Promise Made (The Callahan Series)

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  Jerome rained curses down on anyone within earshot.

  “You won’t get out of these,” Dugan promised. He turned to Ralph. “I called Jonathan. He’ll meet you at the office. Don’t take the prisoner out of the cruiser until he gets there.” Otherwise, Dugan would have to go in himself. Right now he wanted to be with Kate. “Call Doc Pullman and have him take a look at his leg.”

  “Bitch almost killed me!” Jerome yelled. “I’m bleeding!”

  “You’ll live,” Dugan said dryly.

  “It's only a few blocks, Jerome, so settle your butt down,” Ralph barked as he started the motor.

  Dugan gave the cuffs another yank to make sure they were secure, and waved Ralph on his way.

  As the cruiser made its way to the jail, Dugan’s mind flashed back to the moment he’d thought Kate would die. His heart still hammered so hard it was a wonder he could still function. One thing was clearer than ever in both his heart and mind. He loved Kaitlin Maroney. He believed she loved him, too. It might take time, but he wanted Kate back in his life. As more than a lover or friend. He wanted a forever relationship.

  He went back inside, stood in the doorway, crossed his arms, and watched as Kate made sure her gram was all right. Ed had a protective arm around the woman he loved. She didn’t seem to mind at all. Yogi, unused to so much excitement, ran back and forth between all of them. Poor dog probably wasn’t sure what had happened to his peaceful home.

  To see everyone safe and whole was such a relief that Dugan let out a sigh of gratitude. It could have turned out so different.

  “You were wonderful, Gram,” Kate was saying as she gave her grandmother a hug. “I didn’t know what to do.”

  “You did well, Katie-Girl. You stopped him with those scissors.” She wrapped her arms around her granddaughter.

  “You’re coming home with me, Grace,” Ed said, the same firmness in his voice Dugan had heard earlier. “There’s no way I’m going to worry about you the rest of the night.” He took her hand. “Get your things.”

  Grace’s gaze shot to Kate. “I can’t leave Kate here by herself.”

  Ed, his dark eyes full of determination, cornered Dugan. “You’ll see to Kate, won’t you?”

  Dugan swallowed. It was the same kind of order Sheriff Clark had given when Dugan was a wet-behind-the-ears-deputy.

  “Ed. No. Really. I'll be fine,” Kate was protesting.

  “Don’t worry about Kate. I’ll take care of her. You two go on.”

  “You need to take care of your prisoner,” Kate said, sounding more desperate than she’d sounded with Jerome.

  Dugan’s gaze never left hers as he hit speed dial on his cell.

  After a short few words he turned it off. “The prisoner is right where he belongs. Doc Pullman’s on his way to tend his wound. No problems.”

  “I’ll be fine,” she insisted. “Go home and get some sleep.”

  His own determination surged. “I don’t think so.”

  ****

  Kate wanted to raise more objections, but her brain couldn’t get past the fact that Dugan planned to spend the night, with Ed and Gram’s blessings no less.

  It wasn’t because she didn’t want him to. To be able to curl up in his arms would be the best thing she could think of to erase the memory of what had just happened.

  “Are you sure about this, Katie-Girl?” Gram asked.

  Kate’s heart was only now beginning to settle into its normal rhythm. She’d never been so frightened in her life. When Dugan showed up, he had been an answer to her prayers.

  Now she was faced with a different sort of danger. Hadn’t she vowed to end the affair with Dugan? How could she resist him in the state she was in?

  “I'm fine. I love you, Gram.” Kate hugged her, blinking back a sudden spurt of tears.

  “We’ll talk tomorrow,” Gram promised. “Get some sleep. It’s been a grueling few days.”

  Ed had left the room and now stood there with Gram’s overnight bag in his hand, a worried look on his face.

  He’s afraid Gram won’t go with him.

  The man had asked her to marry him. Gram hadn’t given him an answer. If she left with him tonight it would be a good sign she would say yes. If she didn’t, it was a resounding no.

