Confer, Lorelei - Deadly Revenge (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (7 page)

“Tell me about your job,” Tory said to change the subject. “I’ve never heard of a specialized task force.”

“Well, it’s classified, but let’s say that I work with various Law Enforcement Agencies throughout the region.”

“But what exactly do you do?”

“I arrest bad guys who abduct women and children.”

“But how are they abducted?”

“Some are abducted right off the street on their way to their car after a day of shopping, or from a park or playground. You’d be amazed with the stories I could tell. One strong person, man or woman, can easily overpower a small woman or child.

“Others are befriended for a certain period of time. Once they start trusting their ‘new friend’ they’re usually drugged and driven across state lines. All the proof of who they are, their identity, is left behind. One woman we were able to rescue was purposely targeted by an ex-boyfriend to be abducted and sold to a gang boss for a large sum of money. She escaped and ran into my partner, and we eventually arrested the entire gang.”

“No wonder you need to take a breather every now and then. Your work appears very intense.” Tory listened carefully but continued to turn and look behind her through the back window.

Dave finally asked, “Are you looking for someone?”

“No. Have you ever had the feeling you’re being watched?”

“It’s a small town. We’re probably being watched. Let’s plan on a nice, quiet dinner, okay?”

“I’m probably overreacting,” Tory replied as she made one more glance over her shoulder.

Dave pulled up and parked at the restaurant in Hickory that Trevor suggested. He got out of the car and rushed to Tory’s side before she could open the door. He opened her door and helped her out, ushering her into the restaurant, his hand at the small of her back sending shock waves throughout her body.

The restaurant was small with dim lighting, white linens, uniformed waiters and waitresses, the ambiance of romance and intimacy. Candlelight reflected off their wine glasses. The band played a soft melody in the background.

Dave held her chair for her. She sat down, putting her small clutch purse on the table beside her. A waiter handed them menus including a wine list. Dave ordered a bottle of Chardonnay, and they studied their menus until the wine arrived. After Dave agreed to the sample taste, the waiter poured wine in both their glasses and took their order. They sipped their wine while studying each other.

“There’s something about you. I don’t know what it is yet, can’t put my finger on it, but I feel this energy between us,” Dave said with a smile after a sip of wine.

“Tell me about it,” Tory replied.

“I don’t think I have the words. I can’t explain my attraction to you.”

“So what makes you think it’s an attraction? Maybe it’s just friendly companionship that draws you to me.”

“I’ve never been the kind of guy to talk about things like this. I guess you bring out the best in me.”

“Or possibly the worst.” Tory smiled as she swallowed the last of her wine.

After dinner, Dave poured more wine for her. They ordered crème brûlée for dessert, he wiped some whipped cream from her lip with his finger and licked it clean. He imagined the taste of her lips when he kissed her and then began a slow nibble along her ear and down her long neck, settling between her breasts. He wanted to be closer to her than across the table.

“Would you like to dance?” Dave asked. When she said yes and took his hand, he felt her heart racing in her pulse at her wrist. The music was soft and melodic.

* * * *

Tory relished the feel of Dave’s strong arms encompassing her, comforting her. She laid her head on his chest and inhaled the scent of man, spicy woods, and musk. She was lost in erotic fantasies that stirred her to the core. Her arms tingled where they touched his neck as she ran her fingers through his thick hair. Her nipples, pressed against his chest, were hard and erect. Her body throbbed in all the right places, making her more aware of him than before.

She was lost in his arms. All thoughts of signing paperwork fled her mind. When the song ended, she was reluctant to leave the safety of his arms and stood still.

“Would you like to dance again?” Dave ventured once more.

Reality set in with the sound of his voice.

“No, I–I’m tired and it’s been a long day.” She was afraid of getting in too deep, afraid of the feelings she felt for him, and afraid one more dance would make her crumble at his feet.

After paying the bill, they walked in silence to the car with his hand splayed at the middle of her back, burning her where his fingers touched, sending vibrating jolts through her body.

Once inside the vehicle, Dave said, “Why so quiet all of a sudden?”

“Dave, it’s not you, it’s me. It’s my fault. It’s something I haven’t come to terms with and that’s part of my reason for coming here now. It’s only been two years since I left him at the altar. I’m not ready for a relationship with you or with anybody. I have a job to get back to in South Carolina in a few months, too.”

“I’m here for you if you want to talk about it. Just let me know. Let’s spend the rest of the drive home talking about something more pleasant than our screwed-up relationships.”

“I agree. Okay, why don’t you tell me about your parents? Your childhood?” Tory murmured.

“I was born and raised in Stoney Creek, Virginia. My older brother Dan joined the Marines right out of high school. He was the ‘to honor our country’ type and paid for it with his life. After that, Mom and Dad moved here for a fresh start. They didn’t think it would ever be the same in the house without Dan there. They gave me the house, hoping I’d change the feeling of it when I filled it with lots of little grandkids for them to smother and spoil. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Now I work a lot. And that’s about it. What about you?”

“I was born and raised here in Hickoryville and have one older sister, Sue, who’s married. I went to college right after high school. Two years ago, after my fiasco the night before my wedding at the church, I was dubbed the runaway bride. I got a job in Myrtle Beach and worked a lot to fill the empty hours of the day. When my Dad passed away about eight months ago, I did a one night stay at Mom’s, attended the funeral, and left right after to get back to work.”

