Hunter's Way

by Gerri Hill

  “I don’t ever want to hurt you, Tori. Not ever.” Sam reached across the table and took Tori’s hand again. “Please don’t hurt me.”

  Tori didn’t know what to say. She wished, oh, she wished that they could have some time together. But they didn’t. Not now. She released Sam’s hand and reached for her beer, looking around. Sikes and Ramirez were still sitting at the bar, staring at two women kissing. She shook her head.

  “Tori.”

  “Hmm?”

  “It’s him.”

  “Where?”

  “Behind you, walking around the back side of the dance floor.”

  “Come on.” She stood, taking Sam’s hand and leading her to the floor. They faded into the crowd, turning until they found him. He walked toward the back, leaning against the wall, watching.

  Tori pulled Sam against her, speaking into her ear. “He’s watching Annette.”

  Sam nodded, moving away from Tori again. They waited until the song ended, then casually walked back to their table. Richard Grayson had not moved.

  Tori pulled out her cell phone, keeping one eye on their guy.

  “Sikes, he’s here.”

  “Where?”

  “Far corner across from the bar. Blue shirt. He’s leaning against the wall.”

  “Got him.”

  Tori put her phone away, then looked at Sam. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. My body is still on fire, but I’m fine.”

  Tori smiled. “Mine, too.”

  “Good. I’d hate to be the only one in this condition.”

  Tori leaned back, her eyes moving over Sam, resting at her breasts for a moment. She could still feel Sam’s nipple against her fingers. Her tongue came out and wet her suddenly dry lips. In her mind, she could imagine taking Sam’s shirt off, imagine her hands moving over soft flesh, imagine her mouth at Sam’s breast.

  “Detective, if you don’t stop looking at me that way, I might very well come across this table and do something that will embarrass us both.”

  Their eyes met, and Sam nearly melted from the fire she saw in Tori’s dark eyes. She didn’t know how they were going to make it through the rest of the night. Right now, right this minute, all she wanted was Tori’s hands on her. And if that meant out on the dance floor for anyone to see, she no longer cared.

  “I’m thinking we should stick to fast songs,” Tori said with a smile.

  “You may be right.”

  And they did. Occasionally. Mostly, they sat and talked and watched Richard Grayson. He moved from the wall only once, to make a quick trip to the bar. He talked to no one. He only stood and watched Annette Tippet.

  Finally, at nearly midnight, he left. Sam called Donaldson immediately.

  “We see him. He’s walking north.”

  “If he gets in a car, run the plates,” she said. “We’re right behind you.” She looked at Sam. “Go tell Sikes. I’m going to call Sergeant Reynolds and get a unit over here to follow Annette home.”

  “If he stays in much longer, we’re going to have to send Sikes and Ramirez in,” Tori said.

  They were parked a block away from a men’s bathhouse. Grayson had entered alone nearly an hour before. He hadn’t been seen since.

  “In fact, I think that’s a good idea. What if he saw us tail him? He may have slipped out the back,” Tori said.

  “His car is still here,” Sam said. “Do you really think Sikes could pull it off in there? I mean, I’m only speculating, but I can imagine what is going on in that place.”

  Tori laughed. “You’re right. Sikes would pull his weapon and pop the first person who touched him.”

  Sam grabbed her arm. “There. He’s coming out.”

  Tori speed-dialed, and Sikes picked up.

  “We got him,” Sikes said. “Thank God. I just knew you would want us to go in after him.”

  “That was the plan, Sikes. Okay, don’t lose him,” she said. She waited until Grayson got in his car, then she pulled out onto the street. They followed him, staying several car lengths back until he reached a residential area. She slowed, allowing him to get ahead of them. There were no other cars on the street. Finally, he pulled into a duplex and she drove past, watching in the mirror as he went to the front door.

  “This is only a few blocks from Belle’s,” Sam said.

  “Yeah. I can’t believe he’s living here and Belle doesn’t know.”

  “Do you think she does?”

  “No. She didn’t even blink when we asked about him.” Tori slowed to a crawl, watching for Sikes in the mirror. “Why don’t you give Reynolds a call, have him send some units out to watch Grayson tonight.”

  “Okay.”

  Tori parked on the street two blocks away and waited until Sikes pulled past her. She called him.

