Chasing Trouble (In Ashwood Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  CHASING TROUBLE

  In Ashwood

  Kinney Scott

  Chasing Trouble

  In Ashwood

  Copyright © 2017

  Kindle Edition

  Mosquito Creek Publishing

  No part of this book may be used without prior written permission from the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents in this book are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual events or persons living or dead is completely coincidental.

  The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and explicit sexual situations. It is intended for adult readers only.

  Cover Design by

  Marianne Nowicki at PremadeEbookCoverShop.com

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  ONE

  “Come out Linnea,” Amanda begged. Her forehead bumped against the bathroom door as a faint moan bled through from the opposite side.

  Linnea stared at the voluptuous auburn haired girl in the mirror. “I can’t. This costume didn’t look so scandalous when I tried it on in Portland.”

  “Compared to everything else, it was tame. Please, let me take a look.” The jangle of a paperclip followed Amanda’s words, as she attempted to jimmy the lock.

  “Okay! Fine, I’m coming out.” The door handle rattled in Linnea’s trembling fingers. Resigned to the fact that she had no other choice, Linnea eased the door open.

  Amanda gasped the moment her cousin came into view. “Oh my God, You look amazing.”

  Linnea compared their appearances, “Why does your pink bedazzled bikini seem to cover so much more than this?”

  The form-fitting bronzed bodice accentuated Linn’s feminine curves. Stepping in front of the full-length mirror, her mouth gaped at the shocking impact of her reflection.

  High heel bronzed leather boots hugged her calves to just above her knees, adding extra length to already lengthy stems. A few inches of exposed pale skin peeked between the top of her high boots and below the hem of her short skirt. Those few inches of flesh looked positively erotic.

  Turning completely around, her neck strained to study the curves of her apple bottom, barely concealed under the short gladiator-style skirt. “Does this make my butt look big?” Linnea’s eyes scrunched with worry then darted to Amanda.

  “Shut up,” she answered in a flat tone. “You could stop traffic with that butt. Unfortunately, no one will have a chance to notice how fine your ass looks, because of all you have going on upstairs!” Amanda’s sweeping movement brought attention to Linnea’s blushing breasts.

  The new push-up bra she purchased to make the most of the costume’s strapless top lifted her best assets up in pale mounds of perfection. A nervous giggle burst from her lips. Looking at the clock, Linnea realized it was too late for any last minute adjustments.

  “I’ve got to get to the taproom. I left Dillon in charge, but we open the doors soon. I need to meet with the caterers and talk to the band.” Linnea and Amanda scooped up their belongings and snuck out the door.

  The pair concealed their outfits under long raincoats and hurried away before Amanda’s parents spotted them. Linnea fell behind the wheel, peeking in the back seat to check for her small overnight duffle. She’d packed a change of clothes for tomorrow morning and sexy lingerie for tonight, hoping plans would go her way.

  Settled into the passenger seat, Amanda texted Molly and Mandy. Their cousins made a special trip from Seattle to attend this Halloween event. Mandy replied immediately confirming they were on their way and ready for the sleepover.

  Picking up speed, Linnea ran through her planning checklist in her mind. By habit, she used her drive time to organize her thoughts. Amanda interrupted her high speed planning, almost bouncing with excitement for the evening ahead.

  “Molly and Mandy are on their way! Did you let Rick know about your night without a curfew?” Her cousins teasing sent prickles of nervous energy across Linnea’s arms.

  “No, I thought I’d surprise him.” As her cheeks flamed with embarrassed heat, Linn wished she had not confided so honestly with her younger cousin.

  Amanda pushed on, “I can’t believe Rick’s taken so long to get you in bed. It’s not like him. You know, before you came along, the guy was a serious player.”

  Linnea didn’t need to hear this again, “I know, Amanda. I appreciate that he’s willing to take time for our relationship to develop.”

  “Yeah, but you’ve done the deed before. I don’t see why you wanted to wait.”

  “I’ve only been with one other guy, and it wasn’t…great. So, I didn’t see any reason to rush.” At least that was how Linnea felt at the beginning. Initially, taking her time with Rick was a form of self-preservation. He just seemed too far out of her reach.

  Linnea met Rick after she moved from Yakima to run the taproom. When the intimidating man began his pursuit, she fought off her typical insecurity. Men with his combination of intoxicating appeal and dark good looks weren’t drawn to women like her. Sure, she was curvy and attractive, but her quiet nature left men as hot as Rick to the boldly flirtatious.

  Early in his pursuit, Linnea sent clear signals. She needed to take things slow. Now that she was ready for more, Rick continued to stick to her early wishes. Everything about the man was a rock - his body, his determination, and his self-control. Tonight, Linnea intended to shake his foundation, using this curve-hugging costume as her first explosive stick of dynamite.

  “What’s it like, Linn. The first time I mean,” Amanda asked. She didn’t know how long she’d have to wait, but Amanda had already selected the man she most desired - Kent.

