Okay. “You know, you guys need to work on your communication skills.” Laura scooped up Jonno’s sodden clothes and followed, wondering which one of the Mitchells this was. They sure made these cats big.
Laura moved as fast as her cold limbs allowed. Sitting in one place for a long time did little for her circulation. They entered the rear of the house and Laura found herself in the kitchen.
The cat prowled off while Emily hurried over with a towel. The rest of their surveillance crew, apart from Jonno, sat around the table nursing cups of tea. Laura peeled off the coat and the jumper underneath. Luckily her T-shirt was almost dry and after she toweled off her hair, she felt marginally better.
“Where’s Jonno?”
“He’s following the trail to where they’re staying. At least that’s what we think,” Isabella said.
“Don’t worry,” Emily soothed. “The thieves didn’t realize we were watching them.”
“You weren’t outside getting wet,” Laura snapped, taking a seat at the table and accepting a cup of tea.
“True. I cuddled up to Saber in the warm, but things were tense for us too, wondering if the thieves would break in after we’d arrived home.”
“Sorry,” Laura murmured. It can’t have been easy for any of them. “What happens if they leave in a car?”
“They did. Since there’s only one way out until they hit the main road, Jonno had a head start,” Isabella said. “Don’t worry. For a spotted leopard he’s good.”
Leo chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist. “That’s not fair. Jonno’s not here to defend himself.”
“Just as well I’m here now to top up the human team,” Laura said. “And so you know, your communication skills while in cat form suck. I didn’t know whether whoever came to collect me wanted to eat me for dinner or pass the time of day.”
A startled silence ensued before Emily burst into laughter. “I think you fit in well. Jonno is lucky to have you.”
Laura’s phone went, and she cursed. “Damn, lucky it didn’t go while I hid outside.”
Isabella snorted. “Some spy you make.”
“Yep, cats rule,” Saber said, his green eyes gleaming with humor. He paused in the doorway before striding across the tiled floor to join the rest of them. “Despite our lack of communication skills.”
With a wrinkle of her nose, Laura answered the phone. She listened for an instant before cursing under her breath. “Mike, I told you not to ring me again.”
“Where are you? You didn’t come home.”
“On a case,” she snapped before hanging up.
“Problem?” Isabella asked.
“Ex-boyfriend,” Emily said. “Doesn’t want to let go.”
Isabella straightened, an expression of interest on her face. “I can take care of him. Do you want to hire me?”
“How much to take him out?” Laura asked, enjoying the banter and being part of the group.
“Permanently? I don’t know…heck, yes I do. Let me be part of your cop team if I get rid of him for you. I’m sure I can fit it in my busy schedule.”
“We need a filing clerk. Would you be interested in that position?” Laura asked.
“You’re a mean woman,” Isabella protested. “Sorry, I don’t do filing.”
“I’ve heard kicking a man in the nuts helps,” Jonno said from the door. Water dripped off his naked body. “I don’t suppose you have a towel, Emily?”
“Sure thing.”
“Don’t look, Emily,” Saber snapped.
“Too late,” Isabella chortled. “We’ve already seen. Very nice, Jonno. Working on a farm makes good muscles.”
“Who told you I kicked—actually, I kneed him. Who told?” Laura asked, diverting everyone’s attention.
“It’s a small town, sweet cheeks,” Jonno said, toweling himself dry. He dressed and joined them at the table. “Not many secrets here.”
Laura snorted. “Apart from the fact that shifters wander the streets.”
“Sweet cheeks?” Isabella said in distinct horror. She turned to Leo. “Never call me that. I have weapons and know how to use a knife.”
“Never mind that,” Laura said, unable to prevent the flush of embarrassment creeping into her cheeks. Jonno did that on purpose. “What happened? Who are the thieves? Where are they staying? You didn’t lose them, did you?” She strove for dignity and concentrated on work.
“They’re staying at the campground near the pub. Terry and Ramsay lied. They must have known because I heard the camper on the site next to them complaining of the noise levels. They told them they’d report them to the police if they made as much racket as they did the previous two nights.”
