Gwen would have made one hell of a drill instructor.
“How about I take a raincheck for those steaks and you save me a piece of that apple pie you’re making in the morning?”
“How did you know I was making apple pie?”
“Oh, maybe it has something to do with the grocery list hanging up in the kitchen.”
This time, there was no stopping Gwen from turning around in his arms. He was still wearing his jeans, but she must have picked up his flannel shirt from the other pile of clothes he’d left on the floor. Her black hair was a bit mussed, and he’d successfully succeeded in smearing that red lipstick off her lips.
“Why dessert? Why not dinner?” There was enough moonlight shining through the now spotless window thanks to the cleaning crew she’d had come in to make the house move-in ready that he could make out her blue eyes without any trouble. He’d hurt her with his response. “Is it Lance? Did he say something to you?”
“I can handle Lance if it comes to that,” Chad responded with a chuckle, tucking some strands of her soft hair behind her ear. His smile faded when unpleasant memories of his childhood began to surface. “Gwen, my not being able to join you tomorrow has nothing to do with your brothers. Tomorrow marks the day we lost my mother in that car accident. I’m meeting my dad and brothers out at the cemetery, and then we’re going into the city to her favorite restaurant to have a meal in her honor. It’s something we used to do every year.”
“Until Clayton and Wes left town,” Gwen surmised, her brows furrowing as she rested the palms of her hands against his chest. It was easy to see she was searching for the right words where none were needed. Yes, he and his brothers had lost their mother. His father had lost his wife, never to remarry. But they’d survived. They’d had each other. Well, they used to have one another until his brothers up and left their family roots. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Gwen, my mom passed when I was just a boy. I grew up only knowing my dad and brothers as my family. The only sadness that remains is for a picture of a beautiful mother who was taken far too soon.” Chad pulled Gwen close, pressing her cheek over his heart. The pain and sorrow she experienced in losing her own mother was vastly different than his experience, though that wasn’t to say there hadn’t been a missing piece in his life. “My father asked that we resume our annual commemoration now that things are somewhat getting back to the way it used to be.”
“And Clayton? Will he be there?”
“Wes has promised me that he’ll get Clayton to come to the cemetery tomorrow.” Chad wouldn’t place any bets on that, but it was nice to see Wes try to atone for being absent over these last few years. “It’s important to my father that we all be together like we used to be.”
“I’ll save you a piece of apple pie,” Gwen whispered, lowering her hands until she was able to wrap her arms around his waist. “The largest one, too. Lance will never know the difference.”
“You’re determined for him not to like me at all, aren’t you?”
“Oh, don’t let him fool you. He’s always liked you. Clayton, on the other hand…”
Chad couldn’t believe they were standing in her living room at three o’clock in the morning and joking about the fact that his older brother had all but tried to burn Lance’s home to the ground. There was nothing humorous about having a family member of Clay’s ilk.
“I suppose it could have been worse. At least he was too drunk to finish what he had gotten himself into.”
They understood that the chances of both of them personally knowing the individual responsible for such heinous crimes against those young women were substantially high. It made him physically sick to his stomach that someone they trusted could kill another human being.
“Don’t say that,” Gwen said, tightening her arms around him as if that would keep the evil at bay. Unfortunately, it had all but saturated this town…this house included. “I don’t want to believe that anyone we know could do something like that.”
Unfortunately, Chad couldn’t reassure her differently.
Yes, there were a few victims who hadn’t been from Blyth Lake. The majority of the young girls were, though, and that was why the feds had all but descended on the town. Agent Thorne had brought in a team this evening that had basically taken over the sheriff’s office. It was now only a matter of time before this nightmare was brought to its inevitable end.
He hoped like hell that all of those closest to them were still standing when it was over.
Chapter Eighteen
Gwen turned her head into the soft pillow to avoid the sunlight shining in through the bedroom window. The rays were nothing but a ruse, because she’d seen the frost start to cover the lawn earlier in the morning hours before dawn. It was cold outside of this warm cocoon she found herself in, and she was going to extend the morning for as long as she could.
