Shaking his head, Mitch grinned. “Good thinking.”
“Chief,” Sam began. “What exactly are you thinking with Silas?”
Rubbing his chin, he said, “There’s something off with him. On the surface, he seems like a good catch for the town, but his comments about Tori and the Sea Glass Inn make me cautious. I don’t know what his angle is, but I’m not willing to ignore it.”
“How could he profit by the inn failing?”
Still shaking his head, Mitch replied, “Don’t know. I’ll tell you, I’ve got Gareth working on it as well.”
At this, he gained cautious looks from all of his staff so he threw up his hands and said, “Hear me out. This is nothing against any of you…this is about a town that only has a police staff of five. Granted, we are a small town, but we are stretched with the normal duties and petty crimes. Add a murder and attempted murder and…we are really extending our resources. Even in the FBI I used a high-powered security and investigation firm at times. We worked well together. I’ve talked with Gareth and he seems capable.”
“Hate to point out the obvious, Chief, but if we’re struggling as a department, how’re we gonna pay for a private eye?”
“Right now, I’m working on our budget and, for the time being, I’ll pay for his services. For next year, I’m going to work in a line-item for his fees up to a certain point. He needs the work and we need his search abilities. At least, until we can beef up our own.”
The others nodded, accepting his explanation. Mitch glanced around the table, appreciating the unwavering support. As the others began to rise, he added, “Just wanted to add, …I’m proud to be serving with you. I know this is a stressful beginning to my career here, but…well, thank you.”
Smiles came his way as Grant said, “Mitch, we’ll find out who’s doing this to Tori. We would give it our all, no matter what, but she’s one of us…we’ve got her back…and yours.”
As the others left the room to complete their duties or patrols, Mitch turned his gaze back to the board on the wall, Tori’s picture still front and center. Staring at her beauty, he felt a familiar pang in his chest and reached his hand up to gently rub over his heart. Then he allowed his eyes to continue to roam. Thomas. Vanessa. Silas. Motive. Opportunity. Means. What am I missing?
*
Several days later, Tori made her way into the breakfast room to tidy up from the guests’ morning meals. Jason had beaten her to it, his arms full of dishes.
Grinning at him, she said, “You seem comfortable with the china. Most men are afraid they’re going to break the pieces just by looking at them.”
Chuckling, he passed her on his way into the kitchen where he set the delicate plates down gently. “I’ve been a jack-of-many-trades,” he joked. “My parents ran a little diner and I grew up washing dishes, waiting tables, and generally being an all-around clean-up guy.”
“Where was home?”
A dark expression flashed across his face before he carefully schooled his features. “North Carolina. A little town…not a whole lot bigger than this place.”
Tori hesitated, wanting to know more about Baytown’s new resident and rapidly becoming new friend, but did not want to pry.
Jason caught her reticence and, running a hand through his long hair, heaved a sigh. “Not really a pretty story.”
Placing her hand on his arm as it rested on the counter, she smiled softly. “You don’t have to explain. I’m glad you’re here now. Baytown always called to me when I was growing up…maybe you can find healing here as well.”
His eyes drifted from hers to a glass bowl on the oak sideboard behind her. “I’ve been meaning to ask about all the colorful glass your grandmother had in bowls sitting around.”
Smiling, she stepped over and picked up a few pieces, letting them sift through her fingers. “It’s sea glass. Pieces of glass that were tossed into the sea from shipmen and then, with the pounding surf and sea, became polished and beautiful as they washed up on shore.”
“Sea glass,” he repeated. “Hence the name of her inn.”
“Well, my grandparents both named their inn. They bought the place, refurbished it, and then grandpa left for Vietnam. He was twenty-eight years old…kind of old for what the Army was sending, but he felt it was his duty. He never came back. He left grandma a widow, a single-mom of a little boy, and with a big inn to run. But she always said it was the rough and tumble seas of life that turned her world into a beautiful piece of glass.”
