while; he was the collateral that had allowed Katrina to go home. If he left, Katrina’s contract and his agreement were both broken, and as Elijah stated earlier, he wouldn’t take that lightly. Will really didn’t care what Eli did to Katrina at this point, but he cared about his home. He wouldn’t allow Katrina to take everything from him again.

He was stuck, and he had to see it through ’til the thirty-first, which at this point seemed years away.

“So, what do you think?” Martin ventured as they were making their way to the large stable. “I really don’t know,” Elijah stated with slight frustration. “In the beginning, before he arrived, I thought he had to be as guilty as his sister. Now I just don’t know.” “You seem to be falling for him.” Martin smiled. “Is it real, or are you trying to get him to show his true colors?” Elijah threw his hands up and sighed deeply. “I thought I was playing with him, but it seems that he may be playing with me. The more I know of him, the more unsure I am about the entire situation. I can’t get involved with someone who would support a scheme like the one Katrina concocted.” He ran his hand roughly through his hair, frustrated at his inability to paint Will with the same brush as Katrina. “I’m finding it hard to believe he would be a part of anything underhanded or immoral. I just don’t know.” “How are you going to get at the truth?” Martin was impressed by his brother’s candor with regard to his weakness with William. “I have a plan.” He smiled but did not elaborate.

Will decided to go outside to walk and think. He walked on in no particular direction, lost in his own thoughts until he heard someone call to him. “Hello there,” a woman called to him from the porch of a small home. “Hello,” Will responded. “Would you like to come and sit for a while?” the woman asked kindly. “Thank you.” Will accepted and walked toward the porch. The house was small, but well built and attractive. The woman introduced herself as Kathy Graham. She was a petite young woman with beautiful black hair and a big, welcoming smile. She explained that her husband Jim had worked for Elijah for the past five years. She told Will that all the married employees had their own homes on the ranch and the single men lived in the bunkhouses. Will was about to introduce himself when Kathy told him that she already knew who he was. “The Hunter ranch grapevine is one of the finest in the county.” She laughed, and Will joined her. “People here knew who you were even before you ever arrived,” she continued. “Word got around quick that Katrina’s brother was coming. Elijah seemed very satisfied by the fact that you agreed to come to the ranch,” she tried to explain. “It’s hard to describe. He had been in the blackest mood possible for any human to assume ever since

your sister… attempted to….” She fell silent. Will recognized her discomfort. “It’s okay,” Will assured her, “I’ve lived with Katrina a lot of years. I know what she’s capable of doing. Don’t be afraid of offending me. There isn’t much that I’ve heard when it comes to Katrina that I haven’t already said myself.” Kathy smiled, relieved that she hadn’t offended him. “Well, to get to the point, after he heard about you and heard that you were coming here… well, his mood changed considerably.” She offered Will a small lemonade, which he accepted. “It was like night and day,” she exclaimed. “We were all very interested in meeting you.” “How did his mood change?” Will asked. He wondered if Eli was perhaps happy that he would have another of the Drake clan to torment. “You were the hot topic that day,” Kathy stated with enthusiasm. “Elijah informed everyone that you would be arriving sometime within the week. He also demanded that you be treated with courtesy and respect unless you proved yourself unworthy of it.” Katrina must have told him. He had let Katrina know that he would be arriving within the week, though he hadn’t told her any specific date or time. “Have you seen the piano in the sitting room?” Kathy asked with a sly grin. “Yes, it’s beautiful,” he responded. “I’ve wanted to try it out, but I’m afraid to ask. It probably belonged to his mother,”

Will commented. “That piano arrived two days before you did. He bought it for you. Katrina told him you were a piano teacher, and he wanted to make you as comfortable as possible.” She laughed at the expression on Will’s face. “You’re not serious?” Will stated after the shock. “I’m serious.” “He never said anything about it.” “He wouldn’t, but you can ask him if you don’t believe me,” Kathy urged him. “His behavior, when it comes to you, William Drake, is a side of Elijah that we’ve never seen.” “I think it’s a trap,” Will blurted after finishing his lemonade in one gulp. This caught Kathy by surprise. “A trap? Why?” It was Kathy’s turn to ask the questions. “It all feels like a set-up to me,” he began. “I just don’t trust him. Why did he trade Katrina for me? What does he want? I’ve had these questions going through my mind ever since I arrived, and the only answer I can come up with is that it’s some sort of twisted game he’s playing.” “Everyone thinks that he is truly interested in you. His behavior since your arrival has bewildered us all. Elijah has never shown the slightest real affection for anyone. I’m not saying he isn’t popular; he’s a man, after all. He will use a man, but he has never allowed one to stay at the ranch. I find it hard to accept that what I’ve seen in him lately is just part of

a joke or a game.” She could see that although Will was quietly listening to her, he was obviously not buying it. “If he wanted to hurt you, he would. He wouldn’t drag it out for a month. Why would he want to hurt you, anyway? You had nothing to do with what your sister tried to do. Did you?” “No, and that’s what I keep telling him, but he still seems to think that I am the mastermind behind this gold-digging operation. Katrina told him that it was all my idea, and he believes her.” “He believes you.” Kathy stated this emphatically. That declaration truly startled him. “What did he say to you, exactly?” “It isn’t what he has said; it is how he is behaving.” Kathy was struggling with her words. “If you don’t know Elijah, you wouldn’t understand. He is handling you so differently. He was hateful to your sister. Her life here was hell. If he thought you were part of the scheme, he would be treating you the same.” “Still, I don’t accept that he feels anything more than contempt and disgust where I’m concerned.” Kathy shook her head. “So his sexuality is common knowledge, then?” Will asked. He’d been curious since the beginning that no one found it odd that the ranch master was gay. “Oh, absolutely. Personally, I don’t care, you can’t help who you love, but I think everyone else is just too afraid of him

to question anything he says or does. He is a brutally honest person, he doesn’t hide himself for anyone,” Kathy stated matter-of-factly. Will was glad that he’d found Kathy. Her company was a pleasure. Even though he’d known her for only a few short minutes, he was comfortable discussing his thoughts and concerns with her. It was a relief to open up to someone. “Well, whatever his intent, we’ll both know in a couple of weeks,” Kathy finished lightly. They talked on for a while longer before Will excused himself to return to the main house. It was not yet 10:00 p.m., so Will walked slowly, again trying to figure out what Elijah might be planning. Kathy’s opinions were pleasant to consider, but Will was too much of a realist to take them seriously. He liked Kathy; she was someone who could become a good friend if Will were staying longer, which he wasn’t. He was lost deep in his own thoughts when someone came up beside him. He didn’t speak, just fell into step with him. “Nice night for a walk,” Eli commented eventually. “Yes.” Eli reached over casually and took his hand, holding it loosely. His touch was becoming familiar, but it always made Will tense and wary. They didn’t say anything more for some time. They walked and enjoyed the fresh night air. When they

reached the front yard of the main house, Elijah hesitated, slowing down as if he wasn’t ready to go inside. “Would you like to see the horses?” he asked, remembering Will’s delight in the horses at Adam’s ranch. “Yes, I would.” Will visibly brightened. Eli smiled and slipped his arm around Will’s waist. A young man passed them on their way to the stable and tipped his hat to them. “Good evening, Mr. Hunter… William,” he said. “Good evening, Steven,” Elijah answered. The young man regarded them curiously for a moment before moving on. “Does Steven work for you?” Will needed to talk, to say anything. The silence was too heavy. “Yes, he’s an excellent horseman. I’m lucky to have him.” Will thought again about what Kathy had told him and considered asking him about the piano. “Mr. Hunter,” he began but was immediately cut off. “Call me Eli,” he said and accompanied his statement with a firm squeeze on Will’s middle. “Eli,” he corrected. “You have a beautiful piano in the sitting room, and I was wondering if I may be allowed to play it?” “Yes, you may. I brought the thing here for you.” He was smiling at him when he added, “I told you that your stay would be as comfortable and as pleasant as I could make it. I was

wondering when you were going to ask me about the piano.” “I thought it was a family heirloom. I was afraid I might be overstepping my boundaries if I asked to touch it,” he explained. “Kathy Graham told me that it just arrived a few days ago, so I decided to ask.” “Kathy Graham?” He looked puzzled for a minute. “You’ve been making friends, I see. She is a fine woman.” He glanced down at Will with a strange look of satisfaction. “You’re fitting in here very nicely, William.” He opened the door to the stable and let Will enter first. He followed Will in and secured the door behind them. Horses lined both sides in their separate stalls. “Wow!” Will burst out, unable to contain his amazement. These weren’t Mackinac Island workhorses, these were champions and they lived like it; the stable was immaculate. Elijah was delighted with Will’s approval and put his arm back around him, guiding him down the walk, looking at each magnificent animal individually. “Are these all Thoroughbreds?” Will asked as he stopped to admire another of the animals standing regally in his stall. “Yes, they are.” Eli was impressed by the uninhibited excitement he saw in Will’s expression. He was proud of his horses. “These are the most beautiful horses I have ever seen in my life,” he said with sincere appreciation.

“Thank you,” Eli responded with the same sincere appreciation and hugged him a little closer. Will was a true enigma, cool and distant with regard to everything except horses. Horses made him smile and excited his interest. The look on his face was pure unabashed joy. He couldn’t get enough of it. There was an old man in one of the stalls at the far end of the stable. He looked up when he heard them approach. “Hi, Boss,” he said and then added, “Evening, sir,” when he saw Will. “Good evening, Sam.” Elijah stopped at the stall. Sam regarded them in the same way Steven had. “How is she?” “She’ll be fine by morning.” They were referring to the horse whose leg Sam was currently bandaging. “Sam, this is William. He’s going to be staying with us for a while.” He introduced them, saying, “Will, this is Sam Arden, my foreman and good friend.” “Pleased to meet you, William,” the old man stated. “Pleased to meet you too, sir,” Will responded as they shook hands. Sam looked at Will, rather baffled, and then finally verbalized his confusion. “I thought I heard you were the brother to that other one?” “He is,” Elijah answered for him. He pulled Will even closer and glanced down into his face. “But they appear to be

very different people.” “I’m glad to hear that, Boss.” Sam laughed and Elijah joined him. Will missed the joke. He was having difficulty concentrating on anything other than the arm around his waist, pressing him close to Eli. All of Will’s attention was on the feel of Eli’s hand gripping his midsection, and the warmth and scent of his body. They said their good-byes to Sam and continued on their walk to the end of the stable. As they walked, Elijah’s grip did not lessen. Will was thinking that it would be impossible for Eli to hold him any closer and still be able to walk, but he seemed to have no difficulty doing both. He assumed it was a control thing rather than any desire to hold him close. Eli didn’t want him wandering off. They left the stable and continued in the direction of the main house. Before they reached the front walk, Elijah stopped and, taking a deep breath, asked him almost timidly, “How about a walk in my garden?” He checked his watch. “It’s still early.” “Your garden?” “Yes, it’s just off of my study, and it is quite beautiful, if I say so myself.” He smiled down at Will and directed him around the side of the house between thick shrubs and onto a flagstone walkway. The shrubs, the trees, and the flowers were gorgeous. Will hadn’t even noticed this enchanting place. There was a stone bench at its center on which they sat.

Eli put his arm around Will and drew him close. “I’d like to discuss a proposition with you,” he began, not sure of how to proceed, but determined to do so. He had to know if Will was a gold digger like his sister or if he was really the person he presented himself to be. Seeing Will with John Gerard this afternoon had sent him into a near jealous rage. It was something he had little experience with. He sighed deeply. He had never before felt jealousy over a man. Never had he cared enough about any man to be jealous of other people getting too close. Katrina had told him that Will had no one significant in his life at this time. She said Will had recently ended a two-year involvement with a man, but according to Katrina, there had never been any real depth to their relationship. He had been turning this idea over in his mind all through dinner and decided that it was the best approach to clearing the air and finding out what Will’s priorities were. Hopefully he would find out what kind of man Will was. “Your sister owes me $500,000 or a marriage.” The emphasis was on marriage. “Yes, I know,” Will said hesitantly, not sure of where he was heading. “You’re a smart guy, Will. You and I both know that Katrina has no intention of either paying the $500,000 or returning.” Will was about to try and rebut that statement, although he believed it to be true, but Eli cut him off and continued with his present course of conversation.

“After the thirty-first, I will pursue her legally for breach of contract.” He turned to Will in order to look at him squarely. “Don’t doubt it.” It was a command, not a suggestion. “I don’t doubt it,” he responded crisply. “I will do everything in my power to make her pay, in one way or another.” Will continued to stare at him, still wondering where this conversation was going. So far he had only stated the obvious. He cared about Katrina and always hoped she would behave appropriately, but in his heart, he had already accepted that Katrina’s return or payment was unlikely. “I have virtually unlimited resources at my disposal,” Eli continued. “I doubt you or Katrina will survive financially if you choose to oppose me.” Why was Eli threatening him? What did he want that he needed to drive home once more how helpless they were? If he chose to, he could destroy them both, Will already knew that much. His home and his financial well-being were both in his hands. “The contract that Katrina signed states that there must be a marriage or a payoff.” He turned to Will, fully pinning him with his gaze. “I would accept you in place of Katrina.” Eli held his hand as he continued to explain. Will, paralyzed with confusion, stared back and listened. “Marry me, and I will tear up the contract. I will release Katrina.” Of all the things Will thought he might say, this was not among them. “You can’t be serious? Is it even legal in Montana?” Will

was speechless beyond the telling of it. His tongue felt suddenly dry and swollen, and all his muscles were frozen. He tensed and pulled back as far as was possible within the confines of Eli’s grip. “I want you. Montana recognizes out-of-state same-sex marriages. I can have us flown to Massachusetts within the week.” His voice was deep and husky. He continued to hold Will’s hand, keeping him from jumping and running away. “I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you.” He smiled ruefully. Will’s ears began to ring. “You want me too. I see it in your eyes, and I feel it in your kiss.” “What sort of game is this?” he demanded when at last he found his voice. “Marry me,” Eli stated softly. “I’m rich, I’m powerful, and you can have it all.” His last words were spoken against Will’s ear as he pulled him into his arms and held him even though Will’s body remained stiff and rigid to his touch. “Why are you doing this?” He tried to jerk himself away from Eli, but he held him securely. “Marry me, and I will release Katrina from the contract. Marry me, and I will give you anything and everything. Name it and it’s yours.” He was sounding strange. It was almost as if he were daring Will to accept. “No,” Will said in a near frightened voice. “I… I appreciate the offer… but… no. As you have stated, I am a smart guy, and as such, I know your ability and willingness to

go to any length to exact revenge.” He struggled to remain calm. Eli continued to hold him fast while he spoke. Will’s breath fanned his throat with every word, sending a thrill down his spine. He was going to drive him crazy. He wanted Will, but he didn’t trust him. The fact that he turned him down went in his favor. He really wasn’t a fortune hunter; Eli could see that clearly now. He knew it before the test of the bank card and the marriage proposal, but still he had to do it. He had to be sure. “I don’t know what you’re planning, but I’m quite certain love has nothing to do with it; revenge and satisfaction, perhaps, but definitely not love.” He paused, and Eli squeezed him close to his chest, drinking in the scent and feel of him. “I will never put myself in a position where you could hurt me so badly. So if that is your intent, you might as well try a different tactic, because your pretense of love and desire is not going to work.” Will frantically tried to get away. He jumped from the bench so quickly that he stumbled and would have fallen if Elijah hadn’t caught him. Will hurriedly regained his balance and pulled away. “It’s okay,” Eli said in a soothing voice. “Think about my offer before you reject it.” Will turned, and without a word, ran from the garden. He didn’t stop running until he reached his bedroom.

Around 1:00 a.m., as he lay there still awake, he heard Elijah come down the hall and go into his bedroom. With thoughts of Elijah on his mind, he began to ponder his outrageous offer. His proposal was startling, to say the least. As Will continued to think, he started to feel the emotions that he had forbidden himself to feel ever since that first kiss. He was absolutely right, Will did want him, but not just in a physical sense. He had too much self-respect to settle for that. The piece on the side never came out the winner in a relationship based on sex. He wished Eli really did care for him. He wished, but Eli didn’t; only a child would believe a fairytale story like that. It came to him then, the realization that Elijah never said that he loved him, he only asked him to marry him. He said he could give him money and power, the two things that Katrina would go to any length to obtain, but Will didn’t want either, and Eli definitely didn’t want him. Will managed to fall into a fitful sleep around 3:00 a.m.

Will was awakened just before 6:00 a.m. by a light knock at his door. He sat up and pulled the blankets around him before answering. “Come in.” Elijah entered and approached him. He was dressed in jeans, a white, cotton shirt, and a canvas jacket that appeared to have seen many days. He stared at Will for quite a while, taking in his hair, his face, and the protective way Will was holding the comforter to his neck. This made him

smile. “Good morning,” he said and walked closer to his side of the large bed. “Sleep well? No bad dreams, I hope?” He is mocking me, of course. Will cringed at the memory of that evening and lowered his eyes. “No, I slept quite well, considering.” He sat up straighter and allowed the comforter to relax a bit, but found it a little difficult to look at him directly. “Considering what?” Eli deliberately baited him. He leaned casually against the bedpost at the foot of the bed and waited for him to answer. He noticed the comforter drop to Will’s lap and was amazed at the effect his bare chest was having on him. The sight of his smooth, creamy skin stretched over wide shoulders and a narrow, defined torso caused a tightness in the pit of Elijah’s stomach and an almost overwhelming need to get into bed with him. “Considering your ridiculous offer last night,” Will shot back, not in the mood to play word games anymore. “Why ridiculous?” Eli’s voice was soft, but his body language commanded Will to explain. He moved to stand over him. Will felt vulnerable in his present position, so he moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Elijah stepped back momentarily, but then seated himself beside him. Will could feel the roughness of Eli’s jeans as his left leg brushed against his bare thigh, and it sent a tremor through his body, which he stifled by shifting away from him abruptly.

Eli countered by slipping his arm around Will’s waist and resting his hand on his hip. He was distracted for a moment by the sight of Will in nothing more than a pair of boxer briefs, allowing a view of his firm thighs. Eli’s thumb moved gently, slowly, in a rhythmic pattern over them. “Why ridiculous?” he repeated. “You expect me to believe that you would….” Will’s voice wavered as he tried to finish his sentence. The word “marry” was sticking in his throat. “That you would….” “Marry you?” Eli finished for him. “Yes, exactly.” “Say ‘yes’, and I’d marry you in a heartbeat.” His words even amazed him, and he realized that indeed the thought of Will as his husband was not unpleasant. Will started to laugh but stopped when he saw the seriousness of Eli’s expression. He wasn’t amused, and he wasn’t joking. “Why is it so hard to believe?” Eli moved closer as he spoke, and his hand moved to Will’s waist as his arm brought him a little closer.

This is ridiculous, he thought. He no more wants to marry me than he wants Martin to marry Katrina. He has something in mind, and it most certainly will not be nice. He and Martin were made to look like fools. He needs retribution, and he doesn’t care who pays, as long as it is in the family. All of these considerations raced through his

thoughts as Eli waited for him answer. Eli restated his question. “Why do you find it so hard to believe?” “Because it is unbelievable,” Will answered. “An offer like that, given to someone like me, from someone like you, under these circumstances, is more than a little suspect. Wouldn’t you agree?” he challenged, meeting his gaze squarely. “What is it that you suspect?” he asked almost absently. “I suspect that you are playing me for a fool. You think that like Katrina, I will forfeit everything, including my selfrespect, for a rich husband.” His anger and frustration rose. “You make that ridiculous proposal after knowing me for only a few days. I could be an axe murderer for all you know. Maybe I killed my last three husbands, you don’t know. All you really wanted was for me to jump at the opportunity so you could show that I, too, am nothing but a gold digger and then… who knows? I assume you had something particularly ugly in store for me.” “You’re right on the mark. Although, I’ve always been quite certain that you are not an axe murderer, and I would never do anything ugly to you.” He paused for a moment, as if he were considering his next words carefully. “I was testing you to see if you were telling me the truth, or if you were, as Katrina stated, the brains of the operation.” “So, was the bank card a test too? Were you expecting

me to rob you blind?” He stood up and crossed over to the desk. He needed distance and was not enjoying being close to Eli right now. Eli looked up at Will from where he was still seated on the bed. “Yes.” Cold and clear, it was all he said. His honesty was a relief, but the truth was also chilling in its calculated simplicity. “So where do I stand?” His tone was less angry and more resigned. Elijah stood and walked toward him. Will stiffened but fought off the desire to back away as he approached. Eli’s eyes locked with Will’s. “I believe you are who you have presented yourself to be. You are a man who, begrudgingly, is forced to take care of his sister. You don’t approve of her and have little to do with her outside of the trouble spots in her life. You live a sheltered, bitter, angry existence in a small town. You keep yourself cut off from others as much as possible. I believe you have suffered much disappointment at the hands of relatives, and perhaps friends, and have since decided that your best course is to depend on no one but yourself.” Eli’s words sunk in slowly. He wasn’t making fun; he was serious. This was much more of a declaration than he’d expected. Will wasn’t prepared for the insight he gave. How dare he lay me bare like this as if he knows me. Will turned on him with contempt. “Oh right, it’s all my fault, of course! Isn’t it always. What gives you the right to analyze me!” he burst out. “I’m no more angry or bitter than the average

person. I have nothing to be angry or bitter about!” “Then why are you yelling?” he asked softly. Eli’s tone and his question caught Will up short, and he found that he didn’t have a good answer for him. “Because I’m angry at your condescending attitude. You don’t know anything about me,” he said, calmly as he could. “Your parents left you nothing except seven acres at Whitefish Point. They gave everything to your sister,” he stated. “If it were me, I would be angry and bitter.” He stepped closer and took one of Will’s hands. “Katrina received over one million dollars in cash and assets, most of which have been squandered over the past two years. How does that make you feel?” “Shortchanged,” Will stated calmly. “Katrina has been needy her entire life, there was never any time for me. The will was the final blow. I didn’t want their money or their property,” he clarified. “At this point in my life, I really don’t care anymore about any of it.” “You wanted to be noticed,” Eli stated softly and too knowingly. William stared at him for a moment, wondering how he could be so accurate. How does he know what I felt? “Yes, I did, but it is too late for that now,” Will responded as his eyes searched Eli’s for the understanding that was in his words. “Parents sometimes put too much responsibility on a child. They believe the child is capable and therefore don’t

worry about them as much as they probably should. They saw Katrina as a screwup and someone who would need to be taken care of for the rest of her life. You, on the other hand, showed independence, common sense, and ambition. They didn’t need to worry about you. That doesn’t mean that they loved you any less.” He gently ran his fingers down the side of Will’s face and under his chin, forcing him to look up at him. “Did you read their will or did you just let the lawyer handle it?” “I didn’t want to read it. I didn’t want to see what was there.” He swallowed hard but kept eye contact. “I was afraid there might be worse things than just being cut out, things I really didn’t want to know. I took the lawyer’s interpretation and let it go at that. I didn’t want to see the same contempt in the will that I did in their eyes when I came out,” Will stated sadly. Eli stared at him for a long while then stated clearly, “You need to read it. I believe it would be more healing than harmful.” He let Will go and walked toward the door. “I’ll think about it,” Will said flatly.

Will showered and dressed in a white, cotton T-shirt and blue jeans with his old, black Converse tennis shoes on for comfort. He was so glad that he remembered to bring them. They were the shoes he once out-ran a gay-hating jock in

high school with. He cherished those shoes for their security and speed. Mrs. Coleman was pouring him a cup of coffee as he entered and handed it to him before he sat down. Will smiled, appreciating her kindness. “Thank you,” he said and took a seat at the table. “You’re welcome.” She returned his smile. “Can I get you something for breakfast?” Before he could answer her, the kitchen door swung open, and Eli entered, filling the room with his presence. “I’m taking you to breakfast, Will.” “Why?” Will asked flatly as he took a swallow of the steaming-hot coffee. He shifted his gaze away from Eli and back to Mrs. Coleman in an attempt to ignore the statement. Eli grabbed the back of Will’s chair and swung him around to face him. “Because I want to show you off.” Eli grinned at Will’s shocked expression. He had instinctively reached and grabbed Eli’s forearms as he was being unceremoniously thrown around. With as little effort as it would take the normal man to adjust his shirt collar, Eli had lifted Will’s chair with him still in it and turned it completely around. Will let go of Eli’s arms and continued to stare in disbelief for a few more moments before he was able to respond. “No, thank you,” Will answered with as calm a tone he could muster under the circumstances. To Will’s dismay, Mrs.

