by Lori Whitwam
“I’m not avoiding the question,” she said, sure he’d know to which question she was referring.
His fingertips stroked her jaw beneath her ear. “I know that, darlin’. And I’m not pushing. Even if you don’t come with me right away, you can make the call any time. I’ll always be there with open arms.” He reached behind her head and slipped the band from the end of her braid and began separating the strands.
His response was so genuine she felt both comforted and compelled to explain. “I know I love you.” She looked deeply into his clear blue eyes and saw no reproach. “The thing I have to work out is why something so simple, so obvious, still scares me.”
“I know that too.” He kissed her shoulder, his lips an ember warming her blood. “Let it go for now, darlin’. You can’t force it. You’ll know when you know.”
If only it were that easy. But he was right in a way. They were here, now, and it had to be enough. She let the weight of unmade decisions fall away, and cuddled closer to him, ready to shift into a playful, tender mood. The twinkle in his eyes indicated he had similar thoughts. She kissed him, then said, “You did notice, didn’t you, I followed your instructions regarding no jeans in the hammock.”
“I did, and I totally approve.” Judging by the way his hand found its way under her shirt, she guessed he approved of that choice as well.
“At least now we don’t have my mom and members of every branch of the law-enforcement community wandering around.” She set about relieving him of his shirt. She figured he didn’t have to get completely undressed, and it’d be a shame if a swarm of mosquitoes decided to fly up from the lakeshore and bite him on that spectacular ass of his. But the shirt had to go. She dropped her own shirt with his on the ground and groaned at the sensation of her flesh against his.
Seth eased himself up on one elbow and gazed down at her. He touched her hair, brushing it away from her shoulder. He moved on to her breasts for a moment, and stopped, his hand at her waist. “You’re so beautiful I can hardly stand it.”
When his lips met hers again, she couldn’t hold back a low, hungry groan. Holy hell, he made her melt by simply looking at her, but when he touched her she completely came apart.
“Now we find out if my balance skills are any good,” he murmured, taking hold of the waistband of her shorts.
She carefully nudged her hips from the blanket, allowing him to slide her shorts down her legs without spilling them both onto the ground. Yes, this was exactly what she’d envisioned ever since they were here yesterday morning. His hand moved between her thighs, parting her and distributing her creamy moisture over the delicate inner folds. She moved to meet his touch and felt herself opening, ready for him.
She unbuttoned his jeans and worked the zipper down. She pulled him free and tugged the jeans and boxers down and to the side, leaving him bare where he needed to be, without the necessity of wrestling his way out of confining denim and landing them in a heap beneath the hammock. His erection grew deliciously hard in her hand. She moved from whisper-soft touches to bolder, firmer strokes as he slipped a finger inside her. She couldn’t help but lie back and part her legs further and watch his hand as he touched her.
Slowly, carefully, he brought his body over hers. She bent her knees and he entered her in one smooth, full motion. Once he was as deep as it was possible to go, he lay against her, holding her, their legs entwined. She kissed his neck and slid her hands down the back of his jeans. He rocked with her, the movement gentle and measured. Long, slow strokes filled her over and over, and the friction of their bodies turned her into one glorious, quivering erogenous zone from her lips to her ankles.
Nothing, nothing in the world could feel better than this. Wrapped up in Seth, around Seth, the sun filtering through the leaves to warm her face, the glitter of the same light dancing on the lake. She ran her hands over his back, delighting in the play of the muscles of his shoulders. She nipped lightly at his jaw, the bristles there teasing her lips while she breathed in his scent.
The pressure built at her core, an aching glow refusing to be contained. With a gasp, she let it free, a glorious burst of energy leaving her trembling, simultaneously drained and renewed. Her legs tensed around his as he ground against her and found his own release.
She looked up into Seth’s face, and neither of them made any attempt to move. Here and now was all that mattered. The two of them. The world consisted of the hammock swaying gently beneath them, the soft rippling of the water against the shore, the fresh scent of the air after the rain, and the hauntingly beautiful calls of a loon. Whispers of love, both given and received, making their world complete.
