Hutch Nightmare Men

by L. J. Vickery

  He laughed, left to retrieve the coffee, then returned. “How about brilliant?” he asked, putting the mugs down and shedding his sweats.

  She stared at his cock and licked her lips. “It is, but…” She picked up a fork and attacked her eggs. “Too British.”

  He climbed over the edge and lowered himself into the water, also reaching for a fork. “Outstanding? Celebrated? Prodigious?” He took a bite, and realized breakfast had never tasted so good.

  “Ooh, prodigious is good. But nobody talks like that. Breathtaking, extraordinary, stupefying.”

  He chewed and continued the banter. “Stupefy reminds me too much of Harry Potter. Imagine me saying, ‘you look stupefy… And then you freeze up, never to move again.”

  Her delighted laugh filled the room. “I love that you’ve read Harry Potter. It was amaz… Prodigious.” She wrinkled her nose. “See. That didn’t work.”

  A companionable silence ensued while she proceeded to polish off her third strip of bacon, followed soon after by eggs and toast. He was content to sit back, eat his own food and watch. Everything seemed to tickle her with a joy that radiated like an invisible halo around her.

  This moment, he’d commit to memory. It was one of those rare, perfect instances that made life worth living. He could only hope there’d be many more.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  “So, what are we going to do today?” Darby turned her head on his stomach to regard him. After two more incredible rounds of sex, one in the tub, another back in bed, she’d be all for staying in her current position, cocooned with him in the blankets, using his hard abs as a pillow while watching the enormous TV that hung on the wall opposite his bed, but she’d defer to him.

  “First, I need to call two of my friends, Jim, the attorney, and Lance, who owns the publishing house.”

  “The attorney I get. You mentioned him, and I said it was okay to fill him in on my situation, but what’s this about a publishing house?” She narrowed her eyes.

  “I, uh, we just need to catch up on a few things.”

  She bit back a snort. He was lying. But how important could it be? She’d let it slide. “Then what?” She went nose down to his belly button, inhaling his clean scent, and couldn’t resist sticking out her tongue to take a small lick. His abs contracted under her attention.

  “Keep doing that and the answer is pretty clear.”

  She saw the sheets across his lower body tent, and laughed. “You are insatiable.”

  “Me,” he scoffed. “Who has her face inches away from my interested parts, applying her mouth to my skin?”

  “Just playing,” she answered with a smirk. “But if you don’t like it, I can…” She raised her head and his hand gently pushed her back down.

  “No. Don’t leave. I like it.”

  “Thought so,” she replied smugly, nuzzling back but keeping her eyes on his. “Now continue with the day’s agenda.”

  “A trip to the office to make sure I’m all set up to resume appointments next Tuesday.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Don’t want to think about it. I’ll be back in Minneapolis by then.”

  He stirred beneath her, his muscles tensing.

  “You’re not happy about that, either?”

  “No. I’m not. As a matter of fact, I’d like to broach the possibility… If we take care of the Cy issue on Monday, is there any way you’d consider coming back here with me?”

  She sighed. “Look, Hutch, I really like you, but I have a feeling I might just be your latest project. You know, head-doc loses his way, goddess from Hell sends him into nightmares for redemption, doc fancies himself infatuated with his subject… Happens all the time. Follow my logic?”

  He was quiet for a moment, then frowned. “I get it. Clinically speaking. But I’ve never fallen for a patient before. Not even close. You have to know you’re so much more than a case. And if you can’t tell, I must be doing something wrong.”

  She blew across his belly, buying a few moments to tamp down the hope that sprung up as fast as his twitching cock with the declaration that he’d “fallen for her”. “You’re very persuasive, but I’ll need time to see if there’s really something between us. Hence, having these few days together before both of us return to our normal lives to mull things over.”

  “I get it, Darby. I know you need to be cautious. But answer this. What if we can’t resolve the Cy problem? What if we can’t expose him so he’s out of the picture? Do you expect me to walk away when I know you’re not safe?”

