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  Finders Keepers

  C.A. Rose

  Copyright © 2016 ARR-INC. E-Book and Print Edition

  Kindle Edition

  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 permission in writing.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons or living or dead, events or locals are entirely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/ Use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  All rights reserved.

  He found her.

  He’s keeping her.

  No one, not even her, is going to keep him from doing just that.

  If you’re looking for a quickie that’s a bit sweet, a whole lot alpha, and ridiculously dirty, this is the book for you.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About the Book

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Other books by this Author

  Finders Keepers

  CHAPTER 1

  ‡

  Aspen

  My car is done… as in done. Trying the engine again, I get nothing, not even a click, click, click.

  “Crap,” I groan, fighting the urge to scream at the top of my lungs. Now not only am I lost in the middle of nowhere but also my car has broke down and, I haven’t seen a house or car for miles. I probably shouldn’t have driven pissed with no destination in mind without a cell phone. Then again, I am me, and being me, I’m always doing stupid stuff.

  Looking through the windshield I wonder what the chances are of seeing a bear, a wolf, or even a cougar. The chances are probably huge. Montana is known for those animals and I’m in the woods in the middle of the freaking night.

  Deciding to wait in the car, I silently pray for someone to drive by, but after sitting in the dark for what seems like forever, with nothing but my overactive imagination to keep me company, I start to wonder what the chances are of a car driving by with a serial killer behind the wheel.

  “You are seriously so stupid,” I tell myself, as fear starts to make me feel jittery. Not only am I outside my normal stomping ground I don’t have a cell phone and no one knows where I am. Hell I have no idea where I am exactly. Realizing I have two choices: die from being eaten by some kind of animal, or die from being murdered I obviously choose option number one.

  Swinging my door open I set one Louis Vuitton shoe on the pavement then the other, and teeter on the uneven ground below my feet. I don’t normally wear heels, so I suck at walking in them, but my evil, bitch-face stepmother insisted I get dressed up for her event tonight. So, being the pushover I am, I did.

  Lucky for me, I had taken jeans and a tee with me to the event, so I was able to change out of my dress. Unluckily for me I forgot my sneakers, giving me no choice but to walk down a dark uneven road in killer heels.

  After walking for a while I look over my shoulder and notice I can barely see my car anymore, so at least I’m making progress even if it is slow. Continuing my trek, I stop in my tracks when a noise off the side of the road in the forest gets my attention. Listening, I hear the sound again, this time closer than before.

  “Hello?” I call, closing my eyes trying to focus my hearing wishing I would have stayed in my car.

  Hearing a soft growl my eyes spring open and I panic. Taking off in a sprint I curse myself as my heel gets caught in the pavement and I go down, twisting my ankle, leaving me helpless and writhing in pain on the ground.

  Seeing a huge wolf come toward me, I scream as loud as I can while sweeping my hand out on the ground around me in a panic, looking for a weapon. Finding a stick, I bat it in the direction of the wolf as I sit up. Scooting away from the giant beast with the stick pointed toward him, I pant as the furry beast takes two steps in my direction, growling again and displaying his vicious teeth.

  I swing the stick at him, and he backs up then disappears into the woods, probably running off to get his human-eating wolf friends. And at that thought, I pass out.

  *

  I’m being carried, I think, as I wake slowly. The pain in my ankle is throbbing, and I wonder if I broke it. Feeling my face pressed to warm cotton-covered skin, I try to lift my head, but a hand moves, pressing my head back where it was.

  “Easy,” I hear rumbled, while feeling the vibration against my cheek. I soak in my savior’s smell while I fight my body to awaken. His smell is clean but masculine, and I really want to press my nose to his neck to inhale even more of it.

  “Rage, stay,” my rescuer orders, and I lift my head an inch to see who he’s speaking to, discovering it’s the wolf that tried to kill me.

  “Oh, God, please be careful,” I whisper, as my body grows tight in panic. That’s when my whole world tips upside down. The man holding me dips his face toward mine and his eyebrows draw together. He’s gorgeous—or what I can see of his face not covered by his beard is gorgeous. Dark hair that’s a little long, and bright blue eyes that shine like crystals surrounded by dark lashes. Full lips, and a perfect nose.

  “Careful of what?” he asks in his deep, rumbly voice.

  “The wolf,” I tell him breathlessly, and he smiles a blinding white smile.

  “That’s Rage. He’s a kitten,” he whispers, and I have to say I like his whisper voice as much as I like his deep, rumbly voice.

  “He tried to eat me,” I inform him, and his smile turns into a devilish grin.

  “Can’t blame him. I wouldn’t mind eating you either.” He winks, and my core tightens at the thought of this man “eating” me.

  CHAPTER 2

  ‡

  Hunter

  What are the chances of finding a beautiful woman passed out on my property? Yesterday, I would have said zero. Today, however, I’m thinking I struck pay dirt.

