For long moments, they kissed, her breasts pressed into his chest, her hips one with his, hands exploring each other. It was as if she was having an out-of-body experience. Every touch was like sensual gold, awakening another nerve ending, making her need on a new level.
Together, as if they had the need at the same time, they began a slow rhythm, slow strokes, in and out, back and forth. She sighed into his mouth, moaned, whispered his name. His fingers touched her nipples, her lips, her hips.
With each touch, she wanted to be closer to him. Wanted more. And somehow, together once again, they became more urgent. Stroke by stroke, they pressed their bodies together with more power, more force. They kissed as if they were thirsting for the very breath of the other. As if they had to have the other to survive.
It was a powerful, amazing feeling that had her moving with him in a way she had never experienced. This wasn’t sex. This was something more. Something as potent as a flame flaring to great heights, burning out of control.
Consuming.
And suddenly, the moment of ultimate pleasure was near. She fought it, not wanting to tumble over into satisfaction. Then this would be over. No. She didn’t want it to be over. This was too good to end.
But it was too late. Her body was not her own. She shattered, tensing as the first spasm of orgasm took hold. So intense was her release, she could only call his name in her head. And as her body closed around his, she heard him moan and say her name. And then he shattered, hips pressing into hers, face buried in her neck.
Moments later, they lay pressed together, limp with the impact of their releases. Reality slipped into place, hitting Lindsey with a rush of emotion. The magnitude of what they had shared was so powerful, it was hard to digest.
Never, ever, had she felt so totally possessed and pleased by a man. The burn of tears in the back of her eyes took her off guard. A wave of panic took hold. Was she falling in love? She didn’t want to be in love. That meant giving up too much. She’d worked hard to find herself. She didn’t want to get lost again.
Turning her face to the side, she tried to hide her tears. Mark kissed her temple and rolled to her side, giving her an opportunity to escape his scrutiny. She sat up, feeling a second rush of emotions, taking a deep breath, willing the tears to go away. But a flood was coming, and she couldn’t stop it.
There was no way to hide her sobs from Mark.
Mark’s arms closed around her from behind. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” he asked in a tender voice full of concern that only made her cry harder.
Wiping at her face, she tried to gain control. “No, nothing like that. I’m sorry. I swear I’m not like this.”
Mark stroked her hair. “I know, and that’s what’s got me the most worried.”
“I’m,” she sniffed, “fine.”
Mark tugged her into his lap and then moved to rest his back against the headboard. Lindsey gave into the need for more tears and buried her face in his neck and let them roll. So potent was her release, it was as if years of tears had somehow been released. All she could do was cling to Mark, and let them flow.
And he was wonderful, whispering comforting words, and rocking her.
Long minutes later, she accepted a tissue from Mark, feeling calmer, but her eyes hurt and she was exhausted.
“Do you want to talk?” Mark asked, his hand running down the back of her hair.
“I guess a lot things hit me at once,” she explained. “It’s been a pretty emotional month.”
Mark knew there was more to it and he needed to understand. “What was it about our making love that made it all cave in?”
Lindsey ran her hand through his hair. “You scare the hell out of me.”
He knew that, but he didn’t see any reason to say so. Instead, he wanted to understand her feelings fully. “Why?”
“Well,” she said in a shaky voice, “I think I’m beginning to get used to having you around.”
Mark studied her. “And that’s bad because . . . ?”
“Because every time I have ever gotten involved with a man, I’ve felt like the relationship took over my identity. I can’t do that again.” She shook her head and shut her eyes. “I can’t.”
He brushed his lips across hers. “I’m crazy about you. I like your independence, and even how hard-headed you are.” He smiled. “I don’t want you to change. I just want to enjoy who you really are.”
She blinked. “You make it seem so simple.”
“No,” he said. “I don’t think it’s simple at all.. The truth is, I’m scared too.” She looked at him with surprise. “I wasn’t looking for this anymore than you.”
