by Terry Spear
She frowned. “Just Bernadette.” Then she stared out the window. “We’ll have to risk going to my place. By the way, where did you put my phone?”
“I stuck it in the glove box.” He tugged at his pocket and handed her his phone. “Here, if you don’t mind, plug it in to charge it up.”
She took his phone and plugged it into the car’s battery. Then she pulled her phone out of the glove compartment. For a moment, she stared at it, then shoved it into her purse. “Stop at the first convenience store you see.”
He glanced at her.
“I’ve got to report this situation back at the mansion, but I don’t want to use my phone. I’ll call anonymously.”
“All right.”
When he spotted a store, he exited from the highway and headed for it.
After parking in the brightly lit parking lot, he escorted her to the public pay phone. She called 911.
“Hello, I have to report an emergency at Green Oaks Mansion, Salado. Someone tried to hurt me at the inn, cut off the electricity, and the phone lines were dead. The woman managing the place had disappeared and I fear for her safety. The man who attacked me fell down the stairs, and I believe was injured. Someone else took chase after me, and I couldn’t hang around to find out what happened.”
“What is your name, miss?”
Nicole hung up the phone. “I hope they check it out and don’t think I’m just a prank caller because they can’t trace me to a home phone number or something.”
“Well, if they try calling the mansion, most likely there won’t be any answer. They’ll know something’s up then.”
She nodded but wasn’t satisfied. She wanted assurance Eagle Eye was okay.
He kissed her on the cheek. “Come on. Let’s get to your place.”
She gave him directions to her apartment, noting his gaze reverted to the rearview mirror while hers periodically checked his side mirrors. Nobody seemed to be tailing them. With relief, they continued to her place without incident.
After parking at the complex next door, he walked her briskly to her own place.
“There’s a light on,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Yes, I have lights turn on automatically and shut off around two in the morning.” She glanced down at her watch. “In fifteen minutes, actually.”
She saw no sign of any cop cars patrolling the area, to her disappointment.
They walked onto the porch and she fumbled with her keys. Irritated with herself for being so nervous, she finally handed her keys to Scott. He wrapped his arm around her and gave her a loving embrace of warmth and reassurance. She realized then he really was a keeper. How many men had she known over the years who would go through all that he had to keep her safe?
Somehow, she had to come to grips with her fear of marriage and what it could do to her career.
Without any disregard for his own safety, he’d leapt into the face of danger and offered to protect her. How could she not cherish a man like that?
Before he opened the door, he squeezed her hand. “Maybe you should wait in my car, and when I make sure it’s all clear—”
“Not on your life. We’re in this together for the duration, remember?”
He kissed her mouth with a gentle touch, then turned his attention to the apartment. Opening the door slowly, he investigated the lighted living room for any sign of movement as she tried to see around him.
“Looks okay so far.” His voice was hushed. He walked inside and she headed for the kitchen, but he hurried to stop her. “Me, first,” he whispered.
She couldn’t help but smile. He was her knight-in-shining-armor for certain.
While he checked out the kitchen, she opened the door to her office and found nothing was disturbed as far as she could tell. She checked out the closet. Her skin prickled with unease. No one was in there. When she exited the office, she closed the door behind her as Scott pulled his head out of a coat closet. “Nothing.”
He frowned at her. “You were supposed to let me check out the place.”
“Safe and sound. I guess I’d better prepare the couch as I’m sure you’re as dogged tired as I am.”
“The couch.”
She smiled. “Yep. Pretty comfortable actually.” She walked over to her linen closet and pulled out sheets and pillows.
When she headed to the couch, he hurried to take the pillows. “The couch is even smaller than the twin bed,” he grumbled in a mocking tone.
“Not if you open it up into a queen-size bed.” She laid the sheets on the coffee table and grabbed the cushions of the couch while he hurried to help her.
They soon had the frame of the bed extended and he helped her to cover the mattress with sheets. She said, “It’s really comfortable. I added an extra padding of foam.”
She pointed to the bathroom down the hall. “I have a supply of stuff in the bathroom drawer to the right, down below. New toothbrush, disposable razor, though I have to warn you they’re both pink.”
He chuckled and pulled her close. “Pink.”
“Yeah, but I don’t know about your jammies for the night. I don’t have anything man-sized.”
He leaned over and kissed her lips. “I’d be concerned if you did.”
She smiled. “I’m not that kind of a girl.”
“No, you’re my kind.”
She patted his chest. “I’m going to get ready for bed.”
Knowing they were both dead tired, she had to get them moving in the right direction. The next day, they had to figure out what they were going to do about Bambi.
“All right. But if you get lonesome or scared, you can always join me.” He motioned to the bed.
She chuckled. It was nice of him to offer, considering it was the only bed in the house. “Okay, I might just do that.”
After she walked into her office, he strode to the bathroom. She peered into her chest of drawers and pulled out a long T-shirt, then removed her clothes and slipped the T-shirt over her head.
Sleep was all they needed. If anyone attempted to break-in tonight, they needed to be on alert, not making love.
She walked out of her office, closing the door behind her. Hearing him in the kitchen, she wandered down the hall to the bathroom.
