Lone Rider (42 page)

             
Already on tenterhooks, Grey looked down, unprepared for the sight of his cock disappearing in and out of her mouth. She glanced up, boldly staring. And held his gaze as she started sucking. Hard. Grey locked his knees and threw back his head as his universe buckled with sensation.

             
That was it! He pulled away, hauling her abruptly to her feet.

             
“But I wasn’t finished.”  Her breathing was uneven.

             
“We’ll finish together.”  His hands shook as he fumbled to shut off the water. He picked her up, carrying her to the bed, oblivious of the water dripping everywhere. “After that little trick, I won’t last long. I want you too damn bad.”

             
His mouth descended roughly on hers as he took her down onto the bed, his hands and mouth everywhere, teasing, plucking, fanning her desire to a raging inferno. She started begging.

             
“Please, Grey.”

             
Splaying her legs, he surged into her, burying himself all the way in one incredible plunge that lifted them both off the bed. Her fingers dug into his shoulders at the swiftness of his invasion. She whimpered at the sensation of him filling her, stretching her.
Completing her.

             
She wrapped her legs around his waist, clinging to him, taking him deeper. And bringing him in contact with her most sensitive spot.

             
Grey withdrew, his distended shaft dragging against her inner flesh, the hindrance almost painful, tormenting him before he surged forward yet again. She was hot and wet and impossibly tight.

             
He shuddered, recalling the sight of her mouth on his penis, sucking frantically, trying to take all of him. The strength it had taken not to shoot off...

             
He flexed deeper, the world seeming to grow smaller and smaller, until it was only the two of them and their frantic, grinding rhythm.

             
He watched ecstasy play across her face as he buried himself again and again in her slick, welcoming heat.
Coming home.

             
She met him thrust for thrust, opening her mouth willingly, sweetly, to receive his tongue. And gave herself fully.

             
He branded hot kisses down her neck, not wanting it to end. He rubbed his face in her cleavage before trailing more kisses across to capture a sulky nipple. His mouth clamped over her, his tongue pressing the elongated tip against the roof of his mouth, milking sensation from her.

             
His tough/tender suckling pushed Tess to the brink. Helpless, she screamed. And when she would have hurtled over the edge he caught her, kissing her deeply, before bringing them to a simultaneous climax.

             
Tess felt him stiffen before he began pumping furiously. Hot seed exploded in her, bathing her womb in wet, pulsating, heat. She heard her name leave his lips in a rush.

             
And in that one glorious second before she shattered, she knew that right or wrong, good or bad,
she loved him
.

*    *    *

             
The doorbell ringing in the middle of the night woke them both. Tess clamored for the sheet, disoriented as Grey slid from the bed.

             
“What--”

“
Ssshhh
.”

             
Grey tugged on his jeans, then grabbed his gun. “Get dressed.”

             
Tess scrambled from the bed. “Who can it be?”

             
The doorbell rang a second time. Whoever it was, was impatient. “It’s probably nothing.”

             
“Then why take your gun?”

             
Grey didn’t answer. He moved to the door. “Lock this.”  He tossed her his cell phone. “If I’m not back in five minutes call the police.”

“But...”

He had already slipped out the door. Tess’ first thought was to disobey and follow him anyway. Except
Grey was armed. If she startled him, she could accidentally be shot. Her hand slid to her stomach. The baby...

She locked the door then stared at the cell phone, tempted to call the police
immdiately
. Her heart pounded in her ears. This was the first time since the explosion in D.C. that she’d felt frightened. These last
two
days with Grey...she’d felt safe.

She pressed her ear to the door listening, hearing nothing.

             
Perhaps it was simply a stranded motorist seeking help for a disabled vehicle. They were out in the middle of nowhere. If you broke down out here
,
where would you go except to the closest house?

             
Besides
,
someone
who
meant them harm wouldn’t come up and ring the doorbell. Right?

*     *     *

             
Grey cautiously made his way to the front door. The outside spotlight, triggered by motion
detectors, shone
through the front glass panels. Whoever it was didn’t seem overly concerned by it.

             
Moving without noise, he pressed up to the front door and peeked out the glass.

             
Barry Neilson stood on the porch. Grey lowered his gun and moved to release the security chain.

             
“Sorry for waking you.”  Barry shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

             
Grey held the door open. “Come on in.” 

Tension bristled between the two men. For the first time he could ever remember, Grey felt awkward with his boss. Of course tonight had been the first time Grey had ever directly defied Barry. Or a direct order.

             
Barry could have sent marshals. The fact that he came himself meant Barry was under pressure. Everyone had a boss. And now that Snake and Bogen were back in custody the
Bureau
would want to keep tabs on Tess through normal channels.

