Faith's Sheriff (Montgomery Family and Friends) (12 page)

“Cole,” Faith looked up at him with imploring eyes.  “I don’t want to be alone.  Stay with me tonight.”

He wanted her more than he’d wanted anyone in a long time.  He’d wanted her since he’d first laid eyes on her.  That didn’t give him the right to take advantage of her or the situation.  That wasn’t why he’d brought her out here.  “Sure.  I’ll bring in a chair and sit over there in the corner facing the door.  That way you’ll know I’m here with you keeping an eye on things and you can get a good night’s sleep.”  She’d be the only one getting any sleep that night, Cole thought.

Faith folded back the bedding and then touched the bed next to her.  “No Cole.  I actually want you to sleep with me.”  She patted the empty space on the bed next to her.  “Right here in the same bed.”  

She wasn’t going to make this easy on him was she?  “Faith, you’ve been through more than one traumatic experience the past few days.  I don’t want to take advantage of you when you are so vulnerable.”

Faith wasn’t listening.  Being held by Cole had fanned the flames of her body.  After the past few horrible days, she deserved something good in her life, and she wanted Cole.  She wanted to lose herself in his arms and she wanted the pleasure she knew he could give her. 

“Please, Cole.”  She looked at him from beneath lowered lashes.  “I really need you tonight.”

Cole unconsciously took a step toward the bed. 

Faith knew he wanted her just as much as she wanted him, so she didn’t feel guilty about taking things into her own hands and rushing things along. 

She rose onto her knees so that she was about eyelevel with Cole.  She snared him with her gaze and while they were looking into each other’s eyes, Faith lifted her nightshirt above her head and casually let it fall to the floor. 

Cole stared mesmerized as the shirt was lifted.  The first thing he caught a glimpse of was a lightly tanned belly.  The shirt was pulled higher to expose a pair of creamy breasts with swollen nipples just begging for his attention.  He took another step toward the bed and before he knew it he was standing at the very edge and Faith was within touching distance. 

He couldn’t deny himself.  He lowered his head and drew one pebbled nipple into his mouth and sucked.  He caressed the nipple with his tongue and then gently teased it with his teeth.

Sensations shot through Faith’s body and she could hardly control herself.  She ran her hands through Cole’s wavy dark brown hair and then pushed his face closer to her breast.  He pulled away and Faith let out a groan of disappointment.  “No don’t stop,” she pleaded.

Cole chuckled.  “Not stopping,” he promised.  Then his mouth closed over her other aching nipple.  Finally he lifted his head.  “Are you sure this is what you want?”

Faith stared at him with eyes large from desire and slowly nodded.

“I’ll be right back honey.  I need to get a condom.” 

Faith watched him disappear.  This gave her the opportunity to change her mind, but she wouldn’t.  She and Cole had been working their way to this point for two months now.  The ache inside her had finally gotten so bad, she couldn’t ignore it.  She needed this man and tonight she was going to have him.

Cole returned to the room.  Faith hadn’t moved and for a second he was afraid she’d changed her mind.  But then she smiled at him and beckoned him near.  He placed the condom on the nightstand and stared down at Faith.  Cole had always found her pretty, but with the light of desire shinning in her eyes she was stunning.

Faith inched closer to Cole and shyly put a hand on the waist of his pajama bottoms.  She tugged on them until Cole impatiently swatted at her hands and quickly removed the pants himself.  She moved toward the middle of the bed and waited for a now naked Cole to join her.  Her eyes roamed his body and it was as magnificent as she’d dreamed it would be. She was giddy and her body shook in anticipation.

She opened her arms and invited Cole to come closer.  She let out a little sigh of contentment when she felt his muscled body pressing into her much softer curvier figure.  Their lips met in a heated kiss that caused Faith’s toes to curl into the mattress. 

Cole had been burning for Faith for what seemed like forever.  He was afraid that finesse was out of the question.  His fingers trailed down her body caressing smooth skin as they went.  He found her nether lips and parted them to test her readiness.  He was greeted by warm moistness that told him she wanted him just as much as he wanted her. 

One finger slipped inside the velvety core.  He felt her vaginal muscles close around his finger and gently added one more. 