After brushing her teeth, she was ready for bed. When she left the bathroom, the apartment was dark. The lights had extinguished automatically, she assumed, or he had turned them off.
She walked over and climbed into bed. He chuckled as she touched his shoulder. “Need a goodnight kiss?”
“Uhm, well, I thought I might just slip into my bed for what was left of the rest of the night.”
To her surprise, he pulled her into his arms. “I thought this was my bed.”
“It’s the only bed in the house, unless you want me to sleep on the loveseat.”
He chuckled and his warm breath tickled her cheek as he hurried to pull the covers over them.
He pulled her close, her back resting against his chest as she lay on her side. Before long, he’d pushed her legs up with his so that she was sitting in his makeshift lap. She sighed deeply enjoying the warmth of his body, his heart beating against her back and his breath warming her neck. He held her with a tender embrace, his hands holding her waist lightly. If he’d intended any amorous advances, it wouldn’t happen tonight. This evening they were as one, soulmates, curving their bodies in a perfect match and sleeping. Tomorrow was a different story.
The next morning, Nicole nuzzled Scott’s face, knowing just what she wanted to do first thing with him before the vet clinic was open. He was asleep, but she knew how to wake him. She slid her hands over his bare shoulders and chest.
His eyes slowly opened, and he smiled and pulled her on top of his virile body, getting harder by the second. “Hmm, I really love this morning wakeup routine.” His voice was deep and seductive, rough and sexy.
“Mmm, it’s just getting started.” She kissed his mouth and he kissed her back, sliding her T-shirt over her head an
d tossing it aside at the same time.
Then the warm palms of his hands were on her bare breasts, teasing her nipples, making them taut and needy. Her breasts swelled, and she loved the way he was touching her, kissing her, fiercely hot and demanding. She kissed him back just as passionately, their tongues caressing.
He intoxicated her with his kisses and his touches—teasing her lips open for another deep kiss. Hot need spiraled through her as she tongued him back. She melted against him, wet for him, eager to have him pushing his stiff cock into her and making her climb to the stars and beyond. He rolled her over onto her back and kissed first one breast and then the other, suckling a nipple and then transferring his hot mouth to the other, his tongue lathing over the nipple. She groaned.
Then his hand slid down her waist to her parted legs and he began to stroke her, fanning the flames of heat and desire. She was already wet and swollen and throbbing for him.
His eyes had darkened, and he breathed in her scent, as she was breathing in theirs, hot and musky, their pheromones dancing with each other—leading them on, tempting, encouraging them to go all the way.
There was so much more to him than being a hero and a friend, but he was a dream-come true in this arena too. Besides being one hot cougar.
She strained with the tension filling her, enjoying the exquisite pleasure he was ringing out of her. His fingers were doing a number on her clit, slow, measured moves, then he quickened the strokes. She arched her back, digging her heels into the mattress. She’d never imagined being with a cougar like this, making passionate love. Then Scott stole her attention again, driving her to the moon, intoxicating her, the feeling of ecstasy just beyond reach.
The climax hit and she cried out, at once worrying her neighbor would hear her, the walls in the apartment so paper-thin. She could imagine Freddy coming over to rescue her again.
Then Scott was kissing her, jerking off his boxer briefs, his arousal pressing into the center of her. She parted her legs further, welcoming him in, delighting in the way their bodies fit together. And the feel of him stretching her and pushing deeply.
Scott began to thrust deep into Nicole’s snug body, loving the way she angled herself to seat him even deeper. Her eyes were entrancing, watching him, a small smile playing on her lips as she ran her hands over his legs. He continued to move inside her, the worry her neighbors might have heard her cry of pleasure and thought it was her crying out in distress coming to mind, after the trouble she’d already had here.
He cherished her soft body rising up to meet his, the sweet and sensuous fragrance that was all Nicole’s, spurring him on. She was irresistible and as much as he hated the men who were coming after her, he was glad she’d fallen into his life so that he could love and protect every bit of her.
Caught up in the heat of the moment, he barely heard the sirens blaring off in the distance. With raw need, he continued to push his arousal into her until he couldn’t hold off any longer. He exploded inside of her. Sweet heaven, he had to make her his, no matter what. He kissed her impulsively, eagerly, as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
The sirens grew closer and she said, “Hmm, I wish we could just stay like this the rest of the day.”
“Yeah, but no telling when your life will be threatened again.”
She sighed and ran her fingers through his hair. “I can just envision Whiskers jumping on the bed to rub his body against us as we have sex with wild abandon. He always sleeps with me.”
Scott chuckled.
“I can just imagine locking him away in the office at night. I doubt he would be very happy about it, and he can be extremely vocal.”
The siren drew closer to the apartment complex and Scott and Nicole glanced at the parking spaces in front of her apartment. “Nooo,” she said, and hurried to get out of bed and get dressed.
Scott was pulling on his boxer briefs when a man pounded on the door. “Police officers, open up!” He chuckled. “Being with you is anything but boring.”
As soon as he had his shorts on, she was dressed in a shirt and shorts, no shoes and she hurried to answer the door. She smiled at the officer. “Did Freddy call you?”
