by Welsh, Hope
No more words were spoken as he lifted up and braced his weight on one arm so he had a hand free. He lowered his head and nibbled on her bottom lip. When she gasped, he deepened the kiss and she felt his hand move to her breast, gently kneading, then pinching her nipple gently. She arched her back, trying to urge him to move inside her.
“Impatient, are you?” he teased as he slid inside her just a bit more.
“Yes,” she admitted. “Please, come inside me. Now.”
Brandon moved his free hand between their bodies and touched the small nub nestled there between her soft folds, causing Mandy to moan and arch against him again, wanting more.
He lowered his head and kissed her again, his tongue driving deep as he moved his hips and slid fully inside her. Mandy tensed then relaxed as he slid inside. It had been so long. He was large and it was a bit uncomfortable. He seemed to know, because he didn’t move. He ended the kiss, and she opened her eyes.
She looked into his eyes, and realized he was watching her. “What are you waiting for?”
“For you,” he said roughly.
Mandy clenched her inner muscles and smiled when he groaned. She ran her fingers down his back. The discomfort was gone and all she felt was the pleasure of feeling him inside her once more. “Please,” she whispered urgently.
Brandon began to move, rocking his hips slowly, his eyes never left hers. He kept his weight to the side and moved his free hand to cup her breasts, first one, then the other, teasing her nipples. When he lowered his head and kissed her again, he began to move hard inside her, the thrust of his tongue matching the thrust of his body.
Mandy bent her knees and clung to him. God, she’d wanted this. Dreamed of this, but she’d never thought that he’d make love to her again. She felt tears burning in her eyes. After all she’d done to him; he was still here with her, like this. Like they’d been before. She couldn’t stop the tears that flowed down her temples.
Brandon froze. “What’s wrong?” He brushed the tears away and kissed her very gently. “Am I hurting you, love?”
“N-no.”
“Then why are you crying?” He started to pull out of her; sure he must be hurting her—though it would kill him to stop now—when her hands moved to his ass and held him tightly. He waited, looking at her.
“I just didn’t think we’d ever have this again,” she admitted.
Brandon cursed himself for being a fool. This should have never happened until they’d talked. But, damn, it had been so long for them both, and spanking her cute ass had done more than just alleviate his frustration—it had turned him on big time. “Don’t cry, sweetheart. Just feel.”
He knew just how to work her body to draw out the most pleasure for her. Her breasts were very sensitive. He lowered his head and drew one nipple into the hot suction of his mouth, nipping gently with his teeth and once more felt her arching against him. He began moving inside her again, slow, steady thrusts. He wanted this to last, but wasn’t sure how long he could hold off. Not this first time.
With a last gentle nip on one nipple, he moved his head and treated the other to the same, nipping and then laving it with his tongue. When he finally lifted his head, his own breathing as ragged as Mandy’s was. The tears had stopped, at least. He smiled down at her and then kissed her hard.
Finally, he braced his weight on both forearms. “Wrap your legs around me, Mandy.”
Once she had, he moved strongly inside her, with each hard thrust, he felt her muscles clenching around him and knew she was close to her release. He wanted to bring her with him. He moved his hand between their bodies and found that small nub again and gently circled it, before pressing hard on it as he thrust faster, harder, driving them both to release. He came inside her with a groan as he felt her come apart beneath him.
Brandon rested against her, keeping some of his weight on his arms, while he regained the strength to move. It had been too fast, and probably too soon, but just maybe she’d be more open with him.
Finally, he rolled to his side and brought her over with him. “Better?”
“I can breathe,” she teased.
“I didn’t hurt you?”
“Oh no,” she said with a slight flush. “Not at all.”
Brandon cupped her ass and squeezed. “Still hurt?” he asked.
She looked into his eyes. “A bit.”
He grinned, kissed her nose, and gave her bottom a pat. “Good. I think I’ll be doing that again, too.”
“Okay.”
He laughed. “I guess we’re a bit kinkier than I thought.”
“I still think you stopped too soon,” she admitted.
Brandon grew serious. “Mandy, I mostly spanked you because I think you wanted me to. But, I promise you, you’re safe with me. I’d never hurt you.”
“I know.”
“Let’s take a nap, okay? We can forage through the fridge for lunch in a little bit, how’s that sound?” he asked. He wasn’t really tired, but she looked absolutely exhausted. Her face was still flushed from their loving, and her lips swollen from their kisses. Her eyes, though, told a different story. She was tired, even if she didn’t want to admit it.
“It feels like I slept for hours, though.”
“Drugged sleep doesn’t count. You need some real rest.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. “Close your eyes and try to sleep. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
“’Kay,” she said, closing her eyes.
Brandon smiled and kissed her forehead. “Good girl,” he teased.
He held her while she slept, his mind whirling. It had likely been a mistake to make love to her when there were still so many unanswered questions.
He also wasn’t sure that they were at all safe here now. Without thinking, he’d given her real name to the medics. If someone had flagged her name, or if he’d been followed, it was entirely possible someone could have tracked him here.
Hell, he’d been a cop a long time, and hadn’t noticed anyone following him, but it was still possible.
