Hunter's Way

by Gerri Hill

  “You want to come over here or what?”

  “Is it safe?”

  “I won’t hurt you, I promise.”

  Tori moved closer, meeting Sam’s eyes in the mirror. She smiled. Sam did, too.

  “Take it off.”

  “I never envisioned you saying those words to me. At least not in here, anyway,” Tori teased.

  “Oh? And where did you envision me saying them?”

  Tori pulled the sweater over her head, grimacing as she stretched the stitches along her side.

  Sam couldn’t help but stare. The woman was… beautiful. She finally moved her eyes away from the sculpted shoulders, past her blue sports bra, to the small waist. She grabbed the edge of the tape and pulled it loose, slowly. She saw Tori tense her muscles, heard her quick intake of breath.

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  Tori watched her movements in the mirror. Gentle hands carefully pulled the bandage away, exposing the red, inflamed flesh.

  “It still hurts, doesn’t it.”

  “A little.”

  Sam took the bottle of hydrogen peroxide and dabbed a cotton ball, then wiped the dried blood away. “How long do you leave the stitches in?”

  “I didn’t ask.”

  “Tori.”

  “I usually take them out myself,” she said.

  “Usually? Does this happen often?”

  “Enough.”

  Sam glanced up and met Tori’s eyes in the mirror. “You’re amazing, you know that.”

  “Amazing?”

  “I didn’t necessarily mean that as a compliment,” she murmured.

  Tori stood patiently while Sam cleaned the wound and put a fresh bandage on it. Tori tried unsuccessfully to ignore the warm fingers that brushed against her skin. She finally closed her eyes, relaxing as Sam continued her gentle ministrations. “There. Much better,” Sam said as she straightened up.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Then she smiled. “Now get dressed. You’re dangerous that way.”

  167 “Hunter, you shouldn’t even be here today,” Malone said. “What makes you think I’m going to allow a stakeout?”

  Tori just stared at him until he looked away.

  “Okay, but Sikes and Ramirez are going with you.”

  “You have got to be joking! Sikes? At a gay bar?”

  “He and Ramirez can watch the street. You two go inside. That’s final.”

  “Lieutenant…”

  “Take it or leave it, Hunter.”

  “We’ll take it, Lieutenant,” Sam said, glaring at Tori. She was so stubborn.

  “Good. I have one more thing to discuss with you. Rumor has it you’ve been targeted. Sanchez Gomez.”

  “The drug bust was his?” Tori asked.

  “Yes. Watch your back.”

  “Targeted? What are you talking about?” Sam asked.

  “A hit,” Tori said.

  “A hit? Like… a hit? Who is Sanchez Gomez?”

  “Drug dealer,” Malone supplied. “He controls most of Dallas- Fort Worth. They were doing a sting the other night. They pretended to want to buy drugs from a rival. They were taking them out.”

  “Great,” Sam murmured. “Just great.”

  “CIU is on top of it.”

  “Oh, well that makes me feel protected,” Tori said.

  “Just watch your back, Hunter.”

  “I should have stayed with Assault,” Sam murmured as they walked out.

  “What? And miss all this excitement?”

  “You’re right. What am I thinking?”

  Tori chuckled, then pointed at Sikes. “You get to tell him. I’ll watch.”

  “Again, thank you so much,” Sam said, but she smiled as she walked over to Sikes.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  “You got the pictures of our girls?”

  “Yes, for the third time, Hunter,” Sikes said.

  “Ramirez?”

  “We’ll keep an eye out, don’t worry.”

  “Okay.” Tori turned to Sam. “You ready?”

  “Ready.”

  They got out of the car, which Sikes had parked four blocks away, next to Tori’s Explorer. They stood back as he pulled away. He was going to park across the street from the entrance to Outlaws.

  “Remember, no questions tonight,” Tori said. “We’re just going to watch our girls and see if anyone is watching them.”

  “Why are you so nervous?”

  “Am I?”

  “Yes.”

  Tori shrugged. Perhaps because they were pretending to be a couple. She wondered how far Sam would be able to take their act.

  They would have to dance. She rolled her eyes. Did she even remember how to dance?

  “Are you okay? How is your wound?”