  When Gram finally turned to hug and say goodnight to Dugan then walked over to Ed, the poor man almost sagged against the wall. His relief equaled Kate’s. The two of them should be together.

  Kate watched them leave. Ed would make Gram happy and take care of her.

  But Kate didn’t need to be taken care of. Plus, she was bone tired. Packing all day, the drive back, plus the confrontation with Jerome...

  We stand on our own two feet, Kate.

  She pulled herself up, stiffened her spine. She might be beyond tired, and she might have faced down a killer tonight, but she’d been taking care of herself for years.

  “Thanks, Dugan, but you can leave now. I know you told Ed you’d take care of me, but—”

  “You can take care of yourself, I know. But there are times when a little help comes in handy. Do you have any idea how stubborn you are?”

  She wanted to cry with any number of emotions: fear, relief, exhaustion, frustration, gratitude, you name it. “You came just in time,” she finally settled on, feeling her resistance crumble. Was she starting to shake? Good Lord.

  Dugan cleared his throat. “I'm sorry about the stubborn thing. That was my frustration talking. Listen, maybe I didn't get a chance to tell you with everything going on, but you were wonderful in court.”

  Her heart stilled as her eyes met his. “You told me. But you didn’t call.”

  “Work got in the way. Then you weren’t here. What’s with the U-Haul?”

  “I sold my condo. This episode tonight just reinforced my need to be here for Gram. She isn’t as young as she once was.”

  “She has Ed.”

  “I know. He’s wonderful to her. It’s me.” She put her hand to her chest. “Here, inside, I feel as if I should stay. Look what happened a few weeks ago. I was in the next room when she fell and broke her arm. I’m so afraid she’ll get hurt again and I...I won’t be close enough to help.”

  Tears leaked between closed eyelids. She opened them and summoned her last reserve of strength. “Like I said, thanks for everything, Dugan. You’ve been wonderful. If you’re worried about Ed,” she said. “I’ll tell him you took good care of me.”

  “Kate…?”

  She opened her mouth to protest. But Dugan stopped her.

  “Don’t say a word. I’m staying.”

  Now was the time. “Dugan—about our affair. It can’t continue.”

  “What? You didn’t enjoy it?”

  The look of disbelief on his face made her wonder what he saw when he looked at her. Determination, she hoped. “I was wrong. We can’t make love, have a long-term affair, and survive. Neither of us. So let’s call it what it was, a wonderful interlude where we visited our past. This is the here and now, Dugan, and we need to cool it.”

  “Cool it?”

  He came over, touched her cheek, ran a hand to her mouth, circled it with a finger.

  “Does that feel cool to you?”

  She shivered, but not from the cold. Her insides were practically melting—from just a touch. Was she doing the right thing? Or making the same mistake twice?

  “I thought we had something special going on,” he said softly.

  “We did. But it—we can’t continue, Dugan.”

  He turned away from her, swearing. “All right, then. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

  Her heart leapt. Dugan in the next room when she wanted him in her bed? What could be worse? She couldn’t let him stay. He barely listened to a word she said. The way she was feeling, it would be a disaster. For both of them.

  She held up a shaky hand. “No. Absolutely not. It’s not—Dugan—!”

  He was already heading for the linen closet.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

&nbs
p; It was over. Dugan felt as if his world was crashing down around him. Whatever they had shared so gloriously barely days ago had vanished when she stormed into her room, leaving him to make up his bed on the couch. She was having no part of him.

  He slumped onto the overstuffed thing. Was there nothing he could do or say to change her mind?

  Not as long as she had that look of stubborn determination etched on her face.

  Maybe she'd soften up by morning.

  In the meantime, he tried to make himself comfortable on the too soft, too short couch. It wasn’t possible. He gave up, went to the den and stretched out on the lounge chair. Better. There was a drawback, however. He could hear the water running in the shower—reminding him of their last encounter there. Her smooth skin, the tiny mole on her right shoulder he ached to kiss again, and the other one near her left hip.

  Shit! He’d never see either of them again if he didn’t do something.

