Shore to Please

by Annette Mardis

  “But it’s your turn.” Her protests were feeble at best, and he smiled when an “ooooh” escaped her lips.

  “You can do whatever you want to me afterward.”

  She opened her mouth again but his lips muffled whatever she’d been about to say. He sank into the kiss while his hands stayed busy, cleansing, caressing, worshipping.

  “Wrap your legs around my neck,” he instructed.

  “W-what?”

  He slid his hands under her bottom and lifted her out of the water as a wave sloshed over the side of the tub.

  “Flipper, we’re soaking the floor!”

  “Who cares? We’ll clean it up later. For now, concentrate on what I’m doing to you. You want this, don’t you?”

  *

  “Yes,” she breathed. “I want…everything.”

  She locked her ankles behind his neck, and then he coaxed her legs open a bit wider. Resting her head on the rim of the tub, she had the sensation of floating while he pleasured her with his lips and tongue. As the pressure built and she pressed herself with restless urgency against his determined mouth, light began to flash behind her closed eyelids. It took only seconds more for her to spill over the summit.

  And still he stayed with her, coaxing yet another orgasm from her pulsing body before she sagged in satisfaction and fatigue. When he leaned forward to kiss her, she clung to his shoulders and nearly wept with the emotions swirling through her.

  “You okay, baby?” he asked. She opened her eyes to find him studying her.

  “I’m good. Great, in fact. And I love you so very much.”

  “I love you, too.” He pulled her onto his lap and whispered, “Move in with me.”

  “What?” She lifted her head and nearly drowned in the tenderness and yearning she saw in his eyes.

  “Sell your condo. Move to Gulf Shore.”

  She drew back as panic started to set in. It’s too soon. I’m not ready. What if it doesn’t work out and I have no place to live?

  “Flipper, I’m not sure—”

  “You know what, don’t answer right now. Take some time to think about it.”

  “I’ve hurt your feelings, haven’t I?” She couldn’t bear his disappointment.

  “No, I understand. I mean, I sprung it on you out of the blue. I just thought…”

  “That I’d say yes without hesitation? Oh, Flipper, I wish I could. I love being with you. Whenever I go back to the condo, it’s so empty.”

  “So what’s the problem?”

  She winced at the hard edge to his voice.

  “I didn’t mean it to come out like that,” he said. “What’s keeping you from saying yes?”

  “Selling my place is a huge step. And I’ll have to split the proceeds with Steven. It’s only fair because we went fifty-fifty on the purchase.”

  “So it’s a financial consideration? Because I have money tucked away if you need it.”

  “That’s a lovely offer, but that’s not it.”

  “Then what is?”

  “I wish I knew exactly. Can’t we please talk about this another time and get back to what we were doing?”

  “Of course, if that’s what you need. Are you ready to get out of the tub? The water’s cold.”

  She nodded and immediately felt the loss of his warmth when he untangled himself and helped her out of the bath. After they toweled off and he killed the music, they headed to bed and settled under the covers. Flipper kissed her forehead and rolled over.

  She hesitated and then stroked his back. “You never got to, um, you know.”

  “It’s fine. I’m wiped out. Let’s just go to sleep.” He reached over and set his alarm as she peeked at the digital readout.

  “But it’s only eight o’clock.”

  “I’ve got an early day tomorrow. If you’re not tired, feel free to read, watch TV, whatever.”

  “Please don’t be like this.”

  “Like what?”

  “You’re mad because I didn’t agree to move in with you.”

  “Mad? Why would I be mad?”

  “Maybe mad is too strong a word, but you’re definitely not happy.”

  He sighed and rolled to his back. “Tara, let it go, okay?”

  “I can’t.” She shifted on top of him and scalded his lips with a kiss. “I love you, and I’m not letting you shut me out. Tell me you want me.”

  “I always want you.”

  He tucked her beneath him and fastened his mouth to hers as his hands began to explore.

  “Mmm,” she purred. “Feels like someone’s wide awake now.”

  Her heart sang when he grinned.

