Chapter 24
Briana
Holy crap, this man has the stamina of a randy bull. My body’s still trembling from the last round, and he’s down there licking me like I’m dessert.
Kade murmurs against my skin, “Sure you don’t want another?”
“No. It would kill me.” I gasp, still breathless. “Can you imagine the headlines? Sheriff kills suspect. Coroner cites death from multiple orgasms.”
He bursts out laughing. “Sorry, but you did challenge my manhood.”
“Well, I apologize.” Reaching, I stroke his cock—it jumps to life.
He groans. “If you want round three, we should eat.”
“True. We did burn a ton of calories…” Glancing around, I ask, “Hey, any idea what happened to my clothes?”
One of his worn t-shirts lies draped over a chair, so I slip it on. It could use a wash, but God, infused with his scent, my clit twitches.
While he’s in the kitchen, Becca woofs, pawing the door.
“Can I let her out?”
“Yeah, she probably needs to go.”
“Poor baby. Were we neglecting you?” I rub behind her ears, turn the handle and push.
Long shadows stretch across the yard, cast by the porch light. When a yellow beam hits a face, I gasp.
Oh, for chrissakes. It’s him. Mr. Mumbles.
Heart racing, I bolt into the bedroom, snatch Kade’s sidearm, then sprint barefoot across the wet lawn. Safety off, arms up, I creep toward the rustling bushes.
You are not getting away from me this time, you murderous scumbag.
When Becca pads silently beside me, my hand lowers to reassure her.
She blinks once. Smart girl. She understands.
“Not right, not right…” The creepy voice grows closer.
A shudder wracks through me, but I stay locked in. He may have had the upper hand in the woods, but not this time. Now, I have the advantage.
My one shot to stay out of jail, I lower a knee and take aim. He either drops his gun or dies.
“Bree?” Kade’s voice rings out from the well-lit entrance. “Where are you?”
Shit!
My prey bolts.
A door slams. An engine roars. Tires squeal.
Dammit. He’s gone.
Spinning on my heel, I storm back to the cabin. “What were you thinking? I had him.”
“My sidearm?” He holds out his hand.
Safety on, barrel down, I give it over. “What—was I supposed to let him murder us?”
He opens his mouth, but I cut him off. “It’s a miracle you survived the war, O’Malley. Any idiot would’ve killed the lights. You were standing under a goddamn spotlight!”
His jaw tics as he scans the woods. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“The murderer,” I shout. “He was right there. Outside your house. And you scared him off.”
Then I see it—the flicker in his eyes. The subtle shift.
Because he didn’t see anyone, he doesn’t believe me.
My throat tightens. “Wait… You thought I stole your gun?”
I shove at his chest. “That’s why you yelled? You thought I was gonna run?”
A bitter laugh bursts out. “And here I was… thinking you were different.”