Amy bit him before he had time to move his finger. He backhanded her with his gun.
* * * *
Tor glanced toward the hallway where Amy had disappeared. “She said she’d just be a minute.”
“Maybe she and the other woman we saw walk that way are having a conversation,” Chad said.
“The other woman bothers me. I noticed her when she went in the Western store. There’s something about her walk.” Tor jumped up. “She walks like a man.”
Chad and Kel followed Tor as he raced across the room. Several customers stared at them.
At the bathroom door, Tor tried the handle. “Amy, why did you lock the door? I was teasing about seeing the ladies’ room. Your food is on the table getting cold.”
Chad put his ear to the door. He whispered. “I hear feet shuffling.”
“I’ll be there in a moment. There’s a lady here, and she’s sick. I’m helping her. We locked the door because she didn’t want anyone else to see her this way. I’m still holding you to driving me to Russ’s ranch later.”
“Then I’ll go back and wait at the table. Don’t be too long.”
He made noises like he was walking off. Chad stayed by the door listening with Kel right behind him.
Tor removed his shoes and came back. Chad whispered in his ear. “He has her. I heard him tell her to walk ahead of him in case you were trying to fool him.”
“I’ll hide to the side. You two take him out when I grab Amy.”
Chad and Kel nodded. Several people had gathered at the end of the hall. Kel motioned them off.
They heard the sound of the door unlocking, and Tor pushed back against the wall. Chad and Kel flattened themselves against the other side, hoping he wouldn’t see them initially.
When Amy passed the doorway, the killer spotted Chad. He had his gun punched into Amy’s back.
“Get back. I’ll shoot her. I have nothing to lose.” He yanked Amy more firmly against him. When he did, she threw herself backward and to the side. He lost his balance and wobbled for a second.
Arms grabbed Amy and pulled her to safety. A shot went off. Then Tor had Amy snug against his hard body.
She wiggled. “I can’t breathe. You’re clenching me too tight.”
“Sorry, honey. I thought we might lose you. I can’t get enough of feeling your heart beating fast against my chest. It tells me you’re afraid but all right.”
Tor let her turn to see Chad. Chad and Kel knelt by the killer’s side.
“Did you kill him?” Tor asked.
“My bullet went right through his heart. I wasn’t taking any chances of him getting a shot off,” Chad said.
Amy walked to his side. “It’s a shame really. His dad aroused his need for revenge, and I’m sure encouraged him. As a result many innocent people died and so did his son.”
Tor stood behind her rubbing her shoulders. “I’ll call the sheriff in the towns where his grandparents live. Someone needs to let them know before it hits the news.” He pulled out his cell phone and stepped into the hall.
Chad glanced at Amy and then jumped up. “He hit you.” He turned her face where he could see the bruise better.
“When I angered him, he hit me with his gun.” She rubbed her tongue along her teeth. “He may have loosened one or two teeth.”
“We have a good dentist,” Kel said. “There’s a father-and-daughter team in town. One of them will fix you up.” He took hold of her arm. “You’re pale. Chad, carry her into the restaurant. I’ll take care of this mess.”
When Chad came out of the hallway with Amy in his arms, the diners, who’d returned to the restaurant after waiting outside, cheered and clapped.
Candy smiled and raised her voice. “The boss said he’s cooking everyone’s meal fresh and it’s on him.” Another cheer went up.
Chad set Amy in her chair. “Can you eat?”
She rubbed her hand across her jaw. “It’s feeling better, but I’d rather go back to your place and rest. I’m weak.”
“Perhaps the doctor should check you first,” Chad said.
“No. It’s from the reaction of all that happened. Please, can’t I go home?”
He started to ask if she meant Pittsburgh, but looking into her eyes Chad realized she’d slipped and said what she thought of his house. Hope spread through his chest. Slow down, boy, I may be overreacting. When she’s calmer, her attitude might change. But I can hope, a little.
