Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (19 page)

Reluctantly he nodded his head, but she still wasn’t moving. “Go on and call them.” She leaned against the door and crossed her arms. “I’ll wait.”

Sam followed her instructions, mumbling to himself something about bossy women. Chase and Travis made it to Jade’s within fifteen minutes. As soon as they pulled up outside, Jade moved away from the door and let Sam out of the house. She followed him. He glared at her over his shoulder.

She looked at him with mock innocence. “What?”

He walked back to her and took her hand in his. Chase and Travis met them halfway, and Sam explained the situation. Travis put a call in to Deputy Brown, his right hand man. They searched the entire area in no time. They found nothing but some deer tracks.

Jade felt foolish. “I’m sorry, you guys. I guess Rags was mistaken.”

Chase hugged her close and lifted her off the ground. Jade didn’t struggle. He said, “You did the right thing.” He put her down and looked at Sam with a frown. “I guess it was a good thing you were here.”

Sam nodded. “It was a very good thing I was here. I think she would have gone out and investigated herself had I not been here to stop her.”

Jade looked at him incredulously. “I’m not the one who wanted to go charging out here alone.”

Sam dismissed her with a teasing smile. “Details, details.”

Travis walked over to their little group. “We’ve found nothing, Jade. It looks like a false alarm.”

“Sorry, Travis.”

“Are you kidding? You did the right thing and don’t hesitate to do it again if necessary. I guess I should get back to Gillian. She’ll be frantic by now.” He hugged Jade swiftly, lifting her off the ground for a fraction of a second. “Come on, guys. It’s all safe here.”

They waited for Jade to go back inside her house, and they left one by one. She sighed as Sam drove off just before Chase did.

“Rags,” she said, “I appreciate the vigilance, but your timing needs a little work.”

Jade got ready for bed. Looking through her collection of nighties she frowned. It was a little too cool for most of them alone, but some had matching robes. She selected a red one in honor of the season. It was a good choice. Yes, it was sexy and there wasn’t too much to it, but it came with a lined robe and that’s what tipped the scales.

Slipping between the sheets Jade pulled the covers up and over her shoulder to her ear. She closed her eyes. She’d always had a pretty clear conscience so sleep wasn’t usually a problem for her. It was
this
night however, and it wasn’t from fear of the creature stalking New Crescent’s citizens. It was Sam and their mind-shattering kiss.

She tossed and turned. She tried counting sheep but bored and neglected, the wooly little darlings slipped away in her mind while she mooned over Sam.

It was 12:30 am when she finally gave up. Her chest was so tight she thought it might implode. Her roommates didn’t understand her distress. When they wanted something they asked for it in their own unique way. They couldn’t understand why she didn’t do the same. They encouraged her to end her misery. Did they have a point? The seed of a daring thought gestated in her fertile mind. With heart pounding and hands shaking, she grabbed a long warm coat from the front closet.

* * * *

Sam’s house was in darkness. She almost lost her nerve and turned around. She’d started to back up when she caught sight of a small light in one of the upstairs windows. Jade put the car in park. A reading lamp, Sam was still awake. She took a deep breath and turned off the ignition. She looked at Rags who sat watching her calmly from the back seat. He couldn’t understand her nervousness, but he offered his support anyway. When she opened the car door for him he jumped out and walked directly to Sam’s front door.

Jade was terrified. She gained new respect for her thirteen year old self. She sure as hell had courage back then. Did the adult Jade have the same? Maybe. She got out of the car. There was a bright moon in the sky. She needed no other illumination to navigate the path to the door.

She wasn’t sure how long she hesitated, her finger an inch from the door bell. Rags whined, and Jade took the plunge. Just as her finger pressed the button, the door swung open. He must have heard her pull up. Sam stood there astonished.

Holding up a slim hand, she silenced him. She took a deep breath and spoke her mind.

“I’m sick of being treated as Chase’s little glass sister. I am an adult and have been for years. You don’t live with a man like my father and not get savvy. I’ve got a mind of my own, and if you’ve got something to teach me then I want to learn.” She could see his pupils dilate, and she knew she had him. Her gaze dipped lower. “I want you. You want me…your pants tell me that. So what’s the problem? Let’s worry about the rest later.” Still, he stayed silent. She could see the inner battle he waged and added reinforcement to what she knew would be the winning side. “You question why I’m coming to you now at this particular time. You think it might be gratitude for Tammar and Erick but, does it really matter? Should it?”

His eyes practically dined on her. Finally he said in an anguished voice, “Damn you, Jade, what do you think I’m made of?”

“I’m not sure. Why don’t you show me?” She had him, and she knew it. The power that knowledge gave her was seductive but couldn’t hold a candle to the fire her need for him had ignited. She waited.

Roughly he grabbed her upper arms and pulled her in the house. She lost her balance, but he was there to break her fall. With both arms, he hauled body against his. Jade was right. His pants spoke volumes. He slammed the door with his foot, and Jade giggled.

Against her lips he said, “I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”

She grabbed a handful of his hair, her nails grazed his scalp and he moaned. Jade said, “Well then, what are you waiting for? Take me to bed.”

He smiled. “Don’t rush me, Jinx. We have all night.” He kissed her like he’d been waiting to do just that for a life time. Jade was breathless and weak. He stripped her winter coat off and Jade heard the little sound of pleasure her night wear inspired in him. Sam put his hands on her butt and dragged her up his hard body. She wrapped her legs around his waist and used her thigh muscles to great effect.

He moaned between kisses. “Ok so maybe I’ll just take you to bed now.” With Jade wrapped around him, he climbed the stairs and walked to his bedroom. The reading light was still on but neither bothered to notice, they had better things to do.