The two stood silent for a few minutes as she watched Jason’s inner battle show across his face.
Finally, he said, “Got out of high school, knowing I didn’t want to work in the diner. Had a neighbor who taught me about cars and engines. I worked in his garage for about two years. Had a good friend who owned a tattoo shop and discovered I had an artistic side as well. Worked in the garage during the day and the tattoo shop at night. Made decent money…thought it was a good life.”
He grew silent and she leaned her hip against the counter, knowing he would continue when he was ready to reveal whatever was next.
His fingers turned the piece of sea glass over as his thumb ran over the smooth surface. “Had a couple of cousins who joined the Navy and their letters home made it sound great. By then I was feeling choked being in the small town. Wanted to see more of the world. Joined the Navy as a mechanic. I was such an idiot…thought I’d never be in danger out in the ocean. I had no idea the real nightmare was going to be back home. Stupid asshole came into the diner late one night to rob my parents and shot them both in the process. I got notified that they were killed and I was on a fuckin’ ship.”
Tori’s grip on his arm tightened reflexively. “Oh, Jason, I’m so sorry.”
“Left the Navy at the end of my enlistment and never looked back. But didn’t want to stay in North Carolina. Felt lost…till Zac gave me a call and said to come here. I figured I had nothing else to lose.”
“For what it’s worth…I’m glad you’re here,” her soft voice wrapped around him.
Nodding, he looked up at her, a wistful smile on his face. “Yeah, me too.” Looking back down at the sliver of glass in his hand, he said, “Guess I’ve got a lot in common with this piece of sea glass…like your grandmother.”
“We all do,” she smiled. “We all do.”
*
The older man rapped the gavel on the podium. Wearing his navy blazer with the American flag pin in one lapel and the American Legion pin on the other lapel, he eyed the group as they sat down and the Sergeant-at-Arms closed the doors of the meeting room in the basement of the Baytown community center. With another three raps of the gavel, the few older members stood as the newer recruits glanced around quickly before standing as well.
“The Color Bearer will advance the Colors.” As the assembly stood, Mitch watched as an elderly man from the back marched forward, the American flag and pole in his hands, and set it in the floor stand.
“The Chaplain will offer prayer.” The Baptist minister, a member of the American Legion, stood and prayed as the group bowed their heads in unison.
The POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony followed as the few older members recited the procedures and the newer recruits watched, interested and eager. A chair was designated as a symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts involving the United States of America. The POW/MIA flag was placed on the Empty Chair.
The assembly appeared eclectic to the untrained eye. Men…a few women…ages running from about twenty-five to almost ninety. But all with their faces turned toward the Empty Chair. Mitch found his breath caught in his throat at the remembrance of his friends who did not make it back. His eyes glanced at the others, seeing the same haunted expression in most of them.
After the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution, printed on small cards for the newer members to learn, the gavel was rapped once more to indicate that everyone could take a seat. It took s
everal more minutes for the previous business to be worked on before the attendees discussed the upcoming election for chapter officers.
Mitch, stunned, watched as the group unanimously nominated him to be the next Commander of the Post. The group then nominated First Vice Commander, Second Vice Commander, Post Adjutant, Finance Officer, Post Chaplain, Post Historian, Post Service Officer, and Sergeant-At-Arms. The Commander agreed to be nominated as the Second Vice Commander, to assist the new men in their positions, but smiled as he shook Mitch’s hand.
“Been part of this organization a long time,” he said to the group, “but I’m looking forward to newer, younger blood taking us forward.”
The chaplain led them in a prayer once more and then, with three raps of the gavel, the saying of the Commander’s Charge, and the retiring of the colors, the meeting came to a close. The group hung around for a few minutes talking and Mitch observed the easy camaraderie between the older members and the newer ones.
As the members trickled out, Mitch stood at the front with Grant, Zac, Ginny, Aiden, Brogan—all who had been nominated. Jason walked up, a grin on his face as he addressed them. “Glad to be in this town. Glad to be with you all.”
