He doubted the mob would find them here, but he didn’t want to take any chances. He needed to know she was safe, and she wasn’t here. Not now.
Who the hell was on the mob’s payroll?
At this point, he believed Grayson was right. It was time to get out of this line of work. In the beginning, they both believed they could make a difference. That hadn’t been the case. There was too much red tape, too many snags, too many rules. Their hands were tied, and because of it, more often than not, the criminals would get away.
Grayson was tired of it, and in truth, so was he.
They’d had better luck as detectives. They’d made more of a difference. At least at the local level, they had a connection with their town and the people they protected. Locally, they could do things with the youth, help to keep kids off the streets and out of trouble.
He glanced at his watch and decided it was time for him and Grayson to trade places. That way, he could get a little sleep before they headed out to the houseboat.
* * * *
Cheyenne awoke early the next morning to find Parker beside her instead of Grayson. She frowned slightly, wondering if they’d traded places during the night. And where had Grayson gone?
Even though her body felt sore, just looking at Parker next to her, with his bare chest and the sheet down around his waist, made her want to lick his flesh like candy. Rising on her elbow, she studied him.
His hair was mussed, his jaw covered in stubble. His chest was smooth and riddled with hills and valleys. He had an incredible set of pecs. She reached out and brushed her finger down the center of his chest and over the ridges of his stomach.
Vaguely she wondered how often they worked out to have such physiques.
“You know, if you keep traveling south, you’ll run across a nice surprise.”
She froze and jerked her gaze back to his face. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment when she realized he was awake.
“A surprise, huh?” she countered.
His lips twitched. “A nice one.”
She snickered and flattened her hand against his stomach. The thought of that surprise made her stomach tingle in renewed need. Jeez, how could she possibly want sex again so soon?
“When did you and Grayson trade places?”
He glanced at the clock, which read five in the morning. “About three hours ago.”
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Is there something you guys aren’t telling me? Why is one of you staying up?”
Parker rested his hand over hers and sighed.
“Out with it, Parker.”
He put his free hand behind his head. “Wow. Someone’s bossy.”
She slapped his stomach. “I’m serious!”
He chuckled. “I see that.”
“Parker—”
He put his finger over her mouth, silencing her. “There’s been a breach of sorts.”
Her eyes widened as Parker dropped his hand back over hers. “What kind of breach? Is Steve—”
“Steve’s fine. They got him to safety, but the safe house was compromised.”
Relief that her friend was fine was suddenly squashed in the face of the instant realization they could be compromised as well. “You think we may have been too.”
Parker nodded and squeezed her hand. “Just to be on the safe side, we’re leaving first thing this morning. Grayson and I aren’t taking any chances and are keeping the new location to ourselves.”
“Who do you think is the mole?” she asked.
“I don’t know that there is one. It could be that someone in the mob hacked the computers.”
She gave him a look of doubt. “Do they really put this stuff in the system?”
“Sometimes.”
“Is our location in there?”
“Not the FBI’s, but we’re in the TBI’s. They will show the safe house as in use but not who’s in it. If someone did hack the system, then they would hit all the houses in use until they found the right one. A process of elimination. They just happened to hit the right one first with Steve.”
“That seems awfully lucky to me,” she murmured.
Parker grimaced. “Yeah, now that I say it out loud, it does to me too. I hate the idea that the mob has someone on the inside.”
She gave a shrug. “It doesn’t surprise me. Money can and does sway a lot of people. I would be surprised if there wasn’t someone on the inside.”
Parker studied her with a serious expression. She returned her gaze to the muscles of his stomach and twirled the tip of her finger around the edge of his belly button. “You’re awfully cynical for someone so young.”
“Not cynical. Just…realistic maybe.”
Parker’s lips twitched. “Cynical.”
“Fine, so I’m cynical.” She smiled up at him. “Should we get up and fix breakfast before we go? The last thing I want to do is swing through another fast-food drive-through.”
Parker chuckled. “Agreed.”
Chapter Nineteen
Cheyenne climbed into the back of Parker’s SUV and settled in. When Grayson got behind the steering wheel and Parker joined her in the back, she raised an eyebrow in surprise.
“Can you even fit back here?” she asked.
With a grin, Parker reached beneath the seat and pulled at something out of sight. The entire bench seat moved back a good two feet, catching Cheyenne by surprise. With a squeal, she grabbed hold of the door handle.
“I will now,” he said as he got comfortable and shut his door.
As he set a bag in the floor by his feet, Parker let his gaze move over her exposed legs that peeked beneath the hem of the sundress she’d found in the closet. It had been a little big in the waist, so she’d tied it in the back, cinching it in. Her breasts were big enough that the buttons in the front actually pulled a bit. She’d always had trouble finding clothes that fit exactly right, especially dresses.
“So are you without underwear under that skirt?” Parker asked.
She tilted her head and tried not to smile. She was, but she wasn’t about to tell him that.
“Behave yourself back there,” Grayson said as he looked at them in the rearview mirror. “I can’t watch you if I’m driving, and if I can’t watch, you can’t have fun.”
