by Bonnie Gill
River sat in the driver’s seat and turned to pet Hercules. “You can sit in the back for a while, big guy. It’s not going to hurt you.”
Abby liked the fact that River really cared for Hercules. He seemed to be a good doggy parent. She wondered how he would treat his kids when he decided to settle down. Not that she wanted to marry him, or have his children, or anything. She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and looked around the patrol car.
A tan reusable grocery sack sat in the front seat between them. Kazoo stuck his black and brown head inside the bag.
“Hey, get out of there. That’s not for you.” Abby pulled his three-pound body away from the bag.
“That’s our lunch.”
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“It’s a surprise.” He pulled the car into the police parking lot next to the ATV. “Are you ready for the next leg of the trip?”
“I guess so.” She looked over at the ATV. “Where’s Hercules going to sit?”
“I’ll let him follow us. He loves the exercise.” They got into the vehicle and River drove at a slow wandering pace through the forest. Hercules trotted along the side of the vehicle.
Kazoo sat on Abby’s lap, watching the bright colored blue birds flying about in the treetops. She stroked his soft fur so he wouldn’t get scared. Beautiful scenery passed by the ATV, and the leaves on the trees waved in the slight breeze of the amazing day.
“We’re almost there.” River drove up and down a few small hills until they came to the waterfall. “Remember this?”
The rush of the falls lent a soothing babble to her ears while the sun reflected off the sparkling blue green water.
“Of course I remember. It was our first date.” Abby snickered quietly at her own joke and stepped out of the vehicle. She put Kazoo on the ground and watched him chase a butterfly. He didn’t roam far.
“Yeah, I guess you could call it that.” He lifted the lunch bag from the ATV and pulled out a bowl and filled it with water for the dogs. “I hope you’re hungry. I didn’t know what you would like.”
He set out a bright colored hodge-podge quilt with a bohemian flare and spread it over the moss-covered ground. He placed three different sandwiches and two salads, along with two bottles of water and a couple of apples on the quilt. They both sat down on the blanket with the food in between them.
Abby picked up an egg salad sandwich and unwrapped it. “Wow, you must have been slaving in the kitchen all day.”
River chuckled and looked genuinely happy. “I cheated and went to the deli.”
There was that word. Cheated. The word slapped her in the face to remind her of what happened with Burt. If Burt cheated so could River. She leaned away. When she swallowed the bite of her sandwich, the egg salad seemed to grow claws and dangle from her esophagus. She grabbed a water bottle and guzzled several gulps to wash the sandwich down.
“Abby, I’m not like your ex.” Apparently he was good at reading body language.
“I didn’t say you were. This sandwich is great. Thank you.” She took another bite and hoped the creaminess of the eggs would slide down this time.
River reached over with one large tan finger and wiped something off her cheek. He lifted his finger to his mouth and tasted it. How embarrassing. Here he was, being all romantic and stuff and she was cramming her mouth and wearing her food on her face like a cookie monster. Did the Gods have no mercy?
“You’re right, it is good.” He dragged his tongue along his finger before the digit disappeared in his mouth. He then slid his finger out, sucking on it in a seductive way.
She felt jittery like she needed to leave, but for some reason she didn’t want to. Pepper was going to get another earful when she got back. Why she kept pushing Abby to go out with River was beyond her. Although, he did seem really sweet. Like a caring person. Not to mention his good looks. But, was she really ready for this?
Also, there was that little fact that he wanted to kill her and didn’t even know it yet.
River leaned over, placed his hand on Abby’s hand, and pulled her closer to him. His lips brushed tissue light against hers. Her heartbeat sped up, and she swore the volume increased. Hopefully he couldn’t hear it because it was thundering loud beats in her ears.
Fearing that she would regret it, she returned his kiss. At first the kiss was soft and light. The pressure from his kiss intensified and his warm tongue brushed against her parted lips. Heat spread from her mouth through her body down to her toes. She wanted more and needed more of his touch, his heat, his kiss. With his arms wrapped around her she didn’t feel like anything could possibly harm her.
His mouth traveled down her neck to the indentation under her collarbone. Tingles shivered in her chest. She nibbled his lobe and breathed a soft breath in his ear.
“You drive me wild, Abby.” His voice was shaky and sounded as if he might lose control. She only hoped.
How far should she go? Maybe she should stop now? Maybe not? His kisses unleashed a desire she hadn’t felt in a long time. Possibly never had?
River’s fingers slipped under the back of her bra and rubbed where the elastic sat. Oh God, his touch felt so good. The stimulating effect drove her forward.
Her bra fell under her shirt and he transferred part of his weight to lean against her. He pressed her backward, and lay her gently on her back. His muscular body covered her with a blanket of strength and the warmth of a sunny summer day. His hand traveled under her shirt and glided over her stomach. She waited for his touch to creep upward but it lingered to the side of her ribs waiting for an invitation to go further.
Abby followed his lead and her hands journeyed under his shirt and over his tight-corded stomach. The tickle of a trail of hair on his lower belly itched her palm making her want to explore where the path ended. But she didn’t. She brought her hand up his chest and over his shoulders and concentrated on his hard bicep.
