Hunter's Way (31 page)

Tori slid her hand along Sam’s side, past her ribs to her waist. Her flesh was smooth, hot. She slipped under the waistband of her panties, moving over her hips. She heard Sam gasp, felt Sam’s hips as they rose up.

“If you want me to stop, just say so,” Tori whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you,” she said again.

“I may very well hurt you if you stop,” Sam murmured.

Tori smiled as she peeled Sam’s panties down her hips. The scent of her drifted to Tori and it was all she could do not to bury her head between Sam’s thighs.

“Take yours off,” Sam pleaded. “I want to feel your skin against me.”

Tori did, laying her naked body on top of Sam, fitting between Sam’s opened legs.

“I knew it would be like this with you,” Sam whispered. “So soft. So gentle. I knew you would love me this way.”

Tori groaned as their hips met, thrusting together. She lowered her head, capturing a breast with her mouth.

“God, I’ve dreamed of your mouth on me. I tried to imagine what it would feel like,” Sam murmured, holding Tori tight to her breast.

“Did you imagine my mouth everywhere on you?”

“Yes,” Sam hissed. Her legs opened wider as she felt Tori’s hand move between them. Then gentle fingers moved through her wetness, sliding through her folds to touch her swollen clit. Her hips bucked and she groaned a low growl that came from deep in her chest. “Oh, Tori.
God
…”

Tori’s patience faded the moment her fingers touched Sam. So wet, so ready. She had to have her mouth there. She moved lower, spreading Sam’s legs. Her tongue replaced her fingers, entering Sam slowly. She heard the younger woman gasp, felt hands move through her hair. Her tongue licked at her, tasting her, then her lips closed over her clit, suckling it.

“Jesus,” Sam whispered. Only in her most vivid dreams did she think it could be like this-gentle lovemaking that shook her to her very core. With fists clenched at her sides, head thrown back, she lost all control of her thoughts, her feelings. Her eyes squeezed closed as she felt her body respond to Tori, felt her orgasm build and build until she couldn’t hold it, until she simply exploded with it. Her hips rose off the bed, pressing hard against Tori’s mouth. But Tori didn’t stop. Her tongue moved through her again, slipping inside her before circling her clit. Again her mouth closed
over her, sucking her hard. Sam trembled, shook uncontrollably as Tori took her over the edge again. She cried out, a primal scream that left her breathless, spent. She collapsed against the bed, her hands slipping away from Tori as she tried to catch her breath.

Tori kissed her lightly, moving across her legs, wetting a path over her stomach to her breasts, finally stopping when she reached her lips.

“Okay?”

“More than okay,” Sam murmured as she tasted herself on Tori’s lips. She gathered Tori in her arms and held her. “I knew it would be like that with you.” Sam kissed her lightly, eyes still closed. “I want so badly to touch you, but I can’t seem to move.”

Tori lay back and pulled Sam into her arms, cradling her. “Rest. We’ve got plenty of time.”

But Sam didn’t answer. She was already asleep. Tori smiled, gently moving the hair off Sam’s forehead. She was falling in love with her, and she was powerless to stop it. She bent her head, kissing her briefly. She felt Sam’s arm tighten across her waist, and she closed her eyes.

So, this was what falling in love feels like. It was nice. But it was scary as hell.

Chapter Thirty-eight

Sam opened her eyes, watching Tori as she slept. The soft light of dawn surrounded them, and the transformation was enormous. Tori looked almost like a child, so innocent, so peaceful. Sam shifted slowly, stretching her legs. She smiled and closed her eyes, allowing herself to relive the precious moments when Tori had made love to her. It was everything she thought it would be and so much more. Tori had been so incredibly gentle with her, she didn’t think it possible. This strong, tough detective who had instilled such fear in her that first week, had made love to her in the most tender way possible.

“A teddy bear,” she whispered.

She slid her hand under the covers, moving over smooth skin until she reached Tori’s breast. Her hand curled around it, feeling the nipple harden against her palm. She circled it with her fingers, wondering how it would feel in her mouth. She closed her eyes. Tori had made love to her last night. Sam had not even touched Tori.

