by Mia Dymond
She crooked an eyebrow. “I won’t ask how you know it’s silk.”
He pushed both bra cups to one side and ran his thumbs across each taut nipple. “You don’t wear anything else.”
Claire moaned and thrust her breasts further into his touch. He answered her silent request by sliding his hands to the small of her back, lowering his head, and wrapping his tongue around one nipple. His lips snapped closed around the pebbled pleasure point, drew it deep into his mouth and then sucked hard.
She tossed back her head, planted her hands on his shoulders, and squeezed as he moved to the other nipple. “Shadow,” she moaned, “you have a wicked tongue.”
He released the second nipple and trailed feather-soft kisses in the valley of her cleavage, across her collarbone, and finally blew a heated breath across her left earlobe.
“Are you wet for me, baby?”
Claire gave him a sultry grin then reached behind her to grasp his hand. She guided it between her legs and squeezed her thighs closed.
“You tell me.”
The exact second the tips of his fingers met the damp, silky, navy blue panel between Claire’s thighs, Shadow realized his phone call to Brooks would have to wait.
“Where’s Steele?”
“In the den.” His fingers slid against the moist fabric as she swung her hips back and forth. “Talking on the phone to Holly.”
He moved the barrier to one side and worked her clit in lazy circles until moisture coated the heel of his hand. She whimpered when he paused.
“These have to come off.”
She leaned back, balanced on her hands, her hips raised in offering.
Rather than pull the silk and lace down her legs, he sat up and squeezed both of her ass cheeks. He drew in a deep breath, placed his mouth against her musky, slippery flesh, and then exhaled a long, slow breath.
She released a breathy moan and lay flat on her back. He came over her. “Another great thing about this room,” he said as he brushed the waves of hair from her neck, “is that it’s soundproof.”
Her eyes twinkled as he pulled his shirt over his head, tossed it to the floor, then crawled back down the bed toward her. He plucked the strings tied at her hips. Her panties left her body in a matter of seconds. He eased himself to lie on his belly between her hips and braced her legs over his shoulders. She wound her fingers in his hair and pressed him closer.
He touched his tongue to the bottom of her slit and licked the heated flesh like an ice cream cone. Bottom to top, over her clit, then back down to her wet entrance. She tightened her hold and whimpered.
Shadow reached down and popped open the buttons of his jeans to grant his raging hard on some space. Claire’s sweet smell filled him completely, taunting the prowling beast inside him. He placed one more French kiss to the nub tucked beneath her clit and then shifted to kiss her stomach. She bucked beneath him.
“Patience, sweetheart,” he whispered.
His dick jumped when he inserted a finger inside her body and the tight, swollen muscles surrounded him like a suction cup. Her orgasm was close; he felt the tension in the tightly bound inner muscles, her desire coated his fingers.
He placed a kiss to her lips as he introduced another finger and began a slow, easy massage. “Open your eyes, Claire. Let me see you come.”
He gazed deep into the chocolate depths as he increased the rhythm between her legs and flicked her clit with his thumb. Her breathing escalated. The jewel hanging from her belly button sparkled as she moved her hips in tandem with his motion.
He suddenly stilled.
Her eyes widened. “No!” she panted. “Damn you, Shadow. You can’t stop now.”
He grinned and reached to position her hand over her glistening clit. “Show me what you need.”
She moaned and rubbed her fingers across her flesh, zeroed in on a certain spot just left of where he’d been.
Shadow lowered his head between her legs, careful not to interrupt her furious rhythm. Her hand shook with the movement as her fingers attacked the flesh. She lifted her hips and rolled her head to one side. He buried his tongue deep inside her body.
She screamed and released her orgasm, closing her muscles around his tongue in a tight vise. Her essence filled his mouth.
She lowered her hips, making some sort of noise that sounded like a sleeping kitten.
Sweat coated his lower back as Shadow scrambled from his position, yanked off his pants and boxers, and wondered where the hell he lost his sanity. His cock begged for mercy.
