CoyoteWhispers

by Rhian Cahill

  “Put me down.”

  “No.” He stopped spinning and planted his mouth on hers.

  This kiss was nothing like the chaste one she’d given him. It was wet and hot. He thrust his tongue through her lips. She opened wider and their tongues tangled, stroked and licked until she was breathless with want. Gordie curled her legs around his hips and pressed her sex to his. Her pussy clenched and moisture coated her panties. Steve groaned into her mouth and bucked his hips.

  “Ahem.”

  She tore her mouth from his. Ragged breaths dragged over her teeth and along her raw throat. Her eyes wide, Gordie stared at Steve. They’d been seconds from taking the kiss to the next level and she’d totally forgotten where they were. Who was with them. There was a house full of people and she was moments away from stripping him bare.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but could you show us where else down here needs photographing, please?”

  The young deputy ducked his head but not before Gordie noticed the pink tinge on his cheeks. She looked at the other officer to find him staring back with a knowing smile. Her own cheeks flushed with heat, more than was already there from Steve’s carnal kisses.

  “This way.” Steve turned and headed through the living room, Gordie still in his arms.

  “Put me down,” she whispered.

  “No.” He kept walking.

  They passed everyone sitting at her dining table, mugs of coffee or tea in front of them. Gordie was glad to see her sister had played hostess. Steve stepped into the kitchen and indicated the door to the mudroom.

  “In there.”

  Both men entered the small room but it soon became apparent the space wasn’t large enough for the two of them. The older man came back into the kitchen and pulled a notebook from his shirt pocket.

  “Got a second to answer some questions?” he asked as he licked the tip of a pen.

  “The sheriff was with us when we came in,” Steve said.

  “Yep. And I’ll ask him the same questions after I’m done with you.”

  Steve set Gordie on her feet. “Sure. Mind if we sit while you ask?”

  “In here or out there?” The Deputy nodded at the small table and chairs in the far corner of the kitchen before lifting his chin to indicate the dining room behind them.

  “In here.” Gordie walked over and pulled out a chair.

  “Did you see anyone when you got here?”

  “No and the layer of snow on the front walk hadn’t been disturbed either,” Steve answered.

  “Okay, so in your own words talk me through what happened.” He sat opposite them, scribbling in his notebook.

  Gordie let Steve tell him. She could have done it but she was tired and wasn’t sure she wouldn’t burst into tears if she had to say what had been done to the upstairs rooms. Resting her head on Steve’s shoulder, she closed her eyes and let the sound of his voice soothe her.

  She must have dozed off because next thing she knew Steve was lifting her into his arms and carrying her out of the kitchen. He headed upstairs and she tensed. The thought of seeing all that carnage again terrified her.

  “It’s okay, Kat changed the sheets on your parents’ bed. We’re just going to have a lie down.”

  “But—”

  “Dale and the deputies are downstairs talking to the others and Kat, Rowan and El have already cleaned up the mess down there.” He walked along the hall and she was relieved to see all the doors were shut tight.

  “How long have I been asleep?”

  “About thirty minutes but you need to rest and you need to freshen up too. Kat is heading over to the café in a few minutes and everyone else will leave when she does.” Steve nudged open the door to her mom and dad’s room. “Dale said he’d be back later with some more equipment and until then we can’t clean up here so I vote we take a nap while we can.”

  He lowered her to the bed and Gordie was surrounded by the smell of her mother. The bedding was fresh from the cupboard and the scent her mom always sprinkled to stop the linen from smelling moldy permeated every thread. She rubbed her cheek on the pillow and breathed deep. Steve tugged off her borrowed shoes and dropped them to the floor before toeing off his and climbing on the bed behind her.

  Gordie snuggled into him, her back to his front, and relaxed. His warmth and the comfort of his arm draped over her waist calmed her in a way nothing in her life ever had. Even with the turmoil rolling around them she felt safe, secure and most of all loved. She probably wouldn’t have taken that final step without yesterday’s attack and for that she was thankful. He pressed his lips to her neck and a shiver raced over her skin.

