And who said she would even consider staying with him? He knew her opinion of musicians. Would she consider sharing her life with a man who shared the same profession her worthless father had?
"God, I want you, Marty." His voice was strained, his hands cupped her face.
"I want you, too," she whispered hoarsely. "So much."
Those words set him free, free to explore her body, free to shower her with kisses. He found her mouth and devoured it, his tongue streaking in to caress the interior of the sweet honey hole.
Marty groaned and ground her hips against him. A flame burned within her, her torso on fire. She pressed her breasts against his chest, reveling in the feel of the contact. She slid her hands across his shoulders and down his chest, her hands splayed against the steely surface.
She felt his fingers working at the zipper of her dress, pulling it down with slow eroticism. He slid his palms inside the fabric, slipping across her skin, caressing her shoulders and sliding down her back. A breeze tickled her bare skin and she shivered.
"You're cold. Let's go inside."
She didn't answer, just took his hand and walked back into the living room. As they entered her dress slipped downward, baring her breasts.
She didn't feel embarrassed, didn't feel shy. The way his gaze lit on her made her feel bold, powerful. She lifted her hands and pushed the turquoise fabric the rest of the way off her body, now wearing only a tiny ivory silk thong.
She looked like a goddess standing there in all her splendor. Moonlight fell across her breasts, sparkling across the full, luscious mounds. Her waist nipped in before flaring back out at her hips. Long slender legs ended in silver stilettos, another touch of femininity.
Jake reached out and pulled a few strategic pins from her hair and it whispered around her shoulders. He delved his hands into the thick cascade of strawberry blonde curls, glorying in its feel, picking it up and letting it play through his fingers.
"You are so beautiful." His voice was husky, deep. "Please, Marty. I want to make love to you."
She didn't answer him in words, just wrapped her arm around his neck. He swept her up in his arms and carried her towards the bedroom. Once inside he laid her on the bed, standing over her and gazing at her beauty.
She couldn't help it. She wriggled seductively, raising her hips and opening her arms. He didn't hesitate to answer her invitation. He stretched along her near naked form, one hand caressing one side of her neck, his lips trailing tender kisses on the other.
His hand slid along her abdomen, exploring her rib cage. She shivered, his movements sending goose bumps sliding along her skin. When his palm slid seductively over her breast, stroking the nipple, she couldn't stop a groan from escaping her throat.
He caught the rosebud between his thumb and forefinger, twisting gently, sending sensations searing through her. Her hips bucked and he whispered sweet, comforting words in her ear.
Then his hand was diving downward, sliding beneath the thin silken panties, pushing her legs apart. She responded by opening up to him, her lips grazing hungrily along his neckline. His finger touched her clit and she exploded, her hips jerking uncontrollably.
She realized suddenly that he was still fully clothed except for his jacket, which he had removed when the first got back to the hotel room. Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, finally managing to open it and push it off his shoulders to expose his bare chest, her hands skating across it. She pinched his nipples and heard his sharp inhale.
Next she sent her hands on a mission to undo his pants. She moaned with frustration when she had trouble undoing his belt and he helped her remove the trousers and briefs she so wanted gone. She didn't want any barriers between them, not even the scrap of fabric covering her pubis. He quickly divested her of her thong and finally they were naked, skin to skin, flesh to flesh.
His erection throbbed next to her, long and thick. Her hand grasped the shaft and slowly slid along its length. God, he was huge. She let her hand flow back up it and ran her thumb across the mushroom head, flicking off a drop of creamy fluid and making a gasp escape his throat.
He rose for a moment and grabbed his slacks, pulling a condom from the pocket. He ripped open the foil packet and his hands shook as he rolled the latex down his cock.
For a long moment, he towered above her, his gaze locked with hers. He didn't look away as he slowly lowered his hips and spread her lips with the breadth of his rod. The head played with her entrance, driving her crazy with desire. It was she who broke first. She lunged upward, plunging his dick deep into her wet canal.
The sensation was scalding. He thrust into her again and she groaned his name, almost insane with emotion. He pulled back, almost drawing out of that warm velvety channel, then shoved deep into her again…and again.
Marty wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him in as far as she could. God, he filled her so completely. She felt herself begin to spasm, contractions starting in her pelvis and working their way throughout her body. She tightened around the length of him, her muscles compressing his shaft. It was intense, overpowering. A scream broke from her throat as her mind exploded in a kaleidoscope of colors, carrying her away to another plane, another dimension.
Just as she shattered she felt Jake's body convulse and he gave a mighty heave, shoving his dick deep, deep into her body, slamming against her uterine wall. He shuddered and quaked, holding her to him, barely containing a shout of ecstasy.
The afterglow was magical as they snuggled against each other, each of them savoring the sensations. It was heavenly. They melded into one being, their souls meshing in unity.
When the phone rang Marty thought it was just another aftereffect; she was hearing bells.
They both ignored the clamor the first time, too exhausted to respond. When it started ringing again a minute later, Jake sighed and kissed her forehead.
"It must be important. I'm going to answer it."
She wriggled in disappointment but knew he was right. She lay still as he reached out and grabbed the phone off the nightstand.