  He got up and paced the room. Maybe moving around would take away the urge to push the door open, stalk into her bathroom, take her in his arms, and take up where they’d left off earlier in the week. Something had changed since they’d last seen each other. Kate was holding herself in tight reserve. Holding herself back. From him. From them.

  Why?

  He loved the woman. Maybe he should just tell her and see where the chips fell.

  And send her running for the hills again?

  Kate had just told him she was staying in Oaktree. Did it mean anything other than what she’d said? That she wanted to be close to Grace?

  How would that play out? They’d see each other all the time. He was the sheriff, for God’s sake. Which meant he couldn’t go around with his heart on his sleeve and half the town feeling sorry for him.

  Maybe it was better this way. At least they hadn’t made it to the altar this time before she changed her mind.

  But the more he thought about it the worse it sounded. Kate loved him, he was sure of it. How could she make love to him like she had and not?

  There was a reason she was so afraid. He had to find what it was.

  Tomorrow. Starting tomorrow. As for tonight...

  He shook his head and tried the lounger again.

  This wasn’t going to work. Ten minutes later he dragged himself to his feet and paced the floor some more. Despite the hour, Dugan pulled out his cell phone and made a quick call to Rita to give her the all clear. Then he checked in on his prisoner.

  “Doc bandaged his leg and gave him a tetanus shot. Said he’d be fine.” Ralph laughed. “Should have been here. He yelled like a sonofabitch. He cursed Kate until I told him to shut up or I would tape his mouth.”

  “He deserves what he gets. Keep a close eye on him.” Dugan paused. “Did you feed Piper?”

  “Taken care of, boss. You just take care of yourself.”

  Right. He paced some more. The shower had stopped. After a rough couple of days, Kate was most likely asleep.

  He began to pace again. To the window and back. To the door and back.

  “You need to get some sleep. Instead you’re pacing a trench in the floor.”

  He looked up to see Kate watching him, her eyes wide and solemn. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to keep you awake.” Even in an old T-shirt, she looked wonderful. Damp, curly hair spilled around her face. His eyes slid from her bare feet up those gorgeous legs, and back to her somber face.

  “Is something the matter, Kate? And no, you’re not keeping me awake.” She moved into the room, walked over to the window. It was dark. He doubted she could see a thing. But it kept her from looking at him.

  His throat tightened. Even now, he wanted her so badly it was an ache in his heart.

  “Guess I’m just restless.”

  She rolled her neck as if to get out the stress.

  “I know it’s hard, but you need to forget what happened. Jerome can’t hurt you. You’re safe now, Kate.”

  Her voice was a whisper when she finally spoke. “I thought we would die.”

  She turned then and he saw the tears. He took a step toward her and did his best to gently wrap his arms around her. She needed comfort right now, not desire. “Kate?”

  Or did she? She put a finger to his lips, lifted her face.

  The kiss was electric.

  “I…” he began, needing to get it out there.

  “Shh,” she whispered.

  “But Kate—”

  “Enough talk.” She reached up and started kissing him as if there were no tomorrow. Familiar kisses, but more intense than ever, Desperate, almost. Had she changed her mind? Unless he was more dense than a block of wood, Kate had been determined to keep distance between them.

  Dugan gave up his need to tell her he loved her and simply went with the moment. Sweeping her into his arms, he kissed her again and again while he carried her to her room, then shut the door before the animals followed them in.

  It didn’t matter if she didn’t love him in return. He’d take her any way she wanted him.

  Within seconds her nightshirt was gone and his clothes disappeared.

  The tangle of arms, legs, and body, combined with never-ending kisses made him ready to explode.

  He was wild for her. Five minutes ago he’d thought this—they were over. But here they were, Kate panting beneath him, her eyes and mouth as hungry as his own. Her hands were touching him everywhere, setting him on fire with desire. Nearly frantic now, she reared up to meet him as he thrust inside of her, then all but flew past him in a frenzy of want.

  For the first time ever, Dugan had a hard time slowing her down.

  “Wait, Kate, wait.”

