A Shadow of Doubt Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  EBook Offer

  A Shadow of Doubt

  Texas Oil, Book 1

  Dakota Black

  Blushing Books

  ©2017 by Blushing Books® and Dakota Black

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  Dakota Black

  A Shadow of Doubt

  EBook ISBN: 978-1-61258-442-3

  Cover Art by ABCD Graphics & Design

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the author's advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

  Contents

  What’s Inside

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  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Dakota Black

  EBook Offer

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  What’s Inside

  Mitchell held his smile as Dani struggled to become comfortable. He watched in amusement as she shifted back and forth on the leather seat, crossing and re-crossing her legs. The comment had been on a whim, given her reaction to seeing him, but he was glad he’d been honest. She was exactly what he’d been missing in his life. Now, he simply had to convince her of the fact.

  “Where exactly are we going?” Dani asked as she slapped on the seatbelt. She knew the anticipated answer, but had she been told the truth?

  “El Paso.”

  “Then what?”

  “We will pick up our car and drive to the site in question where we’re going to have a discussion with the management team. They’ve been working on the problem and should have updates.”

  Dani shot him a look. “While I don’t as of yet fully comprehend what we’re facing, I have to ask, what does management really know? They aren’t the ones handling the day-to-day activities. They aren’t in the field, experiencing the difficulties and my guess is they also don’t know the area well, including the locals.”

  “Fascinating assumption and you are correct. Then who do you suggest? Who are the right people to talk with?” Mitchell tipped his head, eager to hear her answer.

  “The roughnecks. They are the real experts. They know every inch of the wells, the rigs and anyone who might be a problem.”

  “Very nice. I like your idea. We will schedule a meeting with them.” He admired her spunk and her take charge attitude. His cock stirred, creating discomfort. Stifling a smile, he made a mental note to extend a raise, if they were successful on the mission. His mind drifted to their dance, the way she allowed him to take the lead. He had a sixth sense about her. The woman was searching for release.

  “Excellent.” She seemed nervous, her face pinched. As she glanced out of the window, her hands gripped the arms of her seat.

  “Would you care for a glass of wine? That might help you relax.” He noticed the nervous tic in the corner of her mouth. Were the nerves because of his presumptiveness or the fear of flying?

  Dani glanced at her watch, grumbling under her breath. “While I appreciate the hospitality, we have pressing business to discuss. I need to be spot on. I also need to learn every detail to provide experienced advice.”

  “Very well. I value your work ethic. Let’s talk about what we’re facing.” She was processing his words, going over them in her mind. He could sense she was holding her tongue. He was, after all, the CEO, a man of authority. He held a smile. He was looking forward to the trip, even if the circumstances surrounding it were crucial to the company.

  “Excellent.” Instantly more comfortable, she grabbed a notebook from her briefcase.

  “Bottom line is that most of the barrels of oil being produced from the land purchased from Steele and Sons is rancid, more like muck than oil.”

  Her eyes opening wide, she began to write furiously. “Do you have a suspicion as to why?”

  “Honestly? Not yet. I just found out about this. If what I expect to find is the case, we’re talking about a much bigger problem which is all encompassing, affecting every oil rig site and barrel. If so, we must determine a fix. Supposedly a few rigs have been untouched, but I’m not certain how that’s possible.” He eased forward, placing his elbows on his knees. She was certainly all buttoned up, a tailored suit, a crisp white shirt and heels. Even her silky hair was spun into a bun. Wearing only a man’s style watch, she had strategically eliminated ninety percent of her femininity—except for the stilettos. He held a chuckle, imagining her delicate walk near the oil rigs. He was going to have to toughen her up if she wanted to succeed.

  “You ran a random sample testing before you purchased the land using an outside source, as well as several handled by your own engineers?” Dani kept her eyes off him, instead, writing furiously on her notepad.

  “Yes, we used a firm outside of Houston. They are highly reputable. We took one hundred and twelve core samples to be exact.”

  She gave him a respectful nod. “How long ago did this occur?”

  “Forty-five days. We closed twenty days ago.” Mitchell was impressed. She was organized, thorough and asked the kind of questions his engineers hadn’t thought of. “What are you thinking?”

