She lay huddled on the cold kitchen floor. Hank stayed next to her, offering what warmth he could. He whimpered as Travis picked her limp body off the floor. She was barely conscious when Travis carried her to the bedroom. Offering her his warmth, he wrapped himself around her, rubbing the circulation back into her arms and legs. Hank stretched out on the other side of her, lending more heat.
Gillian tried to talk but no words would come.
“It’s okay.” He put a glass of water to her lips and she took a small sip. He brushed the hair out of her eyes and looked down at her intently. “Better?”
She nodded. He could feel her heart beat against his chest and cursed his desire for her. Now was definitely not the time. She needed warmth, not heat.
“Can you talk to me now?”
She snuggled closer to him and he said a silent prayer. She took a steadying breath and started to explain.
“Hank and I were walking along the beach.” She shook her head when he started to speak. “I know, perhaps in retrospect it was stupid, but I did it and I can’t take it back now.” She continued. “I felt fine, good in fact. Foolishly, I looked to the moon and opened myself up.” Her eyes locked with his, fiercely. “He was there, in my mind. I could hear some of his thoughts. They were vile. He’s found another girl and if he hasn’t raped her already, he will soon. I could see her silhouette, but I couldn’t make her out.”
“Was he saying anything? Can you remember?”
“He kept repeating, “Mine…mine now…forever mine.”’
“Anything familiar? His voice maybe?” He was grasping at straws he knew, but she seemed to understand.
“I didn’t hear him say anything. He was in my mind.” She shuddered and God help him, he held her even tighter.
“Travis, this is a living a nightmare. Why am I linked to him in this way? It’s like being mind raped.” Her eyes were wide with horror. He could bear it no longer.
He took hold of her tear ravaged face and said, “Gilly, listen to me. I want you to do something for me. Please, just trust me, ok?” She nodded her eyes steady on his. “I want to try something that might help you. Put your arm around Hank. Hopefully, he’ll ground you as usual. Make sure you keep a hand on him.” When she did as he asked he smiled encouragement at her and continued. “I’m just going to open up and let you touch my mind all you want. Find comfort in me, Gilly. I trust you.”
She shook her head, “No, I…I can’t.”
“Do it.” He breathed deeply and relaxed. Without blinking, he looked into her eyes. He imagined a door easing open in his mind and slowly, gently he opened to her. He could feel her almost instantly. God, she was powerful. He welcomed her. Holding her gently, he concentrated on peaceful thoughts of acceptance and understanding, nothing more demanding than that.
Their minds touched. Unaware of coherent thought, they simply came together in mind and spirit. He felt a floating sensation and drifted gently with her, trying to bring her comfort. It was incredibly intimate, like nothing he’d ever felt before. He relaxed further, drawing her closer. He knew she had more to tell him. There was more he had to know, but for now, she needed peace. He’d wait. For tonight it was enough just to hold her body and cradle her thoughts. Eventually, they drifted off to sleep, their bodies entwined almost as intimately as their minds.
Chapter 16
When morning came, Travis was loath to leave the warmth of the bed and the temptation of Gillian’s sleeping form. She slept so soundly it tore at his heart to move away from her.
Hank, who had left them in the night to prowl around the house, popped his head around the bedroom door just as Travis prepared to go in search of him. As if reading his mind, Hank curled up beside Gillian in Travis’s place, keeping her warm.
Downstairs, Travis grabbed the phone and called his office while he made coffee. He breathed a sigh of relief. They hadn’t been frantically looking for him. Maybe Gillian’s impressions were precognitive. He hoped that was the case; however, he was well aware that there could be another victim in his town who didn’t want to come forward.
He made toast while he planned his next moves. Hopefully, he’d hear from the FBI with possible leads. For now, he’d look after Gillian. She might have more to add to what she’d told him last night and given his suspicion of Smythe, her doctor wasn’t going to be of much assistance.
* * * *
Wide awake when he carried breakfast into the bedroom, she inhaled the aromas of fresh coffee and burnt toast. He must have thrown out the offending toast and made fresh, because there was no sign of charred remains on the plate he presented to her.
“I figured you’d need something bland on your stomach after last night,” he told her.
She accepted with gratitude. The smell of coffee was wonderfully welcome. He looked irresistible in the morning. His hair was even more tousled than usual. At one time, she would have thought that impossible. He looked mussed and utterly endearing sitting on the bed next to her, sharing dry toast. He’d pulled on his shirt and jeans but had neglected to button either. He looked so sexy Gillian felt weak. She longed to run a hand over his taut stomach but managed to resist the urge.
“How do you feel?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Good, thanks to you. I don’t really understand what it was that you did last night but it worked.” She smiled, “I feel great. Our minds connected didn’t they?”
He nodded and she continued, “I could feel you. How did you know to do that?”
“Instinct, I guess. I just wanted to take your torment away; that’s all I could think of. Seems it worked, huh?”
“I’ll say. I don’t know how to thank you.”
He flashed a wicked smile. “I could offer some suggestions.”
“Offer away.”
“Seeing as how I’m a man of action, why don’t I just show you?”
