Now, he needed to catch him.
As he wove in and out of the thicket, the frantic thrashing ahead of him stopped. Beckett knew better than to continue into the thick dense trees and swamp with no flashlight.
For now, it looked like the intruder had escaped.
When someone approached from behind, he swung around, ready to fight.
There stood Claire with a flashlight.
“What are you doing out here?” he hissed, pulling her close. “He could be hiding around here.”
Yeah, that was more reason for her not to leave him alone out there. The intruder would have a harder time overtaking two people.
The odds were in their favor.
“We need to get back inside. I don’t like being out here. I feel like we’re being watched.”
Claire didn't argue. Instead, she took his hand in hers, passed him the flashlight, and pointed in the direction back to the house.
“We’re way off the property,” stated Claire.
“I know. We’re almost to the neighbor’s place.”
They were on their way home when they got the text. Hearing that there was someone in the house made Tori drive that much faster.
As they pulled in, both Claire and Beckett were on the front porch waiting for them.
“What happened?”
They told him everything.
“Did we leave the door open?” stated Julian.
“We went out there, but I know I locked up. Before we went to bed, I double checked everything.”
Claire agreed. “We both did.”
“So, he got in somehow.”
They headed inside to the living room.
“He was rustling through the papers,” stated Claire. “I had the letters in order by date. They’re all askew.”
Tori agreed. “They were inside the box.”
Julian was confused. “Why didn't he take anything? We already know that the killer is likely after the treasure, like the victims. Why didn't he take everything we have?”
None of them knew.
“Maybe he didn't have enough time?” Tori offered. “Beckett is pretty fast.”
“We need to get this taken care of, and fast.”
Beckett sighed. “I think I can confirm what Tori saw during her last trance,” he stated.
They all looked at him.
Julian spoke, “I’m not going to like his, am I?” he stated.
Beckett shook his head. “When I was by the water, I felt something. There was some vibe going on there.”
Tori thought back to the dead man in her head. Whether her husband liked it or not, they needed to find him. He may hold a piece of the puzzle.
“We’re going to have to go in,” she stated.
“No.”
“Jules,” she stated.
“I can swim really well,” stated Claire. “I can do it.”
Beckett looked horrified.
“Yeah, see what I mean?” Julian stated, now that the man was experiencing the same terror. Neither one wanted their woman in that muck.
“I’m really good at it, Claire. I’ll go,” Tori countered.
He wanted to vomit.
“We’ll discuss it in the morning. We need to get this place locked up. I don’t want to think about it before bed. I won’t be able to sleep.”
Tori kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll be fine.”
Julian didn't want to go there. What he did know was if his wife went into that water, he might not survive.
* * *
That was close.
He couldn’t believe that the man nearly caught him. If he didn't find that log, he would have been screwed. Little did he know that he was standing right beside him.
His heart was still pounding.
So much so, that he didn't want to go home.
He was scared shitless that he would be caught.
He didn't want to go to jail. If it came to that, he would take his own life. He’d heard horror stories about the things that happened in prison.
Yeah, that was too damn close.
As the moon shone down, he made his plan. He saw the papers and knew they were on track. Next step would be to watch them.
He believed they were close.
He could feel it.
* * *
It was a horrible dream.
In it, he wasn’t the one chased, his woman was.
As hard as he tried, he couldn’t get to her. She was sinking in the swampy mud, calling his name.
With each step, he felt like he was going in the opposite direction.
With such ease, she slipped from his fingers.
“Please!” she screamed, getting deeper and deeper.
Now the muck was up to her breasts.
As he climbed the slippery slope, nothing made sense. It was all backwards. All he did know was that if he didn't get to her, and soon, she was going to go under.
Another scream filled the air as gold coins rained down like hail. They were heavy and with each strike slowed him down.
“God! Help! Please!” she bellowed.
He couldn’t give up.
He wouldn’t.
His woman needed him. In order to be a man, he had to protect the ones he loved.
As he slid further down the hill, he noticed the muck was up to her chin. She struggled against it, trying desperately to keep her head above water.
As he slid just out of reach again, he heard her garbled plea as she was pulled under.
He watched as her hair disappeared.
Then all of her head.
When her fingertips were all he could see, he knew the truth.
He’d lost her.
She was gone.
He screamed in agony at what this case had cost.
Julian sat up with a start.
His heart was pounding erratically in his chest. Just to make sure she was okay, he rolled toward his wife. With gentle fingers, he caressed her flesh, making sure it had indeed been a dream.
When she murmured something, and then rolled to her back, Julian took that moment to bring his lips down to hers.
When she woke, falling into the kiss, he was relieved. He needed her in the worst way.
“Are you okay?” she asked, when they broke from the embrace. In the moonlight, she could see the lines of tension across his face.