  “You’d better believe it, baby. Now hold on because this ride’s about to get wild.”

  Chapter 31

  Tara sat in her car outside her condo and stared at the stairs leading to her front door. It would be so easy to load up the rest of her clothes and a few other belongings and take them to Flipper’s cottage. She could sell her place furnished or perhaps rent it out. Or she could move everything she owned to Gulf Shore and put it in storage for now.

  Tara had tortured herself for the past week considering all the possibilities. She wanted to be with him. That was a given. Her mortgage payments were draining her bank account. She needed to act but couldn’t bring herself to take the next step.

  Why am I so afraid to move forward? There really was nothing left for her in Orlando except graphic arts clients she could handle by telephone, e-mail, or the occasional in-person meeting. Why can’t I take a leap of faith and start over in Gulf Shore?

  She’d solve nothing sitting in her car, so she climbed out and approached her front door. Just before she inserted her key in the lock, she heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. Heart beating wildly, she turned, ready to scream, to fight if necessary. Her fear turned to irritation when she realized who stood there smiling at her.

  “Steven? You nearly scared the life out of me. Don’t ever do that again.”

  “Sorry. I came by twice before but you weren’t home.”

  “You couldn’t have called?”

  “I thought you’d hang up on me.”

  “I can’t say that I wouldn’t have. When did you get back into town?”

  “More than a week ago, but I’ve been laying low. I’m surprised to see you without your pit bull to guard you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Your dolphin trainer boyfriend.”

  “What about him?”

  “How’d you convince him to let you out of his sight long enough for you to drive over here?”

  “He wanted me to wait until he could come, but I told him I’d be fine. Are you intending to make a liar out of me?”

  “What? No. Why would you think such a thing?” Steven appeared insulted.

  “Because I don’t know you anymore. Look at you. Greasy hair, scraggly beard, dark glasses, ball cap pulled low. You’re skulking around like a thief in the night.”

  “I don’t feel safe here, if you must know. I’m always looking over my shoulder. It’s a hell of a way to live.”

  “Forgive me for being less than sympathetic, but you brought this on yourself.”

  “I know, but when do I stop paying the price? I’m living in a crappy cracker box furnished with other people’s castoffs and working the overnight shift at a Grab & Go.”

  “You’re a convenience store clerk?”

  “Yes. How embarrassing is that?”

  “It’s honest work until something better comes along. Is there no chance of getting your old job back?”

  “No. And evidently the word is out that I’m unreliable and lugging around too much baggage. I’d be better off if I moved to another state and started over.”

  “Then why are you still here?”

  “I need to talk to you about my share of the condo. Can we go inside, please? I feel like a beggar out here on your doorstep.”

  Before she could reply, a menacing figure emerged from the stairwell, grabbe
d Steven by the throat, and slammed him against the wall. Tara shrieked, and the blood nearly froze in her veins when she saw the knife in the assailant’s hand and the pistol grip sticking out of his waistband.

  “Make one wrong move and your boyfriend’s dead,” growled Chase Childers, his face contorted in rage and a feral glint in his eyes. “Stevie boy and I are going for a little ride, and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll take your sweet ass inside your condo and forget you saw me here.”

  “I can’t—”

  “Do what he says,” Steven interrupted. “You won’t hurt her if she complies, right, Chase?”

  “Yeah, whatever. She’s nothing more than collateral damage as far as I’m concerned. You’re the one I’m interested in punishing at the moment, Stevie. You and that bitch you whored around with behind my back.”

  Chase drove his fist into the other man’s midsection and laughed when the breath wheezed out of him.

  “You’re going to tell me where she is, aren’t you? Don’t make me beat it out of you. On second thought, maybe I will anyway.”

  “I don’t know where she is,” Steven insisted, earning him a backhand across the mouth.

  Chase seemed to forget about Tara, and she glanced around her, frantic, for something to strike him with. The only possible weapons she had were her purse and her keys, but she’d probably end up dead, Steven, too, if she tried to use them. Run! her mind screamed, but she’d taken only a couple steps when her hair was yanked so brutishly she cried out in pain and tumbled backward.

