A Deadly Love (27 page)

Dillon hurried over. “Did you find something?”

“Looks like ground beef.” He shined the light on the traces of meat pressed into the dirt. “The dog must have stepped on it while he was eating.”

“There isn’t much left.”

“Should be enough to test.” He pulled a clear plastic bag and a glove out of his pocket and scooped up the evidence. “We might not get the results back in time to help the dog, but it’ll tell us what was used to poison him.”

“Do what you can. Brooke loves that mutt.”

“I’m more worried about her. Make sure she doesn’t go anywhere alone. If this nut job chose her as his next victim, he’ll probably try again.”

Chapter Sixteen

“I think he’s over the worst of it.” Carter stepped back as Otis wobbled toward Brooke. She dropped to her knees on the floor of the exam room and held the dog, digging her fingers into his fur.

“Thank God.” She
would not
start crying again. Squeezing her eyes shut, she blinked back tears of relief.

“Once Harley gets the results from the tox screen, you should have a vet look at him. He’ll know if there’ll be any permanent damage, but his responsiveness is encouraging.”

“You’re going to be just fine, aren’t you boy,” she said, rubbing her cheek against his fur. The dog whined softly as she stroked his ears. Looking up, she met Carter’s direct blue gaze. “Thank you so much. I can’t tell you what this means to me.”

“Sure.” He let out a sigh. “Look, I’m sorry I pushed about the dating thing. It seems like you and Dillon are working it out.”

She glanced away. “We’re trying.”

“I hope there aren’t any hard feelings over some of the things I said. When I don’t get what I want, I lash out. It’s a bad habit.” He crossed the room to stand at her side.

“Of course not.” Feeling like an idiot crouching eye level with the dirty knees of his jeans, she rose to her feet. “I’m sorry Otis and I messed up your evening.”

“No big deal. I was just out for a walk. I’m glad I got back when I did.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets and leaned against the exam table. “Do you want me to give you a ride home?”

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble. I’m not sure what’s keeping Dillon.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s been a half hour since Harley called about the poisoned meat.”

“I’ll drive you.” He flashed a smile. “At least I won’t have to carry Otis. He weighs a ton.”

The dog moved slowly by her side through the waiting room. As she reached for the doorknob, headlight beams arched across the front windows.

“I’m sure that’s Dillon.” She turned. “Thanks again, Carter. I’d be happy to pay—”

“I don’t charge for canines. Just keep him quiet for a couple of days, and don’t be surprised if he doesn’t have much of an appetite. Having your stomach turned inside out isn’t exactly fun.”

She nodded and went outside. A gust of wind hit her, and she shivered. Dillon slammed the truck door and jogged up to meet her. “Hey, he looks better.”

“Carter thinks he’ll be okay.”

He touched her cheek, his thumb stroking gently. “I’m glad. Sorry I took so long. Harley and I were searching for more evidence, but in the dark...” He shrugged and lifted Otis into the truck. “He’ll search again in the morning. I suppose it would be asking too much to find a handkerchief with initials embroidered in the corner.”

Brooke laughed, feeling almost lighthearted. Knowing her dog would survive was making her giddy. Women were dead, her friend was missing, and a madman was quite possibly stalking her, but Otis looked at her through trusting brown eyes. That had to count for something.

“Embroidered handkerchiefs?
Seriously?
What type of books do you read in your spare time?”

Smiling, he turned out of the driveway. “Once when I was sick with the flu, June gave me a stack of romance novels. What can I say? I was tired of watching TV.”

She opened her mouth to answer, and shut it. Frowning, she pointed. “What the heck is Caroline doing walking alone at night?”

Dillon pulled to the side of the road and rolled down his window. Thunder rumbled in the distance. “Can we give you a ride?”

Pushing her long hair over her shoulder when it blew in her face, she stepped off the sidewalk and crossed to the truck. “No thanks, I’m meeting Elliott.” She smiled at Brooke. “What are you two doing out this late in the evening?”

“My dog ate some poisoned meat, and we took him to Carter to pump out his stomach.”

Her eyes widened. “Is he okay?”

“I think so, but it was touch and go for a while.”

“That’s horrible. Did he dig in someone’s trash?”

“We think it was given to him deliberately.” Dillon’s words rang in the ensuing silence.

