Laughing, glad for the ease in the tension, Tori slid into the worn leather, padded booth. She was soon joined by Zac, Grant, and Aiden, while Brogan kept his eye on the bar. The group avoided the topic on everyone’s mind, keeping the conversation light and the food coming.
Mitch came in a half-hour later, his eyes immediately finding, and pinning, hers. Sliding down next to her, his arm quickly snaked its way around her shoulders and she lifted her face to his. As much as he would have like the kiss to last longer, he pulled back, a smile curving his lips for the first time that day.
“Hey,” she whispered, her wide blue eyes twinkling.
“Hey back,” he grinned.
The sound of heavy boots came from the front and, as the group looked up, a large man appeared around the corner. His long hair was pulled back in a ponytail with a strip of leather. His face was covered in a shaggy beard, not cropped close, but not long either. Tori thought it looked more like someone who shaved when the spirit moved them. A faded, tight t-shirt strained at his arms, but the worn, leather vest fit like a glove. His jean-encased legs were muscular and as her eyes dropped, she realized the heavy boots were clomping as he walked toward her. Glancing sideways, she watched Mitch eye the stranger warily until Zac called out, “Jason! Thank God you got here when you did!”
As the stranger’s eyes landed on Zac, he grinned and Tori saw beneath the rough exterior to a handsome man, whose eyes relaxed as soon as he recognized a friend.
Mitch stood immediately, his hand out to grasp Jason’s firmly. “Any friend of Zac’s is welcome here. Good to have you.”
Jason’s gaze dropped to the police logo on Mitch’s shirt and his eyes moved back to Mitch’s. Anticipating Jason’s reaction, he said, “I know you’re a top notch mechanic and hear you want to run a tattoo parlor as well. Got no problem with me and I’ll see what I can do to run interference if the town council want to quibble about a veteran opening a business.”
Jason’s smile returned as he shook Mitch’s hand. Introductions were made as Brogan made his way over to the table as well. Tori smiled at the newcomer, then noticed the others shifting nervously in their seats. Turning her face toward Mitch, she shot him a questioning gaze.
“Babe, I haven’t had time to talk to you about this, but we need your help. Jason is new in town and needs a place to stay. We would like him to stay at your inn until he can get established.”
Smiling, she said, “Sure! I have plenty of room.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she looked back at Mitch. “Oh, wait a minute. Are you setting me up with a babysitter?”
Jason, already briefed by Zac, softened his gaze at Tori. “Ms. Bradford, please don’t think of me as a babysitter. I understand you’re having some troubles and, honest to God, I need a place to stay. If you’re willing, I’d be glad to barter some of the cost off in odd-jobs until I can get my business started.”
Mitch smiled at Jason, already liking the man. Rubbing Tori’s shoulder, he said, “I hate to put you on the spot, but what do you say, babe?”
“Of course you can stay,” she smiled at Jason. “It’s true that my life suddenly went crazy two days ago, and don’t worry about the price. I’ve got a couple of guests now, but have had several cancellations, so I’ve easily got a room.”
Letting out a breath he did not realize he was holding, Mitch leaned back, pulling Tori along with him. She twisted around to look at him and said, “You needn’t have worried…I’m not unreasonable!”
A fun-filled hour later, Mitch and Tori escorted Jason to the Sea Glass Inn. Mitch waited as she showed Jason around and got him settled into the Blue Room. Hesitating at the door, she suddenly stopped, placing her hand on Jason’s arm. He looked down, his eyes concerned.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted, “but you should know that this is the room where Mr. Dumfries died. I promise it’s been scrubbed. He died in his sleep, but I’d understand if this is not where you want to stay. It’s just the largest room and I thought you’d be more comfortable here.”
Jason glanced in, seeing the blue walls, large, four-poster bed, antique chest of drawers, a desk and comfortable chair by the bay window over-looking the Chesapeake, and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall over a small bookcase. Through the open door, he could make out a white and blue tiled bathroom. Looking back down, he smiled at her concern.