He moved beside her, cradling her, and gathered the trailing edges of the blanket over them. “Am I crazy?”
She blinked and tried to work out if this was a serious or playful question. “I don’t think so. Maybe. Depends what you mean by ‘crazy.’”
He twined his fingers through her hair, teasing out a few remaining tangles. “With everything happening, here I am, and I absolutely don’t care about anything else. It’s so easy to put it all aside when I’m with you.”
She kissed his neck and said, “Then I’m crazy too.”
“The way I love you, hell, I didn’t even know I could feel this way. Never came close. And it doesn’t exactly make the trouble go away, but it pushes it back. I can get through it, and I don’t think I could if you weren’t with me.”
“Fancy words, music-boy. One would think you were trying to get in my pants—if I were wearing any.”
Seth chuckled. “I’m serious.”
“I know you are. And I get it, because it’s exactly what I was thinking a few minutes ago.” She felt his lips against her temple. Draping an arm across his chest, she closed her eyes.
The next thing she knew, she was looking at the sun through the treetops and guessed at least an hour had passed. Raising her head, she saw Seth was still dozing. The afternoon sun and their combined body heat had made their blanket cocoon slightly uncomfortable, so she folded the edges back. Either her movement or the touch of the lake breeze woke him, and he smiled lazily when he saw her leaning over him.
“You weren’t kidding when you said this was a good place to relax,” he said.
“I know. It’s almost like magic.”
He stretched, his movements restrained so as not to tip them out of the hammock. “Think we should go back to the house?” She couldn’t tell from his tone if he thought it was a good idea or not.
“We probably should. Dilbert might be anxious to get outside by now.” She glanced at the ground beneath the hammock. “Plus, my clothes are probably full of bugs, and getting buggier by the minute.”
He helped her to her feet, and she stood there for a moment, feeling deliciously scandalous. Once they were dressed, they went back up the trail to the house. As predicted, Dilbert darted out the door the second Abby opened it, and galloped into the woods. She checked her phone for messages, and was glad to find there weren’t any. She probably wouldn’t have returned the calls, anyway. The next day would be busy, with Joey’s arrival and the planned get-together. She would worry about hostessing tomorrow, and let Seth and his friends brainstorm to see if they could get any closer to eliminating the threat against him. Tonight, no. Just…no.
They settled on the couch for a movie, but Abby found she couldn’t watch it. Too many explosions. She raided the fridge for an early dinner, and they ate on the deck.
They were just finishing when Dilbert appeared. It was immediately clear he’d found a delightful bog created by the previous night’s rain, because he was dripping rancid mud on the deck. Abby’s mood was so mellow, though, she couldn’t be angry. “Okay, Mr. Bog Dog, you just bought yourself a bath.” Dilbert, not detecting the threat in her pleasant tone, wagged his tail, slinging mud on the side of the house. “Seth, would you go in and get Dilbert’s shampoo? It’s on the second shelf in the hall closet. And grab an old towel too, one of the ones in the basket.�
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Seth returned a few minutes later with the requested items. “You’re aware Dilbert, who is not your dog, has an entire shelf in your hall closet, right?”
“Dogs need stuff.” Abby attached the hose to the faucet beside the deck. Dilbert’s eye narrowed in suspicion. She snagged him by the collar as he was about to slip away.
“Okay, I was just checking. Do you need any help?”
“No. Once I capture him, he doesn’t fight a bath too much.”
Seth settled in a chair on the deck, and Abby began the process of wetting, lathering, and rinsing the filthy black dog. She also made a point of hosing the muddy footprint from the deck step while she was at it. By the time she was finished, Dilbert looked much better. She, however, was soaked. It was soon evident Seth found the way her top was molded to her body, nipples at full attention, of intense interest. He took her inside, peeled her out of her soggy clothes, rubbed her thoroughly from head to toe with a soft, blue bath towel, and warmed her all over again in the most satisfying way possible.
