Wilde Thing

by Jannine Gallant

  “I’m on it.”

  Twenty minutes later, they sat down side-by-side to eat at the counter. While Tripp dove into his meal, Hannah picked at her food.

  Finally, he set down his taco. “What’s wrong?”

  She shrugged. “I can’t stop wondering what happened that night. Why that poor person was killed, and who she was.” A visible shudder quivered through her. “If Monica is still missing, maybe…”

  “Don’t start assuming.” His gaze sobered. “They’ll identify the body soon enough. Eat, Hannah. There’s nothing we could have done to change the outcome.”

  “Maybe not, but we can play a part in bringing this woman, whoever she was, justice by identifying her killer. If we witnessed a murder, I feel we owe her that much.”

  “We’re the only ones who can pick the man with the beard out of a lineup. Too bad we didn’t get a look at the other guy if he turns out to be the one who did the actual pushing.” Tripp crunched into his taco and chewed. “Do you suppose the cops told ski patrol to keep their mouths shut about our involvement?”

  “Even if they did, you know someone will talk. Look how quickly you found out about the body being found.”

  “True.” He wiped his hands on a napkin. “We’ll probably have every curious soul in town asking us what really happened.”

  “Sounds horrible. I don’t want any notoriety.” She scowled at her plate. “I like my privacy.”

  “I guess it’s a good thing we’ll be leaving for Wyoming next week. That should take the heat off.”

  “Thank heaven for small favors.” She popped a piece of tomato into her mouth then sighed.

  He smiled and patted her shoulder. “I’m accustomed to people I don’t know feeling they have every right in the world to ask for an autograph or take a selfie with me. It’s not so bad here at home since most of the locals know me.” He picked up his second taco. “I’ve gotten used to the invasion of my personal space. Comes with the territory when you make a name for yourself in any sport.”

  “We’re polar opposites, Tripp.” She dropped the remains of her taco on her plate, and lettuce scattered. “I’m an introvert. You’re as outgoing as they come.”

  “You know what they say about how opposites attract. I guess we’re a case in point.”

  “I suppose.” She eyed him steadily. “I haven’t forgotten you went skiing. You really need to take it easy for a few more days.”

  “I needed to get out. Anyway, I didn’t take any risks, and I didn’t hurt myself. No harm, no foul.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’ve given up trying to rein you in. You’ll do what you want, so why should I waste my energy?”

  “I’m not that bad. Am I?”

  “Maybe not.” She pushed her plate away and leaned on one elbow. “I’m sorry. I’m not in the mood to be stimulating company tonight. Honestly, this whole dead body thing makes me a little sick.”

  “Understandable, and you don’t need to apologize. I don’t expect to be entertained, for Christ’s sake. We can just hang out and watch TV or something.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “Of course not.” He finished his taco and started a third. “Are you going to eat?”

  She picked up her shell and shoved lettuce back in with her fork. “I guess I should.” After taking a bite and chewing, she laid a hand on his arm. “Thanks for being here for me. Dealing with this alone would have been a whole lot worse.”

  “Hey, we’re a good team, and bucking each other up is what teammates do.”

  She winced. “Why do I feel like I should be wearing shoulder pads and patting someone’s butt?”

  A grin spread as he licked hot sauce off his finger. “You’re welcome to pat mine.”

  A small smile appeared. “Maybe later. Right now I’m going to finish this damn taco then clean up the kitchen and crash on the couch.”

  “Excellent plan. After that…well, we’ll see.”

  She gave him another hesitant smile and nodded. “Yeah, we’ll see.”

  An hour later, they lay stretched out on the couch, feet propped on the coffee table. After dinner, Hannah had changed into a blue fleece robe and fuzzy slippers and washed off whatever makeup she’d been wearing. She looked young and vulnerable…and very appealing.

  Winnie curled up between them as they watched an old adventure movie Tripp had seen at least three times. Not that he was complaining. Maybe his usual dates involved a livelier setting with a half a dozen friends, drinking something stronger than the mug filled with herbal tea that currently sat at his elbow. But most of those friends weren’t as…comfortable to be with as Hannah. With very little effort, he could get used to evenings like this.

