Texas Takedown

by Barb Han

  “It’s too dangerous. I was trying to figure out a way for one of the guys to step in,” Dylan said. “Besides, you’re a good six inches shorter than her.”

  “One of us would fit the height requirement better, but our shoulders are too broad. Alcorn’s not stupid. If we have someone stand in for Samantha, they have to be believable,” Brody said.

  “You’re right,” Dylan agreed. “This will be trickier than that. I’m grasping at straws here.”

  “We’ll put our heads together with the others and see what we can come up with,” Brody said.

  “Thank you. Also, I need to keep eyes on Alcorn. Can you help with that?” Dylan asked.

  “Done. The guys and I will figure it out. Everyone wants to play a part in this, man,” Brody said.

  “You know how much it means to me to hear you say it,” Dylan said, choking back the emotion clotting his throat.

  “We’ll get someone on Alcorn and I’ll call you back with more ideas,” Brody said before ending the call.

  Dylan took in a deep breath and then once more called the image of him tucking Maribel into bed to his mind. If not this night, then soon, my Bel.

  A different cavern opened in his chest, despite his best attempts to contain it. He needed a distraction. He’d been overthinking the situation and his brain was fried.

  Coffee.

  He’d promised Samantha a cup.

  Dylan moved to the kitchen and located two mugs. He filled both with fresh brew and walked to the bathroom. The shower was running, so he knocked on the door.

  “Come on in.”

  He did. The room was spacious. All top-of-the-line fixtures, he noted. Overall, the place was modern but warm, and he wondered if it was the color choices or if it had to do with the fact that the place was Samantha’s.

  The water stopped in the shower.

  “I’ll set the coffee on the counter.” He figured he needed to get out of there, because being a half wall away from her, knowing she was completely nude, had his pulse hammering. He’d noticed right away that his body had reacted to her nearness, to the fact that she was completely naked on the other side of those block tiles.

  “Okay.”

  He started to turn around and leave but hesitated.

  She stepped around the block wall, her dark hair soaked and off her face. She looked as if she’d just risen out of a swimming pool, water beading and rolling down her face and neck.

  A towel was tied loosely around her chest, and it was barely long enough to hit midthigh.

  “Coffee’s fresh but I’d rather you get some rest.” The words came out huskier than he’d intended. He cleared his throat.

  She seemed unaware of the effect she had on him, and he thought that was probably a good thing. They had a good couple of hours before they needed to kick it into gear and he hoped she’d rest while he tried to figure out his next move. His head was already pounding from hunger and exhaustion. He could live in the field for days on power bars and water. This was different. Having Maribel involved was far more emotionally draining.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Samantha slid in between him and the counter he was facing and then hopped up to sit. She took coffee from him in her right hand and used her left to trace the worry lines in his face.

  He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, keenly aware that the air in the room had become charged. Her flowery scent flooded his senses. He looked at her as he sipped his coffee. She was stunning.

  “I will be.”

  Her finger ran along his jawline, sending awareness jolting through him. Then the tip moved over his lips, her touch lighting up all his senses. His pulse raced.

  “But you do that much longer and I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”

  She froze for a second, smiled and then traced around his ears, down his neckline. “Maybe you should let go of all that control for once.”

  “And ruin our friendship?”

  “Let me be the judge of that, Dylan.”

  He shouldn’t let this go any further while he still had a hint of restraint inside him. She set down her mug and then her hands came up, sliding into his hair, and she pulled him toward her until their mouths moved together. She tasted like a mix of mint toothpaste, the coffee she’d just sipped and something sweet that was uniquely Samantha.

  Dylan reminded himself that it wasn’t too late to stop this. He didn’t do casual relationships or sex anymore. Being a gentleman, he should stop this. Now. Before there was no turning back.

  He pulled away and rested his forehead against hers. They were both breathing rapidly, and he could hear her heartbeat pounding as quickly as his own.

  “Dylan, I want to have sex with you.”

  “It’s never been a matter of what I want, Samantha. We’d have been in bed by now if it was.”

  “I hear what you’re saying and I understand the consequences.”

  “Good. Now you’re making sense. You are so damn sexy. Believe me, you have no idea how much restraint it has taken for me to hold back.”

  “Then, don’t.” She looked him square in the eyes.

  “I don’t want you to regret anything you do with me.”

  “Is that true? Because I couldn’t. I want you, Dylan. Do you want me the same way?”

  Better judgment flew out the window the second she opened her towel. He pushed in between her thighs, curled his hands around her sweet bottom and pulled her toward him until her heat pressed against his denim—denim that needed to go.

  Her hands were already to his zipper before he could readjust his position and do it himself. He stood there, still, long enough for her to unzip him and free his straining length. His shirt joined his jeans on the floor.

  He helped her shove his jeans down along with his boxers, and he stepped out of them and kicked them both aside.

  With a groan, he pressed their bodies flush, leaving only enough space to palm her breast.