When she woke up, he decided, he’d tell her they needed to find somewhere else to go. He yawned, and realized he was tired, too. Closing his eyes, he fell asleep with Mandy tucked safely in his arms.
When Brandon woke up, the place beside him in the bed was empty.
Chapter Thirteen
Instantly, he climbed from the bed and searched the cabin; but he already knew the truth: she was gone.
Brandon really had not believed that after what they’d shared, she’d simply run again. How could he have been so foolish? Even more surprising was that she’d gotten away without waking him! The last thing he’d remembered, she was sleeping in his arms.
He dressed in record time and reached for his keys—only to find them gone.
“Well, hell,” he muttered beneath his breath. A glance at his watch showed that he’d only slept about four hours. Not that it really mattered, as he had no way to find her with no vehicle.
His cell phone was where he’d left it on the bedside table. Same for his wallet. Well, at least you left me my ID, he thought bitterly. It had been a long time since he’d used any credit cards, obviously, but he did have that and a debit card. It was likely that he could get hold of a car, at least.
It was unlikely she’d go back to her school, as she’d realize that would be the first place he’d check.
He turned on his phone and realized he’d missed a text message. He’d turned it off so it couldn’t be tracked. With a frown, he pushed the button to show the message.
I’m sorry.
Well, it didn’t take a genius to know that the message was from Mandy. His reply was terse.
Where are you?
There was no reply, not that he’d expected one. But, what she didn’t know was that he’d had a LoJack installed on his car a few years before. His Mustang was a classic. If it’d been stolen, he’d wanted to be able to get it back. He smiled as he called the company to get the location of the car.<
br />
The phone message had been left only an hour before, yet the car was less than a mile up the road. What the hell? He pocketed the phone, and left the cabin.
His mind whirled with the various possibilities. Had someone taken her? Or perhaps she’d abandoned the car and hitched a ride. That thought terrified him. They were miles from anywhere, and surrounded by woods.
Ten minutes later, breathing hard, Brandon saw Mandy’s head slumped over the wheel, as he ran toward the unmoving vehicle. The last twenty feet might as well have been twenty miles. He couldn’t tell if she was even conscious.
He hauled the door open. “Mandy!” Instinctively, he put his fingers on the pulse point in her throat, and sent up a prayer of thanks when he felt it.
Her head lifted, tears were streaming down her cheeks. “I couldn’t go.” Her voice broke as she looked up at him.
Brandon hauled her out of the car and pulled her into his arms. “God, you scared me, Mandy.”
She pulled back. “Why?”
“Why? You tell me you were forced to destroy our lives, and you don’t think I’d worry when you disappeared?” He wasn’t sure if the urge to shake her or kiss her senseless was stronger. He chose the kiss. His mouth pressed against hers hard. “Don’t do it again,” he said, giving her a small shake, too.
He pulled her against him and felt her body shake as she clung to him. “It’s going to be all right, Amanda. Let’s go get something to eat, then go back to the cabin to talk, okay?”
Many looked up at him with wide eyes. “Why aren’t you furious?”
His eyes narrowed. “I am.” But the relief was much stronger. He put his hands on her shoulders. “We’re in this together now. We’ll find a way to fix it.”
Brandon half-carried her to the passenger side of the car and opened the door. “In you go.”
Mandy slid in, but remained silent. When he climbed in the other side, he turned and looked at her. “Are you hungry?”
“Not really,” she admitted.
Brandon counted to ten mentally. “I am. Breakfast at the hospital was hours ago. We can go to a restaurant or find somewhere to order take-out.”
“Whichever,” she replied.
Brandon headed toward town instead of back to the cabin. Now wasn’t the time to get into a deep discussion with her. Not when he wasn’t even sure where to begin. They rode in silence to the small town. Brandon saw a small cafe, and pulled into the lot, then cut the engine before turning to her. “Come on, you need to eat.”
“I really wish you’d stop telling me what to do, Brandon.”
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t start.” Without another word, he climbed from the car and walked around to open her door. “Let’s go.”
With a glare, she got out of the car and walked with him into the cafe. He picked a table in the corner. It was a habit with him to be sure he could always see the doors.
When the pretty, young waitress came up to the table, Brandon flashed a smile. “Hi. We’d like two burgers and two orders of fries. Oh, and a couple of Coke’s, too.”
“Sure. I’ll be right back with your drinks,” the young girl replied.
“I really don’t feel like a burger,” Mandy said, glaring at him.
“And I really don’t feel like I care at the moment,” he retorted, taking a sip of his water. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“I told you—it’s not safe!” she hissed in a whisper. “Not for either of us.”
He sighed. “I told you we’d figure this out. If it’s really not safe, did you think running was the best idea? When you have no idea of who you can trust at this point?”
“It’s best if I just disappear again.”
Brandon shook his head. He didn’t even notice when the waitress put their drinks on the table in front of them. His eyes were glued to hers. “No, Mandy, it isn’t. I found you very easily. Do you think I’m the only one who could?”
She paled and he pressed his advantage. “I can keep you safe, Mandy. You know damn well that I was good at my job. There was no reason for any of this. It could have been over by now.”
