“Come on, sweetheart. Do you have everything you need?” Maddox guided her to the door.
“Yes, I have everything I brought with me. When I get home, I’ll cook us something. There’s some chicken I put in the fridge. It will be an easy fix.” Dixie exhaled. Maybe the time doing mundane things would help her calm down.
“Honeybear, you won’t be cooking when we get home. I know you’re upset, and we’ll talk more when we get home. Hopefully, I can reassure you that Gable will be all right.” Maddox shook his head. “We’ll get something and take it home. Micah will be here a while so he can eat in the cafeteria.”
Micah groaned. “So generous of you to think of me, Maddox.”
“I’ve had the cafeteria food here. It’s not that bad. Don’t whine.” Maddox rolled his eyes and guided her to the door.
“I’ll see you later, Micah.” She slipped away from Maddox, walked over to Micah, and hugged him tight. She took a deep breath. If she could take Gable and Micah with her, she would, but Gable needed to stay here and Micah had to work.
“I’ll see you soon, Dixie.” Micah patted her back. “Go home and get some rest. We’ll come in early tomorrow so that you can see him and reassure yourself that he’s safe and will be all right.”
She sighed and nodded before padding back over to Maddox. It was going to be a long night, and she might not get much sleep. Especially if she didn’t get a call from Gable. Maddox guided her out of the hospital and to his car.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“How did this get here? Didn’t you come in an ambulance?” Dixie looked over at him.
“They took Gable in the ambulance. I told you aside from this little cut on my arm and some bruises, I was fine. I followed in my car. John escorted me so I wasn’t truly alone.” Maddox smiled. “I’ll let you make sure that I’m fine. I just feel lucky that I did manage to get out of it without being hurt as badly as he was. I wish I could have made it in time to prevent his injuries though.”
“I know you would have if you could, and I’m sure he knows you tried.” She exhaled. Her stomach clenched. “I’m glad that you weren’t hurt. I don’t know how I would feel if both of you were in the hospital.”
“Well, you could show me how glad you are that I’m whole.” Maddox glanced over and raised his eyebrows.
She smiled. “After I make sure you’re not hurting.”
“Well, let’s swing in and get something to eat and then go home. After we eat, you can strip me down and make sure that my body is still up to your standards.” Maddox patted her hand.
“All right, food, home, and then I’ll check you over.” She forced her lips into a smile. Her stomach tightened. Would she even be able to take a few bites? He’d balk if she didn’t eat something. Freaking bear protectiveness wouldn’t let his mate miss a meal if he could help it.
“Is chicken all right? We discovered this place in our first days here, and it has some of the best fried chicken that I’ve had.” Maddox pointed to a restaurant down the street.
“That sounds good.” She nodded. Considering she wasn’t hungry, anything would do.
He drove into the drive-through. She barely looked at the board and just ordered the first thing that caught her eyes. It didn’t matter. He ordered, and they drove forward to pick up their food. The scent of chicken filled the air once he took the boxes from the woman. She inhaled. Her stomach churned. Damn, not a good sign for eating.
Soon, Maddox pulled up to the house. In spite of him being in a fight earlier, he turned and held up his hand. He got out first and looked around. She grabbed the food and got out of the car. He shook his head at her. Freaking overprotective bear. No one was around.
They walked in, and he locked the door behind them before guiding her to the kitchen. She put the food on the table and strode to the refrigerator. Her pulse pounded, and her muscles tightened with the tension. Holding the door open, she stared at the contents. Alcohol wouldn’t help. Hell, it wouldn’t even make a dent in her anxiety unless she guzzled a few bottles.
“What would you like to drink?” She glanced over at him.
“How about that bottle of white?” He pulled plates from the cabinet.
“All right.” She nodded. It would do. Hopefully, the company helped take the edge off her anxiety.
She took the bottle to the table and grabbed two of the wineglasses. When she turned around, Maddox stood behind her. She tensed. Damn, when had he moved behind her?