Caroline’s hand shook as she raised it to her lips. “Why would someone do such a thing?”

“Maybe to lure Brooke into the woods. If I hadn’t gone to see what she was doing—” A muscle at the side of his jaw ticked. “Anyway, you shouldn’t be out here by yourself.”

“I had dinner with a friend. Elliot was going to drive me home afterward, but he’s late. I called his house. When he didn’t answer, I figured he was on his way. I felt kind of silly sitting around the diner by myself, so I decided to walk.”

“Try his cell. If he doesn’t answer, we’ll drop you off.”

She nodded, then glanced up as headlights appeared in the distance. “Maybe that’s him.”

The car approached slowly and stopped. The driver’s side window of the green sedan lowered. The headlights reflected off Elliot’s glasses, and he raised his hand to shield his eyes. “Hi, honey, sorry I’m late. I was grading math tests and lost track of time.”

“Not a problem.” Caroline hurried around to the passenger door.

Before she climbed in, Dillon called, “Please, don’t walk alone at night, even for a few blocks. Until they catch this guy—”

“I won’t. I should have known better and stayed at the diner. Thanks for stopping, Dillon.”

“You bet.” He raised his window and drove away.

“I hate this,” Brooke said.

He glanced over. “What?”

“Living in constant fear. Always looking over my shoulder. Being afraid to walk in my own back yard, for God’s sake!” Letting out a long breath, she tried to steady her jumping nerves. “It has to end.”

He laid his hand on her thigh and squeezed. “Until it does, I’m sleeping at your house. No objections.”

Resting her head against the seat back, she studied his profile. The tight line of his lips and clenched jaw told her arguing would be futile. Not that she wanted to.

He parked in his own driveway but followed her across the yard. “Let me see if Zack needs anything, and I’ll bring over a change of clothes and a toothbrush.”

She paused at the foot of the porch stairs, waiting while Otis climbed them. His weight shifted unsteadily from one paw to the next. “What, no jammies?”

Grabbing her from behind, he pulled her tight against his chest. “Feeling pretty cocky knowing you’re so well chaperoned?”

Her breath caught. “Grandma said you could sleep in my room.”

“You’re kidding?”

She turned in his arms. “Nope.”

His sigh stirred her hair. “Every part of me wants to take you up on that offer.”

“Some parts more than others?”

Smiling, he brushed a loose strand of hair off her cheek. “But it would confuse Zack.”

“I know.” She leaned against him for a moment before stepping away. “We should go inside. Otis needs to lie down, and that wind feels like rain.”

“In a minute.” He caught her face in his hands and stepped close. His lips lowered, brushing across hers. “You know I care, right?”

She nodded, reached up, and stroked the hair at the back of his neck. A sudden rush of tears filled her eyes. Too many emotions swirled inside her. Fierce love for this man and insidious fear clashed. She wasn’t sure what scared her more, the madman waiting somewhere in the dark or the thought of Dillon walking away. A shiver slithered down her spine.

“You okay?”

She kissed him. “I will be as long as you communicate what you’re feeling. Don’t shut me out.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know you are. Will you get angry if I prod you now and then when I see the walls going up?”

“Nope.”

She sighed. “Maybe I’m a little paranoid, but after Gavin blindsided me—”

“I won’t do that. I swear.” His lips caressed hers, stealing her breath. “At the very least, I hope you don’t have any doubts about my sexual preference.”

She smiled and pressed her face into his neck. “On that point, you’ve been perfectly clear.”

“Or that I find you incredibly hot and absolutely amazing. Once this is over, and I’m not feeling like a chunk of firewood splintered into kindling...”

“We’re all waiting for the axe to fall. The whole town will be on blood pressure meds if this doesn’t end soon.”

Drops of rain spattered against her face, and thunder rumbled, closer now.

“Storm’s here,” he said.

“Yes, it is.”

Taking her hand, he pulled her up the stairs into the shelter of the house.

****

Dillon slid out of bed and tugged the covers up over Zack. Sleeping with his son was nothing short of torture. The boy kicked and jerked like a prize rodeo bull. He’d get more sleep on the couch. After pulling on his jeans, he closed the door softly behind him and padded barefoot into the hall. Brooke’s door was open a crack. Welcoming.

