by Fox, Regina
Foley’s breath rushed through his nostrils like a bull. His grunts and noises told her he liked everything as much as she did. His eyes rolled back, but he held off as her orgasm pummeled him with blissful sensation.
“Savannah,” he cried.
From head to toe, her climax flushed her, temporarily paralyzing her in a state of contentment. Her nipples hummed with electric arousal. Foley arched to capture one with the blistering heat of his mouth. He still thrust into her, each stroke a sensory overload to her orgasm-sensitive core. Savannah never knew how great sex could be. This man, their chemistry, was incredible.
Finally, Foley let go. It was quite the show. He rose up from her like a god, his hair sweeping his beautiful face with romantic perfection. His buffed body was cut like a warrior’s as he roared the ancient cry of passion. Savannah loved that she excited him so. Her own moment passing, she had the presence of mind to reach between them and touch him as he moved within her. The extra sensation made him shiver with delight. She rocked her hips while his own climax made him a helpless mass.
They showered and slept.
Chapter 12
Foley went to work well before Savannah stirred. Waiting for word from him was a sweet agony. She listened on the news, crossing her fingers there was not another arson fire. Not just because it meant they could have time together, but the community of Devil’s Lake just didn’t need any more unrest.
Savannah bundled up on the chilly North Dakota morning and took Beau for a run up and around her favorite trails paralleling Devil’s Lake. She connected with Trenton. It was decided that since the sheriff was on to Carolyn Payton and Paul Kerley that there was no need for anyone staying in the guesthouse after all. Except that Savannah learned that some of the guys really liked it and were interested in renting it. It was probably a yes, but Savannah said she would think about it.
“Promise us that if you change your mind about things though in the future, you talk to us. We’re good people,” said Trenton. “Promise.”
As soon as she got a call from Foley that he did indeed have the time off, Savannah hopped in the shower and put on her cutest clothes that would also be suitable for riding. She wished there was a way her dog could come with them. She told Foley when he got there.
“Why not drop him off at Susan’s? I’m sure she wouldn’t mind,” said Foley.
“Ah, no thank you,” she replied.
“Hey,” he said taking her into his arms. “Don’t not like her because she used to be married to me.”
“I am a little annoyed because her bill was so high. I can’t afford her as a babysitter,” said Savannah.
“What do you mean?” asked Foley.
“For what she charged me, I could go to the Caribbean for a week,” said Savannah.
“You’re kidding,” said Foley. “Over 2,000 dollars.”
“Shit!”
“She said it was emergency care,” said Savannah cynically. “Or maybe she’s not over you, and she’s punishing you through me.”
“Okay, let’s not go conspiracy theory,” said Foley. “If you want me to talk to her–”
“No, please don’t,” she said. “I want to be fair. I want to at least sort my perspective out before I act on it. I also want to run her invoice by my own vet and ask him if that’s how much he would charge in the same situation.”
“Okay,” said Foley. “I will butt out.”
Savannah smiled. He was such a caretaker.
“That’s hard for you to do, isn’t it?” she teased.
“Fuck, yeah,” he winked.
The weather was warmer than it should have been for a fall day on Devil’s Lake. Savannah asked if they could go out to the Spirit Lake Casino, and he thought that was a fine idea. They packed up some clothes just in case they stayed over. Foley asked the guys who liked her guest house to watch the dog, and they were happy to.
“We’ll use that movie room the way it’s supposed to be used yet,” said Foley.
“I was shopping the other day to invite everyone over for a movie night,” she confessed.
“I like that idea,” he said, kissing her.
He took his sweet time too. His tongue slowly entwined with hers, arousing her with taunting, sensual motion. Savannah was limp in his arms.
“Not that I’m in any hurry to not be kissing you, but I’m going to give myself to you right here on this bike if we don’t get going,” she said.
“I think I like that idea,” he replied.
He turned around to grip the bars, reaching behind him and pulling her to snugly fit against him tightly. Savannah was proud to be riding with him. The weather was crisp and clear and perfect for riding.
The long strand of Highway 2 that corded across the water to the casino where Foley and she agreed would make a great place for lunch, was a completely different experience on the motorcycle. The elements of the outdoors were all the more vivid. And daunting. Savannah was aware that if they lost their balance and, God forbid, they had an accident, they could end up in the lake. She loved holding onto him, sharing the moment with him. Thrilling. Daring. Intimate. And so, so safe.
The casino sat on a built up island off of Highway 2. Foley pulled off the main road, slowing the bike’s pace as it found its way to the parking lot. Savannah was so excited, impatient to be at the casino with him, holding hands inside and eating lunch. All of it. She squealed and hopped like a teenager.
“Okay, okay,” he said.
They each took a bag and their helmet but still managed to hold hands. Halfway to the entrance, he stopped to kiss her.
“So sweet,” he said.