  “You and Ramirez call it a night, Sikes. We’ll hang out for a few minutes until we can get a couple of units to watch him overnight.”

  “Okay, Hunter. It’s been a real pleasure playing with you girls tonight.”

  “Sorry you didn’t get lucky, man,” she teased.

  “Oh, I don’t know. I had a couple of phone numbers passed my way.”

  She laughed. “See you tomorrow, John.” She disconnected, then dialed Donaldson. “Did you run the plates?”

  “Yeah. Came back to Belle Grayson,” he said.

  “Okay. Call it a night. We’ll see if we can get a warrant. Thanks, Donaldson.”

  Tori clipped the phone back on her waist, then glanced at Sam. “Reynolds?”

  “He’s sending two units, going to leave one at each end of the street.”

  Tori nodded. “Good.” A pause. “You tired?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Me, too.” She pulled out on the street, driving slowly past the duplex. The lights were out. “There’s one now,” she said, pointing to the patrol car easing to a stop a block away.

  Sam leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. Then she reached blindly across the console and laid her hand on Tori’s thigh. “Come home with me tonight?” she asked quietly.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’m sure.” She turned her head, meeting Tori’s eyes for a brief second. “Please?”

  With that one whispered word, Tori knew everything was about to change. They would crawl into Sam’s bed together, and there would be no more barriers. Was she ready? Was Sam ready?

  Chapter Thirty-seven

  Tori closed the door behind them, then stood nervously as Sam walked into the apartment.

  “I feel like a shower,” Sam said. “I smell like smoke.”

  “Okay.” She stood rooted by the door.

  Sam turned around, then walked back toward her. “Tori? It’s late and we’re both tired.” She took Tori’s hand and smiled. “Don’t look so scared.”

  “Do I?” She smiled, too.

  “Yes. Terrified. Now, go take a shower,” Sam said, pulling Tori after her, then giving her a gentle push toward the bathroom.

  As Sam stripped off her clothes, she nearly laughed. The look on Tori’s face was pure terror. This strong, beautiful woman was afraid to make love to her. She was afraid of risking her heart. Sam met her own eyes in the mirror. Was she sure of this? Then she remembered their dance, the kisses that controlled them, the feel of Tori’s hand at her breast. She touched her breast now, feeling her nipples against her palm, and nodded. Yes, she was sure. Robert-in fact, no man-had ever driven her so close to the edge with only a kiss. But Tori, oh God, Sam had wanted to forget they were in a public place and just finish what they had started. She wanted her touch. She wanted Tori’s touch more than she’d ever wanted anything.

  She pulled a T-shirt over her naked body and brushed at her damp hair. She had taken only a moment to blow-dry it. She met her own eyes again. Now who was scared?

  Tori was already in bed when she walked out. But she wasn’t asleep. Their eyes met and held. Sam took a deep breath, then moved to the bed. She turned off the lamp before pulling back th
e covers, then she slid between the sheets, her bare thigh lightly touching Tori’s.

  Tori wished she could say she was tired, but the blood pumping through her veins had her wide awake. She rolled her head slightly, watching the rapid rise and fall of Sam’s chest. It matched her own. She could feel the heat radiating from Sam’s body and she was drawn to it. She knew it was wise not to touch Sam, but she was powerless to stop her hand from moving between them, linking fingers with Sam. She felt the gentle squeeze. Then Sam turned on her side, facing Tori.

  “If you don’t kiss me soon, I will combust right here before your eyes,” she whispered. She lifted her head, her mouth only inches from Tori’s. “I want you to make love to me.” She closed the distance, kissing Tori softly, lightly. Lips moved against lips, meltingly slow. She closed her eyes, hearing Tori’s quiet moan. Then she felt Tori shift, felt the hand that slid up her thigh, resting at her hip. Tori pulled her closer until their bodies touched. Sam could stand it no longer. She opened her mouth, letting Tori inside. She groaned as Tori’s tongue explored her mouth, and she met it with her own. Then Tori rolled over, leaning over Sam. One thigh slipped between Sam’s legs and they opened for her. She pressed her hot center hard against Tori.

  “Oh, God,” Sam murmured. She pulled Tori tight against her, feeling her weight as Tori settled on top of her. Her body had a mind of its own as it strove to touch Tori. Her hands moved over Tori’s back, feeling muscles contract under her fingertips.