Lindsey seemed to digest his words with acceptance. “Thanks, Mark.”
His eyes narrowed. “For what?”
“For understanding. For not pushing me.” She blew out a breath. “For being you.”
Mark pulled her close, his chin resting on her head. “Don’t thank me,” he told her. “Just don’t stop being you.” He kissed her head. “All I want is a chance to see where we are going.” He pulled back, and looked at her. “Is that fair?”
She smiled. “I’d like that too.”
Mark laid down, pulling her into his arms, hoping this was one of many nights he fell asleep holding her.
* * * * *
It was dark, and she was alone. Fear laced her thoughts, made her hands sweat, and her body shake. The shadows danced menacingly around the room, a flash by the window, a shadow that moved. Oh my God . . . a man. It was the outline of a man, and she shoved aside her blankets, frantically kicking them away with her feet as she reached for her gun. But she couldn’t find it.
Where was her gun? She grabbed her purse, feeling frantic, dumping the contents on the bed, searching.
Then suddenly, Mark was there, climbing through the window, going after the shadow of a man. Lindsey panicked and dug harder for her gun, reaching in drawers, under pillows. Giving up, she flung her purse to the ground and ran towards the window, not bothering with a robe. She had to get to Mark.
The window was open and she crawled through, desperation taking hold as she screamed Mark’s name. But he was nowhere in sight. She moved to the fire escape, taking each step with urgency until she jumped into the alley. Still she couldn’t see him. She started running as fast as she could, needing to catch up to him. Her breathing was harsh, labored, and tears were streaming down her face. Where was he? Where was Mark?
* * * * *
“Lindsey.” She heard her name but she didn’t see anyone. “Lindsey, baby, wake up.” Her eyes fluttered. “Lindsey, you’re having a nightmare. Wake up.”
She jerked straight up into a sitting position, her skin damp, and she was wheezing, needing air. Her eyes went to his face. “Mark?”
She felt his arms wrap around her. “Yeah, I’m right here, baby.”
Reality started to return with the sound of his voice. She turned and touched his face, his chest, and his shoulders, needing to know he was here. He was real. A deep sigh of relief escaped her lips. “Oh, God. You’re here. You’re okay.”
Mark grabbed one of her hands and pressed his lips against her palm. “I’m right here. Everything is fine now.”
He pulled her into his arms. “Lay down with me,” he urged gently. Slowly he lowered them both against the sheets. Sinking into his hold, she allowed the safety of his arms to soothe her mind, slowly feeling her breathing return back to normal. After a few minutes, she leaned up and kissed his cheek, so very thankful he was okay, so very appreciative for his comfort.
She wasn’t alone.
“Want to talk about it?” Mark asked, his hand smoothing her hair.
Lindsey rested her head on his shoulder. This time the nightmare had been more vivid, more frightening. And yes, she did want to talk, to tell Mark about it. “I keep having this same nightmare, over and over.”
“You were screaming my name. Why?” he asked, his hand now drawing circles on her arm.
She s
trained, trying to force her mind to recreate her nightmare. Mark had been there, in the middle of the dread, but not a part of the darkness. “There’s always a stranger trying to get to me, and then you’re there, and I am trying to get to you.”
Mark felt as if he had been punched in the gut. Was this some sort of premonition? They hadn’t known each other long. “When did they start?”
Lindsey’s thoughts raced. “I’m not sure. I think before I met you. But then, how can that be? You’re in them.”
“Maybe you had them before and now that I’m around, I became a part of them.” It seemed logical enough.
She sighed. “Maybe.”
“Rest, baby,” he said kissing her head. “It’s the middle of the night.”
She snuggled closer to him, one of her legs entwining with his. Damn, she felt good in his arms. Within a few minutes, she drifted off to sleep. He lay there, holding her, his mind on everything from the nightmare to the murders. Lindsey made him feel protective from the first moment he met her. With each passing moment, the feeling grew more intense. Her nightmare felt like some kind of premonition. The very thought had him silently cursing himself. Hell, now he was sounding like Lindsey, with all of her instinct and gut-reaction crap. Besides, her nightmares were probably a product of her struggles with the past. Lindsey had torn herself up over Hudson for years.