  Not that he was ready to be completely domesticated. Not by a long shot. Still, there was a certain attraction… If the dog wasn’t acting like a damn furry barrier between us.

  He gave Winnie a nudge followed by a push that tipped her off the cushion. She stretched then glanced over her shoulder. Irritation gleamed in her eyes before she flopped down on the rug.

  Hannah raised a brow. “Why’d you do that?”

  “The dog was in my way.” He scooted over and slipped an arm around her then nuzzled his nose against her neck. “Much better. Now we can cuddle.”

  Her lips curved. “Cuddle? Really?”

  “Sounds better to say cuddle than do the deed in the middle of your living room.”

  “True.” She closed her eyes and tilted her head to give him better access to her throat.

  “Do you want to watch the movie?” When he rested his hand on her stomach over the soft fleece robe, the muscles beneath his fingers quivered.

  “I’ve seen it.” Her voice was breathless.

  “Me, too.” He clicked off the TV with the remote then worked the belt on her robe loose to spread the sides apart. Beneath the fleece, tap pants and a camisole in ivory silk tempted him to cover one firm breast with his palm. “You’re so beautiful, looking at you hurts. In a good way.”

  “I’m glad you think so. I always see myself as…smart and competent, not pretty.”

  “Then you aren’t as smart as you think.” He pushed her down on the couch and slid in beside her. Thigh to thigh. Heart to heart. Brushing silky hair off her cheek, he cupped her chin in his hand then kissed her.

  “Maybe I’m not.” She spoke between kisses. “Because I can’t help thinking this is a mistake. No matter how much I want to believe we can make a relationship work, my mind tells me otherwise.”

  He pulled back. “Why?”

  “Will it sound like I’m losing my marbles if I say a feeling of impending doom?”

  A slow smile formed. “A little.”

  “Okay, then. How about the opposite thing? We’re day and night. You’re sunny and positive, while I’m dark and brooding…thinking everything to death.”

  “Easy solution.” He moved in for another kiss, longer and slower, taking her breath and his, too.

  “Oh?” The word came out on a gasp.

  “Stop thinking.” He cupped her silk-covered ass in his palms and squeezed. “Just feel.” The simple advice was certainly working for him. He couldn’t think at all, not when all his brain cells had drained south.

  “That works…for now. Tripp?”

  He pressed his face to the fullness of her breasts. “Yeah?”

  “I want to be optimistic about us. I want to simply enjoy.”

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

  Undressing Hannah brought even more pleasure than he’d experienced ripping off wrapping paper on Christmas morning as a child. Maybe because this gift was infinitely more precious. Which was why he took the time to savor the moment as he slid silk over soft skin. Naked and glowing in the light from the wood stove, she lay exposed to his admiring gaze. Strong, graceful limbs, breasts that made him light-headed just looking at her, and amber eyes filled with vulnerability…and trust. Her cheeks turned pink as he c
ontinued to admire her.

  “Beautiful.” Standing beside the couch, he tossed his shirt and jeans on the rug then peeled off his socks and boxers. After retrieving a condom from the wallet he’d left on the coffee table, he dropped back down beside her and cradled her close in his arms. “If this is a quiet evening at home, I may never want to go out again.”

  She nuzzled her nose against his chest and blew out a breath. “Wow, am I reforming your die-hard partying ways?”

  “It could happen.” He rolled her onto her back then slid inside her with one, smooth stroke. “For you, I might be willing to change more than a few old habits.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on as he pressed deep. “Seriously, I’m not trying to change you, Tripp.” Her voice came out in a gasp.

  “I know.” He held still inside her, trying to slow things down, unsure when he’d lost all control, certain only that this was going too fast. He kissed her, trying to take back the reins…and failing completely when she moved beneath him.

  Just go for it.

  Had she whispered those words? He was beyond knowing or caring. With a cry, he pounded into her until release shook him, taking him to a place where no one else mattered…except Hannah.