  “It’s fine. Your bandage is still in place.”

  When they got within a block of the club, Tori reached over and took Sam’s hand. The blonde linked fingers with hers without hesitation. Maybe it would be okay, Tori thought.

  Sam tried to relax and think of this as just a night out on the town. The music was loud and upbeat, the club crowded and definitely mixed. But it was a lively crowd, so different from the two bars they had visited earlier. Those bars were dark, depressing. Everyone here was talking, laughing, dancing. Just out for a good time. She waited while Tori paid their cover, tapping her foot to the music. It wouldn’t be too bad. Besides, it would give them time together, time Sam desperately wanted.

  “I doubt we’ll get a table,” Tori said, speaking loudly to be heard over the music. “Maybe we can find a place at the bar.”

  Sam followed Tori as she made them a path through the mass of bodies. She grasped her lightly around the waist from behind, murmuring “excuse me” to those they bumped.

  They found only one empty bar stool. Tori guided Sam in to it, then leaned beside her, her back to the bar. She scanned the crowd, finding two of their three girls on the first sweep. She bent down, close to Sam’s ear.

  “Julie is at a table, about two o’clock. Rene is on the dance floor.”

  Sam nodded, then looked up and smiled at the bartender. “Two beers, draft,” she said loudly over the music. She then spun around on the stool, facing the crowd the way Tori was doing. She casually glanced around the tables, finding Julie. She still hadn’t found Rene.

  “Five bucks.”

  Sam turned as their beer was placed within reach. She pulled some bills from her pocket and laid a five on the bar, shoving two single bills into the tip jar.

  “Thanks.”

  Sam nodded at the bartender and nudged Tori. Tori reached behind her without looking, grasping one of the mugs. Sam glanced at Tori and shook her head. Always on duty. She wished she would relax a little. She reached out and tugged Tori closer.

  “You look like you’re a cop. Relax, will you?”

  Tori smiled. “Sorry. Still looking for Annette.”

  Sam nodded. “Have you been in here before?”

  “You mean, like on a date? I told you, I don’t date.”

  “Yes, you told me. I don’t know why. Half the women in here are checking you out.”

  Tori bent to her ear. “I think they may be checking you out,” she teased. “You better be careful.”

  Sam shivered as Tori’s breath tickled her ear. No, they were definitely checking Tori out. And she couldn’t blame them. She was… magnificent. She wore the same slacks and loafers she’d had on earlier, but her sweater had been replaced with a tight shirt that was tucked neatly inside. Sam hadn’t had to look twice to know that she wore no bra tonight.

  “You haven’t answered my question. Have you been here before?”

  Tori shook her head. “No.” She watched as a cute redhead walked over. She looked once at Tori, then smiled at Sam.

  “You want to dance?” Then she took a step back when Tori scowled at her. “I’m sorry. Are you two together?”

  Sam nearly laughed at the glare that Tori gave the woman. Sh
e reached out and grasped Tori’s arm and squeezed. “Thank you, but yes, we’re together.”

  “Okay. Sorry.”

  She walked away and melted into the crowd and Sam finally let out a laugh. “You practically scared the poor girl to death,” she said.

  “Sorry.” Damn, Hunter, relax.

  Sam slid her fingers down Tori’s arm, stopping when Tori’s hand captured hers. She met Tori’s eyes and smiled, tugging lightly on their clasped hands, bringing Tori’s into her lap. “We obviously don’t look like we’re together.”

  Tori turned, moving in front of Sam. She spread Sam’s legs, then stood between them. Bending down, moving her lips across Sam’s cheek to her ear, she whispered, “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” She pulled Sam to her feet, holding her body against her own. “Maybe we should dance?”

  Sam could only manage a nod. Her heart pounded loudly in her ears and she could feel the blood as it surged through her body. She looked up, meeting Tori’s eyes and seeing the teasing twinkle that danced there. Damn the woman! Tori knew exactly the effect she was having on her.

  The beat was loud, fast and they moved in among the other dancers. Sam fell into step, her body moving with the music. She was surprised at how quickly Tori let go of her inhibitions. She would have expected the other woman to be stiff, stilted, but her body moved with grace, nearly floating next to Sam. Her hands reached out and clasped Sam’s hips, pulling her toward her body. Sam grinned and matched Tori’s rhythm, letting the music overtake her.