Sensation took over Faith’s mind and body and a tortured moan escaped her parted lips.  “More Cole, I need more. Please!”

Cole did too.  His hands fumbled for the discarded foil package.  He grabbed it and quickly ripped it open.  Then he rolled the condom onto his straining erection. 

Faith watched in wide-eyed amazement as he prepared to enter her.  Then he leaned closer and she felt his knee nudge her legs apart.  She complied and with one quick thrust she felt the hardness of Cole’s erection slip inside caressing her core as he went.  She arched her back and hips to meet him and bring him closer. 

Cole slowly withdrew.  He delighted in prolonging the intense pleasure.  When he could stand it no longer he plunged back inside the warm cavern of tissue waiting to surround him.   “You feel so good.  Hold on tight, Faith.” 

Faith’s only response was to tangle one hand in his hair and pull his mouth down to hers.  The other arm she wrapped securely around his waist holding him tight.  She felt Cole wrap his hands around her hips to hold her still, and then his thrusts increased.  The ache inside Faith had only intensified.  Her muscles tightened almost to the point of pain.  Suddenly it felt like her whole body exploded and was going to shake until it flew apart into a thousand different pieces. 

She let out a strangled scream of fulfillment.  Then she felt Cole freeze above her.  He threw back his head, and she could feel his erection pulse inside her letting her know he had found his release too.  They both collapsed in a pile of tangled limbs. 

NINE

  Faith woke up alone in the guest bedroom.  She could hear the faint sound of running water and figured Cole was taking a shower in his own bathroom.  The smell of fresh brewed coffee teased her nose and called her to the kitchen.  She went to the bathroom and freshened up.  Then she pulled on a tank top and a pair of cotton shorts before she finally made her way to the kitchen.  She rummaged through a couple of cabinets before she found Cole’s stash of mugs.  She poured a cup of steaming coffee and inhaled the fragrance.  Coffee just smelt so good, especially first thing in the morning. 

She looked outside the wall of windows onto the deck.  The sun was rising and its golden rays reflected nicely off the calm surface of the lake.  It looked peaceful and was so at odds with everything happening in Faith’s life at the moment.  She had a stalker breathing down her neck, who may or may not be a murderer, but either way he meant business.  Running her off the road and leaving her for dead proved that. 

Most people might think right now was not the best time to indulge in the start of a new relationship, but she was falling for Cole and falling hard.  There was no turning back after last night, at least as far as she was concerned.  Of course Cole had a say in the matter too, and she had no idea how he felt about their budding relationship. But she’d find out soon enough.  His shower wouldn’t last forever.  He’d have to join her sometime soon.

The calm and beauty of the early morning beckoned her outside.  She opened the door that led out to the large wooden deck.  It would be a rare treat to actually be able to sit down and enjoy the first cup of coffee of the day instead of gulping it down on her way out the door.  Faith walked over to one of the rocking chairs facing the lake.  She sat down and gently rocked while she slowly sipped from the mug of steaming coffee.  A calm feeling of peace settled over her.  One that she didn’t think she’d ever find again after the past few harrowing days.  A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

That was how Cole found her when he went into the kitchen to pour his own coffee.  He filled a travel mug to the brim with the steaming dark liquid.  Then he opened the door just far enough to poke his head outside. 

Faith heard the door open behind her and turned toward Cole with a ready smile on her face.  Unfortunately her smile was met by a grim frown and no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t get Cole to look her in the eye.  Butterflies swirled around her stomach.  This did not bode well for their fledging romance and Faith felt her heart twist inside her chest. 

“Don’t stay out here too long,” Cole warned.  “I don’t want to run the risk of someone spotting you.  Something unexpected has come up and I need to go into the sheriff’s department for at least a couple of hours.”  He turned on his heels and strode away without even a goodbye.

The sound of an engine starting finally dragged Faith out of her stupor.  She slowly stood and walked back inside.  She was careful to lock the door behind her.  Dread and regret seeped into her very bones.  Cole’s cool and impersonal greeting had managed to totally ruin her lighthearted mood.  It had popped all the tiny imaginary bubbles that had been fizzing in her blood at the thought of their lovemaking from the night before. 