Savannah liked the way they looked as a couple in the reflection of the smoky glass of the casino entrance. She knew he was tall, but it was really obvious how much taller he was than she. She thought he looked so hot in his leather coat and chaps. Her insides swirled with affection for him. She kicked herself for rushing things because if she didn’t know better, she was sure she was in love with him. No, she couldn’t be. Could she? That was the stuff that happened in movies, not in her life.
The interior of the casino was grand. Foley grinned at her.
“Wouldn’t this be the perfect place to fuck?” he whispered.
Savannah burst with excitement.
“Hell, yeah,” she barely managed to say.
He waltzed them to the front desk and booked a room for the night. Savannah had the perfect black dress to wear for later if they had dinner, and the perfect bustier and thong to wear for when they went upstairs. As they proceeded to their room, she was planning. Poor Foley was not going to know what hit him. She played it cool while her mind worked.
Foley dropped their bags at the door and carried her over the threshold. He devoured her as he carried her to their bed. She didn’t want to wreck the spontaneity, but she was dying to model her wicked underwear for him. They made out, threatening to engage with the door wide opened. The notion occurred to him.
“I better get our stuff,” he murmured, neither of them wanting to stop.
This was Savannah’s moment. She took her bag into the bathroom and freshened.
“Be right back,” she whispered with promise.
His lips curled devilishly. As she changed behind the closed door of the actual tub and commode, she could hear him wash up in the outside sink.
“Ready?” she called.
“I don’t know,” he replied playfully. “Am I?”
When Savannah made her entrance, he was stretched out on their king sized bed, an arm behind his head and his feet crossed. She was pleased as his face transformed at the sight of her. He sat up at once with his arms outstretched reaching for her, immediately.
There were no words needed. He pulled her to him, rolled her to the side possessively. His kisses were warm and passionate. They were more than erotic reaction. They connected on a more eternal level. Savannah knew she was his, and he was hers.
The atmosphere was emotional and moving for her.
His tongue penetrated her mouth with tender, loving strides. His hands gently glided the surface of her smooth skin, while his eyes looked upon her as though he had never seen her before.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful before,” he said. “You’re so damn gorgeous.”
Savannah recognized though in his expression the way that she felt. It was very soon to be making declarations of love, but she was secure in knowing they definitely felt the same way about each other, with the same intensity.
Foley made slow sweet love to her, making sure she found her pleasure first. Their cries were loud and boisterous and afterward, they laughed at their own noise. They bathed and changed. Having worked up a really good appetite, they went down to the lobby to find a place to eat.
He got a text and smiled.
“I guess word got around that you wanted to have a movie party. We might be walking in on something when we get back,” he said.
Just as their food arrived, Foley got another text. This one made his face wrench and look away. Savannah already knew. It had to be another arson fire.
“I can’t fucking believe this,” he complained. “The lawyer’s in custody. So either he is having help or he just torched his own building, and the other fires are someone else’s work.”
“I’ve gotta run,” he said apologetically.
“A rain check? Maybe we shouldn’t try something like this until we know for sure the arsonist is caught,” she answered, trying to be supportive.
“I’m sorry. This is my job,” he said.
Savannah touched his hand. “As far as I am concerned, I’ve already had a trip that I will never ever forget. The best parts have already happened.”
Foley leaned over the table and kissed her passionately without a care of the other diners in the restaurant. She greedily let him.
“Okay,” she blushed. “You eat. I’ll pack.”
When Foley pulled up her street to drop her off, her body was racked with terror that so many emergency vehicles were packed around her property.
“The fire was at my house!” she shouted.
Her first thought was not of her home but of her beloved dog. Beau was a gift from her father, and she loved the dog more than anything. She jumped off the bike.
“Hey, hey!” he called after her.
Savannah broke through the tangle of workers and vehicles to identify herself as the owner of the property. Immediately, she was hysterical.
“My dog!” she shouted. “Beau!”
“Stay back,” commanded the EMT.
“My dog!” she screamed.
Powerful hands corralled her. She looked up and saw Foley, calm as anything.
“I’ll find your dog. But you have to promise me you stay back. I don’t think I will need to suit up,” he said.
Sheriff Doug wove through the chaos. He tapped her on the shoulder and started talking to her. He explained the fire was at the guesthouse. Gasoline was spread around the main house too, but whoever it was, they didn’t have enough time to finish the job. So she only lost the guesthouse and not the house she lived in.
“I can’t believe Carolyn would resort to arson,” she said.
“Yep. It was deliberately set. But they have it contained,” Sheriff Doug said. “Come with me,” he said. “I have a very scared fella in the back of my car.”
On impulse, Savannah hugged the sheriff, planting a big kiss on his cheek.
“Ahem,” said Foley with a wink. “I have to talk to my captain. I’ll find you in a few minutes.”
As Savannah and the sheriff made their way back to Beau, Susan was leaning on the sheriff’s car. Even though she lived in the neighborhood, it was bothersome to see her.
“Hi,” said Savannah plainly.
“Sorry to hear about your house,” she said.
