Reid's Deliverance

by Nina Crespo

  Celine pulled him forward. “You remember Thane.”

  He smiled. “Hey, Lauren. Good to see you again.” His gaze moved to Celine. “What are we doing?”

  “Going back to Florida.” Celine toyed with a button on his black shirt. “Ari’s worried for nothing. Lauren’s just been busy. She’s good.”

  “We won’t be going anywhere tonight.” He wrapped his arm around Celine. “There’s a bad storm coming. It’s already started to pour down.”

  “Didn’t we pass a motel a few miles from here? It looked decent.” Celine winked at Lauren.

  “Okay.” Thane’s gaze went to the French doors. Rain drizzled down the glass. “Who’s out there?”

  Lauren’s heart sped up. “Where? I don’t see anyone.”

  “Someone’s in the trees.” Thane boots thudded on the floor as he rushed out to the deck. Celine followed.

  Lauren ran after them. “Probably hunters. There’s a pond nearby. I’m sure that’s where they’re going.”

  Thane stared down at her. His gaze narrowed. “Hunters going to the pond. It must be an interesting place.”

  “It’s”—she willed herself not to fidget—“popular.”

  Celine and Thane exchanged speculative looks. The rain picked up. They walked back inside.

  Thank you. As Lauren sent up the silent prayer, she resisted looking over her shoulder.

  When they reached the front door, Celine appeared reluctant to leave. “I’ll let Ari know I saw you. Make sure you call her, and if you need me for anything you let me know.” Her brow crinkled with a worried expression. “Let me give you Thane’s number, too, just in case. Day or night, whatever it is, you call, and if you need me, I’ll be here no matter what.”

  To avoid an argument, Lauren added Thane to her contacts. I’m okay. She willed Celine to know that as she hugged her goodbye.

  Celine and Ari would want to kill her for holding out on something this big. They didn’t keep secrets from each other, but she couldn’t betray Reid.

  Chapter 11

  Reid flattened behind the tree. Rain dripped down his face and drenched his clothing. He’d almost been spotted, but he’d had to get a closer look. Who was the guy on the deck? Why did it not feel right to see him? Was he Samson? If he was Samson, how well did Lauren know him?

  “Reid!” Lauren called out to him. “Where are you?”

  Was Lauren pretending to care? Was she leading him into some kind of trap?

  “Reid!” Her voice cracked. Head down she gripped the railing. Her shoulders shook.

  Was she crying? He made it halfway to the deck before she looked up.

  Lauren ran down the steps and slammed into him. He rocked back. “You’re here.” She tightened her arms around his neck. “You didn’t leave.”

  Why hadn’t he? What was it about her that reeled him in? Reid smoothed damp hair from her face. Her green eyes melted doubt into the falling rain. “I’m still here.”

  Rising on her toes, she clasped his nape and brought his lips to hers.

  He wrapped an arm around her. Lush curves crushed against him. The delicate bones of her spine pressed into his palm. He dwarfed her in size, but she tore him down with her strength and loyalty. How could she want to protect him, without knowing the cost?

  He lifted her by the waist. She rubbed against him. His arousal swelled against her belly. Every time he held Lauren, the need to have her overwhelmed. Around her, he had no control.

  He invaded her mouth with his tongue.

  Lauren’s moan loosed fire. Softness, heat, sweetness of the wine she’d enjoyed addicted him. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  A strong wind showered sheets of rain.

  “Inside.” She murmured.

  In the cabin, they stumbled into the bedroom. Stripping off their wet clothes led to frustration as their hands and mouths tangled in a feverish rush.

  He pressed her down to the mattress. A shiver raced down his spine with the sensation of skin against skin. Their combined body heat melted away the chill of the rain.

  He wanted to glide inside of her so badly, but he forced himself to go slowly.

  “Reid.” Lauren wiggled underneath him, anxious to fit them together.

  Adjusting his position, he intertwined their legs and held her in place. “Shh, it’s okay.” He kissed her tenderly. “There’s no rush. We have all the time in the world.” His gut knotted even as he said the words. His forgotten memories, a boundary he couldn’t name or see, kept them from reaching forward.