Coleman quietly excused herself from the room. He turned his head in an attempt to beseech her to stay, but she already had her back to him and was leaving the room. Eli abruptly took Will’s hand, and in one swift movement, jerked him to his feet so that he was slammed against Eli and held in place, their faces mere inches apart. Eli searched his face with those intense blue eyes, taking in every nuance of reaction. “Come on, Will,” he teased, “you have nothing to be afraid of.” “Nothing… except you.” Will riveted him with a steely glare and at the same time leaned as far away from him as he could. Will’s statement took him aback. Eli’s expression changed, softening immediately. He searched Will’s eyes and saw… fear… real fear, masked by a guarded distrust. “It’s just breakfast,” he said in a much softer tone. “You could use a change of scenery.” He slipped his arm around Will’s back and gently but firmly began to lead him toward the door. Will reluctantly agreed, because he felt he really had no choice when it came to Elijah Hunter. “A change of scenery would be greatly appreciated,” he said with very little enthusiasm, but Eli accepted it with a triumphant smile. They took one of the Land Rovers, which was one of the working vehicles and apparently not big on comfort. Eli took

one of his jackets and folded it up for Will to sit on. Will wondered why he was getting the china-doll treatment, but decided not to comment. Eli drove to a small café about forty-five minutes from the ranch. It resembled some of the mom-and-pop operations back in Whitefish Point, one large room with varying sizes of tables and a long counter with about ten stools. The room was nearly full with individuals and families enjoying a Sunday-morning breakfast. Upon entering, the building fell completely silent and all eyes were on him; even the children were staring. Will entered first, with Eli coming in behind him. As soon as Eli began to survey the room, looking for a table, every eye began to dodge in an attempt to avoid any eye contact.

Apparently I’m not the only one who is afraid of him, Will pondered as he turned to regard Eli, who seemed oblivious to the effect he was having on these people. The waitress carefully approached and showed them to the most private table in the café. It was near the front window and had a fake plant on a stand that partially blocked it from the view of the other patrons. Will could hear a low rumble of voices, but couldn’t make out anything that was being said. The waitress looked at Will with concern and sympathy showing in her eyes. “Can I get you something to drink, hon?” she asked sweetly. “A pot of coffee, thank you,” Eli answered for them both.

The waitress nodded, and Eli smiled at her. She nearly fell over, she was so startled by the pleasantry. She hurried away and within minutes was back with the coffee and two cups. “Thank you.” Eli smiled again, and the waitress looked at Will for clarification, but he merely echoed the smile.

Elijah Hunter came to the café and smiled at her… twice. She would be telling everyone she knew for weeks, and no one would believe her, the waitress thought. They ordered steak, eggs, and toast, and it was ready and served before they had finished their first cup of coffee. Will was impressed and a little shocked by the reactions Eli elicited from people, yet he remained unaffected by it all. “I think you are scaring these people,” Will commented. Eli looked around casually, not really noticing anything. “I come here from time to time. They’re used to seeing me.” He shifted his gaze back to Will. “When was the last time you came here?” Will smiled, knowing for a fact that these people were not used to seeing Elijah. Eli thought for a while and then he, too, had to smile. “About seven years ago.” He then laughed. “Time goes quickly, Will, it’s not good to waste any of it.” He watched Will as he finished his breakfast. His thoughts were still full of the incident with John Gerard. There was something there between them, and he was determined to discover what it

was. Will was nearly finished when Eli sat back in his chair and let his eyes travel over Will as if weighing and measuring once again. Will instantly began to stiffen. “Tell me again about your relationship with John Gerard,” he said softly. Will looked at him directly and locked gazes. “There is no relationship between us. I told you this already. Asking me again isn’t going to change the fact that I have nothing to do with John Gerard and never did,” he finished through gritted teeth. “I’m done here,” he stated and dropped his fork. “He was very familiar with you at the ranch,” Eli pressed and leaned toward the table. “He recognized me from the plane. There is no relationship and no familiarity beyond the plane.” Will stood up abruptly and stated, “I’m out of here.” He turned and headed for the door. Eli laid a hundred-dollar bill on the table and went after him. He caught him in the parking lot. “Tell me the truth.” He wasn’t yelling, but it was a demand. He stood with one hand on his hip and the other rolling a toothpick in his mouth. Will turned around to rivet him with a stare that would have crippled lesser men. He noticed then that every window of the café that overlooked the parking lot was full of faces. All the patrons where jockeying for a position in order to observe the event. It caused embarrassment to show on Will’s face, and Eli immediately turned toward the café in response, the people scattered like birds, not wanting to be caught intruding on them.

“I’m done talking.” Will went over to the Land Rover and got in, slamming the door behind him. Eli did not appear satisfied, but he let it go, for now.

Thankfully, later that day, Elijah and his brother were called away on business, and Will found out that he would have two weeks to himself. This was time that he could spend gathering his thoughts and calming his nerves. These were days that allowed him to settle back into himself. It was easier for him to build his resolve without the constant interference of uncontrollable emotions. If he could tuck it all away, he could get through this time and hopefully keep his property. Elijah was artful and cunning in his relentless desire to prove him to be the immoral liar that he believed Will to be. Defense had become a twenty-four-hour-a-day job, defending against Eli’s tender manipulations, against his outright accusations, against his subtle games… it was all too tiring. He kept mostly to himself over the days they were gone. He had his meals with Mrs. Coleman and enjoyed some light conversation, but avoided any discussion of Katrina or the Hunter brothers. He wanted a rest, and Mrs. Coleman was happy to oblige. Will played the piano in the evening after Mrs. Coleman had gone to bed. He preferred no audience right now. The piano gave him an emotional release, and he didn’t want

anyone hearing and interpreting his torment. Mrs. Coleman informed him during dinner one evening that the boys were due back in the morning. She seemed excited for their return, unlike Will, who was dreading it. Elijah had had two weeks to design new and interesting ways to torture the truth out of him. What will he do next? he thought as he finished his pot roast and vegetables. He wasn’t happy, but he smiled at Mrs. Coleman anyway and said, “Yes, it will be nice to have them back.” It was after eleven when Mrs. Coleman said her goodnights and left Will reading in the living room. When he was sure Mrs. Coleman was upstairs, Will moved to the piano and began a string of sad and mournful selections. This would be his last night of peace, and this would be the last night that he would be able to use the piano as a release. He couldn’t play if Elijah were around. He would see through him too quickly and would certainly use Will’s weakness to his advantage. As much as he pretended to believe him, Will knew that Eli was simply trying to put him enough at ease that he would trip up. The unfortunate thing, he conceded, was that if Eli continued pursuing him, there was a chance he might accidentally do something out of character. There was a chance Will could forget that it was all a game with him and might try to own the fantasy he was weaving. With this thought bearing down on him, he began playing the funeral dirge with depth and determination. He finished with a dramatic pounding of the keys, and it was then that he realized he was not alone.

“Are you really as sad and hopeless as your music would imply? He turned abruptly to see Elijah relaxing in one of the chairs with a glass of wine in his hand. Will had no idea how long he’d been there watching him. He stiffened and slowly closed the piano and stood up. “Good night.” He was going to say nothing more. Eli saw, he heard, he knew, he didn’t need any words from him trying to explain or deny. He was tired, and he was going to bed. “You can’t run away, sweetheart,” he said and placed his drink on the table before getting up to follow him. Will stopped at the foot of the stairs and faced him. He didn’t want Eli following him to his room. That wouldn’t do. “Yes, I am sad and hopeless. There. Can I go to bed now?” He was dangerously sarcastic. Eli stared at him with humor, ease, and admiration in his expression. “So why were you playing such dire and depressing tunes?” “Mrs. Coleman told me you were returning in the morning,” he said, hitting back. “Thoughts of me inspire the funeral dirge?” He started laughing and pulled Will into his arms for a firm squeeze. “I missed you. I missed you quite a lot. My days were not the same without your sharp tongue and… your hard body.” He kissed Will on the top of his head and let his hand slide down his body, molding him to him. “Didn’t you miss me, William?”

he teased. Will didn’t know what to say. He was busy fighting his reactions to Eli’s embrace and feared he might say the wrong thing. In the end he decided to tell him the truth. “If I say that I missed you, then you will believe that I am simply trying to work my way into your affections and your bank account. If I say no, then you may take offense and decide to forego any agreements and take my property.” He leaned back from him in order to look in his eyes. “I don’t know what to say to you that would be acceptable.” Eli simply stared at him for a few moments before responding. “For now, I will accept your indecision.” Eli marveled at his honesty. It would have been easy for Will to simply say yes or no, but he told him the truth, even though it highlighted his own vulnerability. Ask Will a direct question, and you will either get silence or the truth, but you will never be told a lie. Now if only he would trust me the way I have grown to trust him. “I will ask you again later, and then I want a definitive answer, either yes or no.” He laughed but he was completely serious. He let Will go and stepped back. “Good night, sweetheart, I’ll see you in the morning.” He watched Will as he ascended the stairs. Will glanced back several times with a look of chagrin, but said nothing more. Eli had learned a lot about him these past few days. He had spoken with several contacts who had dug up a considerable amount of information for him. He had learned that Will had excelled in school, was highly thought of by

everyone who knew him, and that no one could understand why his parents treated him the way they did. He’d been cleaning up his sister’s messes for years and had never asked for or received anything in return except more grief. Eli had returned early from the business meeting because he hadn’t attended the business meeting. He’d left Martin to handle whatever arose and gone off to Michigan to speak with the lawyer who handled the Drakes’ last will and testament. He also met with some of the extended family and old business acquaintances. The lawyer had given him a copy of the will. It hadn’t been entirely legal, but wealth and connections do at times come in handy. Eli had not read it. He felt it was not his business, but he wanted William to read it—no matter what it said, Will needed to see it if he wanted to move on with his life. The lawyer also gave him a strong box that was locked. Apparently his parents had left him the box and its contents, but he had never accepted it. The lawyer had tried on several occasions to deliver it, but William kept putting him off. What does he fear? Eli wondered.

Elijah was acting very strange tonight, Will thought as he readied himself for bed. His manner was playful and easy even after he insulted him. He’s planning something, he concluded. “Tomorrow will bring another battery of tests, no doubt,” he mumbled and pulled the blankets up to cover his head.

Chapter Five

The knock was hard. It sounded as if the door might give way if the knocking persisted. Will woke with a start and sat up in bed. “Come in.” “Did I wake you?” Elijah strode in with that same smile. Will squinted up at him. “Yes, but I should be getting up anyway.” “Good… pull yourself together and have breakfast with me.” His smile remained, and his eyes traveled over him several times. “Meet me in an hour,” he stated hopefully. Will nodded. Will went through the motions of showering and dressing, his mind in another time, in another state. Last night, for some reason, he had begun to think about his parents’ will. Elijah had put the idea in his head that perhaps he should read it; perhaps there were things in it which he

should be aware of. Finally, Will pushed it all from his mind; the pain of the past was too much right now. He had other matters to deal with—his parents and his past could wait. Right now he needed to find a way to get away from the Hunters and still keep his home. So many games, so many

tests. Will I pass them all? Or will I somehow fail and lose everything? The pressure was so intense; he found that he woke this morning with a pounding headache. It concerned him, how easily Elijah was able to read him and get under his skin. Will would have to guard himself much more carefully than he was already doing if he wanted to leave here unscathed. His thoughts then roamed to the evening of the proposal. Elijah’s proposal was preposterous, but for a few moments he had been taken in. Eli had admitted it was just a test to see how desperate Will was, but he had sounded so sincere… or maybe Will just wished it so. I must keep in

mind that men like Elijah Hunter don’t fall in love with ordinary guys like me. He could have and probably had had every man he ever wanted. There was no rational explanation for why Eli would pursue him except that he wanted retribution. He wants to make us pay, somehow, some way, and painfully. He considered all the ways Eli could hurt him if he allowed himself to fall in love with him. The thought caused him to physically shudder, and his headache intensified. Eli was waiting for him at breakfast. Will looked in the mirror and saw a very worried and tense individual. It had

been nearly one hour since Eli’d left, and he had just now finished getting dressed. Would he wait longer than an hour or would he just leave? Will wasn’t sure why this concerned him. It was almost an hour and a half before he finally made his way to the kitchen. He didn’t immediately see Elijah so he thought he had probably left. “Good morning, Mrs. Coleman,” he said as cheerfully as he could. “Good morning, William.” Mrs. Coleman quickly poured him a cup of coffee. “Thank you.” He took a long drink and savored it. “Tastes wonderful,” he commented. “May I get you some breakfast?” Mrs. Coleman asked. “No, thank you. The coffee is all I need.” He smiled and took another drink. “The coffee I make at home never tastes this good.” “It’s the well water. Makes it smoother, I think,” Mrs. Coleman said and sat down with William at the table. “Elijah had to leave,” she remembered after a few moments. “He was waiting for you, but there was a problem of some sort that he had to attend to. He asked me to apologize for him.” “Sure, that’s fine,” Will told her. “It makes no difference.” Will appeared unaffected, but that was far from how he was feeling. Why is it upsetting me that Elijah didn’t wait? Why should I care? It’s all just one big test, a game. He had to be careful and remember not to take anything as truth.

“He is rarely ever in the house at this time. I was so surprised to see him here waiting for you.” Mrs. Coleman was attempting to reassure him of his interest, or so Will assumed. “He is very taken with you, William.” “I doubt that,” he stated too coldly. “He’s just entertaining himself at my expense.” Mrs. Coleman’s expression was shocked. “Elijah is certainly not entertaining himself,” she stated firmly. Will was confused as to why Mrs. Coleman would take offense at his comment. “I’m sorry if I offended you,” Will interjected. “I’m not offended.” Mrs. Coleman stood and refilled Will’s mug. “Elijah cares for you. I have known him most of his adult life, and I can tell you that he has never treated anyone the way he treats you. He wants to get to know you better. He’s truly sorry for believing you and Katrina were in on the blackmail scheme together. He knows that you are innocent, and believe me, William, his are not the actions of a man entertaining himself.” Mrs. Coleman made her point clearly, but Will was still not buying the package. Of course she would defend him. He was her employer, and she had a lot of respect for him. She would justify anything that he said or did, so Will decided to change the subject. Will asked if there was anything that he could help her with, but Mrs. Coleman assured him that everything was

taken care of and that he should perhaps tour the grounds and get a better perspective of the ranch and the people who lived here. Obviously she doesn’t like my current perspective, Will thought, as he took her advice and went for a walk. The air was fresh and clean, and the sun shone brightly. It was a beautiful day. Will was walking past one of the outbuildings when he noticed a young man running toward him, and he stopped to let him catch up. “Mr. Hunter would like you to meet him in the large stable,” he said and pointed toward the building to which he should go. “Why?” Will asked, unconcerned. He refused to be at Elijah’s beck and call. “Not my business, sir,” he responded casually, but with a small grin. He then tipped his hat and headed in that direction.

He expects me to follow him, Will thought stubbornly. It’s not going to happen, he stated to himself as he headed in the opposite direction. “If Mr. Hunter wants to see me, then he can come to me. Besides, as far as he’s concerned, I’m just an angry, bitter, isolated brother of a blackmailer. He doesn’t trust me or respect me, so why try to kiss up now? Everything I say or do will be held against me,” he said loudly to the empty path in front of him. His thoughts continued to rage on about Elijah’s condescending and controlling attitude until he

found himself at the edge of a small stream. Checking his watch, he realized that he’d been walking in one direction for nearly forty minutes.

I might as well rest for a bit before heading back, he thought and found a comfortable tuft of grass beneath a large willow tree to relax. It felt so good to be by himself with no one watching, no one judging. The sound of the rushing water over the rocks and the wind through the treetops lulled him into closing his eyes, and gradually sleep overtook him. From far off in the distance, he could hear a dog barking. It seemed like a dream at first, but the sound grew nearer and nearer and louder and louder until he was brought back to awareness and came fully awake. Disoriented, he jumped to his feet and looked around. It was a few moments before he remembered his walk and the stream. Will checked his watch and was startled to realize he’d been asleep for nearly two hours. “William!” He could hear Eli calling, but he couldn’t see him, until suddenly a large, dark horse burst out of the underbrush and leapt toward him. Will stepped back, losing his balance, stumbling against the tree and landing on the ground with a thump. Elijah quickly dismounted and immediately helped him up, hauling Will up against him. “Do you have any idea how long you’ve been gone?” he asked. His voice was tense with worry but he did not seem

angry, which surprised Will. He felt a little guilty for causing Eli concern. “I went for a walk, and I sat by the stream for a while.” He was scrambling for a plausible explanation. “I fell asleep, I’m sorry.” He looked like a complete idiot, and he knew it. “Am I always going to be looking for you?” Eli said with a hint of humor. He released him and stepped back a few feet; Will missed his support. He leaned back against the tree to steady himself as Elijah moved toward the stream and just stood there looking out at it. “I was worried about you,” he stated without turning around. Will did not respond. “I’m sorry for standing you up at breakfast.” Will stared at Eli’s back, wondering why he would feel the need to apologize to him for that. “Doesn’t matter,” he said absently. “It’s not important.” Eli swung on Will, pinning him to his spot with eyes that flashed and burned. “It damn well is important!” he nearly shouted. “Do you really think so little of yourself that you don’t care how you are treated?” Eli was directly over him now. Will was flat against the willow and wishing there was some way to get around it and away from Eli. He was so close that there was no way for him to move without having Eli move first. “Of course I care! That’s why I didn’t meet you in the stable,” Will answered hotly. He smiled smugly. “I thought so.” Will realized then that Eli had trapped him into admitting

his motives. Another game, another trick; it never ended. “That’s why you took off, too, isn’t it?” Will just glared; there wasn’t any need to answer him. Eli’s eyes traveled Will’s face, studying every nuance of expression. “You are important, and you matter very much.” Eli continued to watch him, and Will met his gaze but said nothing. This man was trouble. He was too smooth, too knowing. Will could lose himself in this man. His pretense of love and desire was truly ridiculous; Will’s rational mind told him this, but his heart was aching, and his senses needed what Eli was offering. Will wanted him so badly that his hands were shaking with the need to touch him. How was he to defend himself, and how was he going to survive until the thirty-first? None of this was real to him. “I’m sorry for worrying you and for making you interrupt your day to come find me.” He repeated his apology laced with sarcasm. “I thought you might have gotten lost. Rob told me that he gave you my message.” Eli smiled down at him. “He also told me that you walked off in the opposite direction. I’ve been riding around looking for you for a while now. Jake, here, is the one who rooted you out.” Elijah patted the large hound sitting at his feet. “Go on home, Jake,” he commanded, and the dog instantly took off. “Your dog is well trained,” Will commented. “If only I could say the same for my men.” Elijah laughed

at his outraged expression. “I’m not your man,” Will seethed. “Ask anybody on this ranch or in this county, for that matter, and they will tell you that William Drake is Elijah Hunter’s man.” He laughed even more deeply and pulled Will up into his arms until he was practically off the ground. “Fight as you may, you cannot escape.” “You are out of your mind,” Will declared and demanded to be released. He could feel the lean strength of Eli’s body pressed so tightly to his and fought the urge to succumb to him. Every fiber of Will’s being was screaming for Elijah to ravish him, but his mind kept him in check. Suddenly, Eli picked him up completely, and cradling him in his arms, began walking toward his horse. “Let me go!” Will yelled. “No,” Eli answered. “What are you doing?” he said as Eli threw him up into the saddle. “I’m taking you to lunch,” he answered as he swung himself up onto the horse, directly behind Will. Eli put his arms around him and drew Will up very close to him. “Are you comfortable?” he asked. “Not very,” he answered unconvincingly. “I feel like I’m sitting on your lap.” To his consternation, he soon found himself rocking back and forth against Eli with every movement of the horse. This shouldn’t be erotic, he told

himself, but his dick wasn’t listening at the moment. “You are,” Eli declared. He walked the horse through the dense underbrush, but once they were on clear ground, he brought him to a full gallop. Will noticed that his knuckles were turning white due to the solid grip he had on the horn. Elijah held the reins with one hand and held Will tightly around the waist with the other. The faster the horse went, the tighter Eli held him. Will could feel Eli’s breath on his neck and the beat of his heart against his back, and he seemed so calm. His breath was even and steady, as was his heart. Whereas Will’s heart was racing and his breath was catching due to a combination of Eli’s nearness and the speed of the horse. Eli slowed the horse back to a trot after a mile or so, but did not loosen his grip on him. “I have to meet with my men working on the south fence,” he said, “and then we will have lunch.” He squeezed Will playfully. “Okay?” “Sure,” he answered hesitantly. Where’s lunch going to be? he wondered. They were miles from anywhere. They rode up to a group of four men working on replacing a section of fence. They seemed very surprised to see Will with Elijah, but made no mention of the fact. Eli jumped down and handed the reins to Will. “Hold him for me. His name is Buck. I will be right back,” Eli said and walked away toward the men. Will loved being in charge of the horse, although if Buck decided he wanted to

leave, Will highly doubted that he would be able to stop him. He was a beautiful animal. Will wished he had the skill to ride him by himself unaided, but he didn’t know the first thing about riding. He watched as Elijah gave directions and some commands to his men and then returned to deftly swing back up into the saddle behind him. He was agile and in command, that was clear. He tightened his grip on Will once again, and they rode off. So what is the game today? he wondered. First it was the bank card and then the marriage proposal, what did he have planned today? What sort of test of his merit had Eli designed? He seems genuinely happy

to be with me, but he is also a very good actor. That proposal the other day could have melted the heart of anyone stupid enough to believe it. It affected me, too, but I’m not that stupid. Rational thought and logic eventually gained the upper hand, and he was yanked back to the reality of his situation. All he could do was play along and hopefully not be taken in by Eli’s false sincerity. One wrong move and he would be paying the price for Katrina’s crimes. Eli took him to a beautiful location for lunch. It was a large grassy knoll that overlooked a sparkling stream and miles of open range. Elijah spread out a blanket that he’d brought with him and laid out the lunch that Mrs. Coleman had prepared. Will was quite hungry and welcomed the sandwiches and the coffee. They sat there, side by side in silence, for some time before Will, as usual, was compelled

to speak. “What is it you really want from us?” Eli didn’t answer. He continued to look out over the valley and eat his sandwich. “You don’t want Katrina to marry Martin. You told me as much on the telephone. You said, ‘She will marry Martin over my dead body’,” Will reminded him. “Katrina does not have $500,000; you know that she has run through all the money and assets that Father left her.” Eli continued to eat and didn’t respond. “My property is not worth $500,000. It might be worth $250,000, but once you subtract the cost of litigation, you will probably end up with less than $100,000 to the good.” “Your sister has two choices: she will marry or she will pay,” he said coldly. “My offer to you is still open,” he added without humor. “My question is, why go to all this trouble? Why not call the authorities, report the crime, and let that be an end to it?” Will wanted to respond to his previous statement but knew Eli was just baiting him again. He decided to just ignore it. Eli looked at him then, searching his face before answering. “My reasons are my own,” he said. “Okay.” He relented and let it go. “I probably wouldn’t understand, anyway.” Will took his mug and refilled it from the Thermos of coffee Eli had brought.