  Chapter 11

  Hannah woke slowly, cocooned in warmth, unsure what had disturbed her. Stretching, her foot brushed against Tripp’s solid, hair-roughened calf. With a smile, she snuggled closer and blinked in the darkness when Winnie erupted in another fit of barking from the other room then stopped. Straining her ears during the brief period of silence, she listened for coyotes howling. Nothing. Maybe a bear had strolled past the cabin to initiate the ruckus. With a shrug, she settled back in as the dog wore down and finally quieted.

  When Tripp tightened his arm around her, she dropped a kiss on his warm chest.

  “What’s wrong?” His voice was a low rumble.

  “Who knows? Winnie doesn’t discriminate between squirrels and mountain lions. Probably just the wind.”

  He stretched, sounding slightly more coherent. “Is it time to get up?”

  Hannah glanced at the alarm clock next to the bed. “No. It’s not even five yet. We can go back to sleep.”

  “Or…” His kiss, slow and thorough, set her heart to pounding.

  She was breathless when she was finally able to speak. “Aren’t you tired from all that couch action? Then there was round two in here…”

  He kissed her again, effectively shutting her up. “I have amazing stamina.”

  “I’ll say.” She wrapped herself around him in a move a gymnast would have envied. “If you insist…”

  Their lovemaking lacked the frenzied pace they’d set earlier. Slow and steady, he pushed her to the limit then drew back time and again until she nearly cried. “Tripp—”

  His lips trailed down her neck and over her collarbone to fasten on the tip of one breast. After endless moments, he moved on. “I want this to last until dawn.”

  “I don’t think I can wait that long.” She let out a squeak when his tongue dipped into her navel. “No, you can’t…” She sucked in a breath when he went lower. “Oh, God, I guess you can.” Pressing her eyes tightly closed, she floated on a sea of pleasure she’d never dreamed possible. A whimper slipped out. When she was on the edge of glory, he rose back up to slip inside her.

  “Together.” His voice rasped in her ear. “We’ll finish together.”

  She could only nod and hold on as the world shattered and spun her into space…

  Dawn had taken the edge off the darkness when Hannah opened her eyes again. Whining sounded from the living room. With a sigh, she slipped out from beneath Tripp’s arm and fumbled in the dim light for her robe. When she couldn’t find it on the floor, she headed into the closet to pull on a pair of sweatpants and an oversized sweater without bothering with underwear. Her toes curled against the cold floor as she left the bedroom. Winnie stood at the front door, quivering in apparent anticipation.

  “Why didn’t you go out back? That’s what the doggy door is for.”

  Winnie gave a sharp bark.

  “Whatever. Let me find my slippers.”

  She located them half under the couch. Her robe was beside them in a heap. A grin slipped out. That’s why she hadn’t been able to find it in the bedroom. Tripp had carried her to bed naked the night before. Pushing her feet into the slippers, she hurried to the door when Winnie barked again.

  “Shh, you’ll wake up Tripp.” Hannah unlocked the door and pulled it open.

  Winnie shot through. A thump sounded along with a yip. Frowning, Hannah flipped on the porch light to see better in the dim morning light.

  “What’s wrong, girl?”

  The dog scrambled to her feet on the shoveled path and shook then shuffled toward the driveway, sniffing as she went.

  “Did a bear visit last night? Is that what you were barking at?” She stepped out onto the porch. “I hope it didn’t break into the car. Maybe Tripp forgot to lock his truck.” Shivering, she stepped down…and her foot slid out from beneath her. Arms flailing, she cried out as she crashed onto the ground. Her head smacked hard on the lowest step, and pain exploded behind her eyes. Darkness blurred the spinning trees overhead as the world faded away…

  * * * *

  Tripp opened his eyes and stretched. The damn dog was barking to wake the dead. He reached out but touched only a cool sheet. Hannah must have gotten up to let Winnie out. As cold air crept in from the other room, he tugged the covers higher. Why hadn’t she shut the door?

  The barking continued, growing shriller.

  What the hell?

  Tripp climbed out of bed and felt for his jeans. They were nowhere to be found. Heading into the living room, he scooped them off the floor and pulled them on. The front door stood ajar, cold air pouring in.

  “Hannah?” Worry niggled as he crossed the room. Pushing the door wide, his bare feet burned against the frozen boards of the porch. “Shit! Hannah! Hannah!”