In seconds flat, he scooped her from the bed and then lay down with her on top of him. She gave him a lazy, almost-sedated smile and wrapped her fist around his throbbing cock. He groaned and thrust into her touch. Beads of pre-come coated the surface of his dick.
“My poor baby,” she purred as she gave him a squeeze then bent to lick the head clean.
Immediately, he reached to yank his cock away from anywhere close to her warm, wet mouth.
“Fuck, no,” he groaned.
Claire’s eyes widened. “Did you just say —?”
Shadow released another moan and clamped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t you say it. I’ll never last.”
She kissed his palm and then moved his hand from her mouth. Her eyes twinkled as she wrapped his fingers around his now painfully-erect cock. “Your turn.”
A whole new string of curses lined up on his tongue. In his current condition, one stroke might possibility ruin everything.
He didn’t dare move. “Can you read me?”
She nodded and smirked.
“Then you realize maybe this isn’t such a good idea.”
Her hand came over his and took a long pull down his erection and then back up and over the head. “I think it’s one of my better ideas.”
Shadow took a deep breath and willed himself not to lose his load.
Apparently oblivious to his dilemma, she released his hand. “Now you.”
His cock pounded so hard he felt his heartbeat in the head as he squeezed and began to stroke. Slowly. Very slowly. He inhaled a sharp breath and fought the extreme urge to end the madness.
His hips jerked when Claire’s fingers fondled his balls, her soft, gentle touch like satin on his skin. His control slipped and his hand moved faster up and down his shaft until she finally stopped him.
“Shadow.” Her breath came in choppy gasps. “I can’t watch you do that any longer.”
Relief flooded his veins and he rolled her under him. “Thank God.”
She bent her knees and placed her feet flat on his thighs. “I’m so ready. Please don’t make me wait.”
He entered her and pushed until he was buried deep. “No way in hell.”
He clenched his teeth when she pressed against his hamstring muscles and rocked, her tempo rapid.
He pulled back and squeezed her hips. “Slow down, sweetheart.”
Her eyes blazed amber fire. “I don’t want slow, Shadow.”
He squeezed his eyes closed, swallowed hard, then opened them. “You sure?” He buried his cock back into her wet heat. “Because once I start, I won’t be able to stop.”
She ground against him. “Positive. Hard and fast.”
He couldn’t deny her. Anything she wanted. With a low growl, he thrust his hips in such a furious rhythm it was impossible to tell where he ended and where she began.
The base of his spine tingled and he swallowed hard. Claire’s knuckles grazed his abs as she slid her hand between them and squeezed his sac.
His control slipped. He buried his lips in the crook of her neck and pushed inside her one more time just before his seed shot from his body on a hot wave. Claire’s inner muscles squeezed his pulsing, hungry cock and she screamed his name. Her thighs quivered around his hips.
Shadow lay against her soft body for several seconds, absorbing the strength and love she offered. Her gentleness flowed through his veins straight to his heart. Without her, the muscle would not beat. He lifted his head
and first kissed the dewy surface of her chest and then her lips, now crooked in a sated smile.
“Now that was a memory,” she murmured.
“One I’ll never forget.” He eased from her body and rolled next to her.
She moved his hair back from his forehead. “You didn’t bring me up here to christen the bed.”
“That’s not the only reason. We need to check in with Brooks.” He worked hard to keep the irritation from his voice. Brooks started this whole damn clusterfuck.
“He’s on our side.”
He refused to argue. Not when so much was at stake. Shadow placed a hand against the soft skin of her stomach, his fingers spread wide. “This is the safest place for you. To the naked eye, Windsor doesn’t exist.”
“But you still worry.”
He leaned to replace his hand with his lips. Her muscles jumped beneath his kiss. “There’s three of us now.”
His scalp tingled when she moved her fingers through his hair. “We’ll be fine here.”