Elijah watched him, surprised by Will’s acceptance of his statement. Most people would have badgered and fought to get the answer they wanted. Will withdrew, knowing that his fight would be fruitless. Will understood more than he realized. “Try this,” he said, changing the subject. “Mrs. Coleman makes them special just for me,” he gloated. Will took a bite of Eli’s sandwich. “That’s really good. What is it?” “It’s a secret,” he teased. “May I have another bite?” Will asked, genuinely interested in the sandwich and in figuring out its contents. Elijah offered the sandwich, and he took another bite and savored the ingredients. Will was deep in thought when Eli leaned over and gave him a light kiss. It was unexpected, and it startled him, so he jerked back. Eli leaned closer and caressed Will’s cheek with his hand. “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered. His words were nearly brushing Will’s lips because his face was now so near to his. Eli’s thumb stroked his cheek, and his eyes roamed Will’s face. Gradually, the hand on his face slipped behind his neck and brought his head the few inches toward Eli’s. He kissed Will softly on the mouth. Will realized that, as before, he was not resisting Eli’s advances. It was the way he looked at him, touched him, and kissed him, that made him always want more. Eli’s lips pressed harder against his until Will opened

up to him and began to return his kiss with almost a new level of desire on Will’s part; he did not hold back. Overwhelmed by his sudden and unexpected compliance, Elijah groaned aloud and then went swiftly forward, laying him out on the blanket beneath them in a matter of seconds. His mouth gripped Will’s with a fierceness that surprised but did not scare him. Will arched his back, grinding himself against Eli wantonly, eliciting another groan for his efforts. Eli’s free hand moved to the waistband of Will’s jeans and began to undo the button and then the zip in one swift motion. Eli pulled off Will’s T-shirt and his own button-down, so their chests now rubbed together free of any barrier. Will groaned into Eli’s mouth as his hand drifted down and cupped Will’s painfully hard arousal through his increasingly confining underwear. Will looked deep into Eli’s lust-darkened blue eyes and saw only love, want, and need mixed into one. Although his mind was telling him to back off, he ignored it. Instead he surrendered to the sensation of Eli peppering kisses down his body. Will ran his hands down Eli’s muscular back as he sucked on his shoulder, desperately trying to find purchase against Eli’s thigh, letting him know just how much he wanted this. Eli’s mouth left his, trailing kisses and whispers down his throat, exploring, tasting and touching. He was saying incredibly lovely things to Will as his hand continued to massage and stroke Will through the soft fabric of his

underwear, building a heat and a need within him that was threatening to consume the last shreds of his guarded reserve. “Oh, Will,” Eli groaned and returned to plunder the moist softness of his lips. He shifted his body slightly in order to cover Will more completely. Will marveled that for such a large and muscular man, he seemed virtually weightless upon him. His hips pressed urgently into him as Will wrapped his legs around Eli’s strong waist, as if giving entrance to the most vulnerable part of his being. Eli’s hand, which was doing so many new and marvelous things, moved to the waistband of Will’s jeans. With one swift motion, Eli rid Will of his jeans leaving him only in his underwear. Feeling daring, Eli slowly moved his hand beneath the waistband and took Will’s manhood in his hands, marveling at the look of ecstasy on Will’s face. The exquisite thrill of his callus-roughened hand on Will’s over-sensitized cock was nearly overwhelming, and Will had to stop himself from coming right then and there. Once Eli stripped himself of his jeans and underwear, revealing his immense manhood, Will knew that there was no turning back. He wanted Eli, but he became self-conscious about how wanton he was being. Stripped down, getting a hand job on a blanket in a field. This wasn’t how he normally acted, and it scared him that he needed Eli this much. Elijah felt Will’s growing resistance and slowly moved his hand up to cup his face. He eased himself slightly away

and stared deep into his eyes. He kissed him softly, tenderly, and ran his tongue across Will’s lips where they pressed tightly together. “I want you, William,” he uttered breathlessly, “and you want me. You must accept that a union between us is inevitable.” His body continued to rut into William’s, their bodies rubbing in all the right places, as he kissed his eyes, cheeks, throat, and then settled on his ear, sucking and biting, tantalizing, and tempting. Elijah could feel the thudding of Will’s heart against his own chest. He could also sense and feel his rising panic. With great effort, Eli pulled himself up onto his elbows, putting a small distance between them. He stared at the ground as he fought to bring his need under control. He couldn’t look at Will, not if he was going to be able to stop. He wanted him more than anything he could remember. Will wasn’t like Katrina, he’d known that from the moment he met him, but he wasn’t ready to trust then. He had to test him first, had to make sure Will wasn’t lying. He was so used to liars and thieves that he had come to expect the worst from everyone. Now, through his own behavior, he had managed to set himself up to not be taken seriously no matter what he tried to tell Will. Everything had been a test, and he knew it. Will wouldn’t believe anything he said now. Will was conscious of his struggle. Elijah breathed deeply over and over. He wouldn’t look at him, so Will assumed he was angry and disgusted by him leading him on and then not following through. He probably thinks I’m a

tease, which would support all of his previous assertions

pertaining to my character, he thought, dispirited. Will, too, turned his head, unwilling to risk seeing the loathing that was sure to be in Eli’s eyes. As far as Eli was concerned, he was just another gold digger like his sister. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. When Elijah finally turned and looked down at him, he asked, “You’re not as experienced as your kisses would lead one to believe, are you?” His hand was smoothing the hair back from Will’s face, a simple, but very intimate gesture. He was waiting for an answer. “No, I’m not,” he answered without elaboration. “Katrina told me that you had a steady boyfriend for over two years, before he suddenly went off and found someone else.” His tone was strange. Will didn’t want to get into a discussion of his personal life, but his assumption that George dropped him for someone else was not correct and he couldn’t resist telling him so. “I ended the relationship,” he stated. “Why?” Eli whispered against his hot and flushed cheek. “We were just friends. There was nothing between us. I didn’t love him, and George deserved some passion and excitement.” Will kept talking even though he knew he was falling deeper and deeper into self-exposure. “If you ever kissed him the way you just kissed me, he would never have left.”

Will became irritated at his insistence that George had dumped him. “Thanks for the advice,” he bit back, suddenly feeling very cold and detached. “When I go home, I’ll be sure and look him up and give it a go.” “No!” Eli exploded. Will hadn’t expected that reaction. He had thought he would be in for more insults, insinuations, and laughter. Eli’s eyes had turned dark, and his face was unreadable. “If he couldn’t incite you to passion over the course of two years, then it will never happen. George isn’t what you want.” Eli kissed him hard, thoroughly draining his resistance in a matter of seconds and leaving him trembling and wanting more. He ended it abruptly and looked deep into Will’s eyes. “Don’t be afraid, William.” It was a plea, not a demand.

Oh my God, I want you. That thought flooded Will’s mind, and suddenly his apprehension and lack of experience didn’t matter. He wanted passion. He wanted the heat that erupted inside you and threatened to tear you open if you didn’t feed it. He wanted Elijah. “I want you,” Will stated breathlessly as he recaptured Eli’s mouth with his. The move took Eli by surprise, but he was soon returning it with gusto. Soon Will was stripped of his underwear and lying naked beneath Eli as he worshiped every inch of Will’s body. Will thought he might combust if Eli didn’t take him soon. Never before had he felt so wanted.

Never before had he wanted a man to own him. Eli took Will’s desire in his mouth in one swift motion, and Will gasped before being lulled by Eli’s dancing tongue. He writhed as Eli continued his ministrations, trying very hard to hold their climaxes at bay, wanting this moment to last as long as possible. Simultaneously, Eli popped open a small bottle of lube he had carried with him on the picnic. He had packed it, hoping beyond hope that Will would accept his love. He slowly and painstakingly prepared Will, making sure that he was comfortable before moving any further. “Tell me this is what you want,” Eli said as he looked deep into Will’s eyes. “This is what I want,” Will answered unwaveringly. Eli sheathed his erection and then slowly entered William, trying very hard not to hurt him. Will grimaced at the intrusion at first, but then breathed himself through the onslaught until Eli was buried deep within him. Eli held still, using every ounce of his self-control not to pound away into the tight, soft heat that surrounded him. Will nodded, and Eli began to move, slow at first, but began picking up speed as Will begged him to move faster. They were covered in a fine sheen of sweat as they bucked against each other. Will met every one of Eli’s thrusts, writhing as Eli hit his prostate with every stroke. Will soon felt his climax rising within him. “I’m so close,”

he gasped as Eli took him in his hand and stroked him through the greatest orgasm of his life. Never before had anyone touched him like this. Never before had he felt so used and so loved at the same time. Eli filled the condom inside of him a few strokes later and then collapsed down on top of Will as they struggled to catch their breath. After the post-orgasmic haze began to wear off, Eli began to feel guilty. I took advantage of him. He wasn’t

ready. Will, on the other hand, was ashamed of his wantonness and his inability to keep it together around Eli. I can’t think

rationally around him. He makes me go to mush. They averted eye contact as they quickly cleaned up and dressed. Eli hastily gathered the lunch and the blanket and stowed them away. He then grabbed Will by the waist and unceremoniously threw him up into the saddle. He seated himself behind him and hauled him close to his chest. The ride back to the ranch went silently, each of them privately consumed by their thoughts. Elijah was overjoyed and frustrated at the same time. Will had responded to him like he knew he had never responded to anyone else, but he would continue to refuse to accept Eli and his offer. That marriage proposal was meant to be a test, and yet when he made it, it felt real even to him. He would marry Will in a heartbeat if he would agree. He

would have no reservations in doing so. Am I crazy? he asked himself. Letting myself be overwhelmed by this man? He had never felt this way before about anyone. He really didn’t know Will in terms of time and experience, but he knew he would not be happy if Will ever went away. That realization left him stunned. He would make Will come around. Eli would prove to him that he was sincere, that his intent was honorable. He still had several days, and he wasn’t going to waste a minute. As he continued to think about him, he drew Will up even closer and let his blond hair caress his face. He will come around. He will accept my love, he repeated to himself. Will cringed as he recalled his behavior on the blanket: so lustful, so needy. How could it be that he ached so much for a man who had shown himself to be insulting, demanding, condescending, superior, and oh so controlling. Those were the traits he despised most in men, yet with the slightest provocation, he’d melted into Eli’s arms and slept with him.

How is it that one’s mind and body can operate so independently of each other? If I don’t get control of myself, I’m going to be leaving here with a lot less dignity and selfrespect than I came with. Next time I will be in control, he tried to reassure himself. At the ranch, Eli brought Buck to a slow walk. He waved to Martin, who smiled and shouted, “I see you found him.” To Will’s annoyance, everyone they passed seemed to be laughing at him.

Elijah brought Buck to a stop in front of the large stable and jumped off. He held Will and helped him slide off, but didn’t release him once he was on the ground. He enfolded him in his arms and hugged him tightly. “You are beautiful,” he whispered against Will’s ear and then slowly released him. Everyone around saw the big smile on Eli’s face and marveled at the effect Will was having on him. Elijah rarely smiled and almost never laughed, or at least no one could remember the last time he had. “You go on in, sweetheart; I’ll see you inside after I take care of Buck,” Eli said. Will turned and walked to the house in silence. Elijah watched him until he was inside. Sam came up to stand beside Elijah. “He seems like a nice guy,” he remarked. “He is, Sam. He’s a very nice guy.” Elijah’s tone had a dreamy quality. “How long is he staying?” Sam asked. “Forever, I hope,” Elijah stated without hesitation. “I’ve handled things pretty badly so far, but I hope to make things right.” Sam Arden had worked for Elijah since the beginning of this ranch, which amounted to many years. He knew him first as a young eighteen-year-old trying to make a place and a name for himself, and he watched him grow and mature into a hard, unyielding man of purpose. He took on the responsibility of father to his young brother at an age when

most men were barely able to care for themselves. Elijah was a man who took responsibility seriously and never complained. Once a decision was made, complaints were not tolerated. Stand by your word; that was his motto and his expectation. Sam admired and respected him like no other man he’d ever worked for. Over the years, many men and women had tried to get close to Elijah Hunter, considering his wealth and good looks, but very few ever made it past the front gates. The few that did, didn’t last long. Elijah was not nice or polite with fortune hunters, and he saw most people as such. His treatment of Katrina was horrific. That blackmail scheme of hers nearly resulted in serious court action, but just when he was ready to call the authorities, he called her brother instead. That call changed everything. It changed Katrina’s future, and turned Elijah from viciously pursuing retribution on Katrina to urgently pursuing William. When word got around that Katrina’s brother was arriving, everyone thought that they would both be taken to task and quickly tossed out on their backsides. That was the plan. Elijah was prepared to drive home a lesson that neither of them would ever forget, but that didn’t happen. William turned out to be a very different person than the one he’d expected. He was intelligent, kind, and courteous. He wasn’t looking for anything other than to try and help his sister. Elijah’s interest in him appeared to have grown steadily since his arrival.

“If that’s what you want, son, I hope you get it.” Sam patted Elijah’s shoulder. “It’s what I want, Sam,” Elijah responded clearly. Upon entering the house, Will was met by Mrs. Coleman, who informed him that Katrina was on the telephone and was asking to speak with him. “Good timing,” Will remarked. “Not really, this is the fourth time she’s called today.” By the expression on Mrs. Coleman’s face, Will could see that she and Katrina did not get along well. “Thank you, Mrs. Coleman,” he said and picked up the receiver in the small study. “Where in the hell have you been?” Katrina screamed at him and then answered the question herself. “That half-wit housekeeper told me you went riding with Elijah. Riding with Elijah?” Her voice rose to an ear-piercing screech. “You’re supposed to be helping me, remember, not out enjoying yourself! What the hell are you thinking?” Will remained silent throughout her verbal onslaught. Katrina was yelling so loudly that even Mrs. Coleman could hear her. Mrs. Coleman had positioned herself just outside the door. She knew Katrina was in a fit by the way she had demanded to speak with William. That wretched girl had no right to be angry with anyone, least of all William. He traded

places with her, for God’s sake, and all she can do is yell? Mrs. Coleman’s anger escalated to the point that she felt she had to do something. William was not even defending himself. Mrs. Coleman approached Elijah at the door as he was entering. “William is on the telephone with that stupid woman.” Elijah knew immediately to whom she referred. He walked into the small study in time to hear Katrina shrieking through the phone line. “If you can’t help me, then why don’t you just get the hell out of there and go home?” Katrina yelled. Elijah took the receiver from him and hung it up midsentence. He smiled at Will. “I think that’s enough. Don’t you?” Will started to laugh. He had wanted to do the same thing, but duty had kept him quiet and listening. “Thank you,” he said. Strangely, Eli’s cutting in on his call had not bothered him in the least. “Why do you let her speak to you like that?” Elijah asked as he leaned against the archway and crossed his arms. “You’re always more than ready to put me in my place and yet you let her walk all over you.” “I’ve learned that it’s easier to just let her rant. If you engage her, the rant goes on a lot longer. I usually wait until she runs out of air and then I give her my opinion.”

“Does she listen to you?” Will laughed out loud. “Never!” Elijah watched him as he seemed to relax. He was finally sharing with him, and he was doing it with ease. “Did you know anything about her scheme here with Martin before I called you?” He needed one more verification. Will’s laughter and ease vanished in an instant. Eli instantly regretted his words. “No, like I told you during our first conversation, I hadn’t spoken to my sister in nearly two years. I had no idea what she was doing with her life and had no interest in finding out.” His words were short and clipped. “Has she always been a burden to you?” Elijah felt he might as well get as much information as he could so he continued questioning. “Not a burden, just an embarrassing disappointment.” Will leaned against the wall with one shoulder and he, too, crossed his arms. If Eli wanted answers, he would give them, although he doubted Eli believed anything he said. “Martin isn’t the first man she has tried to blackmail.” This riveted Elijah’s attention, and he stiffened as he walked toward him. “What happened?” He wasn’t yelling but the look on his face certainly was. He caught Will’s eyes and held them fast with his own steel blues. Will wished he’d kept his mouth shut. Damn, now he would have to relay the entire distasteful story.

Will looked at him, and Eli recognized his discomfort immediately. He hadn’t meant to share that information, and now it was too late. He looked as if he’d been… caught. His distrust, which he’d gotten in check as far as Will was concerned, was now on the loose. His behavior, the discomfort and lack of eye contact, indicated to him that he had some part in this previous attempt at blackmail. “Katrina was eighteen, almost ready to graduate.” Will winced with the pain of the memory and kept his eyes away from Elijah’s. “She… went after one of my father’s business partners. Unfortunately, he was married and had a family.” Elijah’s expression showed nothing as he continued to study him as he spoke. “He was an adult and should have conducted himself as a man with a wife and children. It wasn’t all her, but… it was mostly her.” Will’s defense of his sister fell flat even to his own ears. “They got involved, and then Katrina made some threats. He was a wealthy man, and as you know, Katrina wants a rich husband more than anything else in this world. She told him he had to leave his family and marry her. If he didn’t, she would tell his wife anyway. Either way he was going to lose his family.” Still no comment from Elijah, his stony silence more unnerving than his questions. “He came to speak with me. He asked me to talk to her, convince her to release him.” Will sighed deeply and

searched the floor for somewhere to rest his eyes. He couldn’t look Elijah in the eye and finish this story. “It sounded ridiculous to me. He was in a lose/lose situation. No matter what he did he was going to forfeit his family. I told him to force her hand. Refuse her and walk away and deal with the fallout. It couldn’t be any worse than what she was demanding of him. I thought I was pretty smart back then.” He forced a grim smile of self-disgust, but did not look at him. Elijah finally spoke. “What did he do?” “He did exactly what I advised him to do, but it didn’t turn out as planned. He lost his family as soon as his wife was told of the affair. She left town with their kids and most of his assets.” Will moved away from the wall, suddenly needing some space and some air. He walked a few feet away from him. “Katrina told his wife everything; she even had pictures. I didn’t think she would. She had nothing to gain by it.” “She did it out of spite.” Elijah relaxed as he approached Will. He looked less accusatory and more sympathetic. He cocked his head to the side and eyed him curiously. “Do you blame yourself for his disaster?” “Completely.” “It was his own doing. Any man who has an affair is risking his marriage. He knew what he was doing, he just didn’t want to have to pay the price.” Elijah’s tone took on a bitter finality. “Your advice was sound, and I would have told him the same thing. Besides, whether he took your advice or

not was his own decision. Believe me, if you were at fault in this, I would tell you. You have nothing to blame yourself for. He is a philanderer, and she is a cold-hearted bitch, and their lives are of their own making. You were just someone trying to help in a helpless situation.” Will thought about his words for several minutes before speaking. Eli made sense, but still he felt responsible. “I never spoke to Katrina on his behalf. I didn’t try to persuade her otherwise.” His voice was soft and ashamed. “Have you ever been able to persuade Katrina to do anything she doesn’t want to do?” “No, but I didn’t even try.” “It would have been a waste of time.” He was not going to allow Will to carry this around any longer, believing that it was his fault. “Katrina would have laughed at you and at him. It would have made no difference, and you knew it.” He walked over to stand directly in front of Will. “You know your sister better than I do. Think about it and stop blaming yourself. Besides, a man with a family that would take up with an eighteen-year-old girl is not worth your pity. I say his wife is lucky to be rid of him.” Now that was a perspective he hadn’t considered. He was a creep, and Katrina wasn’t the first woman he’d had an affair with. Elijah was right. Will smiled one of the biggest smiles Eli had ever seen. “You’re right,” he said out loud with relief. “I’ve been taking responsibility for the life he ruined.” Will shook his head in disbelief. Why didn’t I see this

sooner? Elijah took his hand and cupped Will’s cheek. The calloused pad of his thumb was rough against his skin. “You are a very honorable man, William Drake, although a little too softhearted, perhaps.” “I’ll try to toughen up,” he responded, not sure of his intention. “Don’t change; I love you just the way you are.” Eli bent and kissed him tenderly and then released him.

Elijah was to be away for the rest of the evening; both he and Martin were to attend some sort of agricultural meeting in town. “I’ll see you before bed,” he promised before leaving. Will watched him leave and was once again secondguessing everything Eli had said and done. Will had dinner with Mrs. Coleman, and over the course of the meal, learned a lot about Elijah and Martin, and even a few things about Katrina. “Katrina turned this house upside down with her lies and manipulations. Poor Martin was so embarrassed. He couldn’t face Elijah for many days following that first bombshell,” she said. “I was so happy when Elijah took care of her and sent her packing.” “She’s coming back on the thirty-first,” Will informed her.

“She won’t be back. Elijah will see to that,” Mrs. Coleman said with certainty. “What do you mean?” “She doesn’t want to come back, and Elijah doesn’t want her here,” Mrs. Coleman clarified. The impact of that sentence was immediate. Will leaned over and grabbed Mrs. Coleman’s hand. “Elijah told me that Katrina had to come back by the thirty-first. He said if she didn’t return then the collateral was forfeit.” The true depth of that statement hit Will; Elijah absolutely did not expect Katrina to return. “What is the collateral?” Mrs. Coleman asked, concerned. “I am,” Will whispered apprehensively. “Me and my property.” “Elijah does not want your property, William.” Mrs. Coleman smiled. “He likes you, very much.” “He doesn’t trust me, Mrs. Coleman. My stay here has been nothing but an unending series of tests. Every time he speaks to me he’s trying to trip me up in some way. He is convinced I am involved in Katrina’s plan. He’s even pretending to like me very much, as you say, in order to get me to show my true colors. He believes I’m a fortune hunter, just like Katrina.” Will finished his coffee and sighed deeply. “Every day, every minute, I wait for him to bring the hammer

down. I wait for him to decide I’m guilty and to go on his quest for personal destruction, as he promised earlier.” “Don’t worry, William, he isn’t going to do anything to you,” Mrs. Coleman reassured him. “He’s a good and decent man. He knows, as we all know, you had nothing to do with Katrina’s plan, and he will not make you pay for Katrina’s actions.” Mrs. Coleman smiled and felt confident that she had put Will’s mind at ease. They finished the rest of their meal in silence. Mrs. Coleman knew Elijah as well as anyone, but Will believed that in this case she was seeing what she wanted to see. It would not be a surprise to anyone if Elijah did turn on both him and Katrina with all of his money and power in order to exact retribution. So why does Mrs. Coleman insist that

he has only the best motives in mind? She probably didn’t want to upset me any more than I obviously already was. It wouldn’t be good if Elijah came home only to find that his pigeon had gotten so scared he flew the coop. Mrs. Coleman is loyal to the Hunters, Elijah in particular. She would always support and defend anything he said or did.

Chapter Six

Life was getting way too confusing, as far as Will was concerned. All I need to do is hold it together until the thirty-

first. Regardless of whether Katrina returns or not, he said stand by your word to me, and I will consider tearing up the contract. His thoughts were scrambling as he walked on in no particular direction, having left the dinner table after explaining to Mrs. Coleman that he needed some air. He needed to think, to sort out everything he was hearing and put it into some kind of order that made sense. Eli couldn’t possibly keep him here. The keeping-the-collateral statement he’d made earlier was again ringing in Will’s ears. There are

laws against bartering in human flesh, aren’t there? It was nearly 9:00 p.m. when he decided to go see Kathy and perhaps get a cup of coffee and some conversation. He was happy to see Kathy on her porch swing enjoying the cool, clear night.

“Hi,” Will said as he climbed the porch stairs to sit down beside her on the swing. “Any chance I may have a cup of that coffee you’re drinking?” “Absolutely.” Kathy smiled and poured him a cup. “Nice night,” she said. “Yes, it is,” Will said and took a long sip of the hot brew. “It would be even nicer if I was enjoying it from my own porch in Michigan.” “Things not going well?” Kathy asked, truly interested. “Depends on what you call well,” Will said, laughing nervously. “Elijah has been a perfect host, almost, apart from me not being allowed to leave and not being able to believe a word he says to me. Katrina has accused me of making things worse for her rather than better. She has no prospects as far as raising the necessary cash, and she probably has no intention of returning. With that said, I will be held responsible for everything that has gone wrong here, and I will be the one to pay the price. Mrs. Coleman says no, but she tends to wear blinders where Elijah is concerned.” He stopped to take a drink of his coffee and then added, “Oh yes, and I will no longer have a home to go to when I do leave here. Elijah Hunter will legally confiscate my property and my home.” Kathy didn’t know what to say. She stared at Will wideeyed and waited to make sure he was finished before commenting, “That sounds awful.” She poured Will another cup. “Are you sure about Elijah?”

“Yes, he told me that first day. If I didn’t stay and Katrina didn’t return, then he would take my home. You see, I made the mistake of leaving my father’s name on the property. Elijah will be able to go after all of my late father’s holdings if Katrina breaks her contract. It’s a legal point regarding the way the will was written. Apparently it’s written in such a way that all of my father’s holdings go to Katrina. I was given the land and the home, but I was supposed to put it into my name only. I was sentimental at the time and left my father’s name on it, now it is in jeopardy and can be legally taken along with whatever else Katrina still owns of my father’s original estate.” Will laughed; the absurdity of it all striking him as funny. “I’ve had virtually no contact with Katrina for nearly two years, and yet the moment she’s in trouble, I end up in the middle of it. It’s not right.” He didn’t laugh this time. “Elijah is a fair man, Will,” Kathy said. “I agree with Mrs. Coleman—he would not hold you responsible for your sister’s actions.” “But he already has,” Will stressed. “I’m here because of Katrina. He is holding me in her place. He wants payment, one way or another. He wants his pound of flesh, mine or hers makes no difference.” “That’s not what he is doing.” Kathy gave a deep, exasperated sigh. “If you’re referring to his feigned interest in me, then let me assure you, it is all just an act. It is some sort of game he’s playing with me,” Will said with a heavy heart. “Elijah

doesn’t want me. He isn’t in love with me. All he wants is someone to be punished. If he decides that I had anything even slightly to do with Katrina’s scheme here, then I will be the recipient of his wrath.” “I think you’re being paranoid,” Kathy said between sips. “Ask anyone on this ranch if Elijah has ever treated any other man the way he treats you. Elijah has never cared about anything except this ranch and his brother.” Will was shaking his head, but Kathy continued. “He’s not social and never wastes his time with visitors or small talk. Even on those rare occasions when Martin has someone over, Elijah has nothing to do with them. He doesn’t dine with them; he doesn’t even talk to them.” Kathy paused to sip her coffee. “What are you getting at?” Will asked, a little impatient. “Look at how he is with you. He tries to control his temper when you’re around. He apologized to you, something he never does, and he kissed you publicly.” Will blushed a bright scarlet. “Oh yes, that kiss in the main house that first night got around very quickly,” Kathy teased. “He watches you constantly and seems to hang on your every word. Elijah is bending over backward to gain your approval,” she stressed. “He’s sincere, Will. I’d stake my life on it.” “But it is my life that is on the block, and I don’t believe he feels anything of any depth for me. He admitted that he was testing me to see if I would behave as my sister had. He even proposed to me to see if I would jump at the chance to have a rich husband. It is all just an elaborate test.” Will

agreed that it all looked and sounded good, but with romanticism aside, reality painted a very different picture. “Look at me, Kathy,” Will stated flatly. “What is there? What do you see that would drive a man like Elijah Hunter crazy with love for me?” Kathy paused, and before she could answer, Will jumped back in. “Nothing. I am completely and utterly average. I’m not putting myself down,” he assured her, “I’m just being realistic.” Kathy attempted to comment, but Will again cut her off. “He’s a single, handsome, millionaire ranch owner.” Will laughed, but not with humor. “His interest in me is for revenge only. Elijah is pretending to care in order to carry out whatever nasty plan he has contrived.” “Why would he do that?” Kathy pressed. “Like I said, it is plain and simple revenge.” Kathy contradicted him. “It’s not plain or simple. What would be the point of getting you to fall in love with him?” “I don’t know. What I do know is that his behavior is not legitimate.” Will drank the last of his coffee and stood up. “It’s getting late, I’d better head back. Thanks for listening to me, Kathy,” Will said as he left the porch and headed back up the main road. “Anytime.” Kathy stood and walked him to the roadway.