  Then Tori’s mouth was back, kissing her tenderly, sucking Sam’s lower lip into her mouth. “You have no idea how much I want you,” Tori whispered against her mouth.

  “Yes, I have a very good idea.”

  “Please tell me if I hurt you.”

  “You won’t hurt me.”

  Tori sat up, slowly pulling Sam’s T-shirt over her head. She gasped as Sam’s breasts were revealed to her in the dim light of the bedroom. She pulled her own shirt off, leaving both of them nearly naked. With a trembling hand, she reached out to touch Sam. Small breasts, but so responsive, her nipples hardened immediately at Tori’s touch.

  “So… beautiful,” Tori breathed. Her fingers raked lightly across them, then she lowered her head, her tongue tracing the rigid peak, teasing, before taking it inside. Their moans mingled as Tori suckled her breast, feasting upon her.

  Sam leaned her head back and closed her eyes, her mouth parting to draw breath. So gentle, so loving was Tori’s touch. She thought she would be afraid the first time they made love. Afraid she wouldn’t know how to respond, afraid she wouldn’t know how to touch. But, God, it was the most natural thing in the world to have Tori’s mouth on her. Her hands came out and burrowed into Tori’s short hair, holding her firmly against her breast when Tori would have pulled away. At last she released Tori, pulling her back to her mouth, kissing her lips, memorizing them with her tongue.

  Tori slid her hand along Sam’s side, past her ribs to her waist. Her flesh was smooth, hot. She slipped under the waistband of her panties, moving over her hips. She heard Sam gasp, felt Sam’s hips as they rose up.

  “If you want me to stop, just say so,” Tori whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you,” she said again.

  “I may very well hurt you if you stop,” Sam murmured.

  Tori smiled as she peeled Sam’s panties down her hips. The scent of her drifted to Tori and it was all she could do not to bury her head between Sam’s thighs.

  “Take yours off,” Sam pleaded. “I want to feel your skin against me.”

  Tori did, laying her naked body on top of Sam, fitting between Sam’s opened legs.

  “I knew it would be like this with you,” Sam whispered. “So soft. So gentle. I knew you would love me this way.”

  Tori groaned as their hips met, thrusting together. She lowered her head, capturing a breast with her mouth.

  “God, I’ve dreamed of your mouth on me. I tried to imagine what it would feel like,” Sam murmured, holding Tori tight to her breast.

  “Did you imagine my mouth everywhere on you?”

  “Yes,” Sam hissed. Her legs opened wider as she felt Tori’s hand move between them. Then gentle fingers moved through her wetness, sliding through her folds to touch her swollen clit. Her hips bucked and she groaned a low growl that came from deep in her chest. “Oh, Tori. God…”

  Tori’s patience faded the moment her fingers touched Sam. So wet, so ready. She had to have her mouth there. She moved lower, spreading Sam’s legs. Her tongue replaced her fingers, entering Sam slowly. She heard the younger woman gasp, felt hands move through her hair. Her tongue licked at her, tasting her, then her lips closed over her clit, suckling it.

  “Jesus,” Sam whispered. Only in her most vivid dreams did she think it could be like this-gentle lovemaking that shook her to her very core. With fists clenched at her sides, head thrown back, she lost all control of her thoughts, her feelings. Her eyes squeezed closed as she felt her body respond to Tori, felt her orgasm build and build until she couldn’t hold it, until she simply exploded with it. Her hips rose off the bed, pressing hard against Tori’s mouth. But Tori didn’t stop. Her tongue moved through her again, slipping inside her before circling her clit. Again her mouth closed over her, sucking her hard. Sam trembled, shook uncontrollably as Tori took her over the edge again. She cried out, a primal scream that left her breathless, spent. She collapsed against the bed, her hands slipping away from Tori as she tried to catch her breath.

  Tori kissed her lightly, moving across her legs, wetting a path over her stomach to her breasts, finally stopping when she reached her lips.

  “Okay?”

  “More than okay,” Sam murmured as she tasted herself on Tori’s lips. She gathered Tori in her arms and held her. “I knew it would be like that with you.” Sam kissed her lightly, eyes still closed. “I want so badly to touch you, but I can’t seem to move.”