Amy took hold of Tor’s and Chad’s hands. “Thank you for saving me. He wanted to take me somewhere and force me to have sex with him, and then he planned to kill me.”
“Did he tell you what to say to me?”
“Yes, he was mad when I added the last bit. I told him it was more apt to convince you that I was okay.”
“You’re a smart girl. Chad and I both knew then for sure we had to do something.”
“You can give Tor extra thanks. He didn’t like the woman we saw go toward the bathrooms,” Chad said.
“What made you suspicious?” Amy wrinkled her forehead.
“Honey, she didn’t walk like a woman. It took me a while to figure it out.”
“But you did, and you both risked your lives for me.”
“Aw-shucks, darlin’, we were doing our job.”
“As policemen, you mean?” Amy asked.
“No, honey, but as the two men who love you and want to protect and marry you,” Tor said.
She decided to go along with Tor’s teasing. “There you go again. Just like a broken record.”
Chad glanced across at Tor. “It looks like we have a bit more convincing to do.”
“I like the convincing part.” Tor took her hand and they walked out of the restaurant and to the truck.
Chad helped her in and went around to the driver’s side.
“We’re headed home.”
Amy smiled and put her head on Chad’s shoulder. Tor, sitting on the other side, rubbed her arm.
* * * *
At the house, Tor carried Amy to her bedroom. “Rest, sleep, and when you wake up, we’ll eat.”
“I am exhausted.”
“It’s part of the reaction. We’ll be here if you need us.”
She pulled his head down and kissed him. Then she started undressing. Tor helped pull her shirt off and her boots and jeans. She took off her bra.
Looking up, she must have seen the hunger in his eyes. “If you want…”
“Nope, I can’t help showing how I feel, especially when you are almost naked, but you need to rest. I’m not selfish.” He motioned for her to lie down, and then he covered her with a light blanket, kissed her cheek, and closed the door behind him.
Chad snapped his phone off when Tor joined him in the study. “Is she asleep?”
“She will be soon. Her eyelids were drooping.”
“I talked to my boss. I’m on paid leave until they look into the killing of our suspect. It’s routine. I told him I was leaving the bureau.”
“He must have been surprised.”
“Not really. I’ve mentioned a few times that eventually I’d come home for good.”
“What if she won’t marry us? You will have resigned for nothing.”
“I’m staying here regardless. During the past few days I’ve realized how much I miss this lifestyle. What about you?”
“I don’t have the money or property you do. I do have some savings to buy a small place, but I’d still need and want to work.”
“There’s a small farm to the south of my land. It’s for sale. I was thinking of buying it and investing in some more horses. Why don’t you buy the farm, and then you’ll feel more a part of the ranch.”
“Does it have a house?”
“There’s a small cabin. Why? I thought we’d all three live here. Maybe build a larger master bedroom and bath and this would be our home.”
“I guess we never talked the details out. I don’t want to take advantage.”
“Don’t be stupid. We’ve been like b
rothers since the military.”
Tor grinned. “True. All right, I’ll see if I can find a job and look at the property. Next, we have to convince our girl.”
“She’s halfway there. Did you hear her call this place home? A slip of the tongue, but she meant it.”
“I’m going to call my supervisor,” Tor said. “He’ll want to know what all happened. Then I’m going to contact Kel and ask him where to start job hunting.”
“Amy will wake hungry. I’ll defrost the casserole Mrs. Kestell left in the freezer.”
* * * *
When Amy woke, she sat on the side of her bed and called Aunt Janie. “Hi, you can come home.”
“Did the police catch the bad guy?” her aunt asked.
“They killed him when he tried to kidnap me.”
“Did he hurt you?” Aunt Janie’s voice trembled. “Your mother called, and I know about her ordeal.”
“No, I’m fine. Tor, Chad, and Kel rescued me before the killer had a chance to do much. I have a bruised face, but that’s all.”
“Thank goodness. You’ll have to tell me all about it when I get there. I’ve enjoyed my visit, but I’m homesick for my little house.”