Much as he’d promised himself he wouldn’t, he was letting his resentment through. He did resent what she’d cost him—even if she had thought she was doing the right thing.
“What do you want me to say, Brandon? Just take me back to the campus. I’ll get my stuff and disappear again,” she said. “If you go back and just lay low, everything will be fine.”
Brandon didn’t say anything for a long moment. “Will it? When was the last time you were anywhere without looking over your shoulder?”
He could see that she was going to say she hadn’t, but he saw the truth in her eyes before she finally answered him. “Two years,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
Brandon reached for her hands that were clasped tightly on the table. “Then we need to end it, Mandy. Can’t you see that?”
Before she could reply, the waitress was back with their lunch. “Can I get ya’all anything else?” she asked.
“We’re fine, thanks,” Brandon replied with a smile.
“Alrighty, then. Enjoy your meal.”
Once they were alone again, Brandon gave her a pointed stare. “Eat your lunch. Then, we are going to talk.”
“Fine!” she said, glaring at him. “God, when the hell did you get so bossy?”
Brandon grinned. Mandy rarely swore at all. “When you turned into a secretive brat. Eat!”
For the next few minutes, neither spoke. Brandon watched as she picked at her food. When he raised his brow, she picked up the burger with a glare and took a bite. He grinned, then. “Good, isn’t it?”
“It’s okay. A hamburger is a hamburger.”
“True, but when was the last time you sat down and ate a real meal?” It wasn’t really a question. She’d lost so much weight, he doubted she rarely ate a full meal.
“I eat!”
“Mandy, you lost a good ten or more pounds you didn’t need to lose. You’re going to make yourself sick if you don’t take care of yourself,” he insisted. “I plan on seeing that you eat three meals a day till you’re back to your normal weight.”
“I’m eating. Leave me alone,” she grumbled as she took another bite of the burger.
“Do you suppose you could try to look like you’re not sitting with a psychopath?” he asked when she’d finished her food at last. His was long gone.
“I’m terrified,” she whispered. “How can you not be?”
He chuckled, but it wasn’t a humorous sound. “Mandy, I’ve just spent two years in a cage. I’m free now, and I’m damn well going to make whoever is responsible pay. Period. With or without your help. I’m not afraid—I’m pissed off.”
“I told you already that I’d do whatever was necessary to clear your name,” she repeated.
“Great. Now, tell me how that is going to keep you safe?” he retorted, his voice harsh. “Aren’t you tired of running?”
She sighed. “You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it, Mandy. We’ve gone round and round on this. What aren’t you telling me?”
“It wasn’t just Grogen. There was someone else there that night,” she said in a whisper. “I didn’t think he saw me, and I didn’t get a good look at him at all. All I could see was a shadow.”
“I know—that’s why I kept you with me in the beginning. Tell me something new!”
“I—he told me that he was the one that killed my parents—that he’d cut their brake line so the car would crash,” she said, crying now. “And that if I didn’t make you stop investigating, that you’d be next.”
Before Brandon could even begin to process that information, the waitress was back at the table with a smile plastered on her face. “All done here, folks? Would ya like dessert? We have a nice apple pie.”
“No thank you,” Mandy said quickly. “Just the check.”
The woman placed the bill on the table. “Have a great day!”
&nbs
p; When they were alone again, Brandon picked up the check and stood, then tossed five bucks on the table as a tip. “Let’s go.”
Mandy looked at him with wide eyes, but she stood and walked with him to the register. She stood silently while he paid the bill.
Once outside, Brandon walked in long strides for the car, holding Mandy’s hand tightly. They’d killed her parents? God, it was no wonder she’d been so afraid.
He opened her door and waited for her to climb in.
Mandy shook her head. “I’m not going with you. We’re in town. I can get a bus back to campus.”
Brandon mentally counted to ten. Half her clothes were at the cabin—not to mention her precious computer she’d not wanted to leave in the dorm. “Oh? Got money for a ticket?”
With a glare, she got into the car, slamming the door hard.
Brandon was still shaking his head when he climbed into the car himself. “You know what you need, Amanda Wilson?” he asked, his tone conversational as he started the car.
“What?” she snapped.
“You need turned over my knee again—and you need spanked till you can’t sit down! Unless that’s exactly what you want to see happen, I don’t want to hear one more word about your leaving. Do you understand me?”
Brandon had the car started, but he hadn’t pulled from the lot yet. He waited to see if she’d answer him, and glared at her when she remained silent. “I said, do you understand?”
“Yes!” she hissed.
“Good.” He pulled out of the lot and headed back to the cabin.
The ride back was in complete silence. She didn’t say a word as she followed him inside the cabin again.
She stood in the middle of the living room. “Now what?”
“Now, you sit your cute ass on the couch and let me go clean up the glass in the bedroom. We were a bit distracted earlier.”
“I’m perfectly capable of cleaning up the mess,” she insisted, heading toward the kitchen, apparently indenting to get a broom.
Brandon shook his head and grabbed her around the waist. He tossed her over his shoulder and gave her a sharp smack on the ass before tossing her gently onto the couch. “Sit there and don’t be ridiculous. You’re hand was just sewn shut, remember?”