He stared down at her, nestled by his side . . . so perfect, so needing someone to take care of her. She didn’t think so, but he did. Everyone needed someone, and she was no different. No matter how much she tried to convince herself and the world differently.
He wasn’t going to let her deal with life alone anymore.
Chapter Eleven
Mark woke up to the soft floral scent of Lindsey.
He smiled as he ran his hand down her hair. He was so glad he’d followed her to Vegas. He had always considered himself conservative, the type who would date a woman for a long time before deciding she was the one. Apparently, love didn’t happen that way. It took even the most reserved by storm.
Because Mark knew no matter how many days, weeks, even months passed, Lindsey was the woman for him. It was crazy in terms of how long they had known each other, but it was no less true. No way was he letting her go back to Washington. But she was like a scared deer in the headlights, ready to bolt. One wrong move and she could get spooked.
He could lose her forever.
Lindsey raised her head and peered down at him, her eyes soft from sleep, her voice sultry and hoarse. “Morning, Counselor.”
Their lips pressed together for a quick kiss. “Morning. How’d you sleep?”
“After the nightmare,” she said, “wonderful. I love sleeping with you.”
“Yeah?” he asked, but he didn’t wait for an answer. “I love sleeping with you too. I was just thinking I could get used to having you in my bed.”
She laughed and smiled widely, obviously pleased at his words. “You were, were you?”
Mark shook his head. “Sure was.”
“Well, I’m glad you weren’t thinking about how to get me out of your bed.” She poked his chest playfully.
“Never,” he said, his voice serious now.
Lindsey smiled and rested her head on his shoulder, fingers resting in his chest hair. Abruptly, she raised her head, a question in her expression. “Did you bring luggage?”
“It’s downstairs. I need to call the bell desk. I’ll do that and order us some coffee and breakfast.”
Lindsey sat up, freeing him to move, blankets pulled to her shoulders. “Sounds good, but I’m supposed to meet up with a couple detectives for lunch at eleven-thirty. Make it a light breakfast for me, please.”
Mark shot her a quick look. “I’m coming with you.”
Lindsey pushed herself off the bed, letting the blanket drop. She walked towards the bathroom, oblivious of her nakedness. She peeked over her shoulder at Mark. “I know,” she said and then smiled.
Mark laughed, pleased with her response. He was still smiling when he heard the bellman on the other end of the phone. Shoving his feet in his pants, he dialed room service. He’d barely finished his tasks when Lindsey exited the bathroom wearing the hotel robe, with wet hair falling over her shoulders.
He could so get used to her like this, comfortable and happy and, most importantly, by his side.
* * * * *
Lindsey took a quick shower, finding herself eager to join Mark.
It was an odd feeling, considering how used to being alone she was. She found him sitting on the bed, a room service tray in front of him. “That was fast,” she said, surprised that the food had already arrived, but thankful for the blessing of caffeine. “Coffee, please.”
“I made it worth their while,” he said as he reached for the coffee pot and filled a cup for her. Then he patted the bed beside him. “Come sit with me.”
She picked up her cup and let her nostrils flare with the scent. “I love the smell of hot coffee,” she said, then took a sip of the steaming beverage. “I can’t believe I’m not hung over this morning.”
Mark chuckled. “You were tipsy, not sloppy drunk.”
Lindsey surveyed the selection of fresh, plump strawberries, bagels, and cream cheese with approval. “This is perfect,” she said and plucked a juicy strawberry from the tray and bit into it.
Juice dripped down her chin, and before she could get to a napkin, Mark leaned forward and licked it off. “And deliciously messy,” he finished for her, and then leaned back into his former position and picked up his cup.