  “Go to sleep.” His arm tightened around her, his hand splayed across her stomach and those talented fingers stroked her flesh in slow, easy circles.

  “Mmm.” Her eyelids drooped. “This is nice. Don’t let go.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t worry, I won’t. You’ll need a crowbar to remove me from your life now, Doc.”

  She smiled and drifted off with his heartbeat drumming against her spine.

  * * * * *

  Steve stared at the ceiling above him. Doc had turned and curled into his side about twenty minutes ago. He hadn’t slept, couldn’t with all the thoughts going round and round in his mind. Then there was the buzz bouncing from nerve ending to nerve ending currently making his coyote sit up. His instincts were screaming the shit was going to hit the fan. The question was what fan and what shit?

  Doc stirred, mumbled something in her sleep and he pulled her closer, held her tighter. He figured they wouldn’t be heading back up the mountain today. They would need to clean up once Dale gave them the okay and Steve didn’t see that happening before later today. Kat said she’d send some food over from the café for their lunch and knowing her there’d be enough for their dinner plus breakfast and lunch tomorrow.

  He should get up. There’d be no sleep for him and besides, he needed to use the bathroom. The sound of a truck pulling up out front made up his mind. Gently as he could, he slipped his arm out from under Doc. She snuggled into the bedding when he tucked it around her. Whatever she dreamed about put a smile on her face and he leaned forward to lightly brush his lips on hers.

  Leaving her in that soft, warm bed was hard but he did. With as little noise as possible he picked up his boots, left the room and pulled the door closed behind him. He used the bathroom and had just stepped back into the hall when someone banged on the front door. Taking the stairs two at a time, he made it before whoever it was decided to make more of a racket than they already had. Steve swung the door open to find Dale leaning against the jamb.

  “Hey.” Steve stepped aside to let him in. “You’re back early.”

  “I figured you’d want to get back up to your place before dark.” Dale set down a heavy-looking black case and removed his jacket.

  “No, I thought it might be best to stay in town tonight and head back tomorrow.”

  “Could be. There’s supposed to be more snow this evening but not much. It’s the big storm due in on Christmas morning that’s got me worried.” Dale looked at him. “You prepared to get snowed in for a few days up on that mountain of yours?”

  “Always.”

  “Good. Let’s grab a coffee before I get started.” Dale walked to the kitchen without further invitation.

  “Sure, why not?” Steve followed in his socked feet.

  “Gordie still sleeping?” Dale was already filling a mug with the pot Kat had made earlier.

  “Yes. That can’t taste good.” He nodded at the coffee in Dale’s hand. “I’ll put another pot on.”

  “This is fine. Anything is better than that sludge they try to pass off as coffee at the station. I really need to do something about who makes the coffee over there.”

  Steve laughed. It might be clichéd but it seemed TV shows were right, cops drank lousy coffee. “Get Kat to deliver some fresh every few hours.”

  “Now there’s a thought.” Dale finished and placed his cup in t
he sink. “Right, down to business.”

  Before Steve could say a word Dale had left the room. He’d never really been close to Dale when they were younger and since the other man had returned from the city they hadn’t strengthened their friendship at all. Steve wasn’t even sure if Brogan or Quinn knew him any better, but he wasn’t about to let the sheriff’s don’t get too close vibe stop him from watching the man’s every move.

  He dumped the rest of the coffee from the pot and quickly set about making another one. Doc would want some when she woke up and no doubt they’d all be wanting a few shots of caffeine as the day dragged on. Steve searched cupboards until he came up with coffee grounds and filters. Tossing the old filter in the bin, he dropped in the new one and added the rich-smelling blend. A rinse of the pot in hot water cleaned it enough for him. Once the water was poured in he put the pot on the heated pad under the drip nozzle and pressed the start button.

