Don’t chicken out now. You’ve come this far.
She drew in a deep breath.
Zach reached for her hand, the one in the cast. He gently stroked up her arm where the cast ended just beneath her elbow. She shivered, heat shooting through her like an arrow. Her gaze snapped to his.
“You can touch me,” he said huskily, his gaze holding hers. “I promise I don’t bite.”
Her cheeks flaming, she jerked her gaze back down. Zach trusted her enough that he was willing to just lay there and let her do whatever she wanted to him. Maybe losing control wasn’t so bad. Maybe she might like it too.
She lifted her other hand and placed it on top of his boxers, over the top of his erection.
He throbbed against her hand, hot and hard and so big. She pulled away, her cheeks flaming.
Zach captured her hand and gently pressed it back against him. Her heart went wild, slamming into her ribs. Her breathing quickened. His erection pulsed against her hand beneath the boxers. Her cheeks burned. She jerked her gaze back to his. Though she’d never done this before, she wasn’t stupid. She knew what sex was. She’d intentionally avoided getting this close to a man before. Partly because she’d been terrified of letting anyone have that much control over her, and partly because she’d been afraid of the actual sex act. But now she realized she really was in control, that Zach didn’t seem to mind it at all. For the moment, anyway. What would happen when their bodies joined? Would she be in control then?
Her face grew even hotter. Sex was different for men than it was for women. It had to be. Men were the ones taking and women were the ones giving. How could she be in control of that?
“It’s okay,” he said hoarsely. “You can touch me however you want.”
He let go of her hand and waited, watching her through hooded, desire-filled eyes.
Meg glanced back down. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. But could she let him invade her like that? Take pleasure from her body? Would he give her anything in return? Would she even like it? Heat swept through her when she recalled what he’d done to her yesterday with his hand. If he could make her feel that way with just his hand, how would she feel when he joined his body with hers?
She hesitantly pulled the boxers down.
His erection sprang free.
Meg stared, her face on fire.
Oh my Lord.
Zach reached up and drew her mouth down to his, distracting her. Meg sighed against his lips, relaxing against him. His kisses made her weak, made her want to melt against him, become a part of him...
His hands cupped her breasts, kneading, stroking her nipples into hard little buds. She moaned, arching against his hands. She wanted more. She wanted him to join his body with hers. To show her how it could be. If she liked it, that would be good, right? But what if she didn’t? What if…?
“Stop thinking,” he whispered against her lips. “Just feel. Let yourself go. You don’t have to be in control all the time.”
He kissed her again, his tongue tangling with hers, making her squirm against him. He made her so hot. Little zings of desire jolted through her. Her limbs felt like jelly. Her body throbbed with an aching need she couldn’t describe. Meg was semi-aware of his hands removing the rest of her clothes, stripping her bare, but he kept kissing her, making her burn for him, making her moan and press closer…
“Zach,” she whispered, arching against his hand where he gently pressed against her aching core. Skin against skin. Yes. She liked it when he did that thing with his hand.
He hissed out a breath. “You’re bare.” His gaze smoldered into hers, filling with lust. “I didn’t expect that, but I like it.”
Heat swept into her cheeks. “You didn’t…realize that yesterday?”
“No, you were wearing panties.” His voice was hoarse. He kissed her again as his fingers worked their magic. Soon she was gasping and arching against his hand, aching for release...she was on fire. For him. So close to losing control.
She heard a faint crackling sound as he fumbled with something in his jeans’ pocket.
A condom.
Her cheeks heated. She hadn’t even thought about protection. Thank God he had.
He rolled her beneath him while continuing to kiss her, touch her, stroke her…Meg was vaguely aware that she was no longer the one in control, that she was now beneath him. He settled between her thighs, his fingers still exploring, testing, bringing her closer to the edge...all the while kissing her, making her hot with desire, breathless with need…
Then she felt the invasion. The big, hot length of him as he gently eased in. She gasped at the unexpected sensation, but then he kissed her again, drawing it out seductively and she moaned, relaxing beneath him, opening for him, taking him in deep, welcoming him into her warmth. No longer fighting it, Meg gave in to the feelings he aroused in her. He moved slightly, and she exploded with sensation, arching up against him, moving with him, her body overcome with the absolute joy of their joining. It was as natural as breathing. She cried out as pleasure rippled through her, so intense that when it slowly faded it left her weak and breathless. Floating on air.