  The music pulsed around them and Sam let go, closing her eyes as Tori’s body bumped against her own. She felt-free. She opened her eyes, locking on Tori’s. They danced together, eyes still locked and Sam tried to imagine what it would be like with Tori. How would it be if they were really on a date? She covered Tori’s hands at her hips, holding them there as she moved her body against Tori’s. Sensations completely foreign to her crawled over her, awakening feelings she never thought she could have. Blood pounded ferociously through her and she felt dizzy, drugged.

  Then the music changed and the lights dimmed and she felt Tori draw her closer. Her hands slid up Tori’s arms, around her shoulders without hesitation. She nearly buried her face at Tori’s neck. The music was slower, sensual, her body moving with Tori’s as if it were the most natural thing in the world. She didn’t think it at all odd, the way her body fit with Tori’s, the way their movements mirrored each other. She stifled a moan when Tori’s breasts brushed against her own. It took all of her willpower not to press her hips intimately against Tori’s, and she cursed the direction her thoughts were taking. Her eyes slammed shut as Tori’s arms tightened and for a brief second, she wanted to forget why they were here and simply melt into Tori.

  Then Tori’s mouth was at her ear, her breath echoing inside.

  “There’s a guy watching Julie,” she said softly. “Can’t take his eyes off her, in fact. I’m going to turn you around. He’s at the third table. Dark hair, blue shirt.”

  Sam nodded, wondering how Tori could possibly be concentrating on work after that dance. But Tori turned her slowly and she opened her eyes, peering over Tori’s shoulder. She found the guy. Small, thin. Odd looking. He was indeed locked on Julie.

  “I see him.”

  “Mmm.”

  “Mmm?”

  Tori chuckled. “Nothing.” She tightened her hold on Sam.

  The song ended, and Tori loosened her grip. Sam let her arms fall from Tori’s shoulders and she shyly looked up, meeting her eyes.

  Then Tori bent down, close to her ear. “You’re a fabulous dancer.”

  “I think it was my partner.”

  Tori smiled and took her hand, pulling her back to the bar. This time, Tori sat and pulled Sam between her opened legs. They leaned back together, watching the crowd and Tori allowed her fantasy to grow as she circled Sam’s waist with her arms. She closed her eyes for a second, thinking it would be so easy to pretend this was a real date. Pretend that Sam wanted to be here with her, wanted her touch. Then she sighed as Sam’s hands moved over hers, resting lightly against them. Tori opened her eyes, staring at the back of Sam’s neck. It would be so easy to lean forward and put her lips there. Her skin would be soft, warm.

  Then Sam shifted, moving between her legs, and Tori had to stifle a moan. She took a deep breath, trying to focus on their assignment. She let her fantasy slip away and again scanned the crowd. She finally found Annette. She was talking with an older woman, telling her something that made the other woman laugh. Annette was only eighteen. She wondered if this was the older woman that Belle said she was seeing.

  Sam turned quickly, her face only inches from Tori’s. Their eyes met. Tori shivered as Sam’s gaze dropped to her lips. She watched Sam’s lips move, trying to form words.

  “Annette… over there,” Sam murmured. Oh God. She raised her eyes back to Tori’s. They were smoky black. She shivered. Then she felt the hands at her waist tighten. For one second, she wanted to close the gap between them. She wanted to feel Tori’s lips, taste her mouth. Then she came to her senses before she did just that. She looked away from those tempting dark eyes, turning back to the dance floor and again settling between Tori’s legs.

  Tori leaned forward, putting her mouth at Sam’s ear. “I see her. That must be her date.” She felt Sam nod. “Julie’s over here at the bar. So is our guy.”

  Sam turned her head slowly, finding Julie, trying to ignore the mouth that was still so close to her. She nodded again, unable to speak. She had a hard time focusing. She couldn’t even remember why they were here anymore. All she could think of was this woman and the way her body was reacting to Tori’s nearness. She finally closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forcing her mind back to the case. The guy was standing three bar stools away from Julie. He was even smaller than he had appeared at first glance. Barely five-five, Sam suspected.