“Uh”—the policeman glanced inside the apartment to see Scott pulling on his T-shirt—"yes, ma’am. Is everything okay with you?”
“Yes, thank you. Freddy didn’t know I was going to drop by the apartment, and he hasn’t met my fiancé yet.”
“Okay, ma’am, if everything is all right then, we’ll be on our way.”
“Thanks for making sure everything was all right.” When she closed and locked the door, she smiled at Scott. “Well, that’s one way to get out of bed quickly.”
“I’m just glad they didn’t interrupt us in the middle of things.” Scott’s phone began ringing in the kitchen. When he went to answer it, he was relieved the caller ID indicated it was Josephine Weekum, his mom. “Hi, Mom—”
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you and they said you checked out of your hotel in Galveston. I’ve been worried sick what with watching that tropical storm and—”
He scratched his head. Then he had an idea. “The weather was too atrocious out there. Do you mind if I bring my girlfriend to Amarillo for a few days?”
Complete silence filled the airwaves. Yeah, he knew she wouldn’t mind. She always said if he ever brought a girl home to meet her, she’d be the one.
“Was she the one at the hotel?”
He chuckled. He couldn’t get anything past his all-knowing mother. “Yes, Mom. She’s an army captain stationed at Fort Hood too.”
“Well, where the devil are you?”
“At her place to pick up some more of her things. You don’t mind us barging in on you for a few days?”
“You know better than to ask such a silly question. Janice and I will be delighted.”
Janice. Ugh, his sister was visiting. Janice was fine, but her two young children drove him crazy. Her husband had long since run off with another woman and the kids thought Uncle Scott was their full-time horsey and wrestling partner. Anytime he spent more than a day when her kids were there, he figured he needed a new back. With bated breath, he asked, “And her two boys?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t she have her two boys with her? We’ll make it a regular family affair.”
He twisted his mouth in annoyance. “All right, Mom. It’ll take us several hours to get up there. We should arrive around dinnertime.”
“Drive safely, sweetie. We’ll have your special rib-eye steaks, when you arrive.”
“All right, thanks, Mom.”
He hung up the phone and peeked out of the kitchen into the living room and saw Nicole’s spectacular blue eyes gazing at him. “Ready to take a trip?”
She sighed deeply. “Sure, where to now, boss man?”
He chuckled. Boss man. He liked the idea. Though, he’d let her boss him any day.
“Amarillo.” He leaned over and kissed her lips.
A smile spread. “Uhm, what’s this all about?”
“We’re going to retrieve Bambi, then go see my mother. She’s been widowed for a year and loves it when I land in on her. So she’s delighted we’re coming.”
Nicole touched his cleanly shaven cheek. “Looks like the pink razor worked all right.”
“Cuts the whiskers great, just like my black one.”
“Does your mother think it’s okay about my coming, unannounced like this?”
“Yeah, she’ll make one hell of a celebration.”
“What did you tell her?”
“The weather was bad in Galveston. That you and I work at Fort Hood together. And we’re on our way shortly, be there by dinnertime.” He glanced at her clock on the wall. “The vet clinic should be open by now.”
He could tell the glimmer of a smile on her lips meant she thought there was more to the trip to his mother’s home than that, but he figured he’d better not push the marriage thing further with her, not until she met
his family. Then he’d try to convince her she was just marrying him, not the others too.
She twisted her slender finger in his T-shirt, making his testosterone jump into high gear.
“We’d better hit the road before someone else catches us here.” She was driving him insane. If they didn’t get going soon, he was going to be in between the sheets with her again. Man, she was going to be something wonderful to wake up to every morning. Of course, they were going to have to get up earlier, if they were going to make it to work on time.
Taking her face in his hands, he leaned over and kissed her lips with determination. She smiled.
“Do you want a cup of coffee?”
“Sure, one spoonful of sugar and lots of milk,” she said.
“Coming right up.” He hurried back to the kitchen but watched as she put away the sheets and pillows and made up the couch. Yeah, mornings were going to be the best. If they didn’t have guys after them at night, evenings could be special too.
She said from the office as she was opening drawers, “I guess we have to drop by your place and pick up a change of clothes for you too.”
“Yeah, or I’ll have to buy some things at the Amarillo mall.”
“Bernadette.” She joined him in the kitchen, then picked up her coffee and took a sip. “Perfect.”
“Yeah, Bernadette.” He knew seeing her at his home was going to be a wild Texas showdown.
Nicole’s phone rang and she stared at it. Scott walked over and read the caller ID. First Cavalry Division. “Work. Come on. Let’s get moving. Got a bag?”
She nodded and pointed at her office.
He crossed the living area and entered the room. “No bed.”
She laughed. “Did you think I was hiding another bed in there?”
He grabbed her bag and walked back into the living area. “You changed in there. Usually folks have a bed in a bedroom.”
“I wanted an office and already had a couch that converted to a bed from when I owned a studio apartment.”
“Ahh. I was kind of hoping you just wanted to snuggle with me last night. Come on. It’s time to get Bambi.”