by Bonnie Gill
“Do you need to go to the hospital?” he asked her.
“I don’t think so.” Abby looked at her purple and blue wrists before she held them up.
He took out his knife and sawed through the ropes until they dropped. “I’ll be right back.” He pulled Mrs. Livingston over to the squad car, shoved her into the back seat, and slammed the door.
Abby sat on the ground, her ankles still bound tight, and patiently waited for him to return.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” He cut through the ropes on her ankles and inspected the dark bruises. “Can you move your feet?” She was so small and frail, not at all resembling the huge beast she’d turned into last night.
She wiggled them back and forth and then lifted her hand to the back of her head. “My head hurts a bit. The jerk over there”—she nodded at Thomas—”walloped my head and knocked me out.” She pushed to her feet, then collapsed to her butt, before struggling to get up again.
River helped her to her feet and wrapped his arm around her waist. “I’m calling an ambulance, honey. You and Pepper need to get checked out. I’ll come by the hospital after I get these two behind bars.” The last thing he wanted to do was release her. But he did. He loved having her wrapped in his arms.
Somehow he had to find a way to remove the curse. The only problem he faced now was how to get L.A.M.P.S. off the Jersey Devil investigation.
Chapter 32
Abby paced in the kitchen. It had been a week since the whole kidnapping incident and she hadn’t seen River since. Sure, he called a few times to check on her and to make sure she was okay, but not once had he swung by to visit.
She handed Pepper a full glass of lemonade. “I’m sorry about Thomas. If you want to talk about it or need to cry on a shoulder, I’m here.” Several times she’d tried to get Pepper to talk about the fiasco but she clammed up every time.
“I’m okay. It just sickens me that I had sex with such a psycho. I’m more upset about him kidnapping and threatening to kill us.”
Abby took a gulp of the sweet and tart drink. “I feel so bad that I wasn’t there to look out for you.”
“I’m fine. Let’s just drop it okay? I’m going out to feed the animals.” Pepper strolled out the back door.
She wished she could make everything better for Pepper. Right now all she could offer was to be there for her.
A knock sounded at the door and jarred her out of her thoughts. She leaned back in her chair to see who was there.
River. It’s about time.
She waved him in. “Hi, Sheriff. Is anything wrong?”
“No not at all. Ottar took the prisoners and the Gnome to Eastern Headquarters.” He pulled off his hat and held it in his hands. “I’m sorry I didn’t come by sooner. We’ve been tied up with red tape and paperwork. How are you holding up?”
“I’m all right. Her answer was a little short but jeez, he was too busy to stop by for five minutes?
A small smile peeked out, and he pointed at the glass. “Do you have any extra?”
“Sure.” She got up and poured River some lemonade, and they both sat back down at the kitchen table.
“Mr. Livingston didn’t know what Thomas and Mrs. Livingston were up to. Apparently he’s suffering from two fast spreading cancers. They needed money to pay for his surgery and treatments.”
“Oh, no. Is he going to be okay?” She liked Mr. Livingston even though the old goat could be grouchy at times.
“I don’t know. But two men lost their lives so Mrs. Livingston and Thomas are being charged with murder and kidnapping.”
“How will that work? Are you going to release the news to the public that Gnomes are real?”
“No. The Livingston’s will be tried by a special jury and incarcerated in our facility. Then we wipe the incident from their brains.”
She did a double take. “Wait. Did you mean erase their memory?”
“Yes. Our scientists hook up a device that removes the memories of the Cryptid from the subject’s mind.”
“Isn’t that unethical?”
River shook his head. “No. Not really. Not if it prevents mass panic in the country.”
Interesting. “Just how many people have had this procedure?”
“I don’t know. It falls under the scientist’s job description. I’ve been thinking about having the procedure done on you and Pepper.”
Abby placed her palms on the table and leaned toward River. “No. No one is messing with my brain or Pepper’s. What happens to Mr. Livingston? Who’s going to take care of him?”
“They have a daughter but she lives out of state. Hopefully, she’ll step in and care for her father. It’s too bad our country doesn’t look after our older generation. I don’t think Mrs. Livingston would have done anything so reckless if she weren’t so desperate. But kidnapping and murder are two crimes that can’t go unpunished.” He took a drink of his lemonade and licked his lips. “Ottar is still at headquarters interrogating them. They’ve been most difficult. We need to learn how they were paired up with the Gnome.”
“I hope you guys find out.” She poured herself another glass. “Not to change the subject, but do you know where I can find a natural spring in the area?”
“What for?”
She sat back at the table. “I’ve been reading through the journal. The spell to banish the genie needs spring water and I don’t trust the stuff in the bottles at the grocery store.”
“No problem. I know where there’s one in the woods.” He took another drink, set down the glass, and laid his hand on Abby’s. “I’ve been thinking about so much this past week. I don’t care about the curse. I care about you. I’m sorry I shot you.”