Meg slowly drifted back from her first visit to paradise. Her body tingled everywhere, thrumming with euphoria. Her heart did a little ping as she realized what she’d just done, what she’d allowed Zach to do to her.
But what shocked her more was that she’d liked it. No, more than liked it. It had been amazing, incredible...and it hadn’t hurt at all. It hadn’t felt like she’d been “possessed” or “taken” or “used.” Not at all. She felt…wonderful. Content. In love. Zach had given as much as he’d taken. She hadn’t realized a man could give like that. That she would enjoy it so much. And she wanted to do that again. And again. Over and over and over. Shamelessly.
Zach rolled off her, pulling her on top of him. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. His gaze questioning, he stared into her eyes.
“I can see your brain working, analyzing…” He paused, his gaze searching hers. “And what’s your conclusion? Was it as bad as you feared? Did it hurt to let go? To lose control?”
Heat crept into her cheeks. She lowered her gaze. “No, it wasn’t bad. It was…” She lifted her gaze to his. “…absolutely incredible.” She was surprised by how happy she felt. How in love she was with Zach.
Had she just admitted that? She stared into his eyes, at the emotion smoldering in those slate-gray orbs. Though he hadn’t said it, she knew he cared deeply for her. That he might even love her too.
“I’m glad,” he whispered.
“Thank you, Zach.”
“You’re welcome. And thank you.”
Meg giggled. She cleared her throat. “How soon until we can…uh, do that again?”
He chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Soon. Just let me hold you for a bit.” He drew her against him, cuddling her close, and lay an arm over her hip. His hand splayed across her stomach. Meg snuggled back against him, spooning against his warmth.
It was true, she realized. She loved him. All of him. Everything about him.
For the first time in her thirty-two years, Meg had fallen in love.
CHAPTER THIRTY
A hand covered Meg’s mouth at the same time a voice whispered in her ear, “Shh, it’s just me.”
Meg’s eyes flew open. She knew that voice. She was able to make out the shape of a tall figure in the dark. Curtis. Meg grabbed his hand and squeezed, letting him know she understood. Curtis silently backed out of the room and went out in the hall to wait for her. Meg glanced at Zach sleeping soundly next to her, his soft snores indicating he hadn’t been disturbed. She slipped out of bed, dressed as quickly and quietly as possible, then snuck out into the hallway where Curtis waited.
“They found it,” Curtis whispered. “I just got confirmation from my source. But we have to go now. They may not be there in another few hours.”
Meg’s heart thundered. If she wanted to take Larry down, now was the time. Larry had eyes and ea
rs everywhere. If he caught wind that she was coming, he’d clean out.
She herself was going in this time. Just like she and Evan had done fifteen years ago. Except this time she was going to take the creep down.
She squeezed Curtis’s hand. “Then let’s go.”
“What about Zach?” Curtis asked, glancing at her closed bedroom door.
Meg shook her head. Her heart squeezed at the thought of anything happening to Zach. “No. I don’t want him involved.”
Curtis hesitated, then shrugged. “Okay, but I think you’re making a mistake. He could help us.”
“No. I don’t want him hurt.” She knew Zach would try to play hero and then he’d get hurt. And she wasn’t about to lose him now.
Hoping Zach would forgive her for going without him, she whispered, “Let’s go.”
* * *
Zach woke slowly, feeling happier and more content than he had in a long time. He now knew what he’d been missing from his life: love. Or, more particularly, Meghan’s love. He was pretty sure he had it now, though she hadn’t said those three words aloud. Neither had he. They were both a little hesitant about expressing themselves so soon, but after last night, Zach knew he loved her. She was special, unique. A rare treasure.