“Miss Tori, this room is a lot nicer than where I’ve been spending my nights. And where I was stationed when in the service, I’ve slept where death was at my door. I assure you, this is more than generous of you and I’d be honored to stay here.”
Releasing her worried sigh, she smiled once more. “Then welcome to Baytown and to the Sea Glass,” she replied and walked back down the stairs.
*
Tori, at Mitch’s suggestion, took a long bubble bath, complete with scented candles lit and Brian Crain’s piano music playing in the background. The desire to step into the bathroom where she lay naked was overwhelming, so he left the room and jogged down the stairs to the second floor, heading straight to the Blue Room. It only took one knock and the door was thrown open.
Jason nodded at Mitch as though expecting him and stepped back allowing Mitch to enter. “I figured you might want to come by,” Jason said. “Zac gave me the lowdown in general terms, but I reckon I need more from you.”
“I appreciate it,” Mitch admitted. “It kills me that I can’t be here all the time, but I’ve got some suspects that live in Virginia Beach and Williamsburg that I need to interview and I don’t want her unprotected.” Rubbing his brow again, he added, “I don’t expect you to be her bodyguard, but just being here at night if I can’t be, will be a big relief.”
“You got it, man.” Jason hesitated a second before asking, “You being the Police Chief…you’re not concerned about me wanting to open a mechanics shop or tattoo parlor?”
Mitch considered the man in front of him carefully. “Any reason why I’d be concerned?”
“I got no priors, if that’s what you mean,” Jason replied. “Zac told me there was a garage here in town that’s for sale since the old owner died. Heard his daughter was wantin’ to get rid of the place so I can probably make a good deal on it. If I get it up and runnin’, I got a couple of my Navy buds that’re mechanics too. Like me, they’ve got no real home and I’d be wantin’ to offer them a job.”
“Can’t see anything wrong with that plan.”
“Zac also said there was a small store that’s just sittin’ empty next to the garage space. I plan on trying to set up a tattoo shop there as well. Some people don’t like people who ride motorcycles or have tattoos.”
“You’re right,” Mitch admitted, “and if the Harleys are running up and down the road at night making a lot of noise, then I won’t be a big fan either. But I got nothing against a man working to make an honest dollar.”
The two men stared at each other, both appearing to like what they saw.
“’Preciate it, Mitch.”
“Did Zac talk to you about what we’re trying to do with the American Legion?”
Nodding, Jason said, “Yeah. Funny, my granddad was in an American Legion. I never paid any attention when I was a kid, but after coming home and realizing I needed a group around me that understood, I’m ready to help you all get one started. I’d consider it an honor.”
Shaking hands, Mitch added, “Zac’s been a friend since we were babes. Any friend of his is welcome here in Baytown.”
Leaving Jason’s room, he took the stairs two at a time, getting back to Tori’s room. Seeing the bedroom empty, he walked over to the bathroom door. Knocking lightly, he waited but heard no answer. His hand on the knob, he hesitated.
“Tori?” he called softly, but still received no answer. Opening the door slightly, he peered in, his breath catching in his throat.
She was reclined in the tub, her body cloaked underneath the bubbles, eyes closed as the soft music played. Her hair was piled in a messy bun on top of her head, with
a few reddish tendrils falling all about, their ends in the water. Before he could close the door, she opened her eyes and turned, gifting him with a smile. Unsure what she wanted, he hesitated until she lifted her hand up toward him, beckoning.
He closed the door behind him to keep the warm air inside. The candlelight cast shadows about the room and the scent of honeysuckle filled the air.
“You’ve got to tell me what you want, Tori,” he said, resting his hip on the counter, battling the desire to rush to her side. “I don’t want to make any assumptions.”
She twisted in the water, her upper body against the tub, and rested her head on her arms, crossed on the side. Her sky-blue eyes shone in the minimal light. “I fell in love with you when I was six-years-old…I’m not six anymore.”
His eyes moved over her face, wanting to dip his hands in the water and feel her skin, which he knew would be like silk. Grinning, he shook his head slightly. “No, you’re definitely not six anymore.”