“Are they part of this?” Emily asked.
Saber shrugged. “Felix said that Ramsay told him the gang had left town and good riddance. That’s all he is saying. Terry is sticking to her original story. Hard to say who is telling the truth. Felix and Tomasine are keeping them away from phones and both are under constant supervision.” His mouth firmed. “Terry is complaining about imprisonment. Unless they leave on foot they have no way of contacting their friends.”
“They deserve a good scare if they’re lying. What I don’t understand is why the two kids were so hungry they had to steal food. Was that what they were there for? If they’re part of the gang, why don’t they have money? There has to be something else going on with them,” Laura said, wrinkling her brow in a thoughtful manner. “They had no identification and we know next to nothing about them because they’re so tight-lipped. Are you positive they’re both shifters? I know Ramsay is but is Terry?”
Jonno grinned at her. “They’re both shifters. They have a distinct scent.”
Laura leaned over and sniffed him before turning to Saber and sniffing him too. Nothing out of the ordinary leapt out at her. Jonno smelled clean and damp while Saber bore the scent of soap.
“Would you like me as comparison?” Emily asked, amusement sparkling through her.
“They’re no different than you or Charlie,” Laura said.
“Hey, sweet cheeks. Just how closely do you work with Charlie?”
“We’re friends and colleagues,” Laura said disparagingly, and realized her words were true. She liked Charlie, and they worked well together. That closeness would improve with time. “We will make sure those two kids remain secluded.”
“Or we could leak information to them and let them loose,” Isabella suggested. “A two-pronged attack. That way we’d learn where Ramsay and Terry fit into the gang.”
“I like it,” Emily said. “It’s plain sneaky and underhanded.”
Laura glanced around the table, taking in the varied reactions. They ranged from stoic in Saber to intent and focused in Isabella. “Votes?”
“I dislike using the kids,” Saber said, “but I think we should do it. It will short circuit what could be a long wait for the thieves to strike. I don’t know about everyone else. I like my bed at night.”
“Because I’m in it,” Emily quipped, kissing his cheek.
Saber scooped her up and deposited her on his knee. “Damn straight, kitten.”
“Anyone else?” Laura asked. When no one commented, she inclined her head. “Okay. Who will watch the kids and follow them if they go into town? Is Ramsay going to be fit enough to go under his own steam?”
“Tomasine said he’s healing well,” Leo said. “He will hurt, although he’ll be able to move if he wants it bad enough.”
“I’ll keep the two kids under surveillance,” Isabella said. “I think we should make it easy for them. Tomasine will need to pick up milk and bread at some stage. Why doesn’t she ask them if they’d enjoy a trip into town for a change of scenery? Or leave them to their own devices while she goes to school. She could make up a reason for visiting the school, even if it’s just to drop off Sylvie’s lunch that she’s supposedly forgotten.”
“Sounds good,” Laura said. “I’m heading home to grab a couple of hours’ sleep before I have
to start work.”
Jonno pushed back his chair. “That’s my cue.”
“Let the poor girl sleep,” Emily said. “She’s exhausted.”
Isabella chuckled while Leo snorted.
“Emily, I love you, I do,” Jonno said, “but I doubt that’s the way things will happen.”
“Jonno!” Laura shrieked, mortified at their laughter. They were still laughing as Jonno ushered her outside and they started the walk to the little-known side road where they’d parked Jonno’s vehicle. “That was embarrassing.”
“Nothing less than the truth. I can’t come in a few feet of you without thinking about sex. You don’t want me losing control over my feline and going feral, do you?”
Laura sniffed, knowing the man was all talk. His control might waver but he’d never hurt her, and the idea of a little close bonding sounded good to her. She’d catch up on sleep later.
Half an hour later, after a quick shower to chase away the last of the lingering chill, Laura crawled into bed beside Jonno. She melted against his warm body, cheerfully placing her icy feet on him. He laughed and rolled her onto his chest, wrapping his arms around her, holding her tight. The steady and reassuring beat of his heart comforted her, despite her weariness.