“We need to meet after the elections and see what we want to propose to the group as our first projects,” Ginny said.
“Hell, looks like life just got more complicated,” Zac commented good-naturedly.
Brogan, rubbing his chin, nodded. “This just might bring in a few more old buddies that need a positive to land.”
Closing the door behind him, Mitch followed the group outside. The evening air was warm and unusually still for the seaside. Peaceful. Calling out goodbyes and goodnights, he headed toward his jeep, thoughts of the beautiful Tori filling his mind.
Chapter 25
Making his way to Tori’s attic bedroom, he did not see her but heard the shower running. Not wanting to scare her, he called out as soon as he got to the door.
“Babe? It’s just me.”
Her head popped out from behind the shower curtain, her face brightened with her grin.
Glancing down, he furrowed his brow as he asked, “Are you supposed to get your leg wet?”
“The doc said I could now, but I still have a bandage on it to keep the water from hitting it directly. I figured that would sting, but to get all clean feels amazing.”
Pulling the blue curtain back slightly he let his eyes drift from her bandaged leg upwards. The water streamed from her hair, now dark as it flowed down across her shoulders. The droplets fell from the tips onto her breasts on their way to the tub and he battled the desire to cup them, catching the lucky drops. The curve of her waist as it arched out to her hips made his hands itch to grasp her, pulling her closer.
His nostrils flared as he leisurely lifted his gaze back to her face, her exuberant grin now replaced with an expression of unbridled lust.
“Wanna join me, cowboy?” she teased, flicking her tongue over her moist lips, stepping backward in the tub to give him room.
She watched in amazement as he stripped quicker than she could have imagined and moved directly into her space. Leaning back to keep her hungry gaze on him as he reached for her, she shuffled slightly so the water was not in her face.
With his hands on her waist, he turned so that the spray was on his back, protecting her. Sliding one hand to her face, he cupped her cheek, his thumb caressing the soft skin. Leaning down, he nibbled the water droplets on her lips before taking her mouth. Aligning his lips with hers, the kiss rocketed from gentle to scorching.
Her arms wound around his neck as her fingers weaved through his hair. Sighing in pleasure, she allowed him to take over, owning the kiss as she wanted him to own her body.
Lips following the same trail as the water drops, he made his way down her neck, sucking gently at her pulse point before hoisting her into his arms. She instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist, immediately feeling his erection pressing against her aching core.
Pulling his head back, his gaze raked over her, assessing her comfort. “Your leg okay, babe? We can take this to the bed where you’ll be more comfortable.”
Grabbing his jaw, she pulled him back in, barely getting the words, “Don’t you dare stop,” out of her mouth before latching onto his lips once more.
Not one to need to be told twice, he obliged. Pressing her back against the blue and white tiled wall, he held her firmly with one hand under her ass as the other hand roamed freely. First her breasts gained his attention as he tweaked her rosy nipples before lowering his mouth to suckle.
With each lick and tug on the sensitive buds, she leaned her head back against the hard tile, her moans resounding in the confined space. Her fingernails scraped against his back and shoulders as sensations poured over her.
Lifting her slightly higher, Mitch placed his cock at her entrance and slowly lowered her. He fought the urge to enter her in one powerful thrust, easing her down instead. Feeling her warmth sheath him, he fought the urge to come immediately. Hang on, man. Hang on.
With her hands on his shoulders, she used the leverage to assist his movements as his cock glided in and out, creating the delicious friction her body craved. The tingles began at the point of their contact as the coiling sensation tightened. “Close…close…” she gasped.
Feeling his balls tighten as well as her sex, he slipped his hand between their bodies, fingering her clit. Tugging lightly he pressed his thumb on the swollen bud, watching in satisfaction as Tori’s head leaned back and his name screamed from her lips. He buried his face in her exposed neck as his own orgasm powered from him, spurting inside her sex until every drop had been wrung out.