Now that he’d found her, now that she was finally his, he was never letting her go.
He yawned. Eager for another round of the hottest, most mind-blowing sex he’d ever had, he rolled over, reaching for her. He encountered cold, empty sheets instead. Disappointed, then alarmed, he bolted upright, rubbed his eyes. It was still dark out. He glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand.
2:30 a.m.
Uneasiness swept through him. Where was she? He sat there for several moments and listened, but the house was quiet.
Then he heard the faint, unmistakable sound of a garage door opening.
Shit! She was sneaking out on him. She was going after Cummings on her own. She had to be. What else would she be doing in the middle of the night?
Damn her!
He leapt from the bed and dressed in record time, careening down the hallway and flinging open the door to the garage.
But he was too late. The overhead door was closed, her Jeep gone.
He’d just missed her.
“Damn stubborn woman,” he muttered. “She’s going to get herself killed.”
Racing out the back door, Zach ran through the dark forest to his house. If he hurried, maybe he could catch up to her. Follow her. Keep her from doing something stupid.
He couldn’t lose her now. Not now. He loved her.
His heart swelled with the knowledge.
For the first time in his life, he’d found love.
A love that was worth fighting for.
* * *
“That’s it,” Curtis whispered. “The cabin on the left.”
Meg pulled the Jeep over to the side of the road and cut the lights. Larry had moved his pleasure house to a large cabin off Lake Coeur d’Alene. Sneaky bastard. He was no longer hiding the girls in Spokane, but had moved out into a secluded area near Casco Bay. Meg wondered who owned the cabin. There was a boat docked close by, obviously for a quick escape if needed.
The cabin was only a few miles from Evan’s lakefront house and the boat she’d left parked in the marina a little over a month ago.
She and Curtis exchanged glances.
“What now?” he asked.
If there were innocent girls in there, Meg planned to free them. But she wasn’t willing to risk Curtis getting hurt in the process.
“You stay here. I’m going in.”
“Why don’t you take this?” Curtis tried to hand her the .45. “You need a weapon.”
“You keep the gun.” She couldn’t shoot it anyway, not until her cast was off. “If they shoot at me when I’m freeing some girls, you can fire back at them. Besides, Larry’s not going to kill me.” Or at least she hoped not. “But he won’t hesitate to kill you. You’re better off waiting here. Besides, I brought my pepper spray. It can be pretty effective if I aim right for their eyes.” She tried to sound confident, but in reality, she was scared to death. She stuffed the pepper spray in the pocket of her windbreaker and reached for the door handle.
Maybe she should have let Zach come with them. Meg had no doubt he would protect them. That he would risk his life to make sure she was safe.
That was why she hadn’t brought him along. Because she knew in her heart he would die for her. And the thought of losing him hurt too much to contemplate.
She cleared her throat. “Watch for me so when I come out, we can leave in a rush. If I can find any girls, I’m bringing them with me.”
Curtis looked worried. “Okay. But be careful. I’ll be watching.”
Meg slipped out of the Jeep and snuck across the dark forest to the large cabin by the lake. There were lights on inside, indicating someone was there. Meg didn’t want to think about what was going on inside.
Just free the girls and get out.
Meg crept up to the closest window and peered inside. The curtains were drawn, blocking her view of whatever was going on inside.
Of course. She should have anticipated that. Larry wouldn’t allow anyone to witness his illegal activities.
She hunkered down and crept around toward the back of the house, hoping she’d get lucky and someone had left the door unlocked. As soon as she reached the door, she hesitated. What if this was a setup? She had no idea who Curtis’s source was. What if Larry was playing them? What if he’d lured her here so he could catch her?
Why would he do that? He’d told her she had until Friday.
But Kristen had gotten away.
Shit.
Meg lowered her hand away from the door handle.
