Brody felt Rebecca’s heartbeat pounding against his chest. The rapid rhythm matched his own. With her in his arms, he felt an emotion that was foreign to him—intimacy. And an overwhelming need to pick her up, take her to his bed and show her just how much a woman she’d become overtook him.
He’d experienced need but nothing matching the intensity of this feeling.
Somewhere in the back of his mind, he realized being this close was a bad idea. Staring into her honey-brown eyes, the smell of her shampoo drowning his sense, and all reasoning flew out the window.
Just when he thought he might be able to stop this from going any further, she shifted position enough to pull her shirt over her head and drop it on the floor.
“You can tell me no if you think this is a bad idea, Brody.” The way his name rolled off her tongue made him want to hear her say it again and again as his tongue moved down her neck.
She stood and shimmied out of her jeans. Underneath, she wore matching lace panties.
Blood pulsed toward his already uncomfortably stiff length.
He tugged her toward him until she was standing in front of him, his hands to either side of her hips. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead on her stomach. “You have no idea how badly I want to do this.”
He looked up at her as she stood there with defiance in her stare.
“But?”
“No buts. I want to make love to you, Rebecca. Now it’s your turn to take an out, because I’ve already made up my mind. If you have any doubts about what we’re about to do, you’re going to have to be the one to stop this. In about two seconds, I won’t be able to so I need to know that you want this. Me.”
“It’s always been you, Brody. I’ve always wanted you.”
That was all the encouragement he needed. Standing, rising to his full height, he dipped his head down and claimed her mouth. Their lips molded together as he slid his tongue inside her mouth, the need to taste her overtaking every rational thought.
Her hands traveled across his chest, moving upward until they tunneled in his hair, pulling and tugging as her tongue swirled inside his mouth. She tasted so sweet.
His shirt joined hers on the floor.
By the time he reached for the zipper of his jeans, her hands were already there, so he let her do the honors. A second later, his pants were tossed on top of hers.
There in his living room wearing nothing but a bra and panties was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She needed to hear it. “Rebecca, you’re gorgeous, sexy.”
Thoughts of the innocent kisses they’d stolen in high school were a world away. High school was a world away. And Brody couldn’t say he was especially sorry they weren’t those same two people they’d been.
He’d grown up, become a man.
His Rebecca, still sweet, had an incredibly sexy side. He’d noticed the way men looked at her. He didn’t like it.
“I missed you, sweetheart.”
“I’m right here, Brody,” she said.
Standing now, he felt an all-too-familiar tug at his heart. Rebecca was the only one who affected him in that way, who reached beyond the mask of strength he wore. With her, he felt a strangely comfortable sense of vulnerability.
This time, he kissed her.
Their mouths moving together, the heat between them rose as his hands moved along her stomach, her breast. He palmed one and her nipple beaded against his palm.
It was her silky bra that hit the floor next. She was all curves and soft skin, and his groin tightened when he really saw her.
Brody took her by the hand and led her to his room.
By the time she was on the bed, all of their clothes littered the floor. Rebecca on his bed. He liked the sound of those words more than he should.
“Do you have protection? There hasn’t been a need for me to be on the pill,” she said.
“That can wait.”
On his knees, he ran his finger along the tender flesh of the insides of her thighs. Her body quivered along the stroke of his hands.
“Brody, I want you now.”
“I have no plans to rush this.” It had been a long time since Brody had been interested enough in a woman to take her to bed. He’d stopped doing casual sex.
Looking at Rebecca, at the perfection that was her, everything in his body begged for quick release, but self-discipline was his middle name and he had every intention of enjoying this to the fullest.
“Brody, are you planning to torture me by making me wait?” She sat up, took his arm and tried to urge him toward her. Her face was flush with need, and he felt her body humming with anticipation. “Because I can’t.”
He smiled at her, moving just out of her reach. She was everything he wanted in a woman—beautiful, intelligent, sexy. And not one female had lived up to the standard she’d set so many years ago.
