by Linda Mooney
Luke sighed loudly. It was then Lorne felt a streak of ice go up his spine. “Don’t answer that,” he hurried to say, already suspecting the truth.
Luke nodded and replied anyway, as Lorne knew he would.
“If not now, there will never come another time. Ever.”
And Luke was never wrong.
Chapter 15
First Base
Her parents’ bedroom was the way she remembered it. Her father had never removed her mother’s things after her death. Dresses still hung in the closet. The hairbrush sat on the white doily on the dressing table. Brenda bet herself her mother’s undies and all would still be in the bureau drawers.
Do I begin clearing everything away? Or do I go back to the labs and hope to find out something about the explosion?
Her stomach clenched, reminding her that she hadn’t had breakfast. Time to raid the refrigerator and larder to see if there was anything she could whip up. She was passing through the living room when someone knocked at the front door. She didn’t need three guesses to know who it was after seeing the familiar figure. She was already grinning when she opened the door, only to be met with a cardboard box with a smiley face drawn on it.
“What are you doing?” She laughed.
“Good morning! My name is Box. I’m here to help you pack up the things that make you unhappy.”
The voice was squeaky but unmistakable as the box jiggled from left to right.
Still laughing, Brenda peered out onto the porch where she saw at least a dozen or more empty boxes. “Lorne! What are you doing here?”
He dropped the box to grin at her. “Delivering coffee.” Today he wore a black t-shirt with a Fender Stratocaster guitar emblazoned on the front. Although the shirt was well-worn, the jeans looked brand new, right down to the neat creases in the legs. Red high-top sneakers and a lightweight navy blue windbreaker completed his typical scruffy but incredibly handsome look. To her surprise, he reached down where he had set a travel mug, and handed it to her. “One artificial sweetener and just enough milk to turn it from black to a gross-out diarrhea brown, just the way you like it, madam.”
Brenda stepped back to let him enter, bringing the boxes with him and dumping them in the living room as she sipped her coffee. “Mmm. Thanks. I don’t suppose you brought breakfast with you, too.”
Lorne reached inside the pocket of his windbreaker to pull out a foil-wrapped package. “Scrambled egg on toast was the best I could do. It’s Lee’s turn to get groceries, and you know much he loves that task,” he remarked with exaggerated irony.
Brenda peeled back the foil and pinched a bit of the sandwich, stuffing it in her mouth. He’d even buttered the bread. “Oh, God, Lorne, you’re going to make some woman a great husband some day.” She giggled. “Now, the truth. What are you doing here? Why aren’t you at work?”
“Still on bereavement leave,” he said.
She could understand that. Nearly everyone in town knew how close the two families had been. “And speaking of, I didn’t like the idea of you having to remove all of Mr. Mac’s things all by yourself. That’s what family is for.”
Before she could protest, he snatched up two boxes and strode down the hallway toward the master bedroom. Dutifully, she tucked her coffee in the crook of her arm, grabbed a box with her free hand, and followed.
For the next two hours they packed nearly all of the empty boxes with clothing and odds-and-ends, folding the four lid flaps inside one another on top like an envelope, rather than taping the box shut. Every so often Brenda would come across an item she couldn’t bear to part with, and she’d add it to the small pile on the bed.
“You know, if you plan to stay here or keep the place, I have a suggestion,” Lorne commented as they took a break.
They were seated on the bedroom floor, enjoying the last of the coffee she had fixed an hour earlier.
“What’s that?” She looked around the room, now devoid of everything except the furniture. The packed boxes were waiting in the living room for him to cart off to Goodwill.
“Keep the bedframe, but buy a new mattress, and use this as your bedroom now.”
“Oh, I can’t.” She shook her head. “This is where Mom and Dad slept. I couldn’t use it.”
“All right. Buy a new mattress anyway, and let guests use it. Would you have a problem with that?” he gently asked.
“No. I can handle that.” She gave him a watery smile. “Thanks, Lorne. For everything.”
“Hey, what are best buds for?” He grinned back.
“No, I mean it. You…you’ve been there for me every step of the way. I don’t know if I could have done it alone.”
“Yeah, you could have. You’re intelligent and strong, and I don’t mean just physically. You’ve got grit, as Luke would say. Look at how you kept our butts in line while we were growing up! Took a lot for a measly girl to hold sway over us three guys!”
She was laughing again, remembering all the times in the past when she’d go one-on-three over some issue or another. Leaning over, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Or rather, on the stubble. Although it was scratchy, she caught a whiff of his scent, familiar and heady. Reluctantly, she pulled away.
“Thank you,” she started to say.
Lorne caught her arm, stopping her face mere inches from his.
A moment became two, stretching into timelessness as they stared at one another. Brenda could see herself reflected in his smoky gray eyes which seemed to soften with every passing second. Breathing stopped, and then Lorne moved forward, closing the distance. The next thing she knew, warm lips closed over hers, taking away every thought as she sunk into his embrace.
The room disappeared. The day disappeared. Every atom of sadness that had been hanging over the room and their chore vanished in the strong warmth of Lorne’s arms. She moved slightly, and without having to ask, he picked her up and set her in his lap where she could nestle under his chin. She dug her fingers into his t-shirt and relished the sweet movements of his lips on hers.