  He brushed kisses along her temples, her eyelids, her cheeks. Her warmth seeped into his lips as he swept kisses down her neck.

  With a soft sigh, she smoothed her palms down his back.

  Need, unruly and demanding, pulled and tugged at him. Only gliding deep between her thighs would bring him ease. But he’d promised they had time.

  He worshiped her with more kisses and caresses, ignoring her pleas until his swollen, aching cock demanded release.

  As he lay hard and throbbing inside of her, for the first time ever he allowed himself to feel. Passion. Anticipation. The desire to please her more than himself. He kissed her and became lost in the lush warmth of her mouth. The sweep of her tongue. Her caress moving down his spine. The stroke of her foot up his calf. The way she arched up to meet him, tested his resolve. If he stayed she’d gain the power to mold him, possibly break him into pieces. Even knowing all of that, as he rolled his hips, thrust inside of her, made her come, he still let himself feel. And pretend for one brief moment in the rush of climax they could actually belong to each other.

  * * * *

  “Listen. Do you hear it?” Lauren curled up to Reid’s side.

  The light swirl of her fingers on his chest left tingles. He loved her soft touch. Anymore and he could get hooked on it. He palmed her hip and brought her closer. “Hear what? The crickets?”

  “Not exactly.” She grinned up at him. “No more rain. That’s a good thing. I wasn’t looking forward to hauling the giveaway items out in bad weather. It’s also good for Celine and Thane. They won’t have to drive back to Florida in it.”

  Thane. Not Samson. So what was his issue with him? “When are they leaving?”

  “In the morning, I think. You know, he almost saw you. For a second, I thought he was going to actually search the woods. He’s the protective type.”

  Tension trickled through him. “Really? What does he do for a living?”

  “He’s a musician.” She traced the tattoo on his shoulder. “That’s why they were in South Carolina. He was playing at a music festival.”

  Music, was that what connected him to Thane? It didn’t settle like the truth in his gut. “How did Celine and Thane meet?”

  “At a club in Melbourne, Florida called The Song. He’s one of their house performers. They were both getting drinks at the bar and “bam”. That was it. They’ve been inseparable for the past two months. I’m happy for her.” Hesitation hung in her tone.

  “But you’re concerned about her being with him?”

  “No, not him. It’s the timing. Three years ago, Celine fell in love fast and hard.”

  “It didn’t work out?”

  “No. Just the opposite. They got engaged. Dominic was a soldier. He didn’t make it back from his last deployment.”

  An image flashed. Picking up her father’s weapon had felt as natural as breathing. At the time, he’d envisioned more substantial weapons. Various sizes, capabilities, and he knew them well. But what did it mean? “So what’s the connection to Thane? He’s a musician, not a soldier.”

  “I know. It’s probably just me. My other friend, Ari, says I’m jaded against love because of my guy list.”

  “Guy list? What’s that?”

  “It’s not important.”

  “Not important? You can’t say a thing like that and hold back. I’m lying right next to you. What’s on the list?”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  “Then enlighte
n me.”

  She buried her face against his shoulder and groaned. “This is so embarrassing, but you’re not going to let it go, are you?”

  He let silence answer for him.

  “Fine.” She sighed. “I have a list of deal-breakers when it comes to me getting involved. Things like no mama’s boys, sports junkies, protect and serve types.”

  “Like guys in the military.”

  “Anyone who’s taken an oath to be a hero twenty-four-seven. It sounds selfish, but I know from experience with my father. He was gone all of the time and my parents split up because of it. He always chose career over family.”

  The accusation hit a nerve. “It isn’t about duty over family. For a lot of people, the job is a calling. They wouldn’t feel complete if they did anything else.”

  She looked up at him. “Like you? No. Don’t deny it. You’re comfortable with a gun. You handled it like it was an extension of yourself.”

  What if he was in one of those careers? Why didn’t he want to go to the police for help? Was he AWOL? Revulsion rose. No, not a possibility. Honor. Trust. Loyalty. He believed in those things. He wouldn’t throw it away.

