“I want to be close, Gray,” she whispered. Her eyes dazzled like precious gems. “I tried to stay away. I really did, but this is where I should be tonight.”
“Because the connection between us could move a mountain, sweetheart. Can’t prevent something that impressive.”
Her nipples were in full bloom, pressing the delicate material, beckoning him. She took a step forward, placing her fingers on his bare shoulder and in a sultry voice, she said, “I want us to make love.”
He stared, suspended as if he were a cloud above his body.
Closing his eyes, he tried to control the rush of temptation rolling through him. He needed to slow down before he lost himself, and he’d never lost himself with anyone or anything.
Her fingers touched his lips and he opened his eyes.
“If you don’t want this I’ll understand.” She took a step back, but he caught her hand, stilling her. Their gazes connecting with the velocity of a runaway train.
Several seconds ticked by and he gently dragged her down to the bed, covering her with the sheet. A nervous smile played at the corners of her mouth when she realized he was naked. A look of hunger overtook her amazing features as she stared up at him, raw emotion on her delicate features as she tucked that plump bottom lip between her teeth. He could practically see the chains break—one by one by slippery one.
He braced his hand at the back of her neck, teasing the flesh with figure eights. He might hate himself later, but right now, he needed her, or he was going to explode into a million pieces. Lowering his hand along the curve of her waist, from flared hip to her silken thigh, he found the hem of the gown and dragged it up and over her voluptuous, firm breasts.
Her nipples were thick and utterly amazing. Intoxicating. Mesmerizing. Made for his lips.
She leaned in and kissed his cheek, his jaw, and lower to his neck. He felt the tip of her tongue graze his skin and he hissed, like a tire losing air. That was him losing all hope that he’d get out of this unscathed. He became incensed with the need to take her fast and hard. To bury himself deep in her sweet, luscious body, but he needed to slow down, way down.
He lowered his mouth and kissed her, running his lips along the plush line of her lips and tasting her sweetness. When he lifted his head, looking down at the honied feminine lines of her face and the voluptuous pout of pearl pink lips still moist from his kiss, his stomach flip-flopped. “Stormy…”
“It’s okay, Gray. Sometimes we should let go and let things happen.” She lowered her hands to his chest.
He kissed her lightly on the lips. Every taste of her was like a sample of ice cream on a hot day. Where had she been all his life?
19
GRAY WAS OVERCOME with the desire to possess her, to claim her as his very own. He’d never understood this powerful emotion until now. He’d never wanted anyone like he wanted her.
He grabbed Stormy’s hips and pressed their naked bodies together, finding the moist heat between her legs and brushing his hard cock against her. Her soft gasp sounded loud in the quiet room.
Gray looked down at the arousal in her flushed face, then kissed her, lowering his mouth to kiss her neck, then to the tops of her breasts, tracing the mounds with his tongue.
Her fingers threaded into his hair and her back arched slightly as he took one dark, erect nipple into his mouth. A purr slipped from her lips as her nails nicked his scalp and she bucked her hips wildly. He loved how she responded to him, uninhabited and carefree. He wasn’t sure he could get enough of her because he’d barely started and here he was, wanting to devour her.
Gray suckled the hard bead until her hips gyrated in silent request.
“You’re beautiful, Stormy. The name is so fitting,” he said against her skin.
He drew the other nipple into his mouth, latching on firmly, testing how hard she liked it. He wanted to pleasure her, take her in ways she’d never known before. Brand her body with touch.
“I need you inside me,” she said eagerly.
Quickly, he pulled back and pushed the sheet down her body, taking in long shapely legs, and the groomed patch of dark hair at the junction. He knelt at the bottom of the bed and lifted her foot. She had pretty feet and her toenails were painted a bright pink. He kissed the top of each toe and licked the slender curve of her delicate ankle, hearing the heavy pants of her breathing and the ripping sound of her nails on the sheet.