She slowly moved the covers off Tori, feeling the other woman stir but not wake. Her greedy eyes took in the beautiful sight before her. Perfect breasts greeted her. Her eyes moved over Tori’s torso, so firm, yet soft. Then she glanced at her wound, noting absently that the stitches needed to come out. She bent her head, kissing lightly around the now-healed injury. Then she moved higher, finding the breasts that she had been dreaming of for weeks. Shyly, her tongue circled the hard nipple and she moaned, then closed her mouth over it, sucking it gently inside. She heard Tori’s answering moan, felt her stir under her mouth, felt hands move into her hair. She slipped one thigh between Tori’s legs and felt the other woman rise to meet it.

Pulling her mouth from Tori’s breast, Sam met her smoky eyes. Then, without a word, Sam moved her hand across Tori’s skin, lingering over her hip before slipping down between her legs. She heard Tori’s quick intake of breath, saw her eyes close as Sam moved into her wetness. Her own eyes closed as fingers slid into the velvety warmth.

Gently reaching out, Tori covered Sam’s hand, holding her firmly against her. Then her hips moved and she opened her legs. “Please, go inside me,” Tori whispered.

Sam watched Tori’s face as she slid two fingers inside her, and she groaned as she felt muscles contract against her fingers. So wet, so warm… so incredibly intimate.

She closed her eyes, moving again to kiss Tori when the phone made her jerk. “Oh, God, please not now,” she murmured. “Not now.”

Tori groaned, then pulled Sam’s fingers from her. “It’s okay. Answer it,” she said quietly.

Sam reached over Tori for the phone, cradling it against her shoulder as her hands again went to Tori.

“Hello?”

“Kennedy? It’s Malone.”

Sam sat up, away from Tori. “Yes, sir?”

“I can’t reach Hunter. Is she there?”

“Ah… yes, sir. She is.” Sam glanced at Tori and grinned.

“Okay. I got the DA up at the crack of dawn. We should get a warrant first thing this morning. I know you had a late night, but I thought you’d want to get here early. I’ve been in contact with the two units watching the house. He’s not left.”

“Yes, sir. Okay, I’ll tell her. We’ll be in as soon as we can.”

She disconnected, then tossed the phone on the bed. “Malone. We’ve got a warrant.”

“Good,” Tori said quietly. She sat up and ran her hands through her hair. Then she glanced at Sam. The sheet was bunched around her waist and Tori’s eyes landed on her exposed breasts. Then she raised them, meeting Sam’s emerald eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?”

Tori shrugged. It seemed like the proper thing to say. It wasn’t like she had a lot of experience in mornings after.

“I’m not sorry, Tori.” Then she smiled. “Well, I’m sorry he interrupted just now.” Sam moved closer, touching Tori’s lips with her own. “But I’m not sorry for last night. I only wish we had time now. I so want to touch you, to make love to you.”

“I don’t know how I’m supposed to act this morning,” Tori admitted.

“You don’t have to act, Tori. Last night was just about us, remember?”

Tori was about to answer when the phone rang again. Sam snatched it up, frowning as she listened.

“I’m fine, Robert,” she murmured. She glanced at Tori, saw the uncertainty on her face, in her eyes. Then she watched as Tori tossed the covers off of her naked body and walked from the room. Damn.

“I wanted to catch you before you left for work,” he said. “Do you think we could have dinner tonight?”

She pulled her knees to her chest and closed her eyes. “No, Robert. Tonight is not good. I worked late last night, well, this morning, actually.”

“We can do an early dinner,” he offered.

“No, Robert. We can’t. I’m tired.” Then she sighed. “Please don’t call me,” she said quietly. “In a few weeks, maybe we can get together.”

“Samantha, I just want to have dinner and visit. That’s all.”

“Fine. In a few weeks.”

“Samantha, please…”

“No, Robert. I’ve got to go. A few weeks, okay?”

“No. I’ll call you this weekend. I’ve got to see you.”

“Whatever,” she murmured and disconnected. She stared at the door, wanting to go to Tori. But there wasn’t time. She flung the covers off and hurried into the shower. They would have to talk later.

Tori knocked loudly on the door and waited. Then she knocked again.

“Richard Grayson? Police,” she called loudly. Still nothing. She nodded to the two uniforms standing beside her. “Break it,” she said.

They walked into the dark house, weapons drawn. It was quiet inside. Too quiet. The living room held only one chair and a small table. Nothing else. No TV, no stereo. Tori glanced around the room. There were no pictures, no personal things. It was more stark than a motel room.

“You sure you got the right place?” one of the uniforms asked.

“We’re sure. His car’s outside,” Sam said quietly.