Cheyenne snorted softly before turning to Parker. “Guess you heard that.”
Parker’s lips twitched. “You think I give a rat’s ass what he says? He got you last night. I should get you on the ride.”
Her eyes widened, but her body heated at the thought. “In the car?”
He pointed behind her shoulder. “The windows are tinted, and it would be very easy for you to ride my cock under that skirt. No one would have a clue.”
“Except me,” Grayson said.
Cheyenne snickered softly at Grayson’s growl from the front seat. She licked her lips and turned away, trying not to think about doing that very thing. Instead, she focused on the pink sunrise starting to show over the hills behind Gatlinburg. It was supposed to be a beautiful day. It was a shame they would have to spend it on the road.
“Where are we going?” she asked as Grayson turned the car and pulled out of the driveway.
“My dad’s houseboat.”
“Oh, I love houseboats. Is it close by?”
“It’s about five hours away, give or take,” Parker replied. “The houseboat is on Kentucky Lake, just east of Paducah. The park, the Land Between the Lakes, would be the perfect spot for you to take a few pictures.”
She smiled. “You really know how to lure a girl, but I do have one request.”
“What’s that, Doc?” Parker asked.
“Clothes?”
“What do you want with clothes?” Grayson teased from the front seat. “I thought we’d keep you naked the whole time.”
“Now that’s a little unrealistic, don’t you think?” she replied.
She still couldn’t stop thinking about sitting on Parker’s lap, and now she had visions of walking around a house
boat with nothing on, the two of them trailing close behind. One would bend her over the back of the sofa. One could throw her on the table, wrap her legs around his waist, and thrust into her.
She swallowed and tugged at the edge of her top as a sudden wave of heat engulfed her entire body. Damn them for being so sexy and for even bringing up the subject of sex.
“I don’t think so,” Parker said.
She glanced sideways at him, wondering if she’d missed something else he’d said or if that was it. Parker leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Thinking about you naked has my dick hard as a rock.”
He put her hand over the bulge straining against his jeans and held it there. She rubbed her palm along his length, enjoying the low growl that vibrated deep in his chest.
She was wet already. She could feel it. Her pussy ached to have him inside her, filling her. She was so tempted to climb on his lap and take him. “You’re a very bad FBI agent,” she murmured. “You should be ashamed. Seducing the witness.”
Parker’s grin flashed and sent her pulse racing. “I don’t shame easily.”
“Obviously,” she countered drily.
Parker grinned and removed her hand from his cock. He brought her palm to his lips and kissed the center. A spark of heat traveled up her arm, leaving her marveling at how quickly both of them affected her. She’d never met a man who could make her feel like this. She’d begun to think that kind of stuff was just in books. Now that she’d felt it, she would settle for nothing less. But did feelings like this only come about once in a lifetime?
He wrapped his fingers around hers and settled their clasped hands on his lap. Holding hands. Wow. How long had it been since she’d just sat with a guy and held his hand?
With a small smile, she wrapped her other arm around his elbow and leaned on his shoulder. The rough material of his shirt rubbed against her cheek, and his scent invaded her senses. He smelled so woodsy, so masculine.
When he kissed the top of her head, she smiled and closed her eyes. She wiggled and tried to find a more comfortable position that didn’t involve the seatbelt choking her. When she opened her eyes, she spotted the bag on the floor by his feet.
“What’s in the bag?” she asked.
“Something for later.”
She tilted her head back and looked up at him questioningly.
His lips twitched with amusement. “You’ll find out later,” he said.
Cheyenne twisted her lips and decided to let it go for now. After all, she doubted it was anything threatening. The bag was too small.
* * * *
Parker watched as Cheyenne browsed through the dress shop, looking for comfortable clothes to wear on the houseboat. He’d never been much of a shopper, but he enjoyed watching Cheyenne.
She pulled a red tank top off the rack and studied it.
“That would look nice with your skin tone,” Parker said.
She looked up at him with a surprised expression.
Parker raised an eyebrow. “Surprised I’m still here or that I can match color with skin tone?”
She laughed and threw the tank top over her arm. “Both actually. I’m still shocked the two of you agreed to stop at an outlet mall.”
“We’ve been watching our backs. No obvious signs of followers. It’s safe enough since we’re not staying here…and if you hurry.”
“Hint taken,” she said with a sigh. “I think I have everything I need for the most part. Shorts, bathing suit, some underwear, a few tops. I think we’re good to go.”
Parker nodded and waved her toward the cashier. He’d left the bag in the car, but he’d thought about bringing it in and luring her into one of the changing rooms. But now, after seeing how sparse and in plain view they were, it was probably good he hadn’t. He wasn’t sure how happy the store would be with him if he dragged her into one and got her so worked up that when he slid the butt plug into place, she’d screamed the store down.
He snickered as he imagined the stares they’d get when they emerged.
Cheyenne glanced at him over her shoulder. “Something funny?”
“I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“The surprise I have for you in the car.”
“Are you ever going to tell me what it is?” she asked.