“I’ll be glad to see you. I felt better when Chad and Tor gave you extra protection.”
“I did, too. I’ve had extra guards around the clock. I’m sure my brother-in-law and his wife will be glad to have their normal life back. I’ll be home as quick as I can get reservations.”
“Let me know, and we’ll pick you up.”
“By we, do you mean Chad and his friend?”
“Don’t start.”
Aunt Janie laughed. “I’m just asking.” Then she hung up.
Amy put on her jeans and shirt without her bra. It was freeing. And she suspected she’d have it removed later anyway. The thought of Chad’s and Tor’s hands on her body had her face flushing and heat stirring in her abdomen. She was rested and ready. Her stomach growled. Amy did want to eat first.
She didn’t see either Chad or Tor on her walk down the hallway. But she heard voices in the kitchen.
Peeking around the corner, she had to smile seeing Chad lift a casserole from the oven and Tor pouring tea in their glasses.
“Tor, go wake her to come eat. I think she’s slept enough.”
“I agree.” Amy moved into the kitchen. “It smells good in here. You two have been busy.”
Tor made a flourish with his arm and pulled back a chair. “Please be seated, madam.”
“I love your sense of humor. When I first met you, I didn’t think you had one.”
“You’ve brought my better side out.”
Chad put a bread plate and butter on the table. Then he got three salads from the fridge. “This is it. Eat well.”
“All that sleep and having a weight lifted off my shoulders has given me an appetite.” Amy scooped a large helping of the casserole on her plate and took two rolls to butter. “I’ll eat the salad after I taste this. I saw Mrs. Kestell making it with lots of vegetables, meat, and a little cheese.
“Hmmm, it’s delicious.” She nibbled on the salad between eating the rest of the meal. Amy raised her head and looked at Tor and Chad.
“Eat. Don’t watch me.”
“We like to watch you. You enjoy your food.”
“I do. But Mom says I need to lose five or ten pounds. I never can.”
“Forget that. I like your curves,” Tor stated emphatically.
“I do, too. Don’t change a thing.”
“I’ll tell her the two of you agree with me about my weight being fine. You have to understand my mom and sister are pencil thin. They work at it.”
She started to say she didn’t have to worry when she was working such long hours, but she stopped herself. No use ruining the day when she didn’t know what she’d do now. It was time to think of returning to work.
“You look very serious. What’s worrying you?” Chad asked.
“This has been a traumatic time, like nothing I’ve experienced before and hope to never undergo again.”
“You’re pretty safe. These type of incidents are usually a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence if you aren’t in police work.” Tor got up and kissed her cheek on his way to refilling their tea glasses.
“What would you like to do for the rest of the afternoon?” Chad asked.
“I thought you and Tor might have some ideas.”
Tor put the pitcher down and looked at Chad. Then they both stared at her.
Chad cleared his throat. “Might you be suggesting we retire to my bedroom or is that too presumptuous of me?” A glint of humor shone in his eyes.
“Let me see, presumptuous? No. I like that word, but it doesn’t fit this situation.” Chad lifted her out of her chair.
“Bring the tea glasses. We might work up a thirst,” he hollered to Tor and strode rapidly toward his bedroom.
Chapter Fourteen
Tor pulled back the bedspread and started getting undressed. Chad put Amy’s feet on the floor. He pulled her shirt over her head and stared at her breasts. He glanced at Amy and she smiled.
“I figured there’d be less to take off.”
“I’m not complaining.” Her splendid breasts filled his hands.
“So delicate.” Chad ran his finger over her skin and kissed her nipple.
Amy shivered in delight.
Tor had sheathed his dick, and he walked to their side. “Get undressed while I finish removing her clothes. Chad stepped back, and Tor pulled her snug against his hard, well-muscled frame. “I love your body curving into mine. But let’s get rid of these jeans.” With one swipe he had her jeans and panties off.