River’s kisses burned an inferno of bliss that she didn’t want to stop and couldn’t imagine blazing any hotter. Hell or heaven, she couldn’t decide.
She wanted nothing more than to continue.
River wanted more. Ever since he’d watched Abby dancing in the nude, he wanted this. Her soft silky skin under his fingertips intensified the need to touch her, to feel her. All of her. He didn’t want to spook her like last time.
Her kiss signified she wanted more so he pushed on. Hell yeah, he was distracted from the Cryptids. But who wouldn’t be with a vixen like Abby to distract him. Her sides tapered to a thin waist, then rounded out with sexy full hips. Not too wide. Not to narrow. She may be small but damn, she was all woman, and he wanted all of her.
Two mere inches separated his hand from her breasts. Her kiss deepened to signal permission, and he went for what he wanted.
Her breast fit in his palm, none wasted. He cupped the other in his right hand. Being with her like this drew erotic images of them together and he swore he wouldn’t last more than a couple of minutes.
He unbuttoned her jeans and tugged the snug pants down her legs, revealing pink silky panties, the only barrier between him and heaven. Her breath quickened when he pushed aside the silk and dipped his finger deep inside her. She sighed, and the way she bit her lip made his erection pulsate.
He loved the way her freckles spattered across her nose and darkened with her arousal.
River peered down at her. “Are you all right?”
He didn’t want her to regret this. God, he wanted her to want this as much as he did.
“Mmm-hmm.” She resumed kissing him, her warm tongue sliding deep into his mouth.
She reached down and rubbed delicate fingers across the bulge in his jeans. He groaned and fought back his body’s reaction to her soft touch. He wanted her too bad. Had gone too long without sex. But
he couldn’t very well call this just sex. He knew this would be something more. Something spectacular.
He sat up, and dug out his wallet, thumbing through all the compartments. Nothing. How could he have planned out every detail of this perfect date without checking for condoms?
River felt like a teenager, awkward and unprepared. “Abby, I’m so sorry.”
She sat up. “What?”
“I forgot to bring, um . . . protection.” How could he be so stupid? What was he, sixteen? Shit. He’d always been responsible, and wouldn’t change that now.
Abby let out a heavy deep sigh. She shrugged a stiff shrug. “Oh. Well it might be for the best.” She picked up her pants.
What? He was going to explode if he stopped now.
“I think my lunch hour ended twenty minutes ago.” She tugged on her clothes and looked around, and smiled when she saw Kazoo sitting not too far away from them.
“Abby, I’m so sorry. I should have been more prepared.” More than anything, he wanted to hit himself upside the head with his shoe.
“Maybe.” She hesitated, and caught his hungry stare with hers. “We could do this another time?” She bit her top lip and forced a smile.
Damn. He blew it. How much more distracted could he afford to be wondering what pleasure her body could have brought to his. If he was distracted before it paled in comparison to now.
If Ottar found out about this, he’d tease the hell out of him. How the heck would he ever concentrate now?
“Can I pick you up at eight tonight?”
Abby adjusted her bra and ran her hands through her hair. “I have some things that I need to do tonight.”
River shifted uncomfortably. “How about lunch tomorrow?” Jeez, don’t play hard to get.
She laughed and smiled a seductive smile. “Let’s play it by ear.” She stacked the food packages in the grocery bag.
Hercules ran up to Abby and trounced her with lavish licks. She giggled and petted him on his back.
“Off you big oaf.” River tugged on the leash but the dog sat on the blanket and licked Abby’s face some more.
“Thanks, big guy.” Abby patted Hercules on the head.
They walked back to the ATV and got in.
“Abby, I really enjoyed our lunch.”
She nodded in agreement but didn’t say anything. She kept her eyes trained on the path leading them out of the forest. Was she having second thoughts?
“I’ll take you back now.” They drove in silence back to Pepper’s shop.
River followed her to the door of the pet shop and pressed her lips with a quick kiss. He would have liked to indulge in a deeper goodbye kiss but he was sure Pepper was watching them. When he looked at the store window, true to form, Pepper had her face pressed up against the glass.
“Thanks for lunch. I had fun.” Abby smiled a closed mouth smile. She turned and went inside.
He finger-waved good-bye to Pepper peering out from the window in the far corner of the pet store.
First things first. Hit the drug store and buy a huge box of condoms. Second thing on his list. Catch the nasty Gnome and his accomplice, the Jersey Devil.
Tonight.
Chapter 19
Abby stormed into the pet store. “You,” she pointed her finger at Pepper. “Are in big trouble, missy.”
“What did I do?” Pepper actually had the nerve to display a confused look on her face.
Abby unhooked Kazoo’s leash and he scampered off to hide in the back of the shop by the puppy pens. “Need I remind you that he wants to kill me?”
“No. He doesn’t want to kill you. He wants to kill the Jersey Devil.”
Abby wanted to smack the smirk off Pepper’s face. “Exactly. Why did you push me to go out to lunch with him?”