He hesitated, knowing he should head straight to the front parlor. Instead, he gave the door a push and saw her outlined beneath the comforter in the dim light from the hall. She slept on her side, the curve of her hip tempting him into the room. Silky hair spilled across her pillow, hiding her face. With one finger he pushed it back, stroked her cheek with a butterfly touch. His heart pounded painfully in his chest.

Dropping his jeans on the carpet, he slid beneath the covers.
Incredible heat, soft, soft skin, long silken legs...
She wore nothing but a thin cotton T-shirt and a pair of panties. He groaned as he gathered her into his arms.

“Dillon?” His name was indistinct, her mouth pressed against his chest.

“Do you have many midnight visitors?”

He felt her lips curve in a smile. “Occasionally Otis joins me.”

His arms tightened around her. “You’re comparing me to a dog?”

“He’s furrier, and his kisses tend to be wet and sloppy.”

He tilted her face and kissed her, a long slow caress that drained all the blood straight to his groin.

Her voice was breathless when she pulled back a fraction of an inch. “I don’t feel like kicking you off the bed.”

“Thank God because it just might kill me.” His hands slid beneath her T-shirt and caressed her breasts. Her nipples pebbled between his fingers. “I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of you.”

“It goes both ways.”

Her knee slid up his thigh, torturing him when it stopped just short of—

She moaned long and low. “Oh, God, that feels so good.”

Pulling the shirt over her head, he replaced his hands with his mouth. The way she buried her fingers in his hair and tugged nearly pushed him over the edge. Dragging his lips from her breast, he slid down her belly. A sheen of moisture tasted faintly of salt, and her skin smelled like honeysuckle. Breathing deeply, he headed south and felt her jerk when he found the sweet spot. Laving her with his tongue, he had the presence of mind to cover her mouth with his hand when she convulsed.

Her scream was muffled. When the fine tremors finally ceased, she hid her face. “I have to stop doing that.”

“No you don’t.” Despite the intense need urging him to sink into the comfort of her body, he laughed and touched her face, stroking back a strand of hair stuck to her brow. His heart swelled with something stronger than attraction, something terrifyingly close to love. He pushed away the panic stealing his breath. “We’ll just soundproof a bedroom.”

“Funny.” She stretched and rolled on top of him. “Let’s see how quiet you are.” Her hand wiggled between their bodies and closed around him.

Sweat popped out on his forehead. The intensity of his desire made him grit his teeth. “Careful. I’m awfully close to ending this right now.”

“Yeah?” She nibbled his earlobe, then flicked her tongue inside.

“Oh, God!” Flailing over the side of the bed, he grabbed his jeans and pulled his wallet out of the back pocket. “Hold that thought for one minute...” The foil tore, and he fumbled with a condom.

“Let me.” Taking it from his hand, she smoothed it over his hard length with an intimacy that was pure torture.

He couldn’t wait another minute. Thrusting upward into her damp heat, he closed his eyes and held on. When he was certain he wouldn’t disgrace himself, he moved, stroking slow and deep while she clung to him. Little whimpers escaped her throat, telling him she was close. He clasped her face in his hands and kissed her, joining their mouths as they shook and shuddered together, touching him to the depths of his soul.

She lay draped across him, dead weight on his chest. It felt better than anything he’d experienced—ever. Stroking his hand down the smooth skin of her back, he forced away the doubts and worry threatening the peaceful moment. He would not think this to death. He would simply enjoy.

She propped herself on her arms and looked down at him. The darkness was complete. He couldn’t read her expression, but the hesitancy in her tone was clear. “Is everything okay?”

He wound a lock of hair around his finger. “More than okay.” And suddenly it was. He was absolutely certain they could make a relationship work.
Nothing
, not old fears and insecurities, not work or his grandfather, not even Zack, would stand in their way. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

Dropping back down, she rested her cheek in the hollow beneath his chin. Her breath tickled his chest. “I don’t know about that.”

“I do. I’m happy when I’m with you. I think about you when I’m not. You make me smile. When I’m angry or upset or tired, you ease the hurt.”

She sniffed and wiped a hand across her eyes.

His arms tightened around her, and he touched her damp cheek. “Are you
crying
?”