Entertaining the idea of decorating for the coming Halloween holiday, she made a mental note to pick up some decorations for the office. She reminisced of walking down Main Street as a child and seeing all the storefronts decorated for each of the holidays, but Halloween had always been one of her very favorites.
The flutter of the comforter broke through the barrier of her morning dream, allowing the chilly morning air to brush over her body. She should have turned the heat on last night, but she’d gotten distracted by…
“You better have my coffee with you,” Gwen warned, her morning voice cracking as her words turned into a throaty laugh.
“You don’t need coffee this morning.” Chad’s warm lips settled around her nipple, but it was the heat of his tongue that had her arching her back for more. She immediately reached for him, slipping her fingers into his hair to gain some leverage. He was a very talented man. “See? I’m pretty sure that woke you right up.”
“What else do you have in your arsenal?” Gwen whispered, letting the sheet slide off them, no longer needing the blankets. He was all the heat she needed. He pressed light kisses down her abdomen until she had no choice but to spread her legs so he had the room to do his best—which usually resulted in her screaming out his name. “Oh!”
Chad had taken his tongue and slowly licked her clit until she dug her heels into the mattress. She finally relaxed somewhat when he began to nibble on the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, giving her a chance to catch her breath and enjoy his way of waking her up on a Sunday morning.
“Have you started a list of sexual positions yet?”
Gwen didn’t get a chance to answer him, because he went back to paying attention to her clitoris. He gently suckled the engorged nub until she was pretty sure there were lights flashing behind her eyelids, seemingly in no hurry to have an answer. The pressure for that ultimate release began to grow as he started to draw circles with his tongue, every full loop covering every square inch of those exposed nerves.
She was right there.
Right on the edge.
That explosion of pleasure was hers for the taking.
One more stroke…
And then he stopped.
“The position we used in the bathroom was rather interesting,” Chad murmured as he began his way back up to kiss her on the lips. She had enough pent-up energy to light up the entire town of Blyth Lake, and he wanted to talk about sex positions? Her brain was having trouble interpreting his words. “I don’t believe I’ve taken you from behind yet.”
Gwen didn’t care how he took her, as long as he did so soon.
“You know, the experts say that a woman feels more of a man that way,” Chad murmured, slowing turning her over. They’d lost the covers long ago. There was something damn sexy about a man placing his lips in the middle of a woman’s back. “Shall we find out?”
Gwen wanted to reply that they’d both tried many things in their pasts, but there was no point in bringing up other people. This was their time. Theirs alone. And she wouldn’t tarnish that for anything in the world.
“I’d love to,” Gwen repli
ed readily, not caring that overwhelming need seeped through her words. She peered over her shoulder. He hadn’t shaved since Friday, so a five o’clock shadow had formed long ago. It scratched her skin, but in the most provocative manner that aroused her more than she’d thought possible. “What are you waiting for, Schaeffer?”
His dark eyes became hooded at her directive, but she quickly came to realize the reason why. She’d done the same thing on the night the killer had spray-painted graffiti on the barn. It had been a way to keep him at a distance…and he’d known that.
“When I give you your release, Gwen, it’s my first name you’ll be calling out,” Chad promised, nipping her earlobe to let her know he was serious. “No other name but my own.”
Gwen wasn’t sure when he’d rolled a condom over his cock, but she was very grateful that he’d had the fortitude to think ahead.
In seconds, he had her on her knees and had claimed her in one massive thrust.
She parted her lips in a silent scream of pleasure, but there was no oxygen left in her lungs to make such a sound. Every nerve in her body had been awakened, and he’d just amplified the one that would have her following his every directive.
Chad’s calloused fingers took a hold of her shoulder, while his other hand firmly grasped her hip. He’d spread her legs at just the right position that she could only accept what he gave her, and she gladly took it.