  Heavy footsteps sounded above him. Dale had started in Doc’s room. Kat had told him earlier that other than her doll collection there wasn’t anything she’d left in her old room that couldn’t be replaced easily. Doc’s room on the other hand was a completely different story. Those three dresses were irreplaceable. He sucked in a breath and steeled himself to do what was necessary. They’d know in the next few minutes if anything could be done to save the delicate material from the blood soaking it but he wouldn’t hold his breath wishing for a miracle.

  Steve slipped into his boots and went upstairs to find Dale dusting the windowsill for fingerprints. The room was chilly due to the inch or so of open window. He could see where the lock had been jimmied off so he knew Doc hadn’t left it cracked yesterday morning. Standing to the side, he tried to stay out of the way and still be able to see everything the sheriff was doing. When Dale barked an order over his shoulder Steve jumped.

  “Bring that bag over here. If you’re going to stand there you may as well be useful.”

  Striding over to the bag that was now open, Steve grabbed the handles and picked it up. He’d been right earlier, the damn thing weighed a ton. “What the hell is in this thing? Rocks?”

  Dale laughed. “Rocks would be a lot cheaper.”

  “Yeah, but then they wouldn’t help you get the job done.” Steve moved over to the bed and stared at the white-splashed-with-red gowns. “So is this human or animal blood do you think?”

  “I’d go with animal but only because I don’t want to think about where human blood would come from.” Dale finished dusting the window frame and with gloved hands, lowered the bottom section. “I’ll be happier when the lab results come in though.”

  “I guess Marcus has really stepped over the line now.”

  “He’d stepped over it months ago but coming back has to be the dumbest thing he’s ever done.”

  “So you believed Doc when she said it was him who attacked her yesterday?”

  “Didn’t you?”

  “Well yeah, but there’s no proof and you’re a cop, you deal in evidence,” Steve said.

  “Maybe, but you’re forgetting I’m also a coyote shifter and instinct is as much a part of my ability to solve crimes as the human skills of gathering information.”

  “I never thought of that. Guess that makes you better than the average cop.”

  “Not really, the courts still need hard evidence. Can’t just turn up and say he did it because I can smell him all over the victim.” Dale grinned.

  Steve chuckled. “I can see how that might not work so well.”

  “Steve?”

  He turned to see Doc standing in the doorway. She still wore his clothes and her feet were covered in a pair of his wooly socks. Steve walked over and gathered her in his arms. “I hoped you’d sleep longer.”

  “Probably best I don’t or I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”

  “After I’m through here do you mind if I go over to the clinic and see if I can pick up some prints?” Dale asked.

  “No, that’s fine. You still have the keys?” She pulled from Steve’s embrace.

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Jeez, don’t call me that. Sounds like you’re talking to my mother.” She grinned.

  “Sorry, it’s the job. I might not be wearing my uniform, but I’m here in an official capacity,” Dale said.

  “We’ll leave you to finish up, Dale. We’re going to get cleaned up so if someone comes by with lunch from Kat, can you let them in?” Steve asked as he ushered Gordie back through the door.

  “Sure. I’ll be at least another hour in here and then I’ll go over Kat’s room. Any chance Kat will send enough food for me?”

  “Give her a ring and let her know you’ll be eating with us,” Gordie said. “Although knowing my sister it’s probably not necessary.”

  “Okay.”

  “Come on, Doc, let’s leave Dale to it.” Steve pulled her toward the room they’d slept in.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Back to bed?” he asked hopefully.

  Her laughter echoed off the walls. “No way are we doing that in my parents’ bed.”

  “Spoilsport.” He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “Then we’ll jump in the shower and I’ll help you wash your back.”

  Steve nipped her earlobe, sucked it into his mouth and flicked the delicate flesh with his tongue. She shivered against him, a moan gurgling in the back of her throat.

  “Okay.”

  He laughed. “I love it when you’re agreeable, Doc.” Steve grabbed her hand and led her to the master bathroom.