She tilted her head, reading the apology in his eyes. “What if we can’t lift the curse?”
“Then we’ll figure out something. Maybe someone in my . . .”
“Nah-ah. Don’t you dare turn me over to those guys.” She stood and placed her hands on her hips.
“You don’t understand. I’m trying to tell you that I’ve fallen in love with you. Curse or no curse, you fascinate me.”
She sucked in a deep breath and her heart fluttered. She looked into his now royal blue eyes. Deep down she felt he really did care for her. She needed to decide what she really felt for him. “River I don’t know what to say.”
He approached her and laid two fingers on her lips. “Don’t say anything. I know you have been through a lot lately. I’m going to prove to you over and over through time that you can trust me.”
“So much has happened.” She shook her head. Too much, and this whole Jersey Devil mess wasn’t over yet. She’d fallen hard, flat-on-her-face hard for River, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready to trust him. What if she couldn’t remove the curse? Or worse, what if he cheated on her?
“I know a million thoughts are running through your mind. I can see it all over your face.” He brushed a curl out of her eyes.
She blew out a deep breath. He didn’t know the half of it.
He leaned in and parted his lips. His warm breath blew across her mouth before they touched. Abby’s body responded and she kissed him back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and her tongue dove deep into his sweet lemonade mouth. River hugged her and the warmth of his body soaked deep into hers. He had to be the best kisser ever.
“Can we go into your room?” His voice deepened with a smooth seductive tone.
“That depends. Are we going to finish what we start this time?” she teased. Stopping in the middle would be unacceptable.
“I have several backups so we’re all good.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of wrapped condoms.
She grinned. He must have emptied the whole box in his pockets.
“My room’s this way.” She led him
down the short hallway into her room and closed the door behind them.
River sat on the bed next to Abby with her hand in his. His thumb made light circles in her palm.
“Are you sure you’re ready?” he asked her.
“Yes.” Her answer little more than a breath.
He brought her hand up to his mouth and placed a light kiss on each of her knuckles. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
“So have I.” She swallowed hard. She reached for him and he leaned away.
“I want to take this slow so I can savor every bit of you.” More kisses followed, and his lips moved up her arm leaving a trail of pleasure in their wake.
She lunged this time and wrapped her hands around his large biceps. She didn’t want to take it slow, she wanted him this minute. She tugged him toward her and pulled off his shirt before gliding her hands over the tight toned muscles in his shoulders and arms, then over to his sculpted chest.
River pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it over his shoulder.
His smile widened when he looked at her bra.
“Your body feels so good.” His smooth taught skin made her fingers tips tingle. She needed more.
“Yours feels better,” he murmured, and traced his tongue down her throat. He unhooked her bra so it slid down her arms.
His mouth tickled her neck and followed the plane of her collarbone down. Then he made his way to her chest. His warm tongue circled her nipple. The tip perked up when the cool air hit and his kiss injected tiny spasms of life into her breast.
“Hmm.” Her body’s heat was at the forest fire setting.
She guided him back up so she could nuzzle his lightly salted neck while she pulled his blond hair around her fingers. If River could make this feeling into a pill he would be a rich man.
He pulled her pants down her legs. Her thighs tightened under his bare body. She followed his lead and yanked his pants off.
She held onto his bare trim hips and pulled him closer. His hardness rubbed against her hip, turning her on more.
“Not yet.” His sultry words whispered into her ear. His sexy voice added to the moment.
“Why not?” She wanted this before anyone or anything interrupted them.
He scrambled down to her panties. His teeth latched on to the string on the side of them and tugged the blue silk down to her toes. His nose brushed the length of her legs sending a teasing sensation all over her body.
He lightly nipped her skin all the way up her calf, and his teeth skimmed her knee, tickling her.
Abby’s mouth dropped open. She swished her tongue over her lips, and her breathing increased.
He looked up at her and let out a laugh.
Abby smiled her don’t-stop smile back at him. Her desire grew with each of his strokes.
River continued following her inner thighs, licking her and sending more pleasure. He spread her legs apart. “Perfect.”
The moment his tongue slid over that oh-so-sensitive spot she sat up in reaction.
“Honey, relax.” He pushed her back.
Relax? She was skipping on the edge of having one hell of a climax and she’d yet given him any pleasure in return. How could she relax?
The heat from his mouth and the swirls of his very talented tongue sent tremors rolling through her body. She slammed her eyes shut and held on for the ride that started out with small shudders and quickly turned into a full out blast of ecstasy.
“Mmm,” was all she could say. Not one coherent thought came to mind. Just full out brain-numbing sexual bliss filled her head.
More quivers shook her core.
She maneuvered and shimmied into a position so she could wrap her hand around his shaft.
River’s leg muscles flexed. He pulled her closer. “Oh, Abby. I don’t know how long I’ll last.”
