“Am I asleep or awake?”
“Asleep.” He stroked a lazy line down her spine with his fingertips. She curled into him more. Her body fit perfectly with his, soft curves to hard angles. She loved the comfort, loved his warmth.
“I need you to promise me something,” he said.
“What?”
“Promise me you won’t put yourself in danger pursuing justice for Kroger.”
“I thought you were going to ask me to drop it.”
“I know you won’t do that;” he put distance between them to look in her eyes. “Promise me? I don’t want to lose you.”
“I promise.” She had no intention of putting herself in danger, but somehow she felt as if she already were. She didn’t care what the police thought; the break-in at her house had to be connected to the case. She was sure Isaac was trying to intimidate her. The fact that he had been in her home before led her deeper into that understanding.
She didn’t know how long he had walked around her house that night. What had he touched? After he left, she had looked around, but nothing seemed out of place—not even the photo she had seen him pick up. But if it were Isaac, why would he take her vibrator? None of it made sense.
“What are you thinking about?”
“You,” she smiled.
“You’re lying.”
“True, but I’m thinking about you now.” She brushed her fingers across his shoulder. “I’m thinking about how much I’d like for you to touch me like you did that night.”
He smiled. “You’re determined to get me inside of you, one way or another aren’t you?”
“Uh huh,” she laughed. “Last I checked you had no problem being inside me.”
She paused for a minute. “What’s that noise?”
“My cell phone,” he said before fading away from her dream.
She awoke shortly after he did. She was still groggy, but he seemed to be fully awake as he held a conversation with the caller. She heard him say he’d be there as soon as he could. That meant he had to go to work, and she had to go home.
She climbed out of bed and went for her skirt.
“You can stay.”
“I know,” Daya pulled her skirt up and sat back down on the bed while she buttoned her blouse. “I have an early day tomorrow; I should really sleep at home.”
“You’re at home here.”
She laughed. “At my home.”
“This could be your home.”
“What are you going to do; marry me and make an honest woman of me?” She chuckled.
Warren grabbed her wrists and pulled her up to meet his intense gaze. The laughter in her voice subsided with one look in his eyes.
“Yes,” he pressed his lips to hers in an explorative kiss. Daya leaned closer, needing to feel his arms around her. As if knowing her need and satisfying his own, Warren released her wrists. One strong hand settled on her back, pushing her closer; while the other hand fisted her hair. If he didn’t stop now he wouldn’t make it in to work. If he did stop, she’d morn the loss of his heat.
Craving turned to need, need into fierce passion. One kiss wasn’t enough. Daya clutched his waist, pulling him as close as she could get him. She was well aware of his arousal and her own. She reluctantly broke their kiss—only to take a breath before returning his kiss. The words “strip me and take me now” danced on her lips—silenced only by his mouth.
Fingers clutched at fabric until she found flesh. Slipping her hands beneath his bunched shirt, she felt the warmth of his skin. Suddenly, she needed more. She went after his lips like a hunter goes after prey.
He pulled back, “Daya,” his breath strained from passion.
“No,” she moaned as her fingers found the clasp of his belt. It wasn’t long before her fingers started to work his zipper down. A raw curse tore from his throat as her hand nudged his erection. Daya went back first into the closet door as Warren tugged at her skirt. She shimmied and wiggled until her skirt fell to the floor, followed quickly by her underwear.
He tore at her blouse, ripping the buttons lose in order to caress her smooth skin. Within seconds, he had her braced against the door. Her legs wrapped around him and he entered her so swiftly she cried out in ecstasy.
“Yes! Warren, oh God.” She panted for air as he filled her completely. She pulsed with desire, passion, need.
He drove into her, pushing her over the threshold and she came as he spilled inside of her.
Several minutes passed before Warren lifted his head from her shoulder. “I have to report in.”
“I understand,” she wiped hair back from her face. He leaned in to kiss her. She placed her hand against his chest to stop him. “Last time we kissed, neither of us wanted to come up for air. You need to get to work.”
“I’ll take you home.”
“I drove here.”
“It’s dark and it won’t be easy navigating the roads.”
“You’ll be late.” She looked at the clock. “Even later than you already are.”
He didn’t care, he had said. He had every intention of taking her home.
Chapter Eight
Daya took the kiss Warren had offered her and returned it with as much passion as she had earlier. “Come over when you’re done,” she pulled her spare key from her purse and gave it to him. “No matter how late.”
“I will.”
Daya went inside and locked the door. She smiled, thinking about how protective Warren was. She hadn’t needed a reminder to lock the door, yet he had made sure to give her one. “If only you were as protective of my clothing,” she mumbled as she looked down at yet another button less blouse. She hadn’t even tried to find the buttons; she was sure they had scattered beneath the furniture when they hit the hardwood floor.