“I want you, Mitch, if you’ll have me. I want you and I want this. Right now. Tonight. Not when the case is solved. Not when we’re both more settled. But now.”
He crossed the room in two steps, kneeling at the tub. Taking her face in his hands, he leaned down, his breath warm against her cheek. Kissing the edge of her mouth, he breathed in her scent, before his lips captured hers. He placed his hands under her arms and lifted her easily out of the tub and set her feet gently down on the cushy bath mat. Grabbing a plush towel, he began to dry her off. He knelt at her feet, drying each as she balanced herself with a hand on his shoulder.
As she looked down, she was overcome with the sexy sight of a man tending to her. Never…I’ve never had this.
Making his way up her legs, he placed a kiss on her clipped mound, the slight reddish curls beckoning to him. Grinning as she moaned, he felt her fingers grip into his shoulders as he kissed his way up her body, his lips trailing the towel. Over her belly, he dipped his tongue into her belly-button as he dried her luscious ass.
Lifting his body from the floor, he carefully caressed each breast as he dried them, observing the distended rosy nipples. Bending, he sucked one into his mouth, flicking his tongue over the hardened bud before nipping it slightly with his teeth. He barely heard her hiss, as his own blood roared through his ears. Moving from one delectable breast to the other, the fact that he had stopped drying her was forgotten, until he felt water drip onto his face from her hair.
Lifting his gaze up to hers, he apologized. “I’m sorry…it seems as though I became distracted.”
Her breath coming in pants, hands still on his shoulders, she smiled. “No apology needed. I can’t remember ever being so happy to be wet. I might have to bathe constantly from now on, just to have you dry me off.”
Laughing, he claimed, “That’d be fine with me.” Lifting the towel, he ordered, “Turn around.” As she obliged, he kept his eyes off her ass and on her hair as he rubbed the towel through the tresses. Hanging the wet towel over the bar, he stood and watched her in the vanity mirror over the double sinks.
Not wanting to waste a minute, she grabbed a wide-tooth comb and quickly ran it through her hair. Her gaze lifted to his in the mirror as he came to stand behind her. Wrapping his arms around, he placed one hand on her belly and the other across her chest as he kissed the top of her head.
They stood there for a moment, holding each other’s gaze, saying nothing. She finally broke the spell.
“Make love to me, Mitch.”
His worshipful expression broke into a huge smile. “Anything you say, Tori. Anything for you.”
Chapter 16
Mitch’s hand fisted in Tori’s still-wet hair, holding her close as he devoured her lips. Hard. Demanding. As though neither of them could get enough. His tongue delved inside of her warm mouth again and again, capturing her moans.
She squirmed in his arms, her nipples tight and aching as she pressed them against his chest. As her core rubbed against his swollen cock, she felt the material between them. Loving the sensation of her naked body pressed to his, she had to admit the rough denim on her clit was enough to take her over the edge. She tried to slide her hand down to his jean zipper but found it captured in his and brought above her head. He held both wrists in one hand as his lips continued their assault down her body.
He wanted to take his time…explore…suckle…nurture. But his action was now playing against him. With her arms trapped above her head in his hands, her naked beauty was vulnerable. The realization that he had to get naked as well—as quickly as possible—shot through him.
Letting her go, Mitch pushed himself off the bed. With a flip of his hands, his polo flew over his head and landed on the floor.
She watched his biceps swell and bunch as he tossed his shirt away. Her gaze drifted down to the sculpted muscles of his chest and ripped, mouth-watering abs. Desiring to drag her tongue over each ridge, he unzipped his jeans before she had a chance to move. Now her eyes were unable to pull themselves away from what lay behind the zipper.
As he pulled his jeans down and jerked his boxers off, his erection sprang free. Towering over her, he palmed himself and grinned as she lowered a hand. Running her finger down her breasts, over her tummy, to the aching folds, she circled her clit. As he watched her, a groan erupted from his lips, his cock ready to explode.
“Please. Now,” she pleaded in a whisper, her need overtaking all other thoughts.