Gwen had to bite her lip when he began to pull back out, the loss of fulfillment almost too much to bear.
He didn’t make her wait for long.
Chad slammed back into her, his grip tightening and taking control. Over and over, he pummeled into her until he finally got what he wanted—his name falling off her lips.
Chapter Nineteen
“I’m surprised you made it.”
Gwen stepped out onto the front of the wraparound porch with two cups of coffee. She used her elbow to ease the screen door shut. It seemed that Dad had unhooked the chain for some reason. That was something she’d have to remedy before turning in for the night.
Usually, she’d have two sweet iced teas in hand, but a cold front had definitely moved into the area. The trick and treaters were going to have to bundle up this coming Wednesday if they wanted to earn their rewards for dressing up and navigating the neighborhoods.
“Believe it or not, I’m finding Sunday dinner with this crew easier to deal with than Agent Thorne and his group of merry men.” Mitch gratefully took one of the mugs from her, though he didn’t sit back in the cushioned chair. He balanced his cup of coffee on the railing and walked over to the screened door. He pulled it open and reattached the chain to its hook on the inside corner. After exchanging a knowing smile with her, he recovered his steaming beverage and reclaimed his seat before resting his elbows on his knees, almost as if he were ready to leave at a moment’s notice. “I’m pretty sure Patty is ready to hand in her resignation after the day she had today.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t already ask for it. She dropped the ball big time.” Gwen had seen her older brother in his element a time or two. He wasn’t one to be messed with, and Patty was going to learn that small towns and personal relationships didn’t excuse talking out of turn. A small part of Gwen felt a bit bad for the reaming the dispatcher must have endured after Mitch discovered she’d let the townsfolk know about Pamela Graber’s terrible fate. “You realize she probably gets pummeled with questions on a daily basis. I wonder what she’ll do next time she’s put to the test.”
“There’s no excuse, Gwen, and you and I both know it.”
“I heard that Agent Thorne was going to question everyone again in connection with Emma Irwin’s abduction.” Gwen didn’t want to get into a debate over small town behaviors. Technically, she agreed that the way the investigation was being conducted needed to change in order to bring this killer to justice. “I heard that Uncle Jimmy is on that list, too.”
Gwen took the seat next to Mitch instead of the one across from him. Chad had promised to stop at the house for the biggest piece of apple pie she’d saved for him. She was hoping to see the headlights of his truck through the pine trees at any moment. In the meantime, she might as well bring up the black sheep in the family. Chad certainly didn’t get to call dibs on that one.
Gwen reached into the pocket of the lightweight jacket that belonged to her dad. She’d grabbed it from the coatrack next to the front door when she came out. The heavy turtleneck sweater wasn’t nearly enough to shield her from the chill in the air.
She pressed the home button, reading the time.
Chad was late.
Really late.
“Thorne wants to bring Jimmy in to follow up his past twenty statements,” Mitch said wryly, clearly believing that the federal agent was wasting his time. “His team went around knocking on doors today. That didn’t go over very well amongst my potential supporters.”
Gwen could sense that Mitch wasn’t telling her everything. She would have left well enough alone, but now she understood why Harlan would go searching for answers. It wasn’t nice being the last to know.
“Did Agent Thorne mention Chad again?” Gwen and Chad hadn’t left her place until after three o’clock in the afternoon. If he’d been ambushed at his house by a team of federal agents, he might not have been given a chance to call her. “Mitch, tell me now if—”
“Thorne went into the city to speak with Clayton. The other three were basically chasing ghosts all day, considering that most of the residents were in church and then eating at the diner. They sure as hell don’t know how to navigate a small town like this. Look, that’s all I know right now. They aren’t exactly asking my permission. I’ll be heading back to the station to see if any developments occurred within the last couple of hours.” Mitch took a drink of the coffee she’d brought him, staring at her as she tried to reach Chad by phone. “Is this a short-term thing you’ve got going on with Schaeffer?”