“I’m only a few houses down. I came to see if you needed a place to stay or anything.”
“I lost the guesthouse, not the main house.”
“I see that Beau is okay,” said Susan, petting the dog.
“Yeah, we found him down at the neighbor’s house,” answered the sheriff. “That’s a blessing.”
“I’ll say,” said Savannah. “I don’t even want to think about how it could have gone.”
Foley appeared. “Hey, Susan,” he said casually.
He took Savannah into his arms.
“The guys feel really bad,” he said. “They went out for a few minutes.”
“Looks like the fire is completely contained,” said Foley.
“Well,” said Susan. “I was just thought I’d see if Beau was okay, given the excitement. You really should check Savannah into a hotel. I’d be glad to take Beau.”
“I appreciate it, but I want him with me,” Savannah said. “I’ll take him to the Holiday Inn. Thanks, though.”
Maybe it was selfish of her, but Savannah didn’t want to be involved with Susan.
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” said Foley. “I think the fire will be out. None of the surrounding structures are in danger. It’s just the anxiety of being near a fire site might be too much.”
“Can I go into my house?” asked Savannah.
“Not just yet,” said Foley.
“Okay, well I’ll be off,” said Susan. “If you need me, I’m here.”
It killed Savannah to see Foley give his ex-wife a hug and a kiss on her forehead.
“Walk me home?” she asked.
Savannah thought she would die. She literally turned her back to them.
“Mind if I sit in your car with Beau?” she asked Sheriff Doug.
“Sure,” he laughed. “Not many people ask to sit in the back. People might get the wrong idea.”
“Doesn’t seem like worrying what people think is an issue,” she said sarcastically.
She didn’t want to be bitter in front of Foley or let Susan have the satisfaction of seeing her like that, but she couldn’t stop it. She took a deep breath, tried to act as coolly as she could and got inside the car.
Beau climbed into her lap. She just hugged her dog. Now the weight of the fire in her home, even if it was her guest home, was hitting her. It was kind of a great excuse if Foley should address her snippiness. She could just blame it on the fire.
Arms still around the dog, she closed her eyes just to tune out, when someone knocked on the sheriff’s car window. Savannah peeked. It was Danny White Feather.
“Can I join you?” he asked, his voice jovial and positive despite the situation.
Savannah nodded, and he piled into the front seat.
“How are you?” he asked.
“Good, I guess,” she actually laughed.
He had that effect on her. Immediately, her mood was lifted.
“Well, remember you have friends,” he said. “I think they have the fire out. There’s the smoldering stuff that they work on, and that takes a while.”
Savannah was overcome with emotion. She raised her brows and blinked trying to keep the tears from coming out. Danny touched her shoulder.
“I have a home. I have my dog,” she said. “I feel like it’s stupid to be upset that I lost a guest home.”
“We’re all upset about it,” he said. “You don’t think I’m stupid for being really pissed someone has done this?”
“No, and thanks for helping me put this in perspective,” she said.
“And I’m not sure it’s all lost, and if it is, we can rebuild. You didn’t set this fire. Insurance will cover it. This is just change,” he said.
That had to be the most brilliant thing she ever heard. It wasn’t a disaster. It was just change. Lots of things were changing. And she was okay with those. Except that for now, she was jealous. She wasn’t happy with that.
“I have to get over being impatient wanting to sleep here tonight,” she said. “Beau and I will be happy over at the Holiday Inn.”
“Holiday Inn?” Foley asked from outside the car.
She tried to keep the pain out of her eyes
as she returned his gaze. Danny opened the car for him.
“Hey,” he said to Foley. “Any chance at all the main house is livable? Would the smoke smell be too much?”
“Probably. We can see,” said Foley. “But we can stay at my place, hon.”
The captain approached the sheriff’s car. He wanted to speak to Savannah with the sheriff. She got out of the car. She had mixed feelings between the fire and the jealousy, and she brushed passed Foley.
“So then,” the captain said to her. “Any thoughts of who could have done this?”
It had been the question everyone asked as to who might have been vandalizing her house before that. “None, except for my stepmother possibly and my dad’s former lawyer,” she answered, weary of that question. “They won’t give up until I leave town. Maybe I should. I have nothing left here anymore. I’d rather be safe in another town, than trying to fight off psychopaths. I’ve had some near misses. And one day, they’re going to get me. And my life is more important than winning this battle. I don’t want to go to the grocery store and come back to find my dog hanging from a tree or my house burnt down.”
“I understand those two are in custody or otherwise alibied out at least for the moment,” said the captain. “If we can build a case against them, then this will all stop.”
“Is the main house okay to go in?” she asked bluntly.
“Yes,” he answered.
“I’ll make a list of anyone who might have been in and out of the house,” she said.
“Well, that’s not really what we’re thinking of. How about you make a list of anyone you’ve had contact with since before these things started happening. Don’t put any thought into possibility. Just write them down. We’ll run connections and common denominators to any of the other fires,” said the captain.