  She eased her pen onto the pad and lifted her head. There was enough time to contaminate the site if someone knew what they were doing. “What I do know about the industry, which by no means makes me an expert, is that oil doesn’t become tainted or turn to sludge naturally in forty-five days.”

  “Then what are you suggesting?”

  “I’m suggesting that you have a saboteur on your hands, Mr. Rush.” Her eyes flashed, her expression one of disgust.

  Unfortunately, Mitchell couldn’t determine whether her distasteful look was because of him or the situation. The concept wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities, but would take money and connections to infiltrate his team. The words were chilling. “Then we must figure out how and what we can do to stop any additional contamination.”

  “I’m certain we can with time. The more important question is who and for what reason? Until you figure that out, you aren’t going to be able to solve the problem. You may very well be a target.”

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  Chapter 1

  What are you doing here? Why did you leave everything and everyone you know? He’s not out there. No man will ever understand your needs.

  “Dani. Are you dressed yet?”

  Danielle Montgomery groaned and glared at her reflection for the fifth time. Her best friend and the woman who’d coerced her into this entire adventure was waiting and Sasha waited for no one. Her little voice was right and she hated the fact. She would never find the kind of man she could trust. Never again. She knew this without a concept of doubt. How could there be? How could any man understand what she craved? She made faces into the mirror, contemplating bagging the night. All she wanted to do was crawl under the covers and hide. Just like you’ve done for months.

  The ugly words were true enough.

  “Remember, girl. You’re in cowboy country now. Time to kick up your heels, allow a man to lasso you into submission,” Sasha called.

  Submission. The single word gave her a moment of utter anxiety. Yes, she longed to submit body and soul. Hell, she’d thought she’d found the right one, a man with a firm hand and a take charge attitude. Boy, had she been wrong. “Time to let go. You’re moving on.” Like the pep talk was going to do her any good.

  She had no idea how to dress in cowboy country. Moving from Baltimore had been a culture shock, to say the least. Dallas, Texas was different in more ways than she could count. She had more than a shadow of doubt regarding her decision. “Coming.” No, she wasn’t coming, at least in the way she hungered for.

  She tossed the ugly purple dress, grabbing the red, slinky one instead. Scarlet was her color, complementing her raven hair. Who was she kidding? She hadn’t been out to a club in so long, she had no idea if she’d look like a fool. As she slid into the frock, she mumbled under her breath. Men had become her nemesis. The moment they learned she had an engineering degree, they backed away like hot potatoes. She needed a taste of a real man, the kind of rugged he-man who would sweep her off her feet while keeping her in line.

  “The President doesn’t take this long. Christ,” the woman chastised from the other room.

  “Yeah. Yeah.” She was thankful she had at least one friend in town. Sasha Jameson had been her college roommate, back in the day. They’d kept in touch and when a job opening in her field came about, Dani had been the first person she called. The decision to move had been swift and determined. Maybe foolish. She smoothed down the material, moving from side to side as she studied her reflection.

  “Remember, we have reservations.”

  “Where are we going anyway?” Dani was happy with the look, a little slutty and extremely sensual. The cowboys wouldn’t know what hit them. With Sasha’s help, she’d been able to secure a small, but well adorned house in a good neighborhood. She had just enough of a backyard that she might be able to keep the grass alive, given the harsh weather conditions. ‘Might’ was the operative word.

  “Cattle Ranch,” Sasha said as she eased into the doorway. “Good God, woman. Where do you think you’re going, some fancy dancy party?”

  “Cattle Ranch? What in the hell is this kind of place?” So, she wasn’t wearing jeans and cowboy boots, the standard attire from what little she’d seen so far.

  Sasha flanked her side, fiddling with Dani’s hair. “The kind where you can find anything and everything you’re looking for.”

  Dani gave her a harsh look.

  “Just stop. Okay? I’ll have you know that Cattle Ranch is a four-star restaurant that just happens to be connected to the finest boot scootin’ honky-tonk bar in the city.”

  “Honky-tonk. Be still my heart.” Rolling her eyes, she made a funny face into the mirror. “Guess I’m a bit overdressed, huh?” She gazed in the mirror at Sasha’s tight skirt and cowboy boots, shivering. She didn’t even own a pair of boots, let alone cowboy style. She was used to suits and heels, conservative attire given her position of authority in Baltimore.