“Don’t sell yourself short, Will. Your theories may not be correct. I’ve known Elijah for two years, and he isn’t the type of man to play such a hateful game. He may be testing you, but once he’s decided your merit then that will be an end to it. You had nothing to do with your sister’s plans, and he will see that. He probably already has,” Kathy said as Will set out back in the direction of the main house. It was nearly eleven o’clock when he made it back to the house, and he thought a solitary walk in Elijah’s garden would feel good before going to bed. Will soon found himself seated on the stone bench at the center of the garden. His mind wandered to Elijah, the proposal, Katrina, the contract, and then settled onto his own feelings. Kathy’s opinions were marvelous to think about, but he dared not take them seriously. How perfect it would be if

Elijah did love me, like I am beginning to love him. Shocked by his own thoughts, he sat up straight and told himself sternly, I do not love Elijah Hunter! I desire him,

sure, who wouldn’t, but I do not love him! I can’t love him. “Oh, Lord, I am so pathetic,” he said out loud with an exasperated sigh. “May I sit with you?” The voice and the presence came on him so suddenly that he visibly jumped as Martin came toward him. “Huh?” He stammered and then said, “Yes, of course.”

Will moved over on the bench in order to accommodate him. Martin sat there silently for several minutes before speaking. “I heard you had some trouble over at the Gerard ranch the other day.” Martin turned toward him. He was smiling, but his tone was grave. “Trouble?” Will questioned. “Not really.” “Something happened with John?” Martin prompted. He seemed uncomfortable asking this question. “It really wasn’t anything,” he dodged. “Will, you need to tell me what John said to you.” Will was confused by Martin’s persistence in this matter. “Why are you so interested?” he asked. The whole conversation was beginning to feel intrusive. “It really isn’t worth repeating,” Will told him firmly. “Let me explain,” he said and rubbed his chin, contemplating how best to do this. “Elijah has cut off all relations with the Gerard ranch.” He paused to acknowledge Will’s expression of shock. “This will be a devastating financial blow to Adam Gerard. You see, the Hunter ranch is their largest buyer. Without our business, the Gerard ranch will probably not survive.” Martin took a deep breath and then riveted him with his stare as he continued. “Elijah believes that John somehow offended you.” Will’s expression turned from confusion to concern. “Elijah would do this, just because of me?”

“Yes. Elijah is a hard man, and he has a few fundamental rules he lives by. One of these rules is that he will not tolerate disrespect directed at himself or someone close to him.” Martin turned to look at him directly. “He will not change his mind on this matter, unless… I or you can convince him that the incident was not as it appeared.” Will realized that his explanation was important and Martin needed to hear it. He didn’t want to be the cause of the Gerards’ ranch going under. “I met John on the plane from Billings.” He spoke slowly and chose his words with care. “I wouldn’t have given him another thought if I hadn’t met him again at his ranch.” “Did he offend you?” Martin pressed impatiently. Before Will could respond, they heard someone approaching. They both looked up to see Elijah rounding the bend in the walkway and coming toward them. “Is this a private conversation,” he asked, “or can anyone join?” Without waiting for them to answer, he walked over and sat down on the other side of Will. The bench was not very large, so he found himself pinned between the two men. Elijah automatically took Will’s hand and held it in his, a friendly gesture that comforted and confused him. “Will was telling me what took place between himself and John the other day,” Martin explained. Elijah nodded, and then everyone sat there in silence waiting for Will to continue. Will glanced up into the dark, starry night, wishing that

he were anywhere but here. What am I going to say to them? I can’t lie. Elijah would see through that. Will was also quite certain that another of Eli’s fundamental rules was that he did not abide liars. “I feel really awkward discussing this.” He fumbled with his words. He decided that it would have been much easier to have just explained this to Martin. Having both of them there listening and waiting was unnerving. “Relax, Will,” Elijah reassured him, sensing his discomfort. “It’s just us.” Will smiled to himself. He stated it as if the three of them had known each other for years rather than just a few weeks. He steadied himself and began again. “John Gerard recognized me from the plane and came over to speak with me.” He paused, wondering how to explain this without making him look too bad. He didn’t want Elijah punishing everyone at the Gerard ranch because of a few reckless words spoken by John. “He asked me if I was staying with you and seemed surprised by the fact that I was.” He fidgeted with his shirt and his hair as he struggled with the right words. “You looked upset when I saw you,” Elijah prompted. “What did he say that upset you?” “I probably just misunderstood him. He probably meant nothing by it.” Will tried to make light of it.

“What did he say?” Elijah insisted. “He insinuated that I was staying here… that I was allowed to stay here because….” He couldn’t find the words. “It seemed to me that he thought that….” He drew a shaky breath and tried to arrange his words. He said I was fucking you. How do I gloss over that? His nervousness and hesitant speech told Elijah all he needed to know. “He accused you of providing one or both of us with sexual favors,” Elijah concluded. “Just you, and he tried to get me to sleep with him as well,” Will whispered. “I’m going to destroy him,” Elijah stated calmly, but with cold finality. “Please don’t,” Will pleaded. “I didn’t want to say anything about it. I didn’t want to cause any trouble. I don’t care what John Gerard thinks of me, he can think I’m fucking the whole ranch for all I care. He means nothing to me. In a few days, I will be home, and none of this will matter anymore.” Will winced with the pain of Elijah’s grip. Something he’d said had agitated him. “You’re not the one causing trouble,” Elijah said and turned to regard him squarely. His eyes were dark and thunderous. There was something brewing and stirring just below the surface. “John made his own trouble, and he will answer for it.” “I was hoping it was just a misunderstanding,” Martin

said. “But this is serious, and I agree with whatever action you take in this matter.” “Please don’t hurt Mr. Gerard because of something his idiot son said,” Will insisted, but Elijah was not listening to him, or rather, Will assumed he wasn’t listening. “Why does everyone at the Gerard ranch have to pay for this?” Will’s frustration was becoming evident, yet Elijah continued to stay silent, as if he was ignoring him. Finally, Will had enough and jumped to his feet. Without another word, he walked away. By the time Will reached his room, his anger had reached a fever pitch. He slammed the door shut behind him and let loose with a string of profanities. “This is just fucking great!” He screamed. “Not only do I have my cunt of a sister and my home to worry about, but now I can carry around the guilt over Adam Gerard’s demise as well. Isn’t staying at the Hunter ranch grand, just a fucking wonderful vacation?” He threw himself on the bed and buried his face in the pillows as he continued to weave a profane tapestry of words. Elijah and Martin remained in the garden for a while, talking. “I think he’s upset,” Martin observed. “I think you’re right,” Elijah agreed. “What do you plan to do in regards to the Gerards?” Martin asked. “I’ll speak with Adam. I’ll leave it to him to deal with John.” He glanced over at Martin, who was freshly amazed at

the power Will seemed to have over Eli. His look of disappointment was all it took to turn him around. “If Adam doesn’t deal with him, then I will.” Elijah made this very clear. Martin smiled. “Whatever you decide, I will back you completely.” He paused. “Not to change the subject, but might I ask what it is that’s going on between you and Will?” Martin ventured. “Are you still testing him?” “He’s completely innocent as far as the blackmail stunt. He knew nothing of what Katrina was up to until she called him for help. He’s just one more of Katrina’s victims. Will is a good person.” When Elijah described someone as a good person it was his highest compliment of character. He’d never been verbose or eloquent but he had always been clear. Martin knew the value of the word “good” when attached to an individual. “You seem to like him.” “It’s much more than that, Martin.” He ran his fingers through his hair and stared up at the stars. “God help me,” he muttered with a grin.

Will showered and changed into a fresh pair of pajama pants and a cotton robe. Sleep wasn’t going to be easy tonight. He sat down on the window seat and looked out over the ranch. It was an impressive operation. Elijah had worked

hard and wisely to make it what it was. Will shouldn’t question his methods, but this incident involved him, and the outcome wasn’t sitting well. William Drake would be the ruination of an entire ranching operation, and that was exactly what it would boil down to. He would be the cause for many people to lose their jobs, their homes, and who knew what else. Without his realizing it, tears began to fill his eyes. It started slowly, with a single tear running down his cheek, and then he erupted into sobs before he had a chance to stifle the emotion. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d cried. He hadn’t even cried at his parents’ funeral. “I’ll cry later,” he told his aunt, but he never did. Will heard a light knock at the door but decided to ignore it, hoping that whoever it was would just go away. He was in no mood to be seen. Will kept his eyes focused on the window as the knocking persisted. Finally, the door opened, and someone entered. “May I come in?” Eli asked contritely. Will didn’t answer him. He quickly took his arm and wiped his eyes. He didn’t want Eli to know that he had upset him to this degree. He wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Instantly, Elijah was on him, taking his face in his hands and gently turning Will to look at him. His eyes looked down into Will’s with what appeared to be care and concern. With his thumbs, he wiped away the last of Will’s tears and kissed his forehead. He seemed so different at this moment, so different from the frenzied passion they had experienced

during their picnic. There was a connectedness that Will hadn’t felt before, and a true tenderness that touched his heart and caused the tears to flow again. “I’m sorry,” Eli whispered. “Don’t cry.” Will expected him to demand to know why he was crying, but he already knew. He knew too much sometimes. “It’s okay, it doesn’t matter. You have to do what you have to do,” he choked. “It isn’t important.” He wanted to end the searing contact with Eli’s skin and his eyes. He needed Eli to go away and let him wallow in his pity. Elijah leaned over and kissed him lightly on both eyes and then on his lips. The kiss was gentle and apologetic, not demanding. He was comforting Will as if he were someone he cared deeply for. “It does matter,” Eli said as he slipped his one arm under Will’s legs and his other arm around him and, in a slow, almost hypnotic movement, lifted Will in his arms and carried him over to the bed. I should be struggling, but I’m not, Will thought. Eli sat down on the edge of the bed and held Will on his lap, holding him and soothing his tension. Will snuggled into his chest and just decided to forget who he was and what he was doing. He just wanted to feel good, and Eli made him feel very good. His arms felt like a security Will had never in his life known. It was the security of knowing that someone cared about him. This isn’t real, he reminded himself, but he was willing to fool himself for a few

moments. “I won’t dissolve relations with Adam Gerard,” Elijah whispered against his cheek. “Not yet, anyway.” “What changed your mind?” Will asked, his voice hoarse from the tears. His breath brushed Eli’s throat and sent a sensual tremor down his spine. He wondered what it would feel like if Will actually kissed him there. Will he ever

be at ease enough with me to let himself go completely? He came close this afternoon, but there always seemed to be a limit. His fear and distrust of me remained in the way. “You changed my mind,” he answered, turning Will toward him and hugging him even tighter. He ran his hand down Will’s back and cupped his thigh, pulling him against him. His face was buried in Will’s hair that was hanging in thick waves just above his shoulder. “You grossly underestimate your importance around here, William.” Elijah’s voice was husky and possessed a desperation that was uncharacteristic. Will sighed deeply, but did not speak. Elijah lifted Will’s head to look at him. He then ran his hand along the side of his face, threading his fingers in his hair and holding him firmly in place. He wanted to tell Will that he loved him, but he wouldn’t hear him, or if he did, he wouldn’t believe him. He looked back at Eli with dark, misty eyes. Eli’d never enjoyed touching and being close like this with a man before. I can’t lose him. I will do whatever I have

to, even if it means kidnapping Will and running off to a cave somewhere. I don’t want to be alone anymore. Elijah smiled at the desperate rambling of his own thoughts. “I don’t believe John meant to be offensive,” Will mumbled into his shirt collar. It was an attempt to pull himself back to normal, but it failed. Elijah wasn’t interested in John or what he said. He wasn’t interested in anything except Will, the feel of his body in his arms and the touch of his lips against his. “Let’s not talk about John,” he whispered against Will’s lips as he lowered him to the bed and shifted his body, positioning himself between Will’s legs. His lips were warm, soft, and loving. He wasn’t demanding anything; he was just being close to Will, caressing, savoring, and relishing the moment. He could be such a gentle man that Will had difficulty equating him with the man everyone had described him to be. Will knew he could be rigid, cold, unrelenting; he had seen that in him, but he’d also seen the better part of him, the understanding, kind, and considerate Elijah Hunter. Elijah’s mouth moved from his face to his throat, burning a trail of desire down and across Will’s shoulder. Gradually, he eased Will’s robe off as his hand moved, stroking his clothed thigh to his now-bare chest and stomach, his hands running over the tight abdominal muscles. Eli’s hand moved beneath the band of Will’s thin pajama bottoms, heading closer to full intimate contact. Will gasped as Eli began

running his fingers through the tuft of hair above his dick, marveling at its softness. This wasn’t about pulsing, allconsuming lust, but about tender love and an exploration of each other’s bodies. Will found Eli’s mouth and captured it in a searing kiss as Eli took him in his hand and began stroking the fullness of his member. Will clawed at Eli’s shirt, finding him much too clothed for the situation, and he was quickly divested of the item. Will ran his lips across Eli’s defined chest muscles, taking each hard nipple bud into his mouth and running his tongue in circles around it. Eli grunted in pleasure, feeling his own cock growing rock hard in his confining work jeans. Will found himself entirely intoxicated by Eli’s farmhoned body, nothing but tanned skin and hard muscles, an entire buffet for his sexual appetite. Pushing him back, Will kissed down Eli’s body, running his teeth down Eli’s rippling stomach until he reached his goal. Popping the button on his jeans, Will made short work of them, and Eli lay completely exposed in front of Will. Eli’s throbbing cock pointed skyward begging for release, which Will heartily gave. He took Eli in his mouth in one swift motion, causing Eli to gasp with surprise at Will’s enthusiasm. Will couldn’t believe how much he wanted this man; he was willing to do things he hadn’t done for anyone else. Never before had he blown someone with such gusto and want, lapping up and down the immense length. He opened his throat and, with a hand on the base, took as much as he could.

Eli felt like his head would explode if he didn’t come soon; Will’s ministrations were setting his body on fire like nothing else had. He grabbed Will under the arms and dragged him up his body, reconnecting their mouths in a kiss that Eli hoped would convey the depth of his love for him. Rolling them over, he decided that he needed to be inside Will, desperately. Reading the look in Eli’s eyes, Will got on all fours and opened himself up for penetration, wanting nothing else in that moment other than the feeling of Eli pushing inside him. Eli groaned at the wanton display of Will opened up in front of him and he dove in, eating Will out. Will felt his eyes bug out at the feeling of Eli’s tongue piercing him, loving him. Eli had never done this to a guy before, feeling himself above the act, but now nothing seemed too good for Will, and he was willing to give his full measure of devotion and beyond. Finally sheathing his cock, he positioned himself at Will’s entrance and entered slowly, groaning at the tight heat that enveloped him. When he was buried balls-deep inside of Will, he stopped and continued stroking Will’s back, waiting for him to get used to the fullness. Will gave him the goahead, and he began pushing in and out, savoring the feeling and the closeness of their sex act. Will arched his back and moaned like a whore in love, wanting more and more of Eli inside of him. This was the closeness he had yearned for his whole life, the feeling of being totally loved and adored. If only this wasn’t an act for

him, Will thought sadly before pushing the thought from his mind and letting himself be once again carried away by the sensations. Eli pulled Will flush up against his chest as he continued pounding away at the tight glove. He let his hand wander down Will’s sweat-slicked chest, not stopping ’til he found Will’s fully erect dick, bouncing with each thrust. He knew he was close, and he wanted Will to come with him. He matched his strokes with his thrusts as he endeavored to bring Will to climax. Within a few minutes, Eli was grunting and Will was gasping as Will painted the covers in front of them with his seed, and Eli filled the condom deep within Will. They collapsed in a sweaty, cum-covered heap as they kissed each other through their orgasms, not wanting to be separated just yet. Eli noticed Will’s eyes begin to fill with tears and was immediately concerned that he’d gotten carried away. “Oh God, did I hurt you?” Eli said, his voice thick with concern. “No, I’m just so happy. No one has ever touched me like that.” I wish it was real. I wish you loved me, Will thought forlornly. Eli licked the tears away and wrapped a blanket around them as sleep took Will off to dreamland, and Eli followed soon after, taking them each to a place where everything was perfect.

The ranch phone ringing on the bedside table awoke them both from their slumber. The shrill ring broke into Will’s dreams, and it took a minute for him to register where he was, what had happened, and why Eli was wrapped around him in his bed. “Ignore it, Will,” Eli groaned, his lips taking Will’s in a fiery, all-consuming kiss. His hand maintained its hold and pressure on him, as did his entire being. Oh, how Will wanted to ignore it, to go on and lose himself in him again. Will admitted to himself that he was in love with Elijah, but he was also aware that Eli was just playing with him. Even with this knowledge, he still wanted to live in his fantasyland where everything was right and he was loved. He wanted to have Eli, taste him, and be a part of him for a while. The telephone did not stop, and each mind-lacerating shrill brought him back closer and closer to the surface of reality. The mist cleared, and the consequences of his actions became painfully clear. Will tried to pull away from him, but Eli was holding him so tightly that he could not move, he could barely even breathe. “No,” Eli sighed, his frustration clearly evident. “Please, Will.” Will thought he felt him shaking, but that couldn’t be.

Will thought he felt him shaking, but that couldn’t be. Elijah Hunter didn’t shake. He was not a man who trembled with emotion or anxiety. The telephone finally stopped ringing; yet the sound continued to echo in his ears. Elijah moaned, and shifted himself to one side and looked down into his eyes. He saw sadness and he saw guilt. “It’s okay,” Eli said. His tone and his expression were soft and understanding, but also laced with frustration. Will was considerably moved by the apparent depth of this man. If this is a game, he thought, he is the master. “I shouldn’t have pushed you.” Elijah bent toward Will and kissed him softly, yet with an added element of hunger and possessiveness. “But then again, you are very hard to resist.” He smiled gently. Will noticed that their clothing lay in a mangled heap on the floor, and the room smelled distinctly of sex. This fact brought a bright scarlet blush to his entire body, but he resisted the urge to scramble for cover. Gradually, Elijah eased himself up and out of bed. He longed to stay and hold Will, but he was embarrassed and confused, and to push Will now would not help him. He needed to give him some space. Elijah pulled the duvet up to cover him where he lay and then retrieved his clothing from the floor. “I’m sorry,” Will said. “Don’t be.” He bent down and kissed him again. “I’m

not.” He turned and began walking toward the door. “Good night, dear.” Will watched as he walked out of the room and quietly closed the door behind him. Elijah slowly made his way back to his room, although his legs weren’t completely cooperating. His balance and direction were also affected. His mind was racing to figure out if he had made things better or worse between them. He glanced down at his clothing in his arms and smiled. He remembered with a thrill how Will had torn at his belt and his zipper in a frantic effort to plunge his hands in and explore. The sheer carnal intensity of his desire for Will hit him, and it was all he could do not to return to Will’s room and beg for more. After a very cold shower, he went to bed. Will lay on his bed for quite some time after Eli left. Like Elijah, he, too, needed to get himself back under control. He pondered the fact that if it hadn’t been for the telephone, they could have lain there forever, completely ensconced in postorgasmic bliss…. Before he could fully comprehend the depth of his emotions, the telephone rang again. This time, he hurriedly answered it. “Hi.” It was Katrina. “Sorry to call so late,” she apologized. “Did you just get in? I tried the guest line earlier, but there was no answer.” “Yes, I just now got in,” he lied. There was no way that he was going to explain to Katrina why he had been unable to answer her call earlier.

answer her call earlier. “What’s wrong?” Will decided to ask the question and hopefully skip the berating and any small talk. “Oh, Will, I only have three days left, and I haven’t been able to raise a dime.” She sounded genuinely upset, but then Katrina was a good actress. “What am I going to do?” “You’re going to come back here on Saturday and try to work this out,” Will stated flatly. “Elijah is in love with you, Will,” she blurted. “Where did that come from?” Will sat up and pulled the blanket around himself. He looked down at himself and his current state of nakedness. Just because he has sex with me, doesn’t mean he loves me, he thought. “I have my sources,” she teased. “From what I heard, Elijah asked you to marry him.” “He made a proposal, yes,” Will answered. “What did he say?” “What did you hear?” “Elijah agreed to tear up my contract and let me completely off the hook if you agreed to take my place. That is, if you agreed to marry him,” Katrina said hopefully. She wasn’t the screaming, swearing, demanding brat she was the last time. This time she desperately wanted something from Will, and she was going to be as sweet and sugary as she could. Of course, once she realized that it wasn’t going to

work, then she would go back to screaming and swearing. Will had been through this routine many times. “Is that what he said?” Katrina urged for confirmation. “Yes, that is what he said.” Will answered. Katrina spoke candidly. “Never in your life will you do better financially than Elijah Hunter.” “This isn’t real, Katrina. He doesn’t love me.” Will had a sadness in his voice. “He’s in love with the idea of making one or both of us pay for the blackmail scheme, and that is all.” “You know, I didn’t believe it at first myself, but then the way he demanded that I get you to the ranch really seemed strange.” Katrina thought back to the day Elijah called William, and then told Katrina that if she could bring her brother to the ranch he would let her go home and arrange for payment. She was so frantic to get away from there that she would have sold out her own mother to get away. Katrina had known of Elijah’s plan to keep William at the ranch right from the beginning. Of course, Will knew none of that and hopefully he never would. “It seemed to me that Elijah wanted me gone before you arrived. He wanted a reason to keep you there.” “He thought I had something to do with your blackmail scheme. Thanks to you, of course,” Will snapped. “He has been testing me since I arrived. I don’t know if he is convinced yet or not that I knew nothing of your plans. He is very thorough; he wanted to make sure that if I was guilty, I would also pay. The marriage thing was just a test to see if,

would also pay. The marriage thing was just a test to see if, like you, I would jump at the chance for a wealthy husband. It wasn’t a real proposal.” Will felt his heart sink as he spoke those words. “So is there any possibility that you might change your mind and marry the man?” Katrina said jokingly, but Will knew she was serious. “You weren’t listening,” Will stated curtly. “It isn’t real. Nothing here between me and Elijah Hunter is real. So all I have to say is that you had better be here on Saturday with or without the money. Elijah is not someone to fool with. He will destroy you if you cross him, and if he doesn’t, you can be certain that I will.” “I’ll be there, don’t worry.” She didn’t sound too pleased. Will was less than convinced that Katrina would come back. He doubted whether Katrina had ever actually planned on returning. Martin and Mrs. Coleman were right; she wasn’t coming back, ever.

Chapter Seven

As usual, the next morning Will went downstairs around 7:00 a.m. to get a cup of coffee and a little conversation. He smiled when he saw that Mrs. Coleman was ready with both. Will sat across from her at the table, and they began their customary discussion of interests and experiences. After a while, Mrs. Coleman ventured a few questions about Will’s home. “I suppose you miss all your friends?” Will laughed, but it was not with humor. “Not really. I didn’t have a lot of friends.” He took a long sip of his coffee as he decided how to explain. “I tend to work a lot. I don’t have much time for socializing. I have some acquaintances, but no one that I would classify as a close friend.” “That surprises me.” Mrs. Coleman sounded genuinely surprised. “You get on with people so well here.”