“As a matter of fact, I had something different in mind.” He leaned forward and kissed her to disarm her.
Tucking his hands underneath her sweet round bottom, he tilted her until her head rested on his pillow again.
“No fair...” She pouted until she seemed to realize what he was doing.
She was already wet for him when he inserted three fingers inside her and so he was the one who groaned.
He worked her mound with his thumb as he dipped his fingers again and again, loving the way her body moved and the sensual moans she made.
Pulsing faster, deeper, harder, her muscles clenched and released around his fingers.
“Brody,” she whispered breathlessly.
He would never get tired of hearing her say his name.
* * *
REBECCA SHOULD BE embarrassed at how quickly she’d climaxed. She wasn’t. Everything with Brody seemed right and the sexual tension between them had been building since they’d met up at the coffee shop the other morning. If she were being totally honest, it had been building long before that. In high school, they were too young to really know what it was or do anything about it.
Even though he’d tipped her over the edge once already, she wanted more. She needed to feel his weight on top of her, pressing her into the mattress. Him moving inside her.
She pushed up on her elbows, watching as his shaky hands managed the condom. “You need help with that?”
“I think I got it.” He rolled it over his tip.
She reached over and guided it down his large shaft.
His guttural groan at her touch nearly drove her crazy. She wanted him to feel everything he’d just given her and so much more.
Pulling him over her, opening her legs to welcome him, he released a sexy grunt as he drove inside her. She opened her legs more, adjusting to his length.
Her hands mapped the lines of his back, memorizing everything that was Brody, and he thrust deeper, reaching her core. She matched his intensity, craving, needing more and more as they rocketed toward the edge.
He pulled out a little, his tip still inside, and tensed.
“What is it, Brody? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It feels a little too right and I’m already there. I want this to last.”
“Don’t stop now. We can always do it again.”
His smile faded as he reached the depth of his first thrust. She bucked her hips, needing to fly over the edge with him.
Harder. Faster. Deeper.
More.
Their bodies, twined, exploded with pleasure. A thousand bombs detonated at once, sending volts of electricity and pleasure rocketing through her. She could feel him pulsing inside her as her muscles clenched around his length.
When he’d drained her of the last spasm, he pulled out and folded on his side next to her. The weight of his arm over her, his touch, quieted any protest trying to tell her that this might have been a bad idea. His heart raced, matching her tempo, as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her temple. And then another to her forehead as he pulled her in closer. His body was soft skin over powerful muscle, silk over steel.
She wanted to say the three words roaring through her mind but stopped herself, refusing to think about the fact that he had built a life in Mason Ridge and she was a temporary resident.
Being with Brody was dangerous but far from wrong, even if it wouldn’t last.
* * *
BRODY WOKE WITH a start. He’d only dozed off for half an hour and yet it had felt like so much longer. No doubt the result of a satisfied sleep that came with the best sex of his life. Rebecca lay still in his arms, the scent of her citrus and flowery shampoo filling the air around him. He could get used to breathing her in, lying next to her all night. Part of him wished they could stay right there.
The window of opportunity to track down Lester and, therefore, find Thomas Kramer, was closing.
In a few hours, it would be dark outside and the fireworks show would begin over the lake, signaling the end of the weeklong festivities.
The workers would scatter as the break-down crew went to work. By morning, there’d be nothing left of the festival but memories. He slowly peeled her arm off him, careful not to disturb her.
There was enough time for him to make a cup of coffee and he wanted to let her sleep as long as possible.
It took all the self-discipline he possessed to disengage himself from her soft, warm body. Drawing on what was left of his willpower, he slipped out of the covers, located his boxers and put them on.
One last look at her while she lay there, her shimmering chestnut hair splayed across the pillow, and everything in his crazy world seemed right.
How long would it last?
Rebecca had been clear. She would leave town and not look back the minute she could.