He lifted his head to give her a hard look. “If you feel something, anything, get up here in this room and lock yourself in.”
He opened his mind and let her inside. If she harbored any doubt about how serious he was, the feelings of death and destruction she saw there would convince her to cooperate.
“Really—”
“No matter what, Claire, I mean it. Even if you think I’m in trouble you come up here.”
“No. I won’t leave you alone.”
He took her chin between his thumb and index finger. “Promise me, Claire.”
He knew the moment she wiggled into the confines of his brain. Her eyes suddenly cleared into bright pools of understanding.
“I promise.”
Shadow covered her lips with his and let his love swallow her whole. His muscles warmed as she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed.
With one final sweep of her mouth, he lifted his head. “Do I need to handcuff you to this bed?”
Her eyes narrowed as if she were challenged. “You wouldn’t.”
“No?” He quirked an eyebrow.
“No.”
Shadow touched his forehead to hers. “As long as you cooperate.”
“I promised.”
Still guarded at her surrender, he kissed the tip of her nose and eased off the bed. Handcuffs would ease his mind.
“Don’t even think about it,” she said as she threw on her clothing. “You’ll just have to trust me.”
Shadow shook his head as he dressed. Trust wasn’t the issue. Stubborn was.
When they finally left the safe room, Steele waited in the den.
“Maybe I should stay.” Steele exhaled loud. “She won’t stay put.”
Shadow shrugged. “I just had this conversation.”
Steele folded his arms over his chest. “Claire won.”
“We compromised.” He grinned and swatted Claire’s ass.
Steele chuckled. “That, my friend, is complete and utter bullshit.”
Shadow ignored his best friend’s comment and turned back to Claire. “Lock the door and set the alarm. There are cameras all over the place.”
Her eyes widened. “Everywhere?”
He couldn’t resist a jab. “You wanted to make a movie.”
Steele groaned.
Shadow urged Claire to the front door and then kissed her one last time. “No cameras in the safe room.”
Her gentle giggle floated through the door as she closed it behind them. He waited to hear the snap of the deadbolt and the familiar high-pitched beeps of the alarm before leaving the porch with Steele.
Both men paused at the dock. Shadow moved his gaze across the lake. The light afternoon breeze rippled the water in soft waves. As usual, fish splashed further out in the depths.
Convinced evil had not penetrated his safe haven, Shadow climbed into the boat.
“We’ll cut through the cove,” he told Steele as the other man boarded. “We won’t have company.”
***
Shadow steered Kathryn’s Beauty into the marina and killed the engine to coast into the nearest open bay next to the dock. He let his gaze scan the parking lot, surprised when he noticed an unfamiliar black Suburban.
Steele threw a rope to the dock. “City plates?”
“Did you call Brooks?”
“No. Did you?”
“I’ve been with Claire.” Shadow froze. Terror climbed his spine as he eyed the Suburban. Beneath his feet, the boat bounced and lurched as water lapped the sides.
He jumped to the dock and threw the rope back at Steele. “Haul ass back to the house.”
“What the hell?”
“Go, Steele!” Shadow fumbled for his cell phone. “The water’s too choppy. There’s been another boat.”
Without another word, Steele started the boat’s motor and jammed it into overdrive. The water split in two as the boat raced across the surface.
Shadow sprinted to the store while calling Navajo PD for back-up. He paused outside the door just long enough to draw his SIG pistol and shove the phone in his pocket.
He slung open the door, weapon pointed straight ahead, prepared to obliterate anyone or anything in his path. “Mrs. Hanover?”
He took several steps further inside, ears trained on the area for any hint of movement. “Mrs. Hanover, it’s Malcolm Windsor. Everything okay here?”
He swung the pistol toward the cash register when the sound of shattering glass caught his attention. Several glass jars fell from the shelf above. He eased closer and peered over the counter. Mrs. Hanover lay with her mouth, hands and feet immobilized by duct tape.