Following the smooth skin of her legs with his palms, he settled between them, the scent of her desire swirled around his nostrils. He’d never smelled anything more pleasurable—so intoxicating. He instantly grew larger and tighter and his body ached to take her fast and hard. She wouldn’t complain because he could smell her arousal, but he wanted to know all of her, have her come on his lips. Learn her body.
“Turn over, baby,” he commanded. “Turn over for me.”
Without hesitation she rolled over and he positioned himself behind her, looking down at the slender line of her arched back. He kissed his way down her spine until he reached the indentation of her waist and the bountiful curve of her bottom. He kissed each firm mound, nibbling the tight skin until she shivered and her moans were deeper.
He gently tossed her back onto the bed. She was beautiful with her hair spread out over the pillow, her face flushed, her lips quivering, and a pink tinge to her tantalizing body. To know he’d have her soon, to caress the inside of her, made his plans painstakingly impossible…almost. He was a man who could take a lot, and this was important, to make her feel pleasure.
Dipping his fingers into her soft nest of crisp hair, he opened her slightly, seeing her slick with dew. Had he ever brought a woman to such desire? He didn’t care. Never would again.
“I’ve never seen a more beautiful body. You’re so ready for me.” He teased her clit, rolling his finger around the flesh, then swept his finger lower through the moist cleft. “So good. So sweet.”
Her hips came up high and she spread her legs. “Please, touch me here,” she begged.
He smiled and slipped a finger inside her. Her body trembled. “Do you want two fingers?”
“Yes! Please! Yes! But hurry. I want you inside of me.”
Imagining himself deep in her channel, her body wrapped around him as he moved, almost sent him over the invisible edge. A drop of cum appeared on the tip of his cock, warning him that once he was inside, he wouldn’t last long.
Lowering himself, he settled between her legs and exchanged his fingers for his mouth, making love to her with his tongue. She responded with sweet, gentle purrs of delight as he swept his tongue along her treasure. He kissed, suckled, and nibbled until he felt her tighten around his fingers and her orgasm dripped onto his knuckles. While she was still in the throes of release, he shifted above her, grabbed his shaft and lowered himself. He slid the tip of his cock inside her and she bucked her hips, driving him deeper and he sucked in a breath, bringing out all his control. She was tight, wet, and so inviting. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself deep inside of her, but he didn’t want to hurt her.
“Don’t move,” he whispered.
“But that’s the point,” she teased.
“You’re killing me,” he said on a pant.
She laughed and it vibrated his balls.
He started moving, driving himself deep and she brought her knees up high on his sides. He lowered himself, pressing their naked bodies together. He buried his face in the curve of her shoulder, inhaling her sweet scent. Each thrust was better than the last and the pressure to burst was building until each stroke felt like a rubber band being pulled tighter and tighter. He would explode soon, but he wanted her to go first.
He pulled out and she moaned in displeasure. “Sorry, sweetheart. Get on your knees for me.” He watched her roll over onto her knees and prop herself up, her firm, heart-shaped ass in his face. The delicate arch of her back and her swollen pink sex almost was his undoing.
Like a wild beast mounting its mate, he entered her in on
e fell slide of his cock and she cried out in pleasure. While he rode her with a primal, wild need, he kneaded her breasts and tweaked her thick nipples. He continued to pump inside her, thrusting deep and pulling out to his tip, only to drive inside again.
Dipping his hand lower, he teased her clit, rolling the sensitive bud between his fingered and tapping the blossom gently. Soon he felt her body clench around his shaft and he knew she was coming. Each spasm of her orgasm drew him into her sweet body and he slowed his moves, gliding in and out of her wet folds.
In one final thrust, he felt his body tip over the invisible precipice and he moaned, filling her with his seed. It wasn’t until then he’d completely forgotten about using a condom. He’d never been with a woman before without using protection. Stormy wasn’t just any woman though. She was amazing. Exciting. Beautiful, of course.
He bent over her, clinging to her while each tremor left their bodies.