  She chewed her lip. Somehow, she’d just figured everything would work out. After all, wasn’t the goddess, Beletseri on their side? That had to mean something because it wasn’t often…or ever…that one got taken under a deity’s wing. She prevaricated. “Have you come up with a plan for outing Cy?”

  “I have.” He stared up at the ceiling, deep in thought. “Not knowing anything more about him than what I’ve seen and what you’ve told me, I think he’s motivated by power and dominance, with money coming in a close second. He robbed the store after he beat you, so we have to keep cash in the equation. What’s the average amount of money you have in your drawer at the end of your shift, and do you clear it or deposit it before the next person takes over?”

  “The ‘bank’ is always a hundred bucks to start. Arkie makes a money drop around midnight. The overnight hours are pretty slow, so when I come on at four and count in, there’s usually three to five hundred dollars in the till. My shift picks up, so it adds another seven hundred on an average day. Arkie comes in around noon to clear the register again and put the money in his safe.”

  Hutch scowled. “So when Cy robbed you at the beginning of your shift, he couldn’t have stolen more than five hundred dollars.”

  Darby sat up and shook her head, not worried her breasts were on complete display considering the way Hutch appreciated them. “Arkie said he didn’t have time to do the midnight drop. Which meant the money had built up since noon the previous day. I’ll bet Cy somehow knew that!”

  “Which gave him motive to rob the store and teach you a lesson at the same time.”

  Her anger grew. “He’s an arrogant prick. To think, he’d rob his own uncle who practically hands him anything he wants from the store.”

  “This is more than milk, eggs and cigarettes,” Hutch bit out in return. “It’s about his ego. Small neighborhood, small man wanting to feel big.”

  She nodded slowly. “Yeah. Makes sense. According to Seth, he terrorizes the apartment building where they live. Bullies everybody, but especially kids and the elderly.”

  “So we bait him.” Hutch turned his beautiful but serious brown eyes to hers. “Although I don’t like you being in the equation.”

  “Tell me what you have in mind.” She wasn’t afraid, she was simply anxious to have the whole situation behind her.

  “If I go in during the overnight shift, pretend I’m drunk and… I don’t know, maybe say I’ve won a bunch of money at a local high-stakes poker game, then spend a couple thousand dollars on scratch tickets, that would put motive in the drawer.”

  She gasped. “You can’t waste two thousand dollars!”

  He sat up and gathered her into his arms. “If it gets Cy behind bars, it’s worth it.” He kissed the top of her head. “Hear me out, because this is the part I don’t like. You sashay into your shift with attitude that morning, and taunt him, saying you’re dating a guy who’s handsome, hot and way smarter than him.”

  She turned her head to his chest, giggled and bit his nipple.

  “Ouch!”

  Uncontrite, she snickered. “That would be you, right?”

  “Yes, me,” he answered, rubbing his chest. “Handsome, hot, and missing one teat.”

  She snorted. “So I make him mad, there’s ample cash in the drawer, and he can’t resist a do-over robbery.”

  “That’s the idea,” Hutch responded. “But we could skip your next part in it. Maybe get your friend, Seth to take over your shif
t?” he asked hopefully.

  “Not on your life. This feels personal, and I want to be the one to see Cy caught.”

  “I thought you’d say that.”

  “Wait,” Darby interjected. “What’s the rest of the plan?” Missing, was how to apprehend their perp.

  “I’ll be hidden out back where you clean the coffee pots, and as soon as he walks in, I’ll call the police. I’ll also be in possession of your baseball bat, and will come out, swinging.”

  “You’ll take on Cy?” Her stomach knotted. “He’s a pretty big guy.”

  He nudged her away and flexed one arm, pouting. “So am I, if you hadn’t noticed.”

  “Oh, I’ve noticed,” she purred, doing him the honor of feeling his muscle before turning serious. “But you’re a gym rat, and he’s a street scrapper. I’m worried if he fights dirty, you won’t see what’s coming.”

  He growled. “I’ll see what’s coming if his intent is to harm my girl. He’s not going to hurt you this time, Darby.”