River gazed down at the top of Abby’s head. It was all he could do to hold back. He wanted to savor every second with her. When her small hand gripped his erection, he knew it wouldn’t take long, but when she took him into her mouth he made up his mind to find a way to last a little longer.
He licked his lips tasting her cherry scented lip balm.
She swished her tongue around the tip of his shaft before pulling him deep into her warm moist mouth. Sheer heaven, those soft, demanding plump lips.
“I can’t wait any longer.” River pulled away and sat back on his heels. He fumbled for a condom, dragged one out of his pocket. His fingers franticly tore the package open and the condom flew into the air.
Jeez, he acted like a high school virgin. “Sorry about that.” He chuckled like a nervous baboon and jumped off the bed. Scrambling around on the floor, he finally found it. “Here it is.” His hands shook with anticipation while he rolled the condom down his iron hard flesh.
Abby’s sultry smile slid over her lips driving an ache into his body bone deep. Her pale glistening skin drove him mad. Must have her now. Must be inside her now.
Enthusiastically, he climbed on top of her and nuzzled his face into her neck.
He reached down and stroked soft curls between her legs plunging his finger inside her.
“Mmm.” Shit. Even her moans were downright sexy.
Happy that she was primed, he placed his tip between her legs and pressed inside.
Her response to his touch, his mouth, and his body excited him. He wanted to take her every way he could. Every way she would let him.
Her tiny nipples tasted like honey. Was she an angel sent down to bring him to heaven? He loved her slim hips and the way her small pelvis called to him every time he pulled back. He was glad he had brought all the condoms in the package because if he could have it his way, he would make love to her the entire night and into the morning.
Her tight muscles closed around him even more when she came. The spasms around his cock sent him into climax. Finally catching his breath, River rolled to the side and gazed down at Abby. Her skin flushed the prettiest shade of pink he’d ever seen. The afterglow of making love suited her well.
They fit together perfectly.
A while later, after their third time, River brought up what plagued his mind. “I was thinking about quitting the agency.”
“Why would you do that?” She turned to him and rested her elbow on the pillow to prop herself up.
“I’m tired of being on the road. I want to settle down. I think being a sheriff here would be a nice change of pace.”
“Why did you start hunting monsters in the first place?” She traced her fingertips around his nipples sending tickles of desire throughout his chest.
“The monsters are called Cryptids. I’ve studied them since I was young.” He could almost call it an obsession.
“Why?”
“A Sasquatch killed my brother. We went camping with my parents. My brother and I stayed up late talking beside the campfire. The Bigfoot rushed into our camp and carried him away. He was ten years old. I was twelve.”
Her eyes popped open wide. “Oh, I’m so sorry. That must have been tough on you.” Abby reached over and placed a kiss on his cheek, and her hand brushed down his arm.
He cleared his dry throat. “Yeah it was. First my parents accused me of making up stories, and I was investigated by the police.”
“Wow. That’s harsh. Did they ever find your brother?”
“Yes. They found him dead at the bottom of a cliff. They said Forest, that was my brother’s name, fell, but I knew what I saw. I tore up those woods searching for the ape-man when I got older. Every once in a while I go back, but I can’t find any evidence that a Bigfoot still lives in the forest. According to our surveillance, they move around. You know, migrate.”
“That had to devastate you. To lose a brother and be accused of somethin
g you didn’t do must have been tough for such a young kid.” She ran her finger along his bare stomach.
He laid his hand on top of hers. “Yeah. It was. But it made me strong. After I got out of the Army, I put together a Cryptid team. When the government found out, they contacted me for this position. By the way, you can’t tell anyone or I’ll have to kill you.” He said the last sentence like it was a joke. He would hate to have Abby get hauled in for running her mouth.
“Oh don’t worry. No one would believe me if I did. Which I won’t.” She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
His soul finally felt inner peace with Abby in his arms. He never wanted to let her go. She fit perfect, and smelled so good. Like cherries and sunshine. He loved the way she snuggled into his side. Being a mere sheriff and quitting L.A.M.P.S loomed as a big adjustment, but he couldn’t bear to let her go. Even though it had only been a month, he knew they belonged together forever.
He chuckled to himself when he thought about having little curly brown haired kids running around the back yard. “Um, Abby? Did you ever think about having kids?”
“Oh my gosh. Did the condom break?” She jumped out of the bed and paced back and forth at a frantic speed.
He chuckled. She amused him to no ends. “No. Nothing like that. I just was curious on your feelings about kids.” He couldn’t believe he’d asked her that, and patted the bed for her to lay back down.
She hesitated and stared at him like he was the one that grew a horse head and wings. Then she shook her head in disbelief. “Yes, eventually. Not right now though. You know with the curse and everything I can’t think of the future.”
The curse bothered him, too. If they didn’t get it lifted this month, he’d have to take her in to be watched. Of course he would stay with her and not let them harm one hair on her cute little head.