  “I don’t know why I’m good with guns.” He stroked her arm. Did her list change things between them? “Does not knowing bother you?”

  “No matter what your career is, I’ll be happy when you remember who you are.”

  He tilted up her chin. The absolute certainty in her eyes reflected in her expression. What if it meant him and Thane were on opposite sides? That her friend Celine would end up heartbroken over Thane?

  Lauren’s brow crinkled. “What?”

  Who was Thane? He had to find out more, but now wasn’t the time. He kissed the tip of her nose. “We skipped dinner.”

  “I know. I could use some junk food.”

  “We can pick up some tomorrow.”

  She pushed up on an elbow. “Why do we have to wait?”

  “I hate to break it to you, beautiful, but carrot sticks and slices of fruit don’t fit the junk category.”

  “And once again you underestimate my food capabilities. Follow me and learn.” Lauren got out of bed and dressed in a sleep shirt.

  His jeans had dried out enough so he put them on. What he’d give for clothes. Washing and wearing the same set over and over again was becoming a pain.

  In the kitchen, she reached up to the top shelf of an upper cabinet. “See?”

  Reid accepted the package of chocolate bars. “I stand corrected. What else are you hiding up there?” He took down a box of cinnamon graham crackers and marshmallows. “Plan on reliving your Girl Scout camping days?”

  “No.” Her face reddened. “I wasn’t a Girl Scout, and just because I bought this stuff doesn’t mean I was planning to make s’mores.”

  “You said it. I didn’t.” He leaned his hands on the counter and blocked her in. “I’m not judging you.”

  She worried her lower lip.

  He stopped her with a quick kiss. “What’s so special about this?”

  * * * *

  Lauren focused on his chest. The hell-no list and now the s’mores, he made her want to confess all of her secrets. And break her rules. She’d meant what she said. Finding his identity trumped everything. It didn’t matter if he worked in one of the professions on the list. Even to the point where she might consider seeing him again if he asked.

  He bent to eye level. “You can tell me.”

  “My dad used to build a fire out back. We’d make s’mores.” A lump formed in her throat. “I’d planned on making them one last time.”

  Reid stood. “Let’s do it then.”

  “It’s wet outside.”

  “The older firewood under the tarp is dry enough. We can use the fireplace. The metal skewers in the box of camping gear will work.” He went to get his shirt and boots.

  “Okay.” Giddiness fueled her steps to the loft. By the time she’d skewered the marshmallows, Reid had a fire. Wood popped and snapped with the growing flames.

  Lauren put paper towels and the makings for the s’mores on the coffee table. “It’s going to feel like a sauna in here.”

  “I’ve got a solution for that, too.” Reid whipped off his shirt and tossed it aside. “We get naked.”

  The dragon inked on him from shoulder to back rippled as if it had come to life. His abdominals rippled, too. Angled cuts of muscle low on his abdomen featured the downy trail leading to his sex. He lowered his zipper and his length spilled out. As he dragged off his jeans, heat flushed through her breasts.

  “Lauren.” The rasp in his voice snapped her eyes up. “Keep looking at me like that, and we’ll forget about s’mores.”

  “Can’t I have both?”

  He chuckled. “Baby, I like the way you think.”

  As she took off her shirt, his grin faded with lust. Reid snagged the throw blankets from the couch and tucked one of them around her. “Let’s keep covered up.” His lips sweeping down the curve of her neck brought shivers. “At least for now.” He wrapped the other blanket around his waist. “Shall we?”

  They sat in front of the fireplace holding skewers. The sweet smell of roasting marshmallows tugged her lips into a smile. Doing this with Reid made it even better than she’d imagined.

  “It’s time. Let me hold this.” He took the skewer from her hands. “Grab the crackers and chocolate.”

  In perfect sync, Lauren sandwiched the marshmallows as he pulled away the skewers. She handed him one of the gooey, graham cracker treats on a napkin. “Careful, it’s hot.” Chocolate dripped down her hand as she bit into hers. Laughing, she licked away the drops. “How is it?” The desire in his heavy-lidded gaze held her in place.