  She lay sprawled at the foot of the steps. Blood darkened her hair and stained the path pink. Taking the steps in a single stride, his foot slid out from under him. Momentum carried him over her. Tucking, he landed on his hip and rolled into the snow at the edge of the path.

  “Son of a bitch!” Scrambling off his ass, he crawled over to Hannah. “Oh, God. Oh, no. Move it, Winnie!” He pushed the dog away from her face and felt for a pulse at her neck. Weak, but there. “Hannah!”

  Out cold. Standing, he grabbed the railing before running up the iced-over steps. He went straight to the landline on the counter and dialed with a shaking finger.

  “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

  “My girlfriend fell down the steps and hit her head. She’s unconscious and bleeding. Please send an ambulance.”

  “Sir, did you check for a pulse?”

  “It’s there but weak.” Carrying the phone, he grabbed an afghan off the end of the couch and headed back outside. Careful of the steps, he moved to kneel next to Hannah and covered her with the blanket. “She’s on the freezing ground.” His voice broke.

  “Don’t move her.” The voice at his ear was sharp. “I have the address you’re calling from as 2500 Owl Lane. Is that your location?”

  “Yes.”

  “The ambulance is on the way. Is she responding at all, sir?”

  “No. Wait! She just moaned. Damn it, Winnie, stop barking!”

  “If she comes around, try to keep her still until the paramedics arrive. Can I get your name, please?”

  “Tripp Wilde.” He touched her cold cheek. “Hannah, can you hear me?”

  Another faint moan.

  He let out the breath he’d been holding. “She’s coming to. Hannah, you’re going to be okay. I’m right here, babe.”

  “The ambulance should be there in a couple of minutes. What’s your girlfriend’s full name?”

  “Hannah Ryder.” He pressed his fingers to her nec
k. “Her pulse is a little stronger, I think.”

  “You said she’s bleeding.”

  “There must be a gash on the back of her head under her hair. I can’t see the wound.”

  “Is she still bleeding?”

  “Not much. The cut is against the freezing ground. Hannah?” He tucked the blanket tighter around her.

  She groaned and stirred. One hand moved. She turned her head and flinched. Her lashes fluttered before her eyes slowly opened. Gaze unfocused, she blinked.

  He took her hand and squeezed. “Hannah, I’m right here. Can you see me?”

  “Tripp?” Her voice was a whisper. “Owww…” The syllable ended on a moan.

  A siren wailed in the distance.

  “Try not to move, babe. Help will be here in a minute.” He spoke into the phone. “I hear the ambulance now.”

  “You can hang up, then. Just keep her still until the paramedics arrive.”

  “I will. Thank you.” He dropped the phone and focused on Hannah. When her eyes closed, he squeezed her hand again. “Stay with me, girl. I want you awake.”

  “Hurt…” Her voice faded.

  His heart pounded so hard he could barely breathe. He took a steadying gulp of air, trying not to panic. “I know your head hurts. You fell down the steps, but the ambulance is coming.”

  Her teeth chattered. “Cold.”

  “We’ll get you warmed up in a few minutes. I promise.”

  The siren had stopped, but lights still flashed as the ambulance roared around the bend and pulled into the driveway. Behind the emergency vehicle, a red pickup with a fire department emblem parked on the edge of the street beyond the waist high bank of snow. While two paramedics pulled a stretcher from the back of the ambulance, the older man who’d come in the truck hurried up the walk to kneel beside Hannah.

  “Is she responsive?”

  “Yes.” Tripp’s hands shook as he backed out of the way. “Her name’s Hannah Ryder.”

  “Sir, go put some shoes on…and a shirt. You’ll have frostbite. And take the dog inside.”

  Tripp glanced down past his bare chest and jean-clad legs to his feet. His toes were white, and he couldn’t feel them. With a final look at Hannah’s pale face, he grabbed Winnie by the collar and dragged the still barking dog into the cabin. By the time he’d found his socks and boots and put on his shirt and jacket, the men had lifted Hannah onto a stretcher. Inside his Sorels, his toes burned as he ran out onto the porch. When his foot slid on the first step, he grabbed hold of the railing and dropped onto the path.