  What happened next was a blur of motion and sound as Steven launched himself at Chase and they both crashed to the concrete, fists and obscenities flying. Tara scrambled out of their way, regained her feet, and tried again to flee, only to run right into a solid wall of man and muscle. She screeched and flailed at the arms that locked around her until she recognized the voice trying to penetrate her haze of fear. She looked up into the eyes of Maurice the bodyguard and burst into tears.

  He rubbed her back to soothe her. “Shhh, you’re safe now. Everything will be all right.”

  She started to relax but then remembered Steven and shoved away from Maurice. Chase lay handcuffed on the ground, and an Orlando police officer tended to Steven. Another uniformed cop, who dwarfed Maurice in size, yanked Chase to his feet and read him his rights.

  Tara shook her head, not quite believing her eyes. “Where did you come from, Maurice? I thought they took you off Flipper’s security detail the other day.”

  “They did. While Scott stayed with O’Riley, they assigned me to keep an eye on that Childers asshole.” Maurice actually blushed. “Sorry about the language, ma’am.”

  Tara would’ve laughed if the situation hadn’t been so serious. “That’s the least of my problems today, trust me.”

  He gestured toward Chase. “I followed him here and realized what he was up to when I saw you and Christianson talking outside. So I called 911—luckily there was a squad car a few blocks away. The first officer on scene was waiting for backup when you tried to escape and the free-for-all started. Are you sure you weren’t hurt?”

  “Just a little sore, but I’ll be fine. Thank goodness you were here.”

  “I wouldn’t have been if O’Riley hadn’t convinced his bosses to drop at least one of his bodyguards. They also added a man to tail some dude named Clybourne.”

  “Your firm is watching Larry, too?”

  Maurice nodded.

  “He’ll be furious when he figures it out,” Tara predicted.

  “Our men are good. He won’t suspect a thing. You think Childers over there would’ve tried this stunt today if he’d known someone was following him?”

  “Good point. So I guess that’s one less bad guy we have to worry about.”

  “I sure as hell hope so.” But Maurice didn’t look convinced.

  *

  Flipper had just finished a routine blood draw from Flukes and Fins when he glanced over to see Jo and Kelsey standing on the other side of the railing at Dolphin Inlet. He walked over and handed the veterinarian the two full vials he’d just collected.

  “Thanks for saving me a trip over to your office,” he told her. “But from the look on your face, I’d say that’s not why you’re here.”

  “It’s not. Jo and I were headed to lunch when the Orlando PD called. There was an incident outside Tara’s condo a little while ago.”

  Had Flipper still been holding the vials, he would’ve dropped them.

  “An incident? What kind of incident? Is she okay?”

  “Relax. She’s fine,” Jo replied. “Steven Christianson required stitches and a cast on his hand, but Chase Childers is in jail charged with simple and aggravated battery and attempted kidnapping.”

  “I don’t give a crap about the others. Tell me about Tara.”

  As Jo filled him in, Flipper paced and ground his teeth.

  “Where’s Tara right now?”

  “Last I heard she was at the police station giving her statement. And then she planned to drop by the hospital or Steven’s apartment or wherever to make sure he’s okay.”

  Flipper cursed and hopped the railing, then raced down the walkway, ignoring Jo’s shouts. She and Kelsey finally caught up with him in his office, where he listened with mounting impatience to Tara’s cell phone ring.

  “Damn it, why doesn’t she answer? I should’ve never let her drive to Orlando by herself.” He cursed again when her voice mail greeting came on. “Tara, call me as soon as you get this. Jo says you’re all right, but I need to hear your voice.”

  Jo snatched his phone and checked his call history.

  “She left you a message about fifteen minutes ago, dillweed. Now calm the hell down and use that pea brain of yours.”

  Flipper grabbed his phone back and tapped the screen to play Tara’s voice mail. His thundering heart slowed to a slightly more normal pace as he listened to her describe the scene outside her condo.