She walked into the bedroom and quickly pulled on a t-shirt and workout pants. She wanted to take a hot shower, but she didn’t want to walk around with her clothes hanging off her either.
“Counselor.”
She froze. “How did you get in here?” She slowly backed away from the bedroom. She just needed to reach the front door.
“The front door of course. You really should have an alarm.”
“Get out of my house.”
She watched his cool exterior. He wasn’t the least bit concerned about breaking and entering charges. Warren, please help me. Would it work? Could he hear her thoughts? No, it wouldn’t; he couldn’t. He had already told her outside of dream walking he had never experienced an exchange of thoughts. The only way she could reach him is if they were both asleep. She was on her own. She would have to help herself.
“Get out.”
“Not yet,” he smiled.
She had seen him lurking in the darkness of her bathroom, just off from her bedroom. He had no doubt watched her undress and change before revealing himself.
“Do you remember what I told you in the court room?” He pulled out a pair of plastic gloves. “Once is never enough.”
She made a run for the front door, but he caught up with her. He sunk his hand in her hair and pulled back hard. She wrapped her hand around his, trying to lessen the pain as he dragged her back down the hall.
“Let go!” She tried to dig her nails into something, but all she caught a hold of was his suit jacket.
“I really wanted to sample the goods first. Hiding in your bathroom offered a great view of your body. I wish I had been hiding there when you used this.” He held her vibrator in front of her face. “I bet you come as good as your closing arguments.”
She reached farther back, digging her nails into his cheek and pulling downward. He released her hair. Less than a second later he was pushing her to the floor. She tried to pull herself up, but he grabbed her ankle and pulled her body beneath his. He showed no mercy. “That wasn’t nice,” his voice never lost control.
The chill flowed through her like a winter breeze. He was going to kill her, but at least she had managed to break skin. He wouldn’t get away with it th
is time. On the other end of that, she didn’t exactly want to be his next victim. She struggled beneath him, clawing and scratching until his hands wrapped around her neck.
As he squeezed the life from her body, she could hear the sound of an officer yelling for Isaac to step away. He hadn’t stopped. She couldn’t breathe; she needed air.
A second later she felt Isaac’s body being pulled from hers. She rolled over onto her side, gasping for air. Warren pulled her up into his arms. “It’s okay, just take slow breaths.”
She did as he said. When she could speak again, she said, “How did you know?”
“I heard you call for me.” He held her tighter. “I heard you and I just knew I needed to get back here. Officer Canter over there saw me do an illegal u-turn and he set in after me. I called it in, said I needed back up and since he was already behind me, he responded.”
“I thought I was going to die.”
“I would have never forgiven myself if you had. If I hadn’t been able to get to you, I couldn’t have lived with that.” He whispered in her ear.
“He broke into my house that night. It was him.”
“Shh…” he comforted her.
“Warren, I was so scared.” She started to cry and he held her tight.
“He won’t hurt you again, Daya. He’s going away for a long time.”
He was going away, and she would testify to see that he spent a considerable amount of time in prison. He deserved more than what he would get, but she would take it. Justice would be served.
“You’re moving in with me,” Warren said. He wasn’t asking and she knew that. Normally it would have bothered her that a man was dictating her life, but this wasn’t normal. She couldn’t imagine anywhere else she wanted to be.
“You don’t have to do that,” she said anyway.
“I know, but I want you there. It’s safer too.”
“Isaac is going to prison; I think I’ll be fine.”
He pulled back and looked in her eyes. “I just want you close to me.”
“And I want to be close to you.” She smiled. “I wonder if I can rent this place given the current events.”
“I’m sure you’ll work it out.” He pulled her back into his embrace and stroked her hair.
“I love you, Warren.” In case she hadn’t said that, she wanted to say it now.
“I love you too.” He said. “I love you too.”
About the Author
Capri Montgomery
Capri Montgomery is the bestselling author of ebooks such as Ride A Cowboy, Across the Lake, The Thirteenth Floor, 1965 and The Bride Wore Black. She enjoys nature—unless the insects are biting her, traveling, old movies, art, photography and music.
Find more books by Capri Montgomery at: www.lulu.com/haremnights
By Capri Montgomery
The Admiral’s Daughter
Dangerous Obsessions
Watch Over Me
Educating Australia
Maid for Hire
The Map Trilogy
Sleeping Inn
My Brother’s Wife
The Bride Wore Black
Murder Unveiled
The Thirteenth Floor
The Proposition
Ride a Cowboy
And Many Others…
Coming Soon:
The Dream Stalker, book two in the Gifted Liaisons series.
Dream Walker (Gifted Liaisons) Page 5