His free hand, now plastered against the tile next to her head, barely held their bodies as his legs grew shaky. She weighed little, but the force of his orgasm left him depleted of all energy as well as thought.
Setting her down, his hands spanned her waist until her legs were steady underneath her. Reaching behind he flipped off the water and stepped out of the tub. Not wanting her to fall, he assisted her out as well and snagged a thick, plush towel from the rack and wrapped it around her body. Draping one across his waist as well, he turned his attention back to her.
Gently brushing her hands away, he said, “Here, babe. Let me.” Taking the towel, he smoothed it over her body from head to toe, following each dry area with a nibbling kiss. Reaching her tummy, she squealed, jerking away.
“No, not there!”
Cocking an eyebrow, he grinned. “I seem to remember you being ticklish.”
Backing up toward the door, she threw her hands in front of her defensively. “Oh, no. No way, Mitch. I swear I’ll pee on the floor if you tickle me!”
Laughing, he scooped her up, marching into the bedroom where he placed her on the bed, careful of her leg. Leaning over her naked body, spread out to his delight, he kissed his way from her wriggling stomach downward. “Well,” he murmured against her warm skin, “let’s see if we can find another place that’ll make you wet in a different way.”
Tori watched as his head disappeared between her legs, his beard abrading the insides of her thighs. As soon as she felt his mouth latch onto her clit, she dropped her head back onto the mattress, lost in a swirl of sensations. Tighter and tighter, her sex coiled as his tongue worked magical ministrations. Sucking in a gasp, she screamed when his hand reached up to tweak her nipple as his mouth pulled on her clit once more.
Too exhausted to lift her head up, she was barely aware when he crawled over her body, holding his weight on his forearms.
“Mmmmmm,” she moaned, torn between keeping her eyes closed as she floated on a cloud of euphoria and opening them to see his face. The desire to see him won out and her gaze drifted over his deep blue eyes, down to his tongue darting out to lick her juices from his lips.
Her legs still wide open in invitation, he thrust inside her pliant warmth, his cock ready to go once more. She grasped his shoulders then moved her hands down to h
is ass and back up again, urging him to take her faster.
Always willing to oblige, he plunged in to the hilt and back out quickly before repeating the motion. Their bodies, rocking back and forth, melded into one. He barely held his weight off, wanting to feel her breasts crushed to his chest as their hips moved in unison and tongues tangled.
The tension built and Mitch knew he would not last long. “Babe, you close?” he breathed into her mouth.
“Uh huh,” she groaned back. Suddenly her sex clinched him tightly as she orgasmed, the explosion of tingles radiating outward.
Meeting her thrusts, he once more poured himself into her, feeling her walls milk him dry. Barely able to roll to the side, he pulled her with him, tucking her closely to his pounding heart. Unable to speak, he prayed his body worshiping her would express his emotions.
Resting her head on his chest, his pounding heartbeat sounded in her ear. Strong. Sure. Safe. Several long minutes passed as their bodies began to cool. Leaning back to meet his gaze, she whispered, “I love you.”
Sweeter words were never heard as Mitch kissed her swollen lips gently. “I love you too.” Pulling the covers up over them, he helped her settle into a position that did not hurt her healing leg. Just that action threatened to encroach into his bliss. Somewhere out there is the asshole who tried to kill Tori…twice. No more. No—
Her soft hand on his cheek brought him back to the moment.
“I can hear your thoughts, Mitch. I’ll be careful and I know you’ll catch whoever did this.”
Humbled by her confidence in him, he squeezed her body as he kissed her forehead. “Sleep, babe.”
With that, they both fell into slumber as the moon moved across the night sky over the bay.
*
Mitch looked at the map of Baytown spread out in front of him on the workroom table. He had studied the map before but now, in the quiet of the morning, he opened his mind as the possibilities flowed through him.
Coming Home: Baytown Boys Series Page 21