  Tori lay back and pulled Sam into her arms, cradling her. “Rest. We’ve got plenty of time.”

  But Sam didn’t answer. She was already asleep. Tori smiled, gently moving the hair off Sam’s forehead. She was falling in love with her, and she was powerless to stop it. She bent her head, kissing her briefly. She felt Sam’s arm tighten across her waist, and she closed her eyes.

  So, this was what falling in love feels like. It was nice. But it was scary as hell.

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Sam opened her eyes, watching Tori as she slept. The soft light of dawn surrounded them, and the transformation was enormous. Tori looked almost like a child, so innocent, so peaceful. Sam shifted slowly, stretching her legs. She smiled and closed her eyes, allowing herself to relive the precious moments when Tori had made love to her. It was everything she thought it would be and so much more. Tori had been so incredibly gentle with her, she didn’t think it possible. This strong, tough detective who had instilled such fear in her that first week, had made love to her in the most tender way possible.

  “A teddy bear,” she whispered.

  She slid her hand under the covers, moving over smooth skin until she reached Tori’s breast. Her hand curled around it, feeling the nipple harden against her palm. She circled it with her fingers, wondering how it would feel in her mouth. She closed her eyes. Tori had made love to her last night. Sam had not even touched Tori.

  She slowly moved the covers off Tori, feeling the other woman stir but not wake. Her greedy eyes took in the beautiful sight before her. Perfect breasts greeted her. Her eyes moved over Tori’s torso, so firm, yet soft. Then she glanced at her wound, noting absently that the stitches needed to come out. She bent her head, kissing lightly around the now-healed injury. Then she moved higher, finding the breasts that she had been dreaming of for weeks. Shyly, her tongue circled the hard nipple and she moaned, then closed her mouth over it, sucking it gently inside. She heard Tori’s answering moan, felt her stir under her mouth, felt hands move into her hair. She slipped one thigh between Tori’s legs and felt the other woman rise to meet it.

&nb
sp; Pulling her mouth from Tori’s breast, Sam met her smoky eyes. Then, without a word, Sam moved her hand across Tori’s skin, lingering over her hip before slipping down between her legs. She heard Tori’s quick intake of breath, saw her eyes close as Sam moved into her wetness. Her own eyes closed as fingers slid into the velvety warmth.

  Gently reaching out, Tori covered Sam’s hand, holding her firmly against her. Then her hips moved and she opened her legs. “Please, go inside me,” Tori whispered.

  Sam watched Tori’s face as she slid two fingers inside her, and she groaned as she felt muscles contract against her fingers. So wet, so warm… so incredibly intimate.

  She closed her eyes, moving again to kiss Tori when the phone made her jerk. “Oh, God, please not now,” she murmured. “Not now.”

  Tori groaned, then pulled Sam’s fingers from her. “It’s okay. Answer it,” she said quietly.

  Sam reached over Tori for the phone, cradling it against her shoulder as her hands again went to Tori.

  “Hello?”

  “Kennedy? It’s Malone.”

  Sam sat up, away from Tori. “Yes, sir?”

  “I can’t reach Hunter. Is she there?”

  “Ah… yes, sir. She is.” Sam glanced at Tori and grinned.

  “Okay. I got the DA up at the crack of dawn. We should get a warrant first thing this morning. I know you had a late night, but I thought you’d want to get here early. I’ve been in contact with the two units watching the house. He’s not left.”

  “Yes, sir. Okay, I’ll tell her. We’ll be in as soon as we can.”

  She disconnected, then tossed the phone on the bed. “Malone. We’ve got a warrant.”

  “Good,” Tori said quietly. She sat up and ran her hands through her hair. Then she glanced at Sam. The sheet was bunched around her waist and Tori’s eyes landed on her exposed breasts. Then she raised them, meeting Sam’s emerald eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “Why are you sorry?”

  Tori shrugged. It seemed like the proper thing to say. It wasn’t like she had a lot of experience in mornings after.

  “I’m not sorry, Tori.” Then she smiled. “Well, I’m sorry he interrupted just now.” Sam moved closer, touching Tori’s lips with her own. “But I’m not sorry for last night. I only wish we had time now. I so want to touch you, to make love to you.”