Abby decided then and there Dilbert was going to get a lot more baths.
Later, she watched Seth make two circuits through the house, checking the locks on the doors and windows. He brought Dilbert in and left the light burning over the side door. She understood and appreciated his vigilance, but felt a bitter twinge that it was necessary. As she lay with Seth in her bed—their bed—with Dilbert curled at their feet, she vowed tomorrow would bring some answers.
Chapter Seventeen
Seth
“I’m not usually this lazy,” Seth said as he rolled out of bed and reached for a pair of boxers.
Abby raised her head to squint at the clock, and dropped back onto her pillow. “It’s eight o’clock. That’s not exactly the middle of the day.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Abby stretched, pulling the blanket back up to her chin and rolling over. “Well, you’ve been doing a fabulous job of saving the world by staying in bed with me. That was our plan.”
“And it’s been working out great. For a whole lot of reasons. But isn’t there some horrible property-maintenance thing you don’t want to do? Lift something heavy? Kill some bugs?”
“Oh, I see. Man chores.”
Seth grinned. “Exactly.”
“Careful what you wish for. Unlike you, my laziness knows no bounds. I can find plenty for you to do, but not today. You’re going to have your hands full being my cohost.”
“What time do you need to leave?” Seth sat on the edge of the bed and started peeling back the blanket.
Abby tugged it back up. “About nine.”
“Better start moving, then,” he said, once again grasping the blanket.
She pulled, but Seth held firm. “Fine, fine. Go make coffee.” She tossed the blanket back and rose, naked and grumbling. Seth chuckled and went to the kitchen to get the caffeine flowing.
By the time Abby came out of the bathroom wearing her robe and wrapping a towel around her wet hair, he had a mug filled and waiting for her. He’d also found the last of the bagels and made a mental note to get more when he was in Emporia.
He checked his phone, but—as usual—had no signal outside town. “Can I use your phone? I want to make sure the guys are up.”
“Sure. It’s still on the coffee table, I think.” She gulped half the hot coffee standing in the kitchen and topped it off before sitting at the breakfast bar.
Seth found the phone and dialed Marshall. After several rings, a very groggy voice answered.
“Marsh, get your ass out of bed. I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Which means I can sleep for fifty-seven more minutes.” A noisy yawn punctuated the remark.
“Give the phone to Joey.”
Marshall complied, and Joey said, “I’m up, I’m up.”
“I figured you would be. Just don’t let Marsh fade on you. Haul him to the diner and start pouring coffee in him. I need full brain function from both of you today. We have to figure out who’s after me, and we have new songs to go over.”
“New songs? You’re writing again?” The excitement in Joey’s voice blasted through the phone. “Fuckin’ awesome!” There was a muffled thud. “Marsh, you dumbass, why didn’t you tell me Seth was writing?”
Seth snickered. “Yeah, I have some stuff coming together. Tell Marsh to bring his guitar, okay?”
“Will do. Wish I had my drums, but they’re still in the trailer. I should be able to get some ideas, though.”
“Counting on it. See you at the diner in a while.”
After putting the phone back on the coffee table, he stepped behind Abby, slipped his arms around her waist, and started untying the belt of her robe.
Laughing, she slapped his hands away. “Stop it. If we start, we’ll never make it out of here on time.”
“I’ll be quick.” Seth made another grab for her belt.
“You’re never quick. It’s one of your most endearing qualities.”
He kissed the top of her head and admitted defeat. “If you change your mind, I’ll be in the shower.”
A half hour later, Dilbert was fed and loped off in the direction of the Nygaards’ house, probably in search of a second breakfast, and Seth and Abby were in the Jeep. He hadn’t even suggested he drive this time. Besides, if he didn’t have to watch the road, he could watch Abby.
When she pulled to the curb in front of the diner, he leaned over and kissed her. “Do you realize this will be the longest we’ve been apart since you came to the show on Friday?”