“Thank you.” Will refilled his cup and also refreshed Mrs. Coleman’s. “I have more time to socialize here, I suppose.” He smiled then added, “Not much else to do, actually.” “Are you bored, dear?” The voice was unmistakable, and he cringed. He’d hoped to avoid Elijah for most of the day. After last night, it was difficult for Will to be around him without getting flustered and embarrassed at the memory of how easily he succumbed to lust and a hot body. Eli smiled broadly when they finally made eye contact. “I thought you had your breakfast at 6:00 a.m.?” Will said as calmly as he could. “Usually I do,” he said as he took a seat next to Will at the small table. “But I stood you up yesterday, so I decided to make it up to you today.” Without asking, Mrs. Coleman served him a cup of coffee and brought out sausages, eggs, and toast for them. Will wasn’t very hungry, but Mrs. Coleman had prepared it for him, so he would eat it. “So, back to my question. Are you bored?” Elijah wasn’t going to let it go. “Well, not really bored, there is a lot to see and very nice people to meet. I’m just used to being busier, I guess.” He took another sip of his coffee. “It doesn’t matter; I’m only here until—” Before he could finish that sentence, Elijah cut him off. “I have some business you could help me with, if you

wouldn’t mind,” he said as he continued to eat his breakfast. “I doubt I have the expertise you require.” He regretted his use of words the moment they left his mouth. Elijah turned to regard him with a dark, mischievous grin. “I find your expertise to be incredible.” Eli winked at Will as he blushed and averted his eyes from him. Eli leaned closer to him and very softly whispered, “I look forward to investigating your expertise even further.” He then slid his arm along the back of Will’s chair and idly began running his fingers up and down Will’s upper arm while he finished his coffee. “I heard your phone ring last night, or rather very early this morning,” he commented. The reference to the telephone ringing made Will’s face flush a bright red. It took him a moment to answer. “It was Katrina,” he told him. “She’s having difficulty getting the $500,000.” “She’s probably not even trying,” Eli said. “She has burned a lot of bridges over the past two years. I doubt if there are many willing to help her now.” “Why did she call? What does she want you to do for her?” His questions had an edge that told him Eli knew Katrina well enough to know she wanted something. “She knows more about my situation than I thought she did,” Will began, not daring to look at him. “She asked me to

agree to your phony proposal. She said it would get her off free and clear.” “And what was your answer?” Eli smiled at him over his coffee mug. “I told her she damn well better be back here by Saturday. Or else.” Elijah laughed. “You talk so tough, but in the end you always give her what she wants.” Will could hardly deny that statement, considering that he came here, to this ranch, to this man, in order to try and help her. “I won’t give in this time. Katrina has gone too far. That bitch can burn on her own, and I’ll light the torch,” he stated adamantly. Eli continued to laugh as Mrs. Coleman sat watching them, amazed at the change in Elijah. He used to have little time for anyone, always rushing around giving orders, impatient and short tempered. Outsiders, in particular, were rarely given time or credence here at the Hunter ranch. Elijah had learned the hard way. First it was John Gerard, and then an endless number of fortune hunters and the like. He’d learned to be distrustful, distant, difficult, and utterly unapproachable. He was none of those with William. From the start, he had treated him with caution, but also an uncharacteristic warmth and interest. Soon the caution disappeared, and he began a full-on pursuit. William Drake

turned out to be quite a surprise to everyone, especially

Elijah. Mrs. Coleman smiled in response to her own thoughts. “I’m going to be up north with Martin and Steven most of the day,” Eli commented. “Before I leave, I’d like to show you some of the paperwork I mentioned earlier. If you have time, of course.” His smile was daring Will to say no. “Sure, I’d love to help out.” He knew Eli wasn’t expecting him to agree so quickly. “Also,” Eli began and then reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a compact cell phone. “I’d appreciate it if you would carry this.” Will took the phone and stared at it, puzzled. “I tend to spend a lot of time looking for you. It would be much easier if I could just call you and you would tell me where you are.” Will felt the guilt Eli was sending. “Yes, sir,” he said, overly polite. “I’ll carry one too,” he said, ignoring Will’s sarcasm. “My number is on speed dial. Just hit the star in case you need something, or if you feel the need to talk.” His meaning was very clear. He was teasing Will about last night, daring him to go there. Will hoped never to have to talk about that. Thinking about it was painful enough. “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Will assured him. “I really don’t feel a need to talk.” Eli smiled so warmly that Will forgot himself and

automatically smiled back. “Come, I’ll show you what I’d like you to do.” Eli stood up and held out his hand to him. Will hesitated at first, but then took his hand. Eli helped him to his feet and led him down the hall to his study. Once inside, he closed the door and pulled Will to him roughly. Without a word, Eli took his mouth in a kiss possessed of the same raw, uncontrolled passion of last night. He drew Will flat against him as his hands traveled Will’s body, remembering every curve and line. With his mind disengaged, as usual, Will wrapped his arms around him, holding tightly, returning his kiss with the same passion, the same ardor. “Will, dear,” Eli said thickly when his mouth left his in order to catch a few ragged breaths. “Perhaps we should go back upstairs and revisit the events of last night?” Will managed to gently pull away. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Elijah ran his fingers down the side of Will’s face and just stared into his eyes. Will, unable to maintain the burning depth of his gaze, shifted his eyes to look beyond him at the desk and the window. “Soon, William, very soon,” he sighed. Will decided to ignore his statement rather than take the bait this time. Elijah explained the comings and goings of several of his businesses and asked if he would be willing to go over his books and make any suggestions. Will was flattered that

Eli would be interested in his opinion as far as business was concerned. It also amazed him that he was giving him such access to his financial information. He showed Will many of his holdings and asked him to familiarize himself with them. He was exposing himself in a way that very few men in his position ever would. He doesn’t really know me, and now he

trusts me with all of these personal accounts? The big question is, why would he trust me? He has no reason to; I’m a part of this blackmail deal as far as he’s concerned. Why would he trust me now? Or is it simply another test of my integrity? He gave Will his password, the combination to the safe, and his pin number for his bank account. He is setting me up to see if I would betray him. That is obvious. As cautious as he wanted to be, he was intrigued with getting to know Eli better in a business sense. He was an accountant, after all, and he wanted to see just how good a businessman Eli really was. Eli left Will in his study and told him he would see him at dinner. “If you get bored, call me.” He kissed him lightly on the cheek and left the room, closing the door behind him. Will couldn’t believe that Eli was leaving him here with all of these private papers and access codes. If this was another test, it was a very dangerous one. If he wanted to, he could do enough damage with what Eli had given and shown Will to devastate his business for a long time to come. Of course, he would never even consider doing any such thing, but the

sudden power he felt was exhilarating. Will pored over the ledgers, invoices, and programs until Mrs. Coleman came knocking. It was already past noon, but it felt like only a few minutes ago that Elijah had left. “You’ve been at this for nearly four hours,” she commented. “Would you like some lunch? I have some soup and sandwiches prepared.” Mrs. Coleman was tempting him. “Sounds good.” Will closed the books and shut down the program before leaving the study. Before they got to the kitchen, the front doorbell rang, and Mrs. Coleman went to answer it. Will went ahead into the kitchen, but he could hear the angry tones of a man’s voice, so he decided to listen. He stood nearer the archway in order to hear but not be seen. He didn’t wish to intrude on what could be a private conversation, but he wanted to be close by in case Mrs. Coleman needed assistance. “I want to talk with him, damn it,” the man yelled. “Let him make the choice. If he doesn’t want to see me, then I will leave.” “You will leave right now, or I will have you removed.” Mrs. Coleman wasn’t pulling any punches. Will returned to the kitchen when he heard the conversation ending and Mrs. Coleman heading in his direction. “Everything all right?” he asked as Mrs. Coleman entered the kitchen. She looked worried and irritated.

“Oh, that was nothing, just a salesman.” Will had the feeling that Mrs. Coleman was lying, but why? Why would I care about some irate visitor? The man had sounded angry and was demanding to see someone, but Will was too far away to hear the entire conversation. The voice had sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t quite identify it. “He sounded upset.” “Salesmen usually are when they don’t get what they want.” Mrs. Coleman quickly changed the subject to her mother’s homemade strawberry jam recipe. It wasn’t a smooth change, and it left Will wondering what it was that Mrs. Coleman was hiding. He wished he’d tried harder to get a look at the man at the door. After a tense, too-silent lunch, Will went to his room to think for a while. He paced the floor, desperately trying to figure it all out. Elijah’s games, Mrs. Coleman’s lie, what does it all mean? Where is it all headed? The guest room telephone line rang, and he just stopped and stared at it. It rang again, and he quickly grabbed the receiver, fully expecting to hear Katrina’s shrill tones on the other end. It surprised him when it was a man’s voice he heard. “This is John Gerard,” he stated. His voice was as agitated as it had been at the door earlier. Will realized now why the voice had been so familiar. “Yes,” he answered tentatively, curious as to why John was calling, but not really caring to speak to him.

“Just thought you might be interested in what people are saying,” he began. “I doubt I’d be the least bit interested, Mr. Gerard.” He started to hang up when he heard John pleading for him to listen. “It’s for your own good that I’m even bothering to call,” he insisted. “Elijah Hunter has it in for you, and believe me, it isn’t love.” “What do you mean?” Will was hooked. “He’s done this before. Elijah did this same thing to me about six years ago.” “Did what?” Will was shocked and irritated at the same time. “I was young and impressionable, and he preyed on me. He claimed to care for me, fucked me, and then sent me packing, saying he was teaching me a lesson about trust.” John was sounding a bit smug for some reason. “Elijah thought I was no good, you know, a gold digger like your sister.” Will sighed impatiently at his dig. “Elijah told my father that I cared nothing for him apart from what he meant to me financially.” “If this was six years ago, then you were very young,” Will interjected. “Young and impressionable. Elijah is a breathtakingly handsome man, and I stopped at nothing to get him to notice

me. He still thought I was just like your….” “Yes, I know, just like my sister,” Will cut him off. “Would you please get to the point?” “He offered me a job and a room in his house. Elijah poured on the charm, and in less than forty-eight hours he had me in bed thinking I’d fallen in love with the most perfect man, but he played me for a fool.” John registered Will’s painful sigh and congratulated himself. “Shortly after that, Elijah sent me packing. It was quite the humiliating scene, Elijah cold and uncaring, me crying and begging him to let me stay. It was awful.” “What happened afterward?” “I went back home in shame after Elijah’s treatment. I couldn’t show my face anywhere for quite awhile.” John reveled in Will’s pain. He wished he could see his face. How could he so easily get the man John had pursued for so many years, only to have him rebuff every advance and treat him with nothing but contempt? He said I was a gold digger, he

could see it written all over me. So what if I was, I could have given him so much, and he wanted none of it. If I can’t have Elijah Hunter than no one will, especially someone as plain and boring as William Drake. John swore he would destroy any chance Elijah and William had together. “I thought you should know. It looks like he’s doing the same thing to you.” “Yes, it does.” Will sounded distant. “I’d get out before the last act if I were you.” He drove

home his fear. “Thank you, I’ll think about it.” Will hung up the telephone. It was all making clear and very painful sense. He’s

pretending to care for me so that he can dump me later. He wants me to fall in love with him, and when I do, his plan goes into action. Suddenly, I’m not the center of his universe any longer. I’ll get the cold shoulder and the disinterested, demeaning glances. The mental and emotional abuse will come next, and it will all culminate in a painfully humiliating, probably public breakup. He remembered something that popped in his head when he first arrived: “You don’t mess with the Hunters and just walk away.” The statement rang truer than he thought. Will sat down hard on the edge of his bed. He loved Elijah already; he might as well admit it to himself, even if no one else would ever know. He wished Eli had been the man he presented himself to be. How could he do such a horrible, hateful thing? His next thought was how to get through the next few days. He could leave early on the thirtyfirst, so all he had to worry about was the next couple of days. He knew all along that there was an ulterior motive to Eli’s behavior. He never believed, even for one minute, that Eli ever truly cared for him; so why did this revelation hurt so much? “I don’t deserve this,” he whined aloud to the empty room. Suddenly, there they were again: tears started streaming down his cheeks. He fought it for a few minutes, then, giving up, he buried his face in his hands and cried.

He’d never cried as much in his life as he had since arriving here at the Hunter ranch. Will had always kept his emotions under tight control in order to avoid being hurt. Elijah had successfully loosened every restraint he’d placed on himself and now hurt was inevitable. He could barely hear the little phone in his shirt pocket ringing, but he felt the vibration. Slowly, knowing full well who was calling, he answered, “Hello.” His voice was raspy and tight, which immediately caught Eli’s attention. “What’s wrong, Will?” Elijah actually sounded concerned. “Nothing.” He was too short. Eli knew something was wrong. “What is it?” he demanded to know. “Did Katrina call you again?” “No.” “Did something happen?” “No.” “I’ll be right there.” He hung up before Will could tell him not to bother. He was coming back because he was upset— not likely. Eli just didn’t want him slipping off the hook before he was finished with him, that’s all. I should have played it

cooler. Now he knows something is wrong, and he’s not going to give up until he is told something. He’d have to come up with a believable story before Eli arrived. He looked in the mirror. His eyes were swollen and red, as were his

cheeks. It was obvious he’d been crying. Will would have to pull himself together quickly. Elijah snapped his phone shut and ran to his Jeep. “I have to leave,” was all he said to Martin and Steven as he sped away toward the ranch house. There was something in Will’s tone that alarmed him. He was trying to be cold and distant, but underneath Eli could hear pain. He had to find out why. He only had a few days left to convince Will that he belonged here, that he belonged with him. He finally admitted to himself that he was desperately in love with William Drake. It came as quite a shock, considering he thought he was simply testing him in order to discern his involvement with the blackmail plan. When he threw out that marriage proposal, there was a very large part of him that wished Will had said yes regardless of his motives. If he wanted a rich husband, good, he could give him that. He was beginning not to care whether Will was a gold digger or a fortune hunter or whatever else was out there, all he cared about now was whether Will could love him. Would he be able to forgive Eli for his treatment of him, his distrust? He had a long road to go to gaining back his trust. He swore he wouldn’t let anything or anyone get in the way. The Jeep was barely stopped when he jumped out of it and ran for the house. People in the yard saw him and knew something was seriously amiss. He checked the study first and then he waved off Mrs. Coleman, who was surprised to see him so early, and took the stairs two at a time. Will’s door was slightly ajar so he pushed it open and entered.

“William,” he called. Will came out of the bathroom and gave him a glance and then walked over to the window. Eli followed behind him. He noticed the pale complexion and the red, swollen eyes. “Why are you crying? What is it?” His tone was soft but commanding. Will hunched his shoulders in that universal I-don’t-know gesture. Will couldn’t find his voice, and he feared if he tried to speak the sound would be cracked and unnatural. Elijah took Will by the shoulders and gently turned him to face him. He smoothed his hair back from his face and kissed him tenderly. “What’s wrong?” he pressed. “Whatever it is, I’ll help you. Just tell me.” He seemed so genuine, so caring, that Will shook his head and melted against him. Eli gathered him closely in his arms and pressed him to his chest. Will wasn’t crying, but he was shaking with the emotional control it took not to cry. Elijah cradled William against his chest, holding, rocking, and soothing him with kind words of support and reassurance. “Why were you crying?” he asked again. Will remained snug in his arms as Eli continued to comfort him with his words and his touch. “I don’t know,” he lied. His voice was barely there. “You don’t have to worry about Adam Gerard,” Eli told him. “He agreed to deal with John, so I agreed to continue our business. I’ll treat him no differently than I have in the

past.” At the mention of the Gerard name, Will stiffened and became very still in his arms. “Has John bothered you again?” “No, of course not,” he lied again. “Maybe it’s just stress.” Will knew it was a feeble attempt at an explanation, but it was all he could come up with. He wasn’t about to tell Eli he knew the truth, that the jig was up. What would he do then? Eli would take his land, his home, and toss him out. That was what he would do. I might as well play this through to the end, he thought. Maybe he would let Will go if he didn’t succumb to his charms. His thoughts were coming in erratic bursts. Elijah did not believe Will’s tears were due to stress. It was an excuse, but he would let it go for now. Will apparently wasn’t ready to tell him the truth. He would discover the truth in due time and whatever it was, he would take care of it. “It’ll be okay, Will, I promise.”

How easy it would be for me to lose myself in him and in the end… what? What would he do if I told him now how much I love him? If I told him how much I want to be with him, would he do what he did to John and just toss me out? It was anyone’s guess. One thing, of which he was certain, was the fact that Eli’s present behavior toward him was contingent on him never finding out that Will had fallen for him. “I have a couple of errands to run.” He stepped back from Will slightly but continued to hold him. “I would like you to

come with me. The fresh air will do you good.” Will agreed, for the simple reason that he, too, thought the fresh air would do him good. They took the Land Rover and again, like the morning they had breakfast at the café, Elijah bundled up his coat for Will to sit on. In the process of attending to his errands, he also gave him a tour of his estate and explained all of the Hunter businesses and holdings outside of the ranch itself. Will had come across most of this information while going through Eli’s books, but his descriptions made everything so real. He talked and acted as if Will needed to know all of these things, as if it were going to be a part of his future. If he came onto John like this, no wonder he fell for him. Will knew the whole truth and yet even so, he was still tempted to believe. Will nodded and commented appropriately, as if he were taking all of this seriously. Eli introduced him to everyone they met. What caused him the most dismay was the fact that he introduced Will as his fiancé. One man even ventured to ask if they’d set a date. Elijah smiled and told him next Saturday. The man shook his hand and wished them well. “You shouldn’t have told him that,” he said, in agony over the embarrassment. “Why not?” He grinned at Will’s discomfort. “As far as I’m concerned, you and I are getting married, and next Saturday is as good a time as any.” He laughed aloud at the look on Will’s face.

“You never quit, do you?” “I never quit.” His tone became deadly serious. “Especially when it involves something as important as my future happiness.”

Wow, his future happiness depends on whether he can make me pay, in spades. The thought was deeply troubling. When they returned to the main house, Will apologized for disturbing his work day. Elijah took his hand and told him sincerely that his day couldn’t have been nicer. “I would gladly spend every day with you, William.” He stopped suddenly, as if remembering something, and turned to Will, capturing his gaze and holding it with his intense blue eyes. “Don’t ever hesitate to come to me if you have a problem. I’ll be there, I’ll always be there.” He spoke with what appeared to be adoration with a touch of desperation. Will silently congratulated him again on his impeccable acting skills. That declaration really sounded heartfelt. A disquieting thought struck him just then. What I wouldn’t give for all of this to be real. He pushed it aside. He had no time to be contemplating defeating thoughts like that one. Saturday will arrive, he reminded himself, and life will return

to normal. Not half as exciting, but normal. Mrs. Coleman met them at the kitchen archway. “I have just made a fresh pot of coffee. Would you like to join me?” she asked them both, but Will specifically.

“You go ahead,” Elijah said to Will, who very much wanted a hot cup of coffee. “I have some things to attend to.” Mrs. Coleman and Will disappeared into the kitchen, and Elijah headed for his study. Gone was his previous good humor, and a dark malevolence had taken its place. Will’s tears were weighing heavy on his mind. The reason had to involve someone else; otherwise he would have told him.

He’s very forthright with his opinions. He must be protecting someone. He had to find out who it was, and the first name that jumped to mind was Katrina.

“Hello,” Katrina answered, timid and wary. The housekeeper had informed her it was Elijah Hunter calling for her. She didn’t have a clue as to what he wanted, but she knew from experience that she’d better prepare herself for the worst. Elijah didn’t make courtesy calls. “What have you been saying to William?” he shouted. “Nothing.” Katrina was severely taken aback. “I haven’t said anything.” “Did you call here earlier? Don’t lie, I can easily find out.” His tone was sharp and cold. “I called yesterday, or rather last night. I haven’t contacted him today, I swear.” Katrina was very bothered by his accusatory manner. It was one thing to lie and have no

one believe her, but it really grated her to tell the truth and have no one believe her. “What’s the matter, maybe I can clear it up?” “He was crying this afternoon, and he won’t tell me why.” He paused when he heard Katrina’s startled gasp. “Will was crying?” Katrina laughed. “You must be having quite the effect on him. I have never seen Will cry. In my whole life, I have never seen a single tear.” Elijah was troubled by her lack of concern and by her obvious gaiety over her brother’s sadness. He disliked this girl more than any human being in his life. If it wasn’t for the fact that he was desperately in love with her brother, he would have taken great pleasure in destroying her. He abruptly hung up. He could not stand to speak with her another moment. She knew nothing. William would never confide in that creature. Within the hour Elijah met both Will and Mrs. Coleman in the kitchen. He came up behind Will, who was absently leaning on the counter while finishing his coffee, and hugged him tightly around the middle while nuzzling his neck. Mrs. Coleman moved over to the sink and pretended to busy herself in an attempt to give them some privacy. “I’d like for us to go out tonight,” Elijah said against Will’s ear. “A little dinner and dancing.” Mrs. Coleman nearly dropped the plate she was rinsing when she heard him. Elijah hadn’t been out on a date in

years. She turned her head away from them and stifled a chuckle. Will didn’t answer him immediately. Eli squeezed him tighter and prompted him with a, “What do you say?” “Okay, I’d like that,” he answered. Dinner shouldn’t prove a problem, he thought. There will be a lot of people around. Being alone with Eli was the only problem he had. “What should I wear? I don’t have any dress clothes with me.” “I’ll have something delivered,” Elijah informed him. “I don’t want to lose you in the mall again.” He laughed at Will’s indignant expression. “I’ll pick you up about seven.” With a twinkle in his eye, he released Will and left the room with an anticipatory, “See you very soon.” The package arrived just before six o’clock. Mrs. Coleman brought it to Will in the study, where he was finishing up his review of the records that Elijah had given him. Is it just busy work to keep me from getting so bored

that I give up and go home? Or does he really value my opinion? He would probably never know. He found out that Eli’s accounting records, or at least the ones Will reviewed, were impeccable. There was nothing he could recommend or even suggest. Eli was meticulously detailed. Will rarely came across records this clean and organized. “Here’s your suit.” Mrs. Coleman carried the garment bag, a smaller bag, and a box over to the desk and set them down. “There are shoes and a tie, everything necessary for a

beautiful evening.” She was teasing him, so Will smiled and accepted the items. “He didn’t have to do this,” Will mumbled. “No, he didn’t,” Mrs. Coleman stated as she was leaving, “but he did it anyway.” Will checked his watch and realized that he would soon have to get ready. He cleared away all the paperwork and shut down the program. Before leaving the study, he opened the garment bag to sneak a peek at the suit Eli had ordered. Will was awestruck by what he saw. It was a simple black suit, impeccably tailored from the Armani spring line. Will was impressed but also alarmed by this expensive gift. He checked the size, and it, too, was perfect. How did he know

what size I wear? How did he get Armani all the way out here? He considered this as he checked the shoes. They, too, were a perfect match to the suit and his size. Will had never in his life owned such a costly outfit. He couldn’t wait to try it all on. It was seven o’clock straight up when he heard the familiar, rapid hard knock on his bedroom door. “Come in, it’s open,” he said as he finished brushing and styling his hair. “Are you ready, Will?” Elijah came toward him, smiling and extending his hand to Will. “You look amazing,” Eli commented as his eyes traveled the length of him and then came back to settle on Will’s face. The look he gave him was

adoring, but Will knew what an actor he could be; so he didn’t let it touch him too deeply. “So do you.” He returned the compliment and took his hand. Eli was wearing what looked to be a very expensive, black suit, a black tie, and a crisp, white, cotton shirt. His cuff links were understated gold pieces that gleamed at his wrists. They were a perfect match to the gold watch he was wearing. “Just a minute,” Eli said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a substantial gold men’s bracelet. Elijah secured it delicately around his wrist. Will watched him. His hands were strong and wide, yet soft and gentle against his wrist. Their eyes met for a moment, and something passed between them. Something was there, a connection, the truth, reality as he hoped it would be. It was gone as quickly as it appeared. Will lowered his eyes and stared at the metal gleaming so brightly against his skin. “My gift to you,” Eli whispered against his skin as he pulled Will in for a loving kiss. “I can’t accept this, it’s too much,” Will answered in a corresponding whisper. The air in the room seemed suddenly so charged that they dared not speak too loudly for fear that something might break. Will could feel it on him and within him. What is happening to me? With great effort, he forced his mind away from the touch of Eli’s hands on his body and his lips on his cheek, and focused on his own heartbeat. Since when did control become such a difficult

thing for me to maintain, he thought, as their eyes met once again. “It’s yours,” Eli stated brusquely, turning Will back to face him. “I’m not trying to buy you.” His eyes devoured Will’s as he added, “If I were, I assure you, I would have purchased much more than a simple bracelet.” If Will were any other man, he speculated, he could have easily secured his undying affection with just a glance at his checkbook. Although, if Will were any other man, he wouldn’t love him the way he did. Elijah put Will’s arm in his and ushered him out of the room and down to the front hall. Will felt like a prince as they descended the stairway together arm in arm. He loved every minute of it despite himself. Before reaching the front door, they heard a loud whistle from behind them. They turned to see Martin standing near the stairs. “Wow, don’t you two clean up well.” He laughed. “I heard rumors about a date tonight,” he teased and walked over to get a better look at the both of them. “You look very nice, William,” Martin said, smiling. “Yes, he does,” Elijah interjected. “Don’t keep him out too late, brother.” Martin cast a warm knowing look at Elijah, who returned it in kind. “Run along, you two. Have a good time,” he joked. “We will,” Elijah assured him. Martin watched and waved as they drove away. He

couldn’t believe what he’d just witnessed. He’d heard the gossip about this date, but just assumed it wasn’t true. He couldn’t remember the last time Elijah had gone on a date. But here he was, dressed to the nines and taking William out for dinner and dancing. He laughed aloud. He was very happy for his brother. Elijah deserved this; he deserved William.