  “Well, well. What do we have here?”

  Sam turned her head toward the voice. It was Charlotte Grayson. She stiffened, but Tori’s hands kept her where she was, between her legs.

  “Hello, Counselor,” Tori drawled. “What brings you out slumming?”

  “I was going to ask you the same thing. When you said you were partners, I didn’t think you meant partners,” she said.

  “Doesn’t the Department frown on these things?”

  “We’re working,” Tori said.

  “How convenient.”

  Tori only shrugged, looking away, dismissing the other woman.

  “You really should call me sometime, Tori. Maybe we can… schedule something.”

  Tori felt Sam stiffen, saw the glare that she gave Charlotte Grayson, and Tori smiled.

  “I don’t think so, Charlotte. I’ve matured a little since the last time. I’m not quite so easy.”

  The other woman had the grace to blush. “Pity. Your loss.”

  They both watched her walk away, looking quite the executive in her business suit. She joined three other women at a table, all dressed similarly to herself.

  “I don’t like her,” Sam hissed. “Not one bit.”

  Tori chuckled but agreed. Charlotte Grayson was a predator. “Don’t worry about her.” She looked back down the bar. Julie was gone, but their guy was still there. “Look at our guy. Who does he look like he’s watching now?”

  Sam casually looked down the bar, then followed the man’s eyes, right to Charlotte Grayson. She looked away when she felt the man’s eyes slide to her. She moved close to Tori. “Now he’s looking at us,” she whispered.

  Tori pulled her close, as if in an embrace. “Why do you think he was watching Charlotte?”

  Sam slid her arms around Tori, her mouth still pressed to Tori’s ear. She forced her mind to focus on something other than the woman in her arms. “He looked like he recognized her. Maybe he’s run across her in court?”

  “Mmm, maybe.”

  Then their guy put his drink on the bar and strode quickly from the club. He looked back once,
at Charlotte, then disappeared outside. Sam reluctantly let her arms fall from Tori’s shoulders.

  “Come on.”

  Sam followed closely behind Tori. When they reached the door, Tori pulled out her cell phone. “Sikes? Follow that guy.”

  “What guy?”

  “Short guy. Dark hair, blue shirt. He’s walking south.”

  “I see him.”

  “Follow him. We’re staying here with the girls. Call me back.”

  “Now what?” Sam asked. “I mean, he was a little weird looking, but so what?”

  “Yeah, I know. But… something about him, the way he looked at Julie, the way he nearly freaked out when he saw Charlotte.”

  “Let’s ask her. Maybe she recognized him,” Sam suggested. “Do we really want to go back and ask?”

  “No. But it would be the wise thing to do.”

  “You’re right. Come on.”

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Samantha stifled a yawn as she waited for Amy. She was already on her second cup of coffee. Staring out the window, she casually watched the passersby as she mentally went over their case. Charlotte Grayson had no idea who had been watching her, and Sam wished they had not gone back to ask. Sam didn’t like the woman and admitted she felt a little threatened by her. And as far as they knew, all their girls made it home safely. Sikes and Ramirez had followed the guy they had targeted to a men’s bar and stayed until it closed at two. The guy left with someone, but they didn’t follow them. She and Tori had stayed until Annette and her date left at closing. They watched them get into a car together, then Tori drove them back to the station to get Sam’s car. She sighed. They knew nothing more than they had before.

  But Sam had definitely learned some things about herself last night. And about Tori. She closed her eyes, remembering the dances they had shared, the innocent touches that, by the end of the evening, were becoming much too instinctive, much too natural. She found her hands sought out the other woman without conscious thought. She didn’t want the evening to end.

  She admitted that she had been… aroused. On more than one occasion, she wished that Tori would just kiss her and get it over with. God, she had come so close herself. She wondered if she’d imagined the look in Tori’s eyes, the dark, smoky look that hinted at desire. Sam didn’t want to analyze her feelings. She was afraid of the conclusion she would come to. But Tori excited her. She couldn’t deny it. It was the truth. Sam enjoyed looking at her, she enjoyed touching her. She wondered what Tori must think of her. Did she assume it had all been an act? Just part of the job? God, she wasn’t that good an actress.