“I had a nightmare,” he offered.
Before Tori, he never would have admitted that out loud. Now, he wouldn’t hide it. She was his shelter from anything that threatened to take him down.
Tori didn't need to hear what it was about. She knew him well enough to know. “Make love to me, Julian. I want to feel you all over me,” she purred, hoping to distract him. If she let him lead the way, then he’d be focused on that.
He wouldn’t tell his wife no.
Not now.
Not ever.
With achingly slow kisses, he left a trail of warmth across her face. Starting with her cheeks, he nuzzled the love of his life. As she reacted to his gentle touches, Julian wanted so much more.
He was starving for her.
In his heart, he believed that he would die without her.
“I love you, Victoria Rose,” he said. “I cherish you more than anything in this world.”
She didn't doubt him.
Not in the least.
When he buried his hands in her hair, she relished the feel of her husband against her. His body was pressed tightly along hers, meeting curve for curve. It was like they were two pieces to a puzzle, destined to fit.
When his mouth dipped to her throat, she leaned her head back to give him full access. When Julian was in the mood to lavish her body with unlimited amounts of attention, who was she to complain?
Or stop him?
As his lips and tongue undid her, she held on for the ride. His warm breath caressed her chest, bringing her body temperature up. Anymore, and she’d be stripping herself.
“Jules,” she whispered.
&n
bsp; “My beautiful wife is so strong. You amaze me,” he admitted, leaving kisses down her chest. When he reached her breasts, Julian paused, only to stare up into her stormy eyes. “I’m the luckiest man alive,” he admitted.
Tori disagreed.
She was the lucky one.
Teasing her breasts, he waited for the gaspy little responses that turned him right on. Tori just called to him.
Her taste.
Feel.
Everything.
As he dipped even lower, knowing that if he remained in that one spot he’d lose his mind, Julian found the place where their child stayed hidden.
“I love you, my sweet daughter. I don’t have a name for you yet, but already I cherish you.”
Tori listened to him speaking to their child, and like always, it touched her on some level that she never knew existed in her.
They were going to be parents one day.
“I’m going to make you proud, little one. I promise. There won’t be a day that you ever think that your life isn't perfect.”
Tori wanted to interrupt him, but the conversation was so sweet and private, that she opted to let him continue.
“You and mommy are my reason to live. I won’t ever take for granted that you’re a gift. You’re my treasure, and you’re worth more than anything in the world.”
“I think we should name her Veronica,” stated Tori. “I just really like that name,” she offered.
Julian paused. “Veronica Rose Littlemoon.”
She smiled. “Yeah, that’s a pretty awesome name for a child,” she admitted.
His heart skipped. “Then that’s her name, honey.”
Julian left kisses there, rejoicing that it now felt real. They’d given her an identity, and that made this moment even more special.
Their child just became more of a reality.
“Tori, I love you,” he whispered, moving lower down her torso. He’d greeted his child, and now he wanted to delve into something he craved--her body.
When he lapped at her wetness, his brain nearly went haywire. There would never be a feeling, taste, or woman who lured him in like her.
Tori was his drug, and what an addiction she was.
With the tip of his tongue, he drew lazy circles across the most delicate part of her. As she shivered at the slow pace, he wanted to devour her even more.
“Julian,” she whispered, bowing as his mouth undid her. He was licking, suckling, and driving her wild.
When his fingers joined in, Tori knew she wouldn’t last for long.
As he tormented her, Tori moved closer to the edge.
While he slid his fingers in and out of her body, in time to his teasing tongue, Tori shuddered near release. The shivers were racking her body, threatening to throw her over the edge.
When he nipped the most sensitive part of her body, Tori Littlemoon was flung off the edge into something so perfect.
It was warm.
It was peace.
It was only possible because of Julian.
The pleasure rolled through her from the easy orgasm. Before Julian, she used sex as a way to satisfy her urges. They never meant much.
With Julian, they were everything.
“Again,” he murmured as his mouth drove her up, hard, fast, and right back to the edge.
He ignored her pleading as release lingered right there. All she needed was…
Julian pulled back slightly just to flick the tip of his tongue over her. She gasped as the orgasm crested, pulling her under.
Once more, she was a prisoner to the passion that he could unleash in her.
No matter the time of the day, Julian could set it free.
As she fell, he slid up her body. He was hard, naked, and very ready to claim his wife. When he prepared to nudge his way into her body, she whispered to him.
“No, Jules.”
He stopped.
“I want to share the pleasure with you,” she stated.
Rolling, he placed his wife on top. Her mouth sought his, as her hands stroked across his body. When she found him hard, she kissed and tormented him.
He was pretty sure that he’d died and gone to heaven.
“More,” he whispered as her mouth finally broke from his, allowing them both to come up for a breath.
