“This is my turn.” He lifted her head and put the bottle to her mouth. “Drink some more.” She took a sip. He kissed her and swept his tongue around her mouth, tasting her and the champagne.
Next, he poured the bubbly on her chest. He licked and sipped across her skin to her nipples. With his teeth, he pulled at each one, and then suckled at her luscious breasts.
He cupped them in his hands and sat back on his haunches.
“These are perfect, in size, texture, and taste. Just seeing the movement of them under your clothes can make me go hard.”
His lips ran across her ribs. He kissed her soft belly. Finally, he moved to the juncture between her thighs and separated her folds. He licked across her tender skin. “Pink, delicious, beautiful as all the rest of you.” Her face flushed hot at his words. “Don’t tell me you are shy, my love. I thought the champagne would have you totally relaxed in your body.”
“You’re embarrassing me.”
“Better get used to it. I love all of you, and I like to look at your pussy.” His tongue ran across her nub, and sparks of fire heated her blood. Her heart thumped harder, and her body throbbed with the need to have him inside her.
She reached out and guided his cock to her pussy. “I want you inside, now.”
Lang rolled and took her with him, sitting her across his body. “You are in control. Take what you want.”
Again she placed his dick at her pussy opening and this time gradually sank down, taking him in deep. He filled her completely. She sat for a second and stared into his eyes. They looked silvery today, and love radiated out to her. A slow warmth filled her body. Slowly, she began to move.
Her inner walls clenched him tight as she went up and down on his wide cock. His hands cupped her breasts, and he mouthed the words, I love you.
There was no hurry. It was a seduction of the senses as their bodies came together in pleasure and joy. When the slow, orgasmic wave rolled over them, Cassie leaned forward and kissed his mouth. Her heart lurched, and tears came to her eyes. His fingertips brushed the tears from her cheeks.
“You won’t ever be alone again. You will be loved, cherished, and protected by me and Nick.”
“I know.” She whispered the words and clung to his strong body. “I love you and Nick so much it makes my heart ache. I’ve been such a mess all these years and wasted precious time we could have been together.”
Lang rolled her to the side still keeping her close against him. “It wasn’t your fault. We know that now. You suffered as much as we did. Thank goodness nothing really bad happened to you while you were off on your own.” He started to kiss her, and the phone rang.
Cassie admired his tanned body, lean and hard muscled, as he walked to where he’d left his clothes. Lang took his cell out of his shirt pocket.
“Nick? Right. I’ll tell her.” He hung up and turned to Cassie. “Nick is there. He contacted the woman right away and has convinced her to go with him to the police. He’s assured her she’ll be protected. He and some of our men will keep watch on her house until the meeting time tomorrow.”
“That’s wonderful news.”
“Mitch and Daren were smart to send several of our men with him.”
“I’m glad. I don’t trust Peter at all.”
“Don’t worry. I have no doubt he’s hurt his last woman.”
Chapter Thirteen
Nick had left two of his men to watch the house. He and another warrior, the one who was the best sharpshooter, had gone to the hotel to sleep. They had needed to be the most alert this morning. Nick sensed the most dangerous time would be when they got out of the car to go into the police station.
Illingsworth would be a fool to try something there. Still, Nick’s hunch was telling him differently. “Payton,” he said to the sharpshooter, “find a place where you have a clear view of the parking area and the front of the building.”
“Will do.”
Nick drove to the house. Averil Stanwic was ready to go. She’d dressed in a high-necked white blouse, a pencil-slim black skirt, and a black jacket. Her fiery red hair was pulled back into a bun.
“You look like you’re going to a funeral.”
“I might be. Mine.” She tried to smile, but her pale face and haunted brown eyes showed her concern.
Nick took her hand. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do. For one, it’s what I should have done a long time ago. Secondly, if he isn’t stopped now, he’ll go after me next. As you said, your fiancée and I are the only two that left him. Men like him have fragile egos.”
“Then let’s go. The police chief is expecting us in half an hour. He knows we’re coming to talk about Peter, and how he treated you. Once you tell your story to him, he’ll call the sheriff in Lovettville. We’ll see if you need to go there to testify.”
“I hope not. I want to go home.”
Nick escorted her to the car. One of his men drove, and he sat in the back with Averil. They didn’t talk. Tension mounted as they got closer to their destination.
Once the car was parked, his driver, Cody Jessup, and Nick got out first and walked on either side of Averil. Nick’s neck tingled. He glanced around and saw the movement to the right. He nodded his head, a quick signal, but he didn’t have to. A bullet shot out as the assailant stepped into the open, gun drawn. Nick whirled at the same time and saw Peter rise up from behind a car. As his arm moved, Nick had already spotted the gun. Nick’s bullet hit him in the center of his chest before he’d had time to aim.
A startled look crossed Peter’s face. Nick ran forward and kicked the gun completely out of range. Police swarmed out of the building. Nick knelt close to Peter.
“Who knew you were such a good shot,” Peter gasped out between breaths.
“You picked the wrong woman to seek revenge on, but I’m glad. Because now you won’t ever hurt another one.”
Peter looked at the blood pooling under him. “You shot to kill.”
“You would have, too.”