  “A wee bit, but I’m certain you’ll be pawed.”

  “Perfect. Exactly what I was craving.” Dani selected a silver necklace and watch, determined to bring some sort of flair to the joint.

  Sasha leaned in, winking as she puckered her lips. “I know exactly what you need, girlfriend.”

  “Oh, you do, do you?” There was no way Sasha had any idea what she craved, even after all the late night, long distance discussions. Discipline. The thought sizzled her senses, making her nipples hard. Tonight, was about fun and meeting new girls, not about considering a man. Her new job was starting in two days. A new state. A new job. Ugh. The same trepidations. She was going to live it up, then retreat as she always did into her cocoon. Safe. Responsible. Monikers for her entire life.

  “A hard lay.” Sasha giggled then shook her head. “You need to have some fun. You know the expression, all work and no play, don’t you?”

  “You’re such a funny girl. Tell me why did I listen to you and move here again?” Dani grabbed her purse and keys. Texas would take her this way or no way.

  Placing her hands on Dani’s shoulders, Sasha’s expression became serious. “Because you found the job of your dreams and because you’re soothing a broken heart. Remember?”

  “Thanks, oh so much for reminding me of that second fact.” She spritzed her favorite cologne, pushing away the memories. Being left at the altar wasn’t the finest moment of her life. David didn’t have enough courage to call her ahead of time, giving her the news that he was running away to Cancun with a girl he just met—his soul mate. No, he’d allowed her the embarrassment of the century.

  “Fuck David. Fuck Maryland. Texas boys will never do you wrong. Come on. I’m driving.” Sasha swished her long, blonde hair and sauntered out of the bedroom, humming in a far too cheerful lilt.

  Dani inhaled, envisioning David on a hot skewer, cutting off his balls for sheer entertainment. Her gruesome visions had kept her dreams from becoming nightmares. Thank God, for something. She held her head high, gave her reflection the finger and turned off the light. Time for a new adventure.

  Twenty minutes later, Sasha roared into the parking lot of Cattle Ranch, the entire time singing to some local country station.

  Her head aching, Dani rubbed her temples and glanced out the windshield. “You can’t tell me that everyone in this parking lot is inside that building.” The rustic two story was enormous, but certainly not large enough to fit a solid four hundred people inside.

  “You’d be surprised, sunshine. Wall to wall. Just the way I like them.” She jerked the keys from the ignition. “Well, big, tall, dumb and sexy. That’s more my style.”

  Dani climbed out of the Miata, stretching her long legs and holding her breath. Men and women, alone and in couples, were coming and going. The music was loud, brash and indeed, honky-tonk. She wasn’t going to survive. “I
don’t think I fit in.”

  Sasha grabbed her by the arm, yanking her past the rear of the car. “I will tan your hide if you don’t stop acting like a teenager. A few margaritas and you’ll fit right in. No matter if you look like a walking, talking billboard advertising sin and sex.”

  “I should smack you.”

  “Go ahead and try.” Sasha pulled her toward the entrance. “Just relax. This is going to be a fun night.”

  “Said the spider to the fly.” When they walked in, Dani was overwhelmed by the crowd, the neon lights accentuating the bar, various pictures and the dance floor. Music, albeit country music, blared from unseen speakers, adding to the festive ambiance. The restaurant was huge, pulsing with energy, and almost immediately she was in a better mood. “Does this happen every weekend?”

  “Every night, sugar. Come on. I see the girls.”

  She was led to a group of women surrounding a round table.

  “Ladies. This is my very best friend in the world, Danielle Montgomery. Go easy on her. She has no idea how to handle a cowboy town.” Sasha laughed as she eased down in a chair.

  “This is my best friend, a woman who thinks she has me pegged for a city slicker. Little does she know I’m a tigress in sheep’s clothing,” Dani stated then smiled.

  “I like this girl.”

  “She’s a keeper.”

  “Where have you been hiding this woman?”

  Sasha motioned for the approaching waiter. “See? I told you that you’d fit right in. Now, sit your ass down and let’s drink. We are celebrating your new job and our renewed friendship. This is Marcy, Jenny and Randi. Don’t let them fool you either. They are vicious snakes.”