“What brings you back now?”

“My sister Sue practically begged me to come home and help her deal with Mom.”

“What’s wrong with your mom? She looked fine to me both times I saw her.”

“We’re concerned Mom opened the B&B too quickly without taking enough time to grieve for Dad properly. She didn’t even talk to Sue or me to get our opinions about it. She just jumped in and did it. She’s always been very open with us about everything.”

“Tory, I think everybody grieves differently. My parents grieved by moving away from family memories. Your mother jumped right in and started something brand new. You have to commend her for that.”

Tory tried to absorb everything Dave said and was so grateful she had someone like him to share and talk things out and listen. She shrugged and folded her hands in her lap.

“Mom’s still a young woman, and I want to help her get her life back and make it the best it can be.”

“I think opening the B&B is a great start for a new life for your mother. Think of all the people she’ll meet and all the experiences she’ll have.”

“You’re right. Thanks for taking the time to listen to me and helping me to get everything into proper perspective.”

* * * *

Dave knew the first time he’d touched her that she was more than a little gun-shy when it came to the opposite sex. He knew the look, the feelings, and the reactions. He’d been burned himself and didn’t date for months. It took a while to trust again, and he wasn’t at that stage yet himself. But there was something about her that made him want to be with her, hear her breathing, her voice, smell her special one-and-only scent, and see her green eyes light up with surprise or darken right before a kiss.

When he and Tory reached her house, Dave parked the car and hurried to open her door. Dave helped her out of the car, keeping hold of her hand. Her face became flushed as he continued to hold her hand loosely as he walked her to the door.

His eyes turned a deeper blue as desire burned in his gaze.

When he placed his hand on the back of her neck, he felt a shock all the way to his toes.

He drew her closer for a soft kiss. Her arms slowly came around his neck as the kiss deepened, their tongues tangling. He loved the taste of her. He continued kissing her mouth, but then moved on to her neck, her ears, and back to her mouth. Breathless, he invaded her mouth once more while his hand rescued a breast and kneaded it. Her nipples puckered up, aroused, hard and erect. He could feel her heart racing in the vein in her neck as she grabbed hold of his upper arms for support. His erection throbbed against her stomach as he reached behind her and opened the front door. He half lifted, half carried her into the house kicking the door closed with his foot. He reached behind her and unzipped her dress while she reached for the front of his shirt and pants, unbuttoning and unzipping. Her dress fell into a puddle at her feet, leaving her standing there with only matching bra and panties on.

“You are so beautiful. I want all of you,” Dave said, his voice quivering.

He removed her bra and they lay beside each other on the couch, their kisses uncontrollable. He ran his fingers along her inner thigh and caressed the soft skin until he reached her soft, satin and lace panties. He pulled them aside and stroked her innermost feminine parts. She writhed in ecstasy, calling his name, as he inserted one finger and then two. Quickly he removed her panties and leaned down to kiss her feminine curls. His mouth went deeper as he licked her more and more, his tongue going deeper and deeper.

“Dave, I want you to take me now, Dave, now.” She reached down and pulled up his head.

He stood and removed his pants and boxers and lay beside her one more time. He took a breast in his mouth, suckling like a baby, and wondered at the response he got. Her nipples were so hard, so erect. He rubbed the nub between his thumb and index finger, making her wiggle even more.

He rose above her and with one quick thrust he was inside her, taking her breath away, as she surrounded his shaft. She surged toward him as he thrust in and out, in and out, over and over again. She screamed in wild abandonment as she met his eyes and watched them turn a very dark blue as he groaned one last time before falling gently to her side.

She still held him in her arms and didn’t want him to leave; she wanted to stay this way all night, making love to him.

They were both quiet as she lay catching her breath while she watched Dave do the same. She knew he would need to leave soon, but for now she wanted to covet whatever of him she could. His arms wrapped around her, enveloping her in his cocoon.

“I wish I could stay the night but, surprisingly enough, my parents might worry about me,” Dave murmured.

“I wish you could stay too, but I understand,” Tory whispered as she reached up and kissed his lips.

* * * *

Later, at the front door and after a long absorbing kiss, they came apart. Tory said, “Good night, Dave. I never new making love could be like this. I had a wonderful time this evening and I hope we can do it again.”

Dave pulled her closer, his fingers of both hands interlocked behind her back. “Oh, we’ll do it again all right. How about tomorrow night?”

“How about I call you tomorrow”—she giggled—“and let you know. I may have to work, and I never know what Mom or Sue might have planned for me.”

“Okay if I call you?”

“Of course. We can’t have you getting lost.” She smiled, opened the door, and waved good night.

Tory closed the door and leaned her back against it, a smile on her face.
So that’s what it would be like to make love to someone like Dave
.
It was the best I’ve ever had.

* * * *

Neither Tory nor Dave
saw
the dark car sitting across the street waiting for their return.

Chapter 11

The next morning Tory presented the quick business plan for the additional money needs for the Mountain View Bed and Breakfast to the loan officer at the bank.

“You’ll hear from us in a couple of days,” he replied sourly. “I don’t foresee any problems with the loan considering the amount of collateral available.”