“Yes, Grey,” she answered, taking her friend and partner’s hand in hers.
When both of them were gone, her eyes filled with tears. “It wasn’t Curtis’s fault,” Emma whispered. “That bullet was meant for me. I’m so sorry, Brynn.”
Croft didn't say a word to his wife the entire trip home. Staring at her partner had rattled him. Knowing that the media was focused on them, terrified him. He was reliving everything from the night of the premier. It ranged from Dyer Mason grabbing his wife’s ass, to the shots that could have taken Emma’s life.
He wasn’t sure if he wanted to weep or rage around the condo like a maniac. For now, he was struggling to keep it all in. At the first fissure in the carefully built dam, who knew what was going to happen.
Emma knew her husband was ready to crack. The entire ride home he was ‘white knuckling’ it and wouldn’t look at her. It was a clear indication that he was a man on the edge.
She didn't try to speak to him. She’d learned when he was this wound up that saying anything had a higher probability of making it worse. The last thing she needed was to start a fight. Eventually they’d talk it out.
For now, he needed to calm down.
The ride up in the elevator was just as silent, and when he opened the door to their place, he dropped his keys and kicked off his shoes.
“Go take a shower. I’ll make you some tea,” he ordered.
Emma wanted to argue, but again they’d had a really long day. Yes, she’d showered off at the police station, but what she wanted was lavender scented peace. Walking into the bedroom, she stripped down and eagerly headed into the water. A couple of minutes later, she heard the clink of a cup on granite and then nothing more.
Again, she opted to give him time to relax.
Turning off the water, she dried her hair and wrapped a bath sheet around her body. When she entered their room, she found him rubbing his wet hair with a towel and standing in his boxers. He must have showered in one of the spare bathrooms.
If Greyson didn't join her, that wasn’t a good sign. She silently padded up behind him and placed her hand on his back. His muscles rippled at her touch, another sign of how stressed he had become. “Grey?” she asked, hoping he’d talk to her.
“I’m not in control right now, Emma.”
Okay, he warned her and prayed she’d back away. If they just got some sleep, maybe when they woke up he’d be calmer.
“What can I do to help you?”
So many things went through his mind--quit the police force, run away with him, or possibly just tell him that she loved him and wouldn’t get hurt and leave his side.
Emma wanted to offer him peace, so she wrapped her arms around his torso and pressed her face into his shoulder. “I love you, Greyson, with all my heart and for the rest of my life.”
Damn her! The cracks began to form.
“Emma.” God, how did he tell her to leave without hurting her? He did it wrong the last time and almost lost her.
“Please don’t hate who I’ve become. Don’t leave me, Grey,” she pleaded, afraid she was going to lose him. “Tell me what I have to do to keep you from pushing me away. I’ll do anything to keep you mine.”
His body shook at her words.
“I want to be yours forever. I always want to be Mrs. Greyson Croft. Please don’t quit on us and walk away from me because you’re angry,” she whispered. The tears filled her eyes as she clung to his back. “Please let me be yours. Don’t make me mourn your loss now too.”
He turned in her arms. “God, how could you ever believe I don’t want you? I ache from all the need. I’m so scared I’m going to lose you, and that the man I am now is going to cost you your life.” His eyes revealed it all. They were filled with pain and fear.
She hugged him tighter.
Greyson held her against his body as he practically crushed her. “I’m so afraid, Emma. I have so many horrible things going through my mind right now, but the worst is that someone’s going to steal you away from me.”
“Never,” she promised, rubbing her lips across his chest. “I belong to you. My heart is yours.”
He might as well continue to purge it all. “I’m scared that because I took this job, some crazy person is going to come after you to hurt me. Before you, I couldn’t be damaged. Now I’m vulnerable. You’re the only weakness in my armor.”
Never in his life did he believe himself to be this susceptible. As a soldier he was fearless. As an FBI agent he was courageous, but as a husband, he was scared shitless. His wife had the potential to be his downfall.
Emma looked up at him. “Let me stay in your life, Grey. You once told me we were made to be together. That we fit perfectly because we were a matched set. Don’t run from me. Run to me. We’ll hold up, because we’re meant to be.”
Everything in him stopped at her words.
“I want you, Grey. I’ll always want you,” she promised as she went up on her toes to kiss him. If he couldn’t come to her, she’d go to him.
The storm around him broke and all that existed was Emma. He let her control the kiss, taking all she wanted from him. Her hands ran up his back and slid across his flesh, offering reassurance that there would always be this between them.
Emma dropped the towel around her body, while keeping her mouth pressed to his. Moving backwards, Emma’s hands pushed his boxers down his hips, until he was completely free. Once at the bed, they tumbled as their mouths remained locked and their limbs twined together.
“Emma.” He finally broke the kiss, staring up at his woman above him. His eyes were drawn to the necklace around her neck. She’d still kept it on, even after everything that had happened. It was there and a reminder of what they shared.
“Make love to me, Grey,” she pleaded, leaving little kisses across his cheeks and chin. “I want you.”
He rolled with her and placed her body beneath his. Here was his wife and the only woman he loved, coming to him once more. She trusted him with something so precious.