An evil grin crossed Peter’s face. “You’re right. I was given the information last night that you were coming here today. I intended to surprise you and take you and the bitch out.” He coughed up blood. Almost out of breath, he added, “You fooled me.” Ambulance attendants pushed Nick aside and started to work on Peter.
Nick checked on Averil. Cody had covered her with his body and had helped her back up.
“Are you all right?” Nick glanced at her up and down.
“A few bruises from your manhandler here.” She frowned at Cody. “I had the good sense to get out of range of the bullets.”
Cody, one of the best fighters they had, smiled at the tiny woman standing up to him. “I guess you did. But I enjoyed protecting you.”
Averil’s face flushed. She glanced around at Nick. He laughed and shrugged. “My men never depend on the victim to take care of themselves. I’m going to find out the identity of the other shooter. My bet, he works for the police. They’re the only ones that knew about our meeting.”
Payton stood talking to a tall man, in uniform, who looked like he was in charge. “Nick, this is the police chief. And that”—he pointed to the wounded man that was being lifted onto a stretcher—“is the man I shot.”
Nick introduced himself to the chief. “He’s one of your men?”
“Yes, guess you figured that out since no one but my men and I were to know of our meeting. He’s one of my detectives.” The chief watched as the ambulance sped off. He wore a chagrined expression. “This is embarrassing. I would never have believed any of my men, especially not one who’s been with the force for twenty years, would give out information to a suspect. Peter’s rich. I guess money was a strong motivator.” His gaze went from Nick to Payton. “You guys were prepared, and from what I saw, I’d guess you’re some of the best sharpshooters around.”
“We practice at it,” Nick said.
“Want to tell me who you work for?”
“As the old
saying goes, if I did, I’d have to kill you.” Nick grinned at the older man.
He laughed. “Obviously you’re on our side. Let’s just tell the press our victim hired you to protect her. Is she too upset, or can I speak with her and get her story? It’ll help to wrap up this case. I’ll call and talk to your sheriff. He may want her to come to Wyoming, but my guess is with Peter and my detective in custody, it won’t be necessary.”
“Sounds good. Let me bring Averil in to see you.” Nick walked to where Averil stood with Cody at her side. “Are you up to telling the chief your story?”
“I want to get it done and leave this town.”
Nick, Cody, and Payton went with her. As she told her story it was much like Cassie’s.
“He was handsome and such a gentleman at first. The first time he hurt me he made it look like an accident. I was suspicious, but I thought I’d give him another chance. It started with little things, grabbing my arm too tight, squeezing my hand until I asked him to let go. He’d always apologize and have such an innocent expression. Peter had been doing this for some time. He was too smooth. I didn’t take it long before I confronted him and told him to stay away from me. He stalked me for a while until I stopped one day on an empty stretch of road. I confronted him with my high-powered rifle.” She gave a faint laugh. “He’d thought he had me. I swung out of my seat with the rifle pointed at his heart. I said, ‘give me a reason to rid the world of your evilness.’”
“What did he do?” the chief asked.
“His face turned white. He threw me a dirty look, got in his car and sped off. I’ve been tempted to come to the police, but I didn’t believe anyone would take my word over his. I kept my gun handy.”
“I’m sorry to say you might have been right,” the chief said. “His family has a lot of money and power. But with two women telling the same story, you’ll be believed. I expect some more women will also come forward now. I’ll have my secretary get these notes printed. Once Ms. Stanwic signs them, you can leave. I believe the sheriff and your judge will accept your victim’s version of what happened in Wyoming, after they read this report.”
“Thank you, Chief. I agree with you,” Nick said.
Cody discovered a coffeepot and brought Averil a cup. He and Payton stood close to her. She gave them a curious look and stepped further away. The time seemed to creep by. Nick wanted to be on his way home, but he also had to know all the necessary papers to clear Cassie were taken care of and signed. They all gave a sigh of relief when the secretary walked toward them.
“Read through this and make sure it’s correct. Then initial the bottom of each page and sign at the end.”
Averil carefully read the pages and signed as required. She stood and moved her shoulders around.
The chief came out of his office to thank them and tell them good-bye.
“We’re out of here,” Nick said. He grinned, “By the way, we gave you false names.”
The police chief smiled and shook his head as they went out the back door. They hurried Averil into their car and sped away. The news trucks were out front.
“Do you have somewhere to go for a while?” Nick asked. “They’ll find out who you are and pester you to death until the story grows cold. And that will be a while. Peter was rich and well known in these parts.”
“My mother lives in another state. I’ve been married and divorced. Stanwic isn’t my maiden name, and Mom’s remarried. So it will make it harder to trace me if I stay with her. Her husband and the other cowboys on the ranch will watch out for me.”
“Payton and I wouldn’t mind going along to be sure you’re all right,” Cody said from the driver’s seat. Payton nodded his head in agreement.
“Thank you, but no.”
“We’ll let you go for now, but we’ll see you again,” Payton added.
“I seriously doubt it.” Averil turned her head and stared out the window.
“Well, at least we’ll wait for you to pack a few things, and we’ll drop you off wherever the closest airport is to your mother’s home,” Nick told her.