Chapter Eight

This was the first time Will had ridden in the sleek black sports car, the one Elijah had been driving the first time they had met. That was a little more than three weeks ago, and yet it seemed so much longer. During the drive to town, Elijah questioned Will with regard to his opinion of his accounting methods. “From what I saw,” Will began, “you don’t need my help, you don’t need anyone.” “That’s not entirely true,” he muttered under his breath and then stated, “would you review last year’s tax records for me, just the ranch itself?” “That is still quite a large undertaking. I doubt I’ll be here long enough to finish it.” He was surprised again by Eli’s openness with him with regard to his businesses. He hoped it was a compliment to his professional integrity and not a trap.

“Is that a yes or no?” He always cut to the bone. He wanted an answer he could quantify and understand. “Yes,” he answered without really thinking. By saying yes, did he agree to finish the project whether or not Saturday was long enough? “What if I can’t finish it by Saturday?” He, too, needed clarification. “Then you will stay longer.” He looked pleased, but he wasn’t laughing. “I’ll finish it by Saturday,” Will declared, without humor. They pulled up to a nice restaurant, and Eli quickly rounded the car to assist Will from his seat. Placing his hand on Will’s lower back, he escorted him inside. It was an elegant eating establishment, and it appeared that they were expected. Without a word, the waiter escorted them to a candlelit table in the far corner. Elijah held Will’s chair as he sat down. “Thank you,” he said automatically and made himself comfortable, as Eli seated himself directly across from him. “You’re welcome.” They started with wine and appetizers and went from there into a wonderfully delicious steak dinner. Elijah was pleased to see that Will’s appetite had returned. He’d eaten so little in the past few days that Eli had begun to worry. They spoke of many things throughout their meal. Everything from movies to politics was discussed. Will

noticed that Eli seemed to be interested in everything he said. He can be quite the gentleman when he chooses, he decided. “What breed is your dog?” Eli asked offhandedly. “When I called you that first time I heard a dog barking in the background.” “He’s a Labrador. His name is Todd.” Will was proud of his dog, even if he wasn’t the brightest of animals. “Who is caring for him while you are away?” It seemed like an innocent inquiry, but there was an undercurrent to it. Will didn’t pick up on it, but Eli was fishing for details as to his personal life at Whitefish Point. Will supplied the information. “My neighbor, Mrs. Gwyn; she’s a real nice lady. I really don’t know her very well, but she and Todd get along great. She offered to care for him, so I took her up on it.” “Anyone in Whitefish Point that you are particularly missing, besides Todd?” Eli asked, once again digging for information “No, not really; I have a few friends, but they’re not close.” His answer seemed to please Eli greatly; Will didn’t miss the look of satisfaction that flared in his eyes. “There are many people at the ranch who will miss you if you leave,” Eli said and gripped Will’s hand. “When I leave, you mean,” Will corrected.

“I meant what I said.” Elijah stood up abruptly and pulled Will to his feet. “Shall we?” He changed the subject. The music had begun, and it was a slow tune. He looked forward to holding Will close. “I’m a very poor dancer,” Will confessed. “Just follow me,” Eli whispered in his ear as his arm went around him. He was an excellent dancer and held Will tightly to him as he guided him across the floor. They were the center of attention, although everyone tried to pretend like they weren’t watching them. Elijah Hunter had never been to this restaurant before. He was a man that the locals knew, but very rarely saw. One patron even theorized that perhaps it wasn’t really Elijah Hunter, but it was pointed out that Elijah Hunter had made the reservation himself. He had requested all the extras: the candles, the music, the private table, and he’d used Elijah’s credit card, so it had to be him. If Will had pulled the entire evening out of his lovestarved daydreams, their date could not have been any more wonderful and perfect, and Elijah could not have been any more attentive and loving. It was close to midnight when they began their drive home. They were nearly there when Elijah suddenly turned off onto a narrow two-lane road. “Where are we going?” Will asked, feeling anxious, but not afraid. “I want to show you something.” There was a hint of excitement in Eli’s voice that Will responded to with a big smile. They drove through some dense areas of trees before

smile. They drove through some dense areas of trees before they finally crested a high overlook with a rather steep, rocky drop-off. Elijah helped Will from his seat and led him to the front of the car. He sat back onto the hood and pulled Will down, so that he leaned back on his lap. “Look at that,” Eli said and wrapped his arms around him. Will looked out over the ranch. This aerial view was beautiful. It showed the layout of the gardens, the homes, corrals, and stables, and everything was bathed in a light amber glow. “It is my whole life.” Eli paused to kiss Will’s throat and then his ear. “And I want to share it with you.” He paused a moment and then continued, “I know you don’t trust me, but I swear to you this is not a test, it’s not a joke, and it’s not a trap. I love you, William, and I want you to stay here and be a part of my life. On Friday, I’m going to ask you to marry me again, and this time, I want a real answer.” Eli hugged him securely to him, as they sat watching the lights and the stars. Will said nothing. He decided to enjoy the night air, the quiet, and he just leaned back against him. Elijah didn’t press him for any response. They sat there like that for at least an hour, just listening to the night and holding each other. That night, in his bed, Will thought back over the entire evening. He’d never been on a date before that was so perfect. If only it was real, if only Elijah really loved him, and if only his proposal were true. As much as he missed his home and Todd, he knew that leaving here would be difficult. He liked the ranch, he liked the people here, and he loved Elijah. What would he do to me if he knew that I love him? He

pondered the question. The more he thought, the more his mind considered all the negative possibilities. Will contemplated all the humiliating things Eli could do to him. The more he thought, the more frightened he became. Gone was the bliss and contentment of their date, and in its place was speculation and distrust. Will sat up and nervously ran his hands through his hair. It was just past three in the morning. He wanted to go for a walk, but knew it wasn’t possible without waking someone. As he got out of bed, he accidentally jarred the bedside table with his foot, and the lamp came crashing to the floor. “I am such a klutz,” he scolded himself as he carefully began cleaning up the debris. Elijah knocked once and then entered. “Are you okay?” he asked and then bent over Will to see what he was doing. “Careful,” Will cautioned him, in case he might step on a piece of glass. “I broke your lamp. I’m sorry, I’ll pay for it.” Eli took him by the wrist and brought him swiftly to his feet. He then, in one quick motion, scooped Will up into his arms and carried him out of the room. Will was too stunned to react. Never in my life have I been manhandled so much.

What am I, a china doll? He must be stronger than I thought if he can carry me around like this all the time. Talk about a gentlemen, I feel like I’m in some sort of Harlequin novel. Any minute now I’m going to be on a fainting couch after succumbing to the vapors.

“There are too many small shards,” Eli explained. “You’ll stay with me in my room tonight. You could be too easily injured in there. I’ll have it thoroughly cleaned in the morning.” Without waiting for a response, he carried Will into his room and gently deposited him on his bed. There were other rooms made up and available, but he didn’t want Will too far away from him. He’d given him the room next to his because he wanted to keep an eye on his activities, but now he simply wanted to keep Will close. This gave him an excuse to hold him all night. It would give him the opportunity to show Will that he could be trusted. Will had never been in Eli’s room before, and certainly never in Eli’s bed. He looked around and saw a very uncluttered, masculine room. No mirrors, no trinkets or wall hangings, just the necessities. Will had assumed that Eli would have a king-size bed, but he didn’t. His bed was just a little larger than a single, but long. It felt odd being here on his bed. “I’m sure I’d be fine in my own room,” he insisted. “I’ll be sure and not walk around that side of the bed. I’ll be careful.” He was feeling panicky. How can I lay with him here, in his bed, all night without giving in to my desire? That was too much to ask. “Glass can travel easily on hardwood floors,” he said dryly. “There are probably small pieces all over the room.” Guilt hit him then. I probably damaged the floor too. He was thinking this as he blurted, “I’m really sorry. I’ll pay for all the damage.”

“You’ll pay for nothing,” Eli said and got into the bed beside him. “The lamp is of no importance.” Elijah pulled Will down next to him and covered them both with the comforter. “Try to sleep now,” he whispered and kissed his forehead before cradling Will’s head on his bare chest and pulling him snugly to him. The bed was too small to venture too far away, but then, as dangerous as it was, Will enjoyed the feel of Elijah beneath him and around him. Eli made him feel secure and protected. “Are you sure this is okay?” Will asked, his voice muffled against Eli. He felt rather than heard him chuckle. “It’s okay,” Eli whispered back. Will gradually relaxed and then fell into a deep slumber. Elijah, on the other hand, was acutely aware of him, and it took him a long time to drift off to sleep. He’d never shared this bed with anyone before, but after this night, he decided he never wanted to sleep in it alone again. He was pleased that Will fell asleep so easily in his arms and in his bed. He is beginning to trust me, he thought. Will felt something for him, Eli could feel it, he was simply too afraid to admit his feelings. Even if he couldn’t love him, at this point Eli would gladly accept any crumb he would throw. He did desire him and much could be built upon that. In time, perhaps…. His thoughts drifted to the touch of Will’s body lying against him, and he fell into a restless sleep.

Elijah was up, as usual, at 5:00 a.m., but he told Will to stay in bed and relax for a while longer. No need for him to get up so early, he urged. He took a shower and got dressed right there in front of him. Will was impressed with what he saw. In their sexual encounters, Will hadn’t had the chance to appreciate Elijah’s form, and he was amazed at what he saw. Will assumed Eli thought he was sleeping, but actually Elijah knew he was watching him, and he enjoyed it. He could usually shower and dress in approximately fifteen minutes, but this morning it took him nearly thirty minutes. Before he left the room, he walked over to Will and, bending down, kissed him softly on the lips. “I’ll see you in the kitchen about seven.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and kissed him again. This time, his arms went around Will and gathered him up against him. The kiss lingered and teased until finally, Will put his arms around Eli’s neck and joined in the kiss. “Now that’s better,” he joked. Elijah let his eyes travel Will’s face over and over again, as he smoothed Will’s hair back from his face. “I’ll get your clothes from your room so you can shower and dress in here.” “Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” Eli laid him back down on the pillows and tucked the comforter up around him before leaving. Elijah marveled at the fact that he couldn’t seem to get

enough of Will. He was never the type of man who cared much for kissing and touching. He never thought much about closeness or romance; before meeting Will, he didn’t even believe in romantic love. It was a dream, a fairytale for lonely individuals who longed to have something in their lives. Romantic love existed only in books and movies, not in reality. He was thirty-four years old, and he’d known many men in the past, but there wasn’t one of them that he’d ever wanted to stay. Not one had ever touched him beyond the physical. He admitted he’d treated most of them pretty badly, and never had he imagined the day would come when he would be willing to get on his knees and beg a man to please stay with him, to please love him. Now here he was, hip-deep in a love so overpowering and terrifying, yet fantastic and incredible at the same time. He ached every time he looked at Will. He laughed at himself. He knew now, as he knew that very first day, he could not lose him. He would do, he would give, and he would become whatever it took to keep Will.

Will got up soon after Eli had brought in his clothing; the warmth and security he had felt in the room left when Eli did. Now he felt strange and uncomfortable there among Eli’s things. He felt like an intruder. After his shower, while getting dressed, he wondered about what people would think if they discovered he’d spent the night with Elijah. Nothing

happened, he was a perfect gentleman, but who would

believe that? He wouldn’t even believe it, and he was there. He felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into Eli’s trap. “Two days,” he reminded himself aloud, but it didn’t bring the relief that he’d hoped for. Instead, it brought regret and a touch of disappointment. Will decided not to analyze the feeling and pushed it aside as well as he could. Even his denial skills seemed to be getting rusty. Where Elijah was concerned, he had very few defenses left. Will quietly left Eli’s room, checking to make sure no one was in the hallway as he did so. He then slipped into his own room, cautious of the glass. Will needed to call Katrina and thought that his room would give him the most privacy. “He completely let me off the hook,” Katrina shrieked. “I am so relieved. What have you done to him?” She giggled. “He seems almost human.” Will’s stomach began to knot. “When did he call you?” “Yesterday. I thought that was why you were calling.” Katrina’s giggles subsided. “What, exactly, did he say to you?” “He said that I need not return. That you were staying, and he was not going to hold me to the contract,” Katrina told him and then added, “He is so in love with you, William. Can’t you see it?” “No, I can’t,” he burst out. “He doesn’t love me. How could he? There’s got to be something else going on here.”

Will contemplated this new information as they both fell silent for a moment. “Have you ever heard of a man by the name of John Gerard?” Will decided to ask. “Only once.” Katrina paused to try and remember the circumstances. “I heard a couple of the ranch hands talking together. They didn’t know I was there. They said something like, ‘if Katrina doesn’t watch herself, she’s going to end up even worse than John’. I didn’t know what they were talking about, and at the time, I didn’t care.” A chill washed over Will, and he shivered. It really happened. It wasn’t just a story made up by John to taunt him. He needed to find out more about what had happened with John. Perhaps Kathy could tell him more? “What’s going on, Will?” Katrina insisted. “Nothing, really,” Will lied. “I’m glad that Elijah released you, and I will probably be heading home myself soon. I think it has all worked out for the best. Talk to you later. Good-bye.” He hung up the phone quickly before Katrina could beg for more answers. He didn’t want Katrina to be privy to his problems. Will realized with a grimace that he trusted Katrina even less than he trusted Elijah Hunter. On his way downstairs to the kitchen, he heard Elijah and Martin talking together in his study. The door was open, and he could hear them quite clearly. He stopped, knowing that he needed to listen, yet fearful of what he might hear. “You’re going to announce it tomorrow?” Martin asked.

“Yes,” Elijah replied deeply. “Has he—” Martin began, but Elijah cut him off before he could finish his sentence. “Not yet, but he will.”

Are they discussing me? he wondered. His heart told him that they were. He strained to hear everything but remained out of sight. “William is stubbornly independent,” Martin stated. “He thinks that you’re just playing with him. He isn’t taking any of this seriously.” “I know that, and that is why I am making the announcement tomorrow,” Elijah explained. “I already called Katrina and told her not to return. I didn’t want her and her drama coming back here and upsetting everyone. As long as Katrina doesn’t show up, then William will have to stay for a while longer.” “Do you think that’s fair?” That was all Will needed to hear. It was all true. All of his fears, all of his assumptions were true. Eli was lying to him. He was setting him up to make a fool of him, just like he did to John. Will ran past the kitchen and out the front door. He raced down the road to Kathy Graham’s small home and knocked wildly on the front door. He desperately needed to speak with someone, and the only person he even half trusted here was Kathy. “I heard the story,” Kathy told him as she poured him a cup of coffee and they sat together at her kitchen table. “It

happened before I moved here.” “What did you hear?” “John was in his late teens, and he had taken a liking to Elijah. I think it had as much to do with Elijah’s wealth as it did his good looks. Anyway, John attempted to get into Elijah’s bed and get some cash out of the deal, and it ended very badly. That was the start of the rift between the Hunters and the Gerards.” Kathy paused to take a sip of her coffee. “Many of us thought that Elijah may have had feelings for young John, but when his gold-digger tendencies came to light, that flame died fast. The two ranches still have regular contact for business purposes, but nothing more. Elijah cut them off completely, socially speaking.” “What did Elijah do to John?” Will already had a good idea as to what had transpired, but he wanted Kathy to tell him. “He performed a series of tests on John; gave him access to some money and such, seeing if he would give in to the temptation of a large sum of money. John showed his true colors, much like your sister, and Elijah supposedly punished him for it. John couldn’t show his face in town for months, he was so humiliated.” Kathy stopped when she saw the look of disgust on Will’s face. “He was protecting his family and his ranch, Will, that’s all.” “I think he plans the same fate for me,” Will stated with sadness and pain.

“But why? You haven’t done anything,” Kathy argued. “Katrina did, and Elijah would have gotten very little satisfaction out of humiliating Katrina. She is so insensitive; I don’t believe humiliation is possible.” Will smiled despite himself. “It’s better to go after the soft one. The one who would feel the pain he seems so intent on inflicting.” “I find that very hard to believe. Elijah isn’t that sort of person. I really hope you’re wrong,” was all Kathy could manage to say. “I wish I were,” Will mumbled. Just then Will heard his small phone begin to ring. He’d forgotten that he had put it in his pocket. “Hello.” “I thought we had a breakfast date, Will?” Elijah sounded so pleasant that it sickened him that he now knew the truth. “I’ll be right there,” Will stated and hung up. He had to meet him, otherwise Eli’d know something was wrong. He needed time to figure a way out of this mess, time to save himself. He would continue to play along for today and hopefully get away before the announcement tomorrow.

“Did you have a good time last night?” Mrs. Coleman asked them both as she served them breakfast. “Yes, it was a nice evening,” Will replied. He hadn’t

made eye contact with Elijah since he sat down, and Eli seemed to be noticing it. Will turned to look at Eli directly and quickly discovered that he’d made a mistake. Eli’s face was so near to him that when Will turned, he instantly cupped Will’s jaw and pulled him in. The kiss that followed was devastating, to say the least. Eli pulled every ounce of self-restraint from him. His lips massaged and stroked Will into believing him. Will kissed him back; even though his mind fought against him and warned him to be careful, his nerves prickled at Eli’s attention and burned at his touch. “It was the most enjoyable night I have ever had,” Eli said breathlessly against his lips. “A night I hope to repeat often.” Mrs. Coleman turned to look out the window when their embrace began. She seemed to be on hand for most of their private moments, but it was a pleasure to see Elijah content and in love. She was happy for him. William was such a nice guy and easy to get along with. She would have no problem sharing this house with him. After they began to eat, the atmosphere became less charged and more calculated on both sides. “Mrs. Coleman tells me that John Gerard was here yesterday. She said that he was demanding to see you,” Eli commented. “I don’t know anything about him being here,” Will said and gave Mrs. Coleman a nervous glance.

“I told William that it was a salesman, Elijah. I didn’t want to upset him,” Mrs. Coleman explained. “Would his being here upset you, William?” He seemed to be fishing again. “Depends on what he had to say.” Elijah grinned at Will’s artful sidestep to his question. “I’ll find out what he so desperately wanted to share and get back with you on it.” He sounded as if he were joking, but there was a tenseness to his features. John’s visit bothered him, Will concluded. Perhaps he feared that John would tell him about their previous relationship and subsequent humiliation, and then he would figure out Eli’s scheme before he could conclude it with his announcement tomorrow. The thought brought an intense frown to his face that he failed to suppress. Eli pounced immediately. “What is it?” Will quickly shook off the expression and tried to smile, but it was a feeble attempt. Elijah drew him to his feet and ushered him out of the kitchen. Without a word, he guided him down the hall to his study. He closed the door and then became insistent. Will pressed his back against the door as Eli leaned into him, face to face. He was studying Will’s every move and drawing conclusions. His eyes were unyielding in their intensity and power. Will tried to look away from him, but he forbade him to do so. He held Will’s face in his hands and forced him to meet him eye to eye. “Something has been bothering you since yesterday,” he finally said. “Tell me what

bothering you since yesterday,” he finally said. “Tell me what it is. Give me a chance to explain or to help. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.”

He said that to me yesterday too. He must be used to fixing things. With his money and power, there was probably little he couldn’t fix. Will considered telling him the truth and then decided not to. Eli would just tell him that he was confused or mistaken or making a mountain out of a molehill. He wasn’t likely to confess, so what was the use? “I’m fine.” He struggled with the words. Eli’s eyes demanded the truth, and it was impossible not to give it. “John called me,” he blurted out. Eli gripped Will’s shoulders and seemed ready to shake the details from him if he refused to tell him what he asked. “What did he want?” “He told me that… he was sorry for upsetting me the other day.” He wanted to tell Elijah about all he knew, that the jig was up and he was on to Eli’s plans, but in the end, it just wouldn’t come out. He wasn’t yet ready to confront him on this issue. Elijah stared at Will, trying to determine if he was telling the truth or just part of it. It was obvious to him that more occurred during this phone call than just an apology, but Will wasn’t willing to tell him. “He should be sorry,” Elijah said. “Why didn’t you tell me about this call earlier?” “It didn’t seem important.”

Elijah turned away from him and started toward the desk. “Have you given any more thought to my proposal, William?” His sudden change of subject caught him off guard. “What?” “My proposal. Have you made a decision?” He bent and pulled out several files from his desk and laid them on the blotter. “Marry me,” he stated flatly. “If you do, your land will be safe, your home will be safe, and your sister will be safe.” “But will I be safe?” The query left Will’s lips before he had time to censor it. Eli’s expression was unreadable. He walked slowly back over to where Will was standing and slowly gathered him back into his arms. Will did not resist, to do so would have been futile. Eli’s hands were forceful and demanding. Eli made him look up at him as he spoke to him. His voice was rough with emotion. “I will never deliberately hurt you.” He searched Will’s face for something, anything. “Marry me, and I promise to love you and take care of you. I will make your life as comfortable and perfect as I can; I’m telling you the truth. You asked me before if I was testing you, and I said yes. Ask me now if I’m testing you. I didn’t lie to you then, and I won’t lie to you now.” He paused, hoping for an answer. “You have nothing to fear from me, William, nothing.” His hands gripped Will tighter, longing for a response from him that would assuage the ache in his heart.

As predictable as Elijah’s statement was, Will was still shocked by it. He still believed that Eli truly intended to hurt and humiliate him. How easy it would be to believe him, to lose himself in Eli, and in the end… nothing but pain and heartbreak. He wanted to announce their wedding tomorrow and then move directly on to the bitter public breakup. Will wasn’t about to accommodate him with an acceptance to that proposal. Will was about to turn him down when Eli stopped him from speaking. “Don’t tell me now.” He had sensed Will’s mood and decided to wait. He didn’t want to hear what he was so obviously going to say. “I’ll ask you tomorrow. You can give me your answer then.” He turned back to the desk. “These files contain the tax information you promised to review,” he said, changing the subject again. “I’ll see you at dinner.” Before Will could respond to anything, Eli left, closing the door behind him with an audible slam. Anger and frustration engulfed Eli as he walked toward the stables. That man is going to drive me insane with his speculation and mistrust, he grunted to himself. He raked his hands through his hair and then swung at the stable door with his fist. He connected, and it alleviated some of his rage.

Why is it that I can’t seem to make him believe me? Somehow I have to devise a way to gain his trust, but how? “Did that hurt?” Martin said from behind him. “Not enough,” Elijah stated gruffly. “I’m finding out that physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional variety.”