“Are you too tired?” Jonno asked.
“No.” Arousal hummed through her body from just being in his proximity. While they’d been with the Mitchells she’d ignored it. Now in the privacy of Jonno’s bedroom, sex jumped to the fore.
“Me neither,” he whispered before closing his lips over hers. His hands stroked over her back with steady pressure, continuing downward over her butt.
Laura lifted her head and caressed his face, smoothing his tawny hair. “This bed I’m lying on is very lumpy.”
“No doubt things will become worse before they get better.”
Laura stared at him, her heart suddenly in her throat. If she didn’t love him now, she was well on the way. Her pulse thudded in her ears in a wave of panic that came from nowhere. She couldn’t love Jonno. It rated as personal suicide. Besides, she’d made herself a promise to concentrate on her career. When she’d first arrived in Middlemarch, the last thing she’d wanted was to stay permanently. No, she’d come with the object of proving herself and earning a promotion in another city, probably Auckland where her reputation wouldn’t precede her, even though she preferred Dunedin.
He smiled quizzically, his mouth turning up at the ends so his lips were crooked. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Laura pushed aside her mounting confusion, deciding to assuage an ache of an entirely different kind. She wriggled a fraction, her hip digging into his erection, and kissed his jaw. When he bared his neck for her, she laid a trail of kisses along the underside of his jaw, becoming daring with her teeth. His soft moan of pleasure encouraged her further. Laura moved down his body, paying particular attention to his nipples. She bathed the flat disks with her tongue, delighting in his guttural groan and the way his hands tangled in her hair, silently encouraging her exploration. Smiling at the surge of power she felt, she moved across to his other nipple, giving it the same treatment.
“You’re gonna kill me here. Either that or I’ll lose control and take over.”
Laura lifted her head to smirk at him. “So I’m doing a good job?”
“The best.”
Yes, he was very male and sometimes he took over while they were in bed. Tonight he seemed to enjoy her attentions and surrendered wholeheartedly. Laura weighed the thought and decided she liked his reactions. Vulnerable but tough. And protective, she added, thinking about him backing her up with Mike. He’d allowed her to handle the situation yet made his interest clear too. Yeah, there was a lot to like when it came to Jonno.
Her tongue circled his bellybutton before dipping inside while one hand snaked down to grasp his erection.
“Damn, I was gonna let you control things.”
“Was?”
“Yep.” Jonno moved so fast she barely had time to squeak. She found herself on her back, legs splayed with his head between and tongue getting busy. A whisper of a sigh passed her lips at the delicate brush of fingers and lips over her sensitive flesh. Her heels dug into the mattress, body straining while she silently begged for more. More pressure, more pleasure, more everything. Her pussy fluttered as he breathed a stream of warm air over her clit, pressure climbing inside. She gasped, the influx of pleasure coming in blistering waves, watching his face and the intense concentration he’d focused on her. It made the protective layer around her heart crack even more.
“Jonno, I need…”
“What do you need?”
“More. I feel empty. You. I need your cock filling me, your body surrounding me.”
“Plain old missionary, huh?”
“Jonno.” His name came out as a wail.
“Damn, I barely touch you and you’re ready for me. It’s the same way with me, except all I need is a touch, a look. Laura, you’re driving me crazy.” He dragged his tongue over her clit and a ribbon of sensation shot down her legs. She cursed, her body tense with need while she waited for him to repeat the move, to push her into the climax she needed so much.
“I must do something about that cursing, sweet cheeks. We can’t have our kids picking up bad habits. Stretch your hands above your head.”
Kids? The thought should have scared her, she mused, following his terse order without hesitation.
He lifted his head, his mouth shiny with her juices. “We’ll begin with a swear jar for the start. Maybe young Sylvie can take custody of it because the Middlemarch kids are fundraising to attend a camp. A dollar a swear word sounds a fair fee. Remind me to discuss the matter with Sylvie when we go to visit Ramsay and Terry.”