Breakfast was swept aside with no regard. He was laying full length beside her before she knew it. His ingenious mouth did things to her she thought only happened in books. She felt alive with sensation and for the moment, she lost herself in what he was doing to her. All hesitation and doubt dissolved and she gave herself up to him like a pagan offered a sacrifice to the gods. After her experience on the beach the night before, she craved his gentle, but sure touch.
She found herself capable of a passion she never knew she possessed and hungered for him more and more with each expert stroke of his fingertips. Without even knowing how it happened, she was pressed naked against him and loving every minute of it. His face was buried in her neck when he said, “Gilly, if we go much further I don’t think I’ll be able to stop, so honey, you better say it now if you don’t want this to happen.”
She ran her fingernails down the length of his muscled back, smiling at his involuntary moan of response and whispered in his ear. “If you stop now I’ll kill you.”
He laughed and kissed her hard. “Baby, you’re killing me already.” He cupped her breast and took the tip in his mouth greedily. She cried out with pleasure and wrapped her legs around his hips. He was huge and hard and ready but he refused what she so blatantly offered him. Wringing her tension tighter, he slipped a hand between their bodies and stroked her most sensitive spot. She cried out in response. Somehow, he knew just where to touch her and how. He taught her things about her own body she never dared to learn. When she thought she could take no more, he smoothly entered her in one sure thrust. They both groaned in unison. Joined in that age-old rhythm men and women have danced to for centuries, he drove her higher and higher and she took him with her. It was beautiful, indescribably erotic and completely satisfying.
Exhausted, they clung to each other as residual waves of sensation washed over them. He pushed her hair from her eyes and kissed her swollen lips. She barely had the strength to respond and he smiled smugly down at her. Her exhaustion was the best boost his ego had ever received. She made him feel invincible. He’d accepted her surrender with a silent prayer of thanks. To him, s
he was magnificent, the perfect mate, slim yet lush, reticent one minute and bold the next. She took all he had to offer and gave it back to him tenfold. He felt he could do anything; he was a god. No, she was a goddess. He was blessed just to be able to touch her. He pulled her closer still and moved his legs against hers. Their combined sweat made their skin slick and slippery.
Miraculously, he felt himself stir yet again. Or, perhaps not so miraculously; he had just experienced here, with this woman, the best sex he’d ever had. He figured it wasn’t so surprising he was up for another round so quickly. Who wouldn’t be?
His muffled sound of amusement roused Gillian and she looked at him with glazed eyes. His hands continued to stroke her sensitized skin and she stretched languidly. She turned to him and said, “That was nice. I think I’d like to do that again, sometime.”
He moved his hip pointedly against hers and said, “How does now suit you?”
She reached down between their bodies and held him with confidence. The dance began anew.
* * * *
For the first time since starting her job in the Sheriff’s office, Caroline arrived before the man himself. Interesting. She hummed a tune as she made coffee and speculated on what could have kept Travis. She was sure her girlfriends would have all kinds of juicy suggestions.
Travis arrived with his thick hair still wet, standing up at every possible angle. He looked as devastating as ever. He scooped up a donut, grabbed a cup of coffee and greeted Caroline with a slow smile. “Thanks for saving me a donut Caro. Any calls?”
Speechless, she handed him the messages she’d taken down for him. There was nothing urgent. Travis was relieved that he hadn’t neglected his duty while indulging his hunger for Gillian. He found himself unable to get her out of his mind and had to resist the urge to call her the minute he sat behind his desk. Maybe she’d be able to get some well-deserved sleep, if he left her alone for a second. He knew he’d never be able to leave her alone for long, especially if this morning was any indication. He’d surprised even himself with the number of times he’d turned to her. He smiled whenever he thought of her. He smiled all morning
Gillian slept in. She was grateful that Travis had let Hank out and fed him because it was 10:30 a.m. before she finally rolled out of bed. She didn’t bother with a shower. Instead, she went for a long swim. After a good twenty laps, she rested against the side with her back to the wall and her arms stretched out on the edge. Idly, she kicked her long legs, barely disturbing the water. The gentle lap of the water on her skin reminded her of Travis’s fingertips and she found herself wanting him all over again. She laughed out loud, startling Hank who lounged in the shade. In fact, she surprised herself. She’d never been this highly charged in her entire life. It was like she was plugged in at last. She finally understood that up until coming to New Crescent, she’d been living on the surface of life, never reaching heights or depths, rejecting anything that might mean risking her heart. After the agony of losing her parents, she’d avoided deeper feelings. She’d created a comfortable life for herself without examination or temptation. She’d been moderately content, safe perhaps, but never happy…just…there. Today, here, now, she felt lush and ripe, more woman than ever before. Last night, she’d experienced the worst spell ever and yet, miraculously, using just his mind, Travis pulled her from the precipice.
His lovemaking this morning had been positively earth shattering. She wanted to laugh, to dance, and to jump with joy. Instead, she slipped beneath the water and swam effortlessly to the other side of the pool. Her senses seemed more finely-tuned, her skin more sensitive. Was this what it felt like to be in love? She stopped mid-stroke and choked on a mouthful of water. Grabbing the side of the pool, she pulled herself out and sat on the edge. Was she in love with Travis Sinclair? Oh God, this could be a problem.