Pepper lost her smile to a sincere look. “Because, I think he’s a genuine nice and truthful guy.”
“He’s head of a secret monster killing squad.” Abby’s voice rose in volume but it was short of a full-out yell.
“Yeah, well, you know that saying about keeping your enemies close?” Pepper hopped onto the counter and swung her feet so her heels bounced off the front of it. “Things have a way of working out. You’ll see. I have a good feeling about you two.”
Abby wished Pepper was right, but until the curse was broken and the genie was gone there would be no way of working this out. She was sure of it. Oh, she did love how River’s hands felt on her. The attention he showed her. But, and that was a big huge but, there was that little obstacle of the curse.
“I wish I had the confidence you have,” Abby said.
Pepper leaned forward on the counter and banged her heels some more. “How did the date go? You look ravished.”
“Ha. The lunch was fine. He was very attentive.” She let loose a grin and hinted something might have happened.
“You didn’t.” Pepper tilted her head waiting for her to reply.
“I’m not telling,” Abby teased. She knew it would drive Pepper crazy not to know. Abby wasn’t the kind to give all the details of her sex life. She could give vague clues, enough to drive Pepper insane with curiosity.
“You are the worst, Abbyzilla.” Pepper jumped off the counter. “I didn’t get much of the stock order unpacked. Want to help?”
They resumed unpacking the last of the boxes. Pepper said a few customers came in and they kept her busy while she was gone. Abby didn’t care, as long as they were working there would be less needling about details.
Her mother’s neighbor called and agreed to search for the journal. If he found the diary, it could mean the curse could be lifted by the time of her next period. A wave of weight lifted from her chest for a few seconds.
“Was that your mother’s neighbor?” Pepper asked.
“Yes, and I have a feeling he’s going to read the journal if he finds it.” The thought of her mom’s neighbor reading her grandmother’s journal made her neck kink right on the side under her ear. Her grandmother’s secrets were written in there. Even though she was dead, he had no right to look through it.
Pepper pulled out a bunch of dog beds from a box. “Why would you think that he would read it?”
Abby pulled out her lip balm and let it glide along her lips. “A hunch. Also, he dated my grandmother in high school.”
“Oh? You’re kidding.”
“Nope.” Driving down there herself may be quicker but it would take a couple days each way. With her car needing repairs and her impending cycle, neither money nor time was on her side. “All I can do is hope he finds it and mails it soon.”
The rest of the day, River’s pants crushed him in all the wrong places. What kind of guy plans out a sexy picnic date without protection? He had been so wrapped up in catching Crypids and thinking about Abby dancing naked, condoms slipped his mind. Plus, it’d been ages since he’d needed one of those foil-wrapped protectors.
“Hey, you in there?” Ottar rapped his knuckles on the top of River’s head, tossing his hat off. “Come out. Come out. Where ever you are, mate.”
He shoved Ottar away from him which took his mind off his date. For about a milli-second.
“Hey, I’ve got a lot on my mind. And don’t touch my head.” He picked up his hat, and placed it back on.
Ottar rummaged through his backpack. “Let’s go hunting.”
“I think we should wait until dusk. That’s the last time I saw the Gnome. We know he won’t be sleeping then.”
Ottar pursed his lips and tilted his head. “The Jersey Devil has only been seen at night too. I wish we had at least one more sighting to add. Oh by the way, headquarters called. Someone posted a video on the internet of the monster. They’re done messing around. We’ve been ordered to terminate the beast.”
“You’re
kidding. Why kill it because of a lousy video?”
“They sent me the footage. It was a clear shot. Also they ran out of cells to incarcerate large flying monsters.”
“Don’t they have someone making the film look doctored?” This was baffling news.
“They did. They’re worried this mess will turn into a hunting frenzy with more than the locals.”
Exactly what they didn’t need right now. One thing that bothered River was they should have seen more evidence of the Jersey Devil by now. Instead, only the Gnome had made an appearance. Did the Jersey Devil move on? That would suck because they would have to wait for another sighting if it did. That could take months.
River studied his big, brown-haired sidekick. With Ottar helping, they should have bagged both creatures by now. Hell, things are falling apart. Maybe Abby was distracting him. Okay, he knew she distracted him. Shit, Ottar was right, he was obsessing about her. All he wanted to do was see her again.
Memories of her soft skin heating up where ever he touched her trickled in and made his fingers tingle. The way her freckles darkened turned him on. Kissing her was one of the best feelings he’d ever had. He hoped he hadn’t blown his chances.
Ottar got in his face with a piercing stare. “I keep losing you. What’d you do at lunch?” Ottar asked. His concerned look rammed home the point that he’d been thinking about Abby too much.
“I went on a date.”
Ottar clapped his hands and set them in his lap. “Oh ho! With Abby? Was it a bangaroo session, then?”
“We had a picnic lunch.”
Ottar pulled out a few stray bullets from his pack and loaded his gun. “Not too nice by the look on your face. You should leave her alone. We have monsters to catch and kill.”
“True.” He knew Ottar was right. But he had never felt this way about anyone else he’d ever dated.