She felt his hand cup her cheek as he delved deeper, lightly tonguing the edges of her mouth and licking the center of her lips to open them. She let him part them, waiting to see what he would do next. She could taste and breathe the sweet coffee he’d drunk, and it left her craving for more.
This was not the Lorne Palmer she knew, but it was the Lorne Palmer she’d dreamed she’d discover. He was still the caring, insightful human being she’d always known he was. Grown up, he’d added strength and character. She had never seen him lose his temper, unlike his other brothers. Maybe that’s why she had come to love him, because she knew he would never condemn anything she said or wanted to do. Make fun of, yes. Tease almost mercilessly, most definitely. But not get upset or angry.
His tongue touched her teeth, moving further past them to find hers. When he did, he began to suckle on it with gentle, rhythmic pulls. The sensation sent shivers through her, like titillating bubbles of lust and desire popping in her bloodstream, making her moan in response. She wanted this to last and go as far as they both dare. All the way to home plate, if he would. But first, they had to take it one base at a time.
Taking his hand from her face, Brenda placed it on her breast. She felt his gasp of disbelief, and he lifted his mouth from hers.
“Brenda, are you sure?”
“Shh.”
“Bren—”
“Shh,” she hushed him again. “Don’t stop kissing me. Don’t ever stop,” she whispered.
He answered by holding her tighter and claiming her mouth with greater ferocity.
Chapter 16
Promise
Her kiss made him dizzy. Her mouth was paradise. Her body, snuggled against and clinging to his, was his greatest dream come to life.
She wanted him. He wanted her. He knew how far he was willing to take this moment, but there was still the smallest shred of doubt whether or not she’d let him.
His heart was beating so hard in his throat, it
nearly choked him. Her breast filled his palm with firmness and warmth, and when the taut nipple scraped across his skin, it was like a match being drawn across the striker, setting every cell aflame.
His jeans were too tight. His dick was caught next to the seam, but it would be the jeans that would give first if he didn’t do something about it, and soon.
It was costing him to keep his movements gentle. With his increased strength, he was afraid of hurting her, possibly injuring her. Groaning softly, Lorne massaged her breast as he removed his lips from hers, and began to nibble the side of her neck, trailing down to her shoulder.
“Lorne.”
Her hands were tangled in his shirt, holding on with desperation. With every little wiggle of her butt, his hard-on increased, sending him spinning closer and closer to perfection.
They had made that critical first move. It was like unlocking the door and leaving it open to the future. A door either one of them could pass through to reach the other whenever they needed to. When they wanted to.
Gradually, he laid her on the rug, sliding his body across hers, next to hers. Almost cradling her between his thighs and shoulders. Pulling up her pullover sweater with one hand, he managed to pull down the bra cup enough to reach her warm breast. The sweet pink tip beckoned like the cherry on a sundae, and Lorne closed his mouth over it with relish.
Brenda arched her back against this new onslaught and moaned. The fingers of her free hand threaded through his hair. But the one underneath his shirt continued to tease his sensitive nipples, tweaking them unmercifully.
He could suckle on her hard little raspberry nipples for hours if she’d let him, but the musky scent coming from between her legs was beginning to drive him crazy. Releasing her breast, he scooted down, hooking his fingers inside the waistband of her jeans.
He pressed his face into her lower abdomen and breathed in deeply. She was wet and squirming underneath him. Her breathing had become quick, shallow gasps. A glance up at her revealed she was clutching her breasts, manipulating them, and bringing herself closer and closer to her cusp of completion.
Gentle urging made her spread her thighs. Lorne carefully teethed the moist juncture. Her scent called to the most primitive part of his brain, bringing forth the raw male instinct to forego the foreplay, and tear her clothes off and claim her. Subconsciously, he rubbed his aching hard-on against the floor as he snagged the zipper on her jeans with his teeth.
Lorne.
Lorne felt the zipper’s vibration through his gums as he drew it downward. Go away, Luke.
Can’t. Sorry. This is important.
So is this, he mentally growled, pressing his nose to her sweaty skin. She wore a thin cotton thong that was soaked with her juices. She tasted of salt and smelled of passion. One of her hands had started to jerk his t-shirt over his head. Another glance up at her, and he could see she had already divested herself of her sweater and bra. Her breasts were full and natural, her nipples stiff and waiting for his return.
Lorne, we need The Defender.
He groaned. Brenda was tweaking her nipples. His mouth had breached the top of her thong to discover a soft, manicured triangle of dark curls awaiting his kisses. If they kept up this pace, he would explode before they ever got to the main act.
Luke, you’re killing me. Can’t you tell we’ve passed first base? And we’re both running like hell for home!
I’m happy for you, Lorne! But you can always pick up where you two leave off. This can’t wait. We’re looking at a consequential event.
The simple phrase was like spilling cold water into his veins where it started to cool his burning blood. Cool, but not completely extinguish.
As for extricating himself from the promise of her body, it was like trying to pry two powerful magnets apart. Gritting his teeth from the effort, Lorne pulled away and slipped her jeans back up around her hips, zipping her with trembling fingers.