  Chapter Six

  Gordie couldn’t catch her breath, her ragged gasps for air echoing off the bathroom walls. Steve was on his knees, his mouth doing wicked things to her sex. The tricks he did with his tongue were going to kill her. She’d die a blissful death with a smile on her face. Her pussy clenched when he sucked her clit between his lips and licked. Shudders of delight danced across every nerve and splintered into blinding pleasure the second he thrust his fingers inside her.

  Her hips bucked, rode the wave of her orgasm as the sensations went on and on. Gordie muffled a cry with her hand, bit into the soft flesh to stifle more. The sting of pain combined with the bliss of satisfaction made her legs shake. If it weren’t for the wall behind her, she’d fall. Steve kept pushing and pumped his fingers faster, stroked her clit harder. He rimmed her anus and sent her into orbit as he pressed on the tight ring of muscle.

  Newly initiated nerve endings spasmed and her lower belly drew tighter and tighter until she thought she’d snap. He slid his finger deeper into her ass and she broke like a twig under a size-eleven boot. No resistance. She shattered into a thousand pieces, her legs going out from under her. Steve removed his mouth and hand, catching her in his arms as she collapsed into his lap. Gordie’s mind and body were limp and he wasted no time in maneuvering her to straddle his thighs.

  He thrust up, drove his cock deep into her still-contracting channel. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. Steve gripped her hips, held her suspended a few inches above him so he could raise and lower his pelvis, impaling her over and over on his erection. Muscles, lax from post-orgasmic euphoria sparked to life as he dragged his length over sensitive, swollen flesh. Blood coursed through her veins, hot and heavy, to drown her in renewed need.

  “That’s it. Come again.” He tilted her hips, drove his body into hers at a different angle.

  “I can’t.”

  “Yes, you can,” he panted as he continued to pound into her. “Once more, Doc.”

  “Oh God.”

  With a speed that was mind numbing, he took her up to the peak again. He showed no mercy, driving his cock in and out, hard and fast. Harsh breaths echoed around them, the tiled walls bounced the sound back to drum in her ears. Steve’s mouth found hers, his tongue demanding she give all. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, could only feel. Rapture so savage it slashed and destroyed her. Forgetting they weren’t in the house alone, Gordie pulled her lips from
his and screamed as another release tore through her.

  Steve arched and sank balls-deep in her convulsing core. His hips jerked twice before he went rigid beneath her. He came, her name a hoarse groan that sounded more like a prayer for help than a cry of relief. She slumped against him, their torsos sticky with sweat. Their skin clung and their chests heaved with the desperate need for air. Her heart hammered double time against her ribs and her lungs burned but she couldn’t move. Not yet.

  “Wow.” Steve lowered his back to the floor, taking her with him. “That was…”

  “Yeah. It was.” Her fingers and toes tingled as feeling started to return.

  “We didn’t even make it into the shower.”

  “Good thing we didn’t. I need one more than ever now.” She sighed.

  “I don’t know. I’m kinda partial to having my scent all over you.”

  Gordie lifted her head and found his gaze with hers. “I don’t mind either. It’s the copious amounts of sweat and sex smell I’m objecting to.”

  Steve buried his face into her neck and sniffed. “Smells pretty damn good to me. Good enough to eat.” He nibbled at her throat.

  A shiver traveled down her spine. “Stop it.” The teasing bites tickled her skin and Gordie wiggled on top of him. His softened cock slipped from her body and warm sparks of arousal danced around in her lower belly. It amazed her to think she could have any interest left after their last encounter but each time they came together the need wasn’t quenched. Instead it grew stronger, deeper.

  He sucked on her neck, pulled her flesh between his lips with increasing pressure and Gordie knew she’d be left with a love bite when he was done. A ribbon of excitement snaked through her. The idea of others seeing Steve’s mark thrilled her in a way she’d never imagined. She tipped her head sideways, gave him better access and moaned with her delight of being his.

  “Damn you taste good,” he murmured against her throat. “I could spend the entire day nibbling on you.”

  “Oh God. I could let you.” Gordie pressed into him. Her body plastered to the length of his, their legs in a tangle.