Chapter 16
Pipe woke up and knew exactly where he was, who was lying in his arms, and what they’d done. All night.
They’d slept for a bit, then woke up and made love again.
He’d never been so ravenous for anyone. Honestly, he was surprised he’d been able to get it up as many times as he had.
Without a doubt, he wouldn’t be able to do that every night, but for their first time, he was pleased that he’d been able to pleasure Cora as much as he had.
Looking down, he saw the mark she’d made on his chest. It was red and blotchy, and easy to see even with the tattoos under and around it. She was pressed against his side, one arm over his chest, one leg over his thigh, and she was drooling a little against his bare skin.
Closing his eyes, Pipe wished they could stay there forever. Wanted this every morning for the rest of his life.
Even as he had the thought, Cora stirred against him. Pipe waited for her to realize where she was and what they’d done. He wasn’t sure if she’d be embarrassed, or if she’d maybe pretend that it was no big deal. But that wasn’t true. Something big had happened.
Pipe had fallen head over heels in love.
“Morning,” she mumbled as she snuggled closer.
For a moment, Pipe was surprised. Pleasantly so. He tightened his hold around her back and pressed her harder against him. “Morning,” he returned.
She sighed then. “I needed that. You,” she said.
Pipe nodded and turned to kiss the top of her head. “Me too.”
“But we need to get up and get Operation Get-Lara-Away-From-Those-Wankers started.”
Her words startled a snort out of Pipe. “Yeah,” he agreed.
But neither moved.
“Pipe?”
“Yeah, love?”
“Last night…that was…I’m not usually like that.”
“Like what?”
“So lusty.”
He chuckled. “Me either.”
Cora lifted her head so she could see him. “I don’t believe that. You ooze sexuality.”
“Nope. You bring it out in me.”
“We bring it out in each other,” she countered.
“Apparently,” he said with a shrug.
“I…I don’t regret it. I just wanted you to know.”
Pipe’s respect for this woman grew. “Good. Because if you did, I wouldn’t be happy. Last night was…” He searched for the right word. “Perfect,” he finally said.
“Yeah.”
“And since we’re being honest…I’m gonna want to see where this goes after we find your friend.”
She smiled at him. “I like that. Both the idea of continuing this, and how certain you sound that we’ll find Lara.”
“Good. Go ahead and take the bathroom first. I’ll text the guys and see what’s up.”
“Okay. Pipe?”
“Yeah?”
She stared at him for a while, then gave him a small smile. “Nothing.”
“You can tell me anything. You know that, right?” he asked.
“I do. It’s just…if I am pregnant…not that I think I am, but if it happens…I won’t hold you to anything.”
Pipe frowned. “What did I tell you last night?”
“I know, but I thought maybe that was just the heat of the moment.”
“It wasn’t,” he said firmly. “I will be a part of my son or daughter’s life…just as I want to be a part of their mother’s life. I’d never turn my back on my own flesh and blood. Ever.”
“Okay.”
“Okay,” he agreed.
He expected Cora to be shy when she got out of bed.
She didn’t have a robe and wasn’t wearing a stitch of clothing.
Of course, he’d examined every inch of her body the night before, and loved everything he’d seen, but now it was morning and she wasn’t in the throes of passion anymore.
But he was surprised again when she flipped back the sheet and climbed out of the bed, heading for the bathroom without even trying to hide from him.
Pipe felt his cock twitch, and he shook his head in amazement.
She turned at the last minute, giving him a frontal view of her naked perfection.
He could see the mark he’d left on her chest clearly.
It was dark red and huge and she was clearly right, her skin was extra sensitive.
He’d have to keep that in mind the next time he gave her a hickey.
And he was determined that there would be a next time.
He could also see small bruises on her thighs and waist from where he’d held her a little too tightly.
She wasn’t walking as if she was in pain, and he assumed she’d tell him if he was too rough, so he let himself feel a smidgen of male pride that he’d been the one to mark her.
Not only that, as she stood there staring at him, Pipe saw a bead of their combined come slowly make its way down her inner thigh.
She wrinkled her nose, then said, “No matter what happens. No matter if we find Lara or not, I’ll never forget or regret last night. You made me feel wanted, Pipe. Loved. Thank you.” With that, she turned and disappeared into the bathroom.