  She wrapped those long legs around him and he nearly blew it right then. He wanted this to last, to be good for her, too. He had no doubt it would be amazing for him.

  “It’s been a long time for me. We need to slow down, take it easy.”

  “Or we could just do it twice.” She smiled. Damn, her pink lips were sexy. Then again, everything about Samantha was smokin’ hot. Her intelligence and quick wit were the foundation on which her physical beauty flourished. There wasn’t much sexier than a smart and beautiful woman.

  Dylan ravaged her mouth with his tongue, his need so intense he could hardly contain it.

  Her hands were all over him, his face, his neck, his chest, before settling onto his shoulders, digging in with her nails.

  She tasted so sweet. She pulled back long enough to bite his bottom lip, and electricity shot through him.

  “You’re going to destroy me.”

  “That’s the plan,” she said with a mischievous hint of a smile.

  He ran his tongue across her lower lip, then down the cleft of her chin, then lower.

  Her nipples were already beads in his hands and she moaned when his tongue flicked the crest of one, then the other. He took her full breast in his mouth and her entire body tensed.

  Then he ran his tongue down her belly and into the warm dark curls of her mound. She leaned back against the glass and drove her fingers into his hair as his tongue slid down even farther.

  Her silky thighs were still damp from her shower as he planted a hand on the inside of each and opened her legs.

  As he delved his tongue inside her, she made low, sexy noises and whispered his name. Her body quivered as he worked her bud with his thumb and slid his tongue in and out of her sweet heat.

  He could feel her thighs quiver as tension corded her body and her breathing quickened.
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br />   Faster, deeper, he inserted three fingers inside her again and again until she came unbanded all around him.

  Satisfaction roared through him as he felt himself being tugged up. She opened the drawer next to him and pointed.

  He located a condom, tore it apart with shaky fingers and slid it over his straining erection.

  Her long legs wrapped around his midsection as her fingers curled around his erection, and then she brought him toward home. With one thrust, he was deep inside her. She was so wet and ready for him, stretching to take in his full length, that he had to stop and tense his body to maintain control or he’d detonate right there.

  It had been a long time since he’d had sex, but no one had ever had that effect on him.

  Dylan was all about control and yet he was constantly on the edge of losing it with Samantha. She drove her tongue in his mouth and he started a slow pump, not wanting to rush, even though his body already begged for release.

  Her fingers dug into his back and he thrust harder, faster.

  She tightened around him and the tsunami started building. Her hips moved against his, matching his stride. Urgency roared through him.

  Faster.

  Harder.

  Deeper.

  This woman, her body, drove him to the brink. He held on for as long as he could, making sure she was satisfied first.

  The second he felt her muscles clamp around him, he knew. He pumped inside her sweet heat.

  He gave a guttural groan, and his release shattered inside her. And so did he.

  “I love you,” he whispered quietly into her neck as a thousand tiny bombs exploded inside his body all at once.

  * * *

  SAMANTHA LEANED AGAINST the mirror, heaving, her body still tingling. She could’ve sworn she’d heard Dylan tell her he loved her, but that couldn’t be right and she didn’t want to ruin this moment of absolute bliss a second before she had to by overanalyzing things.

  In a minute, they’d need to untangle their bodies and sort out their next move.

  But for now, just for this second, she needed to feel him inside her, skin to skin, his warm breath surrounding her.

  They both stayed perfectly still in that flawless moment for longer than she could count.

  “Are you hungry?” She moved first, and it was most likely out of self-preservation.

  “I am now,” he said, nuzzling into her hair, his arms tightening around her waist.

  His voice did all kinds of crazy things to her insides.

  “Good. I can whip up something to eat while you shower.” She started to peel his arms off her.

  “Do you really have to go?” He almost sounded hurt. Now she really was hearing things. Or making things up. Because not only was that the best sex of her life but she’d fallen deeper into the hole of loving him, needing him.

  And that was going to hurt like hell once this ordeal was behind them and they returned to their normal lives.

  It didn’t help that he was already kissing her neck and her body was melting under his touch.

  Way to be strong, Samantha.

  And the truth was she didn’t want to be resilient with Dylan. She wanted to be vulnerable with him and just feel.

  “No. But stay here much longer and I can’t be held responsible for my actions,” she shot back playfully, echoing his earlier sentiment.

  “Me, either.” He leaned his head back enough to look at her, his sharp green eyes taking her in. And there was a promise in those words he didn’t quite look ready to deliver on.

  He pressed a kiss to her temples, her nose, her lips. “This changes things. You know that, right?”

  “What does that mean, exactly?”

  “I’m not sure yet.” He kissed her again, tenderly this time, and her heart filled with love.

  And none of that meant anything until they got her father and Dylan’s daughter back alive.

  “I’m going to rinse off. Want to join me?”

  There was an adorable twinkle to his normally intense eyes.