“You’re not doing all right.” Maddox gripped her arms.
She took a deep breath. “No, I’m not. I feel like I’m going crazy here.”
“Crazy worried about Gable or something different?” He tugged her close.
“I am worried about Gable, but that’s not what’s pushing at me now. Micah’s at the hospital, and he’ll watch over Gable. You would have told me if there was something wrong with him.” She bit her lip and ran her hands over his chest.
“We would have told you.” Maddox pressed a kiss to her forehead. “What is pushing at you now?”
“I need to be close to you, to make sure you’re all right. My bear won’t settle. Maybe part of it is Gable being separated from us and hurt. Part of it’s definitely the attack.” She leaned her head against his chest.
“You stay right here, for just a moment.” He patted her shoulder.
He walked over to the table and gathered the boxes of food. He opened the fridge and put them on the shelf before firmly closing it. He turned around.
“We can eat later, and chicken is always good. Now, where do you want me and how do you want me? Because I’m at your service.” He swept his hands wide.
“I want room to touch and kiss. Let’s go to bed.” She bit her lip.
“Honeybear, if anyone bites at that lip, it will be me. Let’s get in the room. You can do anything to me you like.” He stroked his hand up and down her back.
“That’s an invitation I’ll gladly accept.” She walked to the door.
Maddox strode beside her to the bedroom. Once they strolled inside, he turned and leaned against the doorjamb.
“How do you want me, my sweet bear?” He drew his fingers over her cheek.
“Take off your clothes and lie on the bed for now.” She reached down and pulled her scrub top over her head. Luckily today, she didn’t need to shower off anything disgusting.
“Honeybear, naked with you is one of my favorite things.” He unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it toward a chair. It fluttered to the ground just short of it.
His chest gleamed, the expanse inviting her touch. She tore her eyes away. Better get moving before he got too far ahead of her. She unfastened her bra and dropped it to the floor. She wouldn’t waste any time.
She toed off her shoes. Those had to go. She hooked her fingers in her pants and pushed them and her panties down. Soon, she’d get her hands on him. He strode to the bed and sprawled on his back. Oh, yes, she needed to touch and kiss.
He held out his hand. She climbed onto the bed and laced her fingers through his as she eased closer to him. Damn, this was what she needed. Closeness, contact. He drew her hand to his chest.
“All right, honeybear, make sure that I’m all in one piece.” He released her hand and dropped his arm to his side. “But be kind. I’m only a bear, and I won’t hold out through a long extended tease.”
She smoothed her hand across the muscles and over to a slight discoloration on his ribs. “Does this hurt?”
“No, it might color up later, but I’m not in any pain from that. Not even a sting.” He smiled and pressed her hand more firmly against his ribs. “Feel free to get your cowgirl on.”
She ran her hand over his chest. The muscles tightened beneath her fingers. Would she even make it to his waist before she straddled him?
“Honeybear, you look so tense. Why don’t you let me touch you?” He ran his hand along her arm. “You’re just getting more stressed, and you’re nowhere near ready. I can help with that.”
> She bit her lip. He couldn’t completely take over. She couldn’t let him, but his idea had merit. “As long as you pull back when I tell you. I’m running this show.”
“I won’t take over from you, Dixie. I know what you’re going through.” He urged her back onto the bed.
“You know?” She raised her hand to his shoulder.
“Before we were able to go get you, I was slowly losing my mind. I wasn’t too many days away from going caveman on you.” Maddox nuzzled her belly and drew his teeth over her hip. “I, however, take less time to get ready than you do.”
She laughed. “You might, but I don’t need a waiting period before I’m ready to begin the climb again.”
“And that’s why it’s a good thing you have three mates. We can always keep you satisfied.” Maddox widened her thighs and eased between them. “I’ll play with this pretty pussy until you’re ready to do what you need to. Just give me a nudge, and I’ll fall back.”