As if nothing had happened. Lindsey was completely speechless. The intimacy of his action had floored her. He drove her crazy, this man. She eyed him, looking for the source of his power over her. His hair was early morning rumpled, his very nice, defined chest bare for her viewing. He looked casual and comfortable, and too damn sexy to be legal.
Mark looked at her. “What?”
“You’re a very bad boy, Mark,” she said, enunciating every word in a teasing taunt. “You know very well what you just did.”
He met her gaze with wicked mischief dancing in his eyes. “And you’re a very bad girl. We both know how you teased me last night.”
She wrinkled her nose at him and laughed. “Turnaround isn’t fair play in my book.”
“Is that right?” he asked, “I’ll try and keep that in mind.” He smiled and reached for the newspaper. “Want to share?”
She accepted, feeling the odd sense of comfort doing so brought to her. She drank her coffee and finished off her strawberry, sitting beside him, feeling his presence as if it was gold. Lindsey curled her legs under her body and smiled to herself. She’d never felt like this with Greg or any other man. Just being together, even without conversation, felt perfect.
A warm, safe feeling wrapped around her.
Unable to help herself, her gaze kept drifting to his profile. Mark looked up, as if he felt her eyes on him, but she didn’t look away. The paper had dropped to her lap as she had abandoned her covert inspection for a more open one. He offered her a sexy smile. “Now, what are you looking at?”
“You,” she said pointedly.
He grabbed her and pulled her over to his side, wrapping his arm around her waist. He planted a firm kiss on her lips and she smiled with satisfaction. Then she rubbed her hands on his cheek, feeling the morning stubble beneath her soft palms. “You don’t like me like this?” he asked as he touched his own face.
She laughed at the ridiculous idea. “Actually I like you like this. Very much.”
He grinned devilishly. “Oh yeah, how much? Show me.”
“Gladly,” she said as she wrapped her hand around his neck and pulled his lips to hers. Her tongue slid between his teeth, and she heard him moan.
Would she ever get enough of the flavor so uniquely Mark Reeves?
* * * * *
In the back of a cab, Mark beside her, Lindsey knew it was time to make a few confessions. “Mark, about Greg.”
&
nbsp; His gaze moved to hers, sharpness to his expression and tone. “What about him?”
Lindsey grabbed his hand. “Hey, take it easy,” she said in a low voice. “I just want to tell you what he said about the case.”
His eyes searched hers a minute, and then he relaxed, shoulders easing, expression less tense. Then, and only then, did she continue. “Well,” she said, “here’s the thing. I don’t think it was such a good idea that I met with him.”
Mark’s eyes darkened. “What does that mean exactly?”
Lindsey looked out of the window as the cab screeched to a halt. “We’re here,” she said. “That was quick.”
Mark paid the driver as Lindsey stepped onto the sidewalk. The sun was so hot, perspiration instantly beaded on her lip. She started to walk towards the restaurant, eager to find air conditioning, when Mark’s hand closed around her arm, stopping her forward motion. She turned to him. Damn, she didn’t want to finish this now. It was stupid to start such a conversation before this meeting.
She frowned at him. “What are you doing?”
“Finish,” he demanded.
Lindsey sighed in resignation. “I ticked him off. He brought up the past,” she paused, “as in he and I, telling me he loved me, and crap like that.”
Mark’s tension was palpable. “And?”
“I screwed up. I threw his words back in his face, so he lashed out. He offered life with no parole. I declined and told him we would beat him in court. I doubt he’ll negotiate.”
Mark stared at her a long moment without showing any emotion, then abruptly he broke out in laughter, shaking his head from side to side.
Lindsey gaped at him in amazement. She had expected him to be angry. “I can’t believe you are laughing,” she blurted. “I thought you’d be furious.”
To her amazement, he pulled her into his arms, and planted a kiss on her forehead. Then he looked down at her, understanding in his eyes. “It wasn’t your smartest move ever, but I don’t think he left you many options. He tried to manipulate you personally with business, and he got socked in the gut. He deserved it.”