  Some days he seemed enthusiastic, enticing her to the very edge of temptation. Other times Kent pushed her back to a friendly arm’s length. The mixed messages were beyond infuriating. If he ever made a genuine move, Amanda would seize the moment.

  Linnea decided to share her limited experience with her curious cousin. “My first time was…awkward. And it hurt a little. I’m glad Sam knew what he was doing. And he cared about me, so after I got past the nerves he made sure I had fun.”

  “Did he go down on you?” Amanda giggled.

  Linnea felt embarrassed heat radiating from her body, “Yeah. He did. That part was amazing. You haven’t told Molly and Mandy about my plans for tonight, have you?”

  “No, your nerves are alread
y bad enough. Don’t worry. Rick’s going to take one look at that outfit, sling you over his shoulder and take you to his truck in the parking lot.”

  “After waiting this long, I’m not doing anything in the parking lot. I want my first night with Rick to be perfect.”

  “It will be, Linnea. He cares about you.” Amanda wanted what her cousin had, hopefully with Kent. She knew her chances were slim. Kent’s record with women was notorious.

  Pulling up to Mosquito Creek Brewing, a wave of relief swept over Linnea. Only a few cars dotted the lot. She’d have time to slip behind the bar and hide the full impact of her costume. The pair stopped by the tiny home first to drop off their duffle bags. Seth kept the fully equipped demo model on site to give customers a taste of the tiny-home lifestyle. Tonight it would provide the perfect location to keep a party humming all night long.

  Linnea secretly rejoiced her cousin’s brilliant idea, “Does Kent know about your plans?”

  “Yeah, he’s helped with some after-party planning.” Still twenty, Amanda couldn’t drink at taproom events. She begged Kent to bring a couple bottles of champagne for the private after hours celebration. He gave in to her plea, if she promised to keep the plan between the two of them.

  When Linnea left this afternoon, Mosquito Creek Taproom was completely decorated, but in bright daylight, her black and white horror movie theme fell short of its full effect. Now that the fog machines were cranking out white smoke, the ghoulish atmosphere knit perfectly together.

  Linnea orchestrated the eerie transformation with the help of Whitewater and Mosquito Creek staff. Her older brother, Wade, stayed out of the way. As the owner of Mosquito Creek Brewing, he knew his strengths. Brewing he handled with absolute precision, yet he happily gave his sister free reign to run the taproom and organize special events.

  Sharp circular saw blades and vintage crosscut saws hung year round, accenting the walls with touches of early logging history. Cloaked in cobwebs and dripping with fake blood these tools became menacing instruments of torment.

  From her spot behind the bar, she admired each section. Kent built an ancient looking operating table to anchor the Frankenstein set. He hung the slab from the lofted ceiling by heavy black chains. Annie placed the details, a rubber brain floating in a vat of orange liquid and blood covered operating instruments.

  Seth and Natalie hauled in yards of fabric and tackled The Mummy, erecting a group of mummies emerging from imitation caskets.

  A Dracula replica, oozing with blood and sultry appeal, welcomed guests near the door. Ravenna hung rubber bats above a table laden with bottles of blood and deadly implements of eradication. Draped in red, and rich with sound effects, this display welcomed guests with a perfect unnatural tone.

  Mosquito Creek Brewing oozed with dark allure ready to provide the backdrop for a night of wicked pleasure.

  TWO

  Wade and Ravenna arrived an hour before their first guests. The pair of vampires absorbed the full effect of the delightfully disturbing surroundings. Dressed entirely in black, finished with a purple lined cape, Wade laced his long hair back to the nape of his neck. The evil vampire smiled and removed his sinister fangs. At his side, Ravenna embraced the role of his willing victim. Her sleek raven hair contrasted perfectly with her white virginal lingerie. Two dots of dripping “blood” at her neck completed the chilling look.

  “Just look at your transformed brewery!” Ravenna gasped. She embodied the role of her character clinging tight to Wade’s arm. “If Linn wasn’t so devoted to you, I would steal her for my brewery in Oregon.”

  “We’re in this business together. I’m sure Linnea would be thrilled to help with an event at Silver Raven.”

  Ravenna shook her head, “Maybe, but I’d have to lure Rick away from Whitewater Homes to keep her there for long.”

  “True,” Wade agreed with a nod.

  He crept to the bar with his cape drawn across his face, attempting to surprise his sister while her back was turned. Linnea spun around and the pair of siblings winced, she fought to keep herself upright when all she wanted to do was hide from him behind the counter. Wade’s eyes widened and then scowled at the sight of his younger sister spilling from her revealing costume.

  Ravenna shrieked and extending both arms across the wood bar, “Oh, Linn, you look stunning! That costume was made for you. I love it!” Wade’s shocked frown disagreed with his girlfriend’s words, but he wisely set his jaw and kept his thoughts to himself.

  “Thank you Ravenna, it took courage to remove my coat. I love the couples look you put together.”

  Ravenna spun to give her friend a better view, “Wade fought the idea at first, but I think he secretly likes the black cape.”

  The cape had nothing to do with it. Wade’s hesitation evaporated the moment he saw Ravenna in her flawless white lingerie.