“Anybody else here?”
She shook her head in denial.
Shadow climbed over the counter, squatted beside her, and grasped the edge of the duct tape gag over her mouth. “This will hurt,” he warned.
She gave her head a weak nod then squeezed her eyes closed. Shadow gave the tape a quick yank.
“Oh Malcolm, thank God you’re here.” Mrs. Hanover’s voice quivered. “I think there’s trouble.”
Shadow helped the elderly lady to her feet then squatted before her. “The glass cut your legs. Where are the bandages?”
“Forget the bandages, boy! I’ll call the fire department.”
“I called the police on my way inside. Who was here?”
“A man stormed in with a hostage at gunpoint. He threatened to shoot the hostage if I didn’t give him a rental and directions to Windsor. Did you see him?”
“I came through the cove on the backside. I didn’t see another boat.”
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know what else to do.”
“You did the right thing, but I’ve got to go. When the police get here, send them to Windsor.” He sprinted to the door. “Does your boat have gas?”
“Yes.”
Shadow stormed outside and jumped onto the nearby boat. Bloody red rage ran through his veins as the boat merely skimmed the water. Brooks. Dirty son-of-a-bitch. He never should’ve trusted him.
Who the hell did he hold hostage?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Claire didn’t realize how hard she concentrated on the case file in front of her until the obnoxious gong of the doorbell jarred her attention. She sat still for a short moment, puzzled by the noise. Windsor stood alone on the island; no neighbors, one way in and one way out, both across the water.
She had almost convinced herself she imagined the sound until she heard it again, this time accompanied by persistent banging. She left the den and padded down the hallway to the front door. As soon as she placed her hand against the wooden barrier, a dull ache formed in the back of her head. Then, just as quickly the pain subsided. She glanced around the entryway at the soft green and yellow calming colors that decorated the walls. Tones meant to chase away stress and discomfort.
“Claire? Are you there?”
She moved back the pale blue curtain on the side window to peer out onto the porch. Matt Brooks stood
at the front door.
“Matt? Where are Shadow and Brett?”
“At the dock. They sent me on up.”
Claire paused for a brief moment to read the hidden signals in the atmosphere. Nothing. She took a deep breath and tried again. Absolutely nothing warned her away from the door. Trusting her instincts, she punched in the code to disarm the security system. She unlocked the door. As soon as she grasped the knob, the force of the opening door caused her forehead to smack the wood. She squeezed her eyes closed at the pain and lifted her hand to touch the area.
“I am so sorry, Claire.”
She opened her eyes and felt the blood drain from her cheeks. Nausea churned her stomach, acid burnt her throat.
Detective Matt Brooks stood in front of her, held at gunpoint.
***
As soon as he reached the outskirts of Windsor, Shadow cut the engine, tossed his phone on the seat, and jumped into the lake. Within sixty seconds he swam the distance to the dock and climbed the ladder.
Pushed by pure adrenaline, Shadow threw open the door to the adjacent boathouse and opened a footlocker in one corner. The M14 sniper rifle waited, locked and loaded for action. He hung it across one shoulder. Sick bastard had no clue it would take only one shot; one, barely-audible, death-injected bullet would assure his demise. Brooks didn’t stand a chance, second or otherwise.
Shadow drew his pistol and aimed it ahead as he made his way to the house. The curtains in the upstairs bedroom window moved in the afternoon wind. The perimeter lay deathly silent. Shadow lowered himself to his hands and knees and crawled through the storage bays and climbed the ladder to the loft.
Cold metal met his right temple when he reached the top.
Shadow inched his eyes to focus on whatever pressed into his temple, both relieved and pissed off when Steele squatted above him, pistol in hand. He frowned and twisted the barrel away from his head.
Steele gave him a cocky grin. “Didn’t know it was you,” he whispered.
Shadow climbed off the ladder and headed to the back wall of the loft. “You been in yet?”