“What?” she asked, dazed with passion.
Picking her up and setting her back on the floor next to him, Lorne gathered up his courage and forced himself to look into her disappointed gaze.
“I think we’re moving too fast,” he managed to blurt out.
“On the contrary, Lo. I think we’re making up for lost time.”
She was angry, she was confused, and she was horny. He could wholeheartedly relate.
“Brenda, I would not hesitate to carry you into your bedroom and make love to you until both of us are too exhausted to move,” he confessed. “But—”
“Then do. Let’s do it,” she challenged him, her voice shaking with sexual frustration.
He slowly shook his head. He didn’t hide his own agony. “No. This is not the way I envisioned it.”
Lorne?
Screw you, Luke. I’m coming!
Her eyes widened. “The way you’d envisioned it? Are you telling me you’d been planning on—”
He grinned. “Seducing you? Yes, but not like this. I wanted it to be in a more romantic setting. Something to make it memorable for both of us. You know, the way you’d told me you were hoping it would be like.”
“With candles and soft music?”
“And maybe some chocolate-covered strawberries with champagne.”
Her smile returned. “I never talked about strawberries and champagne, but I like where you’re going with this.”
“Sooo, what are your plans for tonight, Miss McKay?” Lorne inquired as he got to his feet. There was no way he could hide his wood, and frankly she already was aware of it. Very much aware of it, since her eyes kept dropping back down to it.
They both needed a break to collect themselves and learn to breathe again. Striding toward her, he stopped directly before her and ran a thumb over her lips. Bending over, he tenderly kissed her again, lingering for a several seconds against her moistened mouth.
“Nine o’clock,” he whispered. “Is it a date?”
He felt her shiver. “Yeah. Nine. Don’t you dare be late.”
Lorne chuckled and gave her a wink. Without another word, he hurried into the living room, piled one box on top of another, and picked up both to take back to his house where he knew Luke would be waiting and tapping his chair arm in anticipation.
Chapter 17
Insurance
“All right. What’s the emergency?” Lorne growled, striding into the basement office where Luke was waiting. After dumping the two boxes he’d taken from Brenda’s place in their garage, he’d hurried to dress in his black leather uniform and make it down the secret passageway.
His erection had softened, but it hadn’t entirely disappeared. If Luke noticed the bulge in the front of his pants, he couldn’t care less. Yet, Lorne realized the interruption may have been for the better. Now that he’d had a minute to let his head clear, he realized it could have been a mistake to have their first time be in her parents’ bedroom. Better to delay it until this evening, where it could turn out to be the beginning of every dream he’d ever had of Brenda. Let him get this emergency over with, and he could spend the rest of the afternoon hunting up candles, strawberries, and a bottle of Dom Perignon. And if everything worked out the way he thought it would, the way he hoped it would, they could spend the weekend looking at engagement rings.
Yeah, and at what point are you going to tell her you’re The Defender?
Lorne came to a sudden halt. He couldn’t tell if the little voice in his head had come from Luke, or if it had been his own subconscious. And because Luke’s mouth didn’t move when he communicated telepathically, there was no way of knowing unless he asked.
“Lee’s waiting for you at the police station.”
“You said it was a consequential event. Are we talking loss of lives?”
Luke nodded, sending cold chills down his back.
“Hurry,” the oldest brother ordered, and the tube leading to the surface opened as if by magic.
Lorne shot upward, fast enough so as not to be seen if anyone should be looking in the directio
n of the exit. It took him another minute to reach the police station. He landed near the back doors, which were shielded from public view behind a tall wall of white cinder blocks. Several officers, including two men he recognized from the bomb squad division, exited the building to greet him. Lee was nowhere to be seen, but that wasn’t surprising. Hell, the man could be just about anywhere.
One of the bomb squad members by the name of Dees walked over to shake hands. “Defender, glad you got here. I don’t know how you found out we were needing you, but I’m glad you did.”
“I was given the news it was an emergency,” Lorne said. He wasn’t about to tell them the truth about how he found out he was needed. In fact, he and his brothers were determined to keep law enforcement, the government, and the public from learning there were three superpowered Palmers.
“Yeah. We ran some tests on that blue substance you brought in,” Dees continued.
“Unguindene.”
The bomb squad captain nodded. “You were right. It’s highly volatile and extremely unstable. But thanks to your suggestions, we were able to piece together the chemical makeup. Our men are in contact with the FBI lab, working on an answer to negate its effects. In the meantime¼” The man pulled a small spiral notebook from his hip pocket and flipped it open. “We did a little investigating of our own. Defender, may I introduce Agent Queens and Agent Trail. They’re with the ATF. And Agent Betts, who’s with Homeland Security. Gentlemen, The Defender.”
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and Homeland Security. It figured the big boys had been called in. Lorne smiled but didn’t offer to shake the men’s hands. They merely greeted each other with head nods.
“Where do I fit in?” Lorne asked.
“We want you to go back over the remains of the lab and the factory with a fine tooth comb,” the one introduced as Agent Queens said. “We need to find every last molecule of this substance, because even a loose molecule of it can be deadly.”