Crawling over her body, resting his weight on his arms, all rational thinking flew from his mind. Placing his aching cock at her entrance he gazed down at her face as her legs wrapped around his waist, her heels digging into his ass. He plunged inside in one swift movement, her warm, tight sex welcoming him. Home. I’ve finally found home. As he watched her eyes, hooded with desire, he began moving slowly.
She was having none of that. “Harder,” she begged again, grabbing his ass with her hands, pulling him forward as she moved her hips up.
Answering her need as their bodies slammed together, he leaned down to capture her lips again as his tongue began to emulate the movement of his dick. He had been with a number of women in the past years but realized he had never felt a connection with anyone else. Something about seeing her reddish hair spilling over her pillow as it dried while he plunged into her warmth, felt right. From the little girl to the woman in his bed…he knew she was it.
The friction built between them and she forced her hips up in the mating dance that she knew would bring relief. Sweet relief. More endowed than her ex, he reached places deep inside that were longing to be stroked. With her hands moving back and forth from his ass to his back, she reveled in the feel of his muscular body connecting with hers.
He knew he was about to come, but wanted her satisfaction first. He ground his pelvis against her clit, eliciting more delicious moans from the beautiful woman writhing beneath him. Leaning on one arm he slid his other hand down her body, over her breast and stomach until reaching that swollen bud. Moving his fingers around the wetness where their bodies were connected, he gave her clit a little pinch and she fell apart.
Her slick inner walls began to tighten around his cock and she threw her head back onto the mattress as her orgasm roared through her.
With a few more thrusts, he felt his balls tighten as the muscles in his neck corded and the veins threatened to burst, powering through his release as he pumped through his orgasm.
Panting and bodies slick with sweat, he fell on top of her before he could remember that he would crush her. Forcing himself to roll to the side, he pulled her along with him so that she was sprawled partially on top of him. They lay for a long time, neither saying anything, coherent thought was impossible.
As the air around them began to cool their bodies, he reached over to grab a light blanket and pull it up over them, making sure it was tucked around her.
Sated, he snuggled her body tightly into his. Wrapping one arm around her stomach, his hand cupped her breast. The other arm slipped unde
r her neck and he whispered, “Sweet dreams, babe.”
Unsure if she could fall asleep with the man of her dreams holding her closely, she soon fell into slumber, her breath mingling with his.
*
Tori rolled over, once more enjoying the sight of Mitch in her bed with the early morning light on his face. Unable to stop herself, she reached over, barely tracing her finger along his jaw.
He grinned before opening his eyes, then turned toward her. “Mmmm,” he greeted, kissing her. “I could get used to this wake up call.”
“I hope you do,” she admitted.
At that, his eyes focused squarely on hers and his smile brightened, dimples deepening. Rolling over, he pinned her beneath him, but she welcomed his weight, wrapping her arms around his waist. Kissing her, tongues tangling, she felt his erection pressing into her core. Hips angling upward, she swallowed his groan.
Lifting his head slightly, he said, “I’ve got to get going. I’ve got to go to Virginia Beach today.”
“Then I guess we’d better get busy,” she teased.
Growling, he took her mouth…then went about taking his time…taking her body.
*
A few hours later, Mitch parked his jeep in the driveway of a gated community, each large house seeming to outdo the next in size and landscaping. He had checked and discovered Vanessa and Nelson Hurkamp had only been married for six months. It was his second marriage and her third. Vanessa always wanted the biggest and brightest…looks like she kept trading up until she found it. His mind rolled back to a simpler time, but one that left an indelible impression.
The baseball game had finished and we’d talked to the girls gathered to cheer from the stands. Tori, with her russet hair, large blue eyes, and smattering of freckles was the best part of summers in Baytown. She had been coming to visit ever since I could remember. This year she had just turned thirteen and had shown up with a body that had matured and my fifteen year old brain short-circuited every time I was near her. Vanessa, now at almost sixteen, had the looks, but was such a stuck-up bitch, no one wanted to hang around her. Thank goodness she usually only stayed a week and Tori stayed all summer.
Coming Home: Baytown Boys Series Page 13