“Last night, it looked like things were going quite well between you. Even this morning, you seemed pretty confident. You said that you were going to make the announcement tomorrow. What went wrong?” “I don’t know. He’s warm and agreeable one minute and cold and distant the next.” “It’s just that Will doesn’t trust you. He doubts your sincerity,” Martin told him. “Tell me something I don’t know,” Elijah retorted. He grabbed a brush and began brushing down the new stallion. He needed to work off this energy and think. “Steven just brushed him,” Martin said. “Then he’ll be brushed again, won’t he?” Elijah snapped. “I’m sorry, Martin. I just get so frustrated. I can’t seem to get through to him. I know he cares for me, but he refuses to accept me. There’s something that holds him back. Something about me scares him, and I don’t know, for the life of me, what it is or how to assure Will that I mean him no harm.” He angrily tossed the brush back into the bucket and closed the stall. “According to Mrs. Coleman, Will is rather tense every time you come near him. She said that Will told her that every day he waits for the moment when you are going to turn on him. He doesn’t trust you at all. After all the tests, threats, and assumptions, he is walking on eggshells around you. He believes that you’re just biding your time until he screws up

and you can pounce.” “I’ve told him how I feel in plain, clear English. How could he possibly believe I’m still playing games? It stopped being a game the first time I kissed him.” Elijah remembered the first kiss, and Will’s response to him. It brought a smile to his lips. “He does care about me. As much as he fights it, he still feels something for me. We fucked, for God’s sake; I felt just how much he loves me.” “Give it time, Elijah. He’ll come around.” Martin consoled him as best he could. “I don’t have much time.” Elijah considered for a moment and then added, “I could get him to stay longer. He’s working on my last year’s tax returns. I could contact the farmers’ cooperative and hire him.” He smiled with relief. “I could hire him to do my audit. If I handle it right, that could take weeks.” “Sounds like a plan, Brother.” Martin started to laugh. “Before you leave,” Elijah said, catching him, “I’d like you to do me a favor.” “Anything,” Martin answered emphatically. “John Gerard stopped by here yesterday. He wanted to speak with Will. I’d like you to find out why. Find out what he wanted to say to him. I don’t trust that bastard, and I don’t want him bothering Will ever again.” “I’ll take care of it,” Martin assured him.

Chapter Nine

Will spent the morning going over tax returns. As before, he could find nothing amiss. Eli’s records were clean and proper. Why does he want me doing this? he wondered as he pulled out yet another file of papers. It was definitely busywork. If I’m stuck here at his desk, then I won’t be wandering off into the forest or getting lost in the mall. “That man has some nerve,” he exclaimed to the empty room. He glanced at the soup and sandwich that Mrs. Coleman had delivered an hour ago, but his appetite wasn’t there. He took the coffee, though, and drank the Thermos dry. At about two o’clock, he decided he needed to go for a walk. Will quickly cleaned up the desk and instead of going out the front door, opted to take the garden route and exited through the French doors behind the desk. He walked aimlessly around the garden for a while before heading off in the general direction of Kathy Graham’s

place. “I need to get the hell out of here. I need to go home,” he declared. His mind accepted that, but his heart yearned to stay. His heart told him to accept Eli, to listen to him, but his heart had been wrong before. His heart had told him that his parents loved him, despite everything, but their inheritance had told a different story. His heart could not be trusted, so he relied on his mind for guidance. Kathy invited him to sit with her on the porch and enjoy a glass of cool lemonade. “I’m sorry to be bothering you so much, but there just isn’t anyone here I can talk to,” Will explained. “I don’t mind in the least. I enjoy your company,” Kathy assured him. They talked about all manner of things except Will’s situation. He wanted to get away from his thoughts for a while and just be normal. They discussed school, family, most embarrassing moments, aspirations, etcetera. Kathy seemed to know that Will didn’t want to discuss Elijah, so she never approached that subject. Will left Kathy’s around four and went back to the study. He let himself back in through the garden. He immediately picked up where he’d left off. Elijah had warned him that if he didn’t finish the tax returns, then he wouldn’t be leaving on Saturday, and he took Eli’s warnings seriously. He didn’t want to give Eli any excuses to have him stay longer. Will figured if he worked through the evening and most of tomorrow, he should finish it easily before Saturday. At six

o’clock, Mrs. Coleman knocked and then entered. “Dinner will be served in an hour,” she announced. She noticed the soup and sandwich sitting on the table untouched and scowled. “You shouldn’t be skipping meals, it isn’t healthy.” “I’m sorry,” Will apologized. “I was busy and then I went for a walk to get some air,” he tried to explain. “That’s no excuse. Next time I bring you lunch, young man, you eat it. Hear me?” Mrs. Coleman was scolding him, and all Will could do was smile. “Yes, Mrs. Coleman,” he said. “I hear you.” “Good, now go get ready for dinner. Both Mr. Hunters will be joining you.” With that, she quickly turned and left the study. Will gathered up the loose papers and reorganized the files as they had been. He stowed them back into the drawer from which Elijah had taken them that morning. After he was satisfied with the cleanup, he ventured back upstairs to his room. The thought of having dinner with both Elijah and Martin was not pleasant. It was hard enough playing the game with just Elijah, pretending to be disinterested, distant, and unaffected, but to have to fool them both over the dinner table was going to be difficult, if not impossible. Chances were, he would say something that would tip them off or something that would lead to an in-depth questioning session by Elijah. Will wished he could just stay in the sanctuary of his

room until Saturday. He had just enough time to change into a pair of nice jeans and sweater. At seven o’clock sharp, Elijah appeared at his door to escort him to dinner. “How was your day?” he asked politely. “Very good,” Will answered. The games begin, he thought. Eli drew Will up close to him as they descended the staircase. “How are you getting along with my taxes?” “I should finish by Saturday,” he informed him coldly, and then his mind began to wander. Eli looked so handsome in his tight, black jeans and his white, cotton shirt. Will also remembered how handsome he had looked last night in his pajama bottoms and bare chest. His breath caught, and he quickly changed his thoughts away from visual images of last night. Why did I have to fall in love with him? he thought as they entered the dining room together. This could be so easy

if I just felt nothing, but it’s not going to be easy. No matter what happens, it’s not going to be easy. Dinner was surprisingly quiet. Elijah made a mundane comment about Will’s job back in Michigan. Will defended his position with the farmers’ cooperative without sounding too defensive, or so he hoped. Elijah then looked at him with a strange, longing quality to his expression. “What is your dream, William?” His question seemed odd.

“Personal or professional?” Will asked carefully. “Personal,” he replied and pinned Will with his dark gaze as he waited for his answer. The room became deadly still in anticipation of the response. Even Martin was watching him as if truly interested. Will contemplated his answer and then stated, “True love and happiness are my personal goals.” He then skidded into his professional goals before anyone could comment. “And my professional goal is to someday own my own business.” Will’s candid response surprised him. “Love and happiness.” Elijah repeated his words, savoring the sound they made and the implications they represented. Will looked away, fearing that with those two words, he had accidentally shared too much. “Isn’t that what most people hope for?” he covered. “No,” Elijah said without hesitation. “Most people are looking for money and fame.” “Those would be professional goals, not personal,” he countered, but both Elijah and Martin were emphatically shaking their heads. “For many, those are personal goals,” Elijah stated, and Martin agreed. Will didn’t want to go down that road again. It was obvious they were referring to Katrina, so he tried to steer the conversation in a more inoffensive direction.

“I visited with Kathy Graham this afternoon,” he announced and then went back to his meal. “She’s a very interesting lady, I enjoy talking with her.” “I’m glad to hear that,” Elijah stated, barely suppressing a laugh. Will wasn’t very good at changing the subject, but he let it go. After dinner, Martin excused himself, and Elijah asked Will to take a walk with him. Will had hoped to disappear back into the study and continue his work for the remainder of the evening, but that dangerous, risky part of him had readily accepted the invitation. The sun was just beginning to set, and the darkness was taking over. It was Will’s favorite time of day. He liked the darkness; it was liberating in the way it cloaked and protected. Darkness was detachment and freedom. Will never understood fear of the dark. You can’t

see what’s in the dark, sure, but what’s in the dark can’t see you, either. He smiled at the rambling of his own thoughts, and suddenly realized that Elijah had no difficulty seeing him in the dark. “I love it when you smile.” Eli’s arm went around him, and he was held snug to his side once again. They walked on in the direction of the large stable, but instead of going in, they skirted the edge and followed a narrow path. The path went through a cluster of trees and ended near the small paddock. Elijah leaned on the fence and stared out at the night sky. Will stood beside him and stared at him. “Why are you doing all of this?” Will’s bravery was

coming to a head, so he ventured this question one more time. “All of what?” Eli evaded. “Threatening Katrina and keeping me captive, for starters,” he said sarcastically. “Because I can.” His answer shocked Will. That was what he thought, but he never considered Eli would actually tell him the truth. “That’s what you believe, isn’t it?” Eli voiced Will’s own thoughts, and he was again startled. His tone had taken on a sharpness, but Will didn’t really care. He wanted to have this out. “That is exactly what I believe,” he told him with equal scorn. Elijah slammed his hand against the fence and turned on Will, facing him with a look of fury so powerful that Will stepped back from him. “Why is it impossible for you to accept the fact that I truly care for you?” he demanded, but did not touch him. He remained near the fence, giving Will space but keeping him in one spot. He would have to walk past him to get away or risk running through the woods. The path ended where they stood. “Because it is absurd,” he spat. “I have nothing, I am nothing to you, there is nothing here that you could possibly be interested in.” His voice rose to a fevered pitch as his emotional control let go. “I know that you let Katrina go. I

spoke to her this morning. I also know what you did to John Gerard, he told me the whole story, so please hold your declaration of undying devotion and use it on someone who is more foolish and more apt to believe it.” He stepped closer to Eli as he continued on his tirade. Elijah remained still and silent, yet his rage was evident in his eyes, and it hung heavy in the air. “I know what your game is. But believe me, I’m not going to fall like John. He was unfortunately too stupid to see the truth, or too blinded by the wealthy prospects to even consider the truth. I am neither stupid nor blind, so whatever you have planned, I guarantee it won’t be half as satisfying as you’d no doubt anticipated.” Will’s heart was beating out of his chest when finally he fell silent. He saw Eli then, very clearly, and he was instantly filled with dread. He’d gone too far, he’d declared too much. Will tried to step past him, but Eli grabbed his arm and hauled him up against him. Elijah turned him and pushed his back up against the fence as he leaned into him, pinning him there with the weight of his body. “For someone who claims to be nothing, you seem to think rather highly of yourself,” he gritted out between clenched teeth. “Personally, I think you are blind and stupid, but then that is probably why I find you so irresistible. Brainy men never did hold much attraction for me.” His sarcasm and put-down hit Will hard, but he said nothing. Eli was on the edge, he could feel it. “You have something I want, William, and I will have it.”

He crushed Will to him as his mouth took his in a kiss so devastating and painful that all Will could do was hold on to him. His fingers gripped Will’s shoulder and back as he forced his lips apart. He bruised and plundered on his way to satisfaction. Will whimpered and pushed on his chest, but Eli was oblivious to his struggles. He was taking what he wanted. Whether or not Will was willing was of no consideration. His hands were rough and demanding against Will’s skin, but the heat they generated was intoxicating. His hands were everywhere, running up Will’s back, caressing his face, and then slipping down to cup his thigh and pull him into his hardness. Will could feel his lips, hot and swollen, under Eli’s insistent pressure, but he did not demand release. He stopped pushing against Eli and instead gripped the front of his shirt. His ability to take what he wanted was undeniable. Will tried to turn his head, tried to escape the burning, sensuous attack of Eli’s mouth on his. As a pained, frightened gasp escaped Will’s lungs, Elijah immediately stopped, startled and appalled by his own behavior. How was it that he’d allowed himself to be pushed to this point? He held Will tenderly as he surveyed the swollen, tender flesh of his lips and his large, dilated eyes, which stared at him as if he were a wild dog. He released him so abruptly that Will stumbled against the fence. Will, deeply affronted by Eli’s assault on his already ravaged nerves, pushed past him in an attempt to return to the main house and escape his scrutiny. He didn’t want to hear anything more he had to say. He knew the truth. Elijah

stepped in front of him to prevent him leaving, but did not try to touch him. He had something to say. Will waited, but only silence ensued. They stood there immobile for several moments before Elijah stepped back and allowed him to go. He watched Will as he ran from him around the side of the stable and back to the house. Will composed himself before entering the house, and as casually as possible, headed for the stairway. Please don’t let anyone speak to me, he pleaded as he hurried up to his room. Will desperately needed to be alone. He needed time to think, to cry. He was crying again. I need to get away

from here so I will stop crying. I want my old life back. It was boring and predictable, but at least I wasn’t tormented. I want to not feel again. Will sat at the small desk by the window and dropped his face in his hands. As forceful and domineering as Elijah was, he wasn’t really afraid of him. Eli’d had plenty of chances to treat him badly if he’d wanted to. He always backed off when he did; he never pushed it further than Will was prepared to go… until tonight. He kept himself under a tight control where Will was concerned. Tonight, Will had felt that control slip, and still he wasn’t afraid. He was angry and insulted, but he wasn’t frightened.

Why does he cause me such emotional torment, such anguish? Why can’t I just push him away? He knew that answer as clearly as he knew his own name. As desperately as he’d sought to protect his heart and avoid any emotional

involvement, he’d been lost since the first touch. The moment Eli looked at him, the moment he kissed him, the moment they made love, the moment he asked Will to marry him, he had been lost. Will needed to accept that fact and accept the fact that Elijah would never return his feelings. There was nothing more utterly crippling than that overwhelming need and desire to be close to someone. Will had never been in love before and he hoped it would never happen again. He wiped his eyes and stared blankly out his bedroom window. The only recourse he had left was to leave. Elijah wanted retribution and he was prepared to do whatever he needed to, no matter how despicable, in order to achieve it. Will needed to gather what remained of his dignity and walk away. Eli could have his home and his land—at this point, he didn’t care. When Will saw Elijah walking across the yard toward the house, his heart skipped. If it wasn’t for that small scrap of dignity that he had left, he would be down there, imploring him to let him stay, to please love him, to please forget Katrina and the contract and the deceit, but that wasn’t possible. Their entire relationship had been based on lies and tricks, and nothing could be built on such a foundation as that. In Eli’s eyes, he was no better than John Gerard. Elijah stopped abruptly when two of his men approached. He seemed angry for the interruption. They were speaking to him, but he didn’t appear to be listening. Finally, he started to yell and pointed at one of the stables. The men looked uncomfortable and off-balance, as if his outburst was

something they hadn’t expected and didn’t understand. Elijah looked up at Will in the window and then turned and headed in the direction of his men. Will took his empty suitcase from the closet and placed it on his bed. It was definitely time to go. One more day would prove nothing. He began gathering his things from the drawers and tossing them into the suitcase. He took his few things from the closet, but left the black Armani suit. It wasn’t his to take. He decided that he would leave early in the morning, avoiding any scene that might arise from a later departure. He finished packing and set his suitcase in front of the closet door. He left out his pajamas and a change of clothes for the next day, but everything else was packed. He carefully and quietly snuck down to his car and stowed the luggage in the trunk. There might be no time to haul out luggage tomorrow. He was resolved, and he was ready. He changed into his pajamas and reluctantly crawled into bed, tension gripping him as he lay there, thinking. Usually once a decision was made, life got easier and clearer; it was indecision that caused all the havoc, but that wasn’t happening. He had made the decision to leave and yet he still ached with confusion. He was finally on the verge of dozing off when someone started to knock urgently at his door. It wasn’t Elijah’s usual one hard knock followed by him entering. This person was persistent in their knocking, but was not bold enough to enter without permission. Will got out of bed and put on a cotton robe before going to the door and slowly opening it.

“May I speak with you, William?” It was Martin, and he looked very serious. His mouth, which was usually full with laughter, was compressed into a hard line. His eyes, usually bright and snapping, were clouded and dark. Will stepped back and allowed him to enter. He closed the door behind him. “I just saw Elijah,” he began. Will took a seat at the small desk, and Martin sat down on the edge of the bed. They were facing each other, but were several feet apart. “He’s very upset.” “What does that have to do with me?” he asked, confused by Martin’s behavior and his comments. Why does

he feel the need to discuss Elijah’s moods with me? And why at this hour of the night? Martin laughed harshly and stood up crossing to the window and staring out. “My God, open your eyes!” Martin fired at him. “It has everything to do with you.” Will, too, stood up and met Martin eye to eye. He was sick of people questioning his intelligence. He wasn’t afraid, even though it looked as if Martin had more of his brother’s temperament than people realized. “When I say he is upset, that is putting it mildly,” Martin continued. He turned around and sat down on the window seat. “It’s one in the morning, and Elijah’s in the garage rebuilding the engine on the old Oliver tractor. Does that sound like a sane man to you?” “I don’t know?” Will was cautious in his response.

“I’ve known my brother all of my life, and believe me when I say that his behavior over the past few days is something I’ve never experienced. I’ve never seen him so helpless and frustrated.” “What is this game you’re playing, Martin?” Will cut in rudely. “This isn’t a game, William. I admit, as far as Katrina was concerned, it was a game. He was torturing her for a purpose. He wanted her to suffer, and financial pain was the only pain that girl could feel. She is impervious to everything but money,” Martin spat out, but Will did not take offense. Martin’s observations of Katrina were correct—she valued nothing but money and the status it could buy. Will had no doubt that one day Katrina would find and marry the rich man of her dreams. She would settle for nothing less than millions, and she would probably get it someday, because she was willing to do anything for it. “But for you, William,” Martin persisted, “it really has never been a game. Elijah brought you here because you infuriated him on the phone. He couldn’t believe your audacity, and yet he respected you for it. He hasn’t been leading you on or pretending to be interested. Everything he said that he is feeling for you is the truth.” Martin was intent on making him understand. “Even the marriage proposal. He said it was a test, but I know for a fact that if you’d said yes he was prepared to marry you. His feelings for you are such that he doesn’t care anymore whether you were part of the

blackmail or not. He wants you, William. He loves you.” “You’re almost as good an actor as he is,” Will stated without emotion. “If you guys are intent on espousing trust in people, you have a funny way of showing it. I’m done with the games, and I’m done with this ranch. I would appreciate it if you left now.” Will walked over to his door and opened it, waiting for him to walk through it. “You’re not John Gerard,” Martin said suddenly. “John is very much like Katrina. Elijah dealt with him. It was harsh, but that’s the way he is. John knew what he was getting into, and he was willing to take the risk. Elijah did what he did in order to protect what’s his.” Martin stopped at the door and looked Will hard in the eyes. “Be honest with yourself: you love him too.” Will did not respond. Martin quickly left the room and shut the door behind him. Will could hear his boots reverberating on the hardwood flooring in the hall. His

assertions are preposterous. Elijah does not love me. He might be fooling Martin and everyone else here, but he isn’t fooling me. Will paced the room over and over. If he left, Eli would take his home and his property. If he stayed, Eli would probably take his home and his property. This game he is playing, he thought, is just an aside to his real intent. He

wants to take my home and humiliate me. The truth boils down to simple revenge. He needed to keep his focus on that one fact, because everything else was just a smoke

that one fact, because everything else was just a smoke screen.

Will was asleep at the small desk when the rising sun shone through his window and touched his face. His neck was stiff, and his back was sore as he stretched and stood up. Last night, leaving seemed like the only thing to do, but this morning, it looked like less of a good idea. If he stayed until tomorrow, then he would have fulfilled his part of the agreement. There was a very slim chance that Eli would release him, but a slim chance was better than none. His attention was drawn to the sounds in the bedroom next to him. Elijah was getting up. Will wondered what time he’d gone to bed. According to Martin he was hard at work in the garage for most of the night. He probably needs to avoid me for a while. That thought brought a new consideration and a smile to Will’s features. If Eli could avoid him, then he could avoid Eli. He could get through this entire day and not have to see or speak to him. His hopefulness was escalating; if he could manage to dodge Eli for the entire day, he could be out of here without incident by tomorrow. It wasn’t going to be easy; Eli had shown that he was willing and able to find Will whenever he wished. He’d found him at the mall, he found him when he fell asleep by the stream, and he found him when he was visiting Kathy. Eli had no difficulty locating him, but he realized that all of those times he hadn’t been trying to

hide. And who knows, maybe he is just as willing to avoid me today as I am him. The game might already be over. Will was jerked from his considerations by a knock at the door. So much for him wanting to avoid me, he thought. Will hurried into the bathroom and turned on the shower before Eli had a chance to enter. Elijah heard the shower once he entered the room, and walking over to the bathroom door, he knocked and stated, “I’d like to speak with you when you have the time.” His words were short and blunt. Will wasn’t in the shower, so he covered his mouth with a towel in order to sound muffled and replied, “Yes, sir.” He listened as Eli walked away. When he heard the bedroom door close, he ventured out and looked around nervously. Will gathered his clothes, took a very quick shower, and dressed casually in jeans and a long-sleeve shirt with a T-shirt over it. He pulled his Converse shoes out of his suitcase and put them on. He would need comfortable footwear if he was going to keep ahead of Eli today. Before leaving his room, he took the little cell phone from his shirt pocket, and instead of taking it with him, he tossed it in the dresser drawer. Step one, he said to himself, no phone contact. Now step two was to get out of the house without anyone seeing him. He took his book and camera, just in case he needed to make up a story about what he was doing. Will remembered Mrs. Coleman telling him that there was an exit off the back of the house that was almost never used. He could leave that way and no one should be the

used. He could leave that way and no one should be the wiser. Will decided, after several hours of reading in one of the lesser used outbuildings, to go and see Kathy and maybe get some coffee and conversation to help pass the time. “Where have you been?” Kathy asked, surprised to see him. “Why? What do you mean?” Will sat down at her kitchen table and eagerly accepted the hot cup of coffee she offered. “Elijah was here about a half an hour ago looking for you,” Kathy informed him. “Was he?” Will said as innocently as he could. “Are you hiding from him?” Kathy asked with an incredulous smile as she sat down with him at the table. “Well…,” Will began and then took another sip of coffee. “Yes, I guess I am.” “Why?” Kathy wanted to hear it all. “I thought that if I could just avoid him for the rest of today, I could leave here tomorrow without any regrets or humiliations to live down.” Kathy’s expression indicated that she did not understand. Will explained his growing feelings for Elijah and that he didn’t trust himself around him. “He’s a very compelling man. I enter with resolve and exit with wounds, I never win with him.” “Do you love him?”

“Yes, I do.” Will gulped down his coffee, and Kathy gave him an instant refill. “It doesn’t matter, though,” he continued. “He can’t ever know it.” “You think that if you can avoid him today, then he will never find out how you really feel?” “Yes, that is exactly what I think.” Will was not going to back down. Kathy did not know what was really going on here. “I heard Elijah and Martin discussing me yesterday. Elijah said he was going to make the announcement regardless of how I feel. He knows I’m not falling for the act, so he’s going to try and humiliate me any way that he can. He has told numerous people that we’re getting married. His only purpose in doing that is when he calls it all off, I will look like the poor wretch who was left stranded at the altar. Embarrassment, humiliation, and revenge—that is all he is interested in.” “I heard about the wedding,” Kathy asserted. “I also heard about the date, the dinner, the suit, the bracelet, the piano, the picnic lunch, and the way he defended you to the Gerards. He wouldn’t be doing all of those things for you if his only intent was to break you.” Kathy still believed that Elijah’s interest in him was sincere. Will tried to make her understand, but it was impossible. He finally gave up. He finished the last of his coffee and stood up, placing his cup in the sink. “Talk to him, Will. Ask him for the truth. He will give it to

you,” Kathy urged as Will was leaving. Poor Will is so fearful

of doing the wrong thing, of making a mistake, that he is willing to do nothing and throw it all away. Kathy wished she could shake some sense into that boy, but perhaps Elijah would do it for her. He was not a patient man by nature, and this man had pushed him about as far as any man could be pushed. Kathy was quite certain that Will would not remain hidden, and he would not escape as unscathed as he had hoped.

Chapter Ten

Shortly after Will left, Jim Graham came home for lunch. “How was your morning?” Kathy asked, as she did every day. “Miserable,” Jim shot back. “I can only hope that Elijah finds William soon.” He sat down and began eating. Kathy joined him. “Is Elijah really that upset?” she asked. “Upset?” He laughed. “He’s furious, and he’s taking it out on everyone.” He paused to butter his bread and sip his tea. “It all started this morning,” he began. “Elijah had adjusted his schedule so that he was back in the main house by seven o’clock. He does this so that he can have breakfast with William. Well, he wasn’t there this morning. Mrs. Coleman hasn’t seen him, no one has seen him, and he’s not answering his phone.” Jim set his teacup down, exasperated.

“Elijah has been everywhere looking for him. The more he looks, the darker his mood becomes. I hope he finds him soon.” “Will was here, Jim,” Kathy confessed. “Just after Elijah had come and gone. He left about twenty minutes ago.” “Does he have any idea what he is doing to that man?” Jim demanded. “Not a clue.”

