The Minotaur's Mate

By C.A. Salo

During a bar fight, truck driver Serafina Rinne accidently hits the one man who could ruin her career, Sheriff Gabriel Conall. Serafina's amazed at the way her body leaps to life around the brawny Sheriff, and she goes along quietly when he leads her into the Sheriff's station. Then Gabe makes her an offer she can't turn down—stay in jail or gain her freedom. He'll drop the charges. All she has to do is help him move some precious cargo. As details of the job are worked out, Gabe helps Fina understand more about who she is in a way she didn't think anyone could. Something between them ignites, and when Gabe shows his dominant side, something she's always longed for opens up within Fina. But soon Fina's life is on the line. Did Fina just make the biggest mistake of her life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Torrid Books
• Release date: Jul 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781611607482

Book preview

Chapter 1

Fina glanced in her mirrors making sure the trailer lined up with the docking bay before shifting into neutral, lifting her brake and shutting the truck down. Grabbing her clipboard, she opened the door and hopped down from the cab, listening to the docking bay doors open. Hey, Charlie.

Hey, Fina, how’s it going?

Couldn’t be better, she said, smiling as she walked the ramp to the bay doors and handed him the clipboard before releasing the trailer door. Although it would have been a little better if I hadn’t gotten stuck on ninety-five with that accident.

True enough. Heard about that over the radio, figured that’s why you were running a bit late.

Fina chuckled as she turned, moving out of the way for Charlie’s helpers as they drove the fork truck into the trailer and started unloading. Hey, would it be alright if I left the rig here tonight? I figured I’d get a good night’s sleep and stay at the bed and breakfast, but I don’t think they have the room to park her.

Don’t feel like driving the night?

Nah, you’re my last stop and as soon as I’m finished here, it’s vacation time for me. She grinned, her gaze going from the eighty-one year old Charlie to his helpers as they continued to empty the truck.

Finally taking a break huh?

Yeah, although I don’t have anything planned except staying in and sleeping all week.

Charlie laughed. Nothing wrong with that girl, you work too hard. I never see you taking any time off.

Yeah, well you know it’s harder on me being an independent driver, I have no corporation to give me vacation days or supply a substitute driver if I do take a day off.

Don’t you have a beau waiting at home for you?

Her lips tipped up in a crooked grin. Only my Grandma.

Oh yeah, well how old’s she? I’ve been looking for a sweetie you know.

Fina laughed. You know what Charlie, you’d love her. She’s a feisty little Finnish lady and she cooks mad good. I swear I gain ten pounds every time I go home.

Well, shoot girl, you need to bring her with you one of these times so I can meet her.

I’ll let her know, she grinned. Hey, where’s a good place to catch a bite to eat?

Ferris’ Pub, it’s about a block from Maddie’s to the left.

After counting the freight, Fina had him sign off on the delivery. Alright, I’ll lock up the Mac and see you later.

No problem kiddo, I’ll probably see you over at the Pub in a bit.

Sounds good. Locking the trailer, she then headed down the ramp and jumped in the cab, moving the rig about eight feet over to the right and out of everyone’s way before grabbing her overnight bag and locking up. Breathing deeply, Fina smiled as she walked down the sidewalk. West Slope was a small town in Idaho that sat at the foot of the mountains close to the Oregon border, and right now the weather was beautiful. It was nearing dusk, about eighty, with a slight breeze blowing in. The lights above her flickered as the sensors indicated the sun going down and she took a left into the courtyard of the bed and breakfast. What a perfect way to start her vacation.

Fina stepped into the foyer of the bed and breakfast and grinned as an elderly lady with wild hair popped up from behind the desk. Hello.

Eeh, oh hello there, sorry about that, I seem to have lost my pen.

If you’ll allow me? she asked and when the lady nodded, Fina reached over and plucked it out of a wayward bun at the back of her head. I think this is what you’re looking for.

Oh my heavens, yes. Such a doll you are, now how can I help you?

Charlie said this is the best place in town for a good night’s sleep.

Charlie, our warehouse Charlie?

Yes, Ma’am.

Huh, now where do you know that old goat from? I haven’t seen you here before, are you kin?

No Ma’am, I deliver the supplies.

Supplies, supplies—are you the little girl he talks about who drives that big old truck?

Yes Ma’am, that’s my rig. Fina watched as her eyes widened, almost comically so, before she grinned.

My heavens, you’re only a little bit of a thing aren’t you, and please call me Maddie, I work for a living.

Fina’s smile grew. Thank you, Maddie, I’m Fina.

Fina, Fina, now that’s an unusual name.

It’s short for Serafina.

Oh yes, yes. So Italian or Portuguese?

I’m sorry?

Are you Italian or Portuguese dear?

Oh, Fina chuckled. That’s the Italian part of me from my dad.

And the other part?

Finnish and English.

My what a combination. She chuckled.

Yes it is, Fina agreed as she took the key Maddie laid on the counter. Thank you. What time’s check out?

Oh, around eleven or so, but don’t you worry, you leave whenever you get moving. I set a breakfast bar for nine.

Ah, thank you. Charlie also said Ferris’ Pub is a good place to grab a bite to eat.

Oh yes, just go out the door and take a left and it’s about a block down. If you’re going to eat dinner, you may want to hoof it. The place usually gets a bit busy on Friday’s, being the weekend and all.

Thank you. I’ll just go store my things and see you in a little while then.

Alright, Fina. I also put you in a room with a private bath and there’s a small sitting area at the top of the stairs with a fridge. Help yourself to anything in there. There are drinks and snacks.

Thank you. Nodding her head in acknowledgement, she headed for the stairs. The house was beautifully decorated with antiques, but not over cluttered. Stepping into the room, Fina smiled when she saw the king size bed. Laying her bag on the bed she walked over and opened the door expecting it to be the bathroom and found a closet with extra blankets and pillows. Huh. Noticing a hall, she went that way and gasped. Wow. Her eyes widened as she stepped into a huge bathroom with