She let out a heart-wrenching sigh.  “Well so much for the start of a wonderful romance,” she verbally berated herself.  She should have followed her mind instead of her heart and body.  Then she wouldn’t be in this predicament. And really all the blame was hers.  After all she’d practically begged Cole to make love to her last night even after he’d expressed his reservations.  It seemed she would never learn.  She sighed again and went to the bathroom.  She needed a long hot shower to clear her mind and figure out where to go from here.

****

Cole stalked into the sheriff’s department with a grim look on his face.  The department’s secretary took one look at him and swallowed the greeting she’d been about to utter.  Cole just tipped his head to her and kept on walking.  He was expecting law enforcement officers from Georgia in his office sometime in the next three hours.  And they wouldn’t be arriving alone. They were bringing Faith’s ex-husband. 

Cole didn’t really want to deal with the man right now.  He’d rather be at the cabin with Faith keeping her safe.  But he needed to be here when they arrived.  The sooner he dealt with the problem the sooner he could return to Faith.  He did have enough paperwork to keep him busy until they got here, so it wouldn’t be a wasted morning.

Cole found the nearest deputy.  It was James Palmer.  He’d only been on the job for a few months.  He was by far the least experienced deputy on the job, but he’d never done anything to cause Cole to doubt his work.  He approached Deputy Palmer who was sitting at his desk completing a report.

“James, I need you to stop everything and take a new top priority assignment.”

The deputy was always looking for ways to prove himself to the sheriff.  He sat up straighter in his chair ready to listen to everything his boss had to say.  “Yes sir, what do you need Sheriff Duncan?”

Satisfied with the young deputy’s enthusiasm, Cole told him what he needed him to do.  “As you know Faith Riley had an attempt made on her life yesterday.”  He waited for the deputy’s nod of confirmation.  “She is staying at my fishing cabin on the lake.”  He looked from Palmer to the opening front door of the busy sheriff’s department.  “I am expecting visitors from Georgia and I have to deal with them as soon as they arrive, so I need to be here.  I want you to go straight to my cabin and introduce yourself to Faith and let her know that you are going to be keeping watch out front.  Then I want you to stake out the area from your patrol car.”

“Sure thing Sheriff.  I’m on my way right now.”

“Great I don’t know how long I’ll be, but I’ll return as soon as I can, and Palmer, thanks!  This is personal for me.  Do you understand?”

“Yes sir,” the deputy nodded and was on his feet and out the door in five seconds flat.

Cole unhooked the cell phone from his belt loop and called Faith.  He was a little worried that she would ignore him after their awkward encounter this morning.  Luckily she answered.  His stomach did a little flip at the sound of her voice.  He wished he had the time for idle chitchat.  Cole wanted to prolong the sound of her voice being spoken in his ear.  Her safety came first though, so he had to be quick and to the point.  

“Faith, I don’t know how long I’m going to be at the sheriff’s department today.  Unfortunately this interrogation is unavoidable and I have to be here for as long as it takes.  I don’t want to leave you unguarded, so Deputy James Palmer is on his way to the cabin.  He will knock on the door and introduce himself then he’ll be patrolling from outside.  He’s in uniform, so make sure you only open the door to Deputy Palmer after he’s identified himself.”

Faith swallowed the longsuffering sigh she wanted to release.  Did the man think she was an idiot?  Well maybe after last night he did.  She still had some sense though.  Someone had tried to kill her yesterday.  She wasn’t going to open the door to every Tom, Dick, and Harry that came calling.  “Sure.  Look Cole, if having me stay at your cabin is a problem for you I can stay at a hotel or something.”

“What?”  Cole couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  Okay so he had a lot weighing on his mind this morning, plus he was feeling more than a little guilty for taking advantage of Faith last night when she was so vulnerable.  He prided himself on being a very upstanding and moral man.  Where had his ideals been last night when he let his body override his mind. 

Yes this morning had been awkward for both of them, but the last thing he wanted was Faith somewhere else.  “Don’t you dare leave that cabin.”  His gut clenched at the thought of Faith out there by herself while a killer viciously chased her down.   He rubbed his face hard with his free hand.  He had to make her understand and he didn’t have much time.