  “Your girl, huh?” She intentionally segued, hoping he wouldn’t be offended at her next suggestion. “Umm, you brought up Seth before. Do you think it might be prudent to have him hide in the back room with you? Safety in numbers, and all.”

  It said a lot that he didn’t blink or look in the least bit insulted. “I don’t see why not. We can ask him.”

  She let out a held-in breath. “It would make me feel better.”

  He lowered himself back to the mattress, pulling her down with him. “It would make me feel better if you stayed in Chicago.”

  “Not happening.” She snuggled into his side.

  He squeezed and huffed. “Who knew I’d be attracted to a stubborn woman?”

  “Life is full of surprises.” She shimmied from his arm and slid down below the blankets, her mouth watering in anticipation of reaching her target.

  She drew him in.

  He hissed and rocked his pelvis upward. “Damn, Darby. It sure is.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  “Are you sure?” Hutch had misgivings. He’d made phone calls after a quick lunch, two to his friends—both of whom had been out and would get back to him—and one to his parents letting them know he’d returned to town and was okay. He mentioned Darby, and now they wanted to meet her, had invited them to dinner at their alma-mater club tonight.

  Darby blinked. “Why? Should I be afraid?”

  Should she? Probably not. Although they’d normally take exception to her being a clerk in a convenience store, they’d waited so long for him to find a wife, they’d probably forgive her an extra head.

  “No. They’ll love you,” he finally answered.

  “Nice use of hesitation, doc.” She smirked, seemingly not intimidated at all. “But about this club. I have to shop if you don’t want me showing up in jeans, so here’s my suggestion. You do your office thing and I’ll go retail. Then we’ll meet back here for another…shower before we get dressed for dinner.” She gave him the cutest, prolonged leer he’d ever received.

  He laughed and ogled her right back. “A stellar plan.” He opened his wallet and pulled out a few bills, holding them her way.

  “What!” She backed up and looked at him like he’d gone insane.

  He stifled a groan and backpedaled. Stupid mistake. “I wasn’t sure you brought money or a debit card, so I, uh, figured you might need a loan.”

  “You are a terrible liar,” she huffed.

  “But cute?” He put on puppy-dog eyes and she rolled hers.

  “Incorrigible,” she responded, but there was an upward twitch of her lips. “And FYI, I don’t need money. I robbed my piggy-bank when I packed. I’m set for cash.”

  Foolishly, he refused to be deterred. “You’ll need cab or uber fare. Will you let me take care of that?” Why were his protective instincts kicking in so aggressively? If he didn’t watch it, his proprietary blunders might scare her away.

  She tipped her head, regarding him. Something he couldn’t read flitted across her features. “Yeah. Okay.” She reached out a hand and plucked a fifty from the grouping. “But I may walk, so don’t be surprised if you get it back.”

  He held up both hands. “Whatever you decide.”

  He lived in a safe area of the city and Cy wasn’t here. There was no danger in her walking. “Time to go.” He dropped a kiss on her nose, then couldn’t resist. Wrapping her in his arms, he used one palm to bring her head to his chest. She felt so right, next to his beating heart. “Have fun today. Remember, this is your vacation.”

  She beamed up at him. “It is, isn’t it?”

  He tightened his hold and thought to himself: I’d give you vacation every day for the rest of your life if you’d spend them with me. But he didn’t say anything. She knew where he stood. She just needed time to wrap her head around it.

  They left his apartment together, him having given her a spare key and instructions on the elevator codes to come and go. “If you have any problems, Harvey will help you. I should be back by five.” That was four hours from now. Was that enough time for her to shop? The doors dinged and they reached the lobby.

  “Four hours?” she questioned. “I could buy a whole new wardrobe in that time.”

  “You’re amazing, you know that?” He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “I lo—” he coughed to cover his blunder. “…look forward to seeing you, later.”

  She gave him a side-eye as she stepped away, but didn’t delve into his near-miss. He avoided her questioning look by calling to Harvey. “I’m on my way to the office. Can you help Ms. Peltor find the shops she’ll be looking for?”