“Make me yours,” she whispered as she waited for him. Emma would postpone the rest of her life if that’s what it took. “I want to belong to you.”
Her words drove him crazy as she was offering up herself to heal him. After it all, she still desired to be his. Even if he cost her everything, she still wanted him.
“Emma,” he whispered on a sigh as he brought his lips down to her throat. “You’ll always be mine. I can’t live without you.”
“Greyson,” she arched into his mouth as he travelled down past her throat to the vee between her breasts. Now his necklace sat there, reminding him of what was the absolute truth.
She was willingly his for the rest of Greyson’s life.
Emma ran her hands over his shoulders and then plunged them deep into his hair. The simple act was driving them both crazy. The storm was brewing in her, and she didn't want slow tonight. She wanted to feel.
Emma rolled with him, placing him beneath her. “I want you, Grey,” she purred, her lips travelling down his body. First over long lean lines of his ribs to his hip and then lower. When she took him in her mouth, he moaned, this time his hands finding her hair as she took control.
The taste and feel of her husband was so amazing, that Emma almost never wanted to stop.
“Oh, honey,” he whispered, when she cupped him. Fighting to stay in control, he loved what she did to every nerve ending in his body. He was on fire.
Pulling himself free from her lips, he dragged her up his body. “You’re mine Emma. Say it!”
She didn't hesitate to give him what he demanded and she desired. Her husband was a safe place to weather any storm. “I’m yours, Greyson. Forever.”
He lost control and moved quickly to devour her lips once more. His hands plundered, took, and stole as his mouth did the same. He placed her back beneath him to keep her trapped and his prisoner. All he wanted was to repeatedly bury himself in her body. The thought of taking his wife over and over appealed to him, bu
t first he longed to just taste her.
“I love you,” she whispered, when he finally freed her mouth. “I’ll die loving you.”
“I want you,” he answered as he slid down her body to find her wet and ready for him. “I want to hear you beg and scream my name.”
Emma would give him anything he wanted to never let this feeling of peace and love end. As he dove in, she sucked in a breath and gasped at the intimate contact. “Grey!” she moaned as he found just the right spot.
He kept going and going until she quivered and shook under his mouth. When she shattered apart, Emma did scream his name. As she fought to resurface, he moved back up her body.
“Give me more, Grey. I want all of you,” she pleaded.
It made him completely wild to have her whispering in his ear what she wanted. “God, Emma! I need you,” he replied, repeatedly driving into her. In his head, he kept seeing her in her gown and on his arm. Glancing down, he watched the silver sparkly handcuffs and wanted nothing more than to be her husband, her protector, and her only.
“Grey!” she shouted, slipping off the edge as he slammed into her fully.
As she tightened around him, Emma lured him to the precipice and without a second thought, he dove off into the abyss with the woman who owned his heart, body, and soul.
When they both drifted back to the moment, Emma found herself curled into him and her head on his chest in its customary spot. Running her fingers through the spattering of hair, she enjoyed the familiar scent of her husband.
“I love you, Emma.”
She smiled, knowing the storm had passed. Her husband was back in control and calm again. “I do believe I’m crazy in love with you too, Grey.”
“I’m sorry if I upset you. I just…”
There really wasn’t any excuse for it. He was possessive of his wife.
The giggling began. “I can’t wait to hear this rationale.”
He slapped her on the ass as he grinned. “You make me insane. Better? It’s the absolute truth.”
“Are we fixed?” She looked up into his eyes, to find peace and calm residing there once more.
“Yeah, honey, we’re golden.”
That’s all she needed to hear. Cuddling closer, she knew what was coming. Everything was catching up to her, and Emma was shutting down.
“Get some sleep, Em. I’ve got you, and I’ll be here when you wake up.”
She nuzzled his chest, trusting the words he whispered. Letting go, she drifted and then slipped into sleep. Nothing mattered but being safe in his arms.
Croft listened to her easy breathing as he struggled to not follow just yet. When he was sure she was out cold, he moved her cautiously as he slid out of bed. There were things to handle, and he was going to do them now. Glancing at his watch, it was still relatively early. The lab staff would still be in-house working. Picking up his phone, he dialed the head tech to take care of business.
On the third ring, the lab phone was answered.
“FBI tech department,” Max Pauley stated.
“It’s Director Croft, do you have a few minutes to spare for me?” he inquired, waiting for an answer.
“I do. I was getting everything ready for you, boss. I have your DNA results on the sample you gave me last night.”
“What do we have?”
Max Continued, “The gum DNA matched the three victims. It’s the same donor, so to speak.”
“Great.” It made him happy that Dyer Mason might be the one doing the killings. Him getting the chair and away from Emma would be a thing worth watching. “Did you get the fourth victim’s sample from Doctor Bentley?”
“Yeah, it’s running right now. I’m pulling an all-nighter and crashing here. If you call me in the morning, it should be ready first thing.”
That made Croft happy. His team was tying up all the forensic loose ends and doing their job.
“Have a good night, boss,” he said, hanging up the call.
Greyson would have a better night if Dyer wasn’t trying to get his creepy, lecherous hands all over his woman. He started planning ways to keep Emma as far from the pervert as possible.
