“Yes.”
He brought his hand to the nape of her neck, tugging her toward him. Then he delicately traced his tongue over her lips as if exploring a fragile flower petal he could crush. Subtly, he used his tongue to part the bloom of his flower, seeking the essence of her, breathing in the faint scent of honey.
He pulled her tighter against his chest, so her sensitive breasts would ignite the fire he was seeking. When her knees buckled, forcing her to grip his upper arms, he knew it was working. He gradually pressed harder on her lips, turning the kiss from a good-night one to a tongue fucking that had her gasping and standing on her toes to twine her fingers through his hair and pull him down to her.
With a final thrust of his tongue that had his tongue raking under hers, he broke the kiss to step back.
She blinked up at him until he had to take the hands clutching him like a lifeline, releasing himself from her grasp before he changed his mind and dragged her to Lucky’s house to make the pastor marry them tonight.
“Good night.” He left abruptly before the temptation was more than he could handle.
Aware of the outside camera surveillance, he went to his truck. Sure no one could see inside the dark interior, he placed his shaking hands on the steering wheel.
He stared at Mrs. Langley’s house, seeing the living room light go out. Ten minutes later, he saw the whole house grow dark.
Reaching for his cell phone, he pushed a button that speed dialed the man he wanted.
“Shade.”
“I know who you are,” he said, holding his phone next to his ear.
“Did you call me just to insult me?”
“No. I’m calling to make sure you do your job, and that there isn’t a way in hell anyone can break into Mrs. Langley’s house.”
“You’re sitting in your truck in front of the house; do I need to say anything more?”
Shade’s cold voice didn’t piss him off. It was the reassurance he needed.
“That weed you’ve been promising better be worth having to talk to you on a daily basis.” The threat wasn’t obvious, but it was there.
“It is. It’s fire. The best we’ve ever grown.”
“Anything else?”
“Shade …?”
“Go home. I’m handling this job myself.”
“Thanks.” Greer disconnected the call.
It galled him having to accept Shade’s help, but that house held not only his kin but his future. Holly had been promised to him since he was a snot-nosed kid, seeking within himself for the spirits that were never far away for their guidance. Feeling the welcome tide of warmth, he started his truck, driving away.
Whatever Dustin’s nightmare was, they weren’t going to have to suffer through it tonight. Tonight, the ones he loved were safe in their bed, watched over by the spirit. And what they couldn’t stop, Shade would.
18
Holly ran a hand over Logan’s forehead. “You don’t feel like you’re running a fever. Your uncle Greer is bringing a thermometer from the house. He should be here any minute.”
Logan scrunched on his side, moving away from her concerned touch. “My stomach is hurting. I can’t go to school.”
Holly sympathized with him. He’d had several stomachaches lately.
Looking at her wristwatch, she decided to call his pediatrician and find out what was going on. He had been a sickly baby, and she feared the kidney disease that had killed his mother was taking a toll on his health.
When they had discovered the cause of Sam’s death, she and Dustin had taken him to several specialists. After several months, the doctors had told them that he had no sign of the disease. They still carefully monitored him, making the three-hour drive to Lexington to make sure he received the best care. He had just received a clean bill of health three months ago.
Hiding her worry, she was relieved when Dustin and Greer came into the bedroom.
“You feeling any better?” Dustin sat down on the bed next to him, touching his back.
Logan shrugged away from his touch, moaning.
“I brought the thermometer.” Greer handed it to her.
“Roll over, honey. Let me take your temperature.
He reluctantly rolled over, opening his mouth. The three adults stood waiting for the beep to go off. When it did, she took it out of his mouth, frowning as she looked down and saw it was normal.
“He’s not running a fever.”
Logan moaned, clutching his stomach.
“Dustin, you go on to work. I’ll call Diamond and tell her I won’t be in.”
Greer had stood, leaning against the wall. At her words, he moved toward the bed and lay down next to Logan.
Holly watched as he gently ran a hand over his head then downward to his forehead, like the way she had done when she had tried to see if he had a fever. An eerie feeling had goose bumps raising the hair on her arms.