Finally, he pulled himself out and laid down on the bed, dragging her down against him. He held her close, basking in the after-pleasure of an amazing orgasm. Every touch, sensation, every feeling that had rocked them was perfect. They were meant to be together, no matter what mountain they had to climb to get there.
*
“Let me go, you bastard!”
Phantom dragged over the chair to sit in front of the four-by-four cage and grinned as the blonde pummeled and shook the iron bars. “You’re wasting your energy, Colette.”
“Fuck you!”
“No, my dear. You’re the one who is fucked.” He laughed.
“You and your goon won’t get away with this.”
“I already have. By the time you’re found, you’ll be a rotten carcass that a crow wouldn’t even bother touching.”
She spat in his face and he swiped the wetness off with the back of his hand. “Rani, leave us alone,” Phantom said to the man standing in the doorway. “In fact, you’ve been cooped up in here for a while so why don’t you take a break. Go grab a meatball sub and a beer, then check on the C4. Make sure our guy has it ready.”
“Yes, sir.”
Once the man’s footprints faded up the stairs, Phantom leaned forward, holding her gaze. “Push me, bitch, and I’ll brand my initials in your flesh.”
“My sister is looking for me. She’ll know something is wrong!”
He smoothed his fingers down his jaw. “Oh, but you’re wrong, my dear. She’s preoccupied. How sad that you’re so easily forgotten.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“You didn’t really think I could let you go once you found out who I was, did you?”
“You better not touch one hair on my sister’s head!” Although she was caged, she still had a feistiness about her that Phantom liked—admired. Maybe if her sister had been feistier, he would have been more attracted to her. Yet, she had been a rung on the ladder of a bigger plan. She’d fallen into his lap, literally. It had been like taking milk from a kitten. His plan was coming full circle, he could feel it. Gray Carlisle would have the innocent blood of thousands on his hands by the time Phantom was finished—all because he followed his dick and not his brain.
“Do you really think she’s who I’m after?” He snorted. “She’s nothing. Just some woman who is afraid of her own shadow. However, she will lead to me to the one I want.” He laughed and it echoed off the bare, dilapidated walls. “It’s something that I know her so well and I never really tried hard. She was a pathetic woman who would have fallen for any man who showed her a little attention.”
“You were using my sister all along? You piece of shit. I hope you rot in your own piss. You won’t get away with this. I assure you. Someone will find me.”
“You’re here, aren’t you? I did get away with it.” He stood and kicked the chair to the side. “And soon, you’ll find out why you shouldn’t have snooped into my business. Soon everyone will remember me.”
20
GRAY SWIPED THE snow off the side of Nixon Cade’s truck and leaned against the frame. “I haven’t seen you in a while, buddy. How’s the wife and baby?”
Cade was as big as a house, but with the mention of his family, he looked like an overgrown teddy bear. “Melly and Marissa are both fine. I took some time off to spend with my girls, but I’m back. Jamison told me that Phantom was on Whispering Mountain.”
“Yep. Any news on the bomb that was set off at the church?”
“It was a vehicle bomb, detonated on the street. I don’t think the intention was to hurt anyone. Just to get some attention.”
“Our man isn’t working alone, Cade. He’s up to something and my instincts are warning me he has something big planned.”
“There are a number of places he could hit next. Unless we catch the scent of his trail…” Cade blew out a long breath. “Cases like this make you want to go home and hug your family close.”
Gray turned and looked out over the melting snow. He rubbed his freshly shaven jaw. “Who owned the vehicle?”
Cade reached in and took out a small notebook, thumbed through it until he found the page he was looking for. “They traced the plate number back to a female, thirty-two. Name is Colette West.”
It took a long second for the name to sink in. “Colette West?” Acid churned in Gray’s stomach.
“Yeah. Do you know her?”
“Fuck!” he pushed through tight lips. “Not personally, but I know someone who does.” He rubbed his brow and swiped his hand down his cheek. “No sign of remains?”
Cade dropped his notebook back into his pocket. “No. The area was scoured clean and aside from the bomb fragments and what was left of the car, nothing else was found. Just as I said, he wanted to gain attention and he got it.”