And the moment he answered, their world came tumbling down.
Chapter 23
Marty saw Jake's shoulders tense as he listened to the person on the phone. She sat up in the bed, clutching the sheet to her breasts. Something was wrong.
"When?" Jake snapped. He listened for a few more seconds then said in short, distinct syllables, "We're on our way right now."
"Jake." She placed her hand on his back and felt tremors beneath her palm.
He sat there silently for a moment then spoke in a cold, harsh tone. "Bobby Hammond broke out of jail. They think he's on his way to get the kids."
She wasn't sure if it felt more like an icicle was stabbing her in the heart or if she'd been hit by lightning. A sensation of fear exploded within her. My God, the kids. They were in danger and she and Jake were an hour away from them. There was no time to waste.
They didn't fritter away time talking. Marty was out of bed in seconds, quickly slipping into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. She moved swiftly, gathering up her strewn clothing, stuffing things into a suitcase. They spoke little, each of them focused on preparing to hit the road.
At last she thought they were ready to go. She took another quick look around then turned to face Jake. For a moment they fell into each other's arms, sharing their fear, their panic.
"It will be okay." Her voice was confident, reassuring. God wouldn't let these children suffer anymore. They'd been through enough.
"I pray to God you're right." His answer was muffled, his mouth buried in her hair. "You've got to be right."
The drive to the farm was tense. They didn't talk much, their thoughts full of the kids.
Jake finally broke the silence. "They said they've already got a car with cops on the scene."
"That's good, Jake. At least they're not alone there with just Nora and Joe."
"I know, but I can't wait to get to them. I want to see for myself that they're safe an
d sound."
Marty murmured reassuringly, then Jake continued.
"Bobby Hammond is a monster. He killed my sister without remorse and he did it right in front of her children. I've always wanted to get my hands on him." He paused, swallowing hard.
"And I swear, if he touches a hair on either of those kids' heads, I will make that dream come true."
The venom in his tone scared her, sending shivers down her spine. The worst part of it was that she knew he meant every word. Now fear for him overcame her. The idea of good, kind, sweet Jake going up against a cold-blooded killer was unfathomable. She reached over and took his hand, unable to speak.
Without a word he picked her hand up and kissed the back of it. He didn't let go and they kept hold of each other for the rest of the ride until he had to call and alert the house that they were home.
Clouds scudded across the sky by the time they pulled into the drive. It somehow seemed appropriate that the night had turned gloomy. It matched the mood.
A state trooper's car was parked in the drive near the house, but Jake ignored it and marched straight to the door, taking her hand and pulling her along. She practically had to run to keep up but she didn't mind. She was just as anxious to see the kids as he was.
He turned the key but was stopped by the chain.
"Joe. Norah." He hollered through the opening. A plain clothes detective answered his call and removed the chain and opened the door.
"Mr. Stryker. I'm Detective Gabe Hollister. Glad you're here." The stocky man with blonde hair and a square jaw stuck his hand out and shook Jake's and nodded at Marty. "Come on in and I'll fill you in on what I know."
Detective Hollister led the way to the kitchen where Nora and Joe waited with hot coffee and fresh cinnamon rolls. Nora always baked when she was nervous. Marty had already figured that out.
The four of them shared a group hug, a serious expression on each of their faces. They shared the same feelings, the same fears. Everyone was concerned about the kids, about Hammond's mental state, about each other's emotional state.
"Are the kids in bed?" Jake asked.
"They are. Poor darlins don't know about their father, thank goodness." Nora dabbed at her eyes with the edge of her apron. "They were already asleep when the call came in."
"That's one good thing, at least." Jake ran his hand through his shaggy hair. "Okay, Detective, fill me in on everything."
They all took seats around the kitchen table and listened to the man talk. Bobby Hammond had escaped early that evening from the small town jail where he was being held awaiting trial. An hour later a man was found stabbed to death, his car missing. Then that car was found abandoned about fifty miles north of there and it was assumed Hammond had grabbed another vehicle. There were APBs out from Georgia to Tennessee but so far no one had seen Bobby Hammond.
"As far as security here goes, we've got two men stationed outside and myself inside. We've got more men coming. We'll stand shifts, two men outside, one man in, at all times. We're requesting that none of you go anywhere for now. We don't want Hammond to snatch anybody and we don't have the personnel to give you each a bodyguard." He stared at each of them meaningfully.
"What about the kids? I'd really rather they didn't know what's going on." Jake ran a hand across his chin.
"If you can find a way to explain our presence, we'll go along with it."
"Jake." Marty placed her hand on his arm and looked up into his face. "I think maybe it would be best to be honest with them, at least to a certain extent."
He flinched at the idea. He didn't want those little ones to be scared, to be tormented with thoughts of their maniacal father on the loose. The look in his eyes made Marty reach up and touch his cheek.
"Don't you think it's better to tell them their father has escaped, just to make them understand why they can't play outside, why there are strangers in the house? They're smart children. I think they would know if you lied to them. Instead, let's tell them he's escaped but don't say a thing about the possibility of him arriving here. Instead, let's reassure them that they're safe, that everyone's here to protect them."