  When Rage stared howling, I knew something was wrong, so I got my shotgun and followed him through the woods toward the road. When I came across the beauty currently in my arms, I made sure she was breathing then figured I should take her with me. I probably could have taken her to her car and called the sheriff, but something in me couldn’t do it. Once I had her in my arms, I didn’t want to let her go.

  Carrying her up the porch, I unlock the door then take her right up to my room and lay her on the bed. Her eyes scan me then the room, and her little tongue comes out to lick her lips. She’s beautiful, with long, curly red hair, cute freckles covering her from head to toe, creamy skin, and green eyes that look like the forest in my back yard.

  “I’m gonna get you somethin’ for the pain,” I mutter, turning my back on her to hide my sudden erection. I don’t want to scare her off, and if she knew what I was thinking she’d be running for the hills.

  Heading to the bathroom, I grab a couple of pain pills. They will likely knock her on her ass, but I’m sure she’d rather be sleeping than being in pain. Taking the pills and some water to her, she takes both without even a question of what are they. Not even an “Are you kidnapping me?” or a “What’s your name?” She’s innocent, really fucking innocent if she doesn’t realize she’
s in a house with a man she doesn’t know, who’s been hard since he picked her up off the ground.

  “How old are you?” I bark, and she jumps at my tone then ducks her head and looks up at me through long lashes.

  “Nineteen,” she whispers.

  Well, thank fuck for that. At least she’s legal.

  “Um… how old are you?” she asks, studying me, and I cross my arms over my chest and fight my smile as her eyes heat. She may be innocent, but her gaze is hungry.

  “Almost thirty.”

  “Oh,” she whispers, and I raise a brow.

  “Is that a problem?”

  “What? Of course not. I mean… I mean, a problem for what?” she asks, looking adorable as her freckle-covered cheeks grow a dark shade of pink.

  “What’s your name, beauty?”

  “Aspen,” she yawns.

  “I’m Hunter.”

  She smiles then tilts her head to the side. “You remind me of a grizzly bear.”

  “That so?” I raise a brow, and her whole body flushes.

  Christ, she’s sweet.

  “It’s just the beard. You’re all fuzzy.” She raises her hand, catching me off-guard by rubbing my beard. My cock, which has been curious about her since the moment I found her, presses hard against the zipper of my jeans, wanting to get to her.

  “Did you ever hear the saying ‘You shouldn’t poke the bear’?” I growl low.

  At my rumble, her breath hitches and her hand drops as her eyes shoot up to meet mine.

  “Sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” She shakes her head, putting her hand to her forehead.

  “You can touch me anytime. But first, let’s get you better.”

  Her mouth forms a perfect O, and I can imagine my cock disappearing between her lips while she looks up at me. I need to put some space between us before I do something that will scare her away. Before I’ve even had a chance to taste her.

  “Lie back.” I ease her back onto the bed then put her sprained foot up on the pillow. As I do, I study her heels. They are sexy as hell. Diamonds are glued to the entire surface, with heels so high and slim I’m sure they could kill someone. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’m gonna get some ice for your ankle.”

  “Okay,” she yawns once more, and I leave the room.

  Heading downstairs, I let Rage in from outside, and point him to his bed by the fireplace before heading for the kitchen. When I get back upstairs a few minutes later with ice wrapped in a towel, she’s sleeping on her side, hugging my pillow to her chest. I try to wake her, but she doesn’t move.

  Figuring she’ll be more comfortable out of her clothes, I take off her sparkly heels then her jeans. Her legs are long and lean, which is crazy, since she’s probably only five one, tops. Leaving her shirt on, I notice she’s not wearing a bra. I can see the outline of her pink, puffy nipples through the material of her white shirt. My jaw ticks in annoyance and possessiveness. She shouldn’t be out dressed like she is, and if she were mine—well, I guess she’s mine now, since I found her—she wouldn’t be out anywhere without a fucking bra.

  Wrapping her ankle in the ice and a second towel, I pull the cover up over her then debate with myself for half a second before deciding, fuck it. Slipping off my clothes and getting into bed with her, I press my body against hers.

  Waking in the morning, I roll over, finding the bed empty. Sitting up, I panic, throwing back the covers and jumping from the bed. I stumble into my jeans and run downstairs while pulling on my shirt, and then skid to a halt.

  “Good boy! You’re such a good boy,” Aspen coos to Rage, who is lying on the kitchen floor at her feet on his back with his legs up in the air. “Do you want another piece?” she asks him, and he rolls over and sits on his haunches. I watch her grab a piece of ham off the counter, as she tells Rage, “Lay down and roll over.” Rage follows the commands then waits for her to drop to her bare knees, rubbing his belly.

  “You tryin’ to turn my dog against me?” I ask, and her head shoots up while Rage places himself between her and me. I feel my brows draw together. Rage doesn’t mind people, but he’s always been my dog.

  “I was getting ice for my ankle when he came in. He scared me, so I gave him some ham.”