  Reid set his treat aside. “Perfect.” Then he took hers from her hand and laid it on the coffee table. “Beautiful.” He leaned in and traced his tongue along the seam of her mouth. “And so fucking delicious.”

  As he pressed her down on the rug, she welcomed the full invasion of a deep, hard kiss. Reid pulled open the blanket and exposed her to the heat. He swiped his finger into the melted center of the s’more on the coffee table.”

  “What are you doing?”

  A sinful smile tipped up his mouth. He circled the tips of her breasts with warm chocolate. “Enjoying my treat.”

  Need heightened expectation. His tongue flicked her nipple. Heat spiraled to her core. He swirled more chocolate over the sensitive buds. Kneading, tasting, pulling softly on her nipples. His touches alone brought her to a heart-pounding climax.

  He swept kisses down her belly. His shoulders widened her thighs, exposing her pulsing sex. Reid lazily ran his tongue between her folds. “Mine.”

  Want coiling through her made her arch up. “Yes.”

  With each lick along the seam he delved deeper. Every swipe over her clit a final reward she ached to receive. The glide of his tongue. The heat of his mouth. The thrust of his fingers into her sex, all pulled her in like an overpowering addiction. She orgasmed and her cries burned her throat. Lauren floated in pure pleasure.

  He stretched out on top of her. She looked into his eyes. Her breath caught. Instead of passion, hardness filled his gaze. He swept kisses down to her ear. “Someone’s outside.”

  Her heart hammered. A whimper escaped.

  “I’m right here.” Reid whispered. “No one will hurt you.” He shifted more to the side. “I need you to do exactly as I tell you. When I roll off, run and lock yourself in the bedroom. If anyone tries to get in there but me, shoot them.”

  Fear gripped her, but Reid remained stone cold, calm. He rolled to the side. She ran. Once in the room, she slammed the door. Her hands shook as she locked it. Breaths heaved out of her chest. He’d said to get the gun. She grabbed it from the bedside table drawer and chambered a round. Get dressed. If someone came through the door she wasn’t confronting them naked. She scrambled into sweatpants, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes. She’d assumed Thane had spotted Reid that afternoon. Who else was out there?
r />   Chapter 12

  Reid hustled into his jeans and grabbed the fire poker. Just his luck to have a gun in the loft, but no bullets. He’d take his chances. He wanted this perverted, dysfunctional motherfucker.

  The French doors rattled as he flung them open. He took the stairs by twos and threes from the deck. At a flat-out run, he hauled it to the side of the house. The full moon illuminated the night. A shadow popped out from behind the covered woodpile. He swung the poker.

  The guy ducked and blocked every swing as if he anticipated it. Then he charged.

  Reid connected with an elbow to the head.

  His opponent retaliated with a swift punch near the ribs.

  Reid’s breath hitched. More punches connected for both of them.

  “Damn it, Reid, stop. It’s me.”

  This asshole knew his name? “Who are you?” Reid felt the opening, and he went for a headlock.

  His opponent slipped out of his hold.

  “Thane?” Lauren approached with a flashlight.

  The beam momentarily blinded Reid. He blocked it with his hand. “Lauren, go inside.”

  “No.” She pointed the light and the gun at Thane. “How do you know Reid?”

  As Thane sat up, he gave Reid a quizzical look. Thane spat on the ground. “We were in the same band.”

  * * * *

  In the kitchen, Lauren dabbed at Reid’s bleeding lip with a cloth. “It’s not as bad as I thought. I don’t think you’ll need stitches. What about your ribs? They’re bruised. Are you sure it doesn’t hurt when you breathe?”

  “I’m fine. Take a look.” He lifted his shirt. “It looked worse than it really was.” Funny. It didn’t hurt like earlier.

  “Looks like you’re a fast healer.” Her gentle swipes grew harder. The sting zipped into him. “I can’t believe you ran out there like that.”

  He took the cloth from her hand. “I can’t believe you didn’t do what I told you.” He suppressed the hint of pride welling up. She hadn’t listened to him, but she also hadn’t shown fear.