He didn't say anything, just stared at her with a harsh expression on his face.
"They'll be frightened." He jutted his stubbled chin out in determination.
"Jake, they'll be more scared if they think you're not being honest with them. Their imaginations will run wild. Don't make them more frightened than they have to be."
He held himself rigid for another moment then finally his shoulders sagged in defeat.
"You're right. I can't lose their trust. We'll tell them a modified version of the truth."
Marty felt the weight of her advice crash on her shoulders.
God, she prayed she was right.
Chapter 24
No one went to bed that night. They sat huddled around the kitchen table, talking quietly. Detective Hollister was on the phone much of the time, talking both to the officers outside and other law enforcement agencies.
By near-dawn, Marty was exhausted but refused to give in. She was too worried, too scared. She could sleep when this was over.
She at least needed to stretch her legs. She stood and excused herself then headed towards the hall bath. The vision that greeted her in the mirror there was almost as frightening as her thoughts. Her hair was partially escaping the ponytail she'd thrown it up in back at the hotel and deep circles underlined her eyes. There wasn't much she could do about it but brush her hair and redo the ponytail before washing her face with cool water. Maybe at least she wouldn't look so ghostly pale.
She shrugged and wandered back out to the family room where she stood staring out the wall of glass that opened onto the deck. The world was full of predawn shadows. She stared at the surrounding forests hindering her sight. The trees that normally looked so peaceful were now her adversaries, offering cover to her enemy.
Other than the rustling of branches in a restless breeze, there was nothing to see. Just shadows. It was still too dark to glimpse the lake, although security lights did illuminate the pool and yard area.
Then Marty squinted harder. What the hell was that? She watched, sure she had seen a flicker of movement. Was it the state trooper walking around the yard?
No. She'd imagined it.
Then she looked again. A figure slunk along the tree line.
That was no state trooper.
She froze for a moment, blinking to make sure she wasn't seeing things. She opened her mouth to holler but no sound came out. Instead she turned and ran into the kitchen.
What she found was a room choked with tension. Jake, Nora, and Joe were all on their feet staring at Detective Hollister. That man was on his radio talking urgently into the instrument, trying to reach the troopers stationed outside.
"I saw him. He's here." Marty blurted out the information, making them all turn and stare at her.
"I saw him out the family room window. He's moving around outside." Her voice was urgent, filled with tension.
"God damn it. The son of a bitch made it here!" Jake roared, pounding his fist against the wall.
His outburst made Marty jump. She'd never seen Jake so angry, so upset.
"Turn the lights out," Hollister yelled, then called headquarters and alerted them to the sighting and to the fact he couldn't contact his men outside. His face was expressionless but Marty watched the look in his eyes. She could tell he was torn. He wanted to check on his men but was duty bound to stay inside with them.
"Everybody stay away from the windows," he ordered. "Help is on the way. We just need to stay calm."
In an instant, the house was shrouded in shadows. A sense of urgency and hyper-awareness took over. For several moments nobody moved. The silence was deep, penetrating.
At last the detective moved cautiously to stand behind the drape at the bay window in the kitchen, peering around the edge of the fabric.
At that very moment, a gunshot shattered the window. Marty screamed as Hollis
ter went down, blood gushing from a wound in his neck.
She and Jake both dropped to their knees and crawled to the fallen man. He was still breathing but he was losing a lot of blood. Nora brought a dish towel and Jake pressed it to the wound.
"I'll get more towels." Marty rose and ran from the room, her heart thundering in her chest. Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap. God, would the police get here in time?
She reached the hallway bath then remembered she'd seen a roll of gauze bandages in the upstairs bathroom. Her feet flew as she wheeled and ran up the stairs. They needed those bandages.
She pushed open the bathroom door and headed straight for the closet. There. Towels and bandages. She filled her arms and turned to head back downstairs but ran smack into a blockade.
A blockade made up of a broad chest and bulky shoulders.
Bobby Hammond.
Her breath caught in her throat as the realization set in. Bobby Hammond stood before her, a pistol pointed straight at her head. Her gut knotted, a spasm of pain clenching her insides. She opened her mouth to scream but slammed it shut as he rammed the pistol under her chin.
"Listen up, bitch." His voice growled at her, his breath washing over her. The stench was nauseating. "If you want to live you won't make a sound."
Marty nodded, her eyes huge and round.
"Now you are going to take me to my kids. You are going to move as quietly as possible and lead me to my children. Got it?" He pressed the head of the pistol deep into the skin of her chin, grinding until it hurt.
She managed to nod, her voice trapped in her throat, blocked by the thundering of her heart. Her mind fragmented, unable to form a cohesive thought. Oh God, what the hell was she supposed to do? She couldn't, wouldn't, take him to the kids. It might cost her life but she would not be responsible for taking this monster to those children.
Her legs shook as she turned towards the bathroom door, still clinging to the towels and gauze in her arms. Every step she took her feet felt heavy, like they were encased in lead shoes. It was like wading through weed-filled water, every motion a battle.
Bad Boy Series: Soul Songs (Bad Boy Romance Book 2) Page 9