  “You shouldn’t be on your ankle,” I tell her, walking completely into the kitchen. As soon as I’m close enough, I scoop her up into my arms and hold her against my chest. I don’t know how it’s possible but I missed her when I didn’t wake up with her in my arms.

  “Oh my,” she whispers, wrapping her arms around my neck.

  “Where’s your ice?” I look around the top of the counters, but can’t see the towel anywhere.

  “I got distracted with Rage,” she mumbles, and I set her on the island in the middle of the kitchen then tilt her head back and take a kiss, not able to help myself. Her eyes widen as I brush my mouth over hers a second and a third time. Keeping my touch light, I run my hand up her thighs then spread her slender legs and settle in.

  “What are you doing?” she whispers, and I lean back and watch the pulse in her neck thump madly.

  “Touching you.”

  “W-why?” she stutters, swallowing hard.

  “Because I can.” I lean in and kiss her once more then back off before I get carried away. Grabbing a baggie and another kitchen towel, I order “Up” as I lift her off the counter. “Do you want to go back to bed, or would you like to rest on the couch for a bit?”

  “Couch,” she whispers, and I swear I feel her tongue touch the skin of my neck as she answers. My cock that is painfully hard twitches behind my zipper and I bite back a groan.

  “Where were you headed last night?” I ask, as I settle her onto the couch.

  “My stepmom had an event and demanded I be there.”

  “But you left?” I guess, and she looks over my shoulder. “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “Pardon?”

  “Why did you leave the event?” I ask watching her pull in a breath and let it out slowly.

  “My stepmom tried to set me up with this guy and—.”

  Her words end suddenly as I hear myself growl, and her gaze flies up to meet mine where I’m hovering over her.

  “Who?” I inquire, trying to keep the anger out of my tone just from hearing another man’s name on her tongue.

  “Don.” She licks her lips and shakes her head. “I’ve know him since I was fifteen. For the past three years, he’s been bugging me. His dad is some big bank guy, and my stepmom overheard him ask me out. Since then, she’s been trying to set us up.

  “Bugging you?” I repeat, feeling my temper flare, and her eyes move to meet mine.

  “He’s just annoying,” she assures quietly, reading my body language.

  “Has he ever touched you?” Her head shakes then she smiles. And at that smile, I realize that not only is she gorgeous, but she is fucking beautiful.

  “That’s a lie. He did once, but I kicked him in the nuts. He hasn’t touched me again since.”

  “Good.” I settle on the couch, rest her legs over the tops of my knees and run my hand up her thigh watching her eyes flare with nervousness and desire.

  CHAPTER 3

  ‡

  Aspen

  Licking my lips I wonder what the hell I’m doing. It’s not like I’m a slut, or even a little experienced, but I never want Hunter to take his hands off me. I could definitely get used to the way his touch feels.

  I wonder what he would do if I jumped him, I think, as his hands move softly up my bare thigh.

  “Baby.” The tingles on my thigh have my eyes dropping there, and I see his big, tan hand against my creamy, freckle-covered flesh. “Babe.” He squeezes, and my eyes move to his.

  “Hmm?” I lick my lips again and feel his body rumble as his eyes watch my mouth.

  “Do you have someone you should call?”

  “Call?” My nose scrunches, and he smiles.

  “Who do you need to let know your okay?”


  “Oh.”

  “Oh,” he repeats with a shake of his head and a small twitch at the corner of his mouth.

  “I should probably call my dad,” I mutter. Not that it will matter, but I should tell him that I’m okay. My dad is kind of a dick. Okay he’s not kind of a dick he just is a dick. You see I’m the product of my dad cheating on my step mom. My dad met my mom and told her that he wasn’t in a relationship but he lied not only was he in a relationship he was married. My mom didn’t have a clue until she came up pregnant and told him. That’s when the truth came out.

  “If you were my girl, I’d want to know you’re safe.” His words bring me out of my head and I study the look on his face.

  The way he says, “If you were my girl” has my belly warming and my skin tingling in a weird way, but the look in his eyes has the space between my legs—which has only ever been touched by me—pulsing.

  “Where does he live?” he asks, and I watch his mouth move, wondering if he will kiss me again.

  “What?” I ask, trying to focus on him, not on what my body’s doing.

  “Your father, where does he live?”

  “Missoula, or outside of it, with my stepmom,” I tell him, and he nods then moves his hands a little higher up my legs.

  “Where do you live?”

  “In Missoula,” I squeak, as his fingers ride along my hip toward my inner thigh.

  “Alone?” There’s that growl again.

  “I… well… I… I live with Mic,” I breathe, wanting to open my legs just a little bit, but too afraid to do it.

  “Mic?” His body gets closer to mine, but instead of fear, I feel something I’ve never felt before as he moves one foot to the floor and adjusts my other leg over the back of the couch. His hands move up my thighs, and he drops forward, running his nose along my panties.

  “W-what are you doing?” I breathe, then my head falls back as his finger glides lightly over my panties, running over my swollen, sensitive clit.