Will managed to dodge lunch and snuck back to his room through the back door without anyone seeing him. He sat down at the small desk and decided to give Katrina a call, just to see what her plans were and to inform her that he, too, would be on his way home tomorrow. Will glanced out the window and saw Elijah, and his heart skipped a beat. He stood and stared at him, wishing that things had been different, wishing that things had been real. Eli was yelling at a group of men. He was obviously taking his anger out on them. I’m not around to pick on, so he has to have a release somewhere. But then, as he thought about it, he slowly realized Eli never really picked on him and really didn’t treat him all that badly. He wondered for a moment if he was making the right decision or the biggest mistake of his life. Suddenly, he heard the faint ringing of his phone from the drawer. He looked back at Eli from the window, and Eli

looked furious. He held the small phone to his ear and ran an agitated hand through his hair. Will took the phone from the drawer and answered it. “Hello,” he said timidly. “My God, William!” he roared. “Where the hell are you?” The silence went on too long. “Tell me where you are, and I will come get you,” he demanded. Still silence. Will didn’t know what to say. “Are you okay?” Eli asked, concern washing over him in a wave. “Are you injured?” “I’m fine,” Will said at last. “I’m not injured. I just need some time to think. I need to be alone for a while.” A tightness formed in his throat as now he listened to the silence. “I’ll talk to you later,” he added. “Are you on the ranch?” Eli asked. “Yes, I haven’t left.” Will thought he heard a sigh of relief from Eli’s end. “I need to think,” he reiterated. “Okay,” he said softly. “Promise that you’ll remember one thing,” he began. “What?” He asked expecting Eli to say something about his agreement and the fact that he had a huge financial hold over him, but he didn’t. “I love you.” That was all Eli said, and he didn’t wait for Will to respond. Will heard the phone click and the line went dead. He was still holding it to his ear and looking out the

window at Elijah as he walked away toward the stable. He looked calmer, but sad, or was Will just seeing things? Will tried Katrina at the old family home in East Lansing, but she wasn’t there. The housekeeper told him that Katrina had left on a long weekend with a friend. She didn’t know who the friend was, and she didn’t know where Katrina was headed, but she did know that Katrina wasn’t expected back until Tuesday of next week. Will thanked the woman and hung up. Katrina was no longer a part of this equation, it was between him and Elijah now, and no one else. He needed to talk to someone who knew the truth, someone who would be willing to share what they knew. The name Adam Gerard came to him at that moment. He didn’t trust John and his interpretation of events, but maybe John’s father could shed some light on the facts surrounding John’s run-in with Elijah Hunter. Will found the business card that John had given him that first day; there was a phone number on it, and he hoped it would get him in touch with Adam and not John. He listened as the phone rang and waited apprehensively for someone to answer. “Gerard Ranch, how can I help you?” It was a woman’s voice. He hadn’t considered there might be a Mrs. Gerard, but apparently there was. “This is William Drake,” he began and sensed the sudden tension and reserve from the woman. “I was hoping that I might be allowed to speak with Adam Gerard, please?”

He waited as the woman sorted out the request. “He’s out at the moment; he should be back in about an hour.” She lightened a little. “If you give me your number, I will ask him to call you.” “Thank you.” Will gave her the number. After she hung up, Will wondered if Adam would take it seriously enough to call or would he fear making matters worse and simply call Elijah instead? Will sat, reading his book, waiting and hoping for Adam’s call. When the phone finally rang, he jumped at it as if it were on fire. “Adam Gerard here, what can I do for you?” He sounded guarded. “I was wondering if we could talk?” Will began. “What about, William?” Adam was still very distant and careful. Will needed to speak with him in person. He needed to look him in the eye and ask his questions, but first he needed for Adam to relax. “I don’t mean you any trouble, sir. I just need to ask you some questions. It’s personal,” he finished. Something in Will’s tone struck a chord with him, and he let down his guard. He was a decent guy. Adam knew that. “I can meet with you right now,” he said. “Come over and we’ll talk.” He sensed Will’s hesitation so he added, “John isn’t here. He won’t be back ’til tomorrow.” “I’ll see you shortly, then,” Will agreed. Now all that

remained was to leave the ranch undetected. As he was speaking with Adam, he watched Elijah and four other men ride out on horseback. He would probably be gone for a while, so that took care of that problem, but he still had to escape Mrs. Coleman’s watchful eye. He would have to take his rental car this time. The Gerard ranch was a fair distance away, so walking was not an option. How do I drive away without being noticed? He thought on this for several minutes before simply deciding to go for it. Just leave and deal with

anyone who would try and stop me. Make it one fluid motion, he coached himself. Out the front door, to the car, and out the front gate; it turned out to be easier than expected. If anyone saw him, they didn’t try to stop or talk. He was exiting the outer gate when apprehension struck him.

What if talking to Adam causes more questions than answers? What if he deepens my fear instead of appeasing it? And the big question was, just what did Will want him to say? Did he want his theories proven to be right, or did he want something else? His head was warning him to be careful, while his heart was insisting that he risk it all.

Mrs. Gerard met him at the door and ushered Will into her husband’s office. “Adam is in here, sir. He thought you probably wanted some privacy.” The woman smiled warmly, very much in contrast to the cool distance Will had felt on the phone. Adam Gerard came forward, shook his hand, and

then directed him to sit on the small, leather sofa while he sat across from Will in a straight-back chair. When he smiled, Will knew he’d come to the right place. It was an honest, genuine smile, and not condescending. He would help him if he could, Will could see it in his eyes. “This may sound strange at first,” he began, “but I’ve had a very rough few days at the Hunter ranch, and all I really need is some straight answers. I thought, considering the fact that you’ve lived in this area a very long time….” Adam nodded to that statement but did not interrupt him. “I thought you would be able to give me some correct information.” “What are your questions?” he asked softly. He knew this was of vital importance to Will, although it did seem much more than just strange. Everyone in the area and especially himself knew that Elijah cared deeply for this man, but why would Will come to him for answers. What is he looking for? “I’m not sure where to begin.” Will fumbled with his words. “I assume you’re aware that Elijah has asked me to marry him.” Adam nodded that he knew. “I have many doubts about his sincerity in this regard,” he added. “I was very surprised when John called me and said that Elijah was simply playing with me. He said that Elijah was planning to humiliate me and that Elijah had done this same thing to him about six years ago. John warned me to leave before I got hurt.” It was easier to talk with Adam than he had first thought. Once he started, everything seemed to flow. “You believe John?” He sounded more than surprised,

more like disappointed. “Not entirely at first, but then I spoke with a couple of other people who didn’t have the whole story, but even the portion they had supported John’s assumptions.” Will wrung his hands nervously, trying to get his thoughts in check. “My question to you is, do you know anything about what happened to your son at the Hunter ranch?” He saw the enlightenment spread across his face. “This is all about my son, then?” he asked. “Yes, what did Elijah do to him, and why?” Will’s question made a lot of sense to him now. He obviously believes that what happened to John is destined to be his future as well. John made sure of that. Adam stifled a groan of disgust, but Will heard it, and his head snapped up to regard him closely. “Whatever John told you is a pack of lies. John is paying for a lapse in judgment, and rather than take it like a man, he prefers to skulk around telling lies and half-truths in an attempt to make others pay as well. I’m ashamed to call him my own.” Adam stood up and walked over to seat himself next to Will. “The thing you need to realize is that my son is an operator, if you know what I mean. He went after Elijah with a vengeance. At first Elijah thought he was a harmless kid with a schoolboy crush, but it turned into much more than that. He wanted a piece of Elijah’s money and a place in his bed.

John knew what he was doing, trying to separate Elijah from the important people in his life and secure a spot in it for him alone. He has no manners and is truthfully nothing but a gold digger. He wants money that he doesn’t have to work for. Elijah decided to teach him a lesson. He exposed John for what he was, shattering his golden-boy, do-no-wrong image, and booted him off of the ranch, but as far as any humiliation scene, that just did not happen. Men like John are constantly playing a game. Emotions and hearts do not get involved; he was not devastated by the rejection, just disappointed. I love my son, but some days I can’t stand the sight of him. He was envious of you getting into Elijah’s good graces so fast.” Adam smiled and took Will’s hand in a friendly gesture of comfort. “He played the game, and Elijah won. You refused to play the game.” He looked at Will and saw his confusion. “What John told you and what others told you sounded true because they were all portions of the truth, but you know as well as I that part of the truth does not tell the whole story. These stories about Elijah and John have been traveling around for years. He never bothered to correct any of them. Elijah couldn’t care less what his neighbors thought of him. The people who knew him knew the truth, and that was all that mattered to him.” “How do I know that he is not playing with me? He tested me for days when I first arrived, certain that I had something to do with what Katrina had tried to do. My sister is very much like John. What’s to stop him from taking his anger out on me?” Will was comforted but not convinced.

“I don’t like Elijah Hunter, never did, but I respect him, and I can guarantee you that he would not make you pay for what your sister did.” Adam sighed. “Don’t let what John said influence you. If you have questions, then you need to go to the source for your answers.” “What do you mean?” “Ask Elijah himself. He is one of the most unpleasant men in the county, I agree with that. But there is one thing about him that has to be admired and that is, if you ask him a direct question, he will give you a direct answer. He won’t lie to you. If John had asked him if he intended to make a place for him at the ranch, he would have told him the truth too.” That was the second time Will had been told to go to him. “The key is to ask the right questions,” Adam added with a wink. “That’s a hard thing to do,” he confessed. “So hard that you are willing to forfeit your future? He loves you, William, everyone can see that. Stop thinking with your brain and trust your feeling.”

The first thing that caught Elijah’s attention, upon riding into the yard, was the fact that Will’s little rental car was gone. His heart sank, and a searing pain knifed through him so fiercely that he groaned audibly. He jumped from his mount and handed him off to Steven. Elijah walked toward the main

house like a man in a trance. When he entered the kitchen to speak with Mrs. Coleman, his fears were made real. “He drove off around four this afternoon,” Mrs. Coleman informed him. “He didn’t say where he was going or when he would be back. He just left.” Mrs. Coleman could see and feel the pain he was experiencing. She’d never seen Elijah like this before. He looked completely flattened. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon. He wouldn’t just leave without saying something. He’ll be back.” Elijah shook his head. “I don’t think so.” Martin came into the kitchen just then. “What’s wrong?” he asked, not noticing the missing car on his way in. “William is gone,” Elijah stated. “He left this afternoon.” “Gone?” Martin didn’t know what to make of it. Elijah walked out of the kitchen and down the hallway to his study. He slammed the door, a clear message that he did not want to be disturbed. Both Martin and Mrs. Coleman watched him and desperately wanted to do something to help. But what? they both thought. “I’m going to find him,” Martin exploded. “I’ll bring him back. If I have to carry Will back here kicking and screaming. I will bring him back.” With that, he left the house. Mrs. Coleman sat down and waited. Will wasn’t the type to just disappear. He left, but he would be back. Mrs. Coleman had no doubt.

Will drove onto the overlook that Elijah had taken him to the night of their date. He parked his little car and got out. He stood there for an endless period of time, thinking over everything everyone had said and staring at the ranch below him. This was a private spot for private thoughts. Will was desperately, head over heels in love with Elijah Hunter; he knew that without a doubt. Eli was the most irritating, rigid, difficult man on earth, and yet Will loved everything about him. Everything except the games Eli played with him. Although he claimed to be sincere, Will just couldn’t believe that Eli would truly want him the way Will wanted him. What he needed to decide was, should he confront him, should he bare his feelings and take the risk of humiliation and then leave? Or should he just leave? It was just past seven when he finally made his decision.

Elijah sat on the sofa in his study, simply staring at his hands. I could probably catch Will at the airport, but what

good would that do? I could force him to stay, but I can’t force him to care about me. A saying from his youth came to him. It was something about if you love something, set it free. If it came back, then it was yours. He smiled ruefully, knowing that he would not be able to do that. He could not just set Will free. He would give him enough time to make it home to

Michigan and then he would meet him there. He would have his pilot ready in the morning to fly him to Whitefish Point. Perhaps, if he pursued Will on his own ground, he would be more apt to believe him. Eli wondered where Will was and what he was thinking. Given the time, he’s probably at the

bed and breakfast. He has no doubt arranged a flight for tomorrow. Flights out to Helena only ran in the morning. He would have to stay in town overnight. Eli contemplated going to the bed and breakfast tonight and making Will talk to him. All of these considerations were running through his thoughts when there came a feather-light knock at the study door. He ignored it, not wanting to speak with anyone at the moment. Then he heard the door open, and someone entered. He didn’t turn around; he waited for them to speak. Who has a death wish today? he thought angrily. Only silence ensued, so finally, he turned to see who it was that was brazen enough to disturb him. “William!” He jumped to his feet and quickly rounded the sofa toward him, but stopped a few feet in front of him. “Where have you been?” “I needed to think.” He spoke very softly, but Eli heard him clearly in the dead silence of the room. “What about?” He, too, spoke softly, but his voice was laced with urgency, and Will noticed that he held his hands in tight fists at his sides. “I thought about a lot of things—you, me, the ozone layer, whether there’s life on other planets.” He leaned back

against the closed door, and his gaze dropped to the floor. “What have you concluded?” Eli took a tentative step toward him. “I think we’re all pretty much fucked as far as the ozone layer, and I believe that there is life on other planets, not that I’ve met any.” Will forced a weak smile. “What about you and me?” His voice was hoarse with tension. He gave a deep sigh before beginning. “As I said before, I know about what you did to John Gerard, and I’m fairly sure that you intended the same treatment for me. But, that being the case,” he said, rushing ahead with his explanation, “I still need to tell you how I feel. I never believed that you really cared for me in the least. I thought it was all a game, right from the beginning.” Will took a deep breath and spoke rapidly. “I fought against my feelings for you. Every step of the way I fought them, because I knew that in the end, they would be my undoing.” He paused for a moment and then finished, “But you won.” “What do you mean?” Elijah took another step toward Will as his hopes began to rise. Will stood up straight and looked him squarely in the eyes. “I love you, Elijah.” He never thought he would actually have the courage to say those words, but he did. “I didn’t want to, and God knows I tried very hard to deny it, but I do. I wasn’t going to admit it to you. I was just going to clear out of here on Saturday as quickly as possible with the hopes it

would all go away, but what the hell, might as well let you have your fun before I go.” His voice had an edge of defiance, and he never let his gaze waver. “Do whatever it is you need to do for satisfaction.” Will waited for the slam, waited for Eli to turn on him and throw him out. He waited. Elijah was so shocked by Will’s declaration that he was speechless. His heart was disbelieving what his ears had heard. He stood there staring at him until finally Will turned away from him toward the door, as if to leave, and Elijah was on him in an instant. He swung him around and pinned his back to the door with the heavy weight of his own body. His hands captured Will’s face and forced him to look directly into his eyes. “Say it again,” he demanded roughly. Will felt a tremble in Eli’s hands and saw the passion in his eyes. “I love you.” His voice had dropped to less than a whisper, yet Will’s words echoed in Eli’s heart as if they had been screamed. “Oh, William, why have you tortured me?” he said before devouring his lips in a crushing, sensually demanding kiss that left Will weak and trembling. The intensity of his emotion was overwhelming. “I love you so much,” Eli groaned against his lips as he swung Will up into his arms and carried him to the sofa, where he sat down, holding him securely on his lap. “I think I fell in love with you from the beginning. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it was or what you said or what I thought. Sweetheart, this has confused and frustrated me as

thought. Sweetheart, this has confused and frustrated me as much as it has you,” he declared and then began covering Will’s face with possessive kisses. “I never believed in love… until you waltzed into my life. I wanted you so badly; I thought I was going mad.” He buried his face in Will’s neck and squeezed him close. Will responded by holding him tightly and telling him, “I wanted you, too, but I was afraid. I never thought it possible that you could love me.” Elijah groaned loudly and gripped him even tighter. “I am so sorry.” He kissed him long and deeply, drinking in the affection Will was offering. He was his now. William was his. His only fear was that this was all a dream and he’d wake up and be alone. “Say it again, Will, please say it again. I can’t hear it enough,” he pleaded as he continued to show him physically how much he loved and wanted him. “I love you, Elijah,” Will responded over and over, telling him repeatedly of his love and devotion. Will was touched by Eli’s unabashed need and his openness in showing him his vulnerabilities. Eli truly loved him, he had no doubt about it now. After a long period of kisses and whispers, Elijah surfaced to ask him one question. “What made you come back? I thought I’d lost you.” He searched Will’s face, seeking confirmation that he was really there. Will supplied it readily with a kiss. “I was so afraid. After all your games and tests, I didn’t

know what to believe. I was afraid to believe.” Will felt him groan, and Eli pulled him so tightly to him that Will thought his ribs would break. “I spoke with Kathy and Martin, and they both told me to follow my heart, but it was Adam who opened my eyes and convinced me that you were sincere.” This surprised Eli enough that he actually pulled back from Will to regard him seriously. “Adam Gerard is my champion?” He sounded stunned. Will laughed. “Yes, he cleared up the story of your dealings with John.” Elijah cringed when he heard that name. “And he told me that you would tell me the truth if I asked. He told me to come to you and lay it on the line, take the risk, so I did.” “I like Adam,” Elijah stated with a big smile. “I like Adam a lot,” he restated with enthusiasm, just as he began another torrent of passionate kisses. Adam’s business future was secure, Elijah would see to that. Adam had given him what he had fought so hard to attain. Adam had given him Will’s trust. There was no way he would ever be able to repay him, but he would try. “I have something for you.” Elijah shifted Will to the side and went to his desk, retrieving a manila envelope and a medium-sized wooden box. He handed them to Will, sat back down beside him, and pulled Will up close to him. He kept his arm around him. “I thought you might like to read this

for yourself. It will clear up a lot of misunderstandings you carry about yourself.” Will was perplexed as he took the papers from the envelope and set the box to one side. He had to catch his breath when he saw what it was. Elijah had obtained a copy of his parents’ will. He looked at Eli apprehensively, but Eli held him close and urged him to read it. “When Martin and I were away last week, I actually spent my time checking up on you.” He looked at Will with admiration. “I spoke with the lawyer, among others. Please read it, William.” With Eli’s support, he began. He visibly brightened as he completed the several-page document. It felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “They left everything to Katrina because they didn’t want you to spend your whole life taking care of her,” Elijah stated. “They left you what they could not bear to lose.” “They gave me the property up north and my mother’s jewels that had been passed down through the family for generations.” Will laughed. “They entrusted it all to me because I would keep it in the family. The property was originally settled by my great-grandfather. I never knew that it meant so much to them.” Will took the key that Elijah offered and opened the box. Inside were all the jewelry pieces that Will remembered from his childhood, along with his great-grandfather’s pocket

watch. These were expensive family pieces, and they now belonged to him. They were of great value and would fetch a very good price at auction, but Will would never let them out of his care, never, and his parents knew that. “I will pass these down to my children,” Will stated lovingly. “I like the sound of that.” Elijah interjected with a soft smile. “All this time I thought that I had disappointed them in some way; that I had done something wrong. I thought they hated me because I’m gay.” “They didn’t care about the money or the property in East Lansing, and they didn’t care about your sexuality. They left most everything to Katrina knowing that she would piss it away,” Elijah added. “They loved you enough not to saddle you with Katrina.” “Thank you for making me read this. I should have read it a long time ago.” Will sighed and laughed and hugged Eli to him. “I knew there had to be more to the story; no parent could turn their back on someone like you.” He kissed Will thoroughly and drew him to his feet. “There is something that I have been waiting to ask you.” “What is it?” Will asked, although he had an idea what it was. “Will you marry me, William?” Elijah got down on one knee and gallantly kissed Will’s hand.

“Yes, I will,” he answered with tears in his eyes. “And I promise, I will always love you.” “A man can’t ask for more than that.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple gold band and slipped it on his finger. “That makes it official.” “Thank you, it’s beautiful.” Will beamed. “I’ve been carrying that thing around with me for days, waiting for the right moment. It belonged to my grandfather.” Will was sick of talking and pounced on Eli, covering his mouth with kisses as he affirmed with his actions how much he was in love with Elijah. Eli responded in earnest, and soon, Will was backed up against the sofa. With the lightest of touches Will fell backward onto the sofa with Eli above him. He looked into Eli’s adoring eyes and saw all the things that Eli felt for him but couldn’t express in words. He connected again with Eli’s mouth, and they began exploring each other’s bodies with a newfound amazement. Their other encounters had been born out of lust and need; this was pure cementing of their bond of love. Eli pulled Will’s T-shirt over his head quickly, exposing the expanse of white flesh beneath. Eli then began kissing up and down Will’s neck, eliciting peaceful sighs from Will as he ran his hands across Eli’s firmly muscled back. Will marveled once again at how intimacy had been hard before, but with Eli it was always so natural and easy. This was what he had been

looking for his whole life and hadn’t even known it. Eli brought him back to the present by removing his own shirt and exposing his powerful, ranch-honed chest and torso. Will ran his hands over the tanned flesh and found himself completely overcome with desire. He latched onto one of Eli’s already hard nipples and then the other, causing a look of pleasure to play across Eli’s face. Eli once again took control of the situation and made short work of Will’s jeans and underwear, pulling them off before he went down on Will, taking his cock in his mouth in one fluid motion. Will arched his back and once again found himself moaning wantonly. No one had ever brought this kind of reaction out of him; no one had ever been this good. Eli let his finger wander down and begin circling Will’s entrance, teasing the outer ring. Will began bucking his hips, begging Eli to enter him. Eli took great pains preparing Will, making sure he was ready. He’d never found himself being so careful with another person, but never before had he loved someone so deeply. Once he was certain that Will was ready, he sheathed and lubed his achingly hard member and began slowly entering Will, completely overcome by the tightness and warmth. They had already done this twice, but each time they would explore each other’s bodies more, finding new ways to bring pleasure. Each time was new and exciting. Will wrapped his legs around Eli’s waist and begged him to move faster, and Eli did so with pleasure. The room was filled with their scent and the sound of their love: skin slapping together, moans and cries of passion, and

endearing words of love exchanged, filling the room completely. “I’m so close,” Eli grunted as he increased the speed of his thrusts. He began quickly stroking Will’s leaking cock, pleading, “Come with me.” A few strokes later, Will was crying out as he came, spilling out over his chest and Eli’s. Eli came moments later, filling the condom deep within William. Eli collapsed on the sofa to one side of Will and gathered him close to his chest, ignoring the bodily fluids that covered them both. “I’ve never been so happy,” Eli purred into Will’s ear, kissing his neck lovingly. “We need to make plans to fly out to Michigan to pick up Todd and some of your things. I have a feeling you’re going to be staying for quite a while,” Eli said with a lovable grin. “This isn’t another test, is it?” Will gave Eli a sly grin. “I had to ask.” “No more tests, no more games, no more distrust.” He kissed Will again to punctuate his statement. “I think we had better get dressed and go find Martin so we can tell him the good news,” Eli said, handing Will his clothing. A few minutes later, he took Will by the hand and led him to the doorway. “But before we do….” Eli pressed Will’s back against the door and whispered, “Tell me again that you love me.”

“I love you, Elijah; more than I ever thought possible,” Will stated, punctuating his words with a passionate kiss.

The marriage took place, as scheduled, the following Saturday. No one seemed particularly surprised by the immediacy of the event. “Once he makes up his mind,” Mrs. Coleman told the caterer, “there is no stopping him.” “I think Elijah started planning this wedding the moment he laid eyes on William,” Martin joked with Adam as they waited outside the small chapel in Boston. Since learning of Adam’s role in returning Will to him, Elijah had turned his former enemy into a lifelong friend. Katrina had even flown out for the wedding, no doubt trying to get into her now-veryrich brother’s good graces, but she found herself almost entirely ignored. Only Will was nice enough to greet her and thank her for coming. As much as he despised her, she was still family, and his parents would want them to stay in touch, if only minimally. Everyone cheered when the two men emerged from the large, ornate doors and headed down the walkway to their car. Elijah held tight to Will’s arm and smiled at the wellwishers. “So, Mr. Drake-Hunter, do you still think this is a trick?” he joked to Will. “I’m not sure. You could be stringing me along,” Will teased. “I was told you will go to any lengths to get what you

want.” “That, my dear William, is a true statement,” Eli declared. “But all I want is you.” William looked up at him then, with all his love and trust showing in his eyes. Eli took him in his arms and kissed him, vowing to never let him go.

About the Author

B.A. Stretke began writing when a fifth-grade teacher told him he couldn’t. That same stubbornness and drive led to the discovery of an actual talent. B.A. spends his days reading, engaging in sarcasm, and plotting ways to trap a rich Canadian husband so he can buy his mother a Lamborghini. He has dreams of being a schoolteacher and a novelist, as well as having a closet big enough to hold his obsessive collection of cardigans. B.A. writes to escape the mundane small town life—that same drive to write the great American novel never dying. B.A. lives in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, with two royally spoiled cats and his dear friends and family. B.A. tweets at twitter.com/DramaticPause10 and blogs at www.mypridemarch.net

Western Romance from Dreamspinner Press

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