“Yes, Jules,” she replied, leaving kisses down his chest, across her name, and to the tight plane of his abs.
When she continued stroking him, Tori swore he was going to lose it and take her. His body was shaking, and he was struggling to remain in control.
“You’re teasing,” he murmured, as her warm palm did something deliciously wicked to his erection. Julian had to fight to keep from thrusting wildly into her hand.
When she said she wanted him to feel the pleasure, Tori wasn’t kidding.
This was amazing.
“I love the way you respond to me,” she offered, moving her hand aside and replacing it with her mouth.
The second she swallowed him, he moaned.
The sensation was unbelievable. It was like sinking into a really warm body of water. He was floating in the ecstasy and never wanted to surface again.
“More,” he muttered as she began sliding him in and out of her mouth.
Tori loved offering him pleasure. Julian was the perfect lover for her. He was giving, and didn't mind letting her play on the sexy Native playground for as long as she wanted.
“God! Tori!” he whispered, his toes ready to curl in pleasure. She was working him hard, and he didn't know if he could hold out much longer.
Everything in him wanted to make the plunge.
Julian wanted to explode in the worst way. What started as a way to offer himself reassurance turned into him struggling to take his wife in some crazed romp.
Achingly slow, she allowed him to pop from her mouth. “I want to ride you.”
He wasn’t going to tell her no.
Julian wasn’t insane.
As she slid up his body, he found his focus on her breasts. With his thumbs, he strummed her nipples, getting her to moan. It seemed he wasn’t the only one lost in the pleasure.
When she straddled him, Julian watched as his erection sat poised at the entrance to her body.
“Do it!” It was somewhere between an order and him begging.
Tori didn't make him wait long. Yes, she wanted to offer him pleasure, but she wanted more too.
He was now buried deep in her body, and she couldn’t think of anything that she loved more. With her hands braced on his chest, just over her tattooed name, Tori began the ride.
It was slow.
Torturous.
Wicked.
As he begged for her to go faster, she didn't budge from her pace. He moaned, practically thrashed, and squirmed beneath her. All the time, she enjoyed the look or rapture on his face.
Yeah, this was her heart.
When he didn't think he could handle it anymore, she suddenly picked up speed.
Julian didn't know what to watch first.
There were her bouncing breasts.
The junction of where their bodies met.
Her pleasure filled face.
He wanted to take it all in, filling his mind with these sexy memories. As she urged him closer and closer to release, he couldn’t help but watch her get ready to tumble first. He could see her balanced on the precipice, and with a hard thrust up, he buried himself in her body.
It caught her off guard.
Tori exploded around him.
The colors.
The sensations.
The feelings of the freefall.
It was all perfect.
Julian was far from done. He rolled, placing her shaking body beneath him. Without missing a stroke, he began driving himself in and out of her body--like a man on a mission.
Now, he’d find the pleasure he sought.
One stroke.
Two…
It was all too much to take. While he wanted to last longer, Tori’s body
was quivering around his, milking him toward release.
While he never wanted that feeling to end, he knew that there was no way he could fight it. With a gasp of pleasure, Tori pulled him into the abyss.
Falling with her was nothing less than spectacular.
Through the pleasure he drifted.
Tori waited for him to find her in the afterglow. She couldn’t wait to cuddle with him.
Julian’s body rested protectively over hers. All he could think was how perfect his life now was.
“You’re a wild man,” she stated, trying not to feel too smug. Her attempt to soothe him had done the same for the worries that she, too, had been feeling.
He didn't argue, since his tongue and brain were still on disconnect.
“We still need to talk,” she offered.
Well, it looked like the happiness was coming to a quick end. Julian already knew what their discussion was going to be about. “In my dream, you didn't make it out of the swamp, and I couldn’t save you. You kept sinking.”
She hated to see him worry.
“I couldn’t get to you. I lost everything.”
“You have to trust me, Jules. I wouldn’t risk myself or Veronica unless I was sure I could pull it off.”
At her name, his heart squeezed.
It appeared that he had no choice.
His wife was going to do that dive, and Julian couldn’t stop her. A regiment of angry Marines couldn’t hold his Army babe back. He should know that by now.
All he could hope now was night never abandoned him. If morning never came, then he wouldn’t have to face his biggest fear.
Losing his wife.
~ Chapter Twenty-Three ~
Wednesday Morning
He didn't say a word at breakfast. In fact, his face was cautiously blank. Tori knew that Julian wasn’t happy, but they really had no choice in the matter. Beckett picked up on the dead body, and she was the only one who could dive as well as a Ranger.
It wasn’t like she relished the idea of finding a month old dead guy at the bottom of a swamp, but what were they supposed to do?
Call the sheriff?
Unthinkable Games (LIttlemoon Investigations Book 3) Page 36