Pipe wanted to get up and go to her. Tell her that she was loved.
That she was wanted. But they had stuff to do.
And if he admitted his love for her, they’d probably end up back in bed.
While he didn’t regret what they’d done either, and was anxious to do it again, he also felt the pressing need to find Lara.
He couldn’t shake the feeling that the clock was ticking.
They’d made the first move, and Michaels had to know Cora wouldn’t turn around and leave town just because his goon wouldn’t let her see her friend. No, he’d be panicking, trying to fix the situation to his benefit. And Pipe had a feeling that wasn’t good news for Lara.
He needed to talk to Owl and Stone and see what, if anything, they’d found out last night at the strip club. Then they needed to make their move. Before Michaels could make his.
After meeting Owl and Stone for breakfast, they all headed upstairs to Owl’s room to discuss what the two men had learned the night before.
Cora sat in the only chair in the room, while Pipe found himself hovering near her. Owl was propped up against the headboard of the bed, and Stone paced back and forth.
“It was weird, man,” Stone said. “I went in there fully expecting to find out that Michaels had a favorite girl, and that’s why he was spending so much money.
You know how it goes, a guy showers money and gifts on one of the girls because he has the delusion that they’ll marry and live happily ever after…
and have really great sex for the rest of their lives.
But that’s not what Michaels is doing. Yes, he’s throwing around money, gift cards, and crap he’s bought from those high-end stores as if he’s the money-fairy.
But he gets lap dances from all the girls.
He hasn’t shown a preference for any of them. ”
“That’s not exactly true. He likes all the ones with big tits,” Owl said mildly.
“Does he have a schedule? When he goes to the club?” Pipe asked.
“Yeah. Every night. He’s only missed a few nights here and there in the last month,” Stone said.
Pipe frowned. “Was he there last night?”
“Nope,” Owl said.
“Bloody hell,” he swore, running a hand through his hair. “We freaked him out.”
“That’s what I’m thinking,” Stone agreed.
“Where does that leave us?” Owl asked.
“We could try going back and asking to see Lara again,” Pipe said. “Or we could see if we can break into the house and find her ourselves. Or call the cops and bring our concerns to them, see if they’d do a welfare check.”
“I’m thinking Brick wouldn’t be thrilled with the second option,” Cora suggested.
Pipe nodded. “Maybe not, but he also wouldn’t be surprised. Besides, who said we’d get caught breaking in?”
“Uh…alarms, cameras, bodyguards,” Cora said with a shrug.
“I’m sure we could work around them, if we really needed to,” Owl said dismissively. “Should we go over the list of employees Tex sent?” Owl asked. “When I got back last night, I looked it over and there are some people who we could maybe use to our advantage.”
“Wait, what time did you get home last night?” Cora asked, the concern clear in her tone.
It was one more thing Pipe loved about her. How she was always worrying about others.
“Around two. Couldn’t sleep. It’s not a big deal. Anyway, after asking around at the club, it seems the same bodyguard always accompanies Michaels to the Blue Moon. Arlo Harvey.”
“Arlo. What kind of name is that?” Cora mumbled.
“What’s his background?” Pipe asked, trying not to laugh at Cora’s question.
“He’s twenty-seven. Was in the Marines for a few years right out of high school.
Was injured, fell while walking across the base where he was stationed and broke his wrist pretty badly.
Got a medical discharge and got a few jobs doing security at warehouses and businesses, before being hired by John Michaels after the lawsuits began to roll in for that drug he’d manufactured.
He’s been with Ridge for a couple of years now,” Owl told the others.
“And?” Pipe asked.
“And what?”
“That’s it? What’s his background? Does he have any convictions on his record?”
“Normal background. Good childhood. Was a decent Marine. No convictions. He seems to be loyal, makes sure no one hassles Ridge, follows him where he wants to go and keeps his mouth shut.”
“Well, that seems like a dead end,” Cora sighed. “He has to know if Lara’s in the house, right? I mean, if he’s that close to Ridge, shouldn’t he know?”
“Maybe, maybe not,” Owl said. “He doesn’t live at the estate. He shows up when requested and for his scheduled shifts, and that’s it.”
“Is he married? Have a girlfriend?” Stone asked.
“No and no.”
“Hmmmm. What about that guy who answered the door yesterday?” Pipe asked.