“It’s official police business,” Laura said. “You can’t go.” Her mind still reeled with the idea of kids. She’d never thought beyond finding a compatible man.
“You’re not wriggling out of it that easy. One word in Sylvie’s ear and you’ll be a poor woman. Tomasine and Emily will back me on this.” His charming smile told of his smugness, and Laura didn’t know whether to hit him or jump the man.
“Fine. I’ll try not to swear.”
“Good girl.” The joyous sparkle of his hazel eyes pulled her in, mesmerizing and tugging at her sense of humor. The man was a hopeless case, or perhaps it was her. She felt powerless under his spell, attracted to him more and more each day.
Jonno moved up her body and cupped her face between his hands. His teasing faded, replaced by serious and determined. “I love you, Laura.”
A soft sound of denial croaked from her. Jonno ignored it, lowering his head to seduce her with his mouth. His tongue traced the outline of her lips before slipping inside to tangle with hers. Oh yeah. Seduction big time. The panic his announcement engendered faded, replaced by deeper desire. The man held magical powers along with his shifter qualities. One word from him and she became putty, pliable and susceptible to his every whim.
Laura slipped her arms around his shoulders, glorying in the harnessed power beneath her fingers and the focused intent of him, the stroke of his tongue and messages he conveyed with his mouth. Her restraint melted away, and she knew deep down she was his.
At his silent urging she turned, rising on all fours. He pulled away, and she shivered until his warmth at her back sped her chilled doubts on the way. With his fingers, he explored and stroked her shoulders, her breasts, her bottom until her pussy burned for his possession. The scent of their heated bodies, their arousal filled her every breath. Then, when she thought she’d need to beg before he fucked her, she felt his cock push into her. He exerted a little force and filled her with a single thrust.
Laura sighed, every nerve ending and muscle quivering with pleasure. When she thought he’d move with speed, he surprised her, enticing and seducing again.
“You’re wet for me,” he murmured. “I like that. It makes me hot. It makes me want to fuck you.”
“Yes,”
she hissed, pushing back against him.
“Not this time, Laura. This time I’m showing how much I love you.”
She shivered, the lump in her throat preventing a reply. The L word again. How could he be so sure? How could he know they’d stay together? Things changed. People changed.
“I know you think it’s too soon. You’ll see.” He withdrew before pushing back into her so slowly she’d swear his cock massaged every cell of her pussy. “I want to bite your shoulder. I want to feel my teeth slicing into your flesh and the mating process become complete.”
Her channel contracted at the heat in his words, the clear intent and certainty. He meant everything he said, every word. Something inside Laura softened.
“For now, I’m content to wait,” he whispered next to her ear. His husky voice sent a shiver speeding through her, as did his steady strokes.
Her body quivered, his seductive voice drawing her tight like a bow. She felt him kiss along her spine, felt his strokes quicken and excitement grew along with the sounds of fucking. Higher and higher he drove her, and when a single finger brushed across her swollen clit, she gasped, balanced on a precipice. Warm, strong hands grasped her hips, his cock plunging in and out of her until another stroke of his finger shoved her over the abyss into a maelstrom of dark pleasure. Bright colors flickered behind her eyelids. In the distance she heard his harsh cry, felt the buck of his hips and the splash of semen inside her.
“I love you, Laura.”
The pleasure, the intimacy tore at her, ripping away the remains of the protective armor around her heart. She knew in that moment she loved him, even if she was a coward in not responding to his declaration. Laura fell asleep with a smile on her face, cocooned in his protection.
* * * * *
The Next Day
The phone rang in the police station and Jonno waited while Laura answered.
“Dammit, Mike. Not now.” She hung up, glaring at the phone while Jonno reined back his instinct to growl and bark orders to make an official complaint. But it wasn’t his place. She needed to take the step on her own. Laura wasn’t interested in the man. He could see that. If the moron didn’t quit with the harassment soon, Jonno would be tempted to take matters into his own hands. There wouldn’t be anything official in his actions. Laura was his woman.
My Cat Burglar Page 15