  He wanted this to last. He pulled back to stroke her curves, and kiss them. He moaned at the delicious feel of her beneath him. Familiar? Yes. Different? Yes. This was something he’d never experienced before. Sex? Yes. Wild, crazy sex? No. He growled and plunged deeper. Kate let out an answering shout of pleasure, stiffened, then trembled beneath him. Seconds later, she pulled him to her and started again. What little blood he had left in his head shot straight to his groin as he tried to keep up with her.

  He gave all he had, then gave some more. His stomach quivered when she let out a low, long, primal moan of sheer pleasure.

  His senses were on overload as he took her hips in his hands to slow her down. She finally followed suit, stroking his shoulders, touching his mouth with almost there kisses. He couldn’t resist and pressed his lips to hers. First soft and sweet, then deeper until she took his buttocks in both hands and yanked him into her. Closer. Tighter.

  Dear God! Where had this woman come from?

  He looked into her gorgeous blue eyes and saw the fire, and the frenzy. Was this her goodbye? Couldn’t be. Wouldn’t be. He wouldn’t let it. The taste and feel of her was like a drug. Addictive.

  “Do you know what you do to me?” she gasped.

  “Tell me.”

  “I ache for you. Yearn for you, Dugan.”

  Overwhelmed, he sank into her, deeper now, harder. The feel of her surrounding him filled him with joy. Forever, his heart begged.

  She was his. No matter what happened after this night, Kate was his.

  ****

  The haze over her eyes faded slowly as Kate reveled in the feel of Dugan’s body inside of hers, her legs wrapped around him to brand him as all hers. The feel of him under her hands made her itch with a hunger that couldn’t be quenched. There was so much more of him now that she wanted to pinch herself to prove he was real. Instead, unable to control herself, she once again set a faster pace, panting with the effort. It was as if she were suddenly insatiable.

  Lord help her. What was making her go crazy like this? But she was crazy for this man. Always had been. Her mind went blank again as she met his hurried thrusts, felt his tongue dance with hers. When she at last flew over the edge she thought she might die from the sheer beauty of the freefall.

  Hadn’t she promised not do this again? Would she be a total idiot to give him up? To give up all
that Dugan offered? She was a strong woman, but when it came to Dugan Callahan, she clearly couldn’t resist, and all her promises flew out the window. How she’d missed him all these years. Missed this closeness, this love.

  His mouth trailed kisses up and down her body. She purred her pleasure. He smiled and took her mouth again until she forgot everything else.

  “Don’t stop.”

  He didn’t. Unbelievably, once more, she had what had to be the world's most phenomenal orgasm. But this one shattered her into a million pieces, leaving her limp and barely able to breathe.

  Dugan chuckled and put his arms around her, spooned her into his arms, and kissed the mole on her right shoulder.

  Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes.

  How could she do this to Dugan? She’d vowed not to hurt him again.

  Apparently she wasn’t very good at keeping promises.

  But every time he looked at her in a certain way all she wanted was him. How could she say no to that look? For that matter, how could she say no to herself when she wanted him so badly?

  She sighed. It would take a stronger person than she.

  His hands roamed her body, softly, sensuously. Her body quivered with want. Again?

  She felt him against her back, hard and ready as ever.

  The time for thinking was over.

  ****

  The next morning, Dugan’s phone buzzed. He’d put it on vibrate so as not to wake Kate. He was needed at the station. Jerome was awake and raising hell. He left a note on the pillow telling Kate they’d talk later.

  The sexual haze from last night hung around him. Could others see it?

  “I want my lawyer,” Jerome yelled when he saw Dugan.

  “Then call him.”

  “I did. Bastard said he couldn’t see me today.”

  “That’s your problem, Jerome. Cool it or I’ll have Doc Pullman give you something to calm you down.”

  Jerome’s curses followed Dugan out the door.

  He headed for Molly’s. Questions flew as soon as he walked in the door. The town was abuzz with the news and wanted more. Who brought Jerome down? Did Kate really stab him in the leg? Did old Sheriff Ed challenge a killer? Really?