She nodded. Hopefully, he could keep that promise. She fisted her hands at her sides. Her hands tingled with the urge to touch him.
He trailed his fingers over the lips of her pussy. She shivered. A hot spark danced over her skin. That wouldn’t be enough.
“Too light. Don’t tease.” She gripped his hair.
“I won’t tease. I just didn’t want to surprise you. Better to give you a little warning in case I startle you.” He pressed a kiss to her thigh.
Nice. She licked her lips and angled her leg out a little more. He traced the lips before slipping his fingers between them. She tilted her hips up. He said he wouldn’t tease, but he already was.
A fingertip brushed over her clit. An electric jolt seared through her. She bucked her hips up. She pulled him closer. He had to firm up that touch. Soft and gentle wouldn’t cut it.
“I need you to drive me out of my head, fast. I want you now.” She dug her nails into the base of his neck. Big man was going too slowly.
He curled his fingers, stroking up over the bud of her clit. “I know, honeybear. Trust me.”
He lowered his head. Hot breath puffed over her thigh. She shifted restlessly. He stroked over her clit. She gasped and fire bolted through her. He eased his fingers down and trailed around the opening.
“You taste so good.” He scraped his teeth across the sensitive nub.
She moaned. Damn, so right. She rolled her hips against him. He slid his fingers in as his tongue flicked across the nub of her clit. Clawing need dug into her.
She writhed. He licked at the bud, working it until her hips lurched up. Sparks flitted through her. He plunged his fingers deep.
The raging fever pulsed through her. She couldn’t last much longer. It had to be now. She lunged up, her palms flattening against his shoulders. He fell back onto the bed. She moved over him and straddled his hips, lowering onto his cock. His thick length speared into her. She groaned as her inner muscles stretched. So full, so good. She lowered slowly. He gripped her hips. A low growl rumbled through him.
She growled back. He wasn’t taking over. Not this time. She rocked her hips and rose again.
“That’s it, honeybear. Ride me.” He sat up and his hands cupped her buttocks.
That order, she didn’t mind. She ran her hands over his shoulders, gripping as she sank down onto him. His cock filled her. Her heart pounded against her chest. Damn, so good.
His fingers tensed, urging her back up. The coiling ball within her pulsed. She plunged down onto him, grinding her hips in a circle. Pleasure burst through her. Her hands slid down his back, and she pressed close. Her teeth pierced his shoulder. A saltiness rushed over her taste buds as a rightness slammed through her. This was what she needed.
He gasped and pulled her down onto him. He guided her hips in a grinding rhythm. A fierce pang shot through her. He growled and stiffened against her. His body bowed off the bed. He came, holding her close as his body trembled.
She withdrew her teeth and lapped at the bite mark. A shudder shook his body. She nuzzled his neck. Finally, he was hers. He stroked her back.
“Damn, Dixie, I’ve waited for that ever since you bit Micah.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek.
She smiled. “I’m sorry about all the drama. I went out of my head after finding out that Gable was hurt and not getting to talk to him. I hate it when someone I l—care about is hurt.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I love you, too, honeybear. How about we go eat now? Maybe Micah will call soon.” Maddox ran his hand over her shoulder.
She frowned. But Micah would have to drive home at night, and those bastards were still out there.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Why had John called them here? Gable ran his hand through his hair as they strode into the police station. John hadn’t even hinted. It wasn’t as if anything had happened to them in the last few days. If anything, things had been a little quiet. They’d released him from the hospital over a week ago, and she’d had the kid gloves on since. Dixie had just started to treat him normally.
They talked to the woman at the desk before heading over to grab some seats. Gable sat beside Dixie and grasped her hand. An officer came and led them back through the hallways to a room. The officer opened the door and motioned them in. Not quite a conference room, but definitely not a small interview room.