She glanced at him surprised. “You have a private jet?”
“We do.”
“All right. Thank you for everything. I accept. I’ll call Mom to have my stepfather meet me at the airport.”
While they waited in her living room, Nick took Payton and Cody to the side. His other man had been guarding the house, and he was still watching from outside.
“Whatever you two think you want to do, cool it. This isn’t the time. I smell your scent and see the look in your eyes. Later, if you still want to, you can pursue her. But she’s been through too much right now. Understand?”
Payton frowned. “We know. It’s hard as hell not to try to push her now, but we’ve got better sense than that.”
“Just making sure.” He grinned. “I know how difficult it is to not forge ahead.”
Averil came out carrying two cases. “This will do.” Payton and Cody jumped forward, each taking a case. Nick shook his head, a wry smile on his face. He put out his arm to escort her to the car.
Somehow Payton and Cody managed to sit on either side of her in the backseat. Their other man drove, and Nick joined him in front. He gave his men a warning look, but he didn’t need to worry. Averil had already pushed them toward the doors.
“If you move an inch, I’ll hit you. I just finished a self-defense course.”
Cody and Payton laughed. “It didn’t help you today. And it sure wouldn’t stop us. But we’ll respect your request, because we want to,” Payton said, and Cody nodded.
On the plane ride home, Nick reported to Mitch and then contacted Lang. “How are things?”
“You won’t believe the house. Cassie and Rae ordered furniture and items on special delivery and stuff is arriving quickly. Cassie’s gone to her mother’s. They’re thinking about starting the treatments here later today or tomorrow.”
“We’re dropping off the lady that helped us bring Peter out into the open. Then we’ll head straight for home. See you later tonight.”
“You didn’t say, but I assume your trip was successful.”
“It was. Averil gave her testimony to the chief. He’s going to contact our sheriff and send any paperwork needed. Once the judge sees what happened to Averil and what occurred today, I feel certain he’ll drop any charges against Cassie.
“One of the men was a detective. Peter had him on the payroll. Payton shot him, but he’ll live. I shot Peter. He died at the hospital.”
“Good riddance. He won’t be hurting anyone else.”
“That’s what I figured.”
“You need to tell Cassie what you do on your assignments.”
“Yeah. As soon as we have a quiet moment I will. But if her mother’s getting worse, this isn’t the time.”
“See you soon.” Lang hung up.
Cassie didn’t know her lighthearted fiancé was one of the warriors. Nick wasn’t sure how she’d respond. Her stepfather was strictly a cowboy, and a good one, and Lang seldom ever went out on a job. He’d feel a lot surer about his and Cassie’s relationship after they had a talk. Nick shut off his phone and headed out of the plane’s office to join the others. He couldn’t wait to get home.
* * * *
Cassie, along with her mother and her stepfather, sat with Dr. Jack Talisman and Ellen in Jack’s office. Jack put down the phone.
“Dr. Castor said he had told you he has nothing else to offer.” Dr. Jack came around his desk and took Liz’s hand. “I don’t want you to get any weaker. Conventional treatments aren’t doing the job, but it’s your decision whether to go the experimental route. Our treatment is more dangerous than the medicine you’ve been taking, because ours has never been tried on anyone.” He glanced at Ralph and Cassie to include them. “I talked to our committee the other day about this possible scenario. They agreed to you having the treatments if you knew all the dangers and wanted to proceed.”
“The way I see it, I’m dying,
and this new treatment is the only opportunity for me to live.” Cassie’s mom glanced at her daughter’s ring. “I’d like to see my daughter married before the first treatment, just in case things go wrong.”
Jack looked at each of them before speaking. “Cassie, how soon can your wedding be arranged?”
“I have to check with Lang and Nick. Soon, I think.”
“There’s no time to waste.” Jack turned to Ellen. “Can you get it all ready to start as soon as the ceremony is over?”
“I’m ready.”
“All right, Cassie. Get hold of Lang and Nick, and let’s get this done.”
When they walked out of Jack’s office and went to their cars, her mom put her hand on Cassie’s arm. “I hope I’m not rushing you into something you don’t want to do.”
“No way, Mom. If I hadn’t wanted to marry them, I’d have never accepted the ring.”
“We love you, Cassie. You’ll never know how I proud I am of you for doing this for your mom.” Her stepfather wrapped his arms around her. “You know I love you just as much as my boys.”
“I wanted to help Mom. No matter what it took. And I’ve always been aware of your love. That wasn’t why I left.” She saw his expression of relief. “Did you think it was your fault?”
“I wasn’t sure.”
“Mom, when you get home, tell him what we’ve found. I’d tell you myself, Dad, but I have to find Lang and see when Nick is getting home. Love you all.” She waved and hurried to her car. She punched in Lang’s number.
“Hi, honey. How’s your mother?
“Not so good. How soon can we get together to talk?”
“I’ll head home and meet you there.”
Cassie turned her car toward the new house, her new home, and her new life, she hoped. If Nick had been successful on his trip. They’d kept the news of her possibly going to jail from her mother. Hopefully she’d never have to know about any of this.
Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Reclaim Their Love [Wyoming Warriors 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 13