  “My head’s tender from Chase pulling my hair, my tailbone’s terribly sore, and I have a few bruises and scrapes, but otherwise I’m fine,” she continued. “Don’t you dare blame yourself. It was my decision to come here alone. The good news is, Chase won’t bother anyone for a while. Detective Fishburn said there’s a good chance the judge will deny bail. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

  “I’ll call you again after I’m finished at the police station and I’m sure Steven’s taken care of. He could’ve run when Chase grabbed me, but he jumped in to defend me.” She paused. “I love you and can’t wait to see you.”

  “Feel better?” Kelsey asked when Flipper set his phone on his desk. Her eyes widened when he unzipped his wet suit and began to wiggle out of it.

  “What are you doing?” Jo sounded unnerved. “We don’t need to see your hairy chest and God knows what else.”

  “Not that you don’t look good,” Kelsey added. “But, well, you know.”

  Too upset to be amused, Flipper pointed toward his office door. “In about five seconds I’m whipping off these swim trunks and putting on dry clothes. Either leave or make sure nobody comes in until I’m dressed.”

  Jo hurried over, flipped the lock, and kept her gaze pinned to a wall poster that advised, “Protect wild dolphins, admire them from a distance.” Kelsey stayed where she was and didn’t bat an eye while he stripped and toweled off.

  “Kels, what the hell are you doing? Give the man some privacy, for God’s sake.”

  “Why should I avert my eyes? He hasn’t got anything I haven’t seen before.”

  “Oh, for the love of…”

  Flipper chuckled as his annoyance dissolved. “Now I know your Achilles heel, detective. All I have to do is drop my shorts and you’ll go screaming from the room.”

  “You wish.”

  But he noticed she didn’t turn around.

  As soon as he zipped up his cargo pants and pulled on his Gulf Shore Aquarium polo, he pocketed his phone, dropped a kiss on Kelsey’s forehead, and s
trode to the door. Along the way, he snagged Jo around the waist and blew a raspberry on the side of her neck.

  “You’re lucky I don’t shoot you for that.” She wiped the spot where his lips had been and scowled, but Flipper only laughed and winked at Kelsey, who smiled fondly at them.

  “Thanks, ladies. I’m blessed to have friends like the both of you.”

  Jo narrowed her eyes. “Are you BSing me, O’Riley?”

  “Nope. Now be gone, both of you. Call me if you hear anything else, and I’ll do the same.”

  Kelsey grabbed her partner’s hand, mischief twinkling in her eyes. “C’mon, hon, I need a gallon of iced tea to cool me down after that full monty I just witnessed.”

  Jo winced. “Try not to let it scar you for life, babe.” She gave Flipper a mock glare. “I’m holding you personally responsible if she has nightmares tonight.”

  “Whatever you say, sweet cheeks.” He laughed and dodged her hand when Jo tried to swat him. He was still grinning when they all walked out the door together.

  Chapter 32

  As Flipper drove to Orlando, he kept glancing at his cell phone, wondering why Tara hadn’t called back. He wouldn’t stop worrying about her until she was in his arms. He glanced in the rearview mirror to see Scott still trailing him in the Hummer.

  Flipper arrived at Tara’s condo to find her car gone and a crime scene technician at work outside her door. He secured permission to let himself inside with the spare key she’d given him. After another call went to voice mail, he flopped onto the couch and wondered whether to head to the police station or the hospital. Or would it make better sense to wait here?

  He was still pondering that when his phone rang. Worry caused him to speak more harshly than he should have, and he quickly apologized.

  “You scared ten years off my life,” he told Tara. “Tell me where you are and I’ll be right there.”

  “You don’t have to come to Orlando. I’m leaving the police station now and returning to the hospital to give Steven a ride home. His car’s still parked outside my condo. And then I’ll pack up more of my things and head to Gulf Shore.”

  “I’m sitting on your couch as we speak. Wait for me at the cop shop and we’ll go to the hospital together. I don’t want you wandering around by yourself.”