“Check all the rooms. Let’s secure it,” Tori said. They moved slowly down the short hallway. The bedroom door was ajar and Tori slowly opened it with her foot, weapon held out in front as she entered. “Holy shit,” she murmured.

A single mattress lay on the floor. Dirty sheets were bunched together and thrown on top. It smelled rank. Empty take-out containers littered the floor, weeks’ worth, she suspected. But where the walls were bare in the rest of the house, these walls were covered with photos. Photos of young girls. Tori pointed at one and motioned for Sam.

“Rachel Anderson,” Sam murmured. “There’s Julie. Crystal.”

Some were photographs snapped around the city as the girls went about their daily lives. Others, they recognized as copies from Belle’s files.

“Detective? Take a look.”

Tori turned, following Officer Spaten. Behind the door was a chart. Twenty-two names were listed. The first name on the list was Angie. A red line was drawn through it. Crystal followed. Then Rachel Anderson. Sue and then Julie Barnes. Annette was next.

“Sam. Call in a crime unit. We need to get all of this to the lab.” She turned to Officer Spaten. “Secure the place.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Detectives? I think we found the murder scene,” Officer Tate called from the laundry room.

They followed his voice, all peering through the door into the laundry room.

“Oh my God,” Sam whispered.

The kitchen table was wedged into one corner. It was covered in dried blood, as was the floor.

“Jesus,” he murmured. “Are those legs?”

“Don’t fucking touch anything,” Tori instructed. She turned again to Sam, who was ghostly white. “Call it in, Sam,” she said again. Tori took out her own phone, calling Malone.

“He’s not here. Are we sure Annette is safe?”

“They followed her to her girlfriend’s. She’s not left.”

“Have them pick her up,” Tori said. “He’s got a… shrine here. There was a list of names. Annette is next. It’s a fucking mess here.”

“How the hell did he slip away?” Malone demanded.

“On foot, I guess. His car is still here.”

“Okay. It’s time you let Belle Grayson in on this.”

“We’ll go there now.”

She folded her phone up, then looked at Sam. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Belle’s is only a few blocks from here,” Sam agreed.

Tori raised her hand to knock, then Sam grabbed it, stopping her. “Maybe we shouldn’t knock,” she said quietly.

Tori raised her eyebrows.

“If he’s here, do we really want to give him a chance to run?” she asked reasonably.

“We have no warrant,” Tori reminded her. “What’s our probable cause?”

“Now you decide to start following rules?”

“You’re right. What was I thinking?”

But there was no need to break in. The door was unlocked. They crept in silently, then both pulled their weapons when they reached Belle’s office door. It was ajar, the light on. Tori motioned Sam to one side of the door, then quickly pushed the door open.

Belle was tied to her chair, blood coming from her mouth, her lifeless eyes staring right at them.

“Oh God,” Sam gasped. She would have rushed forward, but Tori put an arm out, stopping her.

“It’s too late for her,” she said quietly. “Let’s secure the house.”

Sam paled but nodded, then watched as Tori pulled her cell phone out and dialed, all the while scanning the room.

“Malone? Send a wagon and a crime unit. Belle’s been hit. We’re going to check the rest of the house.”

“Wait for backup, Hunter.”

They both looked up at the sound of boards creaking overhead and soft footsteps running.

“No time, Malone. I think he’s still in the house.”

“Goddammit, Hunter. Just this once, will you listen to me?”

“Tell them to hurry, Lieutenant.” She disconnected, then grabbed Sam’s arm. “Slow and careful,” she said quietly.

Sam nodded and followed Tori up the stairs. The old boards shifted and moaned with their every step, making it impossible to sneak up to the second floor. Tori moved against the wall, eyes glued to the landing as she blindly crept up the staircase.

“Shhh,” Sam hissed. She cocked her head, listening. Footsteps again. Tori nodded and motioned for Sam to follow. They stopped again as the screaming of door hinges echoed in the silent house. Tori pointed down the hall to the left. Sam nodded.

She swallowed with difficulty. Sam didn’t mind admitting that she was scared. Her palms were sweaty, and her weapon seemed to weigh a ton in her hand. Her only comfort was that she’d insisted they both wear their vests today.

They stood at the landing, staring down the long hall. There were six rooms. Sam watched as Tori silently lay flat on her stomach, cheek pressed to the floor as she looked under each door. At the fourth door, she nodded. She pulled herself back up, motioning to Sam, who nodded.