  Linnea leaned forward to share the next tidbit quietly, “Fortunately, when I spotted the twin’s costumes, I knew I wouldn’t be the center of attention.”

  Ravenna’s eyes panned the room, “Where are they?” She spotted the twins, flanking Amanda.

  Wade inhaled a pained breath at the sight of his three cousins. “I give up,” he sighed looking to the rafters wondering where the women in his family found these scraps of fabric.

  “Wow, they’re daring,” Ravenna grinned at the skin-revealing choices. The twins had put together their personal take on the good-witch, bad-witch theme. Black for the bad, and white for the good. Each wore a lace-up bustier. Both rocked minuscule tight skirts and tiptoed in mile high heels. Molly’s black hat added extra height, while Mandy chose a glittery crown.

  Amanda skipped over with a tote-bag, “Here Linn before you get busy, add the arm cuffs. Put the shield and sword behind you on the bar. Your props look bad ass in these lights.”

  Slipping on the last pieces of her costume, Linnea spun around to check her reflection in a mirrored beer logo sign.

  “Good?” she asked Amanda.

  “Perfect,” Ravenna and Amanda chimed in unison.

  Looking for Seth in the taproom, Wade hoped to locate someone with a scrap of sense. He gave up and joined his sister behind the bar waiting for the rest of his employees to trickle in. Annie showed up first, wearing a conservative black cat outfit with ears and a tail.

  Following her rocky start as a new hire last summer, she now worked tirelessly to repair her tarnished record. He smiled her direction, pleased that she had become one of his most dependable employees.

  After finishing the sound check with the four members of Foundry, Dillon relieved Wade behind the bar. Understanding the humor in his black and white striped convict outfit, Wade burst out laughing.

  Dillon shrugged with a confident grin, “Too soon?”

  “Nah, Dillon, it’s perfect. Just don’t end up in jail like Kyle. He was one hell of an employee.” Only a few people in Ashwood might catch on, but with Dillon’s dry humor, Wade expected the wit.

  With his staff in place, Wade mingled among the growing masses, answering questions about his latest beer creations. Each time a new guest wandered in, Linnea peeked up from her position behind the bar, hoping to spot Rick. Anticipation coiled in her stomach, leaving her feeling off-kilter.

  Spotting her growing nerves Wade wandered back to relieve his sister, “Take a break Linnea - you’ve been serving drinks for over an hour.”

  He pulled his sister from the safety of the bar, aware that she wouldn’t be alone for long. Wade just spotted Rick’s truck pulling in the side lot while taking a bag of trash to the outside dumpster. With the get-up his sister was wearing, Rick might thank him later for releasing Linnea from her front and center post.

  Nodding, she thanked him and ducked into the bathroom to take a quick break. She freshened her rich burgundy lipstick, readjusted her arm cuffs and brushed a few stray flyaways back in place. Coming out, she scanned the room for Rick. Not finding him, Linnea withdrew from the pulsing music to a darkened mummy filled corner.
r />   Rick saw her long before she spotted him. No one could miss the stunning superhero in thigh high boots. Damn, he was in serious trouble. She finally sensed eyes watching her from somewhere in the room. Scanning the space, his lips tipped into a smile when their eyes met.

  Taking a moment to settle herself, she felt a wave of relief wash over her body. The coiled stress of waiting bled into an altogether different type of tension. Rick dazzled her. His late in the day beard darkened his jawline. She loved the rasp on her skin when he kissed her and dreamt of places where the burn of his whiskers might feel even more pleasurable.

  Leaning against the wall, just inside Mosquito Creek Taproom, he took plenty of time drinking in her delectable curves. Every nerve in his body wanted to scoop up this gorgeous woman, fling her over his shoulder, and carry her away. His mouth watered. The tall boots, the short skirt, and the way she spilled over the top of that outfit, it was more than he could take.

  Then she moved. As her mounds of white creamy flesh jiggled, his knees almost gave way. Rick’s strides shrank the distance between them. Immobilized by his gaze, she shut her eyes for a fraction longer than usual. His steps stopped in front of her as she inhaled his sent, an intoxicating mixture of soap, cut lumber, and his own personal heat.

  Opening her eyes to him, she noted his gear and asked, “Did you dressed as a hot fireman?”

  “Uh, no. I’m on-call with the department until eleven,” he smiled.

  A blush pinkened every inch of her exposed skin. She shrugged, a little embarrassed, and giggled in that honest way he loved.

  Using his body to block her from public view, he bent his head and said, “You look good enough to eat, Linnea,” he wanted desperately to take a taste.

  “What do you think of the party?” she asked, glancing away from his riveting stare.

  “I can’t see anything but you,” he answered honestly. Rick pulled her warm body to his and tasted her sweet lips. Pushing her further into the shadowy corner, he took his time plundering her mouth. First, Linnea’s knees went soft as heat spread to the bare gap of thigh at the top of her leather boots. The fire didn’t stop there. As he worked his kisses down her neck, the melting sensation settled under her short skirt.