She put her arms around his neck, and he grasped her hips, rubbing her abdomen against his long, hard shaft.
At her backside, Chad trailed kisses from her earlobe, to her neck, and along her spine. When he kissed her buttocks, her pussy juices wet her lower lips.
Between the two of them her desire shot right off the scale to higher heights than ever before. Her body pulsed with her need to get closer and closer. She was sensitive to their slightest touch.
“I’ll put Amy on the bed.” Tor lifted her and carefully placed her in the center. He arranged a pillow behind her head. “Comfortable.”
“No, I’m too hungry for you all.”
He kissed from her breasts to her abdomen to her lower lips. His lips nuzzled against her thighs.
Chad straddled her upper body, being careful to keep his weight off of her. She took his cock in her hand and tasted the pearl drop on the head of his dick. Then she took him in her mouth and caressed his satin hardness with her tongue.
Tor continued to slide down her body. He kissed the inside of her legs, sending little tremors racing over her nerve endings.
Chad cupped the back of Amy’s head while her tongue licked around his cock. She glanced up and saw his gray eyes had turned silver and his face was taut. The fine lines of his cheeks and jaw edged with desire.
She sucked on Chad’s cock, his body arched, and he yelled out as she tasted his salty essence. He rolled off of her and lay beside her, breathing hard and fast.
Tor kissed his way back up to her pussy. He separated her lower lips and ran his tongue across her bundle of nerves. Her hips rose against his mouth as warmth radiated throughout her body.
He licked her juices and flicked his tongue into her opening. Her heart pounded as his actions stoked a rapidly growing fire in her core. When his hands reached up and his fingers tweaked her nipples, her voracious desire had her moaning, and she screamed at him to take her.
Amy’s hips twisted under his demanding mouth as he ignored her plea. Her body shook with her intense need and her nectar flowed from her pussy.
When she thought she’d explode at any moment, Tor positioned his cock and plunged inside her. Her body arched and her pussy walls clamped tight around him.
Tor pulled her hips up and forward. His hard cock sank deeper inside her pussy. He thrust
in and out.
His blond hair fell over his forehead and his blue eyes blazed with desire. Chad rolled toward her and cupped his hand around her breast. His fingers pinched her nipple.
An intense wave of pleasure spread from her toes to the top of her head. Each move of Tor’s cock continued to stoke the fires of her orgasm, and then she felt his cock jerk and pulse. He groaned when he reached his peak and joined her.
Tor lay on her briefly before rolling to her opposite side from Chad. “Wow, sweetheart, my heart’s about to jump out of my chest,” he spoke between gasps to catch his breath.
Chad kissed her mouth. “You are our special lady.”
His words brought Amy back to the present in a hurry. She closed her eyes to shut out his smiling face. The killer was dead, and her work was waiting for her. She wouldn’t be able to ignore reality much longer.
* * * *
Tor handed her a cup of coffee when she entered the kitchen. “Did you sleep well?” An easy smile tipped the corners of his mouth.
“Are you fishing for a compliment? What do you think?” Amy grinned back at him.
“I think we all slept well.” Chad turned from the stove. “I’m cooking us a good breakfast. I have some work to do on the ranch, and Tor has plans for you two.”
“I hope to see Aunt Janie sometime today. She said she’d call when she got back.”
Tor pulled out the chair for her. “I’ll drive you by her house later. I’m going to look at some property and drive to Willow Junction to put in an application. I talked with Kel this morning. He says the police chief really wants to retire sooner, but doesn’t feel any of his men are ready to move up to his position. Kel thinks I’d get the job with my experience in the service and in Pittsburgh.”
“Are you really going to quit being a detective in Pittsburgh?” Amy asked. “Have you thought this through?”
“I’ve been considering it since Kel’s visit to Pittsburgh. My large family is spread across the country. Mom and Dad live in Missouri, so it would be a bit farther to visit, but not bad. My other brothers and sister live from California to North Carolina.”
Treasured Temptation [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 4] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 12