He turned and walked out of the room.
The coffee was ready in a couple of minutes. His housekeeper had given good advice about stocking the shelves. And he was all right living by himself, wasn’t he?
Didn’t Brody prefer to do things his way, like keeping his shoes inside the door and not cleaning up the mud right away when it rained? He knew how to take care of himself, how to cook. Weren’t those things important to him? He didn’t have to explain where he was on a Friday night or defend having an extra beer while he watched the game.
After serving in the military, he’d wanted nothing more than to come home and be part of the community again. He figured he needed to get his bearings first before he tried to build onto his life.
Someday he planned to find the right woman and make their relationship permanent. Kids didn’t seem like the worst idea at some point. He didn’t care if he had boys or girls so long as they were healthy. Of course, if he had a daughter, he’d want her to look just like Rebecca.
Brody sighed sharply, ignoring the pain in his chest, and booted up his laptop, sipping his fresh brew.
Assessing how far he’d come should make him feel a sense of gratification. The house was comfortable and nice. He had land. His work rehabilitating horses was important and made a difference. He had enough money to be happy but not so much it was all he cared about.
So, why did he suddenly feel there was a gaping hole in his life?
A still-sleepy Rebecca shuffled into the room. “I can’t believe I conked out.”
“Come sit down. I’ll make you a cup of coffee.” He’d had time to reach out to a friend in the military about Randy the other morning and had been hoping to hear back. There was no response, which wasn’t surprising. It had only been a day. Give it time, Fields.
He’d enlisted Dylan’s help, as well. Brody would ask for an update when he saw his friend later. Patience racked right up there with second chances. Brody didn’t care for either.
“Do we have time?” she asked, stretching. She looked sexy as hell standing in his living room.
“It’ll only take a sec.” He moved to the kitchen, popped a pod into the coffeemaker and returned a minute later with a fresh cup. “Here you go.”
She thanked him with a kiss and a smile. “How’s your head?”
“Better.” He motioned for her to join him at the table.
“This coffee is fantastic.” She was sitting on the edge of the seat, looking nervous.
Did she regret sleeping with him? He almost laughed out loud. That would be a new one. Wasn’t he always the one keeping one foot out the door in every relationship since her? High school crushes hardly counted. Maybe he’d held everyone at a safe distance since his mother had ditched him. Brody hadn’t had a horrible childhood. He and his father had been close, two bachelors under the same roof. His father had worked long hours to dig them out of the hole created by his mother.
Brody shoved those thoughts aside as he rose. “I’m going to hop in the shower before we leave. Care to join me?”
The smirk on Rebecca’s lips was sexy as hell as she took his hand. “I’d love to, Mr. Fields.”
After making love again, Brody dressed, thinking twice wasn’t nearly enough. Could this, whatever this was, morph into something more permanent? He couldn’t go there yet. What he could manage was enjoying what they had for today.
And he didn’t have a whole lot of time to consider much of anything else considering time ticked away on finding Thomas Kramer. Brody’s internet search had turned up unlucky. Then again, he hadn’t expected to find Kramer easily. This guy had avoided capture for fifteen years. He traveled with a festival that was on the road forty-five weeks out of the year and could live anywhere.
Dawson texted that he was already at the festival with Ryan looking for Lester, and that Dylan was coming with Maribel. Said that Dylan had some news for Rebecca that he wanted to deliver in person. Brody hoped he knew what that meant. He wanted to keep a smile on her beautiful face.
“Think we have time to swing by and see my mother on our way? I spoke to her nurse earlier and Mother’s having a good day. She had a great visit with Chelsea and Kevin this morning and they promised to stay in touch. They left their information with Mother. I guess having company did wonders for her,” Rebecca said, entering the room. She’d dressed in a light blue tank top, jeans and sandals.