  She should make an excuse and retreat to the kitchen, but looking at him naked and sexy...how could she?

  Samantha nodded.

  He took her hand and led her into the shower.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Samantha hadn’t been home in days. Having Dylan there made it feel complete, which was dangerous thinking. She pulled bread from the freezer and warmed a few pieces in the microwave. There wasn’t much around except fixings for BLTs and tomato soup. It would have to do.

  The water turned off in the bathroom.

  “I put out clean boxers and jeans for you,” she said from the kitchen.

  Dylan walked into the room holding out the items.

  “Whose are these?” He didn’t look impressed.

  “Trevor’s. Why? You look about the same size.”

  “Oh. Okay.” He disappeared down the hall.

  What was that about? Then it dawned on her. Dylan must’ve thought that they belonged to a boyfriend who’d left them over.

  Was that jealousy she’d seen in his eyes? More important, why did that make her feel so happy?

  Dylan returned a few moments later wearing the items. The Metallica T-shirt fit snugly.

  “I can’t say that I agree with your brother’s taste in music, but at least the shirt fits well enough.” Dylan walked up behind her until his chest was flush with her back and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her at the base of her neck, and it sent warmth running down her body, pooling between her thighs. “Mmm. You smell nice.”

  “So do you.” She closed her eyes.

  “How are you feeling? Are you tired?” His erection pressed against her, sending want spreading through her.

  “Not too tired.”

  “Good. I wanted to test out your bed.”

  “I’ve never had four orgasms in an hour before.”

  “Well, you’ve never had sex with me,” he said, grazing her ear with his teeth. He caught the lobe and bit ever so slightly.

  Damn, this man did crazy things to her body.

  “So there’s even more? I really am impressed now.” She set down the tomato she held before turning around to face him. She looped her arms around his neck.

  He picked her up and took her to bed, where they made love slowly, sweetly.

  * * *

  “WE SHOULD EAT and check in with the others,” Dylan said.

  “I’ll get dressed.” She made a move to get up.

  “Not so fast.” He caught her and tugged her back into his arms, where he was all warmth and strength.

  She kissed him and she honestly couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so happy. Nothing about their current situation should have made her feel safe, and yet she felt just that. Her warning bells sounded and she needed to put a little space between them. “We probably shouldn’t get too comfortable.”

  He looked a little hurt by the barb but he didn’t immediately say anything. He just loosened his grip so she could get up.

  When he strolled into the kitchen five minutes later, she had everything heated and ready to go. Thank heaven for microwaves.

  They ate in silence but Dylan had returned to his heavier thoughts. She could see it in the worry lines in his face, in the heaviness in his eyes.

  After finishing up the snack and doing dishes, Dylan motioned for her to sit by him on the couch. She snuggled up against him and closed her eyes. She had never felt so close to another person, so comforted as when Dylan’s arms were wrapped around her.

  That was the thing she remembered thinking before waking with a jolt.

  The sun was already up, peeking through the crack in the closed curtains.

  “Dylan?” She glanced arou
nd. No sign of him. She listened, hoping to hear water running in the bathroom.

  The place was quiet.

  She scrambled to her feet and checked every room.

  Had he just left without her?

  Her heart pounded in her chest at the thought of not knowing what was happening. It was eight o’clock in the morning, so the meet-up wasn’t for another four hours.

  The door handle jiggled and Samantha’s back tensed, fear coursing through her. She dropped down behind the couch and grabbed the metal candlestick on the side table. If she needed to defend herself, she would fight to the end.

  It was as if the air had stilled from the tension racking her body.

  Footsteps fell closer and she tightened her fingers around the makeshift weapon.

  “Samantha?” Dylan’s voice was like a rain shower in a drought, bringing nourishment to parched land.

  “Right here.” She popped to her feet.

  “I went out for breakfast and to survey the area.” He was in an athletic stance, his weapon drawn. He lowered it the second his eyes made contact with hers.

  “When I woke and you weren’t there, I was afraid you’d gone without me.” She set the candlestick down and rushed into his arms.

  He tucked his gun into his waistband and set the bag of food down in time to hold her.

  “I wouldn’t just disappear on you. Believe me, I thought about it, but how could you ever trust me if I did that?” Dylan asked, then kissed her forehead.

  Despite all the craziness going on, his reassurance brought a sense of calm over her.

  “You don’t want me anywhere near the meet-up and I get that. I do.” She looked straight into his eyes. “Here’s the thing. I have to be there. Maybe not with you, exactly, but I need to be near.”

  “Absolutely not.” Dylan shook his head for emphasis.

  “Hear me out.”

  He nodded but one look in those green eyes said he was reluctant to agree. She searched for the right words to convince him.

  “I’d like nothing more than to be able to put this whole ordeal behind us. And believe me when I say I want to be alive to see it. I know what’s at risk here and I take that very seriously. My fear is that if I’m not nearby and this whole thing goes south, the two people we love most will suffer the consequences.”