“Chemical,” she said the word out loud. “That’s all it was. Okay, so it was world class sex, but it was still just sex, right?”
“Oh Hank, I think we have a problem.” She put an arm around the big white dog and borrowed some of his peace.
After her realization in the pool, the rest of Gillian’s day was a wash. She wasn’t satisfied with any work she did on Ernestine’s birthday party announcement and her attempts at meditation were futile. It was no use trying to keep thoughts of him at bay so she succumbed to the temptation and let her imagination run amok.
She had such vivid erotic imaginings about the man it took her a second to react when she saw him striding up her porch stairs. The bemused look on her face died as she saw the grim line of his mouth and his furrowed brow.
“Travis? What is it?”
He grasped her shoulders and said. “Another woman was raped last night.”
Chapter 17
The sun dipped low below the horizon as they sat in her living room drinking coffee he’d laced with a dash of brandy. She had recovered slightly from the shock but was still a little shaky.
“I got the call around noon. I don’t know if you’ve ever met Marcie Maitland. She works at the vet’s office, a real sweetheart.” He ran a hand through his hair, “She’s got a real gift with animals, gentle and understanding. Today, I almost didn’t recognize her. It’s the same guy, I’d stake my reputation on it, but he’s getting more violent. You felt it last night. Somehow you tapped into him.”
She winced at his words and he asked, “Have you talked to your doctor about what you experienced last night?”
Gillian shook her head, “No. I was afraid to since you told me you’re suspicious of him.” She had trouble keeping her hands still so she clasped them in her lap.
“Probably a good idea. I found out today that Smythe lied about visiting a friend who lives close by. He stayed at a B&B while he was here but according to the woman who runs the place, he had no visitors and further investigation proves that he spent his time alone. The only person he saw was you. He came here to see you and lied about it.”
“That’s crazy. Why would he do such a thing?”
“I intend to find out.”
“You said the attack on Marcie was more violent?”
His voice was low. “Yeah, he raped and beat her. She’s in the hospital.”
She rubbed the heel of her hand over her eyes. “And I picked up on his thoughts last night.” Early in the morning between erotic sessions, she’d told him about what had happened to her on the beach and her difficult journey back to the house but he’d resisted the temptation to question her.
“I’m sorry to ask this but…did you pick up anything that might help me find this guy?”
“I heard his thoughts in my head. He was watching a woman. I couldn’t see her features, just her silhouette. She was about my size with shoulder length hair.”
“Where was she?”
“She was alone inside a house. He was watching her from outside, that’s why he only saw a silhouette. I could hear his thoughts. He was in a rage.” She swallowed hard and continued, “She was a surrogate. Something tells me he had his eye on someone else and was thwarted somehow. I could almost taste the pleasure he derived from having control over her.” She shivered and Travis took her in his arms.
“Are you okay?” The concern was evident in his voice.
“Yes. It gives me the creeps to think of being inside his sick head and having him in mine. It wasn’t for long, but that was enough for me.” She spoke in his arms, with her ear on his heart. She could hear its reassuring beat. “It was so repulsive I broke the contact almost immediately.”
“Gillian, I hate to have to ask you these questions. I apologize.”
She interrupted him and said firmly, “Don’t. I know you have a job to do and I want to help. If I’m stuck with this “gift” or whatever, I have to make use of it. Will you help me?”
He pressed her head to his chest once again and promised her, “Gilly, I’ll do anything I can to help you.”
She pulled away from him and said, “Good. Now do your job and ask me quest
ions.”
She made him proud. “Okay. Did you get any sense of the man himself?”
“Interesting you should ask that. I don’t know who he is or what he looks like but I got the impression that he’s very intelligent. He’s educated, maybe a professional. Self-confidence isn’t a problem with this guy. He thinks pretty highly of himself which leads me to believe he’s probably attractive and successful.” She shrugged and continued, “I can’t explain how I know these things exactly; it’s just his sense of himself. I could get that impression strongly, even given the brief time we were connected.”
Travis nodded. “Go on.”
“He knows his way around New Crescent. He’s not a stranger.” At Travis’s pained expression, she nodded. “I know. Somehow, it’s worse knowing he’s not an outsider. This is about violence. Rage. Something happened recently that’s set this thing off. He’s petulant, like a child. It’s like he was denied something he believes should be his.”
Travis nodded, “A stressor, that makes sense. You said he had his eye on someone and was thwarted. Do you think that was why he was so angry?”
“That might be part of it. He would rather Marcie was someone else and was ticked that she wasn’t his original target. He made her pay for that. But the monster’s so filled with rage he would have hurt her regardless. He has an overwhelming need to control women. I can’t help but think he’ll kill eventually. He’s working up to it.”
“Well, it all fits the profile. Maybe I should put you on the payroll.”
She looked at him sideways and took a sip of her brandy-laced coffee. “No thanks, I have a career. I’ll stick to design. It’s safer.”
“Speaking of safer, this is the hard part. Do you think you could get into his head again, on purpose?”
Trouble [New Crescent 1] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 13