“It’s on the way to the festival grounds, so that’s not a problem.” He withheld the information about Dylan’s news. No sense getting excited about it before they knew what it was. Dawson had been tight-lipped so far.
“I’m ready if you are.”
He nodded as her ringtone sounded in her purse. She retrieved her phone and checked the screen. “It’s my dad. Do you mind if I take this?”
“Not at all.” Brody smiled. From all he’d known, Mr. Hughes was a good guy. He deserved to know his daughter.
“Hi, Dad,” she said into the phone, moving to sit on the couch in the next room. “I’m good. Thank you for calling.” A beat of silence passed. “I’d love to come see you and the boys.” Another hesitation. “Next Sunday? Barbecue?” She glanced toward Brody.
“Good idea,” he whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.
“Would you mind if I brought someone?” Her eyes flashed toward Brody again. “Good. See you at six. Sure, I’ll bring a swimsuit.”
There was a moment of silence followed by, “I know I haven’t said this in far too long. I love you, Dad.”
She closed the phone and turned to Brody. “What are you doing next weekend?”
“Taking you to a barbecue.” If she needed him there to ease her way back into her father’s life, Brody didn’t mind helping out. It was the right thing to do and he felt good about encouraging the reunion. Not everyone had a relationship with a parent worth holding on to. If someone did, they needed to grab hold with both hands and hang on for the ride. Those first steps toward the starting gate were often the hardest to take. “For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you.”
“You probably don’t want to hear this from me, Brody.” She glanced down to the floor and then back up at him. “I think you’re a great man.”
His heart skipped a beat because he thought she was going to say something else, the three words he wasn’t ready to hear. Because when this was over, he had every intention of walking away.
* * *
REBECCA WAS HAPPY she didn’t have to coax Brody to go inside with her to see her mother. Panic had engulfed Rebecca when they’d gone to her room only to find it empty. Turned out, her mother was in the recreation room playing a game of chess with another patient, looking pleased she’d made a friend.
They’d cut their visit short, promising to return the following day. Her mother had made Brody vow he’d return soon, too. Then she’d thanked him for looking after her daughter so well.
Since the festival was a short drive, Rebecca didn’t argue when Brody made a move to drive again.
Neither said much on the ride over. Tensions rose the closer they got. Brody parked near Main Street and then texted the others to let them know he and Rebecca were there. It didn’t take long to find Ryan and Dawson.
“We found our friend, Lester, from earlier,” Dawson said. “He said Thomas Kramer was part of the break-down crew. Or at least he had been until last year when they’d found him peeking through windows of the workers’ RVs.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but think Kramer would have to be strong to do that job.
A text came from Dylan saying he was delayed with Maribel and would join them as soon as he could.
“Another reason their guard has been so high?” Brody asked.
“Exactly. Lester was up-front with us, but we both got the impression he was uncomfortable talking about one of his own,” Ryan added.
“If they fired him last year, why come back? Why follow them here?” Brody asked, taking Rebecca’s hand.
She wondered if the sudden urge to keep her close by came with knowing Kramer could be right next to them and they wouldn’t know it. “Good question,” Ryan said.
Dawson nodded. “I told Dylan I’d stick around the midway area. I’ll keep watch. You guys should check the perimeter and see if he’s hanging around, watching for another target.”
Brody agreed.
Rebecca looked around, remembering the timing of Chelsea and Kevin’s son’s disappearance. “I wonder if they suspected him of the Sunnyvale kidnapping and that’s why they beefed up their own security. It had happened on the last day of the festival last year.”
Brody nodded. “There have been reports of him showing up in other places, but our guy says he hasn’t seen Kramer,” Dawson said.
“I ran a search of abductions of seven-year-old boys in the area and there haven’t been many in the past fifteen years,” Brody said.
“Maybe those are the only ones here.” Rebecca didn’t want to think about the truth in front of her. If Kramer had been the one to take Shane and he was still hurting boys, then it stood to reason that Shane was dead.