  “Not a problem Mr. Bates. I’ll take good care of her.”

  “I know you will.” He walked away, albeit reluctantly. Why was he so hesitant to leave? They’d been together less than thirty-five hours in non-dream time, but without her by his side, he felt…incomplete. It would be a long afternoon.

  In his car, driving toward his office, Jim called him back.

  “Hutch! It’s great to hear your voice. We heard you left the hospital. Amy and I visited, but you were in no condition to acknowledge us. Quick recovery, my man!”

  “You don’t know the half of it. We have a lot to talk about, among them an important contract I’m about to sign. But that’s not the reason I called.”

  “Okay. Shoot.”

  “I met this woman—”

  “Whoa, whoa. Say no more. Background check?”

  “No,” he huffed, never having thought of Darby in those terms. “I think she’s been screwed over and I need you to check out some things for me.”

  “Sounds like you’ve taken a real interest. I’m intrigued. Can we meet her?”

  “She’s only in town for a few days, but next time she comes, absolutely.”

  “Great. So what am I checking?”

  Hutch filled him in on Darby, the death of her parents, the Abernathy’s subsequent take-over of her finances, and the fact that a civil suit had been filed around five years ago in Minneapolis.

  Jim hummed, and Hutch knew he was immediately intrigued and on his computer. “Horrific bus accident,” he grunted. “Poor kid. The newspaper pictures from the funeral home make her look very young, and very lost. I see the Abernathy’s. They look like vultures. Why would her parents put their trust in them?” More keys clicked. “Good news. The statute of limitations in Minnesota is six years. I’ll dig into everything the slimy couple has, and resurrect the lawsuit… Adding to it, of course.”

  “Of course.” Hutch immediately felt better. His friend was an amazing attorney. “And Jim. Bill me, please. Darby isn’t exactly flush.”

  “I get it. By the looks of the initial bank information I’ve pulled up, she looks broke.”

  Hutch didn’t want to know how he found that bit of intel so fast. “For now.” He didn’t go further, but Jim knew him well.

  “That serious, huh?”

  Why mess around? “She’s the one I’ve been waiting for.”

&n
bsp; “My man!” He heard the joy in his friend’s voice. “I couldn’t be happier for you. And don’t worry. I’ll get to the bottom of everything. You’ve been so helpful with my problems in the past, it’s about time I return the favor.”

  “Thanks, Jim. I mean that.”

  “My pleasure.”

  They hung up, and just as he pulled into his parking space at his office building, his other buddy Lance called.

  “Hutchinson Bates! Alive and well! You had us all worried, pal.”

  “I’ll worry you even more when you hear my story.” He’d already decided to come clean to his two best friends. His parents? Not a chance. But he had to think his buddies wouldn’t have him committed.

  “Tricia wants to see you in person, make sure you’re okay.” Lance’s wife was a physician, an ob-gyn, but still…

  “Tell her I’m not due for another six months,” Hutch teased. “But I’m having an ungodly craving for her pork carnitas.”

  Lance laughed, a hearty sound he never held back. “Just name your day. She’ll be thrilled.”

  “Even if I bring a friend?”

  “What? You mean a…friend, friend?”

  “Yeah. Her name is Darby, and she’s the reason I’m calling.”

  Lance whooped again. “The mighty Hutch has fallen! I’m so happy for you, man, and Tricia is going to be over the moon. Now tell me how I can help you…her.”

  “I’m not sure of her qualifications, but she minored in English lit in college and is a voracious reader. If I convince her to move to Chicago, she’s going to want a job…” He trailed off. Was he asking too much?

  “Say no more! Send her in and we’ll find a spot for her. If she can’t cut it as a copy editor, she might make a good literary scout. I can always use another set of eyes on the streets.”

  Hutch grinned on his way up in the elevator. “I have to get her to agree to move in with me, first.”

  “You do what you have to do,” Lance answered without hesitation. “You’ve been there for me a million times, and I’m eager to return the favor.”