The call went straight to Chad’s voicemail.
Gwen didn’t respond to Mitch’s question. She lowered her phone, taking time to gather her thoughts as she cut the connection. One, she wasn’t going to overreact to the fact that Chad wasn’t answering her calls. Two, Irish would have reached out to her if there was a situation. And three, she didn’t have an answer for her brother one way or the other.
“I’m not asking for you to solve world hunger, sis.” Mitch hid a smile behind his coffee cup. “I just didn’t know if I should deal Chad into the poker game I’m hosting next week.”
“And why do you get to host the first one?” Gwen asked, buying herself some time to decide if Chad was ready to be thrown to the wolves. “It was Lance’s idea to have a monthly game of dealer’s choice.”
“I actually wanted to take your money on a weekly basis, but Brynn said I was being too greedy with members of the family,” Lance called out, holding the screen door open for Brynn. She was shaking her head, indicating she hadn’t said anything of the sort. “I’ll bring the chips.”
“You can bring the beer, cheapskate,” Noah chimed in. He and Reese were right behind the other couple. “You’re such a cheap bastard. One bag of chips isn’t enough for nine people, but I sure as hell know you won’t skimp on the beer.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be in charge of the chips from now on,” Brynn promised, holding up her hands to signify that she had nothing to do with Lance’s bad behavior. “I gave him one job, guys. One job, and he screwed the pooch.”
“That’s the problem, Brynn.” Jace waited for Noah to move aside, taking over door duty as Shae walked out with the crockpot she’d used to bring the baked beans. Jace had given her their mother’s recipe, and Shae had perfected it to a tee. “You gave Lance a job that actually needed to be done. He does better with things much less important.”
“Why am I the target tonight?” Lance complained, wrapping his arms around Brynn and swinging her off the last step of the porch. “You started this, blondie. I should make you ride home in the b
ed of the truck.”
“Then you’d be sleeping outside on the porch, now wouldn’t you?”
Gwen lifted a hand and waved as each of her brothers and significant others slowly made their way to their vehicles. Mitch drained his coffee and stood, checking his phone for any updates.
“Go,” Gwen urged, knowing that he was most likely needed down at the station. Byron was a good deputy, but he didn’t like the political relations that came in dealing with other law enforcement agencies. From what Mitch said, Byron called them feds to their faces. “Leave your coffee cup there. I’ll take it inside when I take mine in.”
“I appreciate it.” Mitch didn’t hesitate to set his empty mug on the railing. “Tell Dad that I—”
“You can tell me yourself.” Gus shifted his toothpick, cuffing Mitch on the back in affection. “You did good work on the steaks tonight, son. Just a few more lessons and you should be just about there.”
“I learned from the best.” Mitch shifted so that their dad could sit down in the vacated seat. “You want to meet me for breakfast tomorrow morning? I’ll spring for coffee, biscuits with sausage gravy, and a side order of bacon.”
“You know where to find me, and that order sounds about right.”
“Mitch,” Gwen called out to her brother right before his work boot hit the bottom step. “Count Chad in for poker next week. Lance could lose a few dollars more.”
The side of Mitch’s mouth lifted in what could only be characterized as an I knew it smirk. He was smart enough not to comment one way or the other. All she and her dad could hear was the jingling of his keys as he strolled to his truck.
“You know, you could have invited Chad to dinner this evening.” Gus leveled her a look that was basically filled with curiosity. “I would have wrangled your brothers in if they had gotten out of line.”
“I can handle those buffoons on my own, Dad.” Gwen had always gone to her mom for advice when it came to boys and eventually men as the years passed. This was…awkward. Her dad wasn’t exactly someone she would normally go to with relationship questions. It was also the way things were now, so she might as well dive in feet first. I hope you’re with me, Mom. “You’ll be happy to know that I did extend the offer to Chad, but he had important plans with his family tonight.”
Unlocking Shadows (Keys to Love, Book Four) Page 15