That meant keeping her by his side and possibly locking her up in their condominium. He wondered briefly how that would go over.
Then, he grinned. Yeah, she’d pitch an epic fight on that one.
Making sure their door was locked, everything was off and the place was secure, Greyson headed to bed with his lovely wife. Climbing in, she automatically moved to him, and again that made his heart skip. Even in sleep she craved the contact, much like he did.
Sliding down into the comfort of the pillows, he protectively held his woman in his arms. When tomorrow arrived, his primary focus would be on his wife and keeping her out of harm’s way.
Whether she liked it or not.
Monday Morning
Emma slowly slipped from sleep. During the night, the dreams threatened to swallow her, but her husband chased them away. Slowly, he made love to her and promised that they would be fine in the end. The easiness between them offered her comfort and lulled her back into the arms of exhaustion.
Now, she was waking and feeling well rested. Obviously, a double dose of Greyson Croft was the best medicine for what ailed her.
Opening her eyes, she found him watching her. The look on his face was a mix between bossiness and possessiveness. It made her giggle.
“I’m funny at six in the morning?” he asked grinning.
Emma’s heart flipped. The smile reached his eyes and warmed her soul. Running her fingertips down his chest, she moved closer. “Not so much funny, but I feel a ‘we have to talk’ moment coming on. Are you going to go all caveman on me?”
She knew him too well. “I want you to stay with someone at all times. I’m aiming for preferably me, but if you can’t then take a cop with you.”
“Yes, Dad,” she answered.
He rolled with her and stared down into her eyes. “I’m serious, Emma. I want you protected.”
She pulled him down to her lips and was touched that he was so stirred up about her safety. Breaking the kiss, she decided to give him what he wanted. “Okay, but only because you asked so nicely,” she teased.
He relaxed. “Just for that, you have to make me breakfast. We’ll go over some things before we head out today.”
“Since I’m in a good mood, I’ll agree. It must be the sex.” Oh, it was definitely that. Just thinking about it made her flush.
“Do I get real bacon since you’re all sexually content?”
She stared at him. “Uh no, but I’ll make you coffee.”
He rolled, taking her with him until she was back on top. His body was already awake, and he was trying to not think about more sex. “Get to the kitchen and make me food,” he mock ordered, slapping her on the ass.
Emma laughed, running her fingers through her hair as she contemplated clothes for the day. “Only because you put out as much as I want, will I entertain your Neanderthal ways.”
He snickered. “I aim to please.” Croft enjoyed watching his woman from bed as she took time to pick out the items for under her clothing. “Good choice,” he said. There was nothing he appreciated more, than her being a girl. There was something alluring about her femininity beneath the layer of cop.
“I’m glad you approve,” she answered winking. It heated her body knowing he was observing her every action. Something about the man fired everything in her. All she wanted was to please him and make him insane with lust.
Maybe it was the newlywed phase of their relationship, or possibly, it was just the way they clicked together. He was bossy and she liked getting him all hot and bothered.
“Wear the red ones instead,” he suggested, knowing they’d make him wild, hidden under her clothes. He wasn’t sure she’d do it or not, but when Emma switched the black for the racy colored bra and panties, his body hardened.
God!
She was all he thought about. What man didn't want a woman w
illing to let him be himself?
Emma slipped into them and headed to the closet. She knew his eyes were on her, and she needed a place to escape or they were going to be skipping breakfast. Quickly picking her clothing, Emma went with all black. Pulling on the dress pants and fitted shirt, she stared in the mirror. Unbuttoning the top two buttons, it showed off her necklace.
When her husband finally appeared, he was wearing his boxers and a masculine grin. Standing behind her, he pressed himself to her back as they stared in the mirror together. “Perfect as always,” he whispered as his wife placed her hands on his thighs, holding herself to his body.
“You seem to have a problem this morning,” she purred, meeting his eyes in the mirror.
He laughed. “Yeah, I have this issue whenever my wife is around. Let me assure you that it’s all her fault.”
She turned to face him and ran a hand down his body. “Then, I should take care of that for you,” she offered, dropping to her knees.
Croft couldn’t talk. She caught him completely off guard. He was hypnotized as he watched her pull his boxers down, and take him eagerly in her waiting mouth. Viewing it all from the perspective of the mirror made it voyeuristic and even more erotic, if that was possible. Here on her knees, making love to his body was his sexy kitten.
Christ, what a visual.
It was official. He could now die a very happy man.
Emma took control as she slid him in and out of her lips, enjoying the way he shook. When she used a little bit of teeth to add to the sensation, she knew he was close.
He began moaning and he couldn’t look away. Emma’s head was bobbing and already his body was begging for release. “I can’t last, Emma. If you plan on stopping, now’s the time,” he whispered, fighting hard to stay in control. When she cupped him, he slipped and exploded.
Time stopped as he enjoyed the bliss. His breathing was heavy and his wife was giggling.
Opening his eyes, he pulled her against him. Emotion overwhelmed him as he buried his face in her hair. “I’m the luckiest man alive. I didn't see that one coming.”
Vegas is Dying (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 2) Page 39