The back door suddenly swung inward. Two men tromped out. Meg dived into the bushes, scraping her palms and banging her cast against the trunk of a small evergreen shrub. Swallowing a gasp of pain, she waited until the men marched over to a black SUV and climbed in. Moments later they disappeared down the gravel road. Where were they going all of sudden? She decided she didn’t care. There were now two less men to worry about.
She rose and tried the doorknob. It was unlocked. The door slowly swung inward and she peered inside the cabin. It opened into the kitchen area, which was dark. But she caught a glimpse of a couple on a couch in the large living room. The woman was young, with long dark hair. Meg guessed her to be no older than sixteen or seventeen. Definitely a teenager. The man was older, probably late fifties, and heavyset. He feasted his beady eyes on the young woman’s breasts as she sat submissively, her head bowed, totally naked.
You sick bastard.
Meg slipped the pepper spray from her pocket and crept closer.
This is the last girl you will rape.
The girl glanced at Meg. Her eyes widened. Meg lifted a finger to her lips. The girl dropped her head, pretending not to see her.
The man’s head jerked up, his beady eyes resting on Meg.
“Oh my,” he whispered. “Aren’t you something? Come on over, sweetheart. There’s room for three.”
Meg’s stomach churned.
In your dreams, buddy.
But she played along, sauntering closer, her gaze never leaving his. When Meg reached him, she gently pushed the girl away from him and leaned down, peering into his creepy eyes.
“I’ve got something for you,” whispered. She lifted the pepper spray and squirted it into his face. He screamed and clawed at his eyes, scrambling backwards. Meg grabbed the girl by the arm and pulled her toward the back door.
“Where’s the others?”
The girl’s eyes were wide with fear. “I don’t know.”
Footsteps pounded down the stairs. Meg glanced up as three armed men thundered toward them.
Shit!
Realizing she would only be able to save the one girl, if she was lucky, Meg yanked the naked girl outside and across the dark forest to where Curtis waited in the Jeep.
She shoved the girl in the backseat and dived in after her.
“Go!” she shouted to Curtis.
Curtis peeled out on the gravel, then picked up speed and left the cabin in the dust. Meg glanced back to see Larry standing in the back doorway, illuminated by the light inside the house. Though she couldn’t see his expression in the dark, she was pretty sure he was pissed.
Meg snatched her cellphone from her pocket and dialed 911. She knew by the time the cops got there, Larry would be gone. Just like last time.
But this time she had a witness. A victim who had survived. She just had to keep the girl that way long enough for the authorities to catch Larry.
“911 emergency. How can I help you?”
“I just rescued a teenage girl from an illegal prostitution house.” Meg rattled off the address. “It’s in Casco Bay off Lake Coeur d’Alene. By the time you get there, they will probably be gone. But I’m taking the girl someplace safe. Tell Agent Nick Miller from the FBI to call me at this number.” Meg hung up. She glanced across the seat at the girl. She didn’t know how long it would take for the dispatcher to locate Agent Miller, but she knew he would call as soon as he got the message.
Meg had met Agent Miller briefly that evening when they’d been searching for Kristen in the woods. He and his wife April were very nice and Meg had liked them both. She knew if Zach trusted him, then she could too.
Casco Bay was several miles from the main highway. If they could elude any possible pursuers until then, they might just get away.
“We’ve got a tail,” Curtis muttered, glancing in the rearview mirror. Meg turned around. A blue truck raced after them, closing in fast.
“Here. Take the gun and shoot at them.” He tossed the .45 onto the seat between Meg and the girl. The girl snatched up the gun before Meg could blink.
“I’ll do it,” the girl whispered. “I want them all dead.” She rolled down her window and fired a shot at the vehicle behind them.
Meg felt her mouth drop open. Her gaze met Curtis’s in the rearview mirror. He shrugged and lifted a brow.
“Try to lose them,” Meg said. “We’ve got to get this girl someplace safe.”
The girl fired another shot behind them. Glass shattered. The bullet had struck the truck’s windshield.
Deceived (Unlikely Heroes Book 3) Page 30