“It’s a red herring. He’s planting them like bread crumbs. He has her.”
“Who?”
“Colette.”
“How do you know?”
“Did Jamison tell you about the woman, Stormy, who I met on the mountain?” With the other man’s nod, Gray continued, “That’s her sister and none of this, not the accident, the cabin, nothing was fate. He’s using Stormy.”
“This puts a whole new spin on this case.”
“True. So, what is the missing link? I have to go, Cade. Listen, let me know the second you find anything more. Tell Jamison what I’ve told you and the team needs to rake a fifty-mile perimeter for any sign of this motherfucker’s existence. Don’t leave any leaf unturned. I believe I’ll be able to add more to the story later.” He gave his buddy a half-assed wave and hurried to his Jeep. Once he was headed back to the ranch, Gray knocked his thoughts around in his head, trying to get his bearings on what the hell was happening. Meeting Stormy on the mountain wasn’t a fluke after all.
Why hadn’t he put the pieces together before now?
He’d have to ask her questions and tell her that her sister’s car was used in the bombing.
Knowing he would hurt her drove through him like a wooden stake. After last night, making love to her, then falling asleep with her in his arms, he woke up feeling refreshed, on top of the world. He’d regretted leaving her, but he still had a job to do—an important job that was snowballing at the moment. Gray wasn’t new in this career and understood the risks of falling for someone, but all fingers were pointing at the fact that Phantom might have orchestrated this entire situation. And he had kidnapped Colette. But was she still alive? Gray believed she must be.
But why?
And how?
As he pulled onto the property, he drove up to the house and hurried inside. He found Stormy in the kitchen, taking cookies off a pan and placing them onto a platter. When she saw him, her eyes lit up and a lovely smile upturned her lips. His heart twisted. He didn’t want to see that smile disappear, but once he told her what he knew, she’d be heartbroken.
“I hope you like chocolate chip. I’ve also made cupcakes. I’m really giving the idea of opening a bakery a thought.” Stormy crossed the short space between them and she stoo
d on tiptoes to give him a kiss. “You weren’t gone very long. I thought you said you’d be away all day.”
“Can I speak to you a minute?”
She dropped back, looking at him curiously, her smile fading. “Is something wrong?”
“Here. Have a seat.” He took her hand, led her to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair for her. His chest was tight and he had an ache in his temples.
“You’re starting to scare me.” There was a new quiver to her tone.
“Don’t be scared. I just need to ask you a few questions and tell you something. Two years ago, I was on a foot chase after Phantom and I shot him in the leg. I would have caught him if a car hadn’t hit me. That’s why my knee is messed up.”
“Oh my goodness, Gray. That’s terrible.” And then something shone in her eyes and her skin paled. “You shot him. Oh noo…”
“I want to show you something.” He stepped into the office, grabbed the folder from the top drawer of the desk and returned to the kitchen where he found her sitting with hands clasped in her lap. He pulled out the chair across from her, dragged it closer and took a seat. “I need you to look at a few pictures for me. Okay?”
Wrinkles appeared between her brows. “Pictures?”
He slid out the photos and spread them out in front of her. “Just take a look and let me know if you recognize anyone.”
She pushed the pictures around, picking up each of them, and when she came to the fifth one, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. “I-I think this is Duncan Hart. Yes…it is.” She laid the picture down.
“Duncan, as in your ex?”
“Yes. Tell me what’s going on, Gray. Why do you have a picture of Duncan? He was shot also, but he said…” A gasp fell off her lips. “Oh my…he’s Phantom, isn’t he?” Before he could even explain, she brought her hand up to her mouth to stifle any sound.
“Please. Look at the others.”
He could see the shake in her fingers as she pushed through the next few shots and then her brows creased. She picked up the last photo, holding it up. “This man. I’ve seen him. He was at the church. I thought it was odd because he should have been upstairs with the other guests, but he was watching me.”
SEAL by Fate (Ghost Hawk Ops Book 1) Page 16