“Yeah, but it won’t be too long. Just a couple of hours.”
“It’ll be fun having the guys out at your place, though. Did you call Monique?”
“Last night. She can’t make it. Crazy woman volunteered to be one of the moms taking her kid’s preschool class on a nature walk this morning.”
Seth grinned. “I’ll make sure Marsh is fully caffeinated, and we’ll head out to the house. Do you need me to get anything before I go back?”
“No. Just be there.”
He went into the diner, paying scant attention to the blue plastic tablecloths and 50s-retro decor. He found Joey and Marshall at a table along the right wall. Marsh’s guitar case leaned on the chair beside him.
“I see you managed to keep him vertical,” he said to Joey. He sat down and poured a cup of coffee from the full pot on the table.
“The trick is to shove him out the door before he’s completely awake. Less resistance that way,” Joey said, biting into a piece of bacon.
“The trick is not to drink Jӓeger bombs till closing time at the Shamrock,” Marshall said, dumping several packets of sugar into his coffee.
Seth snorted. “I thought you learned that lesson at that dive in Biloxi.”
“Thought maybe it’d be different in Minnesota.”
“Marsh, for the record, Jäegermeister is toxic in all fifty states, plus Canada and Mexico,” Seth told him. “Now, put your brain in gear, because we need to hash out what we know.”
“Marsh made sure I was up to speed last night before the Jäeger kicked in.” Joey said. “Seems to me we need to know for sure if Drew Purcell was here Friday night.”
“If he was, then he’s most likely still here, since it was late Saturday night or early yesterday morning when somebody snuck around Abby’s house.” Seth had looked before they left and he hadn’t seen any signs they’d had any more visits.
Joey tapped a finger on the table, thinking. “But if he’s here, you’d think somebody saw him. I mean, the guy stands out, and this is a small town.”
Seth considered Joey’s theory. Drew Purcell was tall and broad, his hair dyed a bright yellow not found in nature. He also had a year-round bottled tan, which would attract notice in a town full of Minnesotans just coming off a long winter. “You’re probably right, but it’s the start of tourist season here, so people don’t notice strangers the way they might otherwise.”
“I think you need to c
all Kincaid again, see if there’s any news. Shake him up a little bit if there’s not,” Marshall said.
Seth helped himself to a piece of toast. “I plan to. I was hoping I’d have something else to tell him, though.”
“Let’s see what we’ve got, then,” said Joey. “What about the girl who keyed Abby’s car?”
“Pam? She’s seriously out of whack, but I don’t think she has anything to do with it.”
“Don’t cross her off the list, though,” Marshall said. “She did go AWOL on the way back to Iowa.” His voice was gaining strength, and his eyes were less red, or at least less puffy.
“True. Another popular suspect is the ‘random insane fan.’ And in a weird way I hope that’s not it, because there’s no way for us to look into it. It could be anybody, for any reason.”
Joey dropped his fork on his empty plate and pushed it away. “If that’s the case, we don’t have any choice but to sit back and let the cops do their thing.”
“It’s making me nuts, man, waiting and wondering what’s going to happen next.” He’d sacrifice anything to keep Abby safe, but he had to know where the danger was.
Marshall picked a bit of bacon off the front of his black shirt and popped it in his mouth. “Which brings us to the part we don’t want to talk about. Our guys.”
Seth drew a resigned breath. “Unless I see some earth-shaking evidence, I’m not even considering Roberto. There’s no way.”
“I’m with you,” Joey said. “There’d have to be some deep, dark secret there, and ’Berto’s never kept a secret in his life.”
“Pete and Mouse were never out of sight during the show. But Trent was,” Marshall said.
“Yeah, I know,” Seth said. “My gut says ‘no,’ but if you think about it, Trent has parts of his life we don’t know much about. He doesn’t hang out with us between road trips, and I’ve seen him pretty out of control a few times, over stupid things.”