Parker moved in close, pressing his chest against her back as they stood in line. The outlet mall was a lot more crowded than they’d expected, which in some ways was a good thing. Easier to get lost if they needed to.
He slid his hand up the back of her skirt and brushed his palm over her bare ass.
She stiffened and started to pull away, but Parker grasped her elbow, holding her in place. “Don’t make a fuss, and no one will know,” he whispered.
“I’ll know,” she growled back.
Parker watched color flood her cheeks and grinned.
“Like I said earlier,” she threw over her shoulder. “Just bad.”
Parker laughed and pinched her ass hard enough to get a squeak. She set the clothes on the counter and glared at him as he pulled out his wallet.
He started to reach for his FBI expense card, then thought better of it. Credit was traceable. He should have enough cash on him to cover it. She hadn’t bought that much. He would keep the receipt and the agency would reimburse him later.
He paid for her purchases, and they headed out into the mall. Grayson had gone ahead to the restaurant at the food court to grab them a table. They’d eat quickly, then get back on the road. While Grayson was driving, Parker planned to get Cheyenne so turned on that by the time they got to the boat, she’d be ready for them.
Of course, that was if Parker could wait that long to get inside her. He hurt so badly already he could hardly stand it.
Cheyenne spotted Grayson toward the far end of the restaurant and with a wave headed toward him. Parker stayed close on her heels. Grayson had picked a table where he could put his back to the wall and face the crowd.
Cheyenne started to sit next to Grayson, but Parker grasped her elbow and ushered her to the other bench. He pushed her in first, then climbed in next to her, putting her between him and the wall.
She frowned up at him. “Are you being stingy?”
Grayson chuckled. “He’s always stingy. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”
“Hey,” Parker replied. “Who got her all to himself last night?”
The waitress walked up, and Cheyenne slapped him in the leg in warning. Parker winked at her before turning to take the glass of tea the waitress handed him.
“Your friend already placed your drink orders,” she said as she passed a glass of water with lemon to Cheyenne.
Cheyenne smiled a thank-you before turning to Grayson. “You remembered,” she said.
“Of course,” he replied. “I thought I would let you pick your own lunch, though.”
The three of them ordered, and while the waitress headed off to the kitchen, Cheyenne spoke to Grayson. “So tell me about this houseboat.”
“It has three bedrooms, a large sundeck on the top with a barbecue, table and chairs, and it has a roof for shade. It has satellite television and a full kitchen. It also comes with two Jet Skis.”
She smiled. “Cool. I hope you guys like to swim.”
“We love to swim.” Parker slid his hand up the inside of her thigh. “Especially naked.”
Cheyenne blushed and turned to him with the most adorable chastising look he’d ever seen on a woman. “Is that all you ever think about?”
Parker grinned. “Come on, Doc. I dare you to tell me you haven’t been thinking about it.”
She lifted her hand and pinched her fingers close together. “Maybe a little.”
Parker and Grayson laughed as the waitress walked over and began setting their plates on the table.
Once she left, Parker said, “We need to hurry. I don’t want to stay here any longer than we have to.” He glanced at Cheyenne. “And not because I’m dying to get between your thighs.”
>
Chapter Twenty
Cheyenne climbed into the back of the SUV and spotted the bag lying on the floor. She hadn’t been able to get Parker to tell her what was in it, so maybe she should just…
She reached down and snatched it from the floor while Parker stood outside the car, talking to Grayson.
“Do you want me to drive for a while?” Parker asked.
“No,” Grayson replied. “You know I prefer to drive.”
“Okay, but let me know if you get tired.”
“I will,” Grayson said as he slid behind the steering wheel.
Cheyenne opened the bag and peeked inside. Parker slid into the seat next to her.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he asked.
She quickly closed the bag and glanced up at him guiltily. “I was curious.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Did you see something you like?”
She pursed her lips and sighed. “I didn’t see anything.”
Parker held out his hand, and with a twist of her lips, she passed the bag. He set it by his side, then grabbed her elbow and pulled her over his knee.
Cheyenne squealed and braced herself against the edge of the seat. Her face was against the leather of the seat; her ass in the air. Her breasts pressed into the hard muscles of his thighs, reminding her how much stronger than her he was. To her surprise, he feathered his right hand up the back of her thigh and under her skirt. When his palm smoothed over her hip, she stiffened.
“Parker! What are you doing?”
“Well, right now, I’m enjoying this delectable ass you have. But here in a few, I’m going to show you what I have in the bag.”
She wanted to yell at him to let her up, but his touch made her want something else entirely. Her heart began to race as his fingers stroked over her hip and then between her legs.
The SUV made a turn, and Parker’s left arm tightened over the small of her back, holding her on his lap. He continued the slow exploration of her private area with the fingers of his right hand. She bit her lips to stifle a moan of pleasure as he gently slid his fingers between her labia and stroked the entrance to her pussy.
“I like that you’re wet,” he purred as he smeared the cream.
Crime & Punishment 3: Theirs to Share Page 12