Sam sat on the side of the bed with Jade still straddling him. It felt so good. Jade squeezed him again using the strength in her thighs to move her hips up in a circular motion then down with the same motion.

His hands were magic, instinctively knowing when to be rough and when to be gentle. She had no idea of how he knew, she was just grateful he did. He drove her beyond endurance then eased back and looked at her. She blinked at him and gloried in the desire that showed on his face.

Without thinking she said hoarsely, “I put that there.”

He questioned her with a look and she said, “Never mind. Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

He laughed. “Thank God, I thought for a second you wanted me to stop. I knew I’d have to walk through the window in order to stop, but I would have done it, Jinx.”

She shook her head, “I like you right where you are right now.” He moved his hand, and she threw her head back and moaned.

His lips covered every inch of her body, pausing at particularly juicy spots. Jade cried out a release more than once. Finally, she could take no more of his teasing and she rolled on top of him and took him inside with one sure movement. They were perfectly still, savoring the moment, then Sam flipped her beneath him and carved out a part of the world that was theirs and theirs alone.

Jade thought, ‘So that’s what all the fuss is about. Wow!” But to Sam she said nothing. Her body did the talking for her. He pulled her to his side, and she rested her head on his chest. She could still feel residual waves of pleasure and moved her body sensually against his, glorying in the differences in their bodies. How could their bodies be so different yet fit together so perfectly? Damn, but that Mother Nature sure knew what she was doing.

He moaned as she moved again. It surprised them both when his body responded to hers so quickly and so surely. It was unmistakable and not something Jade was prepared to ignore. This time, she introduced her mouth and lips to his body. Sam didn’t give her free rein for long though before he took her, hard and fast. She loved it. Out of breath they shared the silent aftermath.

He held her as close as he could without actually being inside her. He smoothed her hair and kissed her head. “Sleep now, Jinx. It’s late.

* * * *

The next morning, Jade woke to the sound of Sam’s shower. She glanced at the clock by his bed. It was late! Naked, she rushed around the room gathering up her clothes.

Sam caught her. “Now that’s what I like to see in the morning. A woman in such a hurry to get away that she forgets things.” Her nightie dangled from his finger. She didn’t say anything as he approached her. He pulled on the knot she’d hastily tied in the belt of her robe. Still neither of them said a word. He opened the robe and looked at what was beneath. Sam’s eyes traveled from her green gaze down the entire length of her body.

In retaliation, Jade stuck a finger between his towel and the hard muscled bumps on his abdomen. His towel joined her robe on the floor. For them, this was all the foreplay they needed. Sam pushed her up against the wall. He put a hand on either side of her head as she looked up at him. He took her mouth with his and they started all over again.

Sam was late for work that day, but Jade was
really
late. The boss didn’t seem to mind.

* * * *

She didn’t see much of him the next day at the clinic. A part of her was almost relieved. She flushed crimson every time she thought of the night they’d spent together. She was red faced for most of the day.

The animals knew of course. They could smell it on her. More knowledgeable than humans regarding nature and how it worked, the animals accepted it without fuss. In fact, they thought it was about time. The attraction between Sam and Jade had been palpable. With their strong senses it was impossible for the animals in the clinic to miss it.

* * * *

Jade was walking Dodger when Sam found her. He smiled and Jade longed to kiss that crooked smile. Sam took care of it as he planted a loud one on her lips.

“I see our patient is doing very well.” He bent and patted the dog, examining his reactions.

“He’s doing really well, Sam. When can I take him home?”

Sam shook his head. “You can’t do that, Jade.”

She reacted instantaneously. “What are you talking about? Of course he’s coming home with me! You promised, Sam. You promised that you wouldn’t let anything happen to him!”

“Settle down. Settle down, Jinx.” His cajoling tone of course just made it worse. And her anger shone in her eyes. She opened her mouth obviously preparing to unload on him. He forestalled her with a raised hand. “I want him.”

Taken aback, Jade had nowhere to dump her anger. She looked around helplessly and Sam said, “Here. Allow me.” He pulled her against him and kissed her with passion. She responded and by the time they stopped they were both breathless. Jade’s anger had been spent.

She laughed unsteadily. “Did I hear you right? You want Dodger?”

Sam nodded. “Yes. Everyone else has a dog. I want one too.” He looked down at the brave three legged dog and stroked his head.

“Dodger is fine with that, Sam. Despite the fact that you took his leg away, he likes you.” She grinned at his expression. “You stopped the pain. You came for him.” They walked together in silence.

* * * *

Sam looked down at his dog. He was a handsome fellow now that he’d been cleaned up. He had the intelligence of the Collie in his eyes and the bravery of the German Sheppard in his heart. His shaggy blond hair and webbed feet were probably Golden Retriever. That part of the dog’s heritage enhanced his intelligence and bravery and added a good measure of loyalty. This was a noble dog, and Sam was honored to make him part of his family.

Jade had smiled so happily, Sam wanted to take her back to his house and make love to her all over again. He’d been weak last night and perhaps one day he’d pay the price for taking things too fast, but standing in the cold with Jade and Dodger, Sam couldn’t bring himself to regret a thing.

Mentally, he gave his head a shake. He’d actually sought her out for a reason but had allowed her radiance to distract him, an amazing feat considering all that he had on his mind. The work day was almost over. His evil geek on the inside at Daniels Pharmaceuticals had called with information he thought Sam would be interested in. Sam also knew he had to be more firm with Michelle. He’d told her that all he had for her was friendly feelings. She claimed to understand, but Sam had seen hope in her eyes and didn’t have the heart to be blunt. Now he had to be. He had to tell her that he found the woman he’d been looking for his entire life. Poor Michelle would have to give up then.