             
“I needed time alone with her, Barry.”

             
The other man nodded, stepping into the foyer. “Believe it or not, I understand. You love her. We all do things we normally wouldn’t, to protect those we love.”

             
Grey motioned toward the living room. “Have a seat. I’ll get Tess.”

             
He wanted to let her know it was only Barry. She’d been scared when he left and now he was eager to reassure her.

Grey started down the hall, then slowed as another thought occurred to him.
How did Barry know where to find them?

             
Before he could turn, an excruciating pain exploded in his head. And everything went black.

*    *    *

Tess stood beside the door, listening. From down the hall she could hear muffled voices. They weren’t raised in anger. That had to be a good sign. If Grey were talking to someone...

             
She looked at the clock. He’d said five minutes and it had been four.

             
Just then a knock sounded on the door, a single rap that made her jump since she was pressed against it. The doorknob jiggled slightly.

             
“Tess? Open up. It’s Barry Neilson.”

             
Relief poured over her as she recognized his voice. She jammed Grey’s cell phone in her pocket
,
and unlocked the door.

             
Barry stood in the doorway
,
wearing a rumpled trench coat that looked as if he’d slept in it. Tess motioned awkwardly toward the door. “Grey told me to lock it.” 

And not open it for anyone but him
. Gooseflesh spread up her spine.

             
“Where’s Grey?”

             
“He’s in the living room. He said you’d be worried and asked me to get you.”

             
She stepped through the door, preceding Barry. Before she made it halfway down the hall, he stopped her.

             
“Tess, there’s something you need to know.”

             
She turned.

             
And nearly ran into him. Barry reached out, a hand on either side, steadying her.

             
“It’s about Grey,” he began.

             
Tess leaned closer, her senses on alert. Something was wrong, she could feel it in the way her heart lurched.

That’s when Barry’s hands slid down her arms, bracketing her wrists. She felt cold metal press to her skin. Immediately she began struggling. Handcuffs. A creepy sense of
déjà vu
swamped her. Bogen
’s camp. The pantry. The rats.

She shuddered in revulsion. “Take these off! Now!”

             
“I can’t, Tess.”  Regret shone from Barry’s eyes. “Please understand.”

             
“Grey!”  Tugging her hands free, she began backing down the hallway. “Grey!”

             
The house remained ominously quiet. Her fears escalated. Something had to be wrong for him not to respond. Something bad.

             
“Where is he?” she demanded, never taking her eyes off Barry as she continued backing down the hall.

             
Her heel hit something solid, nearly causing her to topple. Stopping, she glanced down. Grey was crumpled facedown on the floor.

             
She screamed and dropped beside him. The back of his head was covered with blood. She reached forward, gingerly grasping his shoulder thankful Barry hadn’t cuffed her hands behind her.

             
Was he breathing?

             
She moved to check his pulse
,
but Barry tugged her back, his hands on her forearms as he forced her to her feet.

             
Tess fought. “What did you do? Let me help him!”

             
Barry shoved her against the wall. She hit with a painful thud. Her hands crossed over midsection.

             
Barry stepped closer to Grey’s body, his gun drawn. “That’s right. Think of your child.”  He waved his gun toward the door. “Let’s go.”

             
“I won’t leave him.”

             
Barry pointed the gun toward Grey. “You will.”

             
“Why are you doing this? You were his friend. He trusted you.”

             
For a moment Tess thought she had touched a nerve. Barry seemed to waiver...then just as quickly shook it off.

             
“Why doesn’t matter. But I’ll make a deal with you. Come along peacefully
,
and I’ll let you call 9-1-1 when we get to our destination.”

             
“Let me call now. He could be dying!”

             
Barry shook his head.

             
Tess knew her options were limited. Barry was armed and obviously desperate. He could easily knock her out like he had Grey. She was better off cooperating. With Grey injured she was their only chance. Grey’s cell phone was still in her pocket. If she got half a chance she’d use it.

             
“Where are you taking me?”
she demanded.

             
“No questions.”

             
“But--”

             
Barry held his gun up, right in her face, his voice raised on a note of impatience. “No buts. No more waiting. Let’s go.”

Hostage.

Tess’ feet suddenly refused to move. The thought that this could be happening to her yet again was paralyzing.

             
She looked at Grey, remembering their fierce lovemaking of mere hours ago. She loved him. She’d always loved him. And she’d never told him.

             
Barry’s hand closed over her forearm. Tears blurred her visions but still she stared at Grey’s unmoving form, willing him to live.

             
Willing him to find her
.

*     *     *

             
It was still dark when they reached their destination. Pirate’s Cove Marina,
Wrightsville Beach
,
North Carolina
.