Maddox pulled out one of the chairs in front of the table for Dixie. She sat down. Maddox sat down next to her. Micah took the chair on her other side. Gable sighed. He should have moved faster. Short of tossing one of those two out of the way, he wouldn’t be able to sit next to her. He sat in the last seat on that side.
Hopefully, this didn’t take too long. Today was all about spending time with Dixie. She’d have to go back on shift in two days, and the woman still hadn’t marked him.
“What did you want to do later, Dixie?” Gable leaned forward until he locked gazes with his woman.
“I think it will depend on what happens here. If this is bad, I don’t know if I’ll be in any mood to do much.” She bit her lip.
“Don’t borrow trouble.” Maddox lifted a shoulder. “Nothing’s happened in the last few days. Consider that good news.”
“I doubt this guy is going away. He followed you here from another city.” She shook her head.
“This will end, honeybear.” Micah patted her hand.
The door opened, cutting off any further conversation. John strolled into the room. He walked around and took a chair on the other side of the table. He smiled. Gable shifted, a sliver of hope curling through him. Maybe John had something good for them.
“All right, I have a few questions to ask you.” John rested his tablet on the table.
“We’ll certainly answer them, but I’m pretty sure that we covered it all on our previous talks.” Micah shrugged.
“I can guarantee that we didn’t cover what I intend to ask you today.” John swiped his fingers across the face of the tablet and brought up something.
Gable leaned forward. It looked like a picture. Though it was upside down, the gray-haired man in the picture didn’t look familiar.
“Do you know this man?” John held it up.
“No, I’ve never seen him before. That’s definitely not one of the men who’ve come after us.” Maddox shook his head.
“No.” Gable frowned. “Does he have something to do with the attacks? Is he the man behind it?”
“Never seen him.” Micah tilted his head.
“In time, Gable.” John turned the tablet around. “This man came to me yesterday. He’d just returned to town after being away for a week. His name is Peter Lee, and he’s a private investigator.”
“All right, so what does this have to do with us?” Gable clenched his hand. Damn, the way John drew this out was fucking torture.
“He came to me because he discovered you and Maddox were attacked. He was hired to investigate you, but he’s not prepared to be accessory to a crime.” John smiled.
“So he’s part of the reason behin
d the attacks?” Micah bolted upright in his chair.
“Unintentionally. He followed you three because his client told him you were extorting and harassing the man who hired him and the man needed proof before he could go to the police. The man showed him some unsigned threatening notes.” John leaned back.
“Did he tell you who hired him? Hell, did he say why he continued following us after the first week or two? We’ve been busy setting up our damn life. We definitely haven’t extorted anyone.” Gable folded his arms across his chest. The damn investigator should have realized something was wrong with that tale far sooner and before the attacks.
“Yes, he did. Are any of you familiar with a man by the name of Roger Lewis?” John tilted his head.
Gable frowned. Roger wasn’t familiar, but that last name, Lewis, was. But from where and when? He drummed his fingers on the table.
“Not to me.” Micah shook his head.
“Nor me.” Maddox leaned forward.
“Gable?” John asked.
“Not the first part of it, but I know I’ve come across a Lewis.” He shifted in his seat. “Could you let me check my phone? I have it synced to my most recent work files, and I can search. If I met him through work and there was anything to do with one of my cases, it will be in the notes.”
He pulled out his phone and unlocked it. He opened up his synced folders and brought up a search menu. He typed in Lewis. It worked for a moment and brought up a list. He clicked on one of them. Gene Lewis. A greedy man who had stolen money from a computer company.
“No Roger, but there is a Gene Lewis. He embezzled some money from the company he worked at. I haven’t been called to testify or even know if charges have been filed, but the company does have a history of prosecuting employees involved in theft. Not sure if they’re related.” Gable tapped the phone and closed the app.
“I’m waiting on the information about the man. I’ve got the basic name, record, and address, but no history yet.” John nodded. “If this man is related